WoodTECH focus on dry-mill innovations

WHEN WOODTECH 2018 OPENS ITS DOORS TO SAWMILLERS and wood processors next month, the focus will be on innovations and new technologies around dry-mill and wood manufacturing operations.

The two conferences – one in Rotorua and the other in Melbourne – are expected to draw big crowds following a record turn-out at last year’s events.

Previous WoodTECH events have concentrated on sawmill scanning, sawing and green-mill optimisation technologies, but for 2018 attention will be turning to other areas of the operation, says organiser and FIEA Director, Brent Apthorp.

These will include robotics/automation and changes being seen in wood manufacturing, advances in wood scanning and board optimisation, finger-jointing, cross cutting and ripping, timber gluing and laminating, timber machining, kiln drying, timber finishing, material handling operations, mill maintenance, changes to timber standards, H&S, and training and skills development.

“Advanced technologies like robotics and industrial exoskeletons, are used increasingly to reduce worker fatigue, along with wearable technologies to harness the power of mobile connected employees on-site and laser cutting of wood,” says Mr Apthorp.

Experts will fly in from Sweden, Germany, Italy, Slovakia, the USA and Canada to impart their knowledge.

The first conference is in Melbourne on September 11-12 and moves to Rotorua on September 18-19. Details on www.woodtech.events.