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Introduction to the VPGTM Stacker System
A History of Success
Over the last 20 years, the Gillingham-Best engineering team has followed a continuous improvement process geared toward finding and eliminating potential failures with lumber stackers, lumber stick placers, and lumber stick laying stacker systems. We have also worked to eliminate unecessary sticker-stacker operations that cause system downtime. The Gillingham-Best engineering team has analyzed nearly 65 of their own installed and operational sticker-stacker systems, and those of the competition. With each subsequent redesign, culminating in the current generation of Variable Pan GeometryTM System, Gillingham-Best has simplified and upgraded its design to achieve maximum customer uptime.
VPGTM System Benefits
- Eliminates costly bent stick lifting arms
- Simplifies machine operation & timing
- Safer, single user operation
- Provides perfect stick alignment
- Variable inset from end of package
- Jam-free operation
- Quiet, smooth operation
- Runs with wide range of sticker quality
The Industry's Performance Leader
The engineers who build Gillingham-Best’s VPG lumber stick placer and lumber stacker systems target 24x7x365 uptime. To support customers' needs for maximum lumber stacker availability, Gillingham-Best changed both the sticker-stacker system design and the company’s engineering and manufacturing processes.
To eliminate the problems associated with operator safety and mechanical breakdowns as encountered in the competing systems, Gillingham-Best has developed the Variable Pan GeometryTM System. With the VPGTM System, all of the sticker lifting components are eliminated. The sticker is moved from the distribution chain to the stacker fork pan by pivoting the pan down to receive the sticker. The pivoting pans are simultaneously operated in time with the arrival of the stickers. Operation of the pans is by a single hydraulic cylinder through a common connecting bar to a bell crank at each pan location. By minizing mechanical and hyrdraulic components, uptime is improved, mainenance is reduced, and return on investment is maximized. Field reports from existing stackers show almost no down time from sticker jams. Operators have reported full shifts without a single sticker jam.
Cold weather is not a concern for the GBI stacker. A recently installed stacker in northern Idaho runs out in the open with only a roof. Operating temperatures have been below 0 degrees F (32 degrees F below freezing). Under such conditions, frozen lumber and stickers are easily accomodated by the system.
VPGTM System Features
- 12" sticker placing for hardwood mills
- Stacker cycle speeds to 15 courses per minute
- Two speed hoist valving for smooth indexing & fast return
- Hoist track, carriage tracks, fork lift cam are replaceable T-1 steel
- Chain C2080 standard
- Structural tube steel framing
- Course widths 36" to 96"
- Package weight 5,000 lbs. to 150,000 lbs.
- Course weight 300 lbs. to 3,600 lbs.
- Programmable logic controller selects proper stick for selected lumber length
- Random width options
- Proximity type sensing switches
- Standard "off the shelf" components
- Advanced MMI Screen Board controls with remote I/O, "Blue Hose" wiring
Minimize Maintenance
The key to minimal maintenance on the GBI system is the use of eleven (11) heavy duty pivoting pans and one (1) hydraulic cylinder and valve to place the stickers into the package. In comparison, the typical overhead magazine system uses thirty-three (33) air cylinders, air valves and mechanical mechanisms for the same task. Where as the magazines require almost constant maintenance, no scheduled maintenance is required on the GBI pan system.
- In all areas of the stacker, the design has been hardened over the years as we achieved a mature product.
- Gearboxes used are Cone Drive with double involute worm gears. These boxes are good for many millions of cycles or years of service.
- In the stacker every cam roller rides on T-1 steel.
- The package hoisting chains are designed with a safety factor of 5 times.
- No proportional or servo valves are used. No temposonic cylinders are needed.
- To help reduce maintenance, all motions in the stacker have been minimized. Even though the sticker system is built into the stacker, the stacker still has the motions of a high speed package maker type system.
- The sticker system changes advance and speed based on the length of lumber. Only the minimum advance is used for the length of lumber.
- The stacker system has three (3) speeds. The operator can use the speed required to keep up. Reduced speed and motion prolong the life of all items.
- The control system contains hidden jog screens to help maintenance personnel trouble shoot.
- Hidden timing screens are also available to fine tune the stacker.
- Modems allow dial up support from GBI.
- A complete and thorough maintenance manual is provided.
- Most spare parts can be procured from local sources.
- No costly annual service contract is required.
- Parts available from GBI are reasonably priced.
Maximize Control
The GBI system uses a 10" x10" color touchscreen panel to communicate with the operator. The main screen provides the operator with current status of all stacker sub-systems. This is done with a grid of green blocks. If any block is red, the operator can immediately identify the item that is preventing the stacker from cycling. The control system also monitors all motor starters. If a starter trips, the operator receives a warning on the screen. The internal diagnostics monitor all stacker functions and contribute to high stacker efficiency.
The current control system has evolved over many stackers. We believe the system exceeds all other manufacturers in ease of operation and training and the support it provides for maintenance personnel.
VPGTM in Action (Video)
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