Sorter



Pictured above is the 16 tray sorter.


As the lumber enters the sorter, either from forklift-fed rough units or directly from the high speed planer, each board is graded by certified graders. Each grader has his own color of marking chalk with which he will make a specific mark on the board that signifies the grade and whether or not the board needs to be trimmed.



After the board passes the graders, it is scanned to pick up the grade mark and the appropriate operation is performed. A computer tracks the footage and trim as well as accumulating data on each grader as signified by chalk color. Pictured at the right is the lumber entering the trim saws. At this point it has already been graded and scanned. If the lumber needs to be trimmed, it will be trimmed here.



Just beyond the trimmer, a color laser printer stamps the grade on the board. Pictured at left is the incline feed to the sorter where the lumber is sorted into individual trays based on information from the computer using such factors as the grade, width and length. As the lumber travels up the incline, a corresponding gate opens and directs the board to its respective tray. Also, prior to the incline, a drop out can send lumber to the special order table for special packaging.


At the other end of the sorter the trays are unloaded into units of a particular product. (ie., clear all heart, 2x8, 10 ft length). At right a tilting table will be positioned at a particular tray to unload the specified product.



Here units are banded and issued a lumber tag for inventory purposes. The units are then taken to the lumber yard to await shipment to customers.