PROCESS
PROCESS
Process
Log Yard
Logs that have been delivered to UCL Sawmill are immediately debarked and scanned in order to sort the logs by diameter. The sorted logs are then cut in either of our wetmill lines.
Wetmill
The logs are cut by frame saws or band saws into cants and boards. The cants are further processed into boards through a multi-rip saw. The side boards are then fed through board edgers to “square off” the boards. These boards are commonly known as planks. The planks are stacked with spacers between each row to allow for proper air flow through the stack during drying.
Drying
The stacked planks are kiln dried by heating the air around the planks to drive out moisture from it. The air is heated by steam which is produced in a boiler fuelled by burning sawdust and waste developed in the wetmill. The planks are dried from a moisture of approximately 55% to below 15%.
Drymill
The boards are end-trimmed, cut to size and finished in the drymill. This includes planing, ripping, grading and bundling.
Treating
Customers often require the timber to be treated. It increases timber life as it withstands weather conditions as well as fungal and insect infestation. Treated products are essential for most structural purposes, especially near the coast. The products are treated in a high pressure vessel, where the CCA preservative is forced into the core of the board.
Delivery
The finished bundles of timber are available on site for sale or delivered to customers.