In 2018, talks began between the engineering teams of Springer and Boise Cascade. The result was cast in a lot of steel and has been running in Florien, Louisiana/US, for the past three and a half years. “I’ve been working in the timber industry for 30 years, but I’ve never met a supplier that was so responsive to our wishes,” Stuart Smith, Production Manager at Boise Cascade, says. “The system’s performance is so high that we’ve been able to shut down an entire shift on the log yard and reduce our electricity and personnel costs as a result.”
The unsorted log infeed is unusual for Europeans. Springer installed two infeed decks to take over the logs, which are up to 11 meters long and can weigh as many as 4.5 tons.
What does not fit is made to fit
The two infeed decks work separately from each other and are equipped with Springer’s powerful and low-maintenance screw technology. The “Defect-Saw” is integrated into the feed system. This circular saw can make unsuitable logs usable: Pieces which are too long, too strong or too crooked can be “cut to fit”.
The usable logs are then debarked in the Nicholson A8 machine, which can handle logs of up to 84 cm (33 inches) in diameter.
Screw feeders for alignment and infeed
“We are proud of this log separation technology. Instead of using complex chain solutions, we use screw feeders here as well. They not only separate but also align the logs and assign them to the saws,” Michael Dörflinger, Head of Technical Sales at Springer USA Inc., explains.
All logs are measured in 3D before they enter the heart of the system: the log forming. Powerful, electrically operated kickers feed a cross conveyor that feeds the logs to the five cross-cut saws, while the measurement system provides all data on the respective log. “It doesn’t matter how crooked the log is or how big the root flare or the top end is. We produce semi-finished logs, so-called blocks, which can be processed perfectly in the slicing process,” Dörflinger emphasizes.
Precise feed of logs to the saws
The positioning unit in front of the saws guarantees that the best part of the log is cut out. In addition, unusable parts of the top end or root flare of the log can be cut off wherever it is necessary.
We developed this sophisticated, individual machine together with the customer.
In 30 years of being in this business I’ve never experienced such perfect collaboration.
Good Deal!
North or south
“Depending on the requirements, the wood is transported north or south after the cross-cut station, i.e. straight ahead or back,” plant manager Gary Gentry explains. “There was no such solution in any of our other plants.” At this point, all parts are formed to a length of 2.65 meters and are sorted into nine boxes depending on their diameter.
Reinforced standard for Southern Yellow Pine
“All system parts are Springer standard. They were put together individually for this project and reinforced for this demanding application,” Dörflinger tells us. “Our design engineers made the uprights, plates and chain carriers bigger. The goal was to make the system run even longer while reducing the amount of maintenance needed. After three and a half years, it is safe to say that we met this goal. The system is running smoothly despite the resinous, crooked and heavy wood.” Thus, the Springer standard was successfully adapted to Southern Yellow Pine.
Boise Cascade has recorded an increase in raw material yield because the logs are cut to length with much higher precision and unsuitable parts are not even used in the slicing process.
Available 24/7
Boise Cascade greatly appreciates the strong commitment demonstrated by the Carinthian machine manufacturer during the project. “We have spare parts in stock at our nearby branch and operate a 24-hour service hotline as well,” Dörflinger emphasizes. Springer USA Inc. is located in Greenville, SC.
200 screw feeders worldwide
For Springer, the project in Louisiana opened the door to further orders. The company is currently installing several systems for customers in the US and Canada, which are all equipped with screw feeder technology. “This feature stands for simplicity, a keyword which convinces many customers,” Dörflinger tells us. More than 200 screw feeders have already been installed worldwide, 42 of them in North America alone.
In addition, the first ED3000 Wrapper will be delivered to the US in 2023. “The customer from Maine will integrate the wrapper into the existing system, which is absolutely no problem for us,” Dörflinger comments.
Binderholz USA also processes Southern Yellow pine. In 2023, the log mechanization at the two production sites will be updated. “We’ll start in Florida and then turn to North Carolina,” Dörflinger adds.
