2017 International Forest Industries Magazines April May 2017 | Page 38
LUMBER PROCESSING
SCANNING & OPTIMISATION – OPTICOM
Better vision means
better profitability
Innovating is second nature to camera
solutions supplier, Opticom
An Opticom CC04 Series IP network camera
Sawmills and wood
processing plants are
not the only industrial
operations that regard the
CC02 as invaluable
I
t’s a scene typical of any sawmill
in North America: a debarker
machine hammers away at its
task with a tiny camera mounted
on the framework, monitoring the
process. The vibration is relentless,
but the video feed is constant and
clear.
Most closed-circuit video
cameras would be hard pressed
to be mounted anywhere near this
machinery, never mind on it – but
this is no ordinary camera. It is the
Opticom Technologies CC02 Series
camera, built for just such an
application.
Opticom is no stranger to
developing video solutions for
out of this world situations. In
the 1970s it rose to the challenge
of the Space Shuttle program by
developing varifocal lenses that
would function seamlessly in
space. As Opticom president and
founder David Boyd explains: “It’s
always been about finding video
solutions to difficult applications.
We love the challenge.”
In the 1990s, Opticom saw the
potential for cameras built for
harsh environments, specifically
the British Columbia sawmill
industry. After many months of
development, Opticom released
the CC02 Series Camera – the
ultimate camera for high vibration
applications. The CC02 soon
fulfilled the needs of the dozens of
BC mills, and mills across Canada
began purchasing the camera
on a regular basis to replace the
`security-style’ cameras they had
been using, or when a new line was
implemented.
The CC02’s success was
amazing. In certain mill locations,
conditions were so extreme that
the `security-style’ cameras failed
after only a few months, but the
CC02s have lasted for years.
The secret to the success of
the CC02 is all in the design. The
camera is compact, easily fitting
into the palm of one’s hand. But
its small size is deceptive, as the
rugged titanium alloy housing is
virtually indestructible. Plus, the
CC02 is also totally impervious
to dust, water, and can withstand
temperatures from -60 to +80°C
without any heater or blower
required.
Opticom’s design team also
developed a unique universal
mounting bracket for the camera
that enables installation in just
minutes, even the tightest spaces.
This feature alone has made the
CC02 a favourite with industrial
installers across North America.
Tom Fulton, sawmill/dry kiln
manager for Britton Lumber in
New Hampshire summed it up
when he said: “A great little
system – installed over a half hour
lunch break. The guys using it are
36 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2017
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EXP
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product development for the
amazed at the clarity.”
sawmill industry is a camera with
Sawmills and wood processing
specialized corrosion resistant
plants are not the only industrial
housing designed for installation
operations that regard the CC02 as
inside wood kilns.
invaluable. In 2005, Planetworks
“We do our best to respond to
Consulting Corporation engineer
our customers’ needs, and this is a
Colin Savage chose the CC02 as
perfect example of a unique camera
the video monitoring solution for
developed for a very challenging
the $800 million Seymour Capilano
application,” says Boyd.
Twin Tunnels Project, which
Opticom has also developed
consisted of two 3.8m-wide, 7.1km-
products such as the CC04 Series
long tunnels bored under Grouse
camera for IP infrastructure. Like
and Fromme Mountains for water
the CC02 camera, the CC04 was
infrastructure enhancement.
designed to overcome
the same
Savage said: “I would
FOREST PRODUCTS
nasty environmental challenges
challenge oth ers to find a harsher
and is compatible INNOVATIONS
with AND all
environment than a Tunnel Boring
TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
totally ONVIF compliant video
Machine. We used cameras at
management software platforms.
multiple locations along the TBM to
These cameras have been
view progress and as indicators for
satisfactorily installed in many
material conveyance.
sfpaexpo.com
mills worldwide. The CC04 Series
“These cameras were mounted
incorporates all the vibration
beside conveyor belts, which
resistance and durability of the
had hard rock tunneling waste
CC02 in an IP format.
transported at high speed past
Today, Opticom sells cameras
the camera. It was not uncommon
throughout North America and
for small and medium sized rocks
Europe to hundreds of customers
to hit these cameras on the lens
in a wide range of industries that
and body. They stood up to this
are looking for reliability and video
punishment 24/7, and the only
system support.
thing replaced occasionally was
the protective glass on the camera
Home of the Sawmill Camera
enclosure.” CC02-TVI
Sawmill Camera
Opticom continually researches
the development of new products
America
with new North
technologies.
Considering
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800.578.1853
that the analog
video technology
driving the original CC02 is nearly
obsolete, Opticom has now
released a new generation of
CC02s based on high definition
analog or TVI (Transport Video
Interface) technology.
The TVI equipment is easily
integrated into existing coaxial
cable systems and delivers the
equivalent of 2 megapixel (1080P)
resolution, while retaining all of the
durability and reliability customers
have come to expect. This new
Sawmills and wood processing
technology allows customers to
migrate to high definition video
plants are not the only industrial
without having to rewire or re-learn
operations that regard the CC02
video transmission.
as invaluable
Another new Opticom
INNO TECH