The Thode VPD profile differs from the more traditional ascending and descending patterns that had been more commonly used over the years, by using an alternate layout of the pitching to create a wave looking profile further enhancing the effects of the VPD concept.
Working with Taranakipine’s saw shop contractor, Craig Robinson of Fred Robinson Saw Doctors and sawmill manager Rodney Baker, the trial got the go ahead and two saws were ordered “ready to run” meanwhile Craig and Rodney set about gathering as much information as they could to form solid base line data of where the sawmill was currently performing.
In mid-September 2021, the Thode VPD saws arrived on site and the trial was underway.
There was noticeable difference in performance instantly and at the end of the trial with all the data collected the improvement in sawmill performance was significant!
This information along with a list of the top-of-the-line Iseli machinery for a full saw shop fit out was then presented to John Sanders, Taranakipine’s Plant and Projects manager so the numbers could be crunched for justification.
The capex put together by John and his team flew through board approval and the order for the Iseli machinery was placed.
Meanwhile we set to work planning the new saw shop layout. We used 3D models of the Iseli machinery to generate several floor plans for different layout options, and through consulting with Craig we found the perfect layout to maximize space and flow through the saw shop for what he and the team needed for ease of day-to-day operation.
The team had a goal of “zero” sawmill down time for this project and to accomplish this we had to have a bullet proof installation plan, the timing and order of existing gear to be removed and the order that the new gear would be positioned and powered up would have to be perfection.
Working with Craig and the Taranakipine maintenance team we crafted just that, removing as much of the old gear to give the floor reconditioners and painters as much time and space as possible before the new Iseli equipment arrived on site.
In November 2023 five pieces of Iseli equipment arrived on site, this consisted of one RZ1 auto benching station, an SAA Stellite tipper, a BNF100 5 axis CNC side grinder and two BNP110 2 axis CNC profile grinders.
The plan worked like clockwork, perfectly staged to maximize time for all trades involved.
Week one, the SAA, BNF and both BNP grinders were installed, power on and sharpening saws.
Week two, the last of the old gear removed and the RZ1 installed, tuned and training on all machinery commenced.
While this was a big task the “zero” mill down time goal was achieved with the sawmill never missing a beat! Something that everyone involved can be extremely proud of!
At the start of week two, now with both BNP110’s up and running the new Thode VPD saws were unleashed on the mill and very quickly the gains become apparent! So much so that we had barely started the week and the operators no longer wanted the old standard pitch saws and Rodney made the call that they were to no longer to be used!
“We got everything up and running in the first week of November 2023. From that point on we noticed the difference in cutting speeds, sawing accuracy improvement, cleaner cutting no feather edges, less reprocessing due to accuracy of cutting, less intermittent saw changes, quieter cutting, motivation of saw doctors and production crews around upgrade of saw shop having new gear and technology in the saw shop. With wet grinders it made a huge difference to the air quality and the housekeeping was made easier as well with everything being contained. Overall, we are well on track to hit our targets for the payback time of this install. Thanks to all parties involved.” Rodney Baker- Sawmill Manager.
BEFORE & AFTER
A night & day difference, not only in presentation but in performance too!!
After a few months of running and the sawmill operation staff having the time to settle in, it has become clear that there have been gains in several areas as Rodney has mentioned above.
It is important to note that the only thing changed in the sawmill at this time was going from a standard pitch profile to the Thode VPD profile on all band saws.
The trial was a great success, testing in a controlled environment, removing as many variables as possible with the data recorded clearly showing that if you want a way to pay for your brand-new saw shop this is the way to accomplish it!
Thode 100% recommend and stand behind the Thode VPD profile as the best option for sawmills to maximize productivity and drastically reduce their manufacturing cost / M3 making their business more profitable.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the team at Taranakipine for putting their trust in Thode to deliver another successful Iseli installation.
The new Saw Shop is light and bright with the new layout spacious and user friendly.
"All I can say is that the accuracy is Awesome! And the Iseli gear is very easy to
use” - Craig Robinson
BELOW: Craig operating the new Iseli BNF100 side grinder. The BNF side grinds each tooth from start to finish using multiple passes which means the saw only has to do one full lap.
BELOW: Craig & Darryl with the Iseli RZ1 auto bench
If you are interested in more information on the Iseli range of saw shop machinery or would like to talk about conducting your own Thode VPD saw trial, feel free to contact us at any time.
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We are now situated at 29A Blakes Road, Belfast in a new building that we had some input into the design and layout of the office / store and staff amenities and are now firmly placed to service our customers from this site. Our staff are over the moon to have a new building and bright and airy working conditions. “The move gave us the ability to create a much better, more efficient factory layout and introduce new machinery in a controlled well-planned manner.
During the planning stage of the move we decided to upgrade an area of our factory to meet the current needs of our customer base, namely our Tungsten Carbide (TCT) circular saw servicing area. The TCT area now has a fully automated circular saw grinder that is fitted with a self-loading arm. This machine has replaced two Vollmer CX100’s and increased our ability to service our customers saws 50% faster and saws serviced to date are showing a great level of both accuracy and sharpness. The robotic combination means when we have high levels of saws for servicing we can stack and load the trolleys and set the machine to run overnight so when we arrive in the morning all saws are sharp and ready to go back to the customers.
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This is the first stage of their Sawshop Machinery upgrades to further the Sawmills performance.
Aaron would like to thank Neil Hunter, Robert Dunn and the Team in the Sawshop.
]]>Both Pan Pac’s sites have an array of Iseli equipment already, so the decision was made to replace the existing side grinder with an Iseli KHF100 Fully automatic 6 axis CNC machine. The KHF100 is designed for fully automatic grinding of the side angles on Carbide/Stellite tipped circular saws, and features space saving machine design that allows for high ergonomics and excellent usability, as well as ease of access to the electrical cabinet, coolant pump, pneumatics and fire suppression system.
Other notable features are:
The machine is controlled via a 15.1 inch colour touch screen with Windows-based interface for fast saw parameter loading and has unlimited program storage.
The grinder was installed in November 2023 and commisioning and training was completed by Regan Eisenhut from Thode Knife & Saw Rotorua.
Thode Knife & Saw would like thank the team at Pan Pac Otago for choosing the Iseli machine and the help given to Regan while commisioning and training.
For any further information regarding the range of Iseli Sawshop/ Filing room equipment contact your Thode sales rep.
]]>Thode Knife & Saw Auckland recently purchased a mobile cleaning station marketed by Iseli.
The centrifugal system gives superior cleaning of oil coolant over their older filter system which was fitted to their manufacturing centre.
When the machine was first connected to the top and face grinder the coolant was at a stage that it was due for a full change. After running the centrifuge for a week, the coolant was back to its near original colour.
They now rotate the RUMA on all their machines.
Darren Clissold, Auckland Production Manager, is thrilled with both the efficiency of the cleaner and the massive cost savings from not having to replace the specialized grinding oils they run in their machines.
He also enjoys the ease of set-up and the lock out switch which means the machine complies with H&S requirements.
Thode Canada and OFO Australia are also thrilled with the operation of their RUMA cleaning units
Contact your THODE REP to find out more about these machines.
]]>As a result Thode will be supplying all wide bandsaws using the Uddeholm brand. We are excited to have this strong relationship and once stocks of our other brands of bandsaw steel run out we will be transitioning 100% to the Uddeholm brand.
This rationalisation of our bandsaw steel supply will create better raw material planning, and improved logistics in order for Thode to provide continued on time delivery of quality product to our valued customers.
We still have some inventory on hand of existing bandsaw steel so we will continue to supply your currently purchased brand on a stock item basis while stocks last, then transition to Uddeholm.
We trust that this progression will be seen as a positive move with the Thode supply of bandsaws to the Australian and New Zealand markets.
Above from left while at Ligna May 2023:
Kevin Parker
(Director - Thode Knife & Saw),
Christian Peterlechner
(Sales Director Saw Steel - voestalpine Austria)
Aaron Hartley
(Sales & Customer Service Manager - Thode Knife & Saw)
]]>29A Blakes Rd
Belfast
Christchurch
]]>Thode Knife & Saw & Iseli also thank Affutage JL at St-Pamphile, Quebec on their purchase of a new Iseli RZ1. Kathy Pelletier on the left and Christopher Gagnon on the right with their new RZ1.
The Iseli RZ1 is the worlds biggest selling Automatic Levelling & Tensioning machine and is a great addition to their filing room.
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December 2022
Aaron McRae & Regan Eisenhut Commissioned two new Iseli BNP200s with the latest Tooth Tracing System for One Forty One Jubilee Highway Sawmill in Mt Gambier South Australia.
These two machines will now complement the recently installed RZ1, BNF100 side grinder and SAA stellite tipper as part of their major capital investments in the Sawshop.
Aaron McRae (Thode) Mauro Rossi and Matt Bowering (OFO) going into the screen settings on the BNP200
Thode Knife & Saw Pty would like to Thank OFO for their ongoing support of the Iseli products.
Special Thanks to Barry Kuhl, Matt Bowering and staff for your Hospitality.
Aaron & Regan.
]]>After successful comissioning, it's all smiles for this group of discerning buyers.
Thode and Iseli thank you for your continued support.
]]>From left Philipp Iseli CEO Iseli Swiss Precision, Phillip Higgins Manager Thode Knife & Saw Canada, Kevin Parker CEO Thode Knife & Saw
Thode now in its fourth year providing filing-room solutions with Iseli Machinery and saw blades in Canada after expanding from Australasia where it has been operating for over 75 years. Iseli also in business for over 75 years has had a collaborating partnership with Thode for over 20 years in Australasia and since the inception of Thode Canada.
Our Canadian customers are very supportive of the world class technology being offered by Thode Canada. We have a growing order book of Iseli machines which follow on from installation’s that have proven to increase efficiencies in filing rooms across Canada.
Our bandsaw manufacturing plants also use the latest technology featuring Iseli equipment which is giving customers Canadian made saws of the highest standard and consistency using renown Uddeholm 000 material.
We would like to thank our customers for their support giving us confidence to build a new manufacturing plant in BC and we look forward to building on the relationships and business that is growing as a result.
Please direct your enquiries to Mr Phillip Higgins our Thode Canada Manager.
Tel: +1 (778) 684-6078
Email: phil@thodecanada.ca
Thode Knife & Saw would like to thank Freeman Lumber for their purchase.
Kendall Lawson of Freeman Lumber Nova Scotia
]]>Heath Hanson (pictured) the head filer at Downie Timber in Revelstoke BC Canada stands proud with the new BNP100 grinder which has just been installed.
This is a new filing room in their Selkirk Cedar plant where a variety of saw specifications are catered for as used in the production process.
Thode Knife & Saw Ltd thank Downie Timber for choosing Iseli equipment for their filing room. Iseli has become a brand of choice for many leading companies throughout the world due to the technology, precision and reliability which gives customers assurance of improved quality and efficiency.
Barry Kuhl Saw-Shop Manager (second from the left) and his team are upgrading their Saw-Shop. The latest delivery consists of an ISELI BNF100 CNC Bandsaw Side Grinder and ISELI SAA Automatic Stellite Tipper which followed on from a new ISELI RZ1 Auto Levelling & Benching station in 2020. Thode and ISELI are proud to be involved with this project and look forward to the upcoming installation of two new ISELI BNP 200 CNC bandsaw sharpeners . Thank you to Barry and his team from Aaron Mc Rae of Thode for the hospitality during the commissioning process.
]]>By: John Eisenhut
A bit of background on myself, I’ve been in the Saw doctoring industry for quite a few decades now and in those years I’ve experimented a little outside the box with many things over those years.
Several in particular:
Now most of us know and I would think agree that reducing vibration in a saw is beneficial.
A Variable Pitch or Variable Pitch and Depth saw will run quieter than a standard pitch profile. There is no doubt about this; it’s an actual fact and has been documented well over the years.
So a few points to consider
Firstly: from a health and safety point of view, quieter saws in the saw mill are an immediate benefit in itself, and for most in the industry reason enough to make the change to a Variable Pitch saw.
It is common to receive feed back from the operators that they can’t hear the saw and in the next breath say I don’t like it, I can’t here it how can I cut fast and smooth if I can’t hear it?
What he is actually saying is the saw has changed its cutting pitch.
This is nothing that a re-adjustment period and a bit of reassurance and coaching over a few days won’t fix and it is definitely not something that should dictate not changing to the Variable Pitch concept.
This is a free advantage, no outlay, no more expensive than a standard saw.
Old technology grinders or standard cam grinders can grind a three pitch scenario with not too much effort, so the gain is there for us all.
Another benefit from a VP saw is the ability of the saw to decrease or eliminate completely any wash board that may be occurring… This. again is achieved without any other investment or modification being required. It’s a free fix.
Some of the myths around using Variable Pitch saws are that they cannot be serviced on a cam driven grinder, this is absolutely not the case.
Yes care needs to be taken to not over grind the face of the tooth “and” the tooth shape may not be as “pretty” as a CNC machine, however the additional benefits are there to grab. Your choice
The assumption that a VP saw is harder to deal with is also misguided information, setting a Variable Pitch saw going on a cam grinder or a CNC grinder is a simple task.
Continued Benefits
Now the money maker advantages
Increased feed rates
A decrease in within board deviation or a combination of both and again these benefits are being harnessed without any other investment or upgrade, it’s effectively a free performance increase for your sawmill.
You have to buy saws for your saw mill; there is no difference in price between buying a standard profile saw or a Variable Pitch profile saw,
We at Thode can cut your saw to any profile you require
Water cut by Thode Knife and Saw / cold cut flat and true, with no punch deformation
Even if you only have a cam driven grinders we can cut a profile to suit what they produce,
Our CNC water cutter allows us to cold cut your profile to very close tolerances,
The cut is clean, accurate and without heat absolutely no deformation in the plate
This can save you hours of grinding time, and have your new saw up and running in no time at all.
]]>
ISELI TOOTH TRACING SYSTEM (TTS)
Programming tooth shapes is still a major challenge for many customers. The ISELI Tooth Tracing System (TTS) can help! The tooth shape of the saw you desire to be emulated can be probed automatically by an acoustic sensor and saved as the tooth shape of your choice. The data obtained is then used for sharpening in the recipe. Parameters such as tooth profile, hook and back angles, tooth height, variable pitch and depths etc, are automatically determined and saved by the program.
This process enables the exact reproduction of existing tooth shapes directly on the machine without a great effort. These can be used going forward on all saws you have in service. So an exact repeat of tooth profiles on every saws
Inaccuracies are also copied, which means that the removal and thus the costs can be reduced to a minimum, even if the profile is not precisely defined. In addition, inaccuracies on the grinding wheel are compensated for when probing and enables absolutely precise grinding of the profile, even with a worn grinding wheel.
Tooth shapes generated on a system using TTS can be read in other ISELI machines of the BNP series.
Automatic insertion of the blade is now possible. The machine inserts the blade until a height pre-set in the recipe has been reached; the machine then closes the saw clamp. The first saw tooth is determined and the tooth pitch is calculated. In the case of variable tooth shapes, the group of teeth is automatically detected. This significantly reduces operating errors and the effort involved in searching for variable divisions.
The saw blade can be inserted / lifted to the stop point automatically on demand in automatic mode. The search for teeth and the determination of the zero point takes place automatically and the grinding process is started. In summary, the operator can insert the blade and start the machine by pushing the start button. The rest of the work is done automatically by the machine. The option is completed with a revised height adjustment, which works faster and more precisely thanks to a variable-speed drive.
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The BNP 200 automatic profile grinders are equipped with a 3 axes CNC system which gives automatic tooth finding functionality and different options for optimised accurate profile grinding. This also opens the door to many other saw machining options for the future.
A user friendly touch screen makes the machine very easy to use.
Pan Pac have opted to run a full oil immersed CBN wheel system. The Iseli machines were found to have the best oil containment details of all machines considered including close fitting wipers, oil mist extraction system and a fully automatic fire suppression system.
The machines run an electronically controlled central height adjustment system for saw blades, a pneumatic blade clamping system. The machine also has a Thode designed swarf magnet and back feed engagement device, both of which build upon the base machine from Iseli.
The Iseli BNF100 Bandsaw Side-Grinder
The BNF side grinder from Iseli is a 4 axes CNC machine; it runs a user friendly touch screen that makes the machine very easy to use.
The machine runs a full oil immersed CBN wheel system for the very best side grinding results with accuracies second to none.
The oil also assists in lubricating all moving parts keeping maintenance to a minimum.
The machine also comes with an oil mist filtration system and a fully automatic fire suppression system to mitigate against the risks of using an oil lubricant.
]]>
We introduced variable pitch and depth bandsaws to the market some 4 years ago for wide bandsaws and while not a new concept it wasn’t being done to any degree in New Zealand or Australia. Most saw shops in Australasia have not had the ability to service the saws due to having manual cam operated grinders which are unable to vary the depth. This is changing quite quickly as we have been seeing strong sales of Iseli CNC profile grinders which give the mills the opportunity to transition to variable pitch and depth. We have had reports of increased throughput of up to 20% with some customers as well as a quieter smoother running saw.
We have been selling narrow throw away bandsaw blades with variable pitch successfully for many years as there has been no servicing requirement for these.
For those who are interested in trying variable pitch and depth circular saws in their mill please contact us to discuss the potential benefits of this. We can manufacture and service these saws for those that don’t have in house servicing. We recently sold Niagara Sawmilling a new Iseli CNC Circular grinder that is capable of top, face, profile and bevel of the circular saw blade. (see the separate article on this)
We sold Redstag a complete new Iseli saw shop which is now in its fifth year of operation, this was just recently videoed (in our website video section) and you can see it is still like new as the saw shop team onsite operate the shop with the care and precision of a surgical team at any modern hospital.
Our Auckland Circular Saw & Knife Manufacturing and Servicing site shifted to a new premise three years ago and the work that went into planning the layout and improvement to systems has had great customer outcomes in terms of improved servicing turnaround times for both new manufactured saws and saw servicing. We have focused on staff training across all operational areas which has also added to service capability. You can view both the Auckland and Rotorua sites in the video section on our website.
A Safety note.
We recently had a staff member badly lacerate his hand which required hospitalisation. While we had recently had a safety audit with a favourable outcome just prior to the accident we quickly worked as a team to identify improvements to lessen the likeliness of a future injury. We had a Worksafe Investigation for the accident and they were complimentary of our overall approach which includes well documented training records, hazard identification and management & staff participation into a complete site safety system. We usually only read about prosecutions however our experience with Worksafe has been a positive one and we now have upgraded all the machinery of this type to more robust safety features and introduced a different glove which is safer for our staff. We have also shared this across our other sites so they could also improve their systems.
]]>The wheels on these Iseli machines are 250 to 350 mm diameter wheels x 7 mm thick CBN wheels.
The cost: for the 350 mm wheel $2600 + gst, (I hear you gasp)
At this stage 20 /05 /2020 the Red Stag wheels on all machines are 5 years old and look very much like they will get another year or two out of them, at Thode we turn over 100s of saws per month our usage is phenomenally low so cost per month on the 2.5 years is $86 per month. Cost per month on 4.5 years $48 per month per machine
Red Stags machines are sharpening 6 saws per day per grinder.
Each grinder is grinding in 2 new blanks per week for tipping
Each grinder is grinding in 2 used saws per week after re- tipping
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Iseli, based in the Swiss city of Schötz, is proud of more than 70 years of tradition and know-how in the sharpening and processing of band-, gang-, and circular- saw blades. Its constant dialogue with its customers enables ISELI to develop sharpening machines and solutions, setting world standards for the industry. Furthermore, ISELI offers innovative and practical solutions for rational stelliting , swaging and measuring of band- and circular saw blades, as well as for the sharpening of industrial blades, chainsaws and hand tools.
As a traditional family operated business in the third generation, ISELI develops products with the latest technologies combined with excellent engineering - Made in Switzerland. The focus remains on economic and ecological requirements.
ISELI keeps its reputation to be the first choice for sharpening room optimization and solutions and became a world leader. ISELI’s strength next to innovation and quality, - is project planning and support of complex and challenging projects for individual and practice- oriented sharpening room solutions. The ability to advice, optimize and support equipment modernization sets ISELI apart from other manufacturer and closer to its customers around the globe. If necessary we create solutions individual, based on customer needs!
Please direct your enquiries to Mr Phillip Higgins our Thode Canada Manager. Tel: +1 (778) 684-6078
Email: phil@thodecanada.ca
THODE KNIFE & SAW LTD
Mr Kevin Parker
Tel: +64 27 5731267
Email: kevin@thode.co.nz
Web: www.thode.co.nz
ISELI + CO. AG
Mr Iseli Philipp
Tel: +41 41 984 00 60
Email: philipp.iseli@iseli-swiss.com
Web: http://www.iseli-swiss.com
Levelling, tensioning and straightening of band saw blades has traditionally been a highly labour-intensive job which could only be performed in individual steps by highly skilled and qualified operating personnel,
The ISELI benching centre lets you level, tension and straighten your band saw blades in a single operation. The measurement is performed over the entire blade using high-resolution sensors. This method is patented and ensures best results!
Fully automatic measuring, levelling, tensioning and straightening in a single clamping operation. Considerable simplification of work processes for operating human resource’s.
If you want to see one in action please contact us.