© ABB Inc.May 31, 2011 | Slide 1

WMP-137-1 Using a laser level transmitter to improve plant productivity

ABB Automation & Power World: April 18-21, 2011

© ABB Inc. May 31, 2011 | Slide 2

WMP-137-1 Using a laser level transmitter to improve plant productivity

OSB Plant productivity improvementOSB and OSB plant

© ABB Inc. May 31, 2011 | Slide 3

OSB (Oriented Strand Board) is a layered, mat-formed panel product made of strands or flakes from small diameter, round wood logs and bonded under heat and pressure.

OSB manufacturing plants production process is based on horizontal surge bins designed to create surge capacity needed for continuous and reliable production process

In order to efficiently monitor and control the production process, accurate level measurement is needed

Due to its nature the measurement must be non-contact, but conventional non-contact technologies face real challenge with this application

Wood pile shavings

Rake conveyor

Bottom belt conveyor

OSB Plant productivity improvementPlant layout and process operation

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OSB Plant productivity improvementWhy level measurement is important?

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Level measurement in wet bin and dry bin is important for maintaining optimal bin surge capacity

Level measurement in former bins is important for maintaining pile uniformity

Uniformed pile means uniformed material density across the strand board and this translates to high quality final product

Optimal bin surge capacity ensures streamlined production process with no disruptions such as bin running empty or max bin level and stopped feeding

This allows smooth and advanced planned process operation with reduced fuel usage

As a result, well controlled production process leads to increased production and higher final product quality

The entire OSB plant throughput relies on continuous and accurate level measurement

OSB Plant productivity improvementTraditional devices used

© ABB Inc. May 31, 2011 | Slide 6

100% 75% 50% 25%

Rake conveyor

Bottom belt conveyor

Wood pile shavings

Photoelectric sensors

Monitors the process in 25% steps

Does not provide continuous measurement

No possibilities for tight process control

As a result, the silos can run out of material or get filled to maximum and disrupt the process

Requires constant operators attention

Requires frequent cleaning and routine maintenance

Requires frequent alignment

Principle of operation

OSB Plant productivity improvement What Is laser?

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When compared to a flash light, the laser light is:

monochromatic

coherent

That is why the laser can produce light, which is:

concentrated

powerful

OSB Plant productivity improvement Laser - basics

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Law of reflection – glossy/mirror-like surface

Defuse reflection –

Rough surface

OSB Plant productivity improvement How laser measures distance

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TOF – Time of flight distance measurement

Measures any solids surface at any angle with very narrow beam

905nm wavelength semiconductor laser

Beam divergence <0.2⁰

OSB Plant productivity improvementBest practice and solution

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LM200 Laser transmitter

LM80 Laser transmitter

Long Range to 115ft/35m on any natural target

Built-in laser pointer for easy aiming

Rugged industrial enclosure

4/20ma output, 2 Relays

Long Range to 200ft/ 60m

High Performance long range optic

Built - in visible pointer standard

110/240VAC and 24VDC power supply accepted

4/20ma output, 2 Relays

OSB Plant productivity improvementLaser level measurement for advanced process control

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Rake conveyor

Bottom belt conveyor

Laser transmitter Wood pile shavings

Continuous level measurement

0.4” accuracy, 3 readings/sec update rate

Laser technology allows process to be monitored and kept under tight control

Therefore optimum surge capacity in the bins can be maintained

This leads to efficient and streamlined process

Result is higher productivity and better quality

OSB Plant productivity improvementWhat is the productivity improvement?

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Customer benefits after implementing the laser transmitters as level measurement solution in wet, dry and former bin:

Streamlined and uninterrupted production process

Continuously maintained bin surge capacity to optimum level

15% to 18% increased productivity

Reduced with 15% fuel usage and therefore cost

Consistently maintained material density in the final former bins

High quality, consistently manufactured product

OSB Plant productivity improvementOur customers

© ABB Inc. May 31, 2011 | Slide 13

Louisiana Pacific

Weyerhaeuser

Georgia Pacific

Ainsworth Lumber

Norbord

JM Huber

Wet bin, Dry bin applications

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OSB Plant

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