SAWSIM®

SAWSIM® is a highly specialized sawmill simulation program that has been developed over nearly 50 years, establishing itself as the industry-standard tool for sawmill operations. Its main strength lies in its ability to accurately model the breakdown of logs, including complex shapes with crook, sweep, ovality, and variable taper. This allows sawmill operators and planners to make precise decisions regarding log utilization, equipment selection, and production strategies. The software’s flexibility in handling multiple lumber sizes, wane rules, and grading specifications ensures that a wide range of production scenarios can be simulated effectively, providing detailed insights into overall mill performance. One of SAWSIM®’s notable advantages is its comprehensive reporting capabilities. Users can generate end-view and 3D log plots, individual log results, and summarized Totals and Averages, which facilitate clear analysis of production outcomes. The ability to compare alternative sawing strategies side-by-side is particularly valuable for optimizing mill layout and operational efficiency. Additionally, SAWSIM® supports calculation of lumber and log volumes in multiple units, accommodating diverse measurement standards across the industry. However, the software’s sophistication comes with certain challenges.