2017 International Forest Industries Magazines April May 2017

LUMBER PROCESSING SCANNING & OPTIMISATION – OPTICOM Better vision means better profitability Innovating is second nature to camera solutions supplier, Opticom An Opticom CC04 Series IP network camera Sawmills and wood processing plants are not the only industrial operations that regard the CC02 as invaluable I t’s a scene typical of any sawmill in North America: a debarker machine hammers away at its task with a tiny camera mounted on the framework, monitoring the process. The vibration is relentless, but the video feed is constant and clear. Most closed-circuit video cameras would be hard pressed to be mounted anywhere near this machinery, never mind on it – but this is no ordinary camera. It is the Opticom Technologies CC02 Series camera, built for just such an application. Opticom is no stranger to developing video solutions for out of this world situations. In the 1970s it rose to the challenge of the Space Shuttle program by developing varifocal lenses that would function seamlessly in space. As Opticom president and founder David Boyd explains: “It’s always been about finding video solutions to difficult applications. We love the challenge.” In the 1990s, Opticom saw the potential for cameras built for harsh environments, specifically the British Columbia sawmill industry. After many months of development, Opticom released the CC02 Series Camera – the ultimate camera for high vibration applications. The CC02 soon fulfilled the needs of the dozens of BC mills, and mills across Canada began purchasing the camera on a regular basis to replace the `security-style’ cameras they had been using, or when a new line was implemented. The CC02’s success was amazing. In certain mill locations, conditions were so extreme that the `security-style’ cameras failed after only a few months, but the CC02s have lasted for years. The secret to the success of the CC02 is all in the design. The camera is compact, easily fitting into the palm of one’s hand. But its small size is deceptive, as the rugged titanium alloy housing is virtually indestructible. Plus, the CC02 is also totally impervious to dust, water, and can withstand temperatures from -60 to +80°C without any heater or blower required. Opticom’s design team also developed a unique universal mounting bracket for the camera that enables installation in just minutes, even the tightest spaces. This feature alone has made the CC02 a favourite with industrial installers across North America. Tom Fulton, sawmill/dry kiln manager for Britton Lumber in New Hampshire summed it up when he said: “A great little system – installed over a half hour lunch break. The guys using it are 36 International Forest Industries | APRIL / MAY 2017 Visit us on Stand 1240 EXP FO product development for the amazed at the clarity.” sawmill industry is a camera with Sawmills and wood processing specialized corrosion resistant plants are not the only industrial housing designed for installation operations that regard the CC02 as inside wood kilns. invaluable. In 2005, Planetworks “We do our best to respond to Consulting Corporation engineer our customers’ needs, and this is a Colin Savage chose the CC02 as perfect example of a unique camera the video monitoring solution for developed for a very challenging the $800 million Seymour Capilano application,” says Boyd. Twin Tunnels Project, which Opticom has also developed consisted of two 3.8m-wide, 7.1km- products such as the CC04 Series long tunnels bored under Grouse camera for IP infrastructure. Like and Fromme Mountains for water the CC02 camera, the CC04 was infrastructure enhancement. designed to overcome the same Savage said: “I would FOREST PRODUCTS nasty environmental challenges challenge oth ers to find a harsher and is compatible INNOVATIONS with AND all environment than a Tunnel Boring TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM totally ONVIF compliant video Machine. We used cameras at management software platforms. multiple locations along the TBM to These cameras have been view progress and as indicators for satisfactorily installed in many material conveyance. sfpaexpo.com mills worldwide. The CC04 Series “These cameras were mounted incorporates all the vibration beside conveyor belts, which resistance and durability of the had hard rock tunneling waste CC02 in an IP format. transported at high speed past Today, Opticom sells cameras the camera. It was not uncommon throughout North America and for small and medium sized rocks Europe to hundreds of customers to hit these cameras on the lens in a wide range of industries that and body. They stood up to this are looking for reliability and video punishment 24/7, and the only system support. thing replaced occasionally was the protective glass on the camera Home of the Sawmill Camera enclosure.” CC02-TVI Sawmill Camera Opticom continually researches the development of new products America with new North technologies. Considering WATCH THE VIDEO toughestvideocamera.com 0046 800.578.1853 that the analog video technology driving the original CC02 is nearly obsolete, Opticom has now released a new generation of CC02s based on high definition analog or TVI (Transport Video Interface) technology. The TVI equipment is easily integrated into existing coaxial cable systems and delivers the equivalent of 2 megapixel (1080P) resolution, while retaining all of the durability and reliability customers have come to expect. This new Sawmills and wood processing technology allows customers to migrate to high definition video plants are not the only industrial without having to rewire or re-learn operations that regard the CC02 video transmission. as invaluable Another new Opticom INNO TECH

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