Double Aught: OptiFit Linear Edger System
McDonough Canada recently completed delivery of another OptiFit Linear Edger System to the Baillie Group’s Double Aught Lumber facility in Candor, NY, shipping the equipment in early January, 2021. This is the third OptiFit edger delivered to the Baillie Group in the last calendar year and is being delivered just weeks prior to their fourth OptiFit system, also heading to northern NY later this winter.
The McDonough OptiFit edger is designed to maximize yield and profitability without the need to expand your sawmill. As the piece travels toward the edger, it passes through a scanning zone and a solution for the optimal cut is generated while the piece is moving toward the edger. When the solution is determined, the saws are set, and the piece enters the machine to be cut at full speed as the operator loads a new piece onto the belt. The sawbox is top mounted to keep bearings out of the path of debris, and the infeed and outfeed belts extend into the sawbox for maximum handoff accuracy and performance. The OptiFit can handle a piece count of up to 20 pieces per minute with a maximum size of 16.5 feet.
The McDonough OptiFit Linear Edger System as built for Double Aught Lumber included:
- Unscrambler
- Spiral rollcase with live fence
- Edger infeed transfer
- Accumulation transfer with turn/pass
- Edger infeed belt conveyer
- Lineal scanner frame
- Edger outfeed belt
- Edging separator
- System controls and servo motion control
- Edger outfeed transfer
- Edger outfeed decline belt transfer
- Landing transfer
- Nelson Brothers VSLI Optimization with JoeScan scanning technology
The new machinery replaced an existing transverse optimized edger system and is expected to dramatically improve yield, edging accuracy and reliability. Having already had the chance to see results from their McDonough OptiFit Edger Systems operating in two of their other locations, the Baillie Group was able to place the order for the Double Aught machine with confidence.
Hugh Hawley, McDonough VP of Operations says “We are proud to have such a great partner as the Baillie Group to work with on these projects. These investments will ensure the continued strength of these sawmills so that they can support the families that make up those communities for years to come.”
Optimization on this project was provided by Nelson Bros.
About Baillie Lumber
The Baillie Group is a family of industry leading hardwood lumber manufacturers. They focus on providing customers hardwood lumber solutions that help their business succeed.
Baillie's hardwood manufacturing facilities are spread north to south throughout the eastern part of the United States.
The Double Aught sawmill is located in Candor, NY amidst some of the finest hardwood timber in Upstate New York. This facility provides customers with mixed loads of kiln-dried lumber in a variety of species, thickness, width, and length. With the main species being ash, cherry, poplar, red oak and white oak.
