We propose to develop an affordable yet production speed Tangential x-ray CT scanner system for an inside 3-dimensional look of the logs. The present x-ray CT scanners are designed for medical or other research applications and are not suitable for production environment generally found in forest product mills. The prior experimental work by many scientists in the forest product industries have already proven that an optimum sawing plan can significantly improve the lumber or veneer value of a log. The optimum sawing plan requires that the exact size and locations of all defects like knots, stains, worm holes, mineral streaks, splits, decay, etc., are known within the log before computing the saw plan. Omega has already developed and installed a production type Tangential CT scanner system at Navy. This system uses a new CT data collection technique which is easier, faster and more suitable for production. During Phase 1, we propose to measure optimum x-ray energy and detector system requirements for various wood types and size logs. We would also measure available contrast signal for various size and types of defects in different types and size wood logs to determine optimum system configuration and ultimate system performance. During Phase 11, we will propose to fabricate a prototype system for further experiments and to develop a data base.Applications:The proposed research would lead to an affordable yet production speed CT scanner system for logs. Today, log cost represents about 80% of the lumber price. The prior studies have shown that an optimum sawing plan can increase the lumber value from a log by 10-21%. This type of economy provides a strong incentive to use any affordable methods to develop an optimum sawing plan. We expect that eventually most larger saw mills in United States would like to install a CT scanner system for sawing plan. This represents a market of several hundred machines in U.S. alone with a total revenue potential in the $100 million range.
