Once dealt to a lug loader or other board dealer , the data associated with the board must be transferred to the lug or machine the board is travelling in .

Some board following methods involve UV markings , others printed codes . All are subject to read errors , costs for consumables , and hardware maintenance downtime and expense .

VAB Solutions has developed a new tracking system that completely eliminates the need to

mark the boards .

Using cameras , the Air Board Tracker is mounted above the tracking area and , with the firm ’ s proprietary software , this unique innovative technology visually follows the board and keeps it associated with its assigned ID number .

The Air Board Tracker ( patent pending ) can be used with transverse travel distances from 4 - 100 feet , as long as boards are not one on top of the other , and will support operator or grader handling and even crisscrossing of boards one on top of the other .

Board removal and re-insertion can be done on a first out-first

in basis as long as its done done within a given time frame .

Air Board provides 100 % reading efficiency As an example , the virtual number corresponds to the assigned number of the board by the planer grader optimizer . Even if the boards are moved and mixed up , the virtual number and solution sticks to the board ensuring the 100 % reading .

Automatic control of lug loader accumulation The lug loader accumulation is automatically controlled by the Air Board Tracker cameras , which provide precisely the presence of the boards at each location on the chain . It is like having an infinite number of virtual photocells .

As of early January , ten systems had been sold with six already up and running .