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Virginia Tech

Simulating Optimal Part Yield from No. 3A Common Lumber

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

The percentage of low-grade material composing the annual hardwood lumber production in the U.S. is on the rise. As a result, finding markets for low-grade and low-value lumber has been identified as a top priority by researchers and industry associations. Computer simulation has been used by the manufacturing industry for several decades as a decision support tool. Simulation programs are commonly used and relied on by researchers and the industry alike to conduct research on various aspects of the rough mill from processing to recovery efficiency. This research used the ROMI-RIP and ROMI-CROSS simulation programs to determine specific conditions that led to optimal part yield when processing No. 3A Common, 4/4-thickness, kiln-dried, red oak lumber in rip-first and crosscut-first operations. Results of the simulations indicated that cutting bills with narrow part widths and short part lengths are conducive to obtaining optimal part yield while processing No. 3A Common lumber. Furthermore, it was found that as the percent of No. 3A Common lumber in a grade mix increases, part yields and sawing efficiencies decrease. The results also indicated that higher part yields will be obtained when processing short-length No. 3A Common lumber between 6 and 8 feet in length.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Wood Science and Forest Products
Department dc:contributor.department
Wood Science and Forest Products
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2002

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Shepley, Brian Patrick
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Smith, Robert L.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Wiedenbeck, Janice K.
  • Kline, D. Earl

Subjects

dc:subject × 15

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-12172002-141720
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/36226

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Shepley, Brian Patrick. Simulating Optimal Part Yield from No. 3A Common Lumber. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/36226