New Zealand Journal of Forestry – Volume 44 #3
Nov 1999
Alastair Riddle , IFR Technologies
The original goal of the work programme started by Forest Research and later Fletcher Challenge Forests, Liro Limited, Interpine Forestry, Interpine Liro limited and now IFR Technologies was to produce a stem optimising tool that was fast enough to use at production speed in our logging operations. With the Invader tool now in place, it is becoming apparent that the management information provided by the system will be of as much value to forest managers as the log optimising gains. The Invader system offers manufacturing-type control of the harvesting process. Forest owners, large and small will benefit from the transparency and control offered.
All the information that the logmaking tools collect is linked to a particular skid, time, contractor, crew and tool operator. All the stem descriptions are stored and downloaded to a central database, as are all log records, including grade, diameters, lengths, volumes and quality information. Once in the database, this information can be queried in a myriad of ways. Tools operated by loader operators record details of the stock leaving each site. A reconciliation of stock produced and stock loaded at each site enables the reporting of stock available for delivery to customers. IFR Technologies are customising this function to better suit the needs of our major clients and are also moving to use RF links between field tools and databases to provide real time information.
Harvest planning and control
The Invader system provides, for the first time, information to control harvest management functions including production planning, control of production and delivery. Huge opportunities exist to use this information effectively.
Production planning
The production planning task is to produce the log product mix required to meet current orders by placing the right crews in the right stands, each with the right cutting instructions. To solve this problem, an optimising application needs the market orders, the opening log stocks, and the possible grade out-turns from each of the stands that are available to harvest. The application also needs to be able to take a sample of stems that represent the stand and “manufacture” them with alternative cutting strategies to identify the mix of stands and cutting plans that will fill the orders for best profit.
The Invader system provides an accurate record of the opening log stocks. The possible grade out-turn from stands available for harvest can be analysed using the now familiar MARVL system. Where harvesting has already started and a sample of trees has been recorded with calipers, Invader’s batch analyser can be used. This analyser uses the exact log specifications that the market requires to cut batches of stems and report out-turns by grade.
At present the major corporates in New Zealand are in the process of developing their own production planning systems and Forest Research has its “Condor” system ready for commercialisation. Invader can supply the essential data required by these systems.
Production Control
Production control ensures that logging crews produce the product mix required by the market without over or under-running orders, and that the products are manufactured to specification. Planning tools typically base decisions on averages, such as average tree and daily crew, but in a real production situation there are many variations in tree size, product mix, product characteristics and production rate that will affect the planned programme. A real time or close to real time control system is needed and Invader provides this. The tools report the manufacture of each product by specification length. If the production rate is greater or less than that necessary to fill an order in time, new instructions can be sent. Similarly, when an order is filled instructions can be sent to stop the production of that grade of log. The characteristics of each grade can also be reported by skid or amalgamated across a region. If an SED average for a line of logs falls below that specified, new instructions can be sent to lift that average. If there are any new cutting instructions, the field tools automatically collect them when downloading. With RF communications, downloads can occur continuously.
The information gathered by the tools can also be used for crew management purposes. Key suppliers are able to receive reports on their crews’ performance on a daily basis or in real time, and by grade and total production, average merchantable volume per tree, number of butt pieces versus tops, or length of butt pieces. Forest owners have manufacturing control reports on the way that the calipers are being used. Reports on each logmaker show the quality codes being used, number of codes entered per 10m of stem, how often diameters are taken and the way the sweep system is being used. This allows training to be targeted to those who need it most.
Control of Delivery
Log delivery can be managed by people or by truck scheduling software. Both need accurate data to make truck dispatch decisions. The data needed is the stock available at each location (supply) and the daily requirements of each customer continually adjusted for deliveries (demand). Invader can report on stock levels at each skid and where necessary, differentiate between total stock and stock available for uplift.
The stock system reports truck loading details during the day and can be linked to a customer log yard management system or be used to continuously monitor customer log stocks.
What are the implications for non-corporate harvest managers?
As an example, consider a consultancy arranging the logging and marketing of smaller, privately owned forests, using three to six logging contractors. A once-per day data download system using telephone modems would allow the consultant to send each crew its cutting instructions, ensure even lines of within- specification logs between each crew, know the production by grade and length by crew and in total each night, know the stock available and the stock loaded that day, and so coordinate their business.
- Using the Invader system will also enable the consultant to offer extra services to customers and landowners that should give a significant marketing advantage:
- Reassurance that the best logmaking decisions are made given the current marketing environment;
- Daily production reports; and,
- Record of loadouts linked to truck docket numbers.
Many small forest owners approach harvesting with a great deal of fear (sadly, often justified). Daily reports using such an objective, transparent system will be very reassuring and an effective marketing tool.
Conclusion
IFR Technologies Invader is now providing forest managers with detailed and timely information not previously available. This information is providing new opportunities to streamline forest management and improve margins.
For further information on the NZ Journal of Forestry contact NZ Institute of Forestry Inc on +64 3 384 2432