Optimizing Chip Quality Produced from Sawmill Chipping Heads, 2000 Pulping / Process & Product Quality Conference Proceedings

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R. Uelmen--Residual chips from sawmills are an increasingly important fiber source for pulp and paper operations in the United States [1]. The chip by-product from solid wood production is also an important source of revenue for the sawmill industry. Getting the best chip quality from this resource is gaining increasing interest as the allocation of the forest resources favor the higher returns for solid wood product over whole log chipping.

There are two fundamental styles of chipping heads, each of which can be optimized to produce quality chips. A brief description of these and the important parameters for their optimization is outlined. Chip production and quality is not the main focus of a sawmill operation, however, most of the adjustments that help chip quality can also give the sawmill an added advantage in production, yield, or operating cost. So proper adjustment of these machines can benefit both parties.