millwide insider 1-2013
DESCRIPTION
EACOM Timber, a major Eastern Canadian lumber producer, selected USNR to supply a new edger line at its Nairn Centre, Ontario mill. After looking at other solutions the company made its selection because, “USNR manufactures the best edger process in North America.” And the results are right on the money!TRANSCRIPT
INSIDERMillwide
THE MAGAZINE FROM USNR | ISSUE 1 - 2013
EDGER LINE FLEXIBILITYRECORD BREAKING RESULTS
YOUR EDGER LINE EXPERTS
EACOM Timber tools up with a new edger line for its Nairn Centre mill
Limington Lumber updates its edger line with MillExpert™ optimization
USNR outlines its expertise with transverse edger line designs
USNR’s exper tise in edger technology comes as a result of decades of ongoing development with hundreds of installations worldwide. Our board edgers are based on designs from industry giants, Schurman and Newnes/McGehee. Feature-rich optimization is available with either the solid MillExper t™ or Newnes Sawmill Suite platforms. Scanning can be accomplished with a variety of state-of-the-ar t sensors including the new BioLuma™ 2900 series. And they are all backed by USNR’s 24/7 suppor t network. No other supplier can offer you this much value and this much flexibility.
EACOM Timber, a major Eastern Canadian lumber producer, selected USNR to supply a new edger line at its Nairn Centre, Ontario mill. After looking at other solutions the company made its selection because, “USNR manufactures the best edger process in Nor th America.” And the results are right on the money!
Limington Lumber was in the market to upgrade its outdated edger line with new technology that would help it recover more value and improve throughput. USNR’s MillExper t optimization system is helping the mill achieve record breaking results.
USNR’s transverse edger infeeds offer precise positioning per formance at very high piece counts. Two styles of positioning infeeds are available, designed to keep maintenance to a minimum and make operation efficient and practical. And our transverse edger sawboxes are available with options to customize the machine center to meet the requirements of your lumber market.
If you are looking to improve your game with new edger technology, come see the exper ts at USNR.
Sincerely,Colleen SchonheiterEditor
USNR: Edger experts
ISSUE 1 - 2013
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Tel.: 250.833.3028
EDITOR
Colleen Schonheiter
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Sonia Perrine
USNR PARTS & SERVICE
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INSIDERMillwide
ISSUE 1 - 2013 | Millwide INSIDER 3
EACOM Timber, a major lumber producer based
in Eastern Canada, recently invested in its Nairn
Centre, Ontario mill to install a new optimized board
edger line. This project aligns with the company’s
strategic direction to take advantage of the long-
awaited upswing that has begun in the forest
products industry.
EACOM Timber has 5 sawmills located in Ontario
and 3 based in Quebec, Canada. From its Eastern
spruce and pine logs it processes dimensional
lumber and shop products for the construction
industry, as well as specialty export products geared
to the UK and European markets. The Nairn Centre
mill’s capacity is in the range of 150mmbf annually.
The mill wanted to replace an old 2-saw edger
line that was not able to keep up with the capacity
of the primary equipment, and missing recovery
opportunity due to the outdated scanning technology
and inhibited with only 2-saw capability. Mel Lemky,
Vice-President of Manufacturing for all of EACOM’s
Ontario mills, said of the existing edger line, “It
was probably the first style of optimized edger
in existence. The line was inadequate in terms of
recovery and too slow to keep up with the demand
put on it.” USNR was vendor of choice for the new
line because in Mel’s words, “USNR manufactures
the best edger process in North America.”
New edger lineThe new edger line receives material from a 4-sided
canter line and trimmer re-edge feeding the edger
infeed from the lumber line side; an outside re-entry
feeds the line from the clearline side. A radius
back unscrambler is first in the new supply and is
fitted with speed up chains at the top to assist in
singulating the boards ahead of the lug loader. A
MillTrak lumber flow management camera is mounted
above the lug loader area, and ensures a smooth
flow of material. An even ending transfer aligns the
boards and flitches to lumberline prior to entering the
scanner. A Super-G2 (SG2) charger positioning table
positively picks each flitch and advances it onto the
feed chain to rapidly accelerate it into the edger.
The edger is equipped with 3 saws on a top arbor,
and a top reman chipper head. It is designed to
edge 1” through 4” material with shifting, guided
saws. The shifting reman chipper head is vertically
adjustable via a linear positioner. The outfeed is a
standard USNR edger picker design that transfers
edged material to a slow down belt.
Mel explained that EACOM chose the reman head
option and 3-saw arbor for the edger because the
company has a strong export market for a variety
of specialty product sizes. “We wanted the 3-saw
edger to improve on the value we could get out of
the flitches. Three saws offers us the capability to
When EACOM contracted with
USNR to provide a new state-of-
the-art edger line for its Nairn
Centre mill, it expected to be
well satisfied with the outcome.
Now several months later it
reports that recovery, throughput
and product flexibility are “right
on the money”.
“USNR manufactures the best edger
process in North America.”
– Mel Lemky, Eacom Timber
NEW EDGER LINE EXPANDS GLOBAL MARKET CAPABILITY
Gaining an edge on the competition
EACOM Timber Corporation
Millwide INSIDER | ISSUE 1 - 2013 4
get 2 boards out of some of the flitches. And better
scanning and optimization also helps us recover
more lumber per flitch.”
Mel went on to say that when the mill does a run
of a specific export product it generates a lot of
edger material because of the mill’s log size diet.
“So we get the one piece of product that we are
looking for, and then everything else coming out of
that log has to be re-edged because typically it has
too much wane. It used to be if we went after any
specific product we backed up the mill immediately
due to the outdated and slow edger line. With the
new line, we just recently finished an export product
run and the mill was never backed up. The system
scans the specialty product, and if it doesn’t make
minimum grade the top head will reman it down to a
North American product. Now we are able to resize
that product right there instead of having to deal with
it at the planer.”
Scanning & optimizationMel said they chose the combination of BioLuma
2900L sensors and the Newnes Sawmill Suite
optimization platform because it offers the latest
technological advances, and should afford the
longest lifespan before having to consider an
upgrade. He went on to say, “We’ve had very good
results out of the edger system at Timmins that
we operated with the Newnes software, so we were
expecting similar results.”
The new scan frame is outfitted with 18 BioLuma
2900L laser profile sensors. These state-of-the-art
full-coverage sensors are USNR’s latest release. For
applications that don’t require grade classifications,
the BioLuma 2900L provides revolutionary results
in 3D modeling with far more detail than any other
scanning platform currently on the market today.
This results in the optimizer providing solutions that
maximize the fiber for the highest recovery possible.
The system includes the fastest high density
scanning system and a single optimization computer.
“The system scans the specialty product,
and if it doesn’t make minimum grade the
top head will reman it down to a North
American product. Now we are able to
resize that product right there instead of
having to deal with it at the planer.”
“Having 3 saws offers us the capability to
get 2 boards out of some of the flitches.
And better scanning and optimization also
helps us recover more lumber per flitch.”
A radius back unscrambler is first in the new
supply and is fitted with speed up chains at
the top to assist in singulating the boards
ahead of the lug loader.
The SG2 charger positioning table positively picks each flitch and advances it onto the feed chain then
rapidly accelerates it into the edger sawbox.
EDGER INFEED
9
OUTFEED EDGINGS BELTCLEARING ROLL SGII INFEED TABLEEDGER WITH TOPREMAN HEAD
OUTFEED BELT WITHSLOW DOWN ROLL PICKERS
FLOW
TemposonicsTM
MTS
BOSCH
B T A
SGII INFEED TABLE SCAN TRANSFER EVEN ENDING TRANSFER LUG LOADER
UNSCRAMBLER
MILLTRAK
FLOW
SCANNER
SPEED UPCHAINS
EDGER OUTFEED
9
OUTFEED EDGINGS BELTCLEARING ROLL SGII INFEED TABLEEDGER WITH TOPREMAN HEAD
OUTFEED BELT WITHSLOW DOWN ROLL PICKERS
FLOW
TemposonicsTM
MTS
BOSCH
B T A
SGII INFEED TABLE SCAN TRANSFER EVEN ENDING TRANSFER LUG LOADER
UNSCRAMBLER
MILLTRAK
FLOW
SCANNER
SPEED UPCHAINSA MillTrak lumber flow management system camera (above) is mounted above the lug loader area, ensuring
a smooth flow of material. This unique system outperforms photo-eyes and limit switches, and allows significantly-reduced operator intervention in areas of the mill where it is employed.
ISSUE 1 - 2013 | Millwide INSIDER 5
A second computer is included for analysis and as a
backup to the main processor. An interface screen on
the mill floor allows operators to access the system
from a convenient location, while the computers
remain secure in a controlled environment inside the
computer room.
The edger optimizer is based on the Newnes
Sawmill Suite software platform. The optimizer is
proven to improve recovery and increase uptime with
simplified calibrations, improved diagnostics, and
supportable hardware. Proven algorithms provide
the most valuable cut solution utilizing product
set-up information as input by the mill user, board
measurements from the sensors and available
operator inputs.
ChallengesMel explained the difficulties the mill overcame
during the execution of this project. “We had a
limited amount of time for the installation, and we
actually started up the mill before the edger was
ready to run. During that time we took the material
destined for edging and stored it until the new edger
installation was complete, and then we metered it
back in during the normal operation of the sawmill.
That was by far the biggest challenge because we
didn’t want to have a lot of downtime.” He went on
to say that the mill was only shut down for one week,
and the edger was ready to run a week later.
TurnkeyThe contract charged USNR with supplying the project
on a turnkey basis. This included the following in
addition to supply and installation of the equipment.
► Engineering and installation of the equipment
sub-structure
► Mechanical equipment installation
► Electrical installation
► Dismantling of existing equipment
► Modifications to existing walkways, platforms and
handrails and stairs
► Equipment guarding and barriers to meet OSHA
standards
► The supply and installation of debris, sawdust,
chips and tailing containment
► The supply and installation of hydraulics, saw
lube, water and pneumatic tie-ins
► Surface cleaning and painting of all installation
welds and exposed steel
The tight schedule called for a maximum of 7
days from the start of demolition to installation
completion. John Jacques, USNR project manager,
reiterated that the tight timeline for installation and
commissioning was the major challenging aspect
for this project. He said, “Turnkey projects can be
challenging in the way that you are always having to
react to issues that arise, and react in such a way that
you do not impact the cost or the schedule. There are
many actions taking place at any one time, and it can
be challenging to balance out the priorities of things
that have to happen in a certain order.”
Results “right on the money”Mel is very pleased with the outcome of the project
and the performance of the new edger line. “The
“The performance test actually exceeded
the requirements of the contract. Our
target was about 40 pieces per minute, or
an average of about 1200 pcs./hour.”
“We were expecting to get a solid recovery
increase because we could then adjust our
primary cutting equipment to maximize the
capability of the new edger line, and we did.
We’re at about 101% of our target recovery,
so the numbers were right on the money.”
EACOM’S WINNING COMBINATIONWhen EACOM Timber went looking for an advanced
solution to replace its aging edger optimization
system, it knew it wanted something that would be
capable of meeting the demand for a wide range
of dimension and specialty products. It wanted to
produce the right products and product combinations
right there in the sawmill.
EACOM selected the BioLuma 2900L because it is
the most advanced transverse sensor in the industry.
It is unmatched in overall performance.
EACOM was familiar with the Newnes Sawmill
Suite optimization platform (see also page 6).
They knew it was a solid performer, with a host of
features to provide the product flexibility and system
capability they were looking for.
This winning combination is just what EACOM
needed to improve its bottom line with significant
increases to recovery and throughput.
► HD laser profiles with true
differential measurements
► Profile density: 0.30” (8mm)
► Scan rate: 2500 Hz
► Depth of field: 8” (203mm)
► Thickness accuracy: +/- .015” (.38mm)
► Laser class: lllb visible
► Gig-e (gigabit ethernet) interface
BIOLUMA 2900LIndustry’s most advancedHD Laser Profile Sensor
Millwide INSIDER | ISSUE 1 - 2013 6
performance test actually exceeded the requirements
of the contract. Our target was about 40 pieces per
minute, or an average of about 1200 pcs./hour. Some
days we get up to 1500 pcs./hour, but we can have
heavy surges so it varies quite a bit.”
Mel went on to say that the mill’s goal was to
be able to handle the piece count, and to improve
recovery between 10-12 points. “We were expecting
to get a solid recovery increase because we could
then adjust our primary cutting equipment to
maximize the capability of the new edger line, and
we did. We’re at about 101% of our target recovery,
so the numbers were right on the money.”
Mel also expressed, “The project was carried
off just about flawlessly. That doesn’t mean there
were no surprises, but the surprises were dealt with
properly and immediately.”
Mel is well satisfied with the level of support
EACOM has received from USNR. “Within the company,
our Timmins mill is largely a USNR mill now, and that
level of support has always been very good. USNR has
provided better support than other vendors.”
Team effortPersonnel from EACOM that were involved in the
project include the following. Pierre Bows was
Project Coordinator and is also the Nairn Centre
Site Superintendent. He was responsible for the
organization and execution of the project from the
mill’s side. Harrison Wicks, Mill Manager, was
involved in overseeing the project. Mel explained
his role as VP of manufacturing for EACOM’s Ontario
mills. “I consult with the mill managers and crew,
outline goals and discuss what type of equipment
we need, how it will be laid out and how to have it
installed so we minimize downtime. Then I source
the equipment they need to achieve the mill’s target
goals. It’s my responsibility to give the mills and
mill managers the tools to achieve the goals the
company holds them accountable to.”
Formed in 2008 during the bottoming out of
the forest products market, EACOM Timber is
strategically investing to retool the mill operations
it acquired with the purchase of Domtar Forest
Products Division in 2010.
“Our Timmins mill is largely a USNR mill
now, and that level of support has always
been very good. USNR has provided better
support than other vendors.”
Some of the significant Newnes Sawmill Suite edger optimizer features that
EACOM will be able to employ include the following advanced attributes:
► Fixed width / random width (shop) logic
► Multiple board edging (up to 7 pieces)
► Multiple board cut-n-two for the trimmer
► Edger / trimmer rip-board
► Saw and grade run-out limits / edge crush handling / flared butt handling
► Re-centering for maximum face / balancing of edge wane logic
► Compound wane control / square board (trim) drop-out evaluation
► Up to 240 products (thickness by width combinations), 28 separate
nominal lengths
► Up to 8 product groupings (by species or visual grade classification)
► Operator taper inputs for grade boundary indication
► Support for top reducer head, chipping side heads, various infeed configurations
NEWNES SAWMILL SUITE EDGER OPTIMIZATION
ISSUE 1 - 2013 | Millwide INSIDER 7
Many mills today face a dilemma when trying to
decide whether a replacement or upgrade to an
existing edger or trimmer scanning and optimization
system is the better choice for the best return on
investment. USNR has a solution for both scenarios,
and in many cases we can utilize the existing
scanning technology and feed that into today’s
powerful optimization systems.
Limington Lumber is located at East Baldwin,
Maine. In 2001 the mill invested in many
modifications, one of which was an edger
optimization system. Now more than a decade
later and with many technological advances on
the market, the mill knew that more potential was
available and decided it was necessary to pursue
updating the system.
ChallengesWin Smith, president of the Limington Lumber
Co., contacted USNR’s Bob Pope to discuss his
concerns. The old optimization computer system was
not able to fully analyze the data it received from the
scanner in the time available – up to 3.4 seconds
average for each flitch. With production increasing
and solutions timing out, he knew that opportunity
was being missed. The slow analysis rate of the
optimizer created a bottle neck at the edger, and this
resulted in extra work for the operator. Win was also
worried about the obsolescence of the optimization
system’s hardware.
Win and his team considered the alternatives
presented to them, and decided that a new USNR
MillExpert optimization platform with an Allen
Bradley ControlLogix PLC upgrade would solve the
issues the mill was experiencing. It would allow
them to keep their existing scanning system with
its Dynavision M6 sensors, achieve much needed
improvement to recovery and throughput, and resolve
the obsolescence issue.
USNR replaced the existing optimizer with the
industry leading MillExpert edger optimization
system, and left in place the existing and
supportable M6 technology, scan frame and cabling.
ResultsWin Smith was more than pleased with the outcome
of the upgrade. He said that the decision processing
is much improved and the downstream processes are
no longer waiting for the edger. He also noted record
production in the mill, “We’ve seen a 10% piece
count increase through the edger. The edger is no
longer the bottleneck. We made the right decision.”
Win also mentioned being very pleased with the
startup and overall performance of the line.
“We’ve seen a 10% piece count increase
through the edger. The edger is no
longer the bottleneck. We made the
right decision.”
EDGER OPTIMIZATION UPGRADE YIELDS RECORD BREAKING PRODUCTION
Win Smith is more than pleased with the
outcome of the upgrade, which included
new computer hardware that removed the
obscelence concerns he had with the old
optimization system.
Successful M6 upgrade with USNR MillExpert™
Limington Lumber
Millwide INSIDER | ISSUE 1 - 2013 8
M6 upgrade benefitsAs of press time, twenty mills have now chosen this
upgrade from USNR for their transverse edger or
trimmer lines. Mills typically achieve 80% of the
benefits without replacing the scanning system,
and save about 1/3 the cost of a full replacement.
Following are results you can expect to achieve.
► Dramatically faster solution times, 100,000+
permutations per piece
► Overall better edging and trimming solutions
► ALL the features of a new MillExpert optimizer,
and lumber that’s better centered for less wane
► Better diagnostics for troubleshooting, off-line
simulation for ‘what if’ analysis
► Total product control; product-by-product, grade-
by-grade parameters
► New optimization hardware: only sensors, cables
and scan frame retained
► Modern, familiar Windows-based software,
commercial grade computers
► Service 24/7, with the largest, most experienced
support staff in the industry
Better edging with less overall waneThe old optimization systems use single processor
computers, using up precious processing time just
transferring data. MillExpert uses a quad core, dual
processor-based commercial grade computer. This
computer is 20-40 times more powerful than the old
solution computer, and is capable of evaluating tens
of thousands more possible solution permutations
to maximize both fiber recovery and improve overall
appearance. For example, instead of trying only 3
skew angles with 0.25” offsets now you can evaluate
7-13 skew angles with 0.05” offsets. The result is
better use of available fiber, and improved centering
of the solution within the ‘good wood’.
No more ‘reboot, and hope’Customers have complained that they will start
getting ‘no solutions’ and bad scans that seem
to be related to data dropout. They stop and try
recalibrating but the problem remains. Replace it
with USNR’s MillExpert optimization system. It’s
modern and standard, and proven to be a reliable
package in hundreds of installations.
TroubleshootingThe MillExpert scanner interface has been
reinvented. The updated diagnostics show raw data,
board data, and laser data and so on, in graphical
format instead of a spreadsheet with endless,
confusing numbers. Still have a problem? USNR can
support you over the internet in real-time, while we
talk through what we’re doing on the phone.
SimpleMillExpert is a single application for trimmers,
edgers, sharp chains, curve sawing gangs, carriages,
etc. Once you are familiar with any MillExpert system
you can easily work with all MillExpert optimizer
systems. The new calibration procedure is point-n-
click easy, with graphical screens that clearly show
the results.
Image ProcessingIn the process of using the M6 scan data to build the
3D board model, the same image filtering techniques
and modern algorithms are used on the M6 data as is
used on our state-of-the-art scanning systems. This
yields better images of the lumber, even though the
data is coming from the same M6 scanning heads.
More ControlThe old optimizer system is limited to defining
many parameters (such as wane) only by width and
thickness groups, using archaic tables. MillExpert
does not have such limitations. You can set wane
(compound or simple, visible or board-in-board,
end-wane, skip, etc.), pricing, priorities, cosmetic
balancing, re-man, etc. for every piece on a product-
by-product basis. Even though it may still make the
same 2x6-12’ as the old system, the board will be
better centered in the good wood, with more control
over how the wane is distributed. This improves
the overall appearance of the lumber and reduces
downgrade due to wane at the planer mill.
It’s 100% supportableWhen USNR upgrades your M6 system it will be
100% supportable, and it will cut better lumber
running the newest optimization technology. It comes
with a full 3-year warranty! Then, when you are ready
swap out your 4” density M6 sensors for the new
1/3-inch density BioLuma™ 2900L sensors. Your
optimization system will already be upgraded with
the best solution engine on the market, and backed
by the largest supplier with the broadest support
network in the industry.
If your system isn’t producing the way you need it to,
consider the Limington Lumber experience. Contact
USNR today and let’s discuss the best solution for
your operation, and your money!
“The MillExpert platform does a great
job for us, it gives us tighter control
of wane on the boards, and also gives
us alternative options on how we edge
lumber. It gives us alternatives our
previous system couldn’t offer.”
– Thomas Battle, Battle Lumber
“Since we were able to upgrade and
reuse our scan frame and our sensors,
it made it very feasible and a whole
lot quicker payback on the investment.
We’re trimming better, and we’re
trimming smarter. The lumber coming
out of the mill is better quality than
what we were getting before.”
– John Grigsby, H.G. Toler
OTHER SATISFIED CUSTOMERS
The MillExpert optimization system at Limington Lumber is able to use all of the data collected from the
existing M6 scanner heads. And with much faster processing speed the system delivers on the promise
of increased throughput and recovery.
ISSUE 1 - 2013 | Millwide INSIDER 9
USNR’s transverse edger infeeds offer precise
positioning performance at very high piece counts.
Two styles of positioning infeeds are available,
designed to keep maintenance to a minimum
and make operation efficient and practical. Most
machine adjustments, plumbing and wiring is easily
accessible along the maintenance sides.
Common features ► Fast, accurate and reliable positioning
► Proven piece counts to nearly 60 pcs./min.
► Gentle handling
► Significantly low maintenance
USNR’s unique ability to offer completely integrated
systems from a single supplier, long term and
ongoing support, continuous upgrade path and
performance-enhancing improvements are what sets
USNR apart. Contact us today at 800.BUY.USNR or
Maximizer infeedWith USNR’s Maximizer infeed, hydraulic
positioners push boards onto hydraulically
actuated staging ramps. Wane crush is a
non-issue with the sophisticated air cushion
cylinders on the positioners and optimization
solution modeling. Staging ramps and holddown
rolls ensure accurate positioning before material
is fed into the edger. The low mass design
of the pop-up style positioner head allows
fast positioning, and with dual positioners
customers can achieve the highest piece counts
possible with a transverse configuration.
Super-G2 infeedThis model gets its name from individually
controlled G-frames that pick and position
material onto the centerline feed chain. The SG2
infeed gently and accurately positions flitches
at high cycle rates. Top and bottom clamping
maintains accuracy on hard-to-handle thin,
irregular or curve sawn pieces. Highly developed
control logic provides smart, rapid operation.
Precision hold down rolls with adjustable
alignment, feed chain running on Endura nylon chainbeds and overall rigid frame
construction are attributes of this design. Alternate or multiple chargers adapt to
the material being fed. Just-in-time charger stroking is governed by piece width
and length. Hold down rolls maintain the position of the piece while feeding.
The Maximizer Infeed features pop-up style positioner heads; with
dual positioners (shown) customers can achieve the highest piece
counts possible with a transverse configuration.
With the SG2 Infeed, individually controlled G-frames rapidly but
gently pick and position material onto the centerline feed chain.
Just-in-time charger stroking is governed by piece width and length.
Transverse infeeds to feed your hungry edger
Millwide INSIDER | ISSUE 1 - 2013 10
USNR’s transverse edger sawbox designs offer high
throughput and recovery, with minimal maintenance.
There are an abundance of features and options
available that will improve your process. You can
opt for a top reman head, and it can be mounted in
front or behind the saws. Your unit can be outfitted
with or without side chipping heads. The arbor can
be direct drive or vee-belt driven. The press rolls
can be free-turning or powered. The chain bed track
running up to the saws can be of hardened steel or
precision nylon. Flitch stability can be maintained
going into the saws via an anvil or outrigger bed roll
headshaft. These are just some of the variations you
have to choose from when you select USNR for your
next edger project.
Common features ► Designed to edge 1” through 4” thickness
► Accommodates up to 6 guided saws shifting on 6”
diameter splined top arbor
► Three-/four-saw machines designed with a
36”/42” wide opening with a sawing envelope
configured for centerline feed
► Guide lubrication: air/water/oil mist system
► Optional spline sleeve arbor to allow change-out
of sleeve only
► Up to 350 HP motor on the arbor; up to 250 HP on
the top head
► Optional top head assembly with a top anvil and
chip chute, shifts up/down by means of a linear
positioner utilizing a parallelogram design to keep
the anvil horizontal and in contact with the board
► The width of the head can be up to 18”, and the
number of knives is speed dependent up to 8
► Tip up shifter tip sets
► Belt-driven feed works
► Chain bed continuous from infeed table bed chain
to the saws
► Heavy-duty construction, 1-1/4” steel side plates
► Side and top saw doors for easy access
► Entire frame is fully assembled, stress relieved
then line bored
► Edger comes pre-plumbed and pre-wired, with all
guards provided
Contact us today to discuss the challenges you have
with your existing edger system and let us help you
find the best solution.
Board edger design with optional top reman head
► Reman head can be direct drive or vee-belt driven
► Top head assembly arranged for 20” / 22”
diameter segments
► Optional heavy duty chrome plated anvil mounted
below chipper head
► Top head press roll mounted directly behind anvil
to aid in feeding short boards
Standard board edger design (no top reman head)
Transverse edger sawbox
ISSUE 1 - 2013 | Millwide INSIDER 11
NEW
PR
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Allegheny Wood Products – MillExpert/LASAR G3 Carriage Opt.The MillExpert/LASAR combination has been
selected by Allegheny Wood Products of Marble,
PA for its headrig carriage. The new supply
will include the LASAR 3D scanning system
combined with the MillExpert optimization
platform. Also included is new computer
hardware, controller cabinet, sawyer’s console
and handles. This project replaces the
YieldMaster+ (photocell scanning system) that
has been running continuously in this mill since
it was installed in 1995.
Ball Lumber – Log Bucking OptimizationBall Lumber Co, Inc., at Millers Tavern, Virginia
has invested in a new USNR MillWide™ Log
Bucking Optimization system. With more features,
capabilities and scanning options than any other
system in the industry, USNR’s bucking optimizer
combines dense 3D scan data with the power of
today’s high-speed computers to let you get the
maximum value from every stem.
Deer Park Lumber – G3 Carriage Optimization UpgradeDeer Park Lumber located at Tunkhannock,
Pennsylvania has ordered an optimization
upgrade for its junior carriage. The existing
YieldMaster G3 Stereo Scan system will be
upgraded with new software and computer
hardware, and the existing scan bar and
DynaVision L4 scan heads will be re-used.
This upgrade is in addition to an earlier similar
upgrade to the mill’s large log carriage line. The
project will result in improved sensor accuracy
and optics for improved value and recovery.
EACOM Timber – Complete sawmill rebuildEACOM Timber has contracted with USNR to
design, manufacture and install a complete
sawmill rebuild for its site at Timmins, Ontario
that was heavily damaged by fire in January
2012. This major project will be done on a
turnkey basis, and follows closely on the heels of
USNR’s successful board edger turnkey project at
EACOM’s Nairn Centre, Ontario mill.
The scope of the Timmins rebuild includes
buildings, shops, services, conveyors and
transfers necessary for the reconfigured log
sorting and debarker areas, and upgraded edger,
trimmer and bin sorter. A significant part of
the rebuild will be the installation of a new
high recovery USNR log breakdown system that
includes an optimized log infeed, Quad Arbor
Saw Box and double arbor vertical shape saw.
F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber – Multi-Track Fence & Trim/Sort upgradeThe mill located at Columbia Falls, Montana,
has ordered a new Multi-Track Fence. The mill
will also upgrade its optimization and controls
system for the trim/sort line with the WinTally™
sorter management system and a WinTally
ticket system. The existing ControlLogix PLC
system will be upgraded to accommodate the
new supply. The existing trimmer optimization
system will also be upgraded to the MillExpert
platform, while retaining the existing DynaVision
B8 scanner heads.
Idaho Forest Group – Planer Mill Trimmer Line ModernizationThe Idaho Forest mill at Laclede, Idaho is
investing to modernize its planer mill with new
trimmer line equipment from USNR. The Laclede
mill manufactures dimensional lumber as well
as shop and specialty products from Douglas fir,
white fir, Ponderosa pine and cedar.
The new equipment supply includes a backlog
table feeding a Revolver Lug Loader, Multi-Track
Fence, multi-saw trimmer fitted with a flying
P.E.T. saw for precise product length control,
overhead frame and clamps for cut-n-two, and
associated lumber transfers. A MillTrak lumber
flow monitoring system will control the lug
loader backlog to ensure smooth and continuous
flow. These improvements will assist the Laclede
mill to achieve significant improvement to
throughput for its operation.
Idaho Forest Group – Bin Sorter, Tray Sorter Lumber HandlingThe company is also investing in its mill at
Lewiston, Idaho with lumber handling equipment to
update its bin sorter and tray sorter lines. Included
in the wide array of equipment to be supplied will
be a Revolver Lug Loader, 2 Multi-Track Fences,
a multi-saw trimmer, and a shifting Precision
End Trim (P.E.T.) saw. The mill will also receive 2
MillTrak™ lumber flow management systems and
ControlLogix controls for both sort lines.
Roy O Martin Lumber Company – 6-Deck Jet Veneer DryerThe Roy O Martin company has purchased its
fourth Coe dryer and second 6-deck veneer
dryer for the Chopin, Louisiana facility. The
company’s first 6-deck jet dryer (and first in the
southeast region) was purchased a year ago and
recently commissioned. This dryer replaces the
last of the European dryers furnished when the
plant was built.
All four dryers are equipped with the energy-
saving and exhaust-limiting Automatic Dryer
Exhaust Control (ADEC) system. Since the first
Coe dryer installation in 2007, this powerful
dryer feature has significantly lowered the
plant’s energy and exhaust treatment cost.
This latest dryer is hot oil heated and
comprises 18 heated and 3 cooling sections.
Like its recently installed predecessor, this
latest dryer will be erected fully and then towed
into place. Towing the fully-erected dryer into
location reduces the outage time required when
dismantling an existing dryer and erecting a new
dryer on the old dryer foundation.
When this new dryer is put into service later
this year, the combined capacity of both 6-deck
dryers will be more than double the combined
capacity of the earlier installed 18-section
4-deck (2007) and 20-section 4-deck (2009)
dryers. USNR is proud to have been selected by
this industry leader as its dryer supplier.
Swanson Group – Transverse High Grader (THG)The Swanson Group operation at Glendale,
Oregon is investing to update its planer mill with
a full-featured THG system as well as Revolver
Lug Loader, Multi-Track Fence, WinTally™ sorter
management system, True-Read™ XL Grade Mark
Reader, Grade Projector system, and associated
trim line lumber transfers. The controls
system for the line will also be updated to the
ControlLogix platform.
The THG utilizes time-tested technology
derived from the Lineal High Grader (LHG) image
analysis and optimization software, combined
with the best sensor available today. The BioLuma
2900LVG+ sensors collect ultra-high resolution
images and precise geometric and grain angle
measurements along the entire four surfaces of
the boards.
These improvements will assist the Glendale
operation to achieve significant uplift to the
value and grade distribution of its products, and
improvements to throughput and recovery.
Timber Products – G3 Carriage Optimization UpgradeThe Timber Products hardwood mill located at
Munising, Michigan is upgrading its carriage
optimization system. The existing YieldMaster
Stereo Scan system will be upgraded with new
software and computer hardware, and the existing
scan bar and DynaVision L4 scan heads will
be re-used. The project will result in improved
sensor accuracy and optics for improved value
and recovery.
PO Box 310Woodland, WA 98674
FEB. 13–15Montreal Wood Montreal, Quebec
MAR. 11–13HMA Charleston, South Carolina
MAR. 13–15Small Log Conference Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
APR. 3–5COFI Prince George, BC
MAY 6–10Ligna Hannover, Germany
JUNE 5–7SFPA EXPO Atlanta, Georgia
Kelly Jackman is USNR
team leader for secondary
breakdown machines,
based at Woodland, WA.
Kelly Jackman is a 20-year veteran with USNR, having star ted his career here in 1992 with a B.S. in Mechanical Eng.from Por tland State University.
Kelly says he enjoys the challenges his role affords him
in the ongoing development of existing and new products. Projects that stand out in his mind include the first vir tual pivot horizontal shape saw (HSS) gang that was installed in Australia, and the first ver tical shape saw (VSS) gang that was installed in Alabama. “Both projects were a challenge because they involved brand new products. It was exhilarating to see the fruits of our labor proven out in
the mill environment.” He went on to say the star tup teams and customers worked hard toward a common goal, and the result was unqualified success.
When time permits Kelly enjoys the outdoors. ”I like to go fishing for salmon/steelhead here in the Pacific NW. I also enjoy snowmobiling and skiing.” Kelly also spares some of his free time to play and coach soccer and basketball.
Millwide INSIDER is printed on recycled paper.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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