B R I E F S
Smaller scale technology trend
draws SkogsElmia visitors
to narrow bandsawing demonstrations
Odd Edvoll, head
of Wood-Mizer
Nordic
2
Thin kerf bandsawing pioneer WoodMizer demonstrated mills offering
sustainable and affordable conversion
at SkogsElmia, the Scandinavian fair,
attracting considerable interest.
A Swedish public company bought
one of the company's small-to-medium
band sawmills at the event, the LT20B
Remote. A twin-bladed edger has been
added to increase the value of wood and
enhance productivity.
Wood-Mizer had noted more interest
in 'greater Scandinavia' in small timber
harvesting, conversion and secondary
conversion sectors, in which its wood
processing kit has thrived. It believes
that its 'Orange' range of sawmills fits
the changing structure of Scandinavian
forestry, alongside enthusiasm for
biofuel being partly replaced by smaller
scale technology.
At SkogsElmia, Wood-Mizer
demonstrated a small LT15 sawmill with
MP100 moulder/planer attachment; an
LT70 semi-industrial sawmill; and the
LT20B3 Remote, extended-bed mill plus
the twin-blade edger.
Following modifications, the twinblade edger's competitiveness,
including adjustable power feed, two
optional lasers and 'Setworks' as
standard, was self-evident. Although
WOOD-MIZER TODAY AUTUMN 2011
boards can be edged on a band sawmill,
output can increase by up to 30% by
using the edger in tandem. Power feed is
smoothly adjustable from 0-25m/min.
As standard, it has two circular blades,
one fixed and one adjustable. The
adjustable blade is positioned
electrically and 'Setworks' and optional
lasers enhance accuracy. Typical
secondary processing products are
building components such as roof beam
supports.
The remote control small-to-medium
LT20B3 shown is 'chunky', and was
shown at SkogsElmia with three twometre long bed segments for
commercial cutting of logs up to 6.8m
long. Designed during the 2009 credit
crunch, it enables operators to upgrade
to higher output without investing in
larger, more costly kit. The addition of
the remote control option means that
the sawmill can produce large amounts
of sawn lumber while minimising
operator fatigue.
The semi-industrial LT70 typified the
theme of a relatively small mill
performing modern log processing like
larger, more expensive ones. It
prefigures sawing dimensions, has an
automatic clutch and a system to melt
away sap. There is also a remotecontrolled version that can function with
materials handling equipment.
The small LT15 with MP100
moulder/planer is a Wood-Mizer Nordik
innovation. The moulder/planer can be
installed on the bed of an existing LT15
o r ( s m a l l e r ) LT 10 s aw m i l l . At
SkogsElmia, it was demonstrated
producing valuable moulded boards and
profiled beams.
With the Nordik economies healthier
than many of those in southern Europe
and not suffering as much from credit
restrictions, Wood-Mizer is optimistic
about local responses to its narrow band
sawmills, which it feels anticipate the
current Nordik appetite for smaller
timber conversion equipment.