Insider
THE MAGAZINE FROM USNR | ISSUE 42
Canfor Southern Pine TWOprofiling, THUMBS ups UP FOR adds WITH THG itsGRADING production
Longer-lasting Kanefusa COMPARISON planer knivesSHOPPING now –available WHY THG? through USNR
Hunt Forest refines CLOSING THE GAP its product mix WITH with MILLTRAK 3D Ventek scanning
CONTENTS
Millwide Insider
Expanding our commitments
ISSUE 42
We’ve always firmly supported our customers with products, services, parts, upgrades and training. As announced previously, we’re expanding that commitment with a directed support team whose mandate is to bring more focussed attention to these efforts. In this issue we introduce a new team member whose role is to facilitate the delivery of upgrades and conversions to our products. Bringing focus to technology advancements we’re incorporating in our designs will streamline the process of applying those advancements to our legacy systems, and help support your operation’s profitability.
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Canfor Southern Pine This southern yellow pine mill was experiencing major throughput and maintenance issues, until it invested in a major upgrade to its curve sawing gang system. Adding shape sawing canter and shape sawing profiling modules solved the problem, with huge improvements to both throughput and maintenance.
Kanefusa Planer Knives USNR is partnering with a Japanese innovator to supply planer knives with a revolutionary new coating. The result is a knife that not only stays sharp much longer, it also lasts significantly longer. The benefit is dramatic gains in machine uptime and reduced grinding costs.
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SUBSCRIPTIONS Tel.: 250.833.3028 subscriptions@usnr.com EDITOR Colleen Schonheiter colleen.schonheiter@usnr.com
USNR Woodland, WA: +1.360.225.8267 Mon. - Fri. 5:00 am - 5:00 pm PT 24/7 Service: +1.360.225.8267 www.usnr.com SÖDERHAMN ERIKSSON Söderhamn, SE: +46.270.746.00 Mon. - Fri. 07:30 - 16:30 CET www.se-saws.com
© 2017 USNR, LLC All rights reserved. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to 1981 Schurman Way, Woodland, WA 98674. Canada Post: Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: USNR c/o Colleen Schonheiter, 3550 - 45th Street Southeast,
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Salmon Arm, BC V1E 1X1
Cambio 800D USNR / Söderhamn Eriksson has launched a new product in its extensive debarking line. The Cambio 800D incorporates some great features that make it an attractive consideration when planning to invest in the debarking process in your mill. Check it out!
Hunt Forest Products Hunt recently upgraded its veneer clipping and grading decision process, bringing consistency and improved recovery to the company’s production across its panel manufacturing process.
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Canfor Southern Pine
Profiling performance PROFILING AT THE CURVE SAWING GANG YIELDS SIGNIFICANT FLOW IMPROVEMENTS DOWNSTREAM A recent upgrade at a Southern Yellow Pine mill in Alabama has had a major impact on the mill’s productivity with the addition of profiling incorporated into the mill’s curve sawing gang process. The mill was facing daily bottlenecks at the edger that resulted in backed up lumber decks, hours of overtime work to clear the backlog, and continual maintenance to keep the overworked components operating. Today lumber is flowing and the bottleneck has moved on down the line to the kilns, with a solution in the works to ease that pain as well.
The new system has exceeded all our expectations. We were really hoping our production would increase to 60,000 board feet per hour, but we've blown past that goal.
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CANFOR SOUTHERN PINE – PROFILING PERFORMANCE The Canfor Southern Pine mill at Fulton, Alabama started producing southern yellow pine dimensional lumber as Scotch Lumber Company, a family-owned operation in the late 1800s. After a brief closure in 2009 due to economic conditions, it merged with Gulf Lumber and reopened as Scotch Gulf Lumber in 2010. Then in 2013 the company entered a phased purchase agreement with Canfor Corporation, with the sale complete by 2016. “I believe our mill was a perfect fit for Canfor,” said Perry Callaway, Plant Manager. “They saw the potential in the mill, its equipment and people, its strong timber base and its product mix.” The mill employs 147 people, and features dual log processing lines,
one for small logs up to 27” in diameter and one for large logs up to 46”. It produces dimensional lumber products from 2x4 to 2x12, MSR (machine stress rated) lumber, #1 and #2 prime lumber, and specialty grades. The mill also produces 1x4 and 1x6 boards that are shipped green (undried).
Holding up the line An ongoing bottleneck at the board edger was a major slowdown in the productivity of the entire operation. The original configuration of the mill had boards exiting the gang and being transported directly to the trimmer. A significant amount of the lumber was being tippled out after the trimmer, and routed to the edger for remanufacture. “The edger
was doing all it could but was just overwhelmed with reman lumber,” said Perry. “We would start processing logs at 6:00 am and by 9:30 we’d have to shut down the headrig and canter/ bandmill because all the lumber transfer chains would be blocked up,” continued Perry. Adding to the productivity issues, there were also safety concerns as the lumber was crossing up on the decks and required manual straightening. The plant’s edger, trimmer and stacker operators were often required to work until 8 o’clock at night just to catch up so the mill would be ready to start up the next morning. There was also the issue of maintenance personnel constantly working on the tipples behind the
UPGRADED LAYOUT
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trimmer. “Our reman was typically 13-14 percent, or 6,000 to 7,000 pieces per shift,” said Perry. “We were literally beating our tipples to death with so much reman lumber.” Plant management felt that the potential productivity increases and cost reductions that the mill could achieve would be significant, if they could keep the line moving forward.
A history of achievements The Canfor plant had employed equipment from USNR to upgrade its lines through the years, so it was natural for mill management to canvass USNR for a solution to the bottleneck dilemma. George Krumbine, USNR account manager, worked with the Fulton
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team to determine the best configuration that would improve the mill flow and increase productivity and recovery. The project team recommended retrofitting the existing curve sawing gang with a new shape chipping canter and a shape chipping profiler, as well as improved scanning and optimization. “We considered other vendors’ solutions, but one of the main reasons we decided to go with USNR was the mechanical simplicity of the USNR approach,” said Perry. “It was pretty much what all the millwrights were used to working on every day.”
How it works The new solution incorporates a chipping canter and profiler ahead of the saw box. The shape chipper skews
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and slews as it chips off the cant’s sides via conical chip heads. Then, the four-sided cant is fed through the shape profiler eliminating much of the requirement for edging the boards. Not only does profiling reduce the need for edging, it also smooths much of the flow which vastly improves productivity. Following
One of the main reasons we decided to go with USNR was the mechanical simplicity of the USNR approach.
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To view a video of the system in action, scan the QR code or go to: https://vimeo. com/215897375
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CANFOR SOUTHERN PINE – PROFILING PERFORMANCE
The new configuration includes 3 scanners along the scan belt. The system completes a full scan of the cant in only 9 feet of travel, and allows time for the optimized solution to reach the PLC and set the cutting tools to implement the decision.
profiling, the existing horizontal sawbox cuts the cant into boards.
All the operators are happy that fifteen minutes after the mill goes down at the end of a shift, all the lumber is caught up and they get to go home.
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The project included new scanning and optimization, as well as controls for the line. The original scanning was performed with a single lineal scan zone, as there was ample time to pass the solution on to the gang’s control system before the cant entered the machinery. Also, the original system did not require optimization for shape chipping and profiling. The new configuration includes 3 scanners along the scan belt. This allows the system to complete a full scan of the cant in only 9 feet of travel, and allows time
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for the optimized solution to reach the PLC and set the cutting tools to implement the decision. The cants are fed horizontally onto a rollcase from both sides, coming from the large and smaller log lines. They are fed onto a scan belt where they are transported lineally through the 3 scan zones and to the shape chipper ’s infeed. The shape chipper infeed controls the cant with 3 powered top press rolls that secure the cant on the chains while feeding it through the conical chip heads. The profiler infeed has 2 powered top press rolls to secure the cant, and 2 reference rolls that feedback the
cant’s position to the plc system. This allows the plc to control the skew and slew of the profilers to carry out the optimized profile solution. Reference rolls are also included on the gang’s existing chipper arbors ( just upstream of the sawbox) to allow the plc to set the saws relative to the chipped surfaces of the cant. The gang infeed employs 3 powered top press rolls and a bottom feed roll to secure the cant while it is transported through the double arbor sawbox. While the new components included the latest controls technology, the existing sawbox required plc updates.
Cutaway of the shape chipping canter
A team approach The project team was led by Jack Few, Canfor project manager, and Kelly MacDonald, his counterpart on the USNR side. Daily meetings kept everyone updated on progress and resolved any issues as they arose. Key among the group’s priorities were adhering to an aggressive schedule and maintaining a safe working environment. “Safety was our first priority on this job as we had about 80 people working on site,” said Perry. “When the job was complete we had never needed as much as a single band-aid. The men and women at USNR are very courteous and professional in every aspect of their job. And after the project was complete, USNR has always been ready to help when we needed technical support.”
Increased productivity now, plans for future upgrades “The new system has exceeded all our expectations,” continued Perry. “When we started the project, we were really hoping our production would increase to 60,000 board feet per hour, but we’ve blown past that goal. As of now we’re right around 62,000 feet per hour, and all the operators are happy that fifteen minutes after the mill goes down at the end of a shift, all the lumber is caught up and they get to go home.”
Cutaway of the shape chipping profiler
Cutaway of the saws showing reference rolls
Based on the success of the recent mill upgrades, the Canfor team is talking about what improvements they can make next. “We have a target of about 130 million board feet of production this year, but we have plans to increase our output beyond that level once we complete other upgrades throughout the plant,” concluded Perry. “With that goal in mind, we’ve already ordered a new USNR continuous dry kiln, and we plan to have it up and running by the first quarter of 2018.”
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Upgrades: renewed focus 8
Q& A MI – What does your new role at USNR encompass?
DK – My new role is Upgrades and Conversions
Manager. This role was created to bring additional focus to this part of our business that exists between selling new machines and systems, and supplying spare and replacement parts. I hope to bring a quick response to customers looking to improve the performance of their existing equipment with an upgrade or retrofit. My focus will be on good project management, quick turnaround from order placement to commissioning, and an overall good support and service experience for customers.
DOUGLAS KNOUS: MANAGER, UPGRADES AND CONVERSIONS We are pleased to announce the appointment of Douglas Knous, Manager for Upgrades and Conversions at USNR. Douglas’ career in the wood products industry spans over 3 decades, with experience in several sawmills, plywood and veneer plants around southern Oregon. He gained experience in production, maintenance and electrical controls before he transitioned to project management. Over the past 22 years his specialty has been controls engineering, involved in all aspects of capital projects from inception through meeting the final pro-forma criteria. Chuck Wert, USNR Senior Vice President for Customer Support, comments, “I have worked with Douglas in the past, and have always been impressed with his knowledge and commitment to achieving a successful outcome for any project with which he was involved. I’m excited to welcome him to the USNR team.”
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MI – What attracted you to join USNR, and what do you look forward to in your new role?
DK – Over many years USNR has provided a lot
of the capital equipment to the companies where I worked, and as a result I have become well-acquainted with a lot of USNR’s products. I’ve also had plenty of opportunity to be impressed by its people and its commitment to customers. My experience as a controls engineer and project manager seemed to be a good fit for the challenge to bring a higher level of support and partnership to USNR’s customers. I look forward to involvement in a wide variety of projects, and to being a part of the USNR family
MI – What experience do you bring from your past roles that will help you achieve success in your new mandate at USNR?
DK – My work in controls engineering and project
management at the mill level has exposed me to many different technologies and equipment that are used across the industry. I have led numerous process improvement projects in both lumber and panel mills, and have worked with a wide variety of vendors and technologies over my career. Coming from a mill background, I understand what matters to the mill, and I think that perspective is going to help me to develop partnerships with mills and to then effectively execute smaller-scale projects that provide fast payback and low risk to our customers.
Kanefusa Knives
Sharper longer Kanefusa is a Japanese pioneer in the development of advanced cutting edge materials for the woodworking industry. The result of extensive research and development has been a revolutionary new coating that uses Advanced Material Technology to deliver
significantly longer knife life. Knives that are coated with Advanced Material Technology stay sharper longer. It changes the knife wear characteristics and reduces residue adhesion, delivering dramatic gains in machine-uptime and reduced grinding costs. www.usnr.com | www.se-saws.com | ISSUE 42 | Millwide Insider
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Knife technology
KANEFUSA KNIVES – SHARPER LONGER
ADVANCED KNIFE TECHNOLOGY: IMPROVED UPTIME, SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED MAINTENANCE COSTS USNR and Kanefusa have partnered to bring you the best planer knives in the industry. Knives and cutting edges that are coated with a process that uses Advanced Material Technololgy to stay sharper longer. This process is implanted onto a high speed steel substrate that changes the wear characteristics of the cutting edge and reduces residue adhesion. The top of the cutting edge stays sharp. Only traces of wear which look like a chamfer from jointing can be found. While regular knives tear out the grain, ST-1 knife steel provides a smooth finish throughout the entire run-time. Advanced Material Technololgy is applied to the front of planer steel, which allows regrinding of the back edge with conventional equipment.
Features, Benefits: Planer knife coated with Advanced Material Technology is still sharp after cutting 1000 m of Spruce
Significant gains in machine runtime; fewer head removals
Superior cut quality Self-sharpening function reduces or eliminates subsequent honing
Dramatic grinding cost reduction Low motor power consumption over entire run time
Feed rate increases possible Grinding ST-1 knives is easier than grinding carbide knives
ST-1 knives run very quietly; the edges stay sharp longer The Kanefusa knives are applicable to any brand of planer, and are stocked at USNR's facilities in North America. To learn more about this new product now available from USNR, please contact us today. Conventional uncoated planer knife made of high speed steel (HSS) is already round after cutting only 1000 m of Spruce
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Power consumption (kWh)
Edge wear (µm)
25 20 15 10
400 350 300 250 200
5 0
1k 2k 3k 4k 5k 6k Cutting meters (m)
ST-1 knives offer a longer cutting life and a better surface finish. A better cut surface reduces or eliminates additional finishing processes and leads to higher product quality.
Knife technology
30
150 100
Power consumption >20%
50
Knife life 3.5x longer
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 Time (hour)
Motor power consumption stays low over the entire run time. ST-1 knives combine the sharpness of HSS steel with the durability of tungsten carbide. They are a perfect choice for both short and long runs.
Applications ST-1 knives are used for planing and profiling softwood, hardwood, and laminated wood (right). Keep in mind that continuously working in the glue line will shorten the tool life. It is recommended for use in conjunction with oscillation spindles only. ST-1 knives can be jointed easily.
Comparison: ST-1 vs HSS Results Better surface finish
Maintenance schedule
HSS
ST-1
15
3
Longer intervals between jointing
Knife changes / regrinds, per week
Wider jointing widths
Set-up time, per week
15x0.25 hrs=3.75 hrs
3x0.25 hrs=0.75 hrs
Removal of less material when jointing and regrinding
Regrind time, per week
15x1.5 hrs=22.5 hrs
3x1.5 hrs=4.5 hrs
Total time, per week
26.25 hrs
5.25 hrs
The real proof of these results is in practical experiences with using these knives. The table at right show the findings derived from one customer's typical application.
Total time, per year
1,365 hrs
273 hrs
Annual labor savings
1,092 hrs
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Cambio 800D
Smarter debarking NEW DESIGN FEATURES HIGH SPEED DEBARKING, EASY MAINTENANCE USNR / Söderhamn Eriksson introduces another step forward in advanced debarking with the release of Cambio 800D. New features and practical design elements make this our best debarker yet!
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Higher speed Easier to service, maintain Reduced noise, bark spray Reduced operating cost Higher redundancy Longer life
Specifications: Max. feedspeed: 130m/min (426 fpm) Max. log dia.: 800mm (32”) Min. log dia.: 90mm (3.5”) Weight including cover: 12,600 kg (28,000 lbs.) Feedwork drives: 4kw x 6 arms Rotor drive: 75kw 6pol Separate oil lube system for rotor lubrication, incl. filter and monitoring Electrical actuators to open/close the covers
Jonas Ljung, designer (profiled on page 24), explains the concept, “We know how costly it is for a mill when a machine is down, so we wanted to build in further redundancy to our Cambio design, to ensure our debarker could keep running even if a drive unit should fail. This way the mill can keep running and change it out during the next scheduled maintenance.” The drive units are attached into the arm with 4 screws, so changing the drive is much less time consuming. The new design accommodates the same size of logs and a slightly higher speed than the traditional Cambio 800 (130m/min vs. 110).
Features With its separately driven feed rolls and new, patented suspension system, the Cambio 800D debarker is designed for high speeds and for all timber sizes. Cambio 800D has separate electric motors for each feed roll. This reduces the number of moving parts which results in lower costs for maintenance and spare parts. The drive units are designed as individual modules and can easily be replaced.
With this new design, we have made the covers tighter to minimize noise and bark spray, and to provide a better environment around the machine. The covers can be opened to a wide angle which increases access and speeds up the maintenance work. A new patented hydraulic suspension system – HYDA – controls the clamping force. The new suspension system also puts less stress on the frame and extends the lifespan of the machine.
We know how costly it is for a mill when a machine is down, so we wanted to build in further redundancy to our Cambio design, to ensure our debarker could keep running even if a drive unit should fail.
The reduced number of moving parts and the absence of bevel gears makes the Cambio 800D well suited for modern high speed sawmills. The Cambio 800D has built-in redundancy. The debarker remains functional even if one of the drive units should fail. This all sums up to reduced downtime and lower maintenance costs. The Cambio 800D is available as a stand-alone debarker unit. This design has been installed in two mills to date, one in Norway and the other in south Sweden.
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Hunt Forest Products
Better data yields better decisions VENTEK SCANNERS AUTOMATE VENEER GRADING PROCESS, IMPROVE DECISION MAKING Management at Hunt Forest Products found better optimizing solutions in a new generation of scanning equipment. By upgrading the Pollock, Louisiana mill’s green-end with a new NV4g scanner, and two GSc2000 scanners at the dry end, Hunt was able to automate the clipping and grading decision process, bringing consistency and improved recovery to the company’s production across the panel manufacturing process.
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When a new generation of Hunt family members took over control of the company in 2015, the new managers recognized that the Pollock plant’s yield could be increased with a technology upgrade to automate the veneer grading process.
Hunt Forest Products LLC is a family owned wood products company founded in 1978. The company’s Pollock, Louisiana plant manufactures veneer and plywood, mostly from southern yellow pine. The Pollock plant runs 24/7, employing about 290 people. The mill’s capacity is 250 million square feet of 3/8” plywood and veneer annually, produced in various thicknesses according to market needs and the quality of logs being processed. Typical of many veneer operations, landscape timbers are also produced as a byproduct of the lathe operation. Most of the company’s production is sold domestically in the U.S.
Gaining insight Previous decisions for the grading of veneer both at the green and dry ends of the process, were
done manually. “With manual grading, the consistency wasn’t there,” said company President L. Richard “Richie” LeBlanc. “We needed to better understand and get control of our processes. We felt that automating the grading process would help us determine the best products that we should be producing for our market.” The first scanner installed at the green end of the veneer process was the NV2000, manufactured by Ventek* at Eugene, Oregon. This system served the mill well for several years. When Ventek launched newer models with improved capabilities, mill management decided it was time to upgrade with a new green veneer scanner, and add a dry veneer scanner at the dry end of the mill to further improve the process.
I'm extremely satisfied with the overall results that we're seeing from the data out of these systems. The information is allowing us to make much more effective decisions in the dayto-day operation of our plant. We've been able to refine our product mix and improve recovery.
*The Ventek product line was acquired by USNR in 2016
Below: The NV4g scanning system identifies the trash defects, fishtail (good wood on left or right half ) and strip until full sheets can be made, in the green area of the plant. It works with the moisture detection system to also identify areas with higher moisture content so the sheets can be sorted accordingly before drying.
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HUNT FOREST PRODUCTS – BETTER DATA YIELDS BETTER DECISIONS
The GSc2000 provides better than 95% grading accuracy for the dry veneer. Because the system is automated, grading decisions are made with a higher degree of consistency than before.
Hunt Forests has two GSc2000 scanners operating side-by-side. The GSc2000
performs process data collection and interfaces to the plant’s remote management information system.
Below: The GSc2000 screen shows the sheets as they come out of the scanner with their grade solution. The enlarged sheet data explanation: DX (the grade assigned)
W= 49.80 (sheet width)
> New Grade D (the next higher grade)
L= 100.82 (sheet length)
Automatic Limit (the next higher grade was automatically declined - too many defects)
P=0, M=0 (user defined data, in this case patch counts)
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Why Ventek/USNR? “Ventek is a well-respected supplier to our industry,” said Richie. “Our plant manager, Walter Wagner, had previously worked in facilities where Ventek scanners were installed. We made the decision largely based on Walter ’s experience and on information that the Ventek team provided.”
Making progress The 4th generation Ventek NV4g green veneer scanning system uses the latest machine vision technology coupled with neural network classification algorithms, to accurately and reliably optimize green veneer clipping solutions. The system optimizes clipping taking into consideration information provided about downstream processes, the plant's product requirements, and grade parameters. Capable of a precise scanning measurement resolution of .060 in., the system uses true-color LED lighting for long-life operation and better color discrimination. In particular, the new lighting system improves light wane clipping and provides stable light quality, eliminating the need for constant adjustment. The NV4G operator interface has been designed for maximum flexibility and ease-of-use. Operators can adjust the clip parameters for trash, panel
We needed to better understand and get control of our processes. We felt that automating the grading process would help us determine the best products that we should be producing for our market.
sizing and where to clip (combining defects or clipping the center of the defect), in order to optimize recovery, capacity and/or end product type.
Better data Improving the quantity and quality of information from the production process was also a goal of the scanner upgrade, and the new NV4g scanning system provides production reporting including grade distribution, downtime and wood species processed. The system also allows for “virtual clipping,” using stored ribbon data, which gives the user the ability to test and change parameter settings before an actual production run in order to view the results and optimize clipping strategies based on market needs. All system parameters and clipping strategies can be customized at the touchscreen operator interface and saved to tables. System diagnostic information is also readily available to machine operators and maintenance personnel.
Second phase Six months after the new greenend scanner was installed, the plant installed two new Ventek GSc2000 dry veneer grading systems at the outfeed of the full sheet dryers. Like the NV4g, the GSc2000 has a .060 in. scanning resolution. It also incorporates True Color vision technology, with industrial cameras and lighting to provide enhanced defect recognition through varying background color and changing light conditions. “The GSc2000 provides better than 95% grading accuracy for the dry veneer,” says Chris Van Ackeren, formerly with Ventek and now USNR Account Manager, and the project manager for the Pollock mill install. “Because the system is automated, grading decisions are made with a higher degree of consistency than before.” “The scanners add objectivity that has helped us make better decisions,” echoes Richie LeBlanc.
The GSc2000 performs process data collection and interfaces to the plant’s remote management information system. The data that is generated enables the plant managers to track yields and make higher-level decisions affecting production throughput, product yields and profitability, with more confidence than was possible using the old, manual-intensive systems.
Implementation The real challenge implementing the new systems came post start-up. “It took the operators some time to trust the data they were receiving,” said Richie, “but, once the team bought into the system it has proven to be very effective.” Training both on-site and at the supplier's Eugene, OR facility helped mill personnel gain confidence in the value of the data as well as learn to operate the new systems effectively. Another support feature available, the system allows for USNR engineers to log in to the scanners remotely to provide assistance with diagnosing problems or making changes to adjust grades and clipping strategies.
Results “I’m extremely satisfied with the overall results that we’re seeing from the data out of these systems,” said Richie LeBlanc. “The information that the scanners are providing, particularly on the dry end, is allowing us to make much more effective decisions in the day-today operation of our plant. We've been able to refine our product mix and improve recovery.” Hunt's management team has improved their ability to remain competitive, regardless of market conditions.
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NEW PROJECTS Battle Lumber – BioVision Trimmer The green mill trimmer at Battle Lumber, Wadley, GA will be updated to vision defect scanning with BioLuma 2900LVG sensors. In 2016 the mill installed a new Trimmer Optimizer system with BioLuma 2900L profile sensors, and is now upgrading to achieve visual defect scanning. The existing scan frame will be reused for this upgrade.
Collums Lumber – Edger Infeed Upgrades A new lineal edger infeed is on the books for Collums Lumber, at Allendale, SC. The supply starts with a double radius back unscrambler, a reject tipple, even ending rolls and lumber transfer upgrades. The area will be controlled with USNR’s MillTrak lumber flow management system. MillTrak utilizes a special, high resolution camera mounted high above the material transfer deck. The system creates software-adjustable virtual photoeyes, and it effectively replaces a multitude of conventional photoeyes or limit switches.
Eacom Timber – Revolver Lug Loader, Multi-Track Fence The EACOM Timber mill at Nairn Centre, ON, Canada is investing in a Revolver Lug Loader and Multi-Track Fence for its planer mill trimmer line. The line is designed for a speed of 180 lugs per minute. This brings the sales of this highly popular Multi-Track Fence to over 120 since the product’s launch in 2010.
Freres Lumber – GSc2000, Sequoia Sentry Freres Lumber is installing new dr y end scanning and moisture measurement equipment for its plant at Lyons, OR.
Multi-Track Fence: Best selling product! Over 120 systems sold since 2010!
The GSc2000 dry veneer grade scanner is designed to provide enhanced defect recognition and performance, through a wide range of variables. The Sequoia Sentry is a dryer management control system that detects moisture in dry veneer. It takes the guess work out of moisture level settings, and helps control over- or under-dried veneer.
Gilkey Lumber – Carriage Optimization A hardwood processing mill, Gilkey Lumber at Rutherfordton, NC is upgrading its carriage optimization system to USNR’s Carriage Opt. software combined with ChromaScan 2460 sensors. This combination has been tested and proven time after time with some of the most
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challenging log surfaces possible. This mill processes hardwood logs from 6” to 48” diameter and 8’ to 16’6” in length.
Hankins Lumber – TrimSort Line Modernization Hankins Lumber is making major capital investments to its mill at Elliott, MS. The updates will include trim-sort line equipment featuring a double trimmer unscrambler, ElectraTong lug loader with MillTrak backlog control, Multi-Track positioning fence, multisaw trimmer with clamshell opening design, pusher lug sorter top for 60 vertical bins, WinTally sorter management system and MyMill wireless sorter control, and updated optimization and controls for the line.
The mill will also be making improvements to its cur ve sawing gang line with the addition of a shape chipping module and shape profiling module ahead of the horizontal double arbor sawbox. The optimization and controls on this line was previously upgraded.
Kapstone – Kiln Refurbishment Kapstone Paper and Packaging is retrofitting 2 of its high temperature track kilns at its Summerville, SC operation. The retrofits will include repaneling the roofs, gable ends and sidewalls, and installing new kiln doors. These improvements will increase the efficiency of the kilns and the drying process.
Kiwi Lumber – Log Positioning Infeed On the heels of completing a project to update the mill’s primar y line with a quad bandmill sharp chain, Kiwi Lumber at Masterton, New Zealand is once again investing to install a new log positioning infeed to the line. The new equipment consists of a log scanning auto rotation conveyor, a ring turner/positioning infeed system, and optimization system. Included with the optimization component, the existing single scan zone on the auto
rotation conveyor will be reused and a second scan zone will be added. A log breakdown rescan allows for verification in the positioning infeed section once the log has been turned. A System Quality Inspector (SQI) provides a real-time measurement system with trending reports comparing the optimizer ’s predicted solutions with the actual machine output. The SQI system allows for faster initial system tuning, feedback on overall system performance, and is a long-term tool to predict maintenance requirements. The scan heads in the log infeed will be used to compare the position of the log on the sharp chain, to the position called for by the log optimizer in the autorotation conveyor.
Toney Lumber – Kiln Boss control system Toney Lumber is updating the control system for two lumber kilns at its mill in Louisburg, North Carolina, implementing USNR’s Kiln Boss system. The Kiln Boss system allows the mill to easily control all significant wood dr ying variables. The system tracks custom dr ying schedules, alerts to trouble or system changes, and reports batch and historical statistics for review.
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www.usnr.com | www.se-saws.com | ISSUE 42 | Millwide Insider
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PO Box 310 Woodland, WA 98674
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PROFILE
UPCOMING EVENTS
Jonas Ljung is Mechanical Engineering Manager based at Söderhamn, Sweden.
Jonas says he particularly enjoys the design aspect of his role, and the opportunity to follow the products from concept to working machines.
Jonas Ljung manages the mechanical engineering activities for our Söderhamn Eriksson product lines. His tenure at our company began in 2010 when he was completing his degree with the Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm. His final exam involved designing the feedarms for the new Cambio 800D debarker, and he was subsequently hired to stay on.
An avid outdoorsman, Jonas related, “In 2012 I got an idea while moose hunting, and in 2016 the first HYDA was mounted into a machine.” HYDA is a patented hydraulic suspension system that controls the clamping force of the debarking arms. Jonas spends time with his family out of doors whenever he gets the chance, cross country skiing, biking and enjoying the pristine forests of Sweden.
20–21 SEPT WoodTech
26–27 SEPT WoodTech
27–29 SEPT AFPA
Melbourne, Australia
Rotorua, NZ
Jasper, Alberta
24–27 OCT LesDrevMash
25–27 OCT NHLA
28–31 OCT APA
Minsk, Belarus
Nashville, Tennessee
Huntington Beach, CA
