SCANNING & OPTIMISATION Sawco has an extensive range of scanning and optimisation products
Sawco takes the overall project responsibility like requirement analysis, planning, adaptation to existing systems, commissioning, follow-up and service – Sawco
commissioning, follow-up and service. An advanced and high precision 3D scanning system forms the base for measuring and optimising the logs and cants. Three camera units cover the whole periphery of the log and four cameras for the cant. They are pre- calibrated and contain integrated laser and image pre-processing systems. The high powered lasers mean the scanner can see the shape of even the wettest and darkest logs when sorting. The same type of camera unit is used in several of the Sawco applications. This means that a broken unit in a production critical location can easily replaced with a unit from a less critical position. All system software runs on regular PCs using standard Microsoft components. Adaptations for export of production data to administrative systems are supported. ProLog is Sawco’s system for log sorting, which comprises the 3D scanner and its optimising software. ProLog is able to measure the thickness of the bark to reveal the true shape of the log under the bark. TimberInventory lets you manage and monitor the timber inventory online. It is easy to use with good overview to quickly see
activities and statuses in the logyard. Also, it supports more than one sawline and can be run in manual mode if required. ProOpt is the optimisation system controlling the sawline. The system includes the 3D scanner and is optimising each log on-line. Every log is optimised according to its unique shape for the “most required” output, which can be either of yield, demand or value. With the integrated supervision system, the operator has total control over the start-up sequence and process status. To further refine the sawing process, a second four-camera scanner can be integrated to optimise the cant to ensure correct centring. ProLine controls the performance of the
primary machine. Continuously and during operation, ProLine records the log feed and the important settings for the sawing machines. Centring errors, log infeed angle, log turning errors, cant height, cant height dispersion, cant warp etc are examples of recorded values. At a
glance, the operator can monitor the sawing process and immediately discover errors. ProCon gives an immediate feedback of how the log was sawn in comparison to optimised values. A quick look at the graphical interface warns the operator of dimensional errors in the centre boards. The information can be used to automatically adjust the sawing equipment. ProSort+scan for green, dry sorters and planers has flexible and easy to use functionality to plan and execute the production and packaging of the finished product including labelling. In addition, a camera system for transverse scanning, which detects defects and optimises the trim, can be integrated.
SOFTAC Systems has been a leading manufacturer of sawmill optimisation and scanning systems for softwood and hardwood applications for over 25 years. In addition to providing accurate, dependable profile and grade scanning systems, SOFTAC offers expanded software programs for inventory management control, extensive lumber tally reporting and lineal grade scanning for planer mills. President Ian Bowman maintains that
“manufacturing our own line of scanner heads
We see the future need of both sawmills and planer mills for customised systems to meet global demands for specific products and real-time inventory control – Ian Bowman, SOFTAC
The SOFTAC optimiser CFI 20 International Forest Industries | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2011
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