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

FEATURES

USNR's PLR system significantly improves turn accuracy and brings a new level of precision and recovery to high speed log lines, sharp chains, end doggers and carriages.

"I certainly would recommend it" - Kevin Moore, Quality Assurance Manager, Tolko, Merritt, BC

The system is easy to install, requires little maintenance and can be incorporated with any combination of PLC and Optimizer system.

PLR Increases Lumber Recovery at Tolko

USNR installed the Precision Log Rotation System (PLR) at Tolko's mill in Merritt, BC in 2005 and Kevin Moore, QA Manager is thrilled with the results. He says, “We have a phenomenal recovery off the line because of it.”

Log turning has been an area of frustration over the years for sawmills. According to PLR Product Manager, Paul Strebig, “Any time you let go of the log, there‘s a possibility of unintentional movement that results in turn errors which will ultimately lower your recovery.”

A log can pass through several different pieces of equipment from the time it’s scanned for auto-rotation to the time it’s actually positioned for the cut. Turning error is directly related to loss of recovery, and the PLR can reduce turn errors by up to half.

The PLR takes log rotation to a new level of accuracy. The system 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.

Kevin Moore says, “It’s working well. We’re getting + or – 5 degrees and it’s gaining us about 10-15 points of LRF.” LRF refers to lumber recovery factor, an average based on cubic meters. He went on to say, “Every point of recovery is equal to about $200,000+ a year, so this is huge.”

Armed with a system as simple and effective as the PLR, it's understandable why Tolko doesn’t want to run the line without it.

“We have an exceptional LRF based on a very small average log diameter,” Kevin said. Tolko's logs range from about 4 to 8 inches in diameter. "Typical recovery on these might be about 10% less," he explained.

Of course some of the credit for Tolko's high recovery numbers goes to USNR's Small Log Line. Tolko was the first to install USNR's new small log line that features such innovations as the PLR and complete board profiling.

The complete profiling on this line produces ready to trim boards and achieves the mill's high LRF with no need for an edger, and it fits in a small footprint.

Chris Blomquist, VP of USNR's Optimization Division says, "In a log line like Tolko's, you have one chance to get it right. If you don't, you lose."

Kevin says, “USNR’s Small Log Line is state of the art and because of that we’re able to achieve high lumber recovery and less chipping.”

Kevin thinks log rotation correction will become "a standard package on most new lines whether it’s a double length or a small log line or whatever. It’ll just be part of the package of what we should’ve been doing 30 years ago but never had the processing power or the technology to do it. But with today’s technology it’s amazing what we can do."

Since the PLR installation at Tolko, Riley Creek of Athol, ID and Weyerhaeuser of Dierks, AR have also ordered the PLR system.

Chip-N-Saw Conversions

Back in the 1960’s the Chip-N-Saw revolutionized the forest products industry. At USNR today, we’re keeping history alive with upgrades and conversions that keep your C-N-S running faster and more efficiently than ever.

Conversions for increased speed and accuracy: USNR offers a number of C-N-S conversions including the Vee-Flat flighted chain covered in our last issue. In this issue we're looking at the advantages of Top and Side Head Round Slideways.

• Greater accuracy
• Improved recovery
• Very low maintenance
• Roundways are made with high quality steel and require no adjustments
• Specialized slide bushings have chromed and ground shafting creating a smoother surface and exceptional wear quality
• Auto-lubrication included