FDM - October 2008

FDM
THE WOOD
DOCTOR’S R_x

fdmonline.com

Gene Wengert

wooddoc@uwalumni.com

Moulder output,
energy costs

Q:How can I increase my moulder output?

●
Always have
wood available
and ready to go
at the moulder’s
infeed.
●

A:Some of the following items may be obvious, but I will bet there are a few that will make a difference. I asked Dave Rankin Moulder Services Inc. to contribute his thoughts too. Both Dave and I recall the “old days” when runs on the moulder lasted many thousand of pieces; today, short runs are the rule. What techniques will help keep productivity high? Here are 10 to try: 1. Always be safe!

2. Analyze why you make defective pieces. If you make 5 percent defective pieces (or 5 percent over-run just in case), then that means 5 percent longer run time and 5 percent less yield (= $$$).

3. Pay attention to sharpening techniques and knife angles. The sharpening room is important for rapid wood processing with minimal defects and maximum efficiency.

4. Consider material flow. Always have wood available and ready to go at the infeed location for the moulder. That is, the moulder should never be idle because there is no wood to run. If appropriate, use an automatic return system for bringing wood to the operator position. Use an automatic infeed feeder to allow single operator to both feed and offload at the same time.

5. Consider scheduling of different

profiles. Schedule similar profiles consecutively, especially if the backside is the same. Schedule similar width profiles consecutively to avoid having to change feed rollers. Schedule rough stock profiles separate from rerun profile. Once again, this will avoid having to change feed rollers.

6. Pay attention to maintenance. Follow a defined maintenance schedule or have an outside expert fine-tune the machine regularly. Alignment is critical in most cases. Use an accurate digital micrometer with 0.001 inch accuracy (nothing less) on wood pieces to make sure the machine is running correctly.

7. Machine set-up. Use “axial constant” grinding and set-up. This can reduce normal set-up time by as much as 60 percent. Convert all locks to “quick locks” and avoid wrenches when possible. If your machine has counters on the spindle adjustments use them. Always eliminate backlash effects by always going in the same direction. Have the next set of prepared tooling at the moulder ready to go. Have all working tools and wrenches at machine in easy reach.