sScale

Automated and certified timber stack measurement for accurate precision.

sScale is your automated timber stack measurement solution. It measures your log stacks faster and more precisely than traditional manual methods. In fact, you can simply drive by the stack and click a button from the comfort and safety of your vehicle.

Bayerische Staatsforsten

“Bavarian State Forests have been using the sScale photo-optical process made by Dralle since 2007. Meanwhile, all 8 measuring units are connected via an interface to our SAP operating system. Approximately 1,000,000 solid cubic meters are measured in 25,000 individual lumber stacks. For years, sScale has provided geo-data, photo documents and detailed lumber stack descriptions day after day, enabling us to significantly reduce cycle times in the logistics process. Because of their advantages, photo-optical processes are becoming increasingly important to all those involved in the timber supply chain and, sooner or later, they will become indispensable in forestry and in the timber industry.”

Martin Müller – Head of Logistics

ThüringenForst

“Since introducing sScale at Thüringen Forst in 2009, it has become a crucial part of our timber logistics process. As a result, district managers on-site experience significant relief, and operational data gets processed faster.

Today, each work step — from timber stack measuring to downstream data management — runs promptly and efficiently. This is thanks to sScale’s automated integration with our internal forestry IT systems.

Moreover, the photo-optical measurement has replaced complex on-site procedures with an objective, traceable, and automated workflow.”

Sascha Schlehahn – Head of Market and Logistics

Forst Brandenburg

“Since 2010, the deployment of sScale helped to significantly standardise and simplify the lumber stacks measuring and the provision of data for the district managers of the state-owned Forst Brandenburg. Almost 100% of the fixed-length assortments can be calibrated by using 4 sScale systems. Thus, sScale provides timely, accurate and transparently documented measuring results and logistic data for the employees as well as for the customers of the timber industry. In addition, the mutual trust in the valuation results has become increasingly positive in recent years.”

Thilo Noack – Head of Sustainability Landesbetrieb

Landeszentrum Wald Sachsen-Anhalt

“In modern forestry, networking with all business-relevant processes requires seamless integration of external applications into forestry management software via clear interfaces.

Since 2012, we have used sScale for coniferous plywood assortments. It quickly established itself as a state-of-the-art measuring method.

Notably, the transparency between forest owners, timber customers, and our support organisation has improved. Consequently, process sequences have become significantly faster and leaner.”

Jörg Borchardt – Head of Timber Marketing and Environment Education

The Danish Nature Agency

“It is a stable system with very few fluctuations. In recent years, the collaboration
has mainly dealt with further development and adaptation rather than error
correction, which serves the agency’s measuring personnel and the whole
organization well.

We have a continuous wood flow in a geographically large organization. Before the
use of photo-optical measuring we had to have a large staff in the local units, which
among other things, all had to keep up to date with requirements for the individual
assortments and be competent to determine density factor mass figures accurately.”

Lauge Decker – Production Manager

Testimonials

We’re proud that Bayerische Staatsforsten – one of Europe’s largest forest enterprises – uses sScale for precise, automated timber measurement. Whether in the forest or at the office, sScale delivers reliable results, streamlining operations across the entire value chain.

Features and benefits

sScale combines cutting-edge 3D stereo camera technology with AI-driven software to deliver precise, certified timber stack measurements – anytime, anywhere.

Installed as a compact rooftop unit, this system automatically performs volume measurements from the safety of your vehicle. It removes the need for manual tools or physical contact with the stack. Moreover, it works 24/7 in all weather and light conditions, accurately detecting log ends and calculating solid mass. In addition, it processes long stacks up to 300 meters and measures over 10,000 m³ per day, helping you optimise workflows, reduce turnaround time, and cut costs.

Thanks to its built-in modem, CPU and secure software platform, sScale transfers data directly to Dralle’s web server, ensuring seamless integration with your existing systems. Each measurement comes with colour images, timestamps, and geo-data, guaranteeing transparency and traceability. Furthermore, certified by the German National Metrology Institute (PTB), sScale supports legal-for-trade processes, giving both buyers and sellers confidence in every transaction. With minimal calibration needs and simple, vehicle-based operation, sScale improves working conditions, boosts measurement reliability, and sets a new industry standard.

As a fully closed system hosted in a secure data centre, sScale ensures that all customer data is protected to the highest standards. Data privacy and security are integral to the system design, giving you full peace of mind.

Precision timber measurement

The sScale system delivers fully automated, high-precision timber stack volume measurements — no matter the weather, light, or season. It performs reliably in heavy rain, snow, darkness, and extreme conditions. As a result, you get certified measurements with a deviation of less than ±3%.

This advanced technology eliminates the need for manual tools like tapes or yardsticks. Consequently, you receive fast, reliable results directly from the safety of your vehicle.

Advanced technology

Built on 3D stereo camera technology, sScale uses AI-based log-end detection and solid mass factor recommendations to calculate stack volumes and log diameters. Moreover, with a rugged rooftop-mounted camera unit, adjustable tilt, and internal CPU/modem, the system is compact yet powerful. Calibration is only required every two years, and importantly, the system withstands impacts of +10g without performance loss.

Integration and transparency

sScale connects directly to Dralle’s secure web server and additionally integrates smoothly with your existing IT infrastructure (e.g., SAP). Consequently, this provides live access to measurement data, map-based timber tracking, and full control over user access and data visibility.

Furthermore, every measurement includes image documentation, PDFs, timestamps, and geodata — supporting compliance and complete traceability throughout the supply chain.

Efficiency that saves time and money

With the ability to measure up to 500,000 m³ per year per unit, sScale offers unmatched efficiency. For example, each unit can process over 10,000 m³ per day, enabling fast and uniform volume calculation for improved logistics and reduced cycle times. Notably, customers have reported up to a 15% increase in measured volume compared to manual methods. The system supports long stacks (300+ meters) and best of all, requires no manual intervention during measurement.

Comfort, safety, reliable

Measurements are carried out without leaving the car, which means the process remains safe and ergonomic. No more climbing stacks or handling wet devices — the system is fully operable from a steering-wheel-mounted control inside the vehicle. As a result, this improved workflow reduces operator fatigue and additionally enables employees to work longer in their roles, supporting retention and workplace satisfaction.

Certified by Germany’s PTB

sScale is certified by Germany’s PTB (National Metrology Institute), ensuring legal compliance and recognition across the industry. With more than 15 years of development and field use, including with major customers like Bavarian State Forests, the technology is proven and trusted. Ultimately, Dralle’s position as a market leader in photo-optical wood scaling guarantees quality and support you can depend on.

Revolutionize your cargo measuring

If you’re interested in learning more about our sScale, you’re welcome to contact us.