Allegheny ’ s carriage optimization sees both sides
Allegheny ’ s carriage optimization sees both sides
“ For our mill study we used 200 logs . We ran all those logs through and we were able to get a very good comparison between the two lines . We discovered a very significant difference in favor of both front and backside scanning .”
The value of backside scanning was recently proven out in a comparison at this hardwood mill after it chose a dual scanning carriage optimization solution .
Allegheny Wood Products ’ ( AWP ) mill at Kingwood , West Virginia features primarily USNR equipment including its two carriage optimization systems , gang saw , optimized edger and trimmer , and its sorter / stacker system . When the decision was made to update the carriage technology , all major vendors were evaluated . Mike Frantz , AWP ’ s IT director , commented that USNR was the vendor of choice because it had the best products for the application . The precursor to the LASAR / MillExpert system on the mill ’ s two carriages was USNR ’ s ScanMax system . With 11 years in operation Mike knew there was better technology available to stay ahead of the curve .
Proving the value of backside scanning
At the same time that it was implementing the two new carriage optimization systems , the mill took advantage of the chance to set up the two carriages with differing approaches for the scanning component . One line was fitted with both front and backside LASAR scanners while the second line received only a front side scan unit . This allowed the mill to perform a detailed analysis and comparison between the two configurations to determine the true value of dual scanning systems .
Jeff Storey , USNR ’ s project manager , weighed in on the increased value with backside scanning .
“ The backside scanner allows for a better full breakdown solution by knowing what the contour of the log is on its backside . The fit for products becomes much more accurate with that first opening cut . Without it the system has to use knee locations to extrapolate the backside shape of the log , which is never as accurate .”
Mike Frantz explained the mill ’ s process for the comparison . “ For our mill study we used 200 logs . We split them up between the two lines so we would have the same number of logs in each . There were a variety of sizes and grades and amounts of defects , but we made sure both batches were equal . We wanted to determine how both lines would handle the upper and lower grades . We ran all those logs through and we were able to get a very good comparison between the two lines . We discovered a very significant difference in favor of both front and backside scanning .”
With such positive results AWP is considering adding backside scanning to the other carriage optimization system . When asked his level of satisfaction with the LASAR / MillExpert combination Mike said , “ Overall I am very satisfied . We did see an increase in our yield per log . And we did see an increase with front and backside scanning versus front side scanning only . It ’ s definitely a cost effective enough difference to make it worth pursuing .”
Application matched solution
In certain circumstances the mill required a face order change from the full breakdown solution , and MillExpert is designed to provide this capability . Jeff Storey explains how this process works . After the first face is sawn , the typical solution would call for the sawyer to proceed to the opposing face ( 180 degree turn ) to finish the log . With the Kingwood mill ’ s application processing certain log types and shapes , it is advantageous to be able to first turn the log 90 degrees and saw a few cuts before continuing on to finish the solution on the opposing face . When making this first turn , the system provides the sawyer with a minimum opening face ( MOF ) scan so any number of cuts can be made at his discretion . This allows him to resize the center cant of the log for more efficient processing at downstream machine centers . With the solution being maintained or rescanned on the final face , the sawyer can continue to use the optimization rather than causing an “ out of sequence ” situation where he would be required to finish the log with manual decision making as opposed to an optimized solution .
Jeff also explained that customization was done to the control consoles and hardware to reduce the time required to switch over to the new system , thus ensuring the mill ’ s timeline for implementation .
Mike Frantz commented , “ The system is only ever as good as the people operating it , but MillExpert makes it very easy . It is very user friendly for people to work with .”
ISSUE 3 - 2013 | Millwide INSIDER 17