Size assessment of stacked logs via the Hough transform

A robust technique that uses machine vision was developed to determine the diameter distribution within a stack of logs and to measure the overall solid wood volume. A monochrome vision sensor as positioned to view the ends of the logs. Machine vision algorithms based on the circular Hough transform were applied to simulated and real images of log stacks assembled in the laboratory. The technique was then tested under field conditions. Close to 100% of the log ends were detected and classified with the Hough transform. Error levels in volume estimation of less than 10% were achieved in the field tests.