Random width/length bundles of lumber are placed between the two scanning towers of VisionTally. Bundles may be placed on a scanning bench by a lift truck, or moved into place using transfer chains. The lumber may green or kiln dried. Bundles may range in overall length from 4 to 22 feet. Any number of board lengths may be contained in each bundle. Any range of random width boards will be accurately measured. The jagged end of the bundle is scanned using a series of high precision, range-finding lidars. Each lidar emits a small, dot-sized pulse of light that can “see” down inside the bundle. The exact distance from each lidar to the end of each board is accurately measured. Multiple patterns of these distance readings are used to determine the overall height/width of the bundle; and, the width and thickness of each board. The even end of the bundle is scanned using line emitting lasers and an industrial vision camera. Multiple images of the even end of the bundle are captured and analyzed. The lasers and camera are precisely aligned to provide a three dimensional composite image of the entire surface of the even end. The exact distance from the camera to the end of each board is accurately measured. The exact width and thickness of each board is also measured. Vision Tally’s proprietary bundle synthesis software compares the results of the jagged and even end measurements. The actual length of each board is accurately determined. Board wane is detected and analyzed. Board width measurements are adjusted based on the wane analysis. VisionTally immediately displays the scan results. A graphical image of the scan results is displayed using the VisionTally viewer. The actual and nominal board dimensions — thickness, width and length — are displayed for each board. Actual and nominal footage for each board, course and the entire bundle is also displayed. The boards having the same width/length dimensions are summarized and the footage/tally is displayed. The location of each board in the bundle is graphically displayed by bundle and course including its dimension and footage. Facility is provided to override and edit the results of the scan.
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