Suomeksi
Researcher of the month: Sami Lamminen22.02.2012
Intelligent Operator Tutoring Systems for Wood Harvesting increases productivity
Researcher Sami Lamminen takes part in a research program EffFibre (Value Through Intensive and Efficient Fibre supply) WP3 of Forestcluster Ltd. The work package focuses on intelligent operator tutoring systems for wood harvesting. The goal is to bring exact information about the distribution of the trees, the topography, the trafficability of strip roads and the location of timber on harvesting site which eases the forest machine operator’s decision making process for wood harvesting. The project is led by Jarmo Hämäläinen from Metsäteho Oy.
The goal of Sami’s work is to improve the pre-planning of strip road network and timber hauling. Modern technology offers possibility to illustrate new information on map for forest machine operator. It is possible to calculate the slope of terrain and the distribution of trees of logging site. It is possible also to create 3D-map of terrain with the characteristics of new information sources. The other goal of the project is to develop a trafficability map of strip road network which illustrates the bearing capacity of strip roads. The bearing capacity of strip roads is valuable information for forwarder operator. Forest machine operator needs a lot of work experience. Especially young, inexperienced operators, starting their career call for a long learning period in order to get adjusted in practical conditions and to operate economically where the planning of work is in a big role. “Operators’ productivity varies widely depending on experience. More advanced operator is more productive. The purpose of the intelligent operator tutoring systems for wood harvesting is especially to increase the productivity of inexperienced operators" says Sami.
This research is the continuation of earlier research in EffTech program. The focus of “Less is more” –project was wood harvesting at peat lands in summer time. The amount of timber harvesting should be stable around the year in forest industry’s point of view but because of weak bearing capacity the harvesting at peat lands has been possible only during the winter time. The results from the earlier research have been utilized in this research.
In 2009, Sami graduated from the University of Joensuu. His Master's thesis considers the rut formation of strip roads on peat land during wood harvesting operations.
When not working, Sami spends time with his family who includes his wife as well as three small children. He also likes to swim and to play volleyball and badminton.