Automated log tracking and sorting for sawmill conveyor

索圣博尼费罗工厂。玛丽和索尔特学院正在合作一个应用研究项目，以帮助自动化博尼费罗的日志排序过程。Boniferro的三个锯木厂都专门切割特定质量的原木。进入的原木从所有锯木厂之间的传送带有选择地送入每个锯木厂。轧机操作员决定哪台轧机最适合每根原木，并通过手动开关有选择地将原木从输送机上敲下来。除了重复拨动开关带来的潜在健康问题外，手动分拣过程还将操作员的注意力从其他工作中转移出来。Sault College提出了一种自动分拣解决方案，可以取代繁琐的手动拨动开关，并为轧机操作员提供更多的时间来完成其他工作。一个自动化的解决方案将通过消除昂贵的错误，当高质量的日志错误地结束在木材削片机增加日志分类的准确性。在这个概念验证项目中，Sault College工程技术专业的学生将在专家教师的指导下，在该学院的自动化实验室的比例模型上演示该系统。学生将参与项目的各个方面。该项目的部分资金来自加拿大自然科学和工程研究理事会的赠款和Boniferro Mill Works的捐款。赠款计划的目标是将知识从学院转移到加拿大工业，同时帮助解决公司特定的制造问题。索尔特学院的自动化专业学生将有机会磨练现有的技能，并在克里斯·比彻姆教授的监督下开发一些新的技能。John Coccimiglio在索尔特学院管理应用研究。Paul Larsen是项目经理，Rhonda Davies是业务开发官。 Boniferro Mill Works是一家专业生产硬木产品的现代化锯木厂。该锯木厂自1948年以来一直在运营，有几个不同的所有者，包括Weyerhauser Canada。自2003年以来，该工厂一直由Boniferro Mill Works拥有和经营，并通过持续的二次研究和公认的森林管理，从宝贵的，可再生的和可持续的森林资源中为市场生产高质量的森林产品。

Boniferro Mill Works of Sault Ste. Marie and Sault College are collaborating in an Applied Research project to help automate Boniferro's log sorting process. Each of Boniferro's three sawmills specializes in cutting a specific log quality. Incoming logs are selectively fed into each sawmill from a conveyor that runs between all of them. The mill operator decides which mill best suits each log and, via manual switches, selectively knocks logs off the conveyor. Besides the potential health concerns around repetitive toggle switch stress injuries, the manual sorting process draws the operator's focus from other duties.Sault College proposes an automated sorting solution that would replace the tedious manual toggle switches and give the mill operator more time for other duties. An automated solution would increase log sorting accuracy by eliminating expensive mistakes when high quality logs mistakenly end up in the woodchipper. In this proof-of-concept project, Sault College Engineering Technology students guided by expert faculty will demonstrate the system on a scale model in the college's automation lab. Students will be involved in all aspects of the project. The project was partially funded through a grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and with contributions from Boniferro Mill Works. The goal of the grant program is to transfer knowledge from the College to Canadian industry while helping to solve a company specific manufacturing issue. Sault College students specializing in automation will have a chance to hone existing skills and develop some new ones while under the supervision of Professor Chris Beauchamp. John Coccimiglio manages applied research at Sault College. Paul Larsen is the project manager and Rhonda Davies is the business development officer. Boniferro Mill Works is a modernized sawmill specializing in hardwood products. The sawmill has been in operation since 1948, with several different owners, including Weyerhauser Canada. Since 2003, the mill has been owned and operated by Boniferro Mill Works and produces high quality, forest products for the market from a valuable, renewable, and sustainable forest resource through continuous secondary research and recognized forest management.