Validating LORCAT, the Log Recovery Analysis Tool

The Log Recovery Analysis Tool (LORCAT) is a simulation tool that allows users to examine the impact of changes in the hardwood log-sawing process on sawn volume, grade recovery, and profit. LORCAT was designed to be simple to use and requires a minimum of user data entry. While the results of LORCAT have been informally compared to sawmill results by users, no formal validation of results has yet been performed. This study compared LORCAT's simulated recovery results to that of an actual sawmill. For the 42 hardwood log samples we examined, we found no significant statistical difference in the total sawn volume produced. However, significant differences were found with the number of boards produced, which resulted from differences in the accuracy of targeting the openingface board size.