SOFTAC Systems Ltd. Of Surrey B.C just complete a new optimized trimmer line for TMI Forest Products Inc. in Morton Washington. 

The new line included the single source supply of all lumber transfers, a high speed  SEC Posi- Lock fence and  high speed Trimmer, Optimizer and  new out-feed to the existing pull chain. In addition to the Optimization equipment SOFTAC provided all of the conveyors and Drive control VFD’s in a custom cabinet providing complete PLC control of the system. Optimization of dark coloured  thin Cedar boards can be challenging when tight lumber parameters have to be considered, but the close scan density profile scanning coupled with ¼” length detection made this possible for TMI Forest Products.

“Cedar Optimization at a board mill is not too common, especially with all of the special detail that is needed to transport the material without damage and the absorption of the laser power on dark material,” said Ian Bowman of Softac.

The Accurate fence positioning and modular saw-box design of saw spacing also allows for greater flexibility in finished trim decisions from the Optimizer. The mill is currently looking at adding hole detection software to the existing solution software for additional recovery at the Trimmer.

TMI currently process Cedar boards from 4ft to 8ft in length and from  3 1’2” to 8” in width to the U.S fencing and Decking market and have already seen the benefit of this new equipment in their production.

John O’Brien, Plant Manager said that the mill’s objectives for the upgrade specifically targeted “increased throughput and grade recovery.” He added that, “it’s an ongoing thing. We are constantly upgrading the mill.”

The new Softac system “has made a difference in grade recovery. Our 2 and better percentage has increased noticeably,” he noted.

It has been a learning process since the system was started up in October, 2008. “We cut a 5/18 thick board and our wain rules are different than a stud mill or a dimension mill so it’s a learning process for everyone,” he explained. “There are not many mills that cut cedar fencing.” 

Operators have gotten the hang of the system quickly. “The system itself is pretty basic for an operator,” O’Brien said. “Basically, the operators are now making sure boards are presented to the system in an orderly fashion. They used to input the trim solutions manually and at the speeds we were running, they were missing the board they wanted to trim and trimming two after it, that sort of thing. It’s made a noticeable difference.”

“It’s a leap forward,” he added. “We are affected by the economy like everybody else but when the market does turn around, we’ll be ready to roll.”

The system is currently running at 100 pieces per minute with a re-man tipple to the Rip saw where pieces are identified by an ink marker from generated Optimizer solutions. 

The installation including removal of existing equipment was completed over a 7 day period with round the clock service from the TMI staff, SOFTAC technicians and local contractors.