A SCANNER/OPTIMIZER FOR THE RIPSAW

Back in 1994, LUCIDYNE TECHNOLOGIES and SIERRA PACIFIC INDUSTRIES worked together to design the first fully automated defect optimizing scanning system for ripping lumber in the softwood industry.  It was called RipScan^®.  This system utilized top and bottom color cameras for defect and wane break detection, artificial intelligence for image processing, and parallel processing techniques to develop complex rip solutions.  Three scanners were installed, and the human grading decision process was replaced - RipScan made all the sawing decisions.

In early 2003, Lucidyne returned to upgrade those three scanners with more powerful sensors.  These scanners now each utilize four-sensor technologies!   RipScan was better than human operators several years ago.  Now it is much more capable and solves even more challenging rip opportunities for multiple saw ripping by considering defect placement in the optimal chop solution for the most valuable use of the fiber.  What started as an idea turned into a highly successful product characterized by the creative energies and teamwork of two companies dedicated to solving a complex lumber remanufacturing problem.

RipScan automatically determines optimal saw sets for a movable- or fixed-arbor rip saw. Lucidyne and Sierra Pacific have solved the problems of high speeds, wide lumber and the harsh mill environment. They met the challenge head-on with the right combination of electronic engineering, computer software, technical expertise, and rough mill savvy. 

A SITE VISIT TO RED BLUFF, CALIFORNIA

This worker feeds lumber into the system. No other manual effort is required because RipScan takes over by scanning, optimizing, and instructing the saw what to do. The operator chooses the best orientation of the board face to the fence and Lucidyne does the rest!

Each system processes up to 24 inch wide lumber.  Sierra cuts 4/4 to 6/4 thick material that includes Ponderosa Pine, Radiata Pine, Sugar Pine, Cedar, and others.

Boards pass through the scanner lineally.  (This view shows the scanner pulled out at Lucidyne's lab before shipping to the plant.)

The quantity of raw data collected by the system's sensors is so massive that it could approach 80 MBytes for a single wide board.  This requires a significant amount of computer power to process. Artificial Intelligence techniques help in this effort.  When you are trying to simulate the processes in the human brain, you need all the power you can get!

These boards have been scanned and are "in queue" as they sequence toward the saw.  Before they reach the saw, image processing software finds and classifies different kinds of knots, wane, bark, blue stain, brown stain, pitch, rot, cracks, splits, holes, and even surface check.

The scanner runs at up to 750 feet/minute to keep up with the rip saw.  The resulting rips produced definitely keep the pulling crew scrambling to keep up!.