Since it was created, CRIQ has developed more than 40 different types of equipment for primary and secondary wood processing mills for the purpose of increasing productivity and recovering value-added products.

For instance, CRIQ has developed a lumber grader/optimizer, a linear classification system that guarantees planing mills optimal profitability with a possible return on investment within three months. This linear system – currently available on the market – optimizes the value of each piece of lumber before it is trimmed, by taking into account parameters relating to the size, grade and market price of the finished products mills want to offer their customers. The final decision is the most profitable one for the company.

For the secondary wood processing industry, CRIQ has developed the multisensor grader/optimizer, based on digital vision technology. It makes it possible to detect a wide range of defects and properties specific to species such as maple, yellow birch, oak or others, so as to meet the needs of the milled wood and furniture sectors.

A first sensor uses a high precision colour camera to detect knots, streaks and other colour-related features. Other subtle features such as annual rings and seasonal discoloration are also detected.

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The multisensor grader also includes a specialized sensor for detecting holes and fine shakes and providing an exact measurement of the piece’s width. Finally, a third sensor analyzes the profile of the piece by laser triangulation to detect anything that might have been overlooked.

The information from the various sensors is transmitted at high speed to a processing computer so an optimal log breakdown pattern can be calculated according to process constraints and the economic value of the finished product.

Weight Detector

This system weighs the lumber and separates it into lots having the same drying characteristics.

Making lots more uniform and effectively managing green wood are two crucial elements that make it possible to:

• better manage drying schedules;
• maximize kiln efficiency;
• reduce operating costs.

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