Fires in forestry product plants such as sawmills are a constant and real threat, with almost 80 fires recorded in production facilities in Austria, Germany and Switzerland over the past five years.
Binderholz GmbH is a timber company based in Austria that regularly uses planing machines to create a range of products. The prevalence of excessive friction during this process can generate heat, which can cause shavings to ignite, resulting in a potentially highly damaging and dangerous fire.
Binderholz GmbH needed a solution to mitigate this fire risk.
Monitoring the process via a large live monitor. Image Credit: binderholz
Solutions by Optris
Optris fitted Infrared temperature monitoring systems across the planing line in order to help avoid the risk of fire. This system was developed using a combination of Optris infrared cameras (PI 400 and PI 640) and the license-free software Optris PIX Connect.
The installed PI 640 and the related IR image. Image Credit: binderholz
The cameras’ compact design proved to be a major advantage for this application, enabling rapid, straightforward installation. Optris’ cameras also offered a number of other key benefits, making them ideal for this particular scenario:
- Compact and robust design (IP64)
- Able to measure up to 125 Hz
- Available network connection
- Automatic hotspot detection and alarm output
- Able to simultaneously view multiple cameras on one software screen
- Option to view infrared images on a standard PC or mobile device via the IRmobile App
- Suitable for use in harsh environments
- Easy to install, even in small spaces
- Range of optics available
- Self-monitoring via fail-safe signal
- 382 x 288 pixel or 640 x 480 pixel camera resolution
- Numerous optional accessories, including air purge and CoolingJacket
Optimal for use in the application field of fire prevention. Image Credit: Optris GmbH
Additional Advantages
Within this application, the cameras from Optris are also utilized for quality control. Planing may cause the wood’s surface to heat up considerably, depending on the contact pressure of the stop rail. This results in discoloration or even scorch marks, negatively impacting overall product quality.
By using the Optris cameras to monitor the wood’s surface temperature directly within the machine, these potential quality defects can be identified early, significantly reducing the scrap rate.
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Optris GmbH.
For more information on this source, please visit Optris GmbH.