USNR News April 2006 on the web www.usnr.com

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USNR's PLR system significantly improves turn accuracy and recovery.

The system can also be used as a troubleshooting mechanism for mechanical and PLC functions.

The PLR system can be used on high speed log lines, sharp chains, end doggers and carriages to bring a new level of precision and recovery to these systems.

PLR - Antidote for the invisible recovery killer

Log turning is widely recognized as an important function to maximize production as well as value in the primary breakdown process. With the introduction of optimization, primary breakdown systems have become extremely precise, commonly fitting board solutions in fiber that would previously have been chipped away.

Now that advanced levels of precision are the norm, suddenly the accuracy of a log turning system can make or break your recovery ratio, depending on its ability to mechanically achieve the optimizer’s suggested rotation.

It’s understandable that the nature of moving mechanical parts will cause even the most finely tuned system to go out of alignment over time. While this is an accepted fact, it can cost you significantly in terms of reduced recovery and lower grade lumber.

Maintaining the accuracy of a log turning system can be surprisingly difficult however, mainly because it’s hard to identify how well the system is actually working. Sure you can start and stop the system to check individual logs, but that won’t tell you how the machine performs at running speeds over time.

USNR developed the Precision Log Rotation (PLR) system to simultaneously verify the accuracy of your log turner or auto-rotation system, and automatically make any necessary correction turns to ensure you get the best turn on every log.

Not only that, it can be used as a trouble-shooting mechanism for mechanical and PLC systems, in addition to its function as a value-added precision rotation correction system.

The beauty of the PLR system is that it’s a simple system without a lot of mechanical parts. This simple solution to an often hidden problem adds profit to your bottom line in the form of higher recovery and increased production of more boards, longer boards and more wane-free boards.

We have found that log turning systems in most mills are so far out of tune, they’re not even performing up to the original manufacturer’s performance standards!

PLR is a troubleshooting mechanism for mechanical and PLC functions
PLR improves turn accuracy and recovery above and beyond mechanical function limitations
PLR is a preventive maintenance diagnostic tool for identifying mechanical issues

Several beta test sites have seen significant improvement on wood quality and recovery. One mill reported, “The system helps ensure mechanical stays up to spec by identifying issues that cause it to go out of spec”. Another said, “The product helps us achieve the optimized solutions and provides instant feedback to tell us how we’re doing”.

The Precision Log Rotation System (PLR) takes log rotation to a new level of accuracy. It closes the loop on the log rotation process by monitoring the actual rotation angle of a line striped onto a log and providing feedback directly to the PLC system that controls the log rotation.

The PLR system can be used on high speed log lines, sharp chains, end doggers and carriages to bring a new level of precision and recovery to these systems. Typically, the system more than doubles the accuracy of log turning systems on high speed lines, and achieves accuracies of better than four degrees of turn error, depending on the capabilities of the mechanical turning system. The system is easy to install, requires little maintenance, and can be incorporated with any combination of PLC and Optimizer system. Ask for it by name, PLR by USNR.

During summers, while attending college at the Oregon Technical Institute, Vern worked at Simpson Timber in Klamath, CA pulling green chain and setting chokers. After receiving a degree in Electronics and Engineering Technology, he began his professional career.

Over the course of the next 28 years, Vern worked for a hand full of companies in various capacities including engineering, project management and sales. Then in 1997, he went to work for Perceptron Forest Products Division which was later acquired by USNR.

Vern and his wife Jean enjoy deep-sea fishing out of Newport OR, boating, snow-skiing and entertaining their two grandsons, ages three and five.

Redesigned Chipper Spout

In a continued commitment to innovation, USNR has implemented several design changes to the Forano style chipper spout that improve chip quality and reduce maintenance costs.

Flexibility
• The bottom plate of the spout has been lowered to create a recess for the vibrating conveyor extension. This allows for a smooth transition between components.

• Evacuation holes have been added to the bottom plate to minimize any accumulation of debris between the spout and the conveyor extension. This reduces the possibility of blockage at the chipper entrance and increases the life expectancy of the vibrating conveyor components.

Quality
• The left side of the spout has been widened allowing the conveyor extension to line up perfectly with the inspection door.This preserves the angle of the spout and greatly improves the flow of material. Improving material flow optimizes chip quality and reduces slivers.

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