World’s first autonomous woodyard crane revealed

Among a range of technologies and services for the wood industry featured by Andritz at the Ligna 2023 show held in May at Hanover in Germany, was an autonomous logyard crane, claimed to the world’s first of its kind.

Under the heading ‘Building the Future Together’, the technology giant was focusing on innovative technologies that enable customers to save energy, water, and raw materials in addition to reducing production costs and increasing product quality.

The autonomous logyard crane uses an artificial intelligence (AI) feature called Metris ANDI which is said to offer environmentallyfriendly, cost-effective log handling. The use of AI allows detailed tracking and classifying of the wood received in real time. Running on electricity, the crane emits no CO2 emissions and reduces noise pollution.

Also shown was a pellet mill. The high-performance PM30-6 mill is designed for biomass pellets. Based on an optimised die speed and a patented feed system, it is aid to produce high-quality pellets at reduced maintenance cost and increased capacity.

An adjustable screw feeder shown uses state-of-the-art performance control enabling the use of dry and wet wood based on an adjustable design. With this design, compression can be adjusted to the moisture content of the fibres to optimise water removal in the plug screw feeder area and temperature requirements in the dryer thus reducing energy costs and CO2 emissions.