Year: 2019
Type: article
Abstract: As the wood sawing industry in Central Europe is highly competitive, sawmills constantly try to increase their efficiency in the production process. The computed tomography (CT) technology is a promising way to increase the economic outcome of the sawing process. Nevertheless, the number of successful industry applications is still rare. In this study, the potential advantages of a roundwood scanning CT in a sawmill which uses bandsaw technology are analysed. A discrete event simulation model covering most of the sawmill’s activities was developed and six output-altering CT-factors were implemented to identify the effects of the CT on sawing strategies. The CT-factors are applied to all assortments and affect the output of the sawing process. Since the CT scanner presumably affects the selection of logs for the sawing process, each CT-factor scenario was applied to different log selection strategies. By testing several scenarios, the prospective economic impact of a CT scanner could be revealed and an investment appraisal was conducted. Under different assumptions, an internal rate of return of 5% up to 42% was calculated.
Institution: BOKU University
Language: English
Field: Energy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,690
Award: G7599684482
OpenAlex ID: W2942274975