The Australian Government's Innovation Report

Genetic evaluation to improve the Australian
flock. Photo credits: DAFF
Ultrasonic void detector. Photo credit: Forest and Wood Products Research and Development Corporation
Pioneering timber research adapts aerospace technology: Adapting aerospace technology for use in
timber quality control has been the focus of a research project between the Forest and Wood Products Research
and Development Corporation and Ensis, Australasia’s leading supplier of research and development services
to the forestry sector.
The pioneer study on the development of non-destructive evaluation techniques technologies for use in the
hardwood sawmilling industry assessed the technologies as a tool for improving hardwood processing.
It also looked to identify the most suitable commercial equipment for detecting internal faults, known as checks,
in dried hardwood boards – a common and costly problem.
In a groundbreaking move that has the potential to revolutionise hardwood timber processing, Neville Smith
Timber – Integrated Tree Cropping Limited’s processing division and Australia’s largest hardwood timber
processor – has adapted ultrasonic void detection for use at its Heyfield sawmill.
Ultrasonic void detection enables processors to see inside solid timber that passes through the mill and to
separate timber affected by internal checks from higher quality material instead of cabinetmakers or joiners
finding them in further processing stages – something that has inhibited confidence in hardwood species. This
ensures higher quality control standards and in future will allow the effects of different treatments to be
measured to reduce internal checking.
Researchers also found that pre-sorting logs on the basis of acoustic wave velocity improved the ability to identify
material prone to internal checking, advising that acoustic wave velocity measurements with existing technology
could be applied immediately.
The project is consistent with industry and government priorities to introduce and encourage the adoption of
frontier technologies, to improve processing, to develop competitiveness through a whole-of-industry approach,
and to maintain and boost confidence in the integrity of Australian forest products. Its success represents a
significant return on investment in Australian timber research and development.
Chapter 3 - National research priorities 111