Scanning Hardwood Lumber for Processing and Grading— What to do Now and Why

A cooperative effort between Virginia Tech, the USDA Forest Service, and the industry has led to the development of a new scanning technology to automatically detect lumber grading features that affect the value of the end product. This effort has resulted in several commercial scanning systems now available through Group Seven Systems and Nova Technologies. These systems include a color sorting system for hardwood edgeglued panel parts and an automatic lumber defect scanning system for hardwood rough mill applications. Current research and development efforts at Virginia Tech are now applying the scanning technology to automatic lumber grading and re-manufacturing. Current efforts are specifically aimed at automatically grading green rough hardwood lumber and grading/upgrading rough dry hardwood lumber. Substantial lumber value can be added with such automated systems through increased grading accuracy, custom grades, and optimum lumber upgrading opportunities.