MPM EngineeringMPM Engineering supplies cutting edge scanning and optimization systems. Its customizable design strategy incorporates the latest scanning technology from leading manufacturers, to continually enhance its optimization features to meet individualized specifications.
MPM Engineering’s scope includes stem merchandizing, log sorting, log rotation, active turn control, cant breakdown, and board edging, trimming and sorting.
Using 3D scan data, the company’s optimizers detect and measure log characteristics including diameter, taper, sweep, crook, flare, pistol grip, nodal swells, catface and kinks.
Its bucking optimizer grades and solves for the highest value logs in each stem, which can be later re-identified at the saw line by its log grading system.
Its edger and trimmer systems utilize scanner technologies including colour, laser intensity and scatter to detect features for more accurate optimal solutions.
Currently, MPM is working with x-ray scanning suppliers to incorporate their data into its optimization. X-ray scanners can sense characteristics that are unidentifiable using conventional surface scanning, including knot structure and heartwood boundary. MPM says that it is constantly pushing technology further to give its customers a competitive edge.
BID GroupWith its advanced automation capabilities, the BID Group’s Primary Breakdown Closed Loop system allows users to ensure each log is broken down right, capturing the full value from each log while increasing production value and ensuring optimal recovery. The Closed Loop system makes necessary adjustments automatically in real time, taking the pressure off team members and allowing them to focus on other tasks, says the company.
One of the key features of the system is the use of the scanner data, which provides complete information about the log’s shape, offering unsurpassed accuracy, says the company. Additionally, the innovative Multi-Offset Adjustment function speeds up the execution of adjustments and the correction of offsets, while the Pattern Deduction function provides the fastest closed loop reaction on the market, according to BID Group, for the definition of cutting patterns.
The Primary Breakdown Closed Loop system also automatically corrects offsets to cutting tools and infeed modules, and problems or mechanical breakdowns are identified and displayed on a dashboard in real time with alerts sent as needed. Overall, the BID Group says that this system is a must-have for any company looking to streamline and optimize their primary breakdown operations.
LINCKAn accurate log rotation before the first processing step is decisive to achieve high value recovery. With its optimization software, LINCK uses 3D-scanning data to generate a value-optimized cutting pattern and then determines the required angle for log rotation.
With Log Motion Control, LINCK presents a further step in the development of this technology. In addition to determining the log rotation angle, a MiCROTEC Truespin scanner will be used where a camera records a characteristic pattern on the log surface. The log position is transmitted to the LINCK Log Motion Control during the whole rotating process. The software determines the true log rotating position to be compared with the theoretical one. Any deviations will be compensated for by immediately adjusting the position of the rotating rollers.
The log rotation process is therefore under the full control of the LINCK Log Motion Control software.
HALCO Software SystemsLike most forest companies, you may have invested significantly in machine centre optimizers throughout the mill. But does that mean your operations are truly optimal? In most cases the answer is no, says HALCO Software Systems.
Machine centre optimizers give you the power to control production mix, and also mill flow. But to do so, they must be configured with appropriate parameters, primarily “decision values” and processing “penalty costs”. Until now, mills have, at best, generated these key parameters on an ad hoc basis. The result is that most mills operate at a substantially sub-optimal level, says HALCO.
To address this issue, HALCO has developed the WSO Production Planning Optimization system. WSO determines the optimum production mix based on current market prices, minimum/maximum sales mix constraints, and process flow bottlenecks, and then the machine centre optimizer parameters to produce this mix.
ProLogic+The log geometric profile generated by the ProLogScanner from ProLogic+ is sent to an optimizer software that calculates, through advanced algorithms, the optimal log orientation and sawing patterns while respecting the machine’s mechanical constraints in addition to the production parameters.
Features include: 3-D or true shape profiles; an available x-ray module (by Finnos); optimization with breakdown patterns; many alignment modes for the breakdown pattern; and, curve sawing and “S” sawing.
Options include log orientation with ORO+ (Optimized Log Orientation), log orientation with RCS+ (Rotation Correction System), and online and offline simulations with web reports.
MiCROTECLogyards across North America are optimizing scanning with MiCROTEC’s CT Log and patented Logeye Stereo solutions.
Revolutionizing transverse stereoscopic scanning, the Logeye Stereo is said to be the only scanner that provides a full 360-degree scan of a log as it’s rolling into the carriage, headrig, end dogger, or from a transverse to lineal conveyor. Designed for easy operation on the bandsaw or carriage, the Logeye Stereo increases yield and cutting performance. This leads to higher throughput speed and improved recovery as the entire surface of the log is imaged without occlusions.
Powered by AI, the CT Log provides complete reconstruction of a log’s internal features, allowing the logs to be graded and sorted by quality to optimize the cutting solution with the highest value in real-time. MiCROTEC says that its CT Log is the most effective solution for value and resource optimization, providing mills with a virtual logyard.
USNRUSNR’s log scanning and optimization systems are renowned for capturing the absolute maximum value from every log and are consequently found on more types of machinery than any other system, according to the company. By utilizing Lasar or Bioluma lineal sensors, any type of log breakdown system can be optimized.
The Lasar2 sensor is a unique and rugged, full-coverage, high-resolution 3D scanner ideal for carriages, end dogs, close-coupled sawing systems, and transverse deck bucking systems. USNR says that its Lasar2 system rapidly scans logs and stems with unparalleled resolution and data density. It adds that its BioLuma 3900L sensor delivers the highest speed UHD laser profiling for the most demanding lineal applications, describing it as perfect for lineal bucking, log lines, shape sawing gangs, and lineal edgers.
USNR suggests that potential customers investigate its other unique solutions like Precision Geometric Log Rotation (PGLR) that significantly improves cutting accuracy during the log optimization process, further increasing uplift and recovery.
On the Cover:
Despite the current industry downturn—following the lumber market going on a tear through the pandemic—the B.C.-based San Group is continuing on a strategy that involves acquisitions and equipment upgrades. The purchase of the Acorn sawmill is part of that strategy, and the company now plans a number of upgrades at the facility. In a year when the B.C. forest industry has been marked by permanent sawmill closures, Kamal Sanghera, the San Group’s CEO, notes that the company is working hard to make investments—and create jobs—in the province. Read all about the developments at the San Group beginning on page 12 of this issue. (Cover photo courtesy of the San Group).
Have mill/will travel …
Wood-Mizer’s LT40 portable sawmill is a solid fit for the Have Sawmill, Will Travel, custom sawmilling/customer-focused approach of B.C.’s Strait Timber.
Switching gears in Alberta … to forestry
Alberta contractor Backwoods Forestry Solutions is switching gears, going from logging solely for the oil patch to logging for the forest industry.
San Group keeping busy with acquisition, upgrades
B.C. forest company the San Group has been busy lately, with the company working on completing a new small log line, and purchasing the Acorn sawmill, with plans for upgrades.
Shortage of logging truck drivers moving along autonomous trucks
A severe shortage of logging truck drivers is among the drivers for an initiative to customize autonomous truck driving technology on Canadian resource roads by 2026.
Landrich 2.0 gets two thumbs up
The equipment operators at L.E. Spencer—including 78-year-old Lloyd Spencer—are finding the outfit’s new Landrich 2.0 harvester to be a very good fit for their New Brunswick logging.
The EDGE
Included in this edition of The Edge, Canada’s leading publication on research in the forest industry, are stories from the Canadian Wood Fibre Centre (CWFC) and FPInnovations.
The Last Word
The B.C. Interior town of Houston is waiting for a Canfor sawmill decision to come this summer, but also planning for beyond that decision, notes Jim Stirling.
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