Machine grading of timber on edge

Timber grading is the process of sorting product into groups for which the properties can be reasonably predicted. Expectations on the reliability of the design properties ascribed to the groups have lifted over recent years as timber strives to be recognised as an engineering material. in-grade testing has also made producers aware of the short comings in their current grading techniques. A machine has been developed for grading timber by measuring the Modulus of Elasticity in major axis bending (bending on edge). This process has some inherent advantages in correlation with mechanical properties as measured by in-grade testing.