This study examined the potential for improvement within a conventional (crosscut-first) rough mill. Improvement was measured in terms of volume and also value of cuttings produced.

Current levels of yield were obtained from an in-plant yield study of 138 boards. The same material was then processed with a computer optimization program designed to simulate a crosscut-first operation. Tests between the two methods, actual and optimized, showed that . current levels of cutting volume production were not able to be improved upon with optimization. Due to the varying costs of different length cuttings, however, a significant increase in the value of cuttings produced was possible. The distribution of cutting lengths produced was found to be a significant factor in these results.