2018 International Forest Industries IFI June July 2018 Digital | Page 36

Crews prepare to lift
the HewSaw 2R log
positioner into place.
Northland Forest Products is a family-owned and operated company. From
left to right are Craig Ewashko, Kim Norris, and Howie Ewashko. For this
sibling trio, dealing with challenges is all in a day’s work. (Photo courtesy
of Canadian Forest Industries)
The HewSaw R200 A.1 is the
smallest and most economical
model in HewSaw’s line-up of
single pass and multi-unit sawing
machines. It is an extremely
flexible machine that can process
logs from under 3 inches (7.5
cm) to almost 14 inches (35cm)
in diameter and lengths from 8
feet (2.4 metres) to 20 feet (6
metres) plus, all in one pass. The
HewSaw single pass process starts
when the log is presented to the
HewSaw Log-in system. In the
Northland machine, scanning is
provided by Canadian scanning and
optimization supplier Prologic Plus.
The 3-D scanner is situated above
the HewSaw V-flight conveyor
that feeds the 2R log positioner.
After being positioned for the best
pattern recovery, the log is then fed
into the R200 which chips all four
sides, rips the centre stack and
then processes the sideboards by
removing wane, which eliminates
downstream edging on the
HewSaw produced boards.
Northland has partnered with
HewSaw for several decades dating
back to the 1990s. “Our father, Roy,
was a big influence on us,” says
Craig. “Back in the early 90s, he
first looked at different methods
of processing smaller diameter
logs. He had seen an earlier
version of the HewSaw method
and was confident that it was a
viable solution on our growing
dependence on a smaller diameter
log supply.”
The new HewSaw is the
third model form the Finnish
manufacturer to be installed at
Northland Forest Products. “Over
the years we have continued our
partnership with HewSaw and
they have responded with updated
equipment that has increased
feed speeds and recovery. I have
to say, having a partnership and a
long-term relationship with a main
supplier like HewSaw is key to our
success,” adds Craig.
With some excellent upfront
planning and cooperation
between HewSaw, the mill, and
the subcontractors involved in the
project, the start-up portion of the
project was extremely efficient.
With some pre-work, such as
wiring, hydraulic plumbing and
foundation work completed well
in advance of the mechanical
installation of the HewSaw, the line
was only shut down for 16 days for
the project.
As of May 2018, Craig was
happy to report that the new
HewSaw is setting production
records for the mill. “It is doing
its job and we are excited to see
how far we can go with this new
machine,” he concludes.
The first log processed through the new HewSaw at Northland Forest
Products was on September 3, 2017. Pictured left to right are HewSaw
Technical Advisor Cameron McCreight, Mill Owner Craig Ewashko, and
HewSaw Technical Manager Chris Larsen.
The new HewSaw R200 A.1 at Northland Forest Products was lifted through
the mill roof and placed in position on the mill floor.
32 International Forest Industries | JUNE / JULY 2018