SICAM SYSTEMS CORPORATION #102 7311 Vantage Way Delta, BC, Canada, V4G 1C9 Tel. 604.584.7151 Fax. 604.200.0132 Email. sales@sicamsystems.com www.sicamsystems.com

SiCam Fence Verification System

Application: Fence Verification – Fence Performance resulting in Length/Grade issues

Scanner Type: SiCam SPX – Single Point Laser Scanner

Purpose: The SiCam Fence Verification System is a critical tool for diagnosing fence issues and detecting potential length problems immediately. The system helps identify the source of many fence issues and provide valuable maintenance feedback. Fence or board positioning issues typically result in:

• Off Length Lumber • Grade issues • Production loss

SiCam provides a highly accurate scanner with a very fast scan rate to provide fence performance information. The board position is measured before it enters the trimmer and ensures the board has reached the correct position.

Eliminate short boards or “Dark ends”

SiCam Fence Verification System Overview rev.2

pg. 2

Fence Types Application The SiCam Fence Verification system will work with any type of Fence. Each fence has a unique method of positioning the board and requires customized analysis to:

• Identify Length Problems • Provide Advanced Fence Diagnostics

PosiLOCK Fence -Monitor each paddle -Analyze Segments

MULTI-TRACK Fence -Monitor each paddle -Watch Individual tracks

2-6 Stage Fence -Pneumatic, electric, hydraulic -Watch Individual tracks

2-6 Stage Fence -Pneumatic, electric, hydraulic -Watch Individual tracks

ACCU-GATE Fence -Monitor each Paddle -Watch individual positioners

Piche Fence -Monitor each Paddle -Watch arm and cylinders

SiCam Fence Verification System Overview rev.2

pg. 3

Fence Performance Evaluation The SiCam Fence Verification system will provide immediate alarms to shut down the line during a critical problem. The software will also provide you with the ability to analyze the specific performance of every aspect of your fence. Measure Each board is measured and classified individually to perform an accurate analysis of the fence.

Analyze The true performance evaluation shows up as the SiCam system trends information over time to find challenging mechanical issues.

Piece Analysis -Measure each piece and compare target -Group the pieces depending on fence style

Trending Analysis -Classify pieces into groups -Trend groups over time -Find common issues -Determine appropriate fix

SiCam Fence Verification System Overview rev.2

pg. 4

Examples of Fence Issues The following section is just a few examples of fence problems that can go unnoticed for long periods of time resulting in short pieces and grade loss. Scenario 1: 3 Stage, Stacked Cylinder Fence

SiCam Laser

Software starts up showing several problems. Fence Stage 2 (green line) shows high amounts of variation

Further analysis views how each 1” target performs. SiCam shows “Even Target” values are incorrect

Mechanical issue found! The 1” solenoid/cylinder on the second fence broken.

Fenc

e St

age

2 Fi

xed!

Resulting Performance -Each Stage of the fence is tuned -System is constantly monitored for issues

SiCam Fence Verification System Overview rev.2

pg. 5

Scenario 2: Fence Stage out of calibration The most common issue discovered when the system is enable is a “poorly calibrated” fence stage. This is typically a 3rd of 4th stage on the fence.

This problem is fixed by physically adjusting the position for this fence stage.

The fence monitor that captures all data from the fence clearly shows a second histogram on the “under fence” side

After selecting the data from Fence 1 the second histogram disappears and the data is much closer to target.

The Fence 3 is then highlighted and histogram showing the issue is displayed. Although the histogram is in the wrong position it is showing the variation within the fence is low.

The history graph also shows the data plotted over time. The average fence value is plotted every 5 minutes and shows that the trend is consistent.

SiCam Fence Verification System Overview rev.2

pg. 6

Scenario 3: Fence Stage with Mechanical Problem Another issue that commonly occurs is a mechanical issue with one stage of the fence. In the example below a “pin” that holds the fence to the cylinder was loose and eventually “fell”. The fence calibration for the 3rd stage is also a problem.

SiCam recommends that alarms are configured to display messages to the trimmer operators as soon as a problem occurs. The alarms should also be configured for each “stage” of the fence. Alarms can be configured to stop the line for immediate attention.

Fence stage 3 is performing consistently until the problem begins to occur.

Throughout the night the stage behaves erratically but no action is taken.

The next day the problem is discovered and dealt with. The data resumes the consistent behavior

SiCam Fence Verification System Overview rev.2

pg. 7

Scenario 4: Slow Fence Movement The following problem occurred between two consecutive lugs with a long range fence returning to a short range fence. The following sequence of events occurred until the problem was fixed:

1. Piece 1737 – Fenced correctly at 1” 2. Piece 1738 – Fenced over by 1” (went too far) 3. Piece 1739 - Fenced over by 3.5”

When observing this problem, we found that the Fence 1 was too slow in returning to the 1” position. The fence speed was changed to allow the fence to return faster and eliminate the problem. This problem can also be fixed with lift skid timing or roll speed adjustments.

Poorly fenced piece visible on the piece viewer