Interpine Innovation

Impacts of Length and Diameter Measurement Error on Mechanical Harvesters
14/06/2011 5:17:00 p.m.
A short profile of a published paper by Hamish Marshall and associates on measurement errors associated with mechanical harvesters. Hamish leads Interpine research and development team since 2008. Evaluation of the economic impacts of length and diameter measurement error on mechanical harvesters and processors operating in pine standsHamish D. Marshall, Glen E. Murphy, and Kevin Boston, Canadian Journal of Forest Research 36-1661-1673 (2006) AbstractValue recovery studies from around the world have shown that on average mechanical log-making systems lose 18% of the potential value compared to 11% for motor manual systems. One of the potential reasons for their poor value recovery performance is the level of accuracy of their stem diameter and length measurements. Numerous studies have looked at the level of error in both the diameter and length measurements made by mechanical harvesters and processors; however, few have looked at the economic impacts of these errors. The paper investigates...

Resin Coding Assessment During Forest Inventory - An External View of Potential Internal Resin Problems
17/09/2010 8:47:00 a.m.
Interpine implement external resin bleeding scoring in most of forest inventory operations, to assist with assessment of internal wood quality. Introduction to Resin Coding AssessmentA series of studies have confirmed clear links between external resin on the bark of radiata pine and subsequent degrade and value loss in potential clearwood products. Resin scores are collected by forest inventory staff using the Wood Quality Initiative's "Field Guide to Assist Recongnition and Classification of Resinous Defects on Bark of Radiata Pine". This is then used to keep resin incidence within the woodflows from pruned stands constant over time and in particular avoid large numbers of severe resin stands being harvested over any period. Maps produced from resin scoring are used to identify resin prone areas and environmental factors, which should be avoided over the next crop rotation. Resin scoring is also extensively being used in : Juvenile stem assessment can also be...

Pruned Resource Evaluation - What is it ? Why do It ?
16/09/2010 1:53:00 p.m.
The Pruned Log Index (PLI) was developed by former FRI scientist Jim Park in the late 80's and is respected throughout New Zealand by forest owners and Log buyers a like as the absolute measure of pruned log quality. Interpine is now providing stand sampling and mill studies for Pruned Log Index (PLI) and Clear Veneer Potential (CVP). This includes the incidence of resin and other randomly occurring defects. The results of these studies provide information on how much of the pruned resource can be turned into clear grade wood product, the most valuable grade to mill owners. BENEFITS TO LOG BUYERS Greater confidence when purchasing pruned logs knowing their potential to be converted to high quality clear grade product. Greater confidence in purchasing wood from regions known for resin pocket problems. Improve interest and higher bidding on stumpage sales from buyers confident in what they are bidding on....

Cross Sectional Analysis and Sawing Studies for PLI, CVP including Resinous Defects - Service Provision Update
15/03/2008 5:22:00 p.m.
Interpine is now providing stand sampling and mill studies for PLI and CVP. This includes the incidence of resin and other randomly occurring defects. Indicative of Interpine's commitment to progressive research based business development, this association with Interface Forest and Mill (Jim Park) compliments the range of services we currently offer in terms of resource evaluation. Pruned Log Index (PLI) and Clear Veneer Potential (CVP) have become industry standards for the assessment of pruned log quality, in terms of clearwood potential. Together with an understanding of the knotty defect core, levels of random defects, such as resin pockets and flecking are also gathered.Pruning is a very expensive investment, but can add a lot of value to a forest if done right. However, this value is often not fully realised if log buyers and mills do not have certainty of the quality of the clearwood within the pruned logs. If buyers...

Spike Knots – What are They? Introduction into Identifying and Measuring Spike Knots
7/09/2007 3:09:00 p.m.
A number of stem or log attributes are recognised and/or measured during log-making (bucking of logs within a stem). One of these is a "spike knot". Spikes knots are the result of acutely angled branches. So in essence they are just a normal branch which has formed on a steep angle in terms of the stem. They can effect log and end-product value, and quality and in particular make material unsuitable for peeling or some sawn products. This is due to the increase in the knot area ratio (horizontal area of the knot when sliced as part of a piece of lumber or veneer) )that the knot will occupy in the final product.Common Methods Throughout The Industry There are a number of different methods in New Zealand for measuring "spike knots" in log products. This article aim to summarise a few of these to help produces of log specifications to...

Standing Tree Acoustics - Interpine start using the Fibre gen Director ST300 Tool
15/12/2006 4:51:00 p.m.
In August 2005 extensive acoustic testing was carried out on behalf a client throughout their forest estate. This testing comprised of two parts. The first involved the sampling of upcoming harvest areas to attain an average acoustic velocity of the standing resource using the Director ST300. The second part was a destructive trial to establish a relationship between acoustic velocity results of the standing trees to those found in cut logs. This article aims to just review the use of the Director ST300 and to help impart an understanding of the science behind the tool.   Introduction to Standing Tree Acoustic Testing Stiffness and fibre properties of wood are fundamentally important for producers of lumber and pulp and paper. Acoustic speed or the speed at which sound travels through wood, is well proven to be an accurate measure of wood stiffness [see Pellerin and Ross, 2002]. With recent technological advances it...

Lit Review: Log Quality by Acoustics
7/11/2005 3:01:00 p.m.
The use of acoustic technology has been recognized as an accurate, precise, and efficient means by which wood quality can be quantifiably measured (www.metriguard.com/fiber.htm; Rippy 1998; Baldwin 1995). However, the process of measuring wood quality at the log level with acoustic tools has until recently been limited by a lack of ruggedness and mobility among the measurement tools themselves. Within the last several years, the portability of such tools has increased such that handheld measurement units are capable of quantifying key mechanical wood properties quickly, simply, and accurately (Carter and Lausberg FEIA 2002; Clark, Hartmann, Lausberg, and Walker 2002; NZFI June 2002; Young NZJF 2002). Amid the NZ forest industry two handheld acoustic log measurement models have been developed for operational use. These models include the CHH Fibre-Gen Hitman tool and the Fletcher Challenge Forests (FCF) Sound Wave Acoustic Technology (SWAT) tool. The latter was developed primarily for FCF usage,...

Acoustic Testing USA Log Supplies For Internal Wood Quality
7/10/2003 4:10:00 p.m.
Author : Ted Downs, Technical Forester, Interpine Forestry In October 2003 Interpine implemented a wood quality project for a major U.S. forestry corporate in an effort to help them achieve the following objectives: Determine the existence of a relationship between acoustic log measurement technology (Director HM200) and veneer stiffness. Quantify the relationship (or lack thereof) of log age to veneer quality, as measured by veneer stiffness or Modulus of Elasticity (E). Project a descriptive 10-year forecast for veneer G-rating output across the fee estate. Provide a framework for integrating acoustic log testing technology into existing harvesting operations via practical and efficient means. This wood quality project successfully determined the existence of a strong correlation and relationship between the Director HM200 acoustic measures and Metriguard veneer stiffness readings; higher veneer stiffness was correlated with a higher Director HM200 acoustic speed.    Interpine's findings were congruent with the bulk of the research...