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COMPANY NEWS |
The Silvatech Tally System measures each piece of lumber for length, width and thickness, displays the dimensions, including surface measure, to the operator, accepts operator inputs for grade or grade and color and keeps a tally of all lumber processed. The system can control a marking device to put sort codes or grade marks on the boards for manual sorting on a green chain or, if the system includes the Sorter Control option, it also controls a sorter to drop the boards into the proper bins. It informs the operator and yardman when the pack target amount for a sort is reached and prints one or more tags with all pertinent information for the pack. A complete shift report is also produced. MEASUREMENT Length measurement is determined by an array of photocells across the green chain or lumber deck. Width measurement is accomplished by the same photocells and an encoder on the chain drive. The encoder monitors chain travel and the duration of light beam interruption generates the width measurement. Thickness measurement is performed by two ultrasonic sensors mounted above and below the board. The board is typically measured before it arrives at the grading station. The length, width, thickness, and surface measure are displayed to the grader in large characters on the monitor so that he has the dimensional information pertinent to his grade decision right in front of him. The board can also be measured after grading if preferred. TRIMMER CONTROL One version of the tally system lets the grader also operate the trimmer. In this configuration the measurement and grading station are before the trimmer. Boards are even ended and measured for width, length, and thickness if needed and are then fed into the grading station. Laser lines are projected across the board indicating the cut lines for the measured length. For boards which do not require cut-back, the grader presses a grade button and the board is automatically trimmed to the measured length. For boards requiring cut-back, the grader selects a trim set and the lasers indicate the cut points for this shorter length. The grader can now use an included rollcase to move the board lengthwise in relation to the laser lines to position it for the best grade yield. He then presses a grade button and the board will be trimmed at the points indicated by the laser lines. Boards can also be cut in two if desired and a grade for each piece entered. (patent pending) SORTER CONTROL Each sort is defined by mill personnel as to thickness, width range, length range and up to six grades and colors. The sort definition also includes whether a standard or export tally is wanted and a pack size target which can be specified as bd ft, piece count or total inches of board width. The current status of each sort is displayed in a box on the screen. This box contains the current footage, piece count or total accumulated board width, the target value and whether the target is in ft, pieces or total width. The display also includes the total feet and pieces processed during the current shift. When a pack is completed, the system will signal the grader by inverting the video for footage, piece count or total width on the screen. It also lights a lamp on the sorter at the full bin to inform a yardman that a pack is completed or applies a “pack complete” mark on the board. A designated number of tags with the tally information for the full pack are printed on card stock by the tag printer located in a convenient location for the yardman. The system can also automatically switch a sort with a full bin to an empty bin.
On the operator’s screen shown above, 19 different sorts are being used (including 0 which is getting “outs”. The target of 1000 board feet for sort 12 has been reached and the box highlighted. If the sorter has blockers to catch a few boards while a bin is emptied, the Silvatech system will also control these blockers automatically. Sorts which receive the most lumber can be set to seek an empty bin when full and others set to use the blockers when their bin is full. Each sort is defined on a separate screen which can be called up whenever needed. The sorts are defined in the following format: ________________________________________________________________ A C D F H J L M B
E
G
I
K
N where A = present bin # for this sort B = sort # C = use blocker or move sort when full D = Minimum width E = Maximum width F = Minimum length G = Maximum length H = Minimum thickness (or number of quarters) I = Maximum thickness J = Package target type. F = Bd ft, P = Number of pieces, F = total board width K = Target value L = Grades or grade / color combinations to be included in this sort (up to six). M = Tally info. to be included on tag(s) - F = Bd ft., P = pieces, W = board widths E = Export tally tags N = Order number In the example shown below, 4/4 lumber is being sorted to: 4 1/4” strips, - two length sorts with a target of 275 pieces per pack. 1 Face & btr. narrower than 8” - two length sorts with 1000 bd ft per pack. 1 Face & btr. 8” & wider - two length sorts with 1000 bd ft per pack. 1C and 2C - two length sorts with 1050“ total width per pack. 3A & 3B - two length sorts with 1050“ total width per pack. The 6/4 is being sorted 2C & Btr in three length sorts with 720“ total width per pack. Pallet 4X4’s and 4X6’s are each sorted into two length sorts in packs of 88 and 56 pieces respectively.
This
set of sort definitions is saved as sort program (RED-OAK2) for future
use and can be called up for future use whenever needed.
When the target for a pack is reached, a designated number of
tags of the format shown below are printed on the tag printer to be
attached to the pack. A
duplicate can also be printed on the office printer if desired.
If an export tally is called for in the sort definition, tags of the format shown below are also printed. Export tally tags record the number of pieces for each length and width designation. A separate export tally tag is produced for each grade included in the sort.
At the end of a shift or whenever desired (when changing species, for example), a report is printed showing the accumulated tally information. This report is a breakdown by thickness and grade of the board feet and numbers of pieces sorted during the shift. All this information can be allowed to accumulate over several shifts if desired. ABC LUMBER CO. SHIFT PRODUCTION TOTALS 10/21/96 16:35 (LAST RESET 10/21/96 07:28) RED OAK TALLIED: 21467 Board Feet, Thk Grade Pieces BF Percentage 4/4 STRIP 848 3004 7 % 4/4 FAS 796 5582 13 % 4/4 F1F 594 3864 9 % 4/4 1C 520 3006 7 % 4/4 2C 494 2574 6 % 4/4 3A 322 1288 3 % 4/4 3B 214 858 2 % 6/4 FAS 612 6010 14 % 6/4 SEL 424 2578 6 % 6/4 1C 488 4294 10 % 6/4 2C 336 1718 4 % 4” PALLET 432 8158 19 % TOTAL 6132 Pieces 42934 Board Feet This report information is sent either to the report printer or to a computer which runs the customer’s inventory software. Silvatech will provide a description of our data format so that the numbers can be automatically fed into the inventory system. For more information on the various available configurations of the Tally System including the elimination of the trimmer operator give us a call at 802 234-5174.
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