Last updated on
July 10, 2009

Situation: WWC management identified the need to improve bundle appearance and quality while decreasing the labor required to produce the bundles. The WWC team developed a conceptual model of a processing line that would solve these problems.

The proposed line receives stacked lumber bundles from various inspection lines around their lumber yard. The bundles delivered to the processing line are secured by one temporary nylon strap. Once put onto the processing line the bundles are automatically conveyed to a bump plate. The bump plate assembly effects an even end on one end of the lumber bundle. After one bundle end is straightened at the bump plate, the bundle conveys to a semi-automatic press and strapping station. Line personnel engage hydraulically-powered pressure bars to compress the bundle and install skid boards under the load before placing permanent straps around the bundle. The temporary nylon straps are removed and returned to the various sorting lines around the lumber yard.

With the lumber bundle held in compression by the permanent straps, the bundle is automatically conveyed forward to a bundle saw. This bundle saw cuts the package to accurate length and aligns that bundle end. Once the bundle is trimmed to final size, the processing line indexes the bundle to a weigh station. Bundle weight is recorded for future use in calculating shipping container weight. Bundles exiting the weigh station are tallied for piece count and bundle footage. This information along with company logos and end paint are applied once the bundle enters the paint station. Bundles exiting the paint station are ready for staging and export.

WWC had the processing line concept and an excellent maintenance and fabrication team to build the line but no engineering capability. Thus, WWC employed AGRCO to detail design the system. AGRCO fine tuned the concept and provided WWC with detailed fabrication drawings and component recommendations for the entire processing line.