2018 International Forest Industries IFI Aug Sept 2018 Digital | Page 29

SAWLINES – USNR OPERATION FOCUS layer sequencing , and more . The Maximizer edger positioning infeed features pop-up style positioner heads to push boards onto hydraulically actuated staging ramps . The low mass design of the pop-up style positioner head allows fast positioning . This infeed table offers precise positioning , even with difficult types of material ( curve sawn , small sizes ), and gentle handling .
The sawbox selected for this application uses five saws and a shifting straight edge with holdover shoe . This allows the mill to process splits with one saw , and no edgings .
Darryl commented : “ We basically run slower than the machine ’ s capability .
“ When we run wide boards , we want to be absolutely sure the solution recovers the highest value . We can cut up to about 100 mm ( 4 in ) thick , and every shift has a different cut ranging from 5 / 4 , 25 mm , 50 mm , 65 mm , 77 mm , etc . It varies all the time , and that was the idea for choosing the 5-saw machine .”
Data collection The Tenon team chose the BioLuma 2900LVG sensor for its BioVision system . This sensor is a powerhouse for collecting
The startup team , left to right : Ryan Scott ( USNR ); Kurstin Te Mete , Tenon Project Engineer ; Kaki Waenga , Tenon Project Manager ; Adrian Livesey , Tenon Project Engineer ; Jeff Tomlinson and Paul Kangas ( USNR ); Dave Jones , Tenon Production Optimization and Programming
high-density data from geometric measurements and visual characteristics , to grain angle measurements .
It is the only sensor on the market to integrate this range of technology within a single housing , according to USNR . “ It is , without a doubt , the best sensor for collecting the vast amounts of data required for accurate and precise defect recognition and analysis on green lumber ,” the manufacturer stated .
Positive performance Darryl related the benefits that
Tenon has achieved : “ We ’ re getting an increase in log to lumber recovery , more than we expected , so we ’ re really pleased with that . Also the system allows us to do a lot more rationalizing of products to improve efficiencies in our secondary processing .”
He also noted the project delivered all the benefits outlined in the original scope and was delivered on time .
Beyond designing the layout , Darryl says : “ Everything else went great . The board edger was a game-changer for us . It ’ s changed the bottleneck in the sawmill .
We can pull more wood out of our facility , we ’ ve increased our throughput , now we ’ ve got to look at the rest of the mill and speed it up to balance mill flow .”
Tenon describes the operation as the country ’ s largest singlesite producer of defect-free , appearance grade radiata pine products . This new edger line , with its BioVision grading capability , dovetails nicely with the company ’ s goal to expand and grow its output and its market , and to maintain its standards for the utmost in quality products .
As flitches are transported through the scan zone , the image and applicable defect data is displayed on the user interface screen
International Forest Industries | AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2018 27