Challenge

In response to the growing demand for cross laminated timber (CLT) market in North America, Kalesnikoff Mass Timber planned to add a new CNC machine to increase its production capacity. Factory leadership recognized that the addition would result in more residue and committed to upgrading the dust collection system, baghouses, and the conveyors thereafter, all of which needed to be larger and more robust to accommodate the increased volume of waste wood.

Kalesnikoff wanted to address experiencing problems with its current waste-handling conveyors, primarily:

• Dust leakage. Chips and wood dust covered the main entrance to the mill, presenting a fire hazard and a constant eyesore.
• Energy Consumption. Multiple conveyors handled a single waste stream.

Solution

BE&E supplied Kalesnikoff Mass Timber with one 18S SMART Conveyor™ to replace the existing two-conveyor system.

The drag conveyor would collect biomass residue—wood dust and shavings—from three Airmax Systems baghouses to a 45′-tall truck bin, running 90′ horizontally and then 85′ at a 30° angle. The BE&E conveyor would accomplish this task with a 3-hp motor, a power reduction of 86 percent from the previous system.

BE&E would also fit the conveyor with burst panels to protect the machine from an explosion, a risk due to the dry materials involved.