A distributed decision support system for lumber jag selection in a rough mill

A rough mill production system is an unpredictable dynamic system for which the effects on production of many factors are strongly interrelated. A distributed decision support system for dynamic jag (a load of lumber) selection in defect sensitive production is proposed. Case-Based Reasoning and heuristic rules determine recommended jags for cut-lists in the decision process. Using a statistical method, cases are grouped by categorizing problems and solutions. Heuristic rules measure the similarity between current and past cases. The framework for a decision support system has two layers in which jag types are selected at the top level and specific jags are chosen on the bottom level. Decisions from different sources influence both top level and bottom level. The dynamic character of the system is taken into account by collaboration between distributed decision points that can change indices by retrieving previous cases and storing new cases. The recommended jags are tested by simulation and used for feedback to the decision support system. Finally, the system is validated by comparison with actual production.