2017 International Forest Industries Magazines October November 2017 | Page 21

SAWLINES – USNR LUMBER PROCESSING

This did not match the company ’ s and the government ’ s goals for optimizing the use of the island ’ s natural resources . Four years ago , Tropik decided that major capital upgrades to their sawmill line were needed . “ The old mill experienced long downtimes and very poor recovery ,” said Vimlesh Kumar , Tropik Wood ’ s Project Manager . “ The low average recovery of 27 % meant that we were wasting our valuable saw logs , which take 25 years or more to mature for timber .”

Tropik considered several alternatives including buying refurbished machinery from Canada or New Zealand , but opted for new , top-of-the-line equipment for greater certainty of productivity increases over the next 15 years .

FLOW Catech 400 Edger infeed

Board scanner

S-Unscrambler

Cambio 800 debarker with CIM 750 infeed

The process : Debarking Caribbean pine logs enter the sawmill unsorted leading with the small end . Logs range from 15 - 50 cm diameter in lengths of 3 - 6.1 meters . Logs are scanned and optimized , with 2.8 - 3 m gaps at the infeed . Processing logs with small ends first provides advantages in more accurate infeed alignment and for edging accuracy . Logs enter the debarking line at consistent intervals . The Cambio 800 is a heavy duty high-speed debarker that accommodates all log sizes , and is particularly suited for logs up to 795 mm in diameter . It offers reliability , minimal service requirements , and ultra-low operating costs . Triangular feed works and carbide tipped debarking tools actuated by compressed air are important features to achieve first class debarking results .

Tropik Wood paired the Cambio 800 with the CIM Debarker Infeed . This infeed ’ s auto-centering function feeds logs with no gaps , maximizing debarking line productivity . The CamTrail debarker outfeed prevents logs from wobbling or rotating during the process . Once debarked , logs pass through a metal detector , to a log kicker , elevator , and singulator , then on to the sawline scan conveyor .

The process : Chipping , canting Once scanned , a 3D data model is produced and the optimized saw pattern provides log and cant breakdown solutions . Log rotation is achieved with the 750E rotary log turner controlled from the PLC and actuated with an electric servo motor .

Next the LogPos infeed positions the log with 4 pairs of vertical side rollers on a chain

Log singulator