Rules Corner — Monitoring New Technology

Most industries have moved towards optimization technology, and the hardwood industry is no exception. Over the past 30 years, most of the hardwood industry has adopted new technology to help improve efficiency and quality in one form or another. This is a positive move as long as things are kept up-to-date and monitored.

One of the biggest challenges is keeping new processes in check and monitoring the manufacturing results from this new technology. There are several ways to keep things in check, and NHLA would like to help in any way it can.

One way that NHLA can help is by training employees that are monitoring the Grades being produced by the mill or consumed by the manufacturer. 

NHLA can also assist by offering a Quality Control program. The Program monitors different areas of the production process to assure that the high rates of production are actually producing a profitable product, utilizing as little raw material as possible.

The NHLA Inspection Services Team can and does actively evaluate member company Inspectors for Grade accuracy as well as types of defects found in the lumber. During an evaluation the NHLA National Inspector can identify certain defects that are caused by different processes that affect the Grade and recovery. 

The NHLA National Inspectors can perform tests on the following processes in the production of lumber:

                • Debarker
                • Dip Tank
                • Edger and Trimmer
                • Kiln Operation
                • Log Scale
                • Lumber Thicknesses
                • Minimum Opening Face 
                • Package Appearance
                • Pallet Cants
                • Ripsaw
                • Yard Packaging

These are the standard processes that the team can test but we have the ability to design testing in other areas of your operation as necessary.

If you are interested in speaking with someone about monitoring your processes, please contact me.

Dana Spessert, NHLA Chief Inspector can be reached at 
901-399-7551 or by email at d.spessert@nhla.com.