"Within radiata pine, precise pith detection is especially important for determining final product quality and resale value," explains Microtec CEO Dott. Ing. Federico Giudiceandrea "Knots, pitch pockets, splits, blue stain and other wood defects are identified and chopped out for clear wood production."
When Ross Richardson, Managing Director of Niagara Sawmilling Company Ltd. decided to upgrade his factory’s equipment due to growing market demand, his thoughts turned to System TM and Microtec and local dealer Southern Cross Engineering to explore how Niagara could maximize its production. The outcome was a new extensive cross-cut and finger-jointing line with much to offer in terms of yield and optimization.
From defect to perfect in one system
Initially, package-feeding occurs using a tilt hoist that places two packs on top of each other. Then, workpieces are fed at up to 60 workpieces/minute into a 250-meter Ledinek planer with 4 spindles. Next, workpieces are examined by a Microtec Curvescan deformity scanner that measures bow, twist, and crook. A Microtec Optiside scanner further looks at the boards' annual rings to identify the wood pith on workpieces.
A Microtec moisture meter M3 Scan determines the moisture content of workpieces before they are scanned on all four sides by a Goldeneye 500 Multi-Sensor Quality Scanner featuring an X-ray unit. The Goldeneye optimizer software than calculates the best cutting position for both cross-cut as well as rip optimization. This data is used by three Opti-Kap 5103 cross-cut saws that follow. As workpieces enter the cross-cut saws, the optimizing software program instructs the saws how to cut workpieces for maximum wood utilization.
Workpieces exit the cross-cut saws onto three sorting belt conveyors, giving Niagara three sorting options: one for re-rip blocks, one for finger jointing blocks, and one for long fixed lengths. Finger jointing blocks are cut into various short lengths and stored in bins where eight outfeed walking floor bins are filled with different wood qualities. Once the outfeed walking floors are emptied, workpieces are either processed by a horizontal Opti-Joint H-200 or a vertical Opti-Joint V-8 finger jointing machine.
Niagara’s strategy = more money in the pocket
The true cost of waste is not simply the cost of discarded materials, it also encompasses inefficient use of raw materials. Niagara puts money in its pocket by employing an effective waste and resource management strategy focusing on sustainable plantation-grown radiata pine and whole-tree utilization. Reject wood is chipped, creating an ‘'eco'’ woodfuel for new low emission boilers. Bark and sawdust are blended with peat to produce composts and mulch. Finally, shavings and sawdust are used to generate energy to run Niagara’s kilns. As a result, Niagara profits both from the economic and environmental benefits of waste reduction.
From start to finish, the line takes in raw material and produces two types of finished, flawless, finger-jointed products (horizontal and vertical). As a result, the multifunctionality of this line manifests itself in its flexibility to produce both types of finger joints simultaneously. Built with a high degree of multifunctionality and flexibility, this line encompasses many production processes within one single system.
3D board shape scanner detects lumber distortion such as twist, bow, spring and cup.
A Microtec Optiside scanner further looks at the boards' annual rings to identify the wood pith on workpieces.
Goldeneye 500 with state-of-the-art cameras, laser and X-ray technology sensors delivers most accurate defect detection and cross-cut optimization.
Knots, pitch pockets, splits, blue stain, pith and other wood defects of radiata pine are identified and chopped out for clear wood production.
Three Opti-Kap 5103 cross-cut saws cut the workpieces into components with an accuracy of ± 0.75 mm (0.03”) in cross-cut lengths up to 1,000 mm (39’’).
Workpieces exit the cross-cut saws onto three sorting belt conveyors, giving Niagara three sorting options: one for re-rip blocks, one for finger jointing blocks, and one for long fixed lengths.
System TM’s horizontal finger jointer, the Opti-Joint H-200, processes 200 workpieces/minute. A hydraulic press unit presses the workpieces together and forms lengths of 7.2 meters. Once the horizontal finger-jointing process is complete, workpieces move onto a large tower with room for 59 workpieces to dry and harden.
Workpieces can be cut into three pieces using a multiple cross-cut saw, before they are stacked by an Opti-Stack 6000 stacker, packed and transported to subsequent processes.
An example of Niagaras products, fascia boards, weatherboards, and window reveals.
With 80 years of sawmilling in New Zealand, Niagara operates with the latest technology in sawmilling, kiln drying, treatment, finger jointing, laminating and precision-profiling.
Niagara supplies national and international markets with treated outdoor timber products for building or manufacturing purposes.