Improved sawing, Part 2
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Luleå tekniska universitet - Avdelningen för Träteknik |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 3 500 000 |
| Project duration | November 2020 - December 2023 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | The strategic innovation programme Bioinnovation |
Important results from the project
The project´s aim is to increase the proportion of high-value products that can be sawn from a tree trunk, i.e. to increase the added value of sawmills. This can be seen as a long-term aim and has not been achieved in practice with this project. However, it has been shown that it is entirely possible to achieve with new optimization methods. The goal of the project has been to develop an optimization tool to renew the current sawing. This has been achieved with a newly developed software by Uppsala Universitet. The program allows optimization with more degrees of freedom than before.
Expected long term effects
Expected results were described as: "The optimization algorithm to be developed must answer the question how saw patterns should be designed and what degrees of freedom a breakdown machine must have to maximize the value yield from a tree, when it is cut in industrial production". It has been largely achieved, as there is a functioning optimization algorithm. Expected effects are described more long-term as increased value. The project has shown that it is possible to increase the value yield when sawing logs by at least five percentage points with new free saw patterns.
Approach and implementation
The plan has been well adapted to the objectives. The interdisciplinary consortium with two academic parties with widely different competences has meant learning in two directions, which was the aim of AP 1. LTU has increased its know-how in the field of optimization, and UU has gained insights into the specific challenges found in the wood industry. The project has been delayed due to external factors - a change of project leader which led to a delay in project agreements etc., as well as a lengthy process for a residence permit for the postdoc who carried out a large part of the software work.