Return
A few years ago, AI at Cascade was mostly good for funny pictures and cleaning up blog graphics. We played around with it, refined a few articles, and that was about it. Check out Marlin with a mullet and pit viper sunglasses.
Today, AI is earning its keep on the rip line.
Our biggest win so far is predicting rip yields using real tally data. We run Tally Express from DMSi, which is the same company behind Agility software. Snap a few photos with an Android phone and a calibration square, and it delivers a fast, accurate end tally using triangulation. We pay per scan, so it’s affordable for most shops running a rip saw.
Here’s how we use it now. We export the width data from a representative pack as a PDF, then feed it into the AI along with our target rip sizes and saw specs.
Typical question: “We need to rip 2-3/8″, 2-5/8″, and 3-3/8″ from this CabinetPlus load on our Cameron Opti-Rip with .160 kerf blades. What yield should we expect?”
In seconds, AI analyzes the entire width distribution instead of a small sample. It factors in kerf loss, edging, and our actual saw setup, then returns a clear expected yield percentage and breakdown by rip size.
The results have been impressively accurate. Time after time, the AI estimate lands within a point or two of our actual rip numbers, far better than the educated guesses we used to make. That kind of confidence lets us quote tighter and earn more orders from our rip line customers.
For distributors and manufacturers ripping their own lumber, this combination of quick mobile tallying and AI analysis is a practical edge. No big monthly fees. Just better data to work with.
We’re still early in exploring AI’s real-world value, but rip yield prediction is already making a measurable difference in how we help shops plan jobs and control costs.
If you’re running TallyExpress or a similar system, try feeding a recent tally PDF into an AI chat. You might find it becomes a regular part of your quoting process, too. If you sell to a distribution yard and have customers ripping your lumber, share this with them. This will help all users use more hardwood and hopefully build a stronger relationship between you and your customer.
Got a rip job coming up? Send us your specs and a tally. We’ll run the numbers and show you what we see. At Cascade Hardwood, we’re focused on delivering quality lumber, and now sharper yield insights to go with it.
