Overview
LMI's chroma+scan sensors integrate high-speed and-high density 3D scanning for log and board optimization. These leading edge sensors are designed to produce highly accurate and reliable data for today’s high-production machine centers. Mill operations will appreciate the value associated with integrated sensor technology, as our sensors have the capacity to collect large amounts of profile data to generate a comprehensive model of the board or log, resulting in better cutting decisions. Our advanced sensor technology enables wood manufacturers to attain increased value realization from the timber resource.
If you're seeking color vision information for surface characteristic detection, LMI also has industry proven sensors with integrated high density 3D profiles, color vision and light curtain functionality for a simple and easy to use scanning solution. These cutting edge sensors are designed with camera technology that provides high definition, sub-millimeter resolution for precise characteristic recognition. With this advance, optimum value realization is truly a reality.
Applications
The Wood Division works closely with System Integrators & Original Equipment Machine Suppliers to deliver the most effective solutions for their particular sensor vision needs. The following are what our products are capable of.
- Log Optimization
- Cant Optimization
- Edger & Trimmer Optimization
- Sorter Optimization
- Peeling
- Thickness
Sawmill
Manufacturers of wood products have been using 3D scanning and vision to optimize the value recovery of logs. This industry has used some form of scanning since the 1970's with advances in technology resulting in very high end 3D scanning together with colour vision.
Planer Mill
Planer Mills are the final stage of processing for wood products. After logs have been converted to lumber they need to go through a drying process with the purpose of removing excess moisture from within each board. The drying process consists of place stacks of lumber that have spacers between them to allow airflow to be placed inside large buildings that have control of the internal temperature and moisture. The drying process can take several days during which the lumber shrinks slightly in size. All lumber is manufactured slightly oversize within the sawmill to allow for this shrinkage and for final stage processing in the planer mill. The dried lumber is processed, piece by piece, linearly through a planer which smooths all four sides down to the final product size that is supplied in the lumber yard.
Once each piece has gone through the planer it is inspected manually be a grader to visually inspect the lumber to categorize the grade. The grading process involves identifying defects related to the woods final use, such as contruction. In some cased the grader might mark the piece to be cut shorter to remove a defect which will increase the value of the piece. After this process the wood is sorted into the same grades in preparation for sales into the market.