According to Rod Murray Hyne Timber Automation Project Manager, Tumbarumba is home to a world first for automated graded timber stacking. Source: Timberbiz
“Our team has created a fully-automated timber sorting and packing production unit,” Mr Murray said.
“Product is already being packed by the system and our operators are now assisting the contractor with testing.”
The sorting and stacking of graded timber is made possible through the use of optic recognition of on-the-fly grading markings on the individual pieces of timber.
“Grades are marked on each piece,” Mr Murray said. “And it’s a mark that only a robot could understand.”
Human operator’s safety is protected by world-class safety cells and sensors utilising light curtains.
Energy efficiency was also imperative in the design with advanced energy-efficient technologies employed. For example, the system automatically shuts down when timber is not coming through the production line. Lighting and motors are also energy efficient.
The prime objective of this ground-breaking project was to eliminate the injuries possible with the old manual sorting and stacking lines.
