Tuesday, November 5, 2024
This September, MiCROTEC showcased its latest advancements at the Timber Processing & Energy Expo in Portland, offering attendees a glimpse into cutting-edge technology that is reshaping the sawmilling industry. A standout feature of the expo was MiCROTEC’s collaboration with Peak North America to equip Two Rivers Lumber—a high-tech sawmill in Alexander City, Alabama—with advanced solutions that enhance production efficiency, quality, and sustainability.
Revolutionising Sawmilling: Two Rivers Lumber’s High-Tech Approach
Two Rivers Lumber represents a new era in sawmilling, making use of MiCROTEC’s CT Log and Real Performance Machinery’s (RPM) ProDog system to achieve unprecedented precision and resource efficiency. This greenfield mill integrates advanced scanning and positioning technologies, enabling maximum recovery from each log and improving the quality of the final lumber product.
At the heart of this innovation is the CT Log system, which allows for full 360-degree optimisation by analysing the internal structure of each log. This capability goes beyond the traditional “horns-down” approach, where logs are cut based solely on external orientation. The CT Log’s 3D scanning technology identifies the optimal rotation angle, taking internal quality into account to deliver the highest-value cut. By rotating logs to maximise lumber value, the system can increase yield by up to 10%.
In a recent demonstration, MiCROTEC’s Head of Sales, Norvin Laudon, illustrated this potential: “With a standard horns-down cut at 15 degrees, a log might yield $106 in lumber value. By rotating to 80 degrees—an optimised angle recommended by CT Log—that value can increase to $117, marking a 10% improvement.”
Precision at Every Stage
The integration of RPM’s ProDog end-dogger ensures that the CT Log’s optimised data is fully realised. This system translates CT Log’s analysis into precise log positioning, carrying out exact skewing and rotation based on the internal scan. MiCROTEC’s Connect software synchronises all systems, providing full traceability from raw log to finished product, enhancing quality control and allowing for real-time adjustments to maintain optimal value.
Setting New Standards for Sustainability and Quality
Alongside the economic advantages, the Two Rivers project exemplifies sustainable practices. By maximising yield from each log and minimising waste, the mill reduces its environmental footprint. MiCROTEC’s traceability and tracking features further contribute to sustainability by delivering insights into production efficiency and enabling timely tool reconditioning, which extends machinery life and reduces waste.
This collaboration highlights the potential of advanced technology and eco-conscious design within the sawmilling industry. By combining precision scanning, intelligent software, and efficient machinery, MiCROTEC and Peak North America have positioned Two Rivers Lumber as a leader in sustainable, profitable lumber processing. This approach not only optimises yield and quality but also ensures responsible resource use, setting a benchmark in high-tech, environmentally friendly lumber production.
As Two Rivers Lumber leads the way forward, the project’s success underscores how innovation and sustainability can create enduring value within the sawmilling industry, promising a resilient and eco-conscious path to meet the demands of tomorrow’s markets.
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