HS Observations on "Moving Blade" Ripsaws | 12 Jun 2006
Operating four modern hardwood ripping lines and processing over 1.4 million BF per month for a wide variety of clients, seems to place us in a lot of design discussions on ripping and rough-mill production systems. One regular topic is the relative value of “fixed arbor” versus “moving blade” rip systems. As the machinery industry has developed a wide array of powerful, yet expensive ripsaws with up to six moving blades.
While these systems can have a dynamic impact on yields and profit margins, they are not needed for many applications and can actually prove counter-productive in certain product groups. In addition to costs that are 2-4 times that of traditional fixed-arbor saws, moving blade saws require much greater maintenance investments, higher skill operating staff and more diligent process oversight to achieve accuracy. In addition, most of these moving blade saws limit rip solution options within the cutting bill, especially when narrow parts are involved such that in certain circumstances the saws are actually less capable that fixed blade saws.
The bottom line is that newer generation ripsaws are wonderful advancements but don’t assume that “more” technology is always better. Focus on a careful analysis of the specific product requirements of your applications before considering expensive ripsaw investments!!
Cut-to-Length Facilites Continue to Expand | 12 Jun 2006
Since January, Hardwood Solutions has been expanding its cut-to-length operations at a new facility in Jackson, Michigan. Through a series of investments in material handling equipment and additional staff, output has gradually risen to approximately 90,000 LF per day, producing approximately a truckload of cut-parts per day for clients in the cabinet industry. Total employment is now at 15 full-time positions at this operation.
New Material Projects Added | 12 Jun 2006
Hardwood Solutions has added several product groups to its regular rotations of processing. These materials are run at regular but varying intervals and include:
4/4 SAB American Yellow Birch – Cutting long clears for moulding applications
5/4 #1 Common Soft Maple – Northern stock for cabinet materials
4/4 FAB Hickory 7-8ft – Cutting long clears for moulding applications
Continued growth in all forms of SAB Maples including both Hard, Soft and Brown
Please refer to the projects section of the HS Web Site for a full listing of active projects, or contact Judy or Caleb in client services.
Expansion of Rip Capacity Slated for February, 2006 | 27 Dec 2005
Hardwood Solutions will be adding a 4th rip line to its capacities in Early February, 2006. The line will be designed for “Value-Based” optimization – allowing the saw operators to maximize the $Value cut from each board.
The system will be based upon a specialized sawyer’s station that surrounds the operator with automated tools while still leaving the final judgment on the rip solution in the hands of the operator. The line will utilize a Mereen Johnson 2+ gang-rip that uses 2 moving blades in concert with a 24” fixed arbor and a Newman helical planer.
This new system will add 350,000 BF per month of capacity with an emphasis on Long-Clear ripped blank programs.
Bar-Code Capabilities under Development | 27 Dec 2005
In response to requests from clients working to streamline inventory management systems, Hardwood Solutions has been developing the capability to provide for fully customized package tags including “client-specific” bar codes.
Starting in December, 2005 customized labels can be applied to client materials with bar codes matching whatever symbology and code content is needed by each individual client’s inventory system.
Please contact either Judy Loofborow or Caleb Dunham if these capabilities are of interest or if you’re interested in sharing any of the information we’ve compiled in developing these systems.