EVERY TREE IS UNIQUE – AND SO IS EVERY MACHINE IN A SAWMILL
Great sawmill machines are built to last. They operate
day after day in demanding conditions – handling
natural, ever-changing raw material. No two logs are
the same. Knots, varying density, embedded sand,
debris and cyclic loads constantly challenge machines
and control systems.
From log sorting and the first cut to trimming and the
final board, each machine forms part of a continuous
production line where reliable, consistent and safe
operation drives overall performance and productivity.
Wherever your machine fits into the line, ABB helps it
perform reliably, consistently and safely – supporting
energy-efficient, sustainable operation over its entire
lifetime
Engineered to last. Built for the task. Simplicity that outruns.
In demanding sawmill and woodworking environments, reliability, energy efficiency and simplicity define performance. ABB partners with OEM machine builders to deliver scalable drive, motor and automation solutions that keep production running — safely, efficiently and without unnecessary complexity.
Key benefits
Scalability across the entire sawmill
<p>Standardized tools. Familiar interfaces. Reduced engineering complexity. ABB’s all-compatible drive portfolio helps OEMs manage complex sawmill installations efficiently — from single machines to complete lines.</p>Productivity and reliability without complexity
<p>Accurate motor and position control, without external encoders. Reduced components, improved robustness and reliable performance from zero speed to demanding positioning applications.</p>Energy efficiency for cyclic and high-load applications
<p>ABB’s ACS880 regenerative drives and common DC systems reuse braking energy in cyclic applications. High-efficiency SynRM motors further reduce losses in continuous operation.</p>Integrated safety for demanding sawmill machines
<p>ABB’s PLC AC500-S provides SIL 3 / PL e certified safety with secure Ethernet communication. Integrated drive-based safety functions simplify machine design while ensuring safe operation.</p>Efficient lifecycle management at scale
<p>Consistent tools, global availability and condition-aware drives simplify commissioning and maintenance across large sawmill installations — supporting long-term availability and productivity.</p>From local presence to global support, enabled by OEM Hubs
<p>Local support, regional OEM Hubs and global expertise – helping machine builders design, develop and deliver high-performance sawmill machines.</p>Sawmill applications
Nature defines the load. Irregular log geometry, shock forces, and cyclic stress require robust and reliable motion control from the very first step.
Log handling processes such as step feeders, revolvers, and log kickers operate under heavy, uneven loads and continuous mechanical strain. Stable and precise motion control at this stage is critical to ensure consistent mill performance downstream.
ABB’s advanced drive and automation solutions provide synchronized and dependable material flow. ACS880 drives deliver high torque performance and precise position control, even without encoders, simplifying machine design while improving reliability.
AC500 PLC ensures fast and accurate control of conveyors, feeders, and sorting systems, while AC500-S Safety PLC manages essential safety functions such as emergency stops and zone protection. CP600 HMI offers clear visualization and real-time diagnostics, giving operators full process visibility.
Key benefits:
- Reliable performance under heavy, dynamic loads
- Reduced system complexity with encoderless control
- Stable and synchronized log flow for higher productivity
Debarking processes demand consistent and controlled log flow despite varying log sizes, shapes, and surface conditions. Maintaining stable feeding and positioning is essential to ensure efficient bark removal and protect downstream equipment.
ABB drive and automation solutions enable smooth and controlled log transfer into and through the debarking process. Precise torque and speed control from ACS880 drives ensure stable operation under fluctuating loads, reducing mechanical stress and improving process reliability.
AC500 PLC coordinates conveyors and infeed systems with fast response times, ensuring accurate log positioning and continuous operation. Integrated safety functions via AC500-S Safety PLC protect personnel and equipment without compromising productivity.
With CP600 HMI, operators gain full visibility into process conditions, enabling quick adjustments and minimizing downtime.
Key benefits:
- Consistent log flow for efficient debarking
- Reduced mechanical stress and wear
- High reliability under variable operating conditions
A controlled and well-coordinated feed into the sawmill is essential to maximize cutting accuracy, throughput, and overall yield. Logs must be aligned, spaced, and transferred smoothly despite their irregular geometry.
ABB solutions ensure synchronized motion from log infeed through to the sawing process. Advanced drive technology enables precise speed and position control, allowing accurate log alignment and optimized spacing before cutting.
ACS880 drives provide robust performance for demanding feed applications, while AC500 PLC coordinates conveyors, positioning systems, and transfer mechanisms with high precision. This ensures stable material flow and minimizes disruptions.
Safety is managed by AC500-S Safety PLC, and CP600 HMI delivers intuitive control and real-time system insight, helping operators maintain optimal performance.
Key benefits:
- Accurate log alignment and positioning for improved cutting results
- Smooth, synchronized material flow into the saw line
- Increased throughput with reduced disturbances
The sawing process is the core of the mill, where heavy loads, high forces and strict safety demands set the standard for performance and yield. Sawing machines operate with high inertia and varying log properties, requiring precise and stable motion control.
ABB’s ACS880 drives provide strong torque, accurate control and integrated safety up to SIL3/PL e, ensuring reliable operation in demanding conditions. Combined with the AC500 PLC, the solution enables efficient coordination, improved product quality and maximum yield throughout the cutting process.
After sawing and drying, boards are measured, sorted and packaged in highly synchronized multi-axis processes. These applications require precise coordination, stable material flow and energy-efficient operation under cyclic loads.
ABB’s ACS880 drives provide accurate position control and reliable axis synchronization, including encoderless solutions that simplify system design. Regenerative capabilities further improve energy efficiency in demanding applications. Combined with the AC500 PLC, the system ensures smooth operation, precise sorting and consistent performance across the finishing line.
Key benefits:
- Precise multi-axis synchronization for conveyors and stacking systems
- Encoderless position control reduces components and improves reliability
- Regenerative braking improves energy efficiency in cyclic motion
- Scalable control architecture for large drive populations
Drying kilns are among the largest energy consumers in a sawmill, where continuous high-temperature operation demands efficient and reliable solutions. Optimized motor and drive selection plays a key role in reducing costs and ensuring long-term performance.
ABB’s ACS580 and ACS880 drives deliver energy-efficient control for kiln fans and positioning applications, while high-efficiency SynRM motors minimize losses and maintenance needs. Together with the AC500 PLC, the system enables precise control of temperature, humidity and airflow, improving wood quality, reducing energy consumption and ensuring consistent drying conditions.
Key benefits:
- Reduced energy consumption in the energy-intensive
process by optimizing speed of fan based on drying recipe
- High-efficiency SynRM motors with cooler operation
and extended lifetime
- Reliable fan control with ACS580 drives
- Precise motion and brake control with ACS880
- Improved availability in continuous high-temperature
environments
After primary sawing, timber is refined through planing, profiling and finger jointing, where precision directly impacts quality, yield and overall performance. These applications require stable speed control, fast torque response and synchronized multi-axis operation to maintain continuous flow and consistent results despite variations in wood properties.
ABB’s ACS380 drives provide compact and flexible control for auxiliary axes, while ACS880 drives deliver high-performance motion control with integrated safety. Combined with the AC500 PLC, the solution ensures precise coordination, high product quality and reliable production across after-sawmill processes.
Key benefits:
- Precise speed control for consistent surface quality
- Both stable open-loop motor control and closed-loop
servo control supported
- Integrated safety functions
- Scalable solutions from compact ACS380 to
high-performance ACS880
Highlights and references
Jartek improves efficiency in wood processing plants through close collaboration with ABB
Jartek is a specialist wood processing technology supplier that has worked closely with ABB to develop innovative solutions to meet the demanding material flow control requirements of high-efficiency sawmills. ABB’s regional OEM Hub supports Jartek with motion control application development, plant harmonization and customization.
Cooperation boosts log conveyors
Nordautomation Oy, a leading Finnish supplier of log handling technologies, has achieved record-breaking transport speeds in partnership with ABB. This collaboration has also led to significant energy savings through advanced frequency converter technology.
Veisto Oy developed a more energy efficient power unit
HewSaw from Mäntyharju, a manufacturer of sawlines and sawing machines, has delivered a high-speed sawline to the Rauma sawmill. Rauma has now introduced for the first time a new, more energy-efficient hydraulic power unit developed by HewSaw.
Kuhmo pioneers energy-efficient timber production with ABB SynRM motors and drives
Finnish sawmill operator Kuhmo was the first company in the world to use ABB IE5 SynRM motors in a timber drying process. Its latest plant upgrade could produce six-figure energy savings in just a couple of years with highly efficient ABB motors and regenerative drives.
Valutec perfects energy efficiency of its kilns with ABB SynRM motors
Lumber drying expert Valutec has chosen ABB IE5 SynRM motors as its primary motor option for the kilns it supplies to its sawmill customers.
Timber saw line training for the game console generation
Veisto Oy, the manufacturer of sawn timber production lines, has adopted ABB’s virtual commissioning to safely train customers on how to use equipment – weeks before it is installed and commissioned.