The system is also responsible for recording and specifying the processing steps on the planer, cross-cut saw, laying stations and presses. After pressing, the software solution controls the fully automatic material flow of the panels in post-processing, including the commissioning of mending stations, processing centres (underfloor system) and portal processing systems (PBAs).
Another important aspect is the data supply for manual post-processing in the joinery, the finishing loop and the ceiling turner. The system also handles material tracking for the manual cranes used for transport package picking.
ABF’s warehouse management system ensures a smooth material flow in the automatic crane warehouse, which serves as an intermediate buffer store for CLT panels before the portal processing systems. The fully automatic control of the crane and the transport trolleys optimises the efficiency of the entire process.
A central feature of the cross-plant Manufacturing Execution System is the recording of operating times and downtimes, taking into account a plant and shift calendar. By cyclically recording measured values and calculating the Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), the new system continuously improves the performance and efficiency of the systems.
Thanks to the cooperation with ABF GmbH, Mayr-Melnhof Holz was able to successfully realise the new cross laminated timber plant and increase the Group’s production capacity for cross laminated timber from 80,000 m3/year to 200,000 m³/year in the future.
‘We have already realised several projects in our successful partnership with ABF,’ says Martin Klingenbrunner. He is very satisfied with the mega project implemented in Leoben: ‘With ABF, we were able to achieve optimum control and tracking of the production processes, optimised warehouse utilisation and a uniform presentation of the efficiency of the entire CLT production.’