Russian sawmill modernization (a case study). Part 1: optimizing processes of low-grade timber debarking and wood chipping

ABSTRACT

This paper offers a new technological solution for low-quality log chipping that enables sawmills to produce wood chips efficiently and with less waste. The proposed solution for sorting wood chips helps to solve a number of urgent problems crucial to log processing. Intellectualization of sorting operations not only minimizes wood residues, but also enables the maintenance of equipment. Modifications in the chipping system, namely laser sensors and a microcontroller, help operators detect debarking defects and perform the cutting tool wear monitoring. The results of the study show that a control system intellectualization allows an efficient use of equipment and thereby serves to improve production efficiency. This study primarily concentrates on coniferous logs. The technology developed in this study is applicable to log processing equipment and can be used in debarking machines at other mills.

KEYWORDS:

• Debarking machines
• energy
• timber
• wood chipping
• wood chips production

Acknowledgements

The work was carried out within the confines of the scientific school ‘Advances in timber industry and forestry'.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Data will be available on request.