Application specialist Henna Janatuinen has worked at Finnos in Lappeenranta since 2019. Before her current job, Janatuinen gained experience of log sorting at UPM-Kymmene's Kaukas sawmill.
Her first commissioning experience of log X-ray scanners came from the sawmill side, when a Finnos scanner was installed at Janatuinen's then workplace. She worked as a quality controller and was involved on the customer's side in the advance preparations for the installation project, in other words with the sorting and reception rules.
Her sawmill background has helped Janatuinen understand the customer's perspective. She knows how operators work and how a customer should best be trained to get the most out of log scanners.
A log has travelled a long way on a lorry or a train before arriving at the sawmill. At the end of the journey, the logs are unloaded directly onto the log deck, and from there they first pass through the X-ray scanner.
The scanner identifies a grade for each log in accordance with the sawmill's sorting rules. Based on the scanning result, the logs travel from the conveyor into the bins defined by the rules. The operator sees the overall situation within the framework of the sorting rules, and when a bin is full, a wheel loader transports the logs into stacks of the same grade.
The most common sorting criterion is the log's under-bark diameter, Janatuinen says. Because the aim is to obtain as much sawn timber as possible, this scanning result alone brings significant financial benefits to the sawmill. Too small a log produces wane, while too large a log would produce too many chips. Various internal quality rules can of course be defined in addition.
The log scanner processes logs as fast as the sawmill's conveyor speed allows. So far there has been no limit where processing would have to be slowed down because of scanning.
Henna Janatuinen works on the software side in commissioning. When the next installation is coming up, Janatuinen contacts the customer. The kick-off meeting creates an understanding of how to define the reception and sorting rules, which reports are needed, what kind of message traffic is required, and which external systems the sawmill has.
Understanding the current state is important in the sense that the initial rules can be set correctly. That way everything is ready before commissioning.
At many sawmills in Finland, log reception is similar, so remote meetings are sufficient in the initial phase. As far as the software itself is concerned, there is no need to visit the sawmill in advance; everything can be done remotely.
The mechanical installation of the scanner is done first. The conditions vary at different sawmills, and changes have to be made to the conveyor structures as needed. Sometimes even the roof is opened up to get the scanner into place.
Once the mechanical installation is complete, the scanner is in place and a log can already be passed through, Janatuinen arrives on site to carry out the commissioning and the final-phase tests.
Testing is done with test logs and is at the same time a natural part of user training. The operators run the line according to how the logs are to be tested. The actual user training is of course carried out separately, and at the same time the customer also receives radiation safety training. Once the tests have been passed, actual production begins along with the real reception of logs.
Once production is running, Janatuinen is there to monitor it and provides user training at the same time.
It is important for customers to get answers to any problems and questions right away. As production runs, data accumulates that is used for simulations and production planning. The customer can create their own new rules themselves, Janatuinen explains. This is not a one-off effort; the software and the goals keep developing even after installation and commissioning.
Most of the training takes place in connection with commissioning, but Janatuinen arranges additional training for customers as needed. Finnos offers support and advice after commissioning, because the goal is for the customer to be able to develop their operations through the use of the scanners.
Janatuinen has experience of various sites in Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Lithuania and Belarus. There are country-specific differences. Log reception differs from country to country. For example, in Finland the reception volume is measured over bark, whereas elsewhere it is often measured under bark. Official inspections also vary.
The most challenging of all is the first project in a new country. Legislation varies, and sometimes you have to tackle a language barrier. In Sweden the situation is easier, because several installations have already been done there.
The duration of projects varies. In Finland an installation project can be done quickly, even as an express installation. Any special situations require extra work, and the aim is to map them out as thoroughly as possible at the start of the project. In the end it is always just as wonderful to see production start running.
And what is the best thing about her own work? Janatuinen does not need to think long about the answer. It is rewarding to see that the preparatory work has succeeded and production gets off to a fine start. At the sawmills the customers are knowledgeable and cooperation is meaningful. Abroad it is interesting to learn on site, in practice, how log reception works there. Good feedback comes from the use of X-ray grades and from the customer's experience of success.
Tukkikatu 5
53900 Lappeenranta
2026 © Finnos Oy | All rights reserved | by developit // creative
