Sveza plant in St. Petersburg develops laser technologies

2024: Running the veneer laser thickness gauge on the third line of peeling

The Svezy plant in St. Petersburg modernized and put into operation a laser veneer thickness meter. The launch of this technology on all three humming lines will save about 1.5 thousand cubic meters of raw materials per year. The company announced this on January 22, 2025.

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Фото: Sveza

The laser meter is installed on the third line of peeling and is an aluminum frame in which there are high-precision 2D laser sensors. The device is located above the conveyor with a moving veneer and measures the thickness of the wood belt at three points: right, left and middle. The thickness gauge is equipped with a self-diagnostics system that automatically checks the current readings with the standard. If necessary, the sensors are calibrated to avoid inaccuracies during measurements. If the fishing machine begins to produce veneer with deviations from the standard thickness of 1.55 mm, the device signals this to the line operator, and he promptly corrects the equipment settings.

In 2021, we presented the first version of the laser thickness gauge, which became an important stage in our development. This experience allowed us to identify areas for improvement and make the necessary adjustments. Based on the work done, we have improved the solution. After a cycle of tests and settings in December 2024, we achieved a determination of accuracy in the range of 0.01 to 0.02 mm. There are no analogues of thickness gauges with such high accuracy in the world, - commented Vladimir Voroshilov, an expert on the production technology of the Svezy plant in St. Petersburg.

The veneer laser thickness gauge is made exclusively of domestic components using Russian software. Until the end of January 2025, the plant's specialists, together with representatives of the thickness gauge manufacturer, will continue to analyze the operation of the system in order to identify all factors that affect the measurement accuracy factor. Projects for the installation of the same automatic veneer thickness control sensors on the first and second lines of felling have already been approved, and in 2025 the plant will begin their implementation. Investments in equipment modernization will amount to more than 10 million rubles.