System converts wood weight into cubic metres

Using the weighing methods Tamtron Systems Oy have developed, wood can be measured in the most economic and efficient way. The results can be used as the basis for payment to wood suppliers.

Measuring wood at the mill

Wood is delivered to the factory by lorry, train or water. A vehicle or railway car is identified and weighed both upon arrival and departure.

The volume of received wood is calculated from the weight of the load and from volume weight. When this information is combined with the original data, acquired when the vehicle was arrived and departed, the exact dimensions of the received load can be calculated.

Volume weighing with Tamtron Systems Oy sampling scales

Tamtron Systems Oy developed the weighing computer Scalex 2200 to randomly select vehicles and railway cars that are then directed to the sample weighing area for measuring of their wood volume weight.

In order to measure the solid metres, the wood volume is weighed with a special set of scales that weighs a random sample from the delivery of wood (a sample bundle) both in the air and when immersed in water.

The measured weight sample provides accurate information, for example, by species of wood and logging area. In this way, wood quality can be determined very accurately. Furthermore, it is easy to compare the weighing results with each other.

As an additional benefit, the weight sampling frees up some of the workforce for other tasks.

Sampling scales Scalex CS

Tamtron Systems Oy has developed a reliable Scalex CS (crane scale) especially for weighing smaller wood lots arriving at the mill.

The scales are installed between the boom of the crane and the mounting bracket of the grapple, and measure the weight of a wood lot. The instrumentation of the Scalex CS transmits the weighing data to the Scalex weighing computer, which converts the weight of the sample into volume weight. The weighing data is stored in a file containing transported volume weight averages by wood species and logging area.

Sampling scales Scalex HSS

When the volume of wood is larger, the Scalex HSS is an excellent choice as a sampling system. Vehicle mounted scales, designed for the dimensions of the work machine, are situated next to the immersion tank.

The off loader drives onto the scales that weigh the sample both in the air and when immersed in the tank. The system capacity and dimensions can be tailored according to the loaders operating in the mill.

The empty weight of the machine and the grapple volume in the system memory can be checked and updated quickly with the same scales. The system notifies the hand-held operator terminal, if the empty weight information is outdated. Weighing results are transferred to the Scalex weighing computer. Based on the result, the computer calculates the sample's volume, which is combined with the information from the received wood load.

Hand-held terminal facilitates weighing

The off loader operator can control the weighing with an easy-to-use hand-held terminal. Data is transmitted between the machine and the Scalex data system with radio modems.

In addition to speed and accuracy, one benefit of the Scalex HSS sampling system is that it is independent of an individual off loader. The hand-held terminal is economical to install to all the off loaders operating in the wood field, and it is also easy to transfer from one machine to another.