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MACHINERYROW Smith Sawmill Service Expands Operations
ardship of Michael and Dustin, Smith Sawmill Service will continue to remain cutting-edge, “never forgetting the past, but with an eye always on the future.” Precision Saw Works, Inc. will be named Smith Sawmill Service—North Carolina, and is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Smith Sawmill Service.
cludes a standard tilt hoist, Revolver lug loader and Multi-Track positioning fence.
Full Tilt Timber Finds Quick Answer
IFG Mill Updating Log Turning System Left to right, Frank Curran, Michael Smith, Dustin Norris
Smith Sawmill Service, based in Timpson, Texas, announced the acquisition of Precision Saw Works, Inc. located in Polkton, NC. Founded in 1986 by Frank Curran, Precision has specialized in the repair and manufacturing of band and circle saws, and is known for exemplary service during the past 35 years. This addition will enhance Smith Sawmill Service’s footprint on the East Coast, and will allow the company to better serve current and new customers in that region and beyond. Smith Sawmill Service will use Precision Saw Works’ existing facility, including retention of current management and employees, to provide services for repairing and sharpening, as well as the manufacture of circle saws, band saws, and custom sawmill parts. Frank Curran, and his son, Travis, will continue to act as managers and help lead this location. The goal is to achieve a seamless integration of both companies over the next several weeks, with no service interruption, and during that time “our customers will continue to receive the same high quality products and service that they have come to expect,” states Paul Smith, President of Smith Sawmill Service. Paul & Debra Smith laid the foundation for this family owned company in 1990, which has been providing quality products and exemplary customer service for more than 30 years. Smith Sawmill Service is an innovator of sawmill technology, with multiple industry-related patents, always striving to increase efficiency and productivity of the wood production industry. With the help of their son Michael Smith and General Manager Dustin Norris, the company has continued to grow and build upon the legacy of Paul and Debra Smith. The addition of an East Coast location was a natural next-step in the evolution of this company, and under the stew50
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Idaho Forest Group in Athol, ID is updating its log turn technology to USNR’s Precision Geometric Log Rotation (PGLR) system. The existing log turn measuring system is USNR’s predecessor to the PGLR. While it has improved the recovery it’s now time to move to the latest technology with an advanced scanning and optimization platform. PGLR is a real-time rotation verification and correction system that significantly improves cutting accuracy and increases uplift and recovery. PGLR uses the log rotation solution and a lineal scan zone placed upstream or downstream of the turning rolls to actively monitor and correct the precise degree of turn during and after actuation. PGLR utilizes USNR’s BioLuma 3900L sensor that delivers the highest speed UHD laser profiling for the most demanding lineal applications, perfect for bucking, log lines, shape sawing gangs and lineal edgers. The new PGLR system is scheduled to be installed in the third quarter.
Nix Will Install Automated Grader Nix Forest Products at Timpson, Texas is updating its planer mill with advanced technology from USNR. The mill has been relying on manual grading and is looking to improve grade recovery from its products. It is also investing to increase the efficiency of its process. The order features USNR’s Transverse High Grader (THG) automated grading system with Deep Learning technology. This technology increases the speed and accuracy of THG’s defect detection; significantly reduces the time required for startup and commissioning of the autograding systems; and enables accurate identification of defects unique to a species, region or grade that would otherwise be difficult and time-consuming to identify using conventional methods. In addition to the THG, the order in-
Walt and Nate Schuele are very satisfied with their Serra SL 130i, which was immediately ready for action after a demonstration in Nashville.
Nate Schuele, 22 years old and a fourth generation sawyer, has a new best friend: the SL130i Serra mobile sawmill. The previous one (of another brand) had to be replaced due to a motor damage. Schuele got his first impression of Serra and the sawmills by YouTube videos. He found the videos hugely impressive and especially liked the receivers for offloading sawn lumber. For the decision he explains: “We were looking at multiple alternatives but the Serra seemed to have so many good features: larger band, thinner kerf, receivers for sawn lumber, better band wheel technology, etc.” The availability of the Serra demo machine in Nashville convinced them, too, because it was already stateside and built. Nate and Walt Schuele, the two owners of Full Tilt Timber Framing in Clancy, Mont., produce dimensional lumber and timbers for timber frames (around 150-200MBF annually). The Serra mill has fit into their process perfectly. Nate Schuele comments on the mobile sawmill: “The independent loading arms are a huge improvement. The computer is actually worth using. The power toe board for moving cants back and forth, the increased number of bed rails, the band wheels that are light years ahead of anything other portable manufactures are using, the toe boards with dogs for pull-
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