Laser Scanning In The Sawmill Industry

The sawmill industry in the country is one of its key industries. Lumber is used in many manufacturing and construction processes.

The increasing demand for lumber has forced the sawmill industry into adopting more efficient production methods. The increasing environmental concerns forced them, on the other hand to minimize wood waste and optimize their production process. The wood contractors must extract and use the maximum amount useful wood out of a log, and then only dispose of the decayed portion.

Laser Scanning In The Sawmill Industry

The sawmill industry is now using advanced technologies to optimize wood and reduce waste. In order to help in this effort 3D laser scans, which offer detailed wood analysis and aid in wood profiling, are helping achieve optimum wood use and high-volume production with minimal waste.

How has laser scanning benefited the sawmill industry?

Laser scanning has revolutionized the industry of sawmills. This method, which uses computer vision to provide a comprehensive, internal view of logs and help in profiling and measuring them, offers a holistic, interior view. The industrial computed-tomography (CT scanning) helps create 3D models of wooden logs. This eliminates guesswork, and gives wood contractors a clear image to begin the next steps.

Laser scanners optimize and improve the efficiency of the entire process. These machines are also able to help with better decision-making when it comes cross-cutting or sorting. These machines also eliminate common errors such as under- or over-trimming wood.

The industrial CT scanner is used to identify splits and cracks in a log, as well as knots, resin pockets and other imperfections. This helps to understand the log before cutting and dealing with it. This allows you to select the wood that is best suited for your specific needs, as woods are available in different sizes and grades.

The yield and waste are maximized with increased precision and accuracy. Laser scanning allows workers to get the most out of a decayed block of wood. The timber produced will be of a high standard. It is safe to say that laser scanners have led to a higher production of timber, which in turn has resulted in greater profits.

These machines can reveal the true quality of logs. Many logs may look healthy on the outside, but are rotting inside.

How do laser scanners work?

Laser scanners are used in the sawmilling industry to examine logs. They resemble medical CT scans, or computed tomography (formerly called computed axial scan or CAT scan), which is used to diagnose and treat patients with various diseases. Laser scanners allow a clear look at the inside of logs. They can be used to classify logs and find defects, just as a radiology technician could use a CT scan for non-invasive diagnostic purposes.

These machines project a laser beam onto the surface of the logs. These multi-point scanners are equipped with a camera that helps them generate multiple data points. The millions of points help to generate scans which are then fed into the computer. Each log is digitalized and then converted into a 3-D model. Information inferred from the logs is vital as it allows for optimal cutting patterns to maximize yield and value.

Features of an ideal laser scanner

The quality of laser scans directly correlates with the quality of yield. Premium laser scanners, equipped with precision lenses of high quality, provide a clear and complete image of the wood. This allows for a quick identification of the defects in a log.

A laser scanner that is ideal will cover the entire piece of wood to be digitized. To expose flaws in the wood and highlight its valuable components, all four sides should be scanned. Many steep wanes are hidden in the blindspots between data points. This can be a problem because it leads to making incorrect decisions and wastes a lot of logs.

The chances of making a mistake are very low with a high-quality laser scanner that is equipped with a precision optic. Again, this ensures that the waste generated is minimal.

The lenses are a crucial component of laser scanners. They directly affect the quality of scans produced. Premium lenses produce accurate results. The choice of lens for laser scanners is therefore a crucial decision.

The engineering team at SUPERIOR® Optics can design and manufacture Laser Lens Assembly. If you need premium custom lenses for your laser scanners, please call us or email info@superiorcctv.com. Our trained application engineers will contact you as quickly as possible.