LATVIJAS FINIERIS

Automatic Patching Line –for intelligent and sustainable manufacturing

Efficiency is among the top priorities of Latvijas Finieris Group. Automatic patching lines are used in production of Riga Wood birch plywood, decreasing manual human workforce input in daily production activities and replacing it with intelligent technologies.

Automatization allows speeding up of the production process, therefore increasing work efficiency and saving resources. Birch wood has outstanding technical properties given by nature already. For creating excellent quality birch plywood products, each veneer has to go through a multi-step process where its quality and suitability for designed product has to be evaluated.

Patching is one of the most effective ways of repairing various defects in birch veneers, such as holes and knots. Veneer repairing increases capacity of supplying high quality panels without open defects on face veneers and inner layers. In addition, it allows optimisation of raw material consumption. Patches are made of birch tree as well, while intelligent laser technologies precisely spot defects and fix them without over- or under-patching.

Various sizes and shapes of butterfly type patching heads enhance the quality of the end product by precisely fixing defects and scanning veneers with laser technologies, and avoiding human errors.

• Patching heads in multiple sizes and shapes • Strong patch that holds in place • Quality control using intelligent laser technologies • High precision and increased production speed • Optimised raw material consumption • Enhanced energy efficiency in manufacturing • Increasing capacity of supplying high quality panels without open defects on face veneers and inner layers

Holtec develops its own app

Holtec is developing its own app and will in future bundle all services under the tool: HOLTEC mobile services. They have created a service platform in the last few months that combines various digital services and represents another big step in terms of digitalisation. This is made possible by three important service modules: 1.e-Parts: Spare parts and documentation online via smartphone or desktop. Simple and mobile parts identification. Any part can be scanned and displayed directly in the app via QR code. Shopping cart function with automatic request, relieves service staff. 2. remote plus: Holtec employee and customer connect in a virtual room via VR smart glasses. The HOLTEC service technician can see the interface of the glasses of the maintenance expert on site and give him exact instructions for maintenance or repair of the system by means of live image processing and voice control. The advantages: Elimination of travel time, rapid problem resolution and support, shorter downtime and Increased plant effectiveness. 3. ticket system: a central ticket system makes it possible for customer enquiries to be clearly mapped, forwarded quickly and in a targeted manner, and processed transparently. It guarantees the structured, fast coordination of all service requests.

The HOLTEC mobile service tool will be unique in the industry and will be available from summer.