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Product variety [Holz-Kurier issue 23 dated 2006.07.08]
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Product variety [Holz-Kurier issue 23 dated 2006.07.08]
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Improved sales capacitiesHolzkurier-report from Oberachern/Germany |
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Succesfull closing of project: Keller, Baumann, Huber (from left)
PHOTOS: KANZIAN
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With a 10 Million Euro investment, the sawmill Kellerin Oberachern/Germany set the course for the future. The specialist wants to further secure his position on the French market.
A Linck profiling line was installed in four stages. "It was possible to do a large part of the work during company holidays or on weekends. The real production stop was only four weeks", outlines Managing Director Christian Keller.
Technology and proximity. "We choose Linck as we are convinced of their technology. Also the proximity - only 10 km distance to the company's location in Oberkirch/Germany - is a big advantage", declares Keller.
The first modification stage took place at the turn of the year 2004/05 by installing the round log feeding station and the precut chipper canter VM 50 with infeed system EV 50. "The high capacity log feeding station allows feed speeds from 50-140 m/min.", outlines Linck project engineer Martin Huber.
Following the log feeding station, a metal detector was installed. Metal containing or oversized logs are then sorted out into two bins. Microtec, Brixen/Italy and Linz/Austria supplied the 3D-log scanner.
The second stage, realised in 2005, included the control of the resaw machine group consisting of a flexible circular resaw with six adjustable axes by means of a Siemens S7.
The third stage was carried out during summer holidays by installing the second profiling group with two profiler units, the saw unit and the board separator. "The construction time was three weeks - a record time for dismantling the old line, for the steel substructure and the assembly of the new equipment", Huber is delighted.
The fourth and last stage was the most extensive one - by installing the cant turner following the first chipper canter, the second chipper canter, the 3D-scanner for sideboard optimisation. Two profiler units, the saw unit for sawing of sideboards as well as board separator and cant turner followed. "Such high feed speeds imperatively require an automatic log rotation", according to Huber. Eight sideboards can be produced. The sawline is already designed for diagonal cant alignment for recovery increase.
This fourth stage was carried out at the turn of year 2005/06. "Assembly was carried out in three and a half weeks and could be completed half a week earlier than scheduled. These short construction times were possible thanks to the customer. Mill manager Axel Baumann built up an excellent project management", according to Huber.
Notable production increase. Despite the large part of the modification took place in 2005, it was possible for us to increase production compared with 2004 - this fact alone shows that we did everything properly", declares Keller.
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Supervision of the plant and view to the high speed infeed station
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Feeding of line via Fuchs excavator with grab - small end diameters from 11 up to 45 cm are being processed.
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Newest technology: precut chipper canter VM 50 with infeed system EV 50
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Up to 140 m/min. feed speed also possible by the cant turner DV 70
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The first stage allows the processing of 400.000 m³ round logs/year. "In case the basic conditions fit together - i.e. the log yard is optimised and the lumber sorting plant is adapted - 800.000 m³ round logs/year are possible", describes Keller. "It was very important for us to continue production during the modification stages. The concept was right and we had a competent partner for realisation. We achieved our envisaged figures in March already", the mill manager is pleased.
The log yard was partly modified as well, last year Keller changed from gantry crane to a Fuchs excavator and achieved a particularly higher capacity. The log yard for long and short logs is handled parallel.
The average small end diameter is 23 cm, the minimum 11 cm and the maximum 45 cm. Log lengths range from 3,00 up to 7,20 m.
Successful cooperation. "Keller is a very cooperative partner which allows us to carry out tests", Huber is delighted. "Size accuracy and lumber surface quality are excellent with the new line. We could even increase our product variety. The cutting patterns for sawn lumber are more flexible and so improve the sales capacities", numerates Keller additional advantages for his decision.
The technical availability of the plant is 93 %. This is our strength", according to Huber. And Baumann adds impressed: "We operate shifts with 100 % availability".
"Particularly the sideboard optimisation was imperatively necessary", according to Baumann. His argumentation: "If the raw material is cheap, you don't bother. With the present purchase prices however, recovery becomes more and more important".
Economically seen a must. Huber agrees: "Economically seen, the sideboard optimisation is a must. More and mroe sawmill owners upgrade their lines with sideboard optimisation equipment as recovery can be considerably increased depending on the log shape."
Logs are purchased within a distance of 100 km. "We presently have no problem with the provision", according to Keller. The person mainly responsible for the log purchase is Graduated Forester Stefan Ackermann.
The lumber is sold to countries in whole Europe, mainly France, Great Britain, Benelux and Switzerland. The export rate is between 80 % and 90 %. In the long run, even the United States could become an interesting market, states Keller.
"Aim of our investment was first of all the replacement of the nearly 20 years old plant which technically was at its end. A line capacity of "only" 400.000 m³ round logs was initially envisaged. The available small end diameters and the developments in technology result in a higher line capacity. Only after the decision for the investment, we were able to purchase the terrain and so got the possibility to take advantage of the full capacity.
A railway connection is envisaged in the near future. The existing drying kilns shall be extended according to the increasing demand. Even the planer mill shall be extended.
Key factor motivated personnel. Above all Keller is proud of his motivated personnel. "The excellent preparation and the smooth production flow depend on the personnel", declares the Managing Director. JK
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Circular resaw CSMK 285-A3/B3: six adjustable axes and a horizontal split saw
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Sideboard optimisation: an economical must for recovery increase
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