Here is a first insight in how we think and act around log handling facilities. How we connect intelligent IT solutions with our machines and services. Be inspired to take your business to the next level. Contact us and we will help you realize it!
The sawmill infeed provides the sawing process with logs and must work reliably, with high piece counts and correct log gaps. Several other processes are often integrated into the infeed, such as top-butt orientation, sorting out unwanted logs, butt-end flare reduction, debarking and alignment of logs. A well-functioning sawmill infeed is a pre-condition for a successful log breakdown process. Our infeeds deliver up to one log per second and cover all possible capacity requirements.
In the log sorter, mixed logs from the forest are arranged in suitable sorting groups for the log breakdown process. Sorting can be made to many selectable criteria, for example on wood species, grade, in pattern- or diameter classes for a given breakdown pattern, for sorting out defective logs, logs with metal or other undesirable properties. In the log sorter, revenue scaling and grading can also take place, for payment to the log supplier. After logs are sorted to the desired criteria, they are taken to the sawmill infeed and processed with the highest efficiency and recovery. In this way, it is easy to produce the desired products and quantities. Our log sorting lines handle up to 50 logs per minute or 2 million m³ per year.
When processing logs in a sawmill, valuable by-products also fall out. They need to be handled and prepared for suitable purposes. A good by-product handling allows the main process to continue undisturbed. It further results in minimal waste, minimal need for manual cleaning, is relatively maintenance-free and reliable. Low noise levels and the highest quality of the by-products are other desirable properties. Our by-product handlings shred, chip, screen, transport and store the materials in the desired way, to prepare them for further processes. Products can be pulp chips, fuel chips, bark for fuel or garden, fines for pellets or animal bedding and much more.
With a batch infeed, logs are sorted in the sawmill infeed instead of in a separate log sorter. This eliminates one process step and reduces log inventory and internal transport. At the same time, the advantages of sorted log breakdown are maintained with optimum feed speed and short log gaps. A number of sorting decks are placed between debarking and sawline, where logs are scanned and batch sorted. The decks are alternately filled and emptied as logs enter and are stored on the decks. Batch infeeds have become popular in small log mills with uniform log sizes, i.e. with a smaller diameter range than for normal log sawmills.
We can with smaller or larger interventions help our customers increase capacity to modern speeds, where we flexibly apply our long experience. There are in principle three steps to be taken: (I) optimize the control system without any physical modification, (II) upgrade certain parts of a machine, such as motors and drives, and (III) replace an entire machine in an existing line. The result of these measures can be reduced log gaps, increased speed, higher piece counts and more reliable processes. Higher production!
In order to meet the highest demands on safe work environment, we design and deliver safety systems to all our types of installations. Most of our machine systems are unmanned and fully automated so that no person needs to come near machinery in operation. The purpose of the security systems is to avoid access to machines in operation and offer safe access for maintenance and service. We supply physical barriers as well as optical barriers with remote access for allowing loaders in a restricted area. Following risk assessment, we design a suitable system individually for every layout, providing access for maintenance and service or overview and visits.
In recent years, frequency controlled drives have developed tremendously. This fact provides an opportunity for precise and fast control of machines with low energy consumption, low environmental impact and maintenance friendliness. Log handling equipment has historically contained a lot of hydraulics. These are nowadays replaced by electric drives. Different properties at different temperatures are avoided – especially important for outdoor use in cold climate and for large temperature differences. No environmentally hazardous leaks of hydraulic oil. High torque drives on log decks with wide speed range give better production. Very precise controls are possible with frequency inverters, brake resistors and encoders. Easier installations when oil piping is no longer required. The benefits are many, so we think the hydraulics can definitely be called obsolete. We are happy to rebuild existing equipment for electric drives so that everyone can benefit from them.
We want our customers to have the best possible working environment. We optimize our machines to reduce or eliminate noise to the greatest extent possible. We do this by, among other things, supplying the machines with damping kits, rubber surfaces, plastic slides and plastic drive- and turning sprockets.
50/50 plants are our expression for plants where a certain proportion of used equipment is integrated. If useful equipment is available, we integrate it into a total solution with the required proportion of new machines to get good solutions at lower costs. The concept suits smaller plants that want full functionality at lower prices but do not use the plant as intensively as larger mills do.