Finscan: Increased sorting speed and consistent quality at Nordanå Trä

Nordanå Trä in Alfta, Sweden, is a small specialty sawmill focusing on three-meter sawmill-grade logs and has decided to upgrade its production with a MiCROTEC Finscan. The mill currently processes around 75,000 cubic meters of sawn timber per year, of which 65 percent is spruce and 35 percent pine.

The installation of the new line has significantly increased production speed. Previously, sorting was carried out manually, but the scanner can now handle up to 160 pieces per minute, a volume that would not have been possible with manual grading. In addition to higher throughput, the system enables more precise quality control and allows for customer-specific sorting adjustments.

Finscan provides accurate detection of knots and other defects, resulting in a very stable and consistent product. The system settings are easy to adjust, giving Nordanå Trä the flexibility to customize sorting for each customer. “It’s a user-friendly system, and we can see that it performs effectively,” says Patrik Siljemark, CEO at Nordanå Trä. He also describes the MiCROTEC integrated software platform as easy to use and customize.

As a result, both value and resource efficiency have increased. Nordanå Trä now experiences less waste, a more stable production, and optimized quality, all of which contribute to improved sawing yield. Reduced waste also supports long-term sustainability goals.

Patrik Siljemark further highlights the strong collaboration between Nordanå Trä and MiCROTEC. Despite a tight project schedule and the customizations required, the plant was up and running exactly as planned. “After reviewing our options, we felt that Finscan from MiCROTEC was the solution that suited us best.”

Reflecting on the project, Siljemark concludes, “Having been in the industry for quite some time, I get a lot of questions. Based on my experience with MiCROTEC and Finscan, I would feel confident recommending them to my industry colleagues.”