MiCROTEC's GOLDENEYE-706 is a multi-sensor quality scanner for width, module of elasticity and moisture determination of boards. The conveyor speed is up to 450 meters (approx. 1,500 ft) per minute, almost 30 km/h (approx. 19 miles/h). Dependently on their MOR, the boards are classified, sorted and finally used in various applications.

Stora Enso Kopparfors in Sweden is the first sawmill in Europe with a certified C45 strenght sorting line, the top-of-the-class category for MOR-sorting. The demand of lumber in the uppest classes are not yet very robust. However, Stora Enso intends to prove the genuine quality and the still unexplored potential of lumber compared to construction materials such as concrete and steel. Most of the lumber that is produced in the North naturally meets the minimum requirements of the C24 strength grading class. That's why in the Sweden waste is not an issue and only concerns a few boards that have to be correctly identified and spilled out. By increasing the sorting class in order to seek the most valuable and resistant lumber, waste increases substantially, something that has been seen as unnecessary waste so far.

Stora Enso intends to change that approach for good. Therefore, and as a first step, he has upgraded his Kopparfors sawmill with the most advanced technology such as the GOLDENEYE-706 and the M3SCAN, the moisture measurement, both of MiCROTEC. Presently, lumber of the highest upper classes in terms of resistance is only produced on specific requests by a customer. The C45 sorting class has only recently been established and is still relatively unknown.

What lumber in the C45 strength class does, is to dramatically enhance the horizon of architects: the carrying structures become slighter and win in terms of aesthetics and security. The latter is one of the most relevant arguments in favor of C45 sorted lumber, also because deviations in wood characteristics of wood decrease with an increasing module of elasticity. That means that, the higher the strength sorting class, the more predictable are the characteristics and the behavior of lumber under pressure. A welcome advantage for structural designers and stress analysts.

For the final customer, the advantages of highly resistant wood are not immediately evident at first glance. And economically speaking presently there may be little difference between the C24 and C45 sorted lumber. In fact, the lower prices of lower resistance classes balance the higher volume of lumber needed to achieve the same carrying properties of C45 sorted lumber.

That's why there is an increasing need for awareness campaigns and some companies already have taken action. For example, SchwörerHolz KG has made some aggressive and fun video clips outlining the advantages in terms of resistance and security of their meticulously sorted lumber. While these clips are oriented towards a broader public, there is much work to do for inspiring architects, which should not be very difficult considered the gains in flexibility, reliability and security while projecting their buildings.

Last but not least, there is also the ecological aspect that will increase the attention for highly resistant wood: by using highly valuable wood, the volume of lumber needed for constructions decreases enabling a more sustainable harvest and forest management. In addition, lumber will be increasingly preferred of the "colder", "grayer" and more polluting construction materials such as concrete and steel. Especially Australia and New Zealand are particularly sensible in these areas. "Lumber is the future", states Mr. Giudiceandrea, CEO of MiCROTEC and outlines that "our customers are not really in competition between them, they are rather in competition with concrete and steel for use in the construction industry. The increasing ecological awareness will give significant impulses to the woodworking industry and we are confident that during the climate world-summit in Kopenhagen, the global woodworking industry will make a significant step forward", says Mr. Giudiceandrea.