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VALUTEC
Valutecs control system “Valmatics 4.0”, is the only control system on the market that combines simulator technology with adaptive control, and enables optimization based on capacity, quality and energy consumption. Simultaneous
Worldwide continuous success for Valutec TC-Kilns
As the leading developer and world leader in continuous kilns Valutec has delivered more than 1,500 continuous kilns to sawmills around the world
Some 18 months ago, the company commissioned North America’s first TC continuous kiln at Pleasant River’s site Moose River in Jackman, Maine and in April 2020 the second TC kiln was commissioned at Pleasant River’s site in Dover, also Maine.
“It does a great job, in a lot less time than we’re used to and puts out a much better product”, says Fred Haigis, Lumber Yard Supervisor Moose River.
The TC Kiln
Valutec is the only company offering TC kilns. A kiln type that comes with distinguishing features such as low energy consumption, high flexibility and superior capacity. It gives the operator the possibility to create the ultimate drying process with unlimited freedom to mix dimensions, minimal moisture content variation and reduced risk of checking. Annual capacity can reach 125 MMBF with target moisture contents down to around 12-18%.
The principle is based on the timber package being fed lengthwise through zones in which the air circulates laterally across the drying channel. This enables the separate regulation of the climate in different zones according to a schedule that comes very close to the ideal schedule of a batch kiln.
The TC kilns are equipped with Valutec’s control system Valmatics 4.0, which has an integrated simulator that enables simultaneous optimization of capacity, quality, and energy consumption.
“The leap in technology has fundamentally changed the way of working at many sawmills. Higher flexibility creates significant advantages, particularly when it comes to planning. Competition is extremely tough in the sawmill business, where margins are tight. So, customers in this sector rely on high efficiency and quality,” says Ingo Wallocha, Managing Director, Valutec Wood Dryers.
The TC-kiln has quickly become a favourite among sawmills around the world and during the past year Valutec has sold and installed TC-kilns to North America, Central Europe, Scandinavia and Russia.
First Canadian TC
The startup of Pleasant River’s TC kilns did not go unnoticed and before the Corona outbreak several sawmills visited Pleasant River to take a closer look at Valutec’s TCkilns. The response from the visits were overwhelming and today TC kilns are being installed at JD Irving, Grand Lake Timber, Canada and Hampton Lumber Company, Warrenton, US for commissioning in the fall 2021.
“I can honestly say that whoever sees the Valutec TC-kiln at Moose River probably won’t buy another kiln again. Whenever I talk to the guys as Mooser River or Dover I’m really proud to hear that they’ve the best experience with our kilns”, says Wallocha.
Record Deal to Russia
Valutec was also chosen to deliver eight TC-kilns to Russia’s ULK Group. The company is investing more than €400 million in one of the country’s biggest sawmill investments in modern times. The ambition is to have one of the world’s largest and most modern sawmills, with an annual capacity of more than 425,000 MBF sawn timber, when completed in 2023.
“That ULK chose Valutec for this state-of-the-art project proves that our solutions are a good match for sawmills all over the world,” says Robert Larsson, CEO of Valutec Group “Our mission is to facilitate an increased use of wood products in every customer market. We are honored to help ULK optimize their drying process, which we know makes a big difference on every sawmill’s bottom line.”
Leading up to the decision, ULK carried out a comprehensive comparison of major kiln suppliers and visited many reference installations.
“Our ambition is to build the world’s most modern sawmill, and to do so we must exclusively use suppliers who are technology leaders,” says Artem Samuhin, Deputy General Director for Development of ULK Group. Valutec was the kiln supplier offering the most modern, efficient solution. In the end the superior capacity and flexibility of the TC kilns, boosted by the Valmatics 4.0 control system made it an easy choice.
Luzales: Valutec recently started up two TC kilns at Russian sawmill Luzales
Moose: Fred Haigis, lumber Yard Supervisor at Moose River, standing in front of North America’s first TC Continuous kiln
New Control System
In late 2019, Valutec released the control system Valmatics 4.0. The It allows sawmills around the world to automate and optimize drying in all types of lumber kilns. High process quality is guaranteed by simulators programmed with data from hundreds of thousands of measurements that enable the calculation of drying processes with unbeatable accuracy from beginning to end.
“We knew that the market had a demand for an automated control system but the response has been better that we could imagine. In 18 months, we’ve already sold over 500 Valmatics 4.0 systems”, says Wallocha.
Valmatics 4.0 is the only control system on the market that combines simulator technology with adaptive control, and enables optimization based on capacity, quality and energy consumption. Simultaneous. The new Valmatics 4.0 means modern TC continuous kiln functions can be put to full use. All the kiln operator needs to know is the incoming and desired outcoming moisture content – the system does the rest. This frees up time for more important operations such as saw planning, quality control and sampling
Meet the new range from Microtec The result of a common approach
On May 3rd, Microtec announced the official integration and inclusion of FinScan and WoodEye into the Microtec family. Following this news, Microtec presents now a new generation of longitudinal scanners for sawmill, remanufacturing and 2nd processing applications to the industry
“Together with our colleagues in Italy, we have worked hard during the past year to be able to launch a new range of scanners , which combines the best of the two worlds from Woodeye and Goldeneye. With the new common platform for longitudinal scanning we will take wood scanning solutions to a whole new level”, says Stefan Nilsson, CSO of Microtec Linköping.
The range will thereby be defined by two product lines: the new Microtec Goldeneye scanners for softwood applications and the Woodeye scanners for hardwood applications. The scanners are based on a new common platform, developed by a joint team from Italy and Sweden.
Stefan Nilsson, CSO, Microtec Linköping
The new common platform and movement technology combines the strengths and experience of both development teams, offering better precision in detection at higher speeds, with optimal resolution and extended possibilities to optimize for different material sizes and applications. It will also be delivered with a brand new control station that puts usability in focus and easily adapts to the comfort of the operator.
“We are also working on a common AI (Artificial Intelligence) platform that is integrated in the new product range. This AI solution represents the collaboration between all four Microtec companies in Italy, Finland, Sweden and the U.S.”, states Arianna Giudiceandrea, CSO of Microtec Headquarters in Bressanone.
