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Hardwoods are good Task 4.3 Electronic assessment in relation to national wood classification systems
HCN.Hardwoods.Task4.3.Concept.Document.Partner.komp.doc
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HARDWOODS ARE GOOD – CONCEPT DOCUMENT
Project title: Hardwoods are good – supporting en-trepreneurs of the forestry hardwood chain in the South Baltic Region
Project Acronym: HARDWOODS ARE GOOD
Component: Component 4 Innovation and training models for en-trepreneurs of the hardwood chain
Task: Task 3 Electronic assessment in relation to national wood classification systems
Responsible Partner: High Competence Network e.V. (HCN)
Edited by: Phil ipp Rieger, Martin Müller
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction ________________________________________________ 4
2. Systems of classification _______________________________________ 5
2.1 European Union __________________________________________ 5
2.2 Germany _______________________________________________ 8
2.3 Lithuania ______________________________________________ 10
Z.4 Poland ________________________________________________ 11
2.5 Russia ________________________________________________ 12
2.6 Sweden _______________________________________________ 13
3 System design______________________________________________ 16
3.1 User registration ________________________________________ 17
3.2 Internal Overview Page ___________________________________ 19
3.2.1 User profile _________________________________________ 19
3.2.2 Classification Tool____________________________________ 20
3.2.3 Support____________________________________________ 22
4 Ideas of a web-based module _________________________________ 23
4.1 ICT-Supported-Standardized-Description _____________________ 23
4.2 Conversion Function _____________________________________ 24
4.2.1 Example ___________________________________________ 27
4.3 Visual Assessment of Classification __________________________ 28
4.3.1 Step by Step Assessment ______________________________ 28
4.3.2 Illustration based Classification System ___________________ 29
4.3.3 Toolbox____________________________________________ 30
5. Glossary___________________________________________________ 32
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LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: dimensional classification of hardwood round timber______________ 6
Table 2: Extract EN 1316-1 : 1997 ___________________________________ 7
Table 3: Forst-HKS - oak/red oak ____________________________________ 8
Table 4: RVR - beech _____________________________________________ 9
Table 5: LST 1609:2001 __________________________________________ 10
Table 6: PN-92/D-95008 - Bigsize broadleaves W*0 ____________________ 11
Table 7: GOST 22299-76__________________________________________ 13
Table 8: VMR - Quality classes oak__________________________________ 14
Table 9: Conversion function - example log - beech ____________________ 28
LIST OF IMAGES
Image 1: Crosscutting instruction Kährs/SÖDRA _______________________ 15
Image 2: System Design - Start Page________________________________ 16
Image 3: System Design - Registration ______________________________ 18
Image 4: System Design - User Profile_______________________________ 20
Image 5: System Design - Classification Input_________________________ 21
Image 6: System Design - Classification Illustration based _______________ 21
Image 7: System Design - Support__________________________________ 22
Image 8: System Design - Classification Output________________________ 26
Image 9: System Design - Additional Feature Output ___________________ 27
Image 10: Illustration based Classification System _____________________ 30
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1. Introduction
The shift from a national to an international business area makes it more and
more difficult for SMEs in the hardwood sector to compete in the international
roundwood market.
Entrepreneurs having the opportunity to trade wood across countries have to
face the next major problem: timber grading rules. Not only every country in
some cases even each region and company has its own specifications and
guidelines regarding the classification of roundwood.
To promote international trade and make it more economically attractive for
SMEs the electronic assessment developed in this document focuses on the
support of small and medium-sized enterprises of the hardwood value chain.
This concept document describes the actual situation in wood classification,
problems and opportunities in existing standards and possible solutions for a
web-based module.
The document is structured into 4 chapters and a glossary.
The implementation of this concept had been preceded by the collection of data
about actual, national classification systems and the use of European Standard
EN 1315 and EN 1316. For this purpose a short list of questions has been pre-
pared and circulated among the project partners.
The answers of those questions and translated versions of the national classifi-
cations and standards were compared and analysed to create a state of the art
view of the situation in the project area.
This state of the art analysis helped describing possible ideas of an electronic
assessment for roundwood classification as a first step of realizing the system.
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2. Systems of classification
According to national demand and supply, local forestry and producing industry
adapted agreements about the measurement and quality of roundwood. Pur-
chasing wood abroad became more and more difficult depending on several
processing-based classification systems. Creating one unified classification sys-
tem based on the main system of each country will make cross-border trading
more economic for SMEs. The following chapters characterise the current situa-
tion for qualitative assorting of hardwoods inside the EU and each project par-
ticipating country.
2.1 European Union
To simplify the trade of roundwood within the member states of the EEC the
guideline 68/89 was passed by the EWG in 1969. By implementation into na-
tional legal forms this guideline should unify the sorting and classification of
roundwood grading within the European Union and therefore enable the crea-
tion of a unified grading system for roundwood inside the EU.
With exception of the Federal Republic of Germany which had a major role in
creating the guideline, it was never transformed into national legal forms by
most of the European countries.
With reference to the European Standards for hardwood round timber classifi-
cation (EN 1315-1 and EN 1316-1/2/3), which were defined in 1997 by the
CEN, the European Union suspended the EEC/68/89 in 2008 in case of deregu-
lation processes. According to the CEN/TC 175 WG4 Roundwood (Technical
Committee for round and sawn wood) a revision of EN 1316 will be finished in
2011.
EN 1315-1: Dimensional classification – Part 1 : Hardwood round timber
The EN 1315-1 describes the dimensional classification of hardwood round tim-
ber in strength grades addicted to the mid-diameter of the log.
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The grading occurs independent of the length of the log and is possible both,
with and without bark. To calculate the respective grade two different tables
are available.
Table 1: dimensional classification of hardwood round timber grade mid-diameter without bark
(cm)grade mid-diameter with bark
(cm)D 0 < 10 R 0 < 10D 1a 10 bis 14 R 1a 10 bis 14D 1b 15 bis 19 R 1b 15 bis 19D 2a 20 bis 24 R 2a 20 bis 24D 2b 25 bis 29 R 2b 25 bis 29D 3a 30 bis 34 R 3a 30 bis 34D 3b 35 bis 39 R 3b 35 bis 39D 4 40 bis 49 R 4 40 bis 49D 5 50 bis 59 R5 50 bis 59D 6 ≥ 60 R6 ≥ 60
The adding of an index letter (D without bark or R with bark) in front of the
strength grade declares how the measurement was carried out.
By measurement with bark the used bark deduction coefficient has to be men-
tioned. This is calculated based on the following formula:
1002
22
⋅−=
D
dDtcoefficiendeductionbark
Whereby D is the diameter measured with bark (in cm) and d the diameter
measured without bark (in cm).
EN 1316-1/2/3: Hardwood round timber, Qualitative classification Part 1: Oak
and beech; Part 2: Poplar; Part 3: Ash and maple and sycamore
Each stem or stem-section of the roundwood, separated by a theoretical cross-
cut is sorted by its dimensions and after the incidence, size and distribution of
its characteristics.
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The standardized labelling is made by two dash-separated letters.
- the first letter is the beginning of the Latin genus name
- the second letter indicates the quality class
Features to be considered are included in tables for each tree-species. Round-
wood stem or stem-sections has to be graduated if at least one of its features
does not fulfil the required quality.
All features have to be measured in compliance with prEN 1309:1994, EN 1310
and EN 1311.
Classification features of oak are shown below as an extract in Table 2.
Table 2: Extract EN 1316-1 : 1997
As a result several problems occur in connection with the European Standard.
Single difficult to measure characteristics and small limits of tolerance lead to a
degrading of logs with an overall-good quality.
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As there is no European Standard about the grading of birch roundwood the
table for poplar will be used as basis for the classification.
2.2 Germany
The Forst-HKS is summing up the statutory of roundwood classification and the
federal law of 1969 (Forst-HKLG) basing on the guideline EEC/68/89. At the end
of 2008 when the guideline was lifted, the Forst-HKS lost its formal basis on
January 1st 2009. Over the 40 years of use the Forst-HKS lost her inner German
comparability by the addition of several regional additional regulations. Fur-
thermore without considering new market structures and technologies the
Forst-HKS lost her relevance for trading.
Table 3: Forst-HKS - oak/red oak
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Initiated by the German Forestry Council and the German Timber Industry
Council as the leading organisations of forestry and timber industry the RVR
Rahmenvereinbarung Rohholzhandel (Framework Agreement of Roundwood
Trading) was founded based on an agreement of private law. Major target of
the RVR is the creation of a dimensional and qualitative classification of round-
wood as a basis for a nearly transparent movement/trade of roundwood inside
Germany. Proven elements of the Forst-HKS and the results of the European
Standards especially those about quality classification will be included in the
new set of rules. The actual rollout was planed for October 2009 and has been
delayed until today.
In the meantime it is recommended to go on sorting with the help of the Forst-
HKS.
The sorting of logs by order of sawmills and further processing industry is also
common in Germany. But due to the big number of different crosscutting in-
structions it would be too difficult to compare them within this brief description.
Table 4: RVR - beech
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2.3 Lithuania
After withdrawal of the GOST-Standards, in 1993 Lithuania established the first
Technical Committee responsible for wood.
Inside Lithuania the European Standards EN 1316 for classification of oak and
beech was transferred into the national Standard LST EN 1316-1:2002, LST EN
1316-2:1999 and LST EN 1316-3:2001.
As there is no European Standard about the classification of birch and alder the
Lithuanian Standards Board (LST) developed a national standard for quality
classification. The LST 1609 was adopted in 2001 and was prepared according
to European requirements for roundwood classification.
Table 5: LST 1609:2001
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Z.4 Poland
Grading of roundwood in Poland follows the same method, national standards
of classification, as described above for Germany and Lithuania. General Meas-
urement instructions for round wood and growth characteristics are docu-
mented in the Polish standard PN-D-95000:2002. This standard describes the
instruction how each assortment has to be crosscut and measured and defines
the valid formula for volume calculation, bard deduction etc.
Other project relevant standards for broadleaves are PN-92/D-95008 (big size,
veneer and plywood) and with limited relevance PN-92/D-95018 (medium size).
Table 6: PN-92/D-95008 - Bigsize broadleaves W*0
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This standard enables it to describe the dimension and the quality of round-
wood in a uniform and precise way. For each quality grade all relevant growth
characteristics are listed and the admissible forming described.
In combination with the dimensional classification the determined quality grad-
ing is the basis for the valuation and pricing.
2.5 Russia
Broadleaved saw logs for the export are sorted based on the Russian State
Standards (GOST).
GOST 22299-76 defines the technical requirements (dimensional and qualita-
tive) and other standards which specify the affected species (GOST 9462-88),
the measuring methods (GOST 2140-81) as well as branding, assortment and
storage (GOST 2292-88 and GOST 9014.0-75).
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Table 7: GOST 22299-76
2.6 Sweden
General basis for the measurement of roundwood inside Sweden are the rules
published by the Swedish Timber Measurement Council (VMR
http://www.virkesmatning.se). Depending on their information it is hard to make
a general classification of hardwood because of the huge variability of use.
As most sawmills classify the roundwood in quality classes such as A, B and C it
is also common to add extra classes for high class timber, to vary the specifica-
tions for some characteristics depending on the usage or to publish own classi-
fication about the expected quality.
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Table 8: VMR - Quality classes oak
Especially for oak there are a variety of quality specification depending on the
production of the industry (the flooring industry have for example special re-
quirements for distance between knots Image 1 - Crosscutting instruction
Kährs/Södra)
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Image 1: Crosscutting instruction Kährs/SÖDRA
On the one hand these specific sortings guarantees a consistently high level of
feedstock quality for the production, on the other hand forest owners have to
compare each company’s requirements with their actual wood quality. Further
is it necessary to know the exact classification for each company.
The dimensional measurement can be carried out via automatic measurement
or by manual measuring of each log. Timber can also be measured as one stack
with estimation of quality percentage. To guarantee a precise system the
Virkesmätning Kontroll (VMK) calibrates and controls the measurement within
its radius of action. This neutral institution guarantees a fair measurement be-
tween the forest owner and the sawmill.
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3 System design
The following description gives an introduction how the web-based module is
supposed to operate as a web-based classification tool with easy access for reg-
istered users.
The start page of the system gives possible users the opportunities to register,
login as well as to request a new password. For new/potential customers there
will be a brief description about the functionalities and features of the system.
An imprint, a disclaimer and a contact function should be included. In a further
stage of development the opportunity to change the website language from
English to a common or (project-) participating language should also be added.
This would increase the acceptance and simplify the use for local entrepre-
neurs.
Image 2: System Design - Start Page
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The system login is made via input fields for username and password. The
email address is necessary for both to confirm the registration and as login-
/username. The logout is made by a logout button.
3.1 User registration
The registration is necessary for an individual identification of each user com-
municating and using the classification function of the web-based module.
As part of the registration the system queries general information about the
user. That information can be divided in two major groups – business data
and security data. Those data are also part of the letterhead created during
the classification progress and can be edited after the registration.
business data consist of required information
• Name
• Company
• Address
and additional information
• Telephone number
• Fax number
• Post box
• Language
• …
The security data consist of a password (required security level; letters, num-
ber and special characters), confirmation of the password and a security ques-
tion and answer. Confirming the question with the right answer allows the sys-
tem to generate a new temporary password in case the user lost/forgotten the
original one. This temporary password will be send to the confirmed users email
address.
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Depending on further development and individual use of the system general
terms and conditions should be included into the registration process. To com-
plete the registration the user has to enter a security code (CAPTCHA – Com-
pletely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart).
Image 3: System Design - Registration
To confirm the registration process the user will get an email containing a link
that will activate the user profile.
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3.2 Internal Overview Page
On the internal overview page of the system all available functions and features
are highlighted. Over menu items the user can enter sub-pages of the system
containing editing function, the actual classification tool etc.
3.2.1 User profile
The user profile contains all data given during the registration and allows
changing contact data and password.
To specify the company and business the user has the opportunity to edit his
profile by entering more detailed information.
• logo of the company
• website
• type of company (forest owner, sawmill etc.)
• VAT number
• trade registry number
To receive additional services such as fee requiring services account details
such as declarations about payment etc. are requested under User Profile as
well.
In case the user does not require the classification tool any more, the possibility
to remove the profile is available under this menu item, too. In this case all
personal information and saved classifications will be deleted as well.
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Image 4: System Design - User Profile
3.2.2 Classification Tool
This page contains all features to classify timber. Among other things this func-
tionality contains features like:
• create a new working template and to start a classification
• open former classification
• modify former classifications
• save classification on the system’s server
• convert classification into a PDF file to send them to an e-mail address or
to export them to your local working station/system
• print the results of a classification
The different ideas of realization of the classification tool are described in detail
in chapter 4. Ideas of a web-based module.
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Image 5: System Design - Classification Input
Image 6: System Design - Classification Illustration based
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3.2.3 Support
This menu item contains various information to support the user concerning the
handling of the system.
• a help function, describing the different functions of the web-based module
• FAQs (frequently asked questions)
• a support formula with pre-formulated topics etc. to specify the topic of the
request
Image 7: System Design - Support
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4 Ideas of a web-based module
4.1 ICT-Supported-Standardized-Description
The benefit of the ICT-supported module is that the boundaries which are cre-
ated by national terms and classifications lose their importance. Unequivocal
technical terms (description of logs) do lead to a uniform fundament of under-
standing and communication. This will effect the generation of comparable in-
formation. A clear translation into different languages reduces the misunder-
standings between wood sellers and potential buyers. On the basis of a
common technical language, it is possible to offer a service to describe the log
quality in user’s own local language and in an unmistakable way. In this con-
nection country-specific classification of roundwood does not matter, because
the wood is described only by dimension and exclusionary criteria. The evalua-
tion of this literal description is left to the potential buyer in its own language or
national wood classification.
To implement this feature it is necessary to bring the technical terms of wood
classification of all national wood grading systems to a uniform level. In a sec-
ond step a module has to be designed, that enables ICT supported translations
of those terms in combination with the local wood classification system.
The advantage of the ICT supported system is the accuracy in entering data by
eliminating the opportunity for the user to enter vague values and descriptions.
The system offers the opportunity to enter precise measured data via drop
down menus, tick boxes and pre-formatted input fields (range of value, number
of decimal places etc.). This guarantee that all necessary information for all na-
tional classifications is entered but no redundant or unimportant ones.
The input language will be selected from the nationality of the user profile.
The user first selects the tree-species to be described from a drop-down menu.
Depending on this selection an appropriate input mask will load which lists all
the tree-species specific characteristics. This pre-defined mask guarantees that
all required information for each country integrated into the system will be de-
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scribed and entered by the user.
To ensure a precise and one-to-one entry of data it is unavoidable to
pre-format the input fields. This will be done in a consistent format, so that
units, decimal places etc. can not be changed by the users. Wherever possible
the description of the characteristics should be done via drop down menus or
tick boxes, too.
If further information is necessary the opportunities of ICT systems should be
exhausted by for example including adequate knowledge about describing /
rating characteristics.
After entering and confirming the input data, the ICT-supported module can
convert the respective descriptions into other national languages. Since the
module falls back on to common data base misinterpretations within the web-
based module are excluded.
The output of this module is a file, containing all information that is necessary
to generate a translated version of the description for each country.
4.2 Conversion Function
As part of the web-based module the conversion function is a major part for
qualitative wood classification. This function makes it possible to assort round
wood in a country independent way.
Depending on the detailed input of the user of the system the conversion func-
tion is able to assign the described stem or stem-sections into the respective
country-specific classification. This enables users of the web-based module
(timber-buyers and timber-sellers) to trade wood of a specified grade without
further knowledge about foreign classification systems.
As a first step, the user selects the tree-species, which he will describe in more
detail and trade. To make this as easy as possible the names of all tree-species
included in the system are available in a drop down menu. Here the Latin name
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or depending on the country or language settings in the user account the na-
tional trivial name of trees will be used (within this project: oak, beech and
birch). After selection and confirmation of the species the system loads a tree-
species specific input mask that quires all relevant growth characteristics. To go
on with a precise and unequivocal method of entering data the input mask is
supposed to run on basis of the ICT supported module - tick boxes,
pre-formatted input fields or drop down menus. By using pre-formulated ranges
of value and answers the risk of inaccurate input is minimized while a first sys-
tem internal simplification of the grading is done.
With these entered information the described stems and stem-sections can be
classified and sorted into the according national grades by the system, auto-
matically.
Therefore the system uses a database containing all relevant characteristics and
standards of the participating countries. The system is committed to sort every
log in the highest possible quality class. Each requested characteristic is consid-
ered separately. Exclusionary criteria, such as for example soft rot and values
which do not match the national requirement for wood quality lead directly to
the next lower quality grade.
A log with almost entirely features of the highest quality class but one of the
second quality is consequently sorted into the second quality class.
As a result the module provides a file showing the country specific classification
for each participating country.
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Image 8: System Design - Classification Output
In order to achieve a further distribution of the web-based pilot tool an addi-
tional simplified function to compare quality classes can be inserted. This fea-
ture gives entrepreneurs / users without special forestry skills the opportunity
to compete in the cross border roundwood market. Unlike the “normal” conver-
sion function roundwood is not measured and divided into the appropriate qual-
ity classes by the web-based system but basing on those classifications included
in the system a table is created that allows the user to compare all relevant
characteristics of quality classes in selected countries.
Via an input mask and drop down menus the user first selects the tree-species
and the countries and quality classes he likes to compare. Then a compilation of
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all selected quality classes (A, B, C etc.) sorted by countries and characteristics
will be generated in tabular form.
Image 9: System Design - Additional Feature Output
4.2.1 Example
The following example contains only an extract of five characteristics that are
included in each national classification system for the species beech.
� species beech
� length 5 m
� mid-diameter w/o bark 37 cm
� fibre twist 4 cm/m
� simple curvature 5 cm/m
� red heart 0 % of diameter
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Table 9: Conversion function - example log - beech
The described log would be classified as F-C after European and Lithuanian
standard, as B classified after the German RVR, as WD0 comparing to the Polish
Norm and as a Class A log by the Swedish Timber Measurement Council.
4.3 Visual Assessment of Classification
Approximately independent from measurements and classification rules a visual
assessed system can simplify the sorting of roundwood.
Although the approach to sort wood by visual characteristics is similar to the
original wood classification systems, the evaluation of the characteristics does
not happen by defined values but on photographs or illustrations. That de-
taches this system from every national standard and regional agreement de-
fined by forest associations and companies.
It will still be possible to calculate and break down the results of wood classifi-
cation to national grading, since the images included in the system are used
across countries this will not be necessary.
4.3.1 Step by Step Assessment
In order to shift the wood classification from precise measurement of character-
istics to a quick and simple assessment method, a visual step by step assess-
ment seems to be a first stage.
For each required growth characteristic exists a compilation of representative
images of different forms of the characteristics
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The user first selects the tree-species to be described from a drop down menu
and gives further general information about the log - such as length and diame-
ter class.
Once these values were confirmed by the user the system starts to request the
tree-species specific forms of the log as well as the characteristics. Here the
user only needs to click on the images corresponding most with the characteris-
tics of the logs he would like to sell respectively harvest. It is important to keep
the images as general as possible to ensure a general use within the system. A
to detailed presentation leads to a large number of images which work against
the idea of simplifying the sorting of roundwood.
Step by step the picture of the log gets more and more detailed and is assigned
by the system to existing wood classifications. These classifications correspond
to either national timber grading rules, the European Standard, or to a simpli-
fied but similar system which possibly can be transferred via a conversion func-
tion into national grading rules.
4.3.2 Illustration based Classification System
The Illustration based Classification System is supposed to be an only visual,
web-based communication tool.
Core idea is the arrangement of a describing crosscutting instruction applied to
the cut to length processes. The instructions can be arranged depending on the
actual need and requirements of the client. After creating a new template the
first selection concerns the category of wood (Virkeskategorier) and the spe-
cies.
Then logs, representing different forming and characteristics can be selected
from a database (Virkesväljare) and placed via drag and drop at the selection
frame to represent the expected wood quality.
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Image 10: Illustration based Classification System
After finishing the compilation of logs the user has the option to save or print
its selection. This selection is supposed to function as a communication basis
for prices, qualities, volumes, harvesting instructions etc.
The describing of roundwood, completely separated from strict quality classifi-
cations as an only visual system, allows users to communicate across borders
independent from languages and standards.
Compiling several logs and including additional information about dimension
and characteristics, required for special use, a crosscutting instruction designed
for print out could also be generated.
4.3.3 Toolbox
A Toolbox can be considered as an additional function or further development
of the Illustration based Classification System (and the Step by Step Assess-
ment).
In case the represented logs or log-sections do not correspond to the general
local forms the user will have the ability to design a representative log/section
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with this toolbox. This log can be merged into the user’s profile or the module
database to be available for every user.
To prevent the database from reaching a too big extend, a control whether
there is already such a representation on the system or not should be included.
The implementation of this function could take place via a graphical user inter-
face.
After selecting the tree-species a picture showing the log-shape and most cor-
responding with the actual/real log could be selected from a compilation of im-
ages.
Then the user will have the option to choose the corresponding shape from a
compilation of species specific characteristics and place them via drag and drop
at the appropriate place of the log. To keep the presentation simple the number
of allowed features should b
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5. Glossary
EEC European Economic Community
CEN European Committee for Standardisation
SME Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
EU European Union
EN European Standard
prEN draft European Standard
(Forst-) HKS (Forst-) Handelsklassensortierung – (Forest-) Quality
Grading
(Forst-) HKLG (Forst-) Handelsklassengesetz – Law about Quality Grading
RVR Rahmenvereinbarung für den Rohholzhandel in Deutschland
– Framework agreement about the trade of roundwood in
Germany
GOST Gossudarstwenny Standard – Russian State Standard
LST Lithuanian Standard Board
PN Polish Standard
VMR Swedish Timber Measurement Council
VMK Swedish Timber Measurement Control
CAPTCHA Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers
and Humans Apart
VAT number
FAQ Frequently Asked Questions
ICT Information and Communication Technology
GPS Global Positioning System
PDF Portable Document Format