A plywood plant improves productivity by synchronising its production line
A plywood plant faced increasing production problems and intense competition. The plant decided to buy modern production equipment in order to improve productivity and reduce production costs.
The plant's veneer lathe motors ran at two speeds. The fixed motor speed meant the cutting speed fell as the block diameter was reduced. The quality of the veneer was poor and the production capacity was low. The operators were dissatisfied with the complicated control system. In addition the two-speed system had short service interval high spre part cost.
Plywood veneer lathe
Frequency converter drives proved to be the best solution for the plywood plant's problems. The converters were installed to control the speed of the lathe, tray conveyor system with three conveyors and the wire mesh conveyor motors.
Frequency converters synchronise the different functions of the lathe line and maintains optimum cutting speed. Productivity and veneer quality have increased while production losses caused by buckles, humps and breakages of veneer have reduced. The operators are extremely satisfied with the new control. The whole veneer lathe is now controlled by two push buttons instead of the previous eight buttons.
Problems with two-speed motors
Coarse speed control caused poor veneer quality
Production capacity was low
Complicated control system was difficult to operate
Maintenance costs were excessive
SolutionMotors: 37 kW/1500 rpm; 3*7.5 kW/1400 rpm and 15 kW/1500 rpm
Frequency Converters: 66 kVA, 3*10 kVA and 25 kVA
Voltage: 380 V, 50 Hz
BenefitsFrequency converter control improves veneer quality by optimising lathe cutting speed
Increasing productivity by synchronising production processes and reducing breakages
Simple control system is easy to operate
Reduced energy costs by regenerative braking