Veneer Handler with
AI Sortation
Introducing a state-of-the-art solution transforming mill operations with advanced Artificial Intelligence to more efficiently handle veneer than traditional sheet feeders or people.
Ensures Consistent Output
Improves Quality
Controls processes with Sophisticated AI
Reduces Labor Costs
Veneers have a lot of diversity in form and kind. They can vary in specific shape, surface area, moisture content and have a variety of knots, splits, holes and other imperfections. In addition due to production processes they can have debris on top of them. All of this contributes to challenges in handling them with traditional equipment or even with people.
RIOS Agents Automate Decision-Making
Veneer Handlers incorporate RIOS Agents to evaluate individual veneer and stacks of veneer to determine their quality using characteristics like surface area, volume, mass, moisture, holes, knots and splits. RIOS Agents also enable the Veneer Handler to understand where each veneer is in 3D space when picking and placing to and from moving conveyors and stacks.
Intelligent Veneer & Panel Handler: What It Does
These robotic workcells automate the process of moving veneer to and from stacks, moving conveyors and other machinery. Here are some of the key capabilities:
- AI Sortation
Sorts veneer based on your specification. Automatically reject out of spec veneer more accurately and consistently than any other solution, including people. - Detects Out of Spec Veneer
Detects broken corners, narrow spots, open defects and splits. - Detects and Rejects Visible Debris
Automatically alerts when debris is detected to minimize stopped line recovery time.
- Operates Anywhere Veneer Is Handled
Veneer Handler locations include green chain, dryer in-feed, dryer out-feed, full sheet and composed layup line automation points. - Operates with Speed and Precision
Place veneer < 1/4" relative to AI vision or otherwise determined stationary or moving target(s) up to 20 times per minute. - Increases Production Time
Using sophisticated AI, VP Handlers inspect individual veneer, stacks of veneer and provide historical performance information to predict and prevent issues that cause downtime.
AI Sortation
After the RIOS Agent inspects each veneer for knots, holes, and split defects, the Veneer Handler places them in the appropriate stacks. Veneer meeting user-defined thresholds are accurately placed in the accepted stack, while those that do not meet specifications are sorted into a rejection stack. The entire process is automated and controlled by an AI model trained with unobtrusive video collected onsite, eliminating the need for human intervention.
Applications for Veneer Handlers
Examples of process steps where Veneer Handler adds value
Location | Value |
Green Chain | Sophisticated AI veneer inspection & sortation or rejection Can pick and/or place veneer on moving conveyors relative to visually tracked targets like lugs or other veneer Stack veneer with high accuracy , +/- ⅛” to vision target Integration with AI control system and PLCs to recommend or directly optimize start, stop and speed of processes for throughput and quality |
Dryer Infeed | |
Dryer Outfeed | |
Full Sheet and Composed Layup Line | |
Random Station Layup Line | |
Random Dryer Infeed | |
Random Dryer Outfeed |
Veneer Handler Specifications
This robotic workcell has an 8'x10' footprint and can automate the process of moving veneer to and from stacks, conveyors and other machinery.
- Accepts stacks of 54" x 101.5" veneer up to 36" tall
In-feed stacked veneer sheets can have up to ± 3" variation in placement. - Places individual 4'x8' veneer sheets onto a layup conveyor moving up to 150ft / min
Able to place accurately 0-0.5 inches from lug of conveyor with <± 3/8" skew.
- Detects and rejects visible debris
Automatically alerts when debris is detected to minimize stopped line recovery time. - Detects out of spec veneer
Detects broken corners, narrow spots, open defects and splits.
Veneer Handlers leverage Intelligent Agents to lower the barrier of introducing reliable and effective machine learning. Manufacturers can easily build complex processes using simple, easy-to-use web interfaces. These processes can do everything from control complex robotics movements to identifying objects.