This document summarizes Task 4.5, which aims to develop a system for estimating log quality by analyzing cutting resistance during harvesting. CNR and Kesla will work to select sensors for the processor head to measure cutting forces, develop methods to correlate these measurements with wood properties, and create a "Cutting Process quality index". The task will establish a protocol for collecting cutting data from chainsaws and delimbers by July 2015 and deliver a prototype quality index method by November 2015. The index is intended to support real-time grading of logs based on estimated density and resistance from cutting force analyses.

1. Work Package 4: Multi-sensor model-based
quality control of mountain forest production
TASK 4.5
Evaluation of cutting process (CP) for the
determination of log/biomass “CP quality index”

2. Task 4.5: Cutting Process (CP) for the determination of
log/biomass “CP quality index”
Task Leader: CNR
Task Partecipants: Kesla
Starting : October 2014
Ending: November2015
Estimated person-month = 4.00 (CNR) + 2.00 (Kesla)
CNR : will coordinate the research necessary, develop the knowledge base linking process and wood
properties, recommend the proper sensor, develop software tools for computation of the CP quality
index
Kesla : will provide expertise in regard to sensor selection and integration with the processor head +
extensive testing of the prototype

3. Task 4.5: cutting process quality index
Deliverables
D.4.06 Establishing cutting power measurement protocol
Report: This deliverable will contain a report and recommended protocol for collection of
data chainsaw and delimbing cutting process.
Delivery Date: July 2015 (M.19)
D.4.11 Estimation of log quality by cutting power analysis
Prototype: Numerical procedure for determination of “CP quality index” on the base of
cutting processes monitoring
Delivery Date: November 2015 (M.23)

4. Task 4.5: cutting process quality index
Timing
1
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
2
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
3
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
4
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
5
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
6
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
7
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
8
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5
8.6
8.7
8.8
9
9.1
9.2
9.3
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36

5. Task 4.5: cutting process quality index
Objectives
The goals of this task are:
• to develop a novel automatic system for estimation of the
cutting resistance of wood processed during harvesting
• to use this information for the determination of log/biomass
quality index

6. Task 4.5: cutting process quality index
Theory
all regions in Poland
The value of cutting forces is
related to:
• wood density
• cutting conditions
• selected mechanical
properties of wood
(i.e. fracture toughness
and shear modulus).

7. Task 4.5: cutting process quality index
Principles
The indicators of cutting forces:
• energy demand
• hydraulic pressure in the saw feed piston
• power consumption
will be collected on-line and regressed to the known log
characteristics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZoq7PkyO-c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzaPvftspg0

8. Task 4.5: cutting process quality index
Chainsaw

9. Task 4.5: cutting process quality index
Delimbing systems

10. Task 4.5: cutting process quality index
Comments
The average density and mechanical resistance will be a result of the
analysis of the chainsaw cutting process.
Estimation of the “CP-branch indicator” will be computed only in
the case of delimbing on the processor head. In this case, it will be
correlated to the “3D-branch indicator” determined from the 3D
stem model of the original standing tree (T4.1).
The information will be forwarded to the server in real-time and will
support final grading of logs.

11. Task 4.5: cutting process quality index
Challenges
What sensors are appropriate for measuring cutting forces in
processor head?
load cell? tensometer? oil pressure? electrical current?
How to install sensors on the processor?
How reliable will be measurement of cutting forces in forest?
What is an effect of tool wear?
How to link cutting force (wood density) with recent quality sorting
rules?
Delimbing or debarkining?

12. Thank you very much