Dempsey Wood Products needed a complete modernization of their log merchandising line. The existing 1980s manual stop-n-chop bucking system feeding a drum debarker had served its time, but the mill's growing investment in lumber technology demanded a step-change in log processing capability.

FiberPro engineered and installed a Gen 7 Sliding Infinite Trim (5) Saw Log Trimmer System — incorporating 3D lineal scanning for value recovery optimization, a high-speed ring debarker to reduce fiber damage, and a patented camfeeder and screw feeder combination to deliver precise, controlled gap feeding to the primary breakdown. The result: higher throughput, single-operator control, and a compelling ROI.

Dempsey Wood Products needed to modernize their log merchandising system to match the significant investments they had made throughout the mill in order to remain competitive. Their original bucking process — a drum debarker setup designed to handle both saw logs and a high volume of chips — was innovative for its era. But as lumber technology became the mill's primary focus, that system was no longer the right fit for feeding a modern lumber line.

Space was one of the largest engineering constraints. The distance from the log crane to the primary breakdown was not ideal, requiring close collaboration with the mill team to develop a workable layout. Beyond space, mill management had aggressive productivity targets: they needed to minimize gap to the primary breakdown and push the limits of production without increasing processing speeds — which would have accelerated equipment wear. Any solution had to deliver precise stem gapping to the ring debarker and the merchandising system while keeping operations safe and controlled.

We replaced the older stop-n-chop system with a Gen 7 Sliding Infinite Trim (5) Saw Log Trimmer. The new system uses traveling saw carriages with infinite trimming capacity, purpose-built to leverage the full potential of 3D lineal scanning technology for maximum value recovery — a substantial step forward in both recovery rates and overall performance compared to the previous equipment.

The system's compact footprint was a deliberate design advantage: installation was completed offline while the mill continued to operate, minimizing downtime and production disruption.

Alongside the new bucking line, we worked with the mill team to integrate our patented camfeeder system paired with a screw primary feeder. This combination solved the precise stem gapping challenge — delivering controlled, consistent gap to the primary breakdown and enabling the mill to push production limits safely while reducing wear and tear on the primary turning rolls and drive systems.

Stem gapping to the ring debarker and the merchandising system was addressed through an additional innovative solution provided by a partner OEM, completing the throughput picture. The combined result — accurate bucking, 3D optimization, engineered gap control, increased production capacity, and single-operator control — delivered a strong ROI for the project.