SIGNIFICANT BIOVISION EDGER FEATURES
optimization times would be a challenge given multiple-board random-width solutions on very wide flitches . We had the added complication of the extra computation required to generate cuttings solutions for Shop and Moulding products . We therefore added some advanced algorithmic techniques and we used distributed optimization across several computers to speed up solution times .” He went on to explain that the price differential between shop products and being able to cut Moulding out of the wide Shop is very significant .
The WWPA grade book describes the following criteria for Moulding stock and Shop lumber .
► Moulding stock is of a type suitable for ripping into strips 1 ” and wider , 10 ’ and longer . At least 2 / 3 of the area contains such rips of the grade permissible in standard Mouldings .
► Shop lumber is graded with reference to its use for sash and doors , or on the basis of characteristics affecting its use for general cutup purposes , or on the basis of size of cutting . The grade of Shop lumber is determined by the percentage of the area of each piece available in cuttings of specified or of given minimum sizes and qualities .
Bob Arnold , sawmill grade scanning product manager , weighed in on what was required of the BioVision software . “ The BioVision optimizer not only fits the appropriate cuttings into the clear /
“ The BioVision optimizer not only fits the appropriate cuttings into the clear / permissible areas of the flitch , but also requires an alignment of those cuttings in a manner that enables them to be recovered later at a secondary manufacturing plant .”
permissible areas of the flitch , but also requires an alignment of those cuttings in a manner that enables them to be recovered later at a secondary manufacturing plant . The number , size and quality of those cuttings are used to determine the edging solution that meets the required WWPA Shop and Moulding grades .”
Opportunity knocks
Rodney is very pleased with the results he is seeing after implementing the new BioVision system . “ Our Moulding is up probably 8 %, our # 1 Shop is up 4 % and we are starting to get a higher percentage of # 2 over # 3 Shop because the BioVision system is able to distinguish a # 2 from a # 3 and rip / edge for that .” Not only is BioVision helping the operation recover higher value products , Rodney said , “ It will
allow us to enter new markets . We will be working with new and existing customers to refine our product mix .” He went on , “ The BioVision scanner has also had a positive effect on our bigger Doug / Larch and White Fir logs . The scanner can detect the larger knot sizes and rip the boards into wider products , allowing for the smaller knotted material in the narrow widths . We have seen the difference in the planer with our percentage of # 3 dropping from the lack of bigger knots that had previously been down-grading our dimension .”
Commissioning for the BioVision edger system was completed mid-March . During the change-over that side of the mill was shut down . The existing 5-saw edger was overhauled and the infeed and outfeed were removed . Then the new infeed system and BioVision scanning frame were installed , the edger was repositioned into place and the outfeed
“ Our Moulding is up probably 8 %, our # 1 Shop is up 4 % and we are starting to get a higher percentage of # 2 over # 3 Shop because the BioVision system is able to distinguish a # 2 from a # 3 and rip / edge for that .”
SIGNIFICANT BIOVISION EDGER FEATURES
► Features for Moulding and industrial Shop optimization :
• Knot location , classification and measurement
• Bark pockets and rot
• Splits / shake
► Geometric , wane , shallow face and edge wane ( saddle-back ), skip , crook and twist are included .
► Sophisticated compound wane rules are available . Primary and secondary wane rules commonly implemented allow precise control over how much wane is allowed in which locations along the board .
► Automatic classification is based on surface defect recognition .
► Flexible , easy to use product set-up , is limited only by the customer ’ s ability to manage combinations .
► Multiple grades with individual wane rules and values , are easily programmed .
► Parameters supporting NHLA , NeLMA , SPIB , WWPA grades rules for respective regions .
10 Millwide INSIDER | ISSUE 3 - 2013