The U.S. Forest Service and Virginia Tech have released an improved version of the rough mill simulator, ROMI 4.0, a tool for rough mill managers allowing the simulation of real-world scenarios in rough mills to help increase yield, operations and schedules.
This free software enables secondary wood products manufacturers to simulate their rough milling processes. In particular, ROMI 4.0 simulates the cut up of lumber using two common processing modes: rip-first and chop-first. Additionally, the latest version of ROMI allows users to analyze each board’s yield when processed in either rip-first or chop-first mode. The software also allows users to model, simulate and examine the relationship among cutting bills; part dimensions, quantities and qualities; processing options; and lumber grade mixes. Other improvements to ROMI include a combined rip-and-chop option and a new user interface.
To download a free copy of the software, user’s manual and related documents, please visit: http://www.woodproducts.sbio.vt.edu/ROMI4, or contact Ed Thomas at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Northeastern Research Station at 303.431.2324 or email ethomas@fs.fed.us.