Abstract: A method of sorting green lumber is based on a ratio of moisture content to either weight or density. The moisture content of each piece of green lumber is measured, and the weight or density of the green lumber is measure. One more thresholds of moisture content to weight or density ratios are used to divide the green lumber into groups. Such a sort tends to produce groups of green lumber that require similar kiln drying schedules.

Abstract: A method of sorting green lumber is based on a ratio of moisture content to either weight or density. The moisture content of each piece of green lumber is measured, and the weight or density of the green lumber is measure. One more thresholds of moisture content to weight or density ratios are used to divide the green lumber into groups. Such a sort tends to produce groups of green lumber that require similar kiln drying schedules.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method for quantifying contribution to overall variability of moisture content in wood products and associated computer software. The method comprises the steps of obtaining moisture content data for the wood products and identifying one or more sources of variability in the moisture content data. A contribution to overall variability from each of the one or more sources of variability is then quantified. One or more opportunities to impact the overall variability are then quantified, each of the one or more opportunities being associated with one or more executable steps.

Abstract: Methods for reducing warp potential of lumber derived from a raw material, such as a log or stem are provided. The methods involve examining the log or stem for shrinkage properties and/or properties of spiral grain. The location of the shrinkage properties and/or properties of spiral grain determine how the log is oriented relative to a cutting device. In another embodiment, these characteristics determine what cutting pattern is selected for creating the lumber. In the case of a stem, these characteristics determine how the stem will be bucked.

Abstract: Methods are provided for predicting warp of a lumber product at a given condition, such as relative humidity, temperature, moisture content, or the like. Note that this methodology may apply to any of crook, bow, twist, cup, or combinations of these quantities. The method involves measuring an original warp of a first wood product at a known condition; changing the condition of the first wood product to a new condition; measuring a second warp of the first wood product at the new condition; developing a prediction model based on data from the original warp and condition and the second warp; measuring an original warp and condition of the given wood product; and inputting data from the original warp and condition of the given wood product to the prediction model to determine warp at a given condition.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method for optimizing value of current wood products dried in one or more current drying processes and associated computer software. The method comprises the steps of obtaining prior wood product data for prior wood products dried in one or more prior drying processes and generating a value function based on the prior wood product data. The method further includes identifying one or more sources of variability in the prior wood product data and quantifying a contribution to overall variability from each of the sources. The value function and the contributions to overall variability may be used to quantify one or more value opportunities associated with each the one or more sources, each value opportunity being associated with one or more executable steps for improving the one or more current drying processes.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method for quantifying contribution to overall variability of moisture content in wood products and associated computer software. The method comprises the steps of obtaining moisture content data for the wood products and identifying one or more sources of variability in the moisture content data. A contribution to overall variability from each of the one or more sources of variability is then quantified. One or more opportunities to impact the overall variability are then quantified, each of the one or more opportunities being associated with one or more executable steps.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for reducing warp potential of lumber derived from a raw material, such as a log or stem are provided. In some embodiments, the methods involve examining the log or stem for shrinkage properties and/or properties of spiral grain. The location of the shrinkage properties and/or properties of spiral grain may be used to determine how the log is oriented relative to a cutting device. In some embodiments, these characteristics may determine what cutting pattern is selected for creating the lumber or how a stem is bucked.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method for optimizing value of current wood products dried in one or more current drying processes and associated computer software. The method comprises the steps of obtaining prior wood product data for prior wood products dried in one or more prior drying processes and generating a value function based on the prior wood product data. The method further includes identifying one or more sources of variability in the prior wood product data and quantifying a contribution to overall variability from each of the sources. The value function and the contributions to overall variability may be used to quantify one or more value opportunities associated with each the one or more sources, each value opportunity being associated with one or more executable steps for improving the one or more current drying processes.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for reducing warp potential of lumber derived from a raw material, such as a log or stem are provided. In some embodiments, the methods involve examining the log or stem for shrinkage properties and/or properties of spiral grain. The location of the shrinkage properties and/or properties of spiral grain may be used to determine how the log is oriented relative to a cutting device. In some embodiments, these characteristics may determine what cutting pattern is selected for creating the lumber or how a stem is bucked.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for predicting warp of a wood product produced from a log. Some embodiments include performing a three dimensional scan of the log to obtain geometric data, using the geometric data to construct a log profile, partitioning the geometric data into geometric components, removing one or more selected geometric components to create one or more residual grid profiles, deriving geometric statistics from the one or more residual grid profiles or from the log profile, and entering the geometric statistics into a model for predicting warp of the wood product. The geometric statistics may include orientation dependent and orientation independent statistics.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a wood product package comprising a plurality of wood products having a performance attribute. The performance attribute of the wood products is certified in statistical terms based on a degree to at which at least one of a morphology, microstructure, macrostructure or chemical composition property remains substantially symmetrical about a cross-sectional centroid of each of the wood products. Each of the plurality of wood products have a cross-sectional centroid. The plurality of wood products each have a property that is substantially symmetrical about the cross-sectional centroids. The property is related to morphology, microstructure, macrostructure, and chemical composition. Further aspects of the disclosure are directed towards methods for sorting wood products.

Abstract: Methods are provided for using light reflection patterns to determine various properties of fibrous materials, such as wood. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods for determining a dive angle for grain. Further, the present invention relates to methods for using information in T2 plots, combined with knowledge of the microstructure of a wood sample surface, to find pith location and/or ring curvature.

Abstract: Methods are provided for predicting warp of a wood product given its differential characteristics, such as, for example, curvature. The methods may involve measuring at least one original warp profile for each of one or more first wood products; measuring one or more inputs on the one or more first wood products; converting the warp profile, for each of the one or more first wood products, into a differential characteristic profile; developing a prediction algorithm based on the one or more inputs and the differential characteristic profile; measuring one or more inputs of the given wood product; inputting the one or more inputs of the given wood product into the prediction algorithm; and determining a differential characteristic profile for the given wood product based on the prediction algorithm.

Abstract: Methods are provided for using light reflection patterns to determine various properties of fibrous materials, such as wood. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods for determining a dive angle for grain. Further, the present invention relates to methods for using information in T2 plots, combined with knowledge of the microstructure of a wood sample surface, to find pith location and/or ring curvature.

Abstract: A warp stable wood product and methods for detecting the same are provided. The wood product may be sorted based on its morphology, microstructure, macrostructure, and/or chemical composition properties being substantially symmetric relative to at least one or more cross-sectional centroids of the wood product, thereby imparting warp stability.

Abstract: Methods are provided for using light reflection patterns to determine various properties of fibrous materials, such as wood. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods for determining a dive angle for grain. Further, the present invention relates to methods for using information in T2 plots, combined with knowledge of the microstructure of a wood sample surface, to find pith location and/or ring curvature.

Abstract: Methods are provided for predicting warp of a wood product given its differential characteristics, such as, for example, curvature. The methods may involve measuring at least one original warp profile for each of one or more first wood products; measuring one or more inputs on the one or more first wood products; converting the warp profile, for each of the one or more first wood products, into a differential characteristic profile; developing a prediction algorithm based on the one or more inputs and the differential characteristic profile; measuring one or more inputs of the given wood product; inputting the one or more inputs of the given wood product into the prediction algorithm; and determining a differential characteristic profile for the given wood product based on the prediction algorithm.

Abstract: Methods are provided for predicting warp of a lumber product at a given condition, such as relative humidity, temperature, moisture content, or the like. Note that this methodology may apply to any of crook, bow, twist, cup, or combinations of these quantities. The method involves measuring an original warp of a first wood product at a known condition; changing the condition of the first wood product to a new condition; measuring a second warp of the first wood product at the new condition; developing a prediction model based on data from the original warp and condition and the second warp; measuring an original warp and condition of the given wood product; and inputting data from the original warp and condition of the given wood product to the prediction model to determine warp at a given condition.

Abstract: Methods are provided for using light reflection patterns to determine various properties of fibrous materials, such as wood. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods for determining a dive angle for grain. Further, the present invention relates to methods for using information in T2 plots, combined with knowledge of the microstructure of a wood sample surface, to find pith location and/or ring curvature.