AI-Enhanced 3D Profilometry Delivers Eightfold Measurement Precision in Lumber Inspection
Zebra Technologies, a leader in digitizing and automating workflows to deliver intelligent operations, has announced that EBI Electric, an innovative wood scanning solutions provider, is using Zebra’s AltiZ 3D sensors to power its new AI-enriched lumber scanning solution, Inspector T. The new solution provides an eightfold improvement in measurement precision, enabling lumber manufacturers to reduce costly errors and waste by optimizing the yield from every plank of wood.
In the wood manufacturing industry, precision determines profitability. For 20 years, EBI Electric’s machinery relied on linear scanners that could miss defects, leading to the unnecessary rejection of usable wood or flaws in the final product. To develop a more advanced solution, the company needed vision technology with high resolution and the ability to deliver consistent, reliable results under challenging mill conditions. By integrating Zebra’s AltiZ sensors into its proprietary transversal scanning solution, EBI Electric helps its customers gain up to 5% more usable wood which results in a near USD$750,000 cost savings annually.
“With Zebra’s AltiZ Series high-fidelity 3D profile sensors, we were able to make our vision come to life through our new Inspector T solution,” said Gabriel Mathieu, Vision Project Manager, EBI Electric. “This day-to-day reliability was a key reason we chose Zebra technology, given the challenging installation environment.”
EBI Electric’s Inspector T solution moves across the entire plank, using dual AltiZ sensors to capture the complete cross-section in one pass, ensuring there are no blind spots. This provides manufacturers with clear, precise visibility into each supplier’s yield and quality. The system identifies wood characteristics with high precision, using AI models to detect knots, cracks, color variations, and even subtle signs of wood rot far more accurately than conventional systems. This granular understanding allows manufacturers to optimize cuts, reduce waste, and improve inventory management.
The rugged AltiZ sensors deliver reliable performance even in the dust-filled, challenging environments of lumber mills. Zebra’s Aurora Imaging Library software aligns images and manages device performance for consistent scan quality. This comprehensive solution equips lumber mills with the right tools to drive efficiency and optimize workflows.
“We are passionate about collaborating with organizations such as EBI Electric to solve tough industry challenges through innovation,” said Charlie Long, Vice President and General Manager, Machine Vision and Fixed Industrial Scanning, Zebra Technologies. “Their Inspector T solution is a powerful example of how our high-fidelity 3D sensors can unlock new levels of precision and efficiency, delivering significant value to their customers and advancing intelligent operations in the manufacturing sector.”
For more information: www.zebra.com
