On the frontline – SCANNING & OPTIMISATION


Under promise, over deliver


Canadian sawmill supplier, Comact, tailored its existing technology to provide the perfect scanning solution to an American cedar operation


costs and increasing income, this important American player in the cedar fence market wished to automate the process of classification and trimming of its boards, a first for Comact. To begin with, the colour of the cedar makes it difficult to map defects. Additionally, it is a very light wood and particularly unstable when processed, especially at speeds exceeding 220 boards/minute. Finally, the slightest handling pressure could mark the boards, which generates a classification of less value.


T


Finding the solution The Comact team carried out a remarkable program of development on the hydraulic rotary lug loader, the GradExpert, the trimmer positioner and the trimmer itself. The various systems were adapted to meet


MI approached Comact with a huge challenge: with the aim of reducing production


and even exceed the needs and constraints specific to this raw material and this customer. “After six months of


development and thanks to the close cooperation of each member of our engineering, mechanical, control and optimisation teams, extremely effective solutions were worked out and put in operation,” Comact said.


The upshot Comact’s innovations have made it possible for TMI to reduce its production costs and increase its profit margin because of the improved production, a reduction in manpower and especially the optimisation of the value of its products. “Moreover, the company has a system which will evolve with its needs,” Comact said. “We will work with TMI on the introduction of new technologies to continuously improve results and expand the field of possibilities.”


FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012 | International Forest Industries 15


The successful installation at TMI’s cedar operation was the first time Comact has attempted to automate the process of classification and trimming of boards


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