Endurance Equipment was recently selected to design/ manufacture a new High Speed Stem Merchandising System for Troy Lumber in Troy, North Carolina. The system incorporates Endurance’s new Vertical Carriage design. The concept is radically different than the previous 32 merchandising systems provided by Endurance. The saw carriages are mounted in the vertical plane, and are driven linearly by extremely low backlash gear drives thru dual railroad wheels. Positioning is done via absolute encoders on the wheels and position is confirmed by laser rangefinder technology. This type of drive eliminates the need for maintenance prone Racks driven by Gear Pinions.
The Troy system includes:
- A “Endurance” High Speed Scan Chain transports debarked stems after exiting a new “Nicholson” A-8 Debarker thru an “MPM” linear scanning system with minimal movement. After scanning, the stems are direct kicked from the Scan Chain by a series of electric Overhead Side Sweep Kickers at a point past the eventual zero line.
- The “Endurance” Rotary Positioner accepts the stem, and an electric Positioning Gate pushes the stem back to its new zero line. Once confirmed that positioning is completed, the stem is rotated up into cutting position.
- The “Endurance” 5 Saw Vertical Carriage System positions the 72” diameter saws for cutting based on cut solutions provided by MPM. The saws are extended and retracted by a single revolution of the “Cone Drive” gear reducer. While saws are in the down position, if power is lost for any reason, the saws are balanced so that they will quickly raise out of the cut zone by gravity for safety reasons.
- After the stem is cut into merchandised blocks, the Positioner rotates, gently releasing the blocks into the Acceleration Conveyor. The blocks pass over a drop out for under length pieces and continue to the “Endurance” Rotary Transfer with Straightening Pocket. This unit allows blocks to be pitched onto a plated, concrete filled slide where they are collected, squared and indexed onto the mills existing accumulation chain deck.
For more information on this installation, or a site visit to discuss your equipment needs, call Van Woodham @ (251) 401-2114 or email at van@enduranceequipmentllc.com.