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 The Silvatech Universal Set Controller was developed to enable a sawyer to produce more  accurate sized lumber faster, and with less effort than was previously possible.   

  Easily retrofitted to virtually any automatic carriage, it improves the efficiency and profitability of the sawing process at a price which is cost effective for even small mill operations.

  Increased profit provided by the Controller is a result of increased volume yield from logs, increased production rates, and improved grade recovery (particularly in hardwoods).

 Volume yield increases are obtained due to the accuracy of sets as well as automatically positioning for runs down to cants or dogboards.  An increase in yield of three percent, for example,while  sawing one million feet of logs will provide thirty thousand feet of extra saleable lumber.  Since you produced this extra lumber without buying extra logs, this means three percent of your gross sales added to your net profit. 

 Production is increased because the sawyer no longer needs to calculate the correct starting point for a given face when sawing down to a cant or dogboard and then try to "jog" to that position manually. He can quickly and easily inform the computer of what he plans to saw, including cant(s) or dogboard and other sets, while sawing the previous face.

  Improvements in grade recovery can be achieved because the Controller makes it easy for the sawyer to "saw around" the log to obtain the best grade possible. Sawing hardwood logs to yield the maximum percentage of the volume in upper grade lumber involves turning the log, even after it has been squared, and sawing lines on the faces which offer the best grade. Doing this allows the sawyer to concentrate the #2 and #3 common in a few narrow boards or a small cant rather than wide boards with defects down the center and clear wood on the edges. Since sawing in this manner means that the sawyer will frequently leave off sawing on a given face and return to it later, he must be able to quickly and accurately return the knees to a previous position. Trying to do this with jog buttons, a laser and a dial invariably leads to wasted time and frequently, miscut lumber. The Set Controller's memory and positioning capabilities promote grade sawing without wasting valuable time or making miscuts when returning to previously sawn faces.

  The Versitility of the Universal Set Contoller allows dual machine control using one computer. So, controlling an edger or resaw along with your headrig is done with minimum effort. The Set Controller can also be used to control two machines with separate operators.  

                                       The System                                     

    The Universal Set Controller computer receives input from a linear displacement transducer mounted on the carriage relating the exact position of the knees at any given moment. It also receives instructions from the sawyer (via  the switch panel) regarding what he intends to saw on each face. On command, the computer will then control the existing set drive motor, whether electric, hydraulic or air, to move the knees to the next correct position. 

    The Video Monitor. The means by which the sawyer visualy follows his progress entered into the computer. The standard monitor has a 9" diag. screen and is in a steel case measuring 9" x 9" X 10".  It is typically mounted by a bracket in a convenient booth location.  An optional 7" monitor which mounts in the sawyer's control panel is also available.   

    The  Switch panel is the way in which the operator enters his input into the computer. It  requires 5" x 12 1/2" of surface area and is 3 1/2" deep. It may be installed in an existing control panel or housed in a 6 1/2" x 14" x 5" enclosure supplied by Silvatech and attached to the side of the existing panel.  Two cards containing the interface modules may be installed in the switch panel enclosure or in the existing relay enclosure for the carriage.  The interface modules isolate the computer circuitry from the 110/220 volt A C mill controls to prevent any possible damage to the computer, while allowing the computer to control the carriage set drive.           

   The Temposonics linear displacement transducer measures the position of the knees and has proven to be very accurate and reliable in all of the Silvatech line of products.  A ring magnet is positioned around the transducer and attached to the side of a headblock by a bracket.  As the headblock is moved forward or back, the transducer electronically senses the location of the ring magnet and hence the position of the knee. (On "log beam" carriages the magnet bracket is attached to the beam.). The transducer’s construction and the absence of internal moving parts make it impervious to dirt, sawdust, moisture and oil. 

    The Carriage Box which is mounted on the carriage in a 10" x 12" x 5" enclosure containing the circuit to transmit the readings from the transducer to the computer. The computer receives a new, independent, linear measurement of knee position 250 times each second. 

    Installation of the Set Controller consists of mounting the various components in the appropriate locations and running and attaching the cables. Since the Set Controller's only connection to the existing carriage wiring is to the forward and recede relays no modifications to that wiring is  required. If the Set Controller is installed on a carriage with an existing setworks, the existing setworks remains completely functional and the operator may return to it by merely throwing a toggle switch. In these installations concern over downtime is virtually eliminated. If the necessary brackets are fabricated beforehand, the installation may be accomplished in as little as one man-day..

     Conclusion