Opportunities for Expanded and Higher Value Utilization of No. 3A Common Hardwood Lumber‪.‬

Abstract The percentage of low-grade material composing the annual hardwood lumber production in the United States is on the rise. As a result, finding markets for low-grade and low-value lumber has been identified as a top priority by researchers and industry associations. This research used the ROMI-RIP and ROMI-CROSS simulation programs to determine specific conditions that can lead to optimal part yield when processing No. 3A Common (3AC), 4/4-thickness, kiln-dried red oak lumber in rip-first and crosscut-first rough mill operations. Results of the simulations indicated that cutting bills with narrow part widths and short part lengths are the most conducive to obtaining optimal part yield while processing 3AC lumber. Further, the results indicated that higher part yields can be obtained when processing short-length 3AC lumber (between 6 and 8 ft.) as opposed to longer length 3AC lumber. Part yields from short, 3AC lumber were from 3 to 6 percent higher than were the yields from long, 3AC lumber (between 14 and 16 ft.) in three of four simulation trials. The lumber length effect was more consistent in the rip-first processing trials than in the crosscut-first trials.