SOLVE II: A Technique to Improve Efficiency and Solve Problems in Hardwood Sawmills

Abstract

The squeeze between rising costs and product values is getting tighter for sawmill managers. So, they are taking a closer took at the efficiency of their sawmills by making a complete analysis of their milling situation. Such an analysis requires considerable time and expense. To aid the manager with this task, the USDA Forest Service's Northeastern Forest Experiment Station and the Northeastern Area of State and Private Forestry have developed and field tested a computerized sawmill alnalysis technique called SOLVE II. Although the technique has been computerized, most sawmill managers do not have the manpower and computer facilities needed to collect and process the data. So, state utilization foresters in the Northeast and S&PF specialists are helping the sawmill managers to apply SOLVE II. The flexibility of this technique allows it to be used for most hardwood mills and some softwood mills. Mill layout does not affect its use as long as the sawn products for each individual log can be followed through the mill. However, it is necessary that the mill: (1) processes logs witk scaling diameters of at least 6 inches and no greater than 30 inches, (2) processes logs with lengths of at least 8 feet and no greater than 16 feet, (3) at least partially processes all logs through one piece of equipment that limits production, and (4) has the necessary operating cost information, Managers of sawmills that meet these requirements will find SOLVE II a useful tool in analyzing their milling situation.

Citation

Adams, Edward L.; Dunmire, Daniel E. 1977. SOLVE II: A Technique to Improve Efficiency and Solve Problems in Hardwood Sawmills. Res. Pap. NE-382. Upper Darby, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 19p.