Sawmills have transformed from brute-force operations into high-tech scanning and cutting facilities.
Logs move at 600 feet per minute. 3D lasers map them. Band saws strip them.
The environment is rough, vibration, bark, and dust, but the machinery is precise.
A generic CMMS fails here because it doesn't handle the Tooling Rotation (Blades) or the Scanner Accuracy requirements.
You need Sawmill Maintenance Software that links mechanical health to lumber recovery.
Here is the 2026 guide to keeping the mill cutting straight.
1. The Filing Room Connection (Blade Management)
The Band Saw Blade is the tire of the sawmill. It connects the machine to the wood.
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The Risk: A dull or cracked blade causes "Snake" (wavy cuts) or snaps, destroying the guides.
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The Strategy: Serialized Blade Tracking.
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The Fabrico Workflow:
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Tag: Every blade has an ID.
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Track: Log "Run Hours" on the mill.
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Alert: "Blade #402 has run 4 hours. Changeout due."
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History: If a specific saw box keeps breaking blades, the data points to the machine alignment, not the blade.
2. Optimizing the "Setworks" (Hydraulics)
The Setworks position the logs. If they drift by 0.1 inch, the board is downgraded.
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The Strategy: Precision Checks.
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The Routine: Daily LVDT (Linear Variable Differential Transformer) verification.
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The Digital Log: Technician measures the physical set position vs. the computer set position.
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The Action: Record the variance in Fabrico. If it drifts, schedule a valve or cylinder swap.
3. Scanner & Optimizer Health
The 3D Scanner decides how to cut the log.
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The Problem: Pitch and dust on the lens.
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The Routine: Cleaning & Calibration.
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The Evidence: Require a Photo of the calibration target during the start-of-shift check.
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The Value: Ensures the computer is seeing the real log, maximizing dollar yield.
4. Vibration Analysis on the Bandmill
The Bandmill wheels are massive flywheels.
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The Monitor: Bearing Vibration.
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The Link: Connect sensors to Fabrico.
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The Insight: High vibration causes "washboarding" on the lumber.
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The Fix: Balance the wheels during the next weekend shutdown.
Conclusion: Cut Straight, Run Fast
In lumber, a reliable mill produces #1 Grade boards. An unreliable mill produces chips.
Use software to maintain the precision of your scanners and the sharpness of your steel.
Maximize recovery.
[Request a Demo] and see how Fabrico manages sawmill assets.
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