AUTOMATED MEASUREMENT SYSTEM FOR TIMBER LOGS
Project background:
In manual mode, a certified surveyor inspects each timber log and assigns a quality and defect category based on subjective factors, which often leads to oversight errors. Client aims to automate the quality control process by implementing a system that can analyze quality of timberlogs, detect defects, and determine the grade of logs or veneer blocks.
Biggest challenges: The high speed of conveyor line, wide visual variation, and the size of timber logs place high demands on depth of focus and light intensity. Large dimensions of logs significantly limit the feasibility of conducting tests in laboratory conditions.
Solution:
A unique system was developed and implemented, capable of performing the following functions: identifying the wood species, analyzing the wood surface both from the side and in cross-section, obtaining data on the log’s length and diameter, assessing the quality of timberlogs, detecting defects and other parameters for sorting veneer logs by grade. The number of timber logs to be evaluated per day can reach up to 9,000.
Key benefits:
- Improved production process;
- Optimised quality data acquisition and processing;
- Reduced time needed for data extraction and improved accuracy of the data obtained;
- Optimised workforce and efficiency.
