March 2004 Volume 10, Number 3
March 2004 Volume 10, Number 3
By Diane Calabrese
GRENADA, Mississippi-- Hankins Lumber Co. decided in early 2003 that improvements to the sawmill head rig and carriage were needed because that part of the mill had no scanning equipment or optimization technology.
Al Hankins, CEO and president of Hankins Lumber, undertook significant research. Ultimately, he chose the YieldMaster StereoScanTM 3-D system from Inovec Inc., which is headquartered in Eugene, Ore.
 |
| Inovec YieldMaster StereoScanTM3-D optimization system utilizes laser scanners that continue to ‘read’ and analyze log after face is removed. |
Al’s decision was based on a study of the Inovec system at other mills, experience with a similar Inovec system at a previously owned mill, and the experience that mill manager Jody King had with an Inovec system at a former employer.
At the same time that Hankins Lumber added the Inovec YieldMaster StereoScan system, it replaced the carriage. The mill put in a newly remanufactured carriage from Cox Brothers in New Hope, Ark., replacing a rack and pinion carriage that had seen many years of service. The new carriage from Cox Brothers is a 42-inch left-hand, heavy-duty, three block model with linear positions on the knees.
The Hankins Lumber sawmill manufactures Southern pine dimension lumber from 2x4 to 2x12 and 1-inch material. The mill, running one shift, saws exclusively pine, including loblolly, longleaf and shortleaf.
The Inovec YieldMaster StereoScan optimization system utilizes LMI DynaVisionTML-4 laser scanners to obtain a complete picture of the contours of the log. As the carriage travels toward the saw, the Inovec YieldMaster StereoScan captures a thorough view of the log with the aid of the laser technology. Laser lines projected onto the front and top of the log are viewed from two angles at a speed of 60 times per second with CCD cameras.
The laser lines drawn across the log are analyzed, and the Inovec YieldMaster StereoScan produces a digitized image of the log. The system determines the optimum sawing solution for the opening face and positions the log for the first cut. Each face is scanned, and the Inovec YieldMaster StereoScan analyzes the log for the next position.
When Jody spoke with TimberLine in early February, he already had good numbers that demonstrate the benefits of the Inovec technology. The Inovec YieldMaster StereoScan has enabled the company to increase production and yield. "So far, it’s picked our log count up 20 percent," said Jody. "It’s picked up our yield five to six percent."
| "It’s picked up our yield five to six percent." |
With the log count up, more raw material can be moved through the mill per unit of time. "We’re running about 800 logs a day on the machine," said Jody, which is up from about 650 logs previously. In addition to the increase in log count, the mill has experienced improved recovery.
For all the capabilities of the Inovec YieldMaster StereoScan as well as the benefits it has already provided, the one thing that continues to grab everyone’s attention is the improved recovery, said Jody. The flitches coming off the head rig look superb. "It makes beautiful faces," he said.
The ability of the Inovec YieldMaster StereoScan to analyze the log and determine the optimum opening face-- and subsequent faces-- to cut significantly improves grade recovery and yield and saves time, labor and money.
Although Hankins Lumber relies on its Inovec YieldMaster StereoScan to optimize for best grade, the sawyer can use the system to maximize yield, for cutting specialty products or a combination of objectives.
Everyone at Hankins Lumber who was involved in the process of adding the Inovec YieldMaster StereoScan has been impressed with it. The praise the system gets from Chris Larson and Bobby Miller illustrates the point, explained Jody.
Chris, who handles PLC and computer support for Hankins Lumber, was involved in the electric aspects of the installation. Bobby, who is responsible for plant maintenance, was in charge of the fine-tuning hydraulic line setting and more. They both give the Inovec YieldMaster StereoScan high marks. "They both like it," said Jody. "It’s a lot easier on everybody."
The greatest test comes from the day-to-day users, and the reaction of the sawyers has been enormously positive. "They love it," said Jody. "It’s so much easier now." They just put the log on the carriage and hit a button, he said.
the story continues...
Inovec Home | Inovec Success Stories | Page 2 of this story
(c) Copyright 2004, Industrial Reporting, Inc., reproduced here by permission. This article may not be reproduced without written consent of Industrial Reporting, Inc. 10244 Timber Ridge Rd. Ashland, VA 23005 Phone: (804) 550-0323 or FAX (804) 740-2826.