Optimizing system with the most up-to-date laser and camera technology takes global wood processing industry to the next level. For a single debarking line this can mean close to 1 million euros in yearly wood cost savings. WoodSmartTMcontrol system creates significant savings in energy and raw material costs. In addition to enhancing productivity and minimizing costs, this measurement system, which embodies Finnish technology know-how, accelerates and makes wood processing production easier. In this scale, as the yearly levels of wood processed in pulp industry are multiple million cubic metres per debarking plant, even one percent decrease in wood loss is a significant saving.

Automated system maximises productivity

 

Developed for automated control of pulp wood debarking, WoodSmartTMis innovative optimizing system, equipped with online measurement devices, in order to maximize the capacity of debarking plants. It measures the filling degree of the drum, keeps the wood flow going through the drum stable and calculates the best control values for debarking. The wood is debarked precisely to the optimum level of cleaning required for processes after debarking. The correct cleaning degree decreases raw material loss and guarantees (improve) the high quality of the end product. WoodSmartTMcontrol system keeps the debarking productivity in optimum levels regardless of work shifts, and shift changes can be done without stopping the production line. Steady run of the production line minimizes maintenance costs and idle time created by malfunctions. Measurement of multiple process variables in real-time enables the optimization of the entire debarking process. WoodSmartTMsystem's equipment measures bark content on logs at the drum-chipper line, as well as wood content in the bark material on bark conveyor during the process. The system alarms, if there are stones at the chipper infeed conveyor. In de-icing control, WoodSmartTMcalculates the energy required to de-ice the wood on the de-icing conveyor. - When in use, results show WoodSmartTMsystem pays itself back in less than a year, says Hämäläinen.

Technology for global use

WoodSmartTMtechnology can be widely used in global markets. It can be installed to new and existing wood processing lines as well as all debarking systems with specific automation levels. The operation levels can be modified to suit the needs and different wood species and types of the debarking plant. The system can operate wood from the boreal forests all the way to eucalyptus and acacia wood of the Far East. Instead of continuous manual control, the nature of work for the staff of debarking plants shifts to monitoring. Patented analyzers for efficient automation of wood processing Development work, started in early 90's, has led to the birth of WoodSmartTMproduct family. At present, there are about ten devices for wood processing and measurement available. - Regarding pulping process, pulp mills have been automated for decades. In wood processing, the level of automation has been low. This was our starting point for developing WoodSmartTMoptimization software and the devices connected to it, Hämäläinen states. Teknosavo Oy invests actively to product development in close cooperation with customer organizations. Along with advancing camera technology, information technology and operation systems, the business evolves constantly. WoodSmartTMcontrol system creates significant savings with the use of the most advanced measurement systems. With the most modern laser and camera technology, the savings created by WoodSmartTMsystem are significant - as much as 1 million euros annually for a single debarking line.

Anh Tuan