Now in its seventh year, Dust Safety Week’s landing page is the year-round hub for forest products manufacturers – pellet plants, sawmills and pulp and paper operations – to learn best practices and find the latest information to keep their operations and operators safe.

Follow along all week as we will highlight feature stories, columns and research reports both from our archives as well as brand-new stories from contributors across Canada.

Find the landing page here, and stay tuned to our websites and social media (#DustSafetyWeek) for more information as we approach Dust Safety Week 2023!

Thank you to our generous sponsors for making Dust Safety Week possible: Biomass Engineering & Equipment, Fagus GreCon, Rembe, Fike and Nilfisk.

Well fortunately for our industry, a well-designed and well-maintained circle saw can cut through a log as if it were butter. Yes, my fellow sawfilers and colleagues, we may put more design, planning and effort into making a saw perform its job than the proverbial rocket science necessary to send a rocket into space. 

Allow me to touch on a few things that are in play with this phenomenon. 

RPMs: The circle saw must be operating at the proper RPM. This allows the saw body to stand up and not “wobble or snake” through the wood. Mills want a straight cut and that is what you get with the right tension, proper tooth geometry and correct RPM. Make sure your saw manufacturer is provided with the correct RPM when designing your circle saw. If machinery in the changes always update your saw provider. 

Guides: The guides are the saws best friend or worst enemy. The circle saw should never touch the guide but slip through a thin film of saw lubricant. Because the saw is running between the guides in a very tight space (.002-.003 per side), improperly designed or maintained guides can cause the saw to overheat and lose tension, lay-over, cut bad lumber and cause the mill unscheduled saw changes. Like the saws, a saw guide has critical tolerances that must be maintained. Each run time they should be checked for damage or unusual wear. Changes in saw plate thickness will affect guides. Make sure to consider how a plate thickness change will affect your guides and communicate this with both saw and guide manufacturers or your sales rep.

Machinery: The machine centre that the saws and guides are in must be mentioned if we are to be successful in producing grade lumber products. By documenting upkeep and maintenance done on the machine centre, it’s possible to make good decisions on why saws are not running to the best of their design and help determine when and what maintenance needs to be done on the machine itself. Alignment and wear and tear must be addressed when saws and guides aren’t the issue. 

Data: I recently spent some time with a group of mill professionals and was impressed at the data they had at the touch or swipe of a device. These new sawing systems give mill owners, operators and yes, filers DATA. So, I suggest we use it. Understanding and knowing what happened in the past allows your choices in the future to be successful. Choices that seemed difficult or didn’t pan out in the past can be addressed once data is reviewed and variables identified. The best way to ensure success during each saw run or rocket launch is to document and learn from the success and failures of the past. 

Tracking: If part of your job involves reviewing data, you’ve probably used terms like tracking, drilling down, or unique identifiers. This is the main reason we at SSS/BID Group etch each circle saw we manufacture with an identification number. This number allows both our team and the mill to keep up with the saw’s history, including number of times the saw has been benched, retipped and sharpened. Knowing the history and how the saw(s) ran in the past gives us the knowledge and ability to know what to expect in the future. These identifiers can help track when variables such as hook or kerf are changed. SSS and the BID Group can help your mill with the equipment, tools, and software to accomplish successful sawing. If you are working with another professional saw company, I’m certain they can do the same. 

Paul Smith is a saw filing consultant and founder of Smith Sawmill Service, now part of BID Group. You can reach him at Paul.Smith@bidgroup.ca.

“We’ve seen a tremendous amount of growth in terms of sales,” says JoeScan president Joey Nelson. “So we have some additional demand on our engineers to answer support questions. But we also want to continue to develop new products and features to make 3D scanning even simpler and easier to use for sawmills.”

JoeScan has a full product development schedule underway, with a new “super snapshot” scanner model featuring 3 inch laser spacing slated for release later this year. “We designed the Z8 scanner for places in the mill where you can’t move the log or board at all,” Nelson says. “Getting data every three inches instead of every six gives you much more accurate models which means you get better solutions from your optimizer. But there are also instances when you need to run very, very fast, and the Z8’s smaller laser spacing can help you get there.”

The JoeScan engineering group is also working on a suite of software features to simplify start-ups including additional diagnostic and calibration tools.

Here’s a snapshot of our takeaways from the featured articles, videos and columns.

1) Past, present and future: Our main coverage this week was from the BC Saw Filers Association annual convention that took place in Kamloops on the weekend. From the sector’s rich history, to current issues afflicting the trade and recruiting future sawfilers, a lot to was covered at the two-day event.

2) Products and technologies: We shared advancements from the convention and trade show, and we are working on videos to showcase in the coming days – hence keep an eye on our landing page here for these video spotlights!

3) Increasing sawmill circular blade life: William Shaffer highlights the benefits of edge prep geometry when applied to the cutting edges of the teeth of wood-cutting circular sawblades. He also introduces us to the edge prep process Engineered Micro-Geometry.

4) Don’t expect, inspect!: This is a phrase that every sawfiler would find useful. Dave Purinton writes about maintaining good control of the variables one can control to help prevent even a few unscheduled saw changes.

5) Saw Filing 101: CFI saw filing columnist Paul Smith writes about one of the biggest breakthroughs in our time for sawmill and lumber production and manufacturing: knives and their applications for chipping. As a bonus, Paul writes a second column where he discusses a world of chaos involving supply chain and other disruptions and advises mills to better have plenty of supplies on-hand and on-order.

CFI’s File Week landing page is a year-round hub for both sawfilers and other stakeholders to learn best practices and find the latest information on advancements in saw filing technology. Find the landing page here, or anytime on our website’s MENU tab, under Explore.

See you next year for File Week 2024!

Thanks again to our generous sponsors: BID Group and Petro-Canada Lubricants.

]]> https://www.woodbusiness.ca/microtec-to-supply-log-scanner-to-j-d-irvings-n-b-mill/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=microtec-to-supply-log-scanner-to-j-d-irvings-n-b-mill Thu, 01 Jun 2023 19:24:29 +0000 https://www.woodbusiness.ca/?p=98776 …]]>  J.D. Irving has purchased a Microtec CT Log for installation at its Veneer Sawmill in St. Leonard, New Brunswick. 

Microtec’s CT Log is a worldwide unique computed tomography scanner in the wood products industry, allowing J.D. Irving to scan and digitally reconstruct the internal features of their logs in 3D. Delivering the optimal cutting solution in real time, this technology is consistent with J.D. Irving’s mission to ensure the use of 100 per cent of every tree.

The computed tomography scanner provides a complete reconstruction of the internal features of the logs, allowing the logs to be graded and sorted by quality and optimization. The CT Log solution developed by Microtec’s engineers provides quality grading and virtual grading information in addition to the full 3D log description. 

Integrated with Microtec’s Maxicut Pro, Winlog, and Microtec Connect, the CT Log communicates with the Logeye Stereo, providing the head rigg operator the exact degree of log rotation to provide maximum value. Working with the CT Log, Microtec’s Maxicut software optimizes cutting patterns based on value. 

The newest investment is part of J.D. Irving’s continued partnership with Microtec. Beginning in 2014 with a Lucidyne scanner installation at their Dixfield, Maine, location, J.D. Irving has since installed Lucidyne scanners at their Doaktown and Kedgwick, N.B., locations, with another Wanescan installation at their Dixfield facility in 2023. Their recent investment of the CT Log is accompanied by a commitment of five Microtec Logeye Stereos, which execute 360° scans during rolling, adding to the information gained before the log is sawn. 

Speaking to the solutions provided by Microtec, Jerome Pelletier, vice-president of J.D. Irving, sawmills division says, “We are very excited to further grow our partnership with Microtec. We firmly believe that this strategic investment in the newest scanning technology will allow us to maximize log yield as well as improve the value of the products offered to our customers.” 

The CT Log solution and Logeye Stereo applications will be installed in early 2024. 

Once the old bent knives and round back knives were replaced with disposable knives, the market was open to faster speed feeds, increased lumber production and yield. As most remember, the old bent knives and round back knives would push and pull cants causing thick and thin lumber, and other issues and problems. 

Equipment manufacturers quickly jumped in and made these disposable knives a very important mainstay in lumber producing mills. New mills being built changed from modular to straight line mills because of the high recovery and faster feed speeds this new product and process allowed. 

Today, the vast majority of lumber production is made from these new mills. The new conical heads and chip heads allowed the chipper knives and the saws to work side-by-side manufacturing lumber efficiently. This breakthrough with the knives allowed for attack angles and knife angles to be changed as needed. Also, the precision that the heads and knives are manufactured to today create smooth running heads that will operate very well, producing good sawn lumber and quality chips at fast speeds. Because these new disposable knives are smaller and thinner than the old bent knives and roundback knives, they are manufactured much more precisely, and with better heat treat process that allows for better knife quality. Correct hardness for knives increases knife life.

Although it may sound easy to pair the knives and the saws to run together, there is a process. To pair the chipping knives with saws together for best results, it does take some orchestrating and knowledge of RPM, feed speed, log diameter and maximum depth of cut to determine exactly what is required for best performance. The quality of chips produced is critical for both production and profits.

There are many different types of chipping heads with a growing number of manufacturers getting in the business of also manufacturing the knife itself. I have had the privilege to see different heads and knives manufacturers get started and create success for themselves and the wood industry. Most of these manufacturers are successful and can help any mill with chipping issues, including producing the correct chip size needed for optimal profits.

Smith Sawmill Service saw this breakthrough for our sawmill industry in the late 1990s and helped to introduce Key Knife in the South; changing bent knives and chip-n-saw knives over to the disposable Key Knife system. This worked out well for us and the customers for a few years until Key Knife went direct. We then came up with our own system. The knife was as small as disposable knives, but could be sharpened and babbitted. This ensured the knife location would be the same after every change. Now, we are a part of the BID Group and working side-by-side with Comact providing saws to pair up with Comact’s new knife system. It’s our belief that each company suppling these conical, cylindrical and profiling heads with their knife systems will all have their own advantages. 

If any mill is having problems with chipping, knife life, yield and lumber quality, I suggest you reach out to some of these knife manufacturers for help. I personally see pros and cons for the different knives offered today in the wood industry. Depending on the application and your needs, it will be possible for you to select the knife and heads that will best perform in your mill.

Most equipment manufacturers will let you pick the knife of your choice to be in their equipment. Make sure you get all the information you need to help determine the knife you choose to use. Of course, if you decide to mix the equipment manufacturer with a different knife and head manufacturer, I suggest you have them in the same room to determine what will be expected from both. Most knife and equipment manufacturers will work very well together for your best interest. 

Paul Smith is a saw filing consultant and founder of Smith Sawmill Service, now part of BID Group. You can reach him at Paul.Smith@bidgroup.ca.

This article is part of CFI’s 2023 File Week. Find the File Week landing page here.

Members of the BC Saw Filers Association (BCSFA) meet annually  to share knowledge and resources for the benefit of all involved in the saw filing trade.

BCSFA president Sean Wright welcomed around 100 sawfilers, mill managers and maintenance supervisors, as well as 36 exhibitors on Friday with a little bit of history.

In his welcoming remarks, Wright showed a video of the only fully-functioning miniature sawmill in Canada built in the early 1960s by Phil Quelch, who was a saw filer and educator. Wright said the 16-feet model sawmill comes complete with conveyor belts, saws, lights and a wood chipper, and is on display at the Westbank Museum in the Okanagan. He encouraged attendees to donate to keep the model mill operating since it is a valuable teaching tool for saw filing apprentices.

“We’re losing our trade – it would be nice to keep this model mill going. We’re looking for donations for parts to keep it going and use it for educational purposes,” Wright said.

Filing room quality expectations

John Hebert, former head sawfiler for Gorman Bros. took the podium next and talked about best practices to maintain quality in the filing room. This include watching out for and cleaning burrs on clamping surfaces; replacing guides every 10-15 years depending on usage, wear and damage, and replacing all guides at least every two weeks.

“The combination of discarding saws in poor condition, new guides and regular guide changes resulted in roughly five per cent reduction of planer skip,” Hebert said.

In terms of saw guide lube settings, Hebert said saw guides must be pressurized and balanced. Using good quality oil is key, as oil must emulsify with water and should “feel light” on saw and guides and not dripping like honey.

When it comes to arbor sleeve maintenance, he said sleeves should be moved .200 at least every four months in gangs.

“Make sure to clean thoroughly, remove rust, apply liberal grease on reinstallation at every movement,” he advised. Using good quality waterproof grease is also important, as oil will dry out resulting in rust, possibly requiring puller to remove sleeves.

Always make sure gauges are straight and not dog-eared before using, he added. If bent, it should be gently hammered, and regrind when straight.

Lastly, Hebert shared some of the attributes that should be in every saw filer apprentice: being on time, good work ethic, being coachable, having energy and passion, among others.

“This has nothing to do with saw filing, but everything to do with saw filing.”

Machine center alignment

“We always think alignment is some other people’s problem,” said the next speaker Marty Vatkin of Sawline Consulting and former head filer and BCSFA president. Alignment is crucial in the entire machine’s operation, he said.

Vatkin explained the three types of alignment being used in the trade.

Wire alignment is performed with wire stretched through the machine and anchored at either end. Components are measured in relation to the wire and adjusted as required.

Straight edge alignment is performed with a precision ground straight edge. Measurements are taken using rulers, levels and dial indicators.

Laser alignment is performed much the same as wire alignment. The laser system utilizes a light source, a detector and a computer box. Several different jigs are used to allow measurements to be taken.

As for which one is the best to use, Vatkin said, “Any system you don’t understand is a bad system. The system you should use is the one you’ve got and preferably everyone in the shop knows how to use it and the responsibility does not fall on just one person.”

Vatkin explained the “law of compensating for errors” that some mills operate under.

“My dad once said ‘you didn’t have time to do it right, but you had time to do it again and again, and again.”

Unfortunately, most mills think the only time to do an alignment is when things are broken, but Vatkin reiterated that the better way is doing it before things break. Infeed is important too, as if it is not set properly, then it does not matter what else one does – one will just keep compensating.

“It’s like closing the gates after the horse is gone.”

He added that the mill’s quality control team is “the biggest enemy you will ever have, and the biggest asset” because they understand the problems that saw filers encounter.
In conclusion, Vatkin said, “The one thing that we should be doing often, we do less of: maintaining the machine is crucial.”

New saw lube system

Roland Davyduke of Real Performance Machinery (RPM) introduced his Virginia-based company and its ProLube saw guide lube system that was  developed for the company’s proprietary ProSaw system.

Davyduke, an electrical engineer, also briefly talked about RPM’s other equipment and technology in engineering design, manufacturing, automation, controls development and support.

(Check out CFI’s exclusive video of Davyduke explaining the technology coming soon on our File Week landing page here.)

Anodizing aluminum guides

Josh Bergen of Precision Machinery talked about the process of anodizing aluminum –an electrochemical process that converts the metal surface into a decorative, durable, corrosion-resistant, anodic oxide finish.

Bergen highlighted guide dressers, the high-tolerance machines that directly affect saw performance and lumber quality. He discussed the causes for guide dressers to cut out of tolerance, including worn cutters, foreign material, damaged or worn/out of spec guides, and machine crashes caused by operator error – and ways to prevent it, which includes evaluation, training, torque sensing, accountability and reporting.

Chip quality

“We really need good chips at the pulp mill,” said Tom Hoffman, fibre manager at Kruger, Inc., who introduced the sawblade experts to Kruger’s Kamloops Pulp operations via his presentation.

Built in 1965 as a 250 tonne/day pulp facility , the mill is now producing more than 1,150 tonnes/day of pulp, employing 340 workers onsite and 1,000 indirect workers.

Hoffman clearly stated what his mill is looking for in terms of ideal chips for kraft pulping: thickness of 25 mm x 25 mm x 4 mm; 100 per cent sound stem wood; no bark or knots, plastics, metal, sand or rubber; and has 50 per cent moisture content.

Quality control

SiCam Systems’ Nick Barrett ended Day 1 of the conference and presented on SiCam’s quality control technology for the sawmills and planer mills, to help them utilize better yields all throughout their production process, cut closer to target using their different variety of scanning technology and proprietary software.

2023 BC Saw Filer’s Association trade show in Kamloops, B.C. Photo: Annex Business Media.

The trade show opened in the afternoon, where 36 vendors exhibited and showcased their new equipment, tools and services.

Door prizes donated by the vendors were given at the trade show floor for both attendees and exhibitors.

(L-R): Sean Wright and Scott Courtney giving away donated door prizes. Photo: Annex Business Media.

The sawblade ninjas then enjoyed the evening with a buffet dinner and entertainment featuring comedian Leland Klassen, followed by a dance with music from a live band.

“It’s the perfect blend of education, business and socialization,” described BCSFA vice-president Scott Courtney.

Day 2

Bryce Hamre. Photo: Annex Business Media.

Day 2 started with BCSFA’s Bryce Hamre showing the association’s website redesign, which now includes a forum where the filers can exchange information, post jobs on the job board, and buy and sell tools.

Eric Gabara. Photo: Annex Business Media.

Eric Gabara of HMT Machine Tools subbed for Grasche USA co-owner and president Richard Comer in presenting about saw steel. HMT Machine Tools is a dealer for Grasche’s equipment and Gabara did a great job explaining Grasche’s products and their importance in the filing room, especially because “these days, everybody is short-hand,” he mused.

Jennifer Booth. Photo: Annex Business Media.

Jennifer Booth from SkilledTradesBC, formerly called Industry Training Authority, updated the attendees about the Saw Filer Trade Program. As of April 1, SkilledTradesBC has registered 199 apprentices: 127 active and 72 inactive who could continue their training at any time.

“The association’s input is very important, and the program will be reviewed in the near future based on BCSFA’s feedback,” Booth said.

Reg Hewitt. Photo: Annex Business Media.

Reggie Hewitt, instructor at Thompson Rivers University’s (TRU) Williams Lake saw filing training centre closed out the conference with some updates about the sawfiler program and a call for donations.

“TRU is committed to supporting the trade. Classes are capped at 16 apprentices,” he said. “Band saws have been donated to the program, and donations sure help us out,” he added.

He reiterated, however, that the school is similar to a testing centre, where apprentices are bein prepared for the exam and certification.

“You have to be trained enough before you go to the TRU program … you can’t be trained from scratch in four weeks.”

The BCSFA president agreed saying, “Make sure your apprentices are ready before they go to the program.” Wright explained, “Mills tend to rush sending apprentices to the program because we are worried of losing the school again, but we have to make sure the apprentices are ready.”

Future editions

BCSFA’s Matt Graves. Photo: Annex Business Media.

Despite the lower turnout from the previous year, BCSFA secretary and treasurer Matt Graves is positive saying, “We had a great turnout, considering the way the market is going. It’s great to see the support of the sector.”

This article is part of CFI’s 2023 File Week. Find the File Week landing page here.

When it comes to operating a sawmill, I’ve always said it’s called a SAWmill for a reason. That reason is because, to operate at all, one has to have saws and since the trend has moved to narrower kerf and thinner plate, your mill better have plenty on-hand and on-order!

So whose responsibility is it to make sure the mill has plenty of saws and why has it become an issue? When I started Smith Sawmill Service over 30 years ago, in Southern U.S., saw plates lasted months, even years at some mills. These saw plates were thicker, kerf was wider, mills didn’t run 24/7, and most mills weren’t curve sawing or running the high production of today’s mills.

Manufacturing changed to meet the needs of mills when curve sawing and thin kerf technology came on the scene and saws were usually delivered to the mills in six to eight weeks. As mills added shifts and ramped up production, we in the industry observed delivery dates fluctuate. Ten to 12 weeks was a long lead time in most situations, until approximately two years ago. 

The world of chaos caused by COVID-19 and nationwide shutdowns has led to disruptions that we are experiencing today and will probably have to deal with for years.

We are a smart industry, and we’ve maneuvered through log scarcity, natural disasters, endangered species and of course politics, but the international supply chain and logistics interruptions we’ve had to endure have changed how we plan, purchase, operate and, yes, even overstock the items we deem critical. Today’s lead times aren’t given in weeks but rather months. Machinery dates are out this year and in 2024, and saws can be as well. So planning has become everyone’s responsibility, especially the head filer. Planning for normal wear and tear, unscheduled changes, and saw failure has always been built into how many sets of saws a mill had. Now that same filer has to plan for logistical chaos as well – steel shortages, shipping shortfalls, labour shortages, and supply chain disruptions. Filers are forced to make their existing saws stay in production, many times beyond their best performance.

Today’s head filer has to work closely with management and their vendors to make sure saw inventory is sufficient, not only at the mill, but in the storeroom, as well as at the manufacturers and suppliers. The head filer and the mills’ purchasing department should be making sure that they have scheduled saw deliveries for all operations: head saws, trimmers, edgers, gangs. If it cuts wood at your facility, make sure you have it ordered. Don’t wait until you need it because your supplier may be waiting on their delivery as well. A good supplier is working with you to make sure they have raw plates, tips, saws in process and some saws ready to go. But remember, like everyone else, their supply chain has been affected too! 

What is a good number? How do you determine how many saws to order? Work together, look at data, and in case your mill is looking at any line changes that will affect your saw design, get that info to your supplier early in the process – but that’s a whole different article. Today’s planning is tomorrow’s smooth sawing!

Paul Smith is a saw filing consultant and founder of Smith Sawmill Service, now part of BID Group. You can reach him at Paul.Smith@bidgroup.ca.

This article is part of CFI’s 2023 File Week. Find the File Week landing page here.

Welcome to File Week 2023, where we highlight what’s new in the wonderful world of saw filing.

Keeping up with the latest on the filing room – from industry challenges to the newest in automation technology – is important for not just sawfilers, but everyone in the mill.

We’re posting cutting edge content both from our archives as well as brand-new stories and product news from the BC Saw Filers Association convention that took place on May 26 and 27 in Kamloops, B.C.

We are highlighting:

• stories from the filing room
• technical articles on saw filing automation
• equipment spotlights on the latest saw filing gear
• columns from Paul Smith
• coverage from the BC Saw Filers convention, and more!

CFI’s File Week landing page is a year-round hub for both sawfilers and other stakeholders to learn best practices and find the latest information on advancements in saw filing technology.

Thank you to our 2023 sponsors for making this week possible: BID Group and Petro-Canada Lubricants.

Find the landing page here and enjoy File Week 2023!

]]> CFI Staff https://www.woodbusiness.ca/wellons-introduces-trumark-evo/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wellons-introduces-trumark-evo Fri, 12 May 2023 16:26:27 +0000 https://www.woodbusiness.ca/?p=98527 …]]> The Wellons wireless TRUMARK-Evolution Moisture Meter System significantly improves lumber moisture content (MC) regulation during the drying process. Based on the proven Wellons TCS technology, TRUMARK-EVO provides accurate, consistent lumber MC measurement throughout the drying process. Drying times shorten, MC standard deviation is narrowed, and lumber quality is maximized.

TRUMARK-EVO operates in conjunction with Wellons’ computerized control system (Winkiln-Evo) to develop precise drying schedules to automate the drying process and achieve consistent results. MC is continuously measured while Winkiln-Evo monitors and adjusts the drying process. TRUMARK-EVO in a batch kiln will determine the end-point of a drying schedule and in a CDS will determine push rate adjustments using real-time data.

Installation of TRUMARK-EVO systems require minimal down time and are available for both new and existing drying systems.
Benefits include:

• Accurate MC measurement above and below fiber saturation.
• Seamless Integration with Wellons Winkiln-Evo control software.
• Automatic push rate adjustment in Continuous Drying Systems (CDS).
• Automatic end-point determination in batch kiln systems.

Count on TRUMARK-EVO for truly accurate drying results and to achieve your target MC.

Researchers and innovative manufacturers offered valuable insight into the cutting edge of sawmilling technologies and processes, and shared strategies to optimize production and boost mill’s profits at OptiSaw – the sawmilling optimization and automation forum – in Quebec City on March 17. 

Sawmill of the future

The BID Group opened the event with a peek into the sawmill of the future powered by a combination of cutting-edge technologies and an inspired workforce. The company is leading the way in several areas related to Industry 4.0: IIoT, augmented reality, robotics, artificial intelligence, and designing the next generation of sawmills. 

BID’s Diego Braido dos Santos, David Dubé, and Sylvain Dionne showed the crowd of 50 delegates and exhibitors some of BID’s innovative technologies, including AI and robotics and their individual impact on operations such as monitoring and optimizing process flow in sawmills and planer mills.

Smart eyes: reinforcing scanners with AI

The next presenter, Finnos Oy’s Jyri Smagin walked the audience through the sawmill’s different scanners at various locations, showing how the latest technology enables the scanners to connect with each other via fingerprint technology. Smagin demonstrated how applying AI optimization to the whole raw material flow linked by fingerprint can detect defects, and increase fibre recovery and yield significantly.

Energy transition

Experts agree, the energy transition in the industrial sector must be achieved by 2050. Incentives are available to initiate the transition, offered by energy suppliers or governments, but where can one start a project? Martin Tremblay of IDÉA Contrôle, an internationally recognized energy management equipment manufacturer, shared their efficient and effective tools to simplify the energy transition, which can reduce sawmill emissions and costs.

Jedi, Big Data and IoT

The next speaker, Tim Melburn of Arrow Speed Controls, a self-described Jedi-level asset performance engineer, helped attendees visualize the invisible by showing how to increase productivity with cutting-edge technologies.

Optimizing machine productivity and maintaining a competitive edge can become increasingly difficult in a global economy, but Big Data and IoT technologies offer a wide variety of potential improvements from production efficiency to predicting machine failures to managing employees. 

“Have you ever wondered how to get the most out of your equipment while ensuring they run at optimal performance? Having the right KPIs and a solid preventative maintenance plan will provide incredible cost savings,” Melburn said.

Cutting downtime in halF

The first of two case studies presented at OptiSaw was a planer safety pilot project, given by UBSafe’s Ian Rood. 

UBSafe performed a functional safety system upgrade to a Stetson Ross planer at Conifex Fort St. James in B.C. To utilize the safeguarding system for minor servicing tasks, such as clearing jams, the WorkSafeBC approval process under regulation 10.10 for control system isolation device (CSID) use as an alternative control measure to lockout was triggered. Rood detailed the results of the project – a safe, compliant, efficient system that was measured to reduce jam clearing-related downtime by 50 per cent.

Sawmill simulation

FPInnovations’ Mohammed  Khachan provided an overview of the new software platform OptiTek, including drying and planing simulation, profit evaluation and flow analysis. Khachan said the platform allows stakeholders in the sawmill ecosystem to validate, analyze, and measure the impact on key performance indicators of new technologies and processes. His two-part presentation included an introduction of AI into the simulation process and its interest in estimating the value of stems supply from the forest to the mill.

Optimizing value chain

Maximizing a mill’s efficiency with unique CT technology and the power of prediction and optimization were the focus of the next speaker, Microtec’s Patrick Freeman, who went into thorough detail to describe the Microtec AI platform. Utilizing these tools, along with the innovative SMART Link solution, companies are able to streamline and optimize each stage of your value chain to drive maximum value, said the CTO, who described himself as the ‘chief nerd’ in a room full of nerds. 

Case study on drying

Secovac founder Pierre Gilbert was the final speaker,  and presented the second case study and “the most important presentation of the day,” he joked. Gilbert shared results of the installation of the EchoStop system, Secovac’s latest technological breakthrough in the field of  drying control, at Clermond Hamel’s sawmill in Quebec.

EchoStop was designed to measure wood moisture without contact for continuous kilns. It has optimized the sawmill’s operations, eliminated the down grade caused by overdrying, increased production and reduced the energy required.

The 5710E is particularly suited for land clearing operations or other applications where mobility is desired. The horizontal grinder is equipped with several features designed to improve efficiency and help operators reduce material handling costs.  

Michael Spreadbury, product manager for Astec, says, “We are excited to reveal the 5710E at CONEXPO and have the opportunity to demonstrate the innovations we’ve made to an already strong design.”  

The 5710E features a larger rotor that can accommodate a greater number of grinding bits.

“The new rotor is eight per cent larger and 19 per cent heavier than the previous model,” states Spreadbury. “More mass means more grinding power.” To keep up with this improved power, the screening area has also been increased, to allow for greater throughput. Additionally, the grate change process has been simplified.  

 While weight and size have been increased where it counts, the machine is lighter overall.

“In our redesign process, we’ve examined how to maximize efficiency and simplicity at each stage of the grinding process,” explains Spreadbury, “You see that from the rotor to the screens, and even in the new compression roll cylinders, which offer better downforce to help process material as it is fed to the rotor.”  

The two-day class includes a manufacturing facility tour, equipment operation best practice training, hands-on demonstrations and plenty of networking opportunities allowing machine owners to learn from each other as well. This year the education focused on ‘how to properly feed your machine’, ‘how to perform preventative maintenance’ and ‘how to troubleshoot’. The hands-on demonstrations showed attendees how to install the main rotor bearings and how to adjust the sheave and tension the drive belt on a Rotochopper grinder.

“After attending Rotochopper University I feel very confident in my knowledge of operating and maintaining our equipment,” shared one event attendee. Another attendee commented, “They go over a wide scope of topics, but also personalize the information they’re going over for the class attendees and the equipment we operate”.

Rotochopper hosted 60 students during the two-day event from various companies across the globe. Rotochopper customer service manager and event instructor, Adam Asmus, shared the following thoughts, “Rotochopper University continues to be an event that we find has a great benefit to our customers. The attendees can connect with our service team, our company and each other in ways that will benefit their operation for years to come. As an instructor for the event, I was thoroughly impressed with group of attendees this year and enjoyed the time we were able to spend with them”.

Rotochopper continues to focus on and invest in ensuring the owners and operators of Rotochopper equipment are trained and supported through this course. Their world class factory direct support team provides attendees the foundation for optimal operation and positive operational outcomes.

“Factory-direct service and keeping our customers happy are at the core of Rotochopper’s value proposition. Rotochopper University is one of the ways our team brings these values to life. It was great to see so many Rotochopper customers together not only building a connection with us, but also each other. I know Doug Meyer and our service team work extremely hard on an agenda that helps customers minimize downtime and decrease maintenance costs. It was a great two weeks, and we look forward to hosting more Rotochopper Universities in the future,” said Chad Angeli, Rotochopper vice-president of customer experience.

The system can be deployed at all stages of the process and uses Artificial Intelligence to analyze images from the cameras that constantly watch production and identify objects of interest, leading to an increase in productivity.

BID’s Smart Vision will better serve its customers by providing the following benefits and technologies to sawmill and planer mill operations:

• Identification of production anomalies that normally require mechanical and/or human intervention
• Reduction of major production stoppages and equipment breakdowns
• Alerts when a problem occurs so that action can be taken automatically or manually
• Continuous management and monitoring of one or more stages of the wood transformation process
• Ongoing measurement of quality control and optimization of equipment maintenance

“We are proud of our team and the hard work that was put into our new Smart Vision, a technology that will allow our customers to easily optimize their production flow and get the most out of their mill. Artificial Intelligence is changing the face of our industry and BID is leading the revolution by relentlessly pushing the limits” said Simon Potvin, president of Wood Processing.

BID’s Smart Vision is only the beginning, a series of applications is to be developed, in addition to the ones just launched.

Specially designed for the lumber mill or wood products manufacturing environment, Omega and its optional data collection and analysis software is an invaluable tool for improving your kiln drying or overall moisture quality control.

Whether your company is a primary lumber mill or a secondary wood products operation, with or without dry kilns, the Omega In-Line Moisture Measurement System should be your most important moisture measurement and analysis tool.

Whether it is installed upstream or downstream of your planing or moulding operation, a sideways or end-to-end configuration, the benefits of having an Omega system are the same:

• Keeping moisture problems out of your mill
• Improving your kiln drying, your grade recovery, and your bottom line by minimizing moisture-related degrade, excessive drying energy costs, wet claims, and overall moisture quality control issues

Omega, Wagner’s latest generation of moisture measurement systems, continues our legacy of providing comprehensive and robust moisture measurement and data analysis tools that are so critical now for today’s modern wood products mills.

Click here to learn more.

Canadian Forest Industries has the latest updates on kiln technology for drying Canadian lumber.

BID Group
BID Group has a proven reputation for the innovative design and manufacture of Deltech batch and continuous kilns, heating supplies, and controls. The turnkey, heavy-duty systems are uniquely designed to ensure maximum quality and controlled moisture content – regardless of the wood species and type of production, including value-added products.

Exceptionally robust and offering unmatched reliability to ensure long-term performance, the kilns are designed by a strong engineering team and backed by a team of experienced regional support specialists and parts department to keep your kilns working optimally.
www.bidgroup.ca

EBI Dry Kiln Duty Motors
Since 1995, EBI has been the top-quality brand of high temperature, totally enclosed dry kiln duty motors of unsurpassed durability and long-term reliability. From one- to 30-hp, 900, 1,200 and 1,800 rotations per minute, they are used by lumber dry kiln manufacturers and sawmills in North and South America, Europe and Australia. EBI dry kiln duty motors are available through a distributor network for quick availability. They are built in NEMA or IEC frames, covered by the best warranty on the market (up to three years) and rated 120 C ambient temperature.
www.ebielectric.com

Lignomat
Value, support, quality and connection. These are the building blocks of Lignomat’s more than 40 years of success. The aspect of connection through technology is prominent with Lignomat’s MP32 kiln control platform. The kiln control system can text and e-mail selected individuals specific, selectable messages during the kiln drying process. One can automatically export process history data to existing or provided database infrastructure for in-depth analysis. Have remote access on any smart device through existing VPN, eliminating reliance on a paid, third-party remote software – that is connection from Lignomat kiln controls.
www.lignomat.com

MEC Dry Kiln
MEC Dry Kiln offers almost 30 years of wood drying expertise to its customers. A Canadian field-proven leader, MEC is innovative in the design, manufacture, installation, and repair of wood drying equipment. Designed for northern climate and made of 100 per cent aluminium and stainless steel, its one-of-a-kind thermal bridge insolation wall makes its kiln one of the best choices in the market. MEC can now offer 100 per cent electric dry kiln. This technology allows a reduction in air evacuation and significant heat loss through a dry calorific ratio that does not require oxidizer. Only moisture from the wood is purged. The power can be modulated instantly and controlled precisely while keeping the temperature evenly distributed. Electricity is a clean resource for the environment that allows 100 per cent of the energy produced by the heat element to be applied to the drying process. MEC’s team of experts will take the time needed for a thorough analysis of the project and propose a solution.
www.sechoirmec.com

Mühlböck
Mühlböck has been developing the highest quality lumber drying kilns for over 40 years, scoring globally with their batch and continuous kilns, belt dryers and heat recovery systems, delivering up to 50 per cent in energy savings. Aside from their Dynamic CDK, they also offer the uni-directional progressive kiln FLOW, ensuring simple and fast loading and unloading. And with the automatic transport system and 4.0 industry-ready Mühlböck K5 control system, the progressive FLOW fills in the logistic gap, while increasing grade and productivity. Commissioning of one such Mühlböck progressive FLOW kilns was recently completed for MLTC BioEnergy Centre in Meadow Lake, Sask.
www.drykilns.ca

Nardi Kilns
Manufacturing wood dryers and controls since 1974, Nardi Kilns is a family-owned successful business based in Italy. Nardi is one of the world leaders in offering high-efficiency wood drying technology and offer the full spectrum of kiln types including customized specialty kilns. Nardi is present in over 100 countries, creating a wealth of experience in drying various wood species and lumber products. Its close co-operation with well-respected European universities and research institutes have placed Nardi’s kiln technology at the forefront for energy-saving solutions and high performances in terms of production capacities. Nardi seeks to create positive value for its customers’ continued success – its kiln products, services and solutions will always bear the trademark of being reliable, innovative and cost-effective.
www.nardi.itwww.nardi.it

USNR
The UniFlow kiln is a continuous kiln similar to the Counter-Flow kiln, but the heating chamber in the UniFlow has been moved from the middle to the ends. In the Counter-Flow kiln, lumber is loaded at opposite ends onto a cart with a hydraulic pusher system that indexes through the kiln at specified rates based on ambient temperature, moisture content, and desired throughput. The UniFlow kiln uses the same pusher system, except both tracks are loaded at the same end. Instead of having the hydraulics on either side of the kiln running opposite each other, both pushers are on the same side of the kiln, indexed together moving in the same direction. The result is impressive push rates, gaining two more feet per hour with 20 degrees less heat.
www.usnr.com

Wellons
Wellons continues to provide effective lumber drying technology for over 50 years. Using specialized expertise, Wellons provides full turnkey installation. Offering both greenfield and batch kiln conversion options, Wellons’ continuous drying systems provide significant advantages over traditional batch kilns, including production guarantees that are met or exceeded, increased annual drying production, up to 30 per cent thermal energy recovery, and improved grade recovery. The systems also provide lower standard deviation on target moisture control, optimal utilization with the chamber always 100 per cent full of lumber and more consistent lumber feed through the planer.
www.wellons.com

NYLE DRY KILNS
Nyle Dry Kilns introduced a new industry-leading kiln control this year. The NDK 2.0R provides kiln operators with an innovative and advanced control system, allowing them complete control over their kiln schedules and product quality. The new control boasts the same features Nyle has had in their controls for years while adding advanced features such as; Electronic Wet-Bulb/ Dry-Bulb, four operating modes, mobile/web-based controls, and an advanced scheduling system. The “R” in the controls name stands for “Retrofit,” meaning their control will integrate with any existing kiln regardless of the manufacturer.
www.nyle.com

Finna Sensors
The innovative Finna Sensors KilnScout system provides the industry’s leading wireless in-kiln moisture control system for batch and continuous kilns. Using capacitive measurement technology, KilnScout allows lumber manufacturers to control the drying process from direct moisture content input. This eliminates the costly feedback loop from the planer mill and unreliable time-based drying schedules. The result is improved grade recovery, increased throughput and a significant impact on the bottom line.
www.finnasensors.com

USNR looks forward to a long-term relationship with DrekiTek Software Solutions Ltd as it continues the development and support of the DynaStar system. DynaStar customers will continue to receive the excellent support they expect along with ongoing development of the product. Existing software support agreement customers will continue to receive product support through the DrekiTek organization.

Jeffrey Taavettilan-Davis, CEO and founder of DrekiTek Software Solutions Ltd said: “Our team is looking forward to further enhancing the existing software’s functionality and transitioning the DynaStar Software into a fully web-based product. We plan to take this premier software package, now our flagship software product, to new levels while retaining its robust features, functionality, and easy-to-use interface. We will be honouring all existing software support agreements and existing sales contracts with clients, many of which are already excited about the takeover and looking forward to a new and modernized DynaStar.”

USNR is now a referrer of the DynaStar Software Package.

Terms of the private transaction were not disclosed.

BID
Discover the power of optimization with artificial intelligence. You can now experience all the benefits from the artificial intelligence (deep learning) revolution. BID’s concentrated investments in R&D enabled the company’s team to combine its industry-leading optimization software with AI to create the next proven, powerful innovations in optimization performance. Customer results are remarkable: unsurpassed accuracy of defect and species identification, up to 100 times faster than generic algorithms, improved grading, and much more. The Comact GradExpert with AI offers the fastest return on investment in the industry.
www.bidgroup.ca 

JoeScan
The sawmill scanning experts at JoeScan have been working hard to develop next-gen scanners for more machine centers and will soon bring the proven simplicity of their JS-50 scan head to more parts of the sawmill. Mills love how the latest JS-50 WX model performs on their edgers and trimmers. It’s a robust, reliable platform that is very easy to use. JoeScan will debut several new scanners at the TP&EE trade show in Portland, Oregon, Sept. 28 to 30.
www.joescan.com

LINCK
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. A Microtec Truespin scanner is used where a camera records a characteristic pattern on the log surface and where log position is transmitted during the whole rotating process. The software determines the true log rotating position to be compared with the theoretical one. Any deviations is compensated by immediately adjusting the position of the rotating rollers.
www.linck.com

MiCROTEC
MiCROTEC’s Logeye 900 Stereo has stereoscopic imaging system providing a full 360-degree scan of a log as it’s rolling into the carriage, headrig, or end dogger. Since the scanning takes place as it’s transferred into position, the log is already fully optimized and ready for sawing the instant it is dogged. This leads to higher throughput speeds and vastly improved recovery, as the entire surface of the log is imaged without shadows or occlusions. The scanner is also able to detect the current rotation of the log at any point in the process, allowing full rotation optimization and turn correction, a feature that was only previously possible on lineal log scanning lines.
www.microtec.us

Prologic+
Prologic+ joined forces with Finnos, which specializes in X-ray scanners; Prologic+ specializes in log optimization and TrueShape scanners. This collaboration has allowed both companies to create the ProX-Ray Scanner. Whether it is for detecting rot inside logs/stems or sorting logs for MSR qualities or to consider the log’s internal characteristics in the optimized solution, the ProX-Ray can do it all. This scanner can be used on log merchandiser systems, log sorters and sawlines.
www.prologicplus.com

Raptor
StemScanner is the evolution of log scanning moved upstream to tackle the requirements of multi-saw merchandisers. The system models downstream machine centers and optimizes allowable products in each stem segment created. Each log produced can be routed to the preferred machine center for further processing. It supports single or multiple lineal scan zones to build a 3D model of the stem at high production speeds. Scan density is determined by the sensor of choice with typical resolutions in the range of ½ inch to 2 inches between slices. The intuitive browser-based interface with 3D graphics enables quick access to solution diagnostics and critical solution information.
www.raptorint.ca

TELCO SENSORS
The SpaceScan is a high-power, self-contained industrial light curtain system made for the sawmill and wood products industry. Generating a dense infrared multi-beam light grid, the system offers a sensing range of 10 meters with high excess gain and 100,000 lux light immunity. The series is available in a wide array of sensing heights, ranging from just 160 mm up to 2460 mm, making it suitable for almost any application. The light curtains are housed in sturdy aluminum profiles which are fully sealed for a waterproof IP67 rating and are designed to withstand severe vibration, shock, and misalignment.
www.telcosensors.com

VAB
VAB successfully brings to market new scanners/optimizers designed specifically for the needs of grading rough and dressed hard wood. The first of these scanners will be installed in Midwestern U.S. and uses multiple detection technologies including high speed cameras, both gray scale and color, as well as modules of artificial intelligence that search the highly precise imagery in comparison with specific databases to grade for such defects as blond knots, bark encasement within knots and checks plus worm/grub holes, etc. VAB has also seen the first oversized linear optimizer be put into service able to scan dimensions beams and cants up to 10 x 12 – 30 feet.
www.vab-solutions.com

Weinig
After a few years now of implementing the new SENSE scanner lines with deep learning artificial intelligence in many ripping and crosscutting installation for both hardwoods and softwoods application, Weinig is taking this technology to our entry level equipment and now offers a wide range of solutions with the AI core. 

From Weinig’s flagship Combiscan SENSE systems for High speed ripping or crosscutting optimization, all the way to the EasyScan Smart, EasyScan Lite and EasyScan RT series, Weinig propose reliable technologies for higher yield and increase profitability .
www.weinig.com

Therefore, filing rooms need experienced and seasoned sawfilers more than ever. The sawfiler’s role may have changed, but the need for the sawfiler’s knowledge has not. An experienced sawfiler will take this change and make it work for both filer and mill. When a filer embraces this change and allows the robotics in his filing room to do the recurring task, it not only relieves the filer to do other tasks, but also helps prevent health risks associated with labour-intensive and repetitive jobs. Just as the head filer would train and oversee an apprentice, he still will need to program, set and keep watch over the robot. This is a never-ending process. 

Robotics can not determine for themselves how a tooth should be configured, nor can a robot know when parts need to be replaced or aligned. Because robotics must be programmed, it may help with retaining some of the filer’s knowledge of saw measurements and requirements to perform its best run. Almost everyone can relate to walking in the filing room and seeing writings on the walls that a filer would reference to –  how much back a band needs, or what tension worked better for what saw – but information had to be kept to allow recurring success in the filing room. I can remember hearing often a filer saying, “do not erase that chalk on the wall.” Today this information is retained in programs that are written for robotic filing equipment by sawfilers. 

Mill owners and managers would not take a non-experienced sawfiler off the mill floor and have them operate robotics in a filing room. No more than a race car owner or manager would pull a licensed driver out of the stands to drive their race car. 

However, we do have our filing rooms filled with new high tech CNC machines with robotic capabilities that have made the sawfiler’s job not only easier but also possible to acquire an accurate cutting performance that has never been achieved with repeatable performance.  In the last five years we have seen big advancement with machines and technology in our filing rooms. This is a good thing because right outside our filing room doors, on the mill floors, we are seeing machines that require the saws we build and repair to turn faster, run straighter, while taking feed speeds we never thought possible. We now find, not only do we have to keep the saws standing up fast while in the cut, but also keeping them standing up without waving to side, shifting on the fly, pretty much at the blink of an eye. 

We are faced today with not enough seasoned sawfilers for our mills. The filers we do have are experiencing a movement with new and advanced machines to help get the saws repaired and sharpened. These machines need well-trained and knowledgeable filers to operate them. We do have these machines but we do not have AI; we do have intelligent saw filers that will have a job in the filing room for as long as we have a wood industry.

A good sawfiler will ask for this advanced, high-tech equipment along with the best saws available that will allow them to provide the saws needed to run in today’s sawmills. Good sawfilers have always stepped up to provide for the latest thin kerf, fast running moneymaking machines that are outside our filing room doors. Good mill managers will support their filers while finding ways and funding to support them with the right equipment and personnel needs. Good vendors will continue to provide information on products to the filing room, help with return-on-investment needs and ideas, while providing knowledge of both the pros and cons of new machines being considered for the filing room. 

Paul Smith is the owner and CEO of Smith Sawmill Service LLC with locations in Texas, Louisiana and North Carolina. Reach him at paul@smithsawmillservice.com.

Read the full announcement here.

“Mills love how our latest JS-50 WX model performs on their edgers and trimmers,” said JoeScan president Joey Nelson. “It’s a robust, reliable platform that is very easy to use. So we’ve been working hard to develop next-gen scanners for more machine centers.”

JoeScan will debut several new scanners at the Timber Processing & Energy Expo (TP&EE) in Portland, Oregon from September 28 to 30. Stop by their booth or visit joescan.com to learn more.

The capacity of the gullet will impact cutting efficiency. The gullet must hold enough sawdust to avoid overfilling or packing. If the gullet is too small and too much sawdust and chips fill the gullet then they will pack, causing resistance and overheating. This loads down the machine, requiring more energy and causing damage to the saw. 

Gullets with too much capacity can be just as bad as gullets with not enough capacity. Gullets that are too large may cause a weak tooth. This can lead to bent teeth, tooth loss and vibration. It may even contribute to what is known in the industry as wash boarding. Therefore, we need the gullet to be properly designed and balanced to match the needs of the saw.

Feed speed, rpms, depth of cut, chip or sawdust expansion along with tooth bite and tooth space all determine the ideal size of the gullet. You will need a gullet that will hold the sawdust long enough to extract it as the tooth comes back around to the other side and exits the cut. This gullet needs to be large enough to loosely hold the sawdust cut from each tooth. Green, moist sawdust packed in a gullet to full capacity could get stuck and have a hard time getting thrown out of the gullet. This will increase friction and unwanted heat. Left unchecked, the blade will overheat and become damaged.

The gullet’s edges must be kept square to contain the sawdust until it is discharged. Smooth, rounded edges in the gullets will cause sawdust spillage: sawdust spilling down between the saw plate and the wood being cut. This also creates heat on the saw leading to saw damage and poorly cut lumber. Too much spillage will even cause the saw to be pushed over due to the lack of clearance for the saw to pass through the wood.

Grinding the gullets can be performed with a post grinder or more automated profile grinder. For circle saws, our shop finds that the best and most efficient way is to mill it with a cutting tool using a CNC milling machine using a fourth axis. After programming the profile configuration and saving the program, it proves to be an easy, less time consuming and perfect job without adding heat to change the gullet’s hardness. Gullets will also harden with the constant pounding from the sawdust. If the gullets are not kept ground or milled they can crack. 

For bandsaws, grinding of the gullets is pretty much needed after every run. Most filers continue to lightly grind a round or two on their profile grinders that will take just enough off to get past that hardened steel, taking the saw back to the correct hardness. Some filers use a dremel or round file to achieve the same results. For roundsaws, we have a directive in place to grind the gullets every time the saw is retipped. It is very important to keep the gullets square. This will keep the sawdust in the gullet and not allow it to spill out the low side.

In other columns, I have stated that sharpness and design of the tooth is the most important thing about a guided circular saw. I will add that a sharp, well-designed tooth cannot function without the right gullet. Size, shape and condition of the gullet are all important, especially for bandsaws. The deeper and less radius a gullet has, the more likely the stress at the bottom of the gullet which will cause gullet cracks. Other concerns are poor grinding, leaving burrs and overheating the sawplate during grinding. All of these factors can result in deficiencies in the gullet.

At the end of the shift, the number of teeth and the size and shape of the gullet should be engineered or designed to work in unison to not overload the gullet and break teeth or create sawdust so fine that it washes out of the gullet, overheating the saw. If designed properly, the gullet should hold and carry the sawdust created by the tooth until the tooth leaves the bottom of the cut.

A saw manufacturer will help you determine the gullet requirements that will match up to your sawing needs. You will have to supply a few key components about your operation, such as: bore/spine diameter, outside diameter, plate thickness and kerf along with your operating rpms, maximum and minimum depth of cut and feed speed.

Paul Smith is the owner and CEO of Smith Sawmill Service LLC with locations in Texas, Louisiana and North Carolina. Reach him at paul@smithsawmillservice.com.

Here’s a snapshot of our takeaways from the featured articles, videos and columns.

1) Old and new: Our main coverage this week was from the BC Saw Filers Association annual convention that took place in Kamloops on the weekend. From supply chain disruptions to recruiting new blood to the trade, there was a lot to cover after two years apart.

2) From the trade show floor: We shared product highlights from convention trade show, including video spotlights on Precision Machinery’s Precision Flow Management system, the Gerling Automation SawMaster automatic tip brazing machine, Iseli’s BNP200 bandsaw profile grinder, the Hammerhead 3000 all-in-one bandsaw processing centre, and Wood Fiber Group’s 3D modelling service.

3) When enough is enough: Paul smith shared a true story about a sawfiler in Texas whose decision to retire after many years hand swaging bandsaws has a lesson for all mills today about the importance of automation in retaining filers.

4) Family of filers: Our latest filing room profile story brings readers inside AM Ludwig Saw Shop in Thunder Bay where three generations of Ludwig filers are keeping saws sharp for mills across Northern Ontario.

5) Saw Filing 101: CFI saw filing columnist Paul Smith’s newest piece is all about the gullet. “Feed speed, rpms, depth of cut, chip or sawdust expansion along with tooth bite and tooth space all determine the ideal size of the gullet,” Smith writes. Read his tips and tricks for determining your gullet requirements.

CFI’s File Week landing page is a year-round hub for both sawfilers and other stakeholders to learn best practices and find the latest information on advancements in saw filing technology. Find the landing page here, or anytime on our website’s MENU tab, under Explore.

See you next year for File Week 2023!

Thanks again to our generous sponsors: Supersaul Chemmex and Petro-Canada Lubricants

OptiSaw is a time-effective and affordable continuous learning opportunity for all sawmillers, taking place in person in Kelowna, B.C. on June 9.

Speakers including researchers and innovative manufacturers will offer valuable insight into the cutting edge of sawmilling technologies and processes, and share strategies to optimize production.

Sessions include:

• A new level of detection with the AI: New sensing technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) are improving defects detection on lumber.
• Adapting to a changing fibre supply: New results from a sawing simulation study on log CT scanning
• Three in one: An alternative to the lug loader, fence and trimmer
• Monitoring conditions: New research shows the effect of wood conditioning on sawing performance and monitoring
• A new vision: Ultrasonic systems are successfully detecting internal defects in wood products to fully optimize production quality.
• Understanding saw anti-deviation: The technology behind measuring forces on the saw blades before actual deviation occurs for rapid feedback.
• Functional safeguarding of a planer system: How control system isolation devices (CSIDs) provide a safe, compliant, efficient system that reduces jam clearing-related downtime by 50 per cent.
• Connecting CT log scanning to headrigs: How CT scanning close-coupled to the sawmill transfers CT Optimized internal breakdown data to the headrig.

Plus, reconnect with our exciting group of sponsors who are releasing cutting-edge technology to the market.

Register by clicking here.

This article is part of CFI’s 2022 File Week. Find the File Week landing page here.

High performance canter head
New on the trade show floor, DK-Spec introduced its advanced high-performance canter head. The custom-designed head boasts more than 80 hours of uninterrupted production per knife side. Fewer components and replaceable wear parts allow for easy knife changes and minimal maintenance costs. DK-Spec went through an extensive R&D process to design a knife with high chip quality and increased capacity. They have 20 units in service to date.
www.dkspec.com

Read our coverage of the 2022 conference program here. 

Bandsaw profile grinder

Thode Canada showed off an Iseli BNP200 bandsaw profile grinder. The fully automated machine is controlled with four CNC axes, with automatic loading of the blade. The machine positions the blade to a pre-set height and closes the blade clamp. The BNP200 automatically scans the teeth and determines the zero points before beginning the grinding process. The operator loads the blade and starts the machine with the push of a button. Watch our video of Thode Canada’s Phillip Higgins outlining the machine.
www.thodecanada.ca

Guide lube solution
Supersaul Chemmex was at the show to talk about their guide lube solution for reduce sawing consumables for guided saw systems. Their latest hardware allows for any preferred lubricant, with design efficiencies built into it that not only save on daily and monthly consumables but also provide excellent sawing performance improvements. Saw box consumable savings are expected to be a minimum of a 25 per cent reduction.
www.supersaulchemmex.com

Hammerhead 3000
Williams & White brought their latest offering to the show, the Hammerhead 3000. The machine is an all-in-one bandsaw processing centre designed to automatically tension and level a band saw with ease. The machine features three high-precision sensors and an auto tracking system that lines up the saw blade automatically in the machine. Two feeder rolls and a double head system allows for independent tensioning and levelling operations. The Hammerhead 3000 includes a fence and light curtain – a safety feature that Williams & White’s Riley Kufta says they are expecting to see more and more of in North American sawmills. Watch our video on the Hammerhead 3000 here.
www.williamsandwhite.com

New saw guides player
A new B.C.-based company introduced itself at the BC Saw Filers show. Ramtek, based in Burnaby, B.C., is offering CNC machined steel and aluminum saw guides with guaranteed accuracy within 0.00025”. The company uses a Zeiss CDC co-ordinate measuring machine to test each guide, guaranteeing optimal performance and efficiency. They offer heil-coil inserts or threads, which provide extra protection against thread damage.
www.ramtek.ca

Company merger
Wood Fiber Group’s merger with USNR was top of mind for both companies at the sawfilers show. Wood Fiber Group’s vice-president of marketing, Dave Purinton, said the combined experience gives customers the full spectrum of experience when it comes to diagnosing sawmill challenges and designing solutions. In March, the companies announced a combined leadership team, with Wood Fiber Group’s Craig Tompkins taking up the role of CEO and USNR’s Dale Brown named president. Wood Fiber Group also showed off their new 3D modelling service that can help customers visuals how new capital investments will physically and functionally fit into their work process. Watch a video of Purinton highlighting the merger here.
www.woodfibergroup.com

Automatic tip brazing
HMT Machine Tools Canada brought the Gerling Automation SawMaster automatic tip brazing machine to the show. The latest iteration of the SawMaster features a tip sorting system with a laser that measures the tips’ profile for exact orientation. A sensor allows for removal of individual tips or complete removal of all tips. The brazing machine also includes an option for cutting and positioning of the silver solder shim and flux onto the tip which allows for the use of non pretinned tips. Watch a video of HMT Machine Tool’s Brian Hass outlining the features of the machine.
www.hmtcanada.ca

Saw guide lubrication

Industrial Autolube International had a booth at the show and owner Dean Maier presented their solution during the conference program. The modular saw guide lubrication system optimizes the flow of oil and water. Controlled by a PLC, the system interfaces with the mill and includes alarms and an alarm history. Customers can dial in exact measurements of what they need to maintain saws, stabilize oil flow, and reduce water consumption. The result is often dryer sawdust and less saw flutter, which can amount to big savings.
www.autolube.ca

Low viscosity saw guide lubricant 
Petro-Canada Lubricants was at the show to talk about their PETROGLIDE ELV – a premium quality saw guide oil tested for multi-blade gang saws and edgers. It is an emulsifying low viscosity saw guide lubricant that helps to reduce deviation and improve on-spec board production. The emulsifiable formulation allows for better lubricity, which helps reduce wear and heat build-up for both saw guides and blades, minimizing saw deviation and maximizing recovery. That means fewer saw and guide changes, longer cutting cycles, less unscheduled maintenance and lower operating costs. The saw guide oil has a low pour point and wide temperature operating capability. A potent anti-rust additive keeps blades cleaner helping to increase saw and guide life and minimize wood losses. The oil is designed to emulsify with water for enhanced cooling efficiency.
www.lubricants.petro-canada.com

This article is part of CFI’s 2022 File Week. Find the File Week landing page here.

Keeping up with the latest on the filing room – from industry challenges to the newest in automation technology – is important for not just sawfilers, but everyone in the mill.

Canadian Forest Industries has you covered with File Week 2022, our week-long focus on saw filing innovations and accomplishments, beginning today.

We’re posting cutting edge content both from our archives as well as brand-new stories and product news from the BC Saw Filers Association convention that took place May 27 and 28 in Kamloops, B.C.

We are highlighting:

• stories from the filing room
• technical articles on saw filing automation
• equipment spotlights on the latest saw filing gear
• columns from Paul Smith
• coverage from the BC Saw Filers Association convention, and more!

CFI’s File Week landing page is a year-round hub for both sawfilers and other stakeholders to learn best practices and find the latest information on advancements in saw filing technology.

Thank you to our 2022 sponsors for making this week possible: Supersaul Chemmex and Petro-Canada Lubricants.

Find the landing page here and enjoy File Week 2022!

The facility will grow by 18,000 square feet, representing a 35 per ent increase in manufacturing space. The larger area will allow for the assembly of the more complex equipment to meet growing demand. The expanded facility will contribute to increasing BID’s ability to deliver its comprehensive line-up of innovative technologies to its highly valued customers.

“We are humbled and honoured by the enduring trust from our customers whose successes are driving the need for these types of investments. We are excited to be expanding our presence in the Beauce region of Quebec and to be adding more high-quality jobs to our existing 450-person workforce,” said Adam Infanti, chief financial officer at BID.

Excavation will begin immediately, and construction will be complete in the fall of 2022. This expansion will create 30 new jobs, primarily for machinists, mechanics, and welders.