Southern Research Station

Title: Software analyzes feasibility of saw kerf reduction for hardwood mills

Author: Steele, Philip H.

Date: 2005

Source: Pallet Enterprise. 25(6): 44-45

Description: Reductions in saw kerf on head rigs and resaws can dramatically increase lumber recovery in hardwood sawmills. Research has shown that lumber sawing variation reduction will increase lumber recovery above that obtained solely from kerf reduction. Reductions in sawing machine kerf or variation always come at some cost in both capital and variable costs. Determining whether the financial benefits outweigh the costs can be a daunting task. A free software package titled ECHO (Economic Choice for Hardwood Operations) is available that performs an investment feasibility analysis. Replacement of head rigs and resaws with reduced kerfs and-or sawing variation can be determined by this software.

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Citation

Steele, Philip H.  2005.  Software analyzes feasibility of saw kerf reduction for hardwood mills.   Pallet Enterprise. 25(6): 44-45.