Manufacturing and Production

Sawmilling Operations and Timber Recovery

A sawmill buys logs by volume and sells boards by volume, so the whole business sits in the difference, and a few millimetres of saw kerf or a poor opening cut is money converted into sawdust. This course concentrates on recovery. Delegates work through log quality, measurement and the grading that decides what a log should be cut for. Sawing patterns follow, including through and through, cant sawing and the opening face decision that determines grade recovery. Saw types are covered across bandsaw, circular and frame, with kerf, tooth geometry and the tensioning and maintenance that keep a saw cutting straight. Sawing variation and target size setting are addressed, since oversizing to be safe is the commonest recovery loss. Edging and trimming follow. Green grading and sorting are covered. Residue use through chips, sawdust and offcuts is addressed as revenue. Safety around saws and log handling is covered directly. The course closes on recovery measurement and on log yard management.