A profitable optimization strategy for North Florida Lumber.

Volume 4 • Number 1 • June 2007
Special Edition
12
th SawTech and ScanTech Conferences
(June 19-20, 2007)
th Biannual Forest Products Machinery
29 & Equipment Exposition (June 21-23, 2007)
Comact will be present at these events.
Come and meet us at Atlanta!
A profitable optimization strategy
for North Florida Lumber.
Finley McRae and Arthur Wilson, the two decisionmakers
at North Florida Lumber, based in Bristol,
Florida, awarded Comact a contract to upgrade
their sawmill trimmer line and to modernize the
planermill.
Since their primary goal was to maximize
productivity of the sawmill’s trimmer line by lug
fill to 95% (140 pieces/minute), Comact proposed
using a 200 piece/minute rotary loader. By
ensuring even more speed than required, Comact’s
rotary loader has specifically responded to
the needs of North Florida Lumber, which runs
random lenghts and widths of lumber. Equipped
with servo-controls and an adjustable tightening
unit, this “intelligent” loader instantly responds
with precise adjustments to different widths
and lengths and by properly lining up any poorly
positioned boards. A modulating transfer ensures
stability and consistency of supply.
Their sawmill, on the other hand, benefited
from a special treatment. To optimize returns
on dressed lumber, Comact installed its famous
GradExpert unit after the planer, along with
a Paddle Fence, the final word in positioning
systems. The GradExpert accurately detects the
color, knots and defects in wood, then the Paddle
Fence employs its positive positioning unit to
interpret the solution provided by the GradExpert
and positions each piece to keep the most “costeffective”
part of the lumber.
GradExpert
Following this analysis, the GradExpert unit
communicates the information for optimal
positioning prior to trimming to the Paddle Fence
system. This process not only results in maximized
returns on raw materials, but also appreciable
savings in the grading process. You have to note
that GradExpert and Paddle Fence systems,
which achieve a grading and positioning rate of
140 pieces/minute, obtain better results than
three or four experienced graders would do.
Our sincere thanks to North Florida Lumber, LLC
for its confidence in Comact.
To learn more about this exceptionally costeffective
equipment, please visit
www.comact.com
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What are you waiting for
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Must-read
Major upgrade in Alabama
The last word for Deltic Timber
Our recent achievements
PLUS : Equipment update
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The beauty of this approach resides first of all in
the GradExpert astonishingly accurate reading:
with its multiple digital cameras, it detects knots,
pockets of resin, rot, blue or red stain, cavities, deep
pockets of bark, shakes and holes. Furthermore,
a transversal reading and a three-dimensional
representation ensure precise calculation and
detection of the curve, bow or twist of a board.

Payback
Integration. High-speed. Sturdiness. Accuracy.
T.R. Miller: Full Throttle!
Since it was founded in 1872, T.R. Miller in
Brewton, Alabama has always served as the
model of a company with a long-term outlook
aimed at ensuring the firm’s longevity. Back at the
start, when the first Miller mill was flourishing
on Cedar Creek (with the water running below
used for powering the mill as well as for driving
the logs), T.R. Miller, founder of one of the oldest
wood processing businesses in the southeastern
US, had already secured the company’s future by
establishing selective wood harvesting practices.
His policy, however, represented an exception
to the usual rules of profitability. T.R. Miller
This effort makes sense, considering the particular
nature of this cutting-edge equipment. To begin
with, the Wave Feeder ensures a steadier input
rate than any other equipment on the market. Its
unique wave-contoured design securely grips any
kind of log, whether it is curved or not fully cleared
of branches. Furthermore, Comact prides itself
on achieving total efficiency in this area. Some
of the Wave Feeder’s other unique features
include its self-cleaning property, which allows
continuous 24/7 operations. A true plug-and-play
equipment, the Wave Feeder is suited for any
type of mill because it can handle logs ranging
solution, then firmly positions logs before the
canter twin unit. With its ultra-precise rotary
function and its press rolls located every 36”, the
OLI-CS3 is able to perform variable positioning
operations in real time. For example, the OLI-CS3
can process achieving an optimized skew and
slew solution for each and every logs. Such an
approach obviously results in more “pay” wood
for each log with better quality pieces at the end
of the line, because the sawing follows the grain.
Perhaps even more surprising is the fact that the
OLI-CS3 flawlessly supplies logs at over 500 feet
per minute. Furthermore, the small size of the unit
also introduced principles of added-value to
his company, by merging the second and third
transformations involved in processing wood.
As a result, plywood, wooden crate, door and
window plants were set up soon after the
sawmill moved to Brewton (where the
equipment was then powered by steam).
The company has consistently pursued a
philosophy of getting the most out of its
resources and avoiding waste since it began
operations on Cedar Creek. T.R. Miller recently
asked Comact to perform a major upgrade of the
plant’s primary breakdown line to specifically
meet these goals. The Comact team installed a
Wave Feeder with gap control, and a scannerequipped
OLI-CS3 system.
from 2” to more than 40” in diameter. Comact’s
Wave Feeder is also surprisingly quiet while in
operation.
T.R. Miller also ordered the OLI-CS3 (Optimized
Length Infeed) optimization system. This
innovative device, which has enjoyed a huge
commercial success since it was introduced in
2004, uses multiple C2-Scan units to determine
the the best sawing pattern solution for each log.
The OLI-CS3 stands out particularly for its ability
to optimize the cost-effectiveness of curved
and compound curved logs. Serving both as an
optimizer and positioner, the OLI-CS3 allows
accurate C2-Scans of irregular logs so that it
can define the most cost-effective breakdown
(it is the shortest on the market), facilitates the
integration of the OLI-CS3 within an existing line.
The days of steam locomotives are long gone . . .
Thanks to T.R. Miller for its faith in Comact.
To learn more about this innovative
equipment, please visit www.comact.com

Strategic Equipment
at Deltic Timber.
How to make your high-performance equipment even
better. Get the best out of your equipment! (Part 3)
Ola, Arkansas—Comact helped
upgrade Deltic Timber’s primary
sawmill line by supplying
strategic breakdown and
optimization equipment.
Comact has set up an upgrade program to maintain the “cutting-edge” performance of your
equipment. This program not only applies to Comact’s equipment, but to those manufactured
by competitors. Minor investments are often enough to ensure the optimal efficiency and/or
productivity of your units. So before going out and buying other gear, check with Comact’s
specialists to learn what upgrades are available for your existing set-up.
Deltic Timber Corp., one of the biggest players
in the southern US’s logging industry, owns over
435,000 acres of forestlands (including 150,000
SYP plantations) in Arkansas and Louisiana, as well
as wood processing plants in Ola and Waldo. The
company also holds a 50% stake in a particle board
plant in El Dorado and also deals in real-estate, with
holdings in Little Rock and Hot Springs. Founded in
1907 by Mr. C.H. Murphy, Sr., Deltic is headquartered
in El Dorado, Arkansas.
The Ola plant, which was built in 1971, is now
equipped with a WaveFeeder and an OLI-CS3
variable positioning and optimization
unit. As described in the previous article (see
T.R. Miller: Full Throttle!), these units not only
serve to regulate the flow of raw materials, but to
draw maximum profits from them. While Comact’s
WaveFeeder supplies the sawmill line with
unfailing regularity, he OLI-CS3 system optimizes the
cost-effectiveness of each log with its C2-Scan units
and press rolls with servo-positioners, particularly for
irregular shaped logs.
Get a quick payback on upgrading these items:
CETEC bandmill
A simple operation taking just a few hours is all that is now needed to eliminate variations in
saw tension (caused by radio interference), by updating the charge cell system.
Dual-chain design
Single chain design
Current flights can be replaced with their
bevelled counterparts to increase log stability,
which serves to enhance scanner accuracy.
This design also reduces the risk of logs
slipping while being loaded onto
the conveyor.
“V” Flight Conveyor
When handling large logs, this improvement
involves replacing the two 131 steel chains with
a single, wider and sturdier chain. While this
alteration will have absolutely no impact on the
guide and return system, it will enhance system
strength, while reducing guide breakage.
Non-bevelled attachment
Bevelled attachment
Our sincere thanks to everyone
at Deltic Timber Corporation.
Log turners
You can enhance your Comact log turners by
replacing the single press roll with a quad roll
assembly. Once you make this change, it will
no longer be necessary to remove the shaft and
bearings if you wish to change the pressure roller.
This will result in significant time savings and longer
(almost double) service life, because of the concept
of “split dual rolls”
One Piece Single Roll Design
Split Dual Rolls Design

We are proud to announce two new
promotions in the Comact sales team.
Eric Michaud was promoted to Sales Manager. In his new
position he is in charge of project sales, parts and service
sales as well as industrial sales. Over the years, Eric as
proven to be a first rate sales professional.
You can reach him at our Quebec City office at (418) 628-2888.
Our most recent projects
Jacques Loubert has been named Sales Representative
– Project for Eastern Canada. As a Product Manager
for Comact, Jacques had distinguished himself by his
determination and dedication.
You can reach him at our Boisbriand office at (450) 435-2121.
With their professional and personal skills, they are assets for
Comact and we are confident they will meet these new challenges
with distinction.
Canada
Bois d’Oeuvre Cédrico / Scierie Causap Causapscal, Quebec Rot detector
Matériaux Blanchet inc.
St-Pamphile, Quebec
A 10” TBL3 line with profiling tools including a C1-Scan scanner, converyos, transfers, substructures,
controls, mechanical and electrical installations, and start-up
Max Meilleur & Fils ltée Ferme-Neuve, Quebec Trimmer project including an electric trimmer, all transfers and the installation
Arbec Forest Products, Inc. L’Ascension, Quebec PLC bucking modification / Six Wave Feeder / New chipper outfeed boxes
Harry Freeman & Son, Ltd.
Greenfield, Nova Scotia
Mill modernization including two Wave Feeder for log handling, six true-shape scanners
(one C1-Scan and five C2-Scan), with optimization system, and PLC/Control for the whole sawline
Lecours Lumber Co., Ltd. Calstock, Ontario Two Wave Feeder
Aspen Planers, Ltd.
Merritt, British Columbia
Log handling equipment including four Wave Feeder with their gap controls / Planermill equipment
including a GradExpert, an electric trimmer with all transfers, controls, start-up and training
Dunkley Lumber, Ltd.
Quesnel, British Columbia
Planermill system including a rotary lug loader, a GradExpert, two line shaft electric trimmers,
a 45-bin drag chain type sorter, a double fork stacker with all transfers, conveyors, controls,
start-up and training
Lakeland Mills, Ltd. Prince George, British Columbia EdgExpert system
L&M Lumber, Ltd. Vanderhoof, British Columbia EdgExpert system
Tembec Industries, Inc. Canal Flats, British Columbia Hydraulic rotary lug loader
Tolko Industries, Ltd. Lavington, British Columbia DLI upgrade
Tolko Industries, Ltd.
Kelowna, British Columbia
Small log line and planermill equipment: one Wave Feeder, one DDM6 with profiling section
and C1-Scan scanner, two electric trimmers, one 30-bin drag chain type lumber sorter, one
double fork high-speed stacker with its stick placer, all transfers and conveyors, controls,
VFDs, start-up and training
United States
Hampton Lumber Mills, Inc. Darrington, Washington GradExpert
Weyerhaeuser Company
Longview, Washington
Sawmill project including a flying log turner, OLI-CS3, chipper canter, circular quad saw, sharp
chain outfeed and two rotary lug loaders
Potlatch Corporation Gwinn, Michigan A log step pusher and one Wave Feeder
International
ECC Teoranta Galway City, Ireland One C1-Scan scanner for log sorter
Kuhmo Oy Kuhmo, Finland Log pusher
Litho Canada
CONTACT US
Eastern Division Western Division Southern US Division
Saint-Georges, Quebec
Equipment: (418) 228-8911
Parts and service: (418) 227-2727
Quebec, Quebec: (418) 628-2888
Prince George, British Columbia
Equipment: (250) 308-7330
Parts and service: (250) 562-2727
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Equipment, parts and service: (501) 760-1100
Canada
Chicoutimi (Quebec) • Montreal (Québec) • Quebec (Quebec) • Saint-Georges (Quebec) • Prince George, BC
United States
Hot Springs (Arkansas)