The document describes the BBS+ laser scanner from ScanMeg, which is a waterproof single-point laser scanner available in 4" and 48" field of view models. It can be used for applications like lumber thickness measurement, defect detection, and sorter control. The BBS+ has options for differential measurement modes and integrated communication modules for connecting multiple scanners.
5. BBS+ Specifications BBS+ 4” BBS+ 48” Field of view 6” to 10” 12” to 60” Accuracy 0.00 1 - 0.00 5 ” 0.006 - 0.030” Communication RS-232, 4-20 mA, PNP Scan rate 300 scans/sec Modes of operation Normal, average and median Power supply 12 to 24 volts Temperature range 0º to 50º C, 32º to 120º F Differential mode Optional differential module
6. ULTRA S Specifications ULTRA S Field of view 8” to 32” Accuracy 0.00 1 - 0.014” Communication RS-232, 4-20 mA, PNP Scan rate 300, 600, 1200 scans/sec Modes of operation Normal, average and median Power supply 12 to 24 volts Temperature range 0º to 50º C, 32º to 120º F Differential mode Optional differential module
7. TYPE SE Specifications SE Field of view 4” to 14’4” Accuracy 0.0 10 – 0.100” Communication RS-232, 4-20 mA, PNP Scan rate 75 or 300 scans/sec Modes of operation Normal, Average and Median Power supply 12 to 24 volts Temperature range 0º to 50º C, 32º to 120º F Differential mode Optional differential module
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9. Type BBS+48 (top sensors shown) Type T Light-curtain Scanner BBS48 scanners used to measure differential board thickness in a Cross-beam Edger Optimizer Picture courtesy Automation & Electronics, New Zealand
10. BBS48 scanners used to measure differential board thickness in a Cross-beam Edger Optimizer Picture courtesy Automation & Electronics, New Zealand Type T Light-curtain Scanner Type BBS+48 (top sensors shown) Click here for comments
11. BBS+48 Differential Type SE Long-range Single-point scanner (for lumber length) BBS+48 used with DIFF module to get board thickness in conjunction with the Type SE Long-range scanner to determine board length. Picture courtesy of Automation & Electronics, NZ Click here for comments
12. BBS4 sensors scan the kiln stickers and eliminate those with severe twist, bow, crook, splits as well as broken ones. BBS4 used to Eliminate bad Sticks Picture courtesy of Hogue Industries Click here for comments
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18. BBS48 in Differential for cants BBS48 in Differential for cants BBS48 in Differential for cants in Planer application
19. 4x ULTRA S in Differential Mode for planer outfeed
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21. BBS Laser point for Rough log diameter Type SE Laser scanner for setback from log line measurement Measurement of log setback and rough log diameter for oversize logs on Step-feeder or rough log diameter to help with setting appropriate gap
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23. Concentrator Link 10 Inputs C-Link 10 TCP/IP link Encoder input Splitter Encoder signal output Programmable Encoder signal divider Serial link for configuration parameters Automatically recognizes our Single point sensors Keeps in memory all data between Sync. input signal Works in Pulse mode or window mode (Sync. signal) Connect up to 10 Single-point sensors per C-Link module Interface configuration software supplied with all modules Single-point laser concentrator Mounting LED status Sensor Input connector (1 to 6) Sensor Input connector (7 to 10) Encoder and supply connector
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Editor's Notes
Type BBS Single-point, Laser Scanner The BBS series of laser scanners has been one of the most popular units in our product line. There are presently four models using the same technology but designed for different purposes: BBS+4” - used where high resolution is required such as in planer mills, veneer and board plants etc. BBS+48” - identical to the BBS+4 but with a longer range with slightly less precision SE - similar electronics but with a much greater range of up to 14’ (4.2m) Ultra S - slightly different electronics with a much greater scan frequency, designed for multiple installations There are many uses for the different modules including: thickness monitoring, trimmer fence checking, cant height at horizontal and vertical resaws, photocell where it is impossible to use a thru beam, low-cost edger optimizer scanner, and the SE has been designed to determine the position of a log on Step-feeders for gap control & board length measurement.
Scanner Body Each of our single-point lasers are manufactured from a solid aluminium block that is milled out to accept the electronics and PCB board. Due to the special features in the manufacture, there is no need to temperature correct the scanner’s output unlike other manufacturers. The signal remains constant throughout the scanners temperature range. The enclosure is water-tight so there is no problem when welders water down areas where they have been working. Stainless steel screws are used to fasten the back together to form a waterproof enclosure.
The BBS4 and BBS48 can be used in differential mode to monitor the thickness or widths of cants and boards as well as the thickness of veneer, plywood and other board products. In some cases both models are used together depending on the situation. This is a very cost effective way to control target sizes such that early warnings can be issued to alert personnel of problems in the manufacturing process. The installation is very simple, with each BBS sensor plugging into a DIFF module that does the differential calculation in the on-board CPU to determine the objects thickness. Special statistical programs residing in the unit can determine average and medium values.
The DIFF or differential module allows one to link two BBSs together and the thickness or width measurements are automatically calculated using the on-board CPU. This relieves the PLC from doing all the math calculations. All the setup can be done on this module including Baud rates, calibration, Mode, as well as trouble-shooting. The DIFF module recognizes which BBS model is attached and makes the calculations accordingly. Using this combination is a very economical method to monitor target sizes of boards and cants as well as veneer and plywood sheets. Output from the DIFF module includes analog, RS-485 serial and PNP. Everything that needs to be done for proper operations can be done through the DIFF module. Calibration is a snap. Just put the calibration piece in the field of view of both lasers and push the calibration button. The system auto-calibrates. All the information from each laser is outputted on the digital readout. Error codes help in identifying any problems that may arise.
Universal Brackets are included for a variety of installation configurations. Special bosses in the brackets correspond to recesses on the sensor to accurately locate the sensor.
Automation & Electronics of Mt. Maunganui in New Zealand has developed a low-cost, Cross-beam edger optimizer utilizing the Type T light-curtain scanner for the outline of the board and a series of BBS48s with DIFF modules to determine the board’s thickness at various spots along the board. For further information contact: Brian Smith www.automationelec.com .
Automation & Electronics of Mt. Maunganui in New Zealand show their board classifier utilizing the BBS48 in differential for determination of board thickness and the Type SE for the position of the far end of the board. Since the boards come off of a fixed fence, all that is needed is the far end to determine the board’s length. The BBS48 determines the board’s thickness using the 4-20 mA output as well as the boards width, using the PNP output from the BBS in conjunction with the pulse encoder.
The BBS+ series can be used to measure kiln stickers as they pass under the scanners. Elimination of poor quality stickers will ensure continuous operation of the stacker without the problems associated with sticks jamming in the magazine. This installation is at SDS Lumber in Bingen, WA and was engineered and installed by Hogue Industries of Weslyn, (Portland) OR. Contact is: Gary Hogue 1-503-656-5100 www.hogueindustries.com BBS Scanners measure the kiln Stickers to eliminate ones with severe bow, twist, or are broken
This installation at Tolko (ex Riverside) in Armstrong BC is used to determine the thickness of the veneer feeding into the composer. Any part of the veneer sheet that is out of specification is clipped and sent to the chipper. Four pairs are used to measure thickness across the sheet. Also in the picture is the Type TVeneer light-curtain scanner that is designed to detect defects including splits, holes and broken edges. Sheet orientation is also outputted in case the machine has the capabilities to skew the sheet to square it up with the clipper to eliminate extra clipping. The installation was done by the mill personnel with assistance from Iron Code Engineering Co. Ltd. of Salmon Arm, BC. Iron Code can be contacted at: Don Lazar at 1-250-804-0300 www.ironcode.com
Three pairs of BBS4” Single-point Laser scanners were installed above and below the rollcase to measure the thickness of the panels. The units detect blow and other mis-manufactured panels. Each BBS4” pair is plugged into its DIFF or Differential Module that makes the calculations and sends this information to the PLC.
The BBS can be used to measure the length of boards on a transfer deck. Since this is a stud application the BBS48 is used for both the near end as well as the far end. In random length the Type SE would have been used for the far end due to its longer range (14 feet or 4.4m)
The BBS48 in conjunction with the Type SE Long-range laser scanner, can be used to measure the length of longer boards on a transfer deck. Since this is a 12’ stud application the BBS48 is used for the near end and the SE is used at the far end. The Type SE is used for the far end due to its longer range (14 feet or 4.4m). In any event, the DIFF module recognizes which model of laser scanner is used and makes the calculations accordingly.
At Simpson Timber, in Tacoma WA, a Type SE laser scanner was installed above the tilt hoist to monitor the lifting of the bundle and to stop it at exactly the correct position. This controlled the tier as it slid off the bundle. The BBS48 tracked the fork mechanism for proper positioning and sequencing.
The BBS48 is used on the outfeed of the timber sizer to monitor the thickness and width of the timber at Western Forest Products operations in Chemainus BC. This was installed by SiCam Systems.
The ULTRA S lasers are used on the outfeed of a lumber planer at Seneca Sawmills in Oregon. The scanners monitor the thickness and width of the boards and alert the operator if there are deviations in lumber size. This prevents the miss-manufacture of hundreds of boards that are not noticed until they reach the graderman. The sensors are also used to check the settings of the planer when the heads are adjusted for the next lumber size.
This illustrates the use of the BBS48 and the SE to determine the position of a log on the top step of a Step-feeder and the log’s rough diameter for log sorting. The same setup could be used to control the logs going into a canter line for gap control, utilizing the setback distance from the log line as well as the log’s diameter to set the gap. Automating the system increases the throughput of the line by moderating the flow as well as reducing downtime from poor gap control.
Two SE scanners are used at each end of the Wave feeder in this installation. The log’s length, diameter and setback position is determined. Two SE scanners are offset in the vertical plane in case of severe sweep or crook in the log.
To measure random-width hardwood boards for sorting a Type HD Light-curtain scanner with 0.040” (1mm) precision is used for width and three pairs of ULTRA S laser scanners with DIFF modules are used to determine thickness. Alternatively one could determine width with a pulse encoder in combination with the PNP output from the laser scanner but in this case there was no encoder.
C-Link 10 Concentrator The C-Link receives the inputs from up to 10 Single-point laser scanners per C-Link module. Modules can be daisy-chained together up to 32 C-Links on one circuit. The communication from each sensor to the C-Link is serial. The C-Link assigns an IP address to each connector and therefore all the data from each sensor can be communicated to the controller over TCP/IP Ethernet protocol. Within the C-Link are differential modules that calculate the thickness from two opposing laser sensors.
We would like to thank you for your interest in the ScanMeg product line. Our intention is to provide the forest industry with specialized sensors specific to the measurement of logs, lumber, veneer and panel products. We know the industry and we know that the sensors have to be robust in construction to withstand the abuses that occur in the manufacturing plants such as moisture, vibration, dust, oil and severe temperature ranges. Many of the features of the sensors have been derived by our customers who have requested scanners for special applications. Often our scanners can do many different jobs depending on the requirements. If you find that there is a need for a specific scanner let us know because, chances are that this need is universal with others in the industry. Thanks again for your interest. ScanMeg