Processing Operations in Forest-Based Industries

These flashcards cover key concepts and terminology related to the processing operations in forest-based industries, specifically focusing on lumber manufacture and sawmilling.

Lumber Manufacture

The process of converting logs into lumber through sawing, squaring edges, and cutting to length.

Debarking

The removal of bark from logs before sawing, increasing saw efficiency and preventing damage.

Primary Breakdown (Headsawing)

The initial cutting of logs into lumber, turning the log on the carriage to maximize output of high-grade boards.

Taper Sawing

A method of sawing parallel to the outer log axis.

Non-Taper Sawing

Sawing parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tree/log.

Plain Sawing

A sawing method producing boards with annual rings parallel to the surface, used for logs with interior defects.

Quarter Sawing

A method of producing lumber perpendicular to the surface, resulting in edge-grained wood.

Circular Headsaw

A large diameter circular saw used in lumber manufacturing, requiring precise maintenance.

Gang Headsaw

A type of saw with straight flat blades used to cut multiple boards simultaneously.

Resawing

The process of cutting larger timbers or slabs into usable lumber, often using specialized saws.

Edging

Cutting boards parallel to the grain to remove defects and achieve desired width.

Trimming

Cutting across the grain at the end of boards to produce straight edges and eliminate defects.

Lumber Seasoning

The process of removing or adding moisture to wood, which can be either natural drying or using kilns.

Lumber Grading

Standards applied to classify the quality of lumber based on physical features and usability.

Clearface

A face of lumber that has no defects, qualifying it for higher grading.

Cutting Unit

A unit derived by multiplying the width and length of clearface lumber for grading purposes.

Surface Measure

The total area of lumber in surface square feet, used for pricing and grading.

Board Foot Measurement

A measurement of lumber volume calculated based on thickness, width, and length.

Sawmill

The facility where operations for converting logs to lumber are conducted, also known as sawmilling.

Lumber Yield

The amount of usable lumber derived from logs after the milling process.

Grading Standards

Rules established for classifying lumber quality, with variations based on species and defects.

Hydraulic Debarker

A type of debarker that uses hydraulic systems to efficiently remove bark from logs.