Achieving the maximum value from raw materials makes sound econ-omic and environmental sense for woodworking companies of all sizes.
The problem is that numerous criteria are involved, with different cross-sections and lengths to be processed and various grades and quantities required. This becomes even more complex when finger-jointing or edge-gluing are involved because timber remnants of diverse dimensions have to be machined and different grades are needed for different products such as glued panels, rails and mouldings.
The solution is optimising technology – a speciality of German manufacturer Paul.
Represented in the UK by solid wood processing solutions specialist Woodtech Machinery Paul is well known for its range of CNC circular saws and has developed optimising systems for both cross-cutting and ripcutting/edging operations.
Optimisation will increase yield, minimise waste (and therefore disposal costs) and improve the quality of timber. But that’s just the beginning. The system can also be used to log production data, provide information about the raw material, aid controlled stock warehousing and enable efficient just-in-time production (with rapid response if customers change their specifications).
In other words, this technology gives com-panies greater control over their production processes.
Optimisation methods
Paul’s optimisation program includes simulation features so that all functions of the saw can be tested individually. Optimisation calculations can be carried out during a simulation to aid optimum setting of the various criteria.
Another important benefit is that the optimising computer can be connected to an office PC for extensive processing and evaluation of production data. For example, grades contained in each batch of timber can be analysed in order to monitor and compare the quality of material from different suppliers.
Using the control panel, the operator enters the production criteria into the optimising computer, which is linked to the CNC saw. Paul’s software provides the flexibility to set different optimisation methods – depending on whether the customer wants to cut the maximum size from each piece of timber, produce strictly to cutting lists, and/or achieve the best quality by removing defects.
As each piece of timber is conveyed through the measuring station, sensors detect its length, width and thickness (the latter allowing the system to identify the presence of wane for edging operations). If the customer also requires defect removal, additional sensors are used to detect chalk marks which the operator applies to unacceptable features such as splits.
For the ultimate in automatic defect detection Paul offers the ‘Woodeye’ colour camera system, which simultaneously checks all four sides of the timber and can identify a huge range of features including grain and colour. Woodeye operates at full line speed – which would be impossible with manual grading – and unlike the human eye it never tires and is always consistent and accurate.
Data from the sensors is fed to the computer, which checks the criteria previously entered and calculates the optimum cutting pattern needed to minimise waste, maximise yield and produce the number of pieces required.
‘Paul’s expertise in optimisation is complemented by the speed, accuracy, first-class engineering and virtually maintenance-free design of its CNC saws,’ said Murray Kenneth, managing director of Woodtech Machinery. ‘That’s a powerful combination which adds up to increased profit potential for woodworking companies of all sizes – whether they need a stand-alone saw or an integrated line incorporating ripping, cross-cutting, stacking and sorting stations for automated high volume production.’
