Grading of Timber by Machines

Abstract

9.1 Grading of timber was first attempted for aesthetic considerations. Knot-free timber was regarded as superior, to timber with knots. Selected timber was used for structural purposes, adopting a wide safety margin. Science and technology have developed so fast that, timber grading is today done accurately by modern machines. 9.2 Grading of timber may be defined as an intelligible selection of species, for certain specific end uses. Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun and Indian Standards Institution, New Delhi have done much work and published a number of specifications, on an all India basis. Grading of timber, based on the best, ultimate use, of the timber, or converted material, was followed in Andhra Pradesh successfully, since 1958. It is known as utility grading or commercial grading. Adoption of true volume in place of quartergirth volume is suggested to increase revenue. 9.3 The Current consumption of industrial wood is of the order of 16 million m³, requiring grading by machines. Timber has regained its importance as a stractura material. Experience of advanced countries of U.S.A., U.K., was useful in correctly assessing the advantages or timber grading by machines. Latest machine was designed in Australia, for grading of timber. It is beneficial, from poiats of view of a purchaser and a seller. It is essential, to adopt modern methods of grading of timber by machines, urgently, in the context of growing demand, for structural timber and the grim prospects of its scarcity. The cost of the modern machines will be made good, from all round grains, in no time.