Garnica Group upgraded to Smart Scan HD with autocalibration

08.06.2020
Raute Group

The Garnica Group is the biggest poplar plywood producer in Europe and they have been using Raute solutions for many years, including a Raute peeling line at their Valencia de Don Juan mill. Installed in 2003, the block centering technology at the Valencia de Don Juan mill was finally in need of an update. Garnica selected Raute’s Smart Scan HD as the best option.

Block Centering Analyzer R7 lasers ensure centering accuracy.

Raute Block Centering Analyzer R7 installed in the old Raute PCLH charger.

The Garnica Group is headquartered in Logroño, La Rioja, Spain. Altogether, they have six mills, with five in Spain: Baños I, Baños II, Fuenmayor, Valencia de Don Juan and Maderas de Llodio (a softwood mill), as well as the Samazan mill in the south of France. In total, Garnica Group employs around 1.200 people and their mills produce 300.000 m3/y poplar PLW and 50.000 m3/y softwood PLW. They export more than 90% of their production.

THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR MODERNIZATION

The Garnica Group has had good experience with Raute solutions over the years, and they operate 4 Raute veneer peeling lines, as well as other Raute equipment for processes including roller- and screen drying and grading, lay-up with gluing, pressing, composing, and scarfing.

Their Valencia de Don Juan mill was the first Garnica mill to install a Raute peeling line, back in 2003. This included a Raute PCLH 800×1400 XY-charger with SLS 6000-single point laser, which served the mill well for many years. However, by the beginning of 2019, the 16-year-old block centering technology clearly needed to be modernized. The laser sensors and control PC were no longer available, and the system needed to be calibrated several times a month, which required too much maintenance time.

When the mill decided on the replacement technology, their main targets were to improve the centering performance and the veneer recovery and to eliminate end of life components. They also wanted to improve the adjustment and calibration procedure, to ensure the values were consistently correct.

After discussing the advantages of the new Block Centering Analyzer R7 (previously Smart Scan HD) with Raute, it was obvious that it was the right choice to modernize the line.

QUICK AND EFFICIENT INSTALLATION

Garnica ordered the Block Centering Analyzer R7 from Raute in January 2019. The system was delivered and installed in May 2019 during a scheduled production stop over a long weekend. With the help of Raute specialists during the start-up, the line was running at full capacity within a few days.

Block Centering Analyzer R7 with autocalibration drastically decreased maintenance hours,” 
José Augusto Huerga, Technical Director of Garnica’s Valencia don Juan mill

SUCCESS WITH BLOCK CENTERING ANALYZER R7

Since the start-up, the Valencia de Don Juan mill has had very good results with the Block Centering Analyzer R7. The log centering is better, and the length and diameter measurements are more accurate. The Block Centering Analyzer R7 reads every log much better than the old laser system, all along the length, and it also detects dark/black zones and bark better. And, thanks to the autocalibration, they have drastically decreased their maintenance hours. Overall, it’s clear that the peeling line performance has been improved.

THE ADVANTAGES OF AUTOCALIBRATION

The mill is also particularly pleased with the autocalibration system because they don’t have to worry about centering offset adjustments or sensor calibration. In fact, they have only spent a few maintenance hours in the last 6 months at the XY charger. The system automatically calibrates itself, measuring and comparing continuously to correct the axis home position. The autocalibration system also provides data which can be used to track performance and predict mechanical failure.

Together, block centering analyzer and the autocalibration system have improved production and reduced maintenance time, adding value and profitability to the whole peeling line.

PROPER MAINTENANCE FOR CONTINUOUS PRODUCTION

Proper maintenance is important for Valencia mill to maintain high performance. A Service Agreement with Raute ensures production lines to be always well maintained and crucial parts changed before possible problems. That ensures predictable production and mill operations.

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