Project Update: Transfer Deck System Progress

The right equipment makes all the difference.

Your processes speed up, your business runs more efficiently and you’ll ultimately be bringing in more revenue.

Here’s a look back at an update on a project we were hired to do – creating a transfer deck system.

Transfer deck system project recap

This is the scope of what the project entailed:

• Removal of the autoclave’s existing track system, both inside and outside of the autoclave.
• Installation of a new track system within the interior of the autoclave. These tracks will be manufactured from solid steel bars instead of steel angle iron. Doing so will eliminate the empty space, located behind the angle iron, that usually traps sawdust and residual wood preservative, which can cause premature failure of the tracks due to corrosion.
• Raising of the autoclave itself so its new track elevation will meet the transfer deck system’s track elevation. To do so will also require us to alter the autoclave’s piping system to match the autoclave’s new elevation.
• The design and manufacture of new tram carts to move the pressure treated wood into and out of the autoclave. This isn’t always necessary, as we can – in some situations – design the transfer deck system to use your current cart’s design.

Transfer Deck Main Tracks

Above are the main tracks of the transfer deck, assembled with their drip pans installed between the tracks.

The purpose of the pans are to capture and drain any residual wood preservative that may drip off the treated wood products as they are removed from the autoclave.

These particular tracks are just over 100′ in length and were aligned with a tolerance of +- 1/16″ over its entire length.

For those who work with welding metal together, you know this is no easy feat.

Various Transfer Deck pieces

Above are various manufactured parts that will be used in the transfer deck.

These parts will be assembled into the deck’s drive system. These assemblies will move the deck transverse to the autoclaves, which are often referred to treating cylinders in this particular industry.

Partially assembled tram cars

The photo above shows our manufactured tram cars partially assembled. Our employee, Evan Ganey is welding out one of the tram’s bottom supports.

The trams cars are used to transfer the treated wood products into and out of the autoclave,

both before and after the wood has been treated with wood preservative.

These cars are currently midway through the assembly.

Finished-product success

The results of the finished transfer deck system project were quite beneficial for the company that hired us.

They were able to:

• Double Output Production: The client was able to double the output production of their preserved dimensional wood for their one treating cylinder – without having to add a second cylinder and all of the related equipment.
• Cost Savings: No changes were needed to the wood treating facility’s computer automation, as the deck runs independently on its own automation system.
• Decreased Downtime: Downtime to the existing production operations decreased to just “days” instead of “weeks” during the installation of the transfer deck system.

Wondering how a transfer deck system operates?

Check out an animation video of how one works.

Does your business need results like these to grow?