Proving ROI on sawmill automation: the metrics that matter

Automation projects win budget when the numbers are clear. For multi-saw positioning, these are the metrics we recommend tracking before and after commissioning.

Recovery

• Yield per log: percentage of usable boards from a sample set.
• Waste volume: offcuts and rework per shift, converted to cubic meters and cost.
• Width accuracy: percentage of boards within target tolerance.

Stability

• Throughput consistency: variation in pieces per hour across shifts.
• Changeover impact: time to stabilize after species or width changes.
• Operator dependence: variance between experienced and new operators.

Cost to monitor

• Labor impact: fewer manual adjustments and reduced rework handling.
• Energy: steady feed reduces idle running and restart cycles.
• Maintenance: vibration and shock on infeed mechanisms before vs after retrofit.

Document baseline data for at least two weeks, then track the same metrics post-automation. A 3-6% lift in yield and more stable throughput typically delivers a fast payback, especially when the retrofit avoids buying a new saw.