A Unique Approach to Strength Grading: Virtual Splitting at James Jones & Sons with the MiCROTEC Solution

In 2021, James Jones & Sons decided to invest in two new Goldeneye scanners including X-ray for their strength grading lines, one in their Aboyne location and one in the Lockerbie location.

This new generation of scanners is more compact, does not rely on water cooling, and is overall easier to maintain compared to the models from 20 years ago. The Goldeneye allows James Jones & Sons to grade boards used for construction according to EN-14081 standards. The in-line moisture meter M3 Scan measures the moisture content of every single board. Boards with a moisture content outside the target range are automatically rejected.

The project applies the approach of double and triple virtual splitting, first introduced by MiCROTEC who is still exclusively offers the triple virtual splitting solution. Before sawing, the Goldeneye software utilizes a virtual board splitting mechanism, dividing a board lengthwise into two or three parts. This segmented data is then forwarded to the strength grading software, which treats each part as an independent board.

James Jones & Sons and MiCROTEC look back on a long-standing partnership. Reflecting on the collaboration, Tobbe Sandberg, Technical Manager at James Jones & Sons emphasizes the pivotal role of MiCROTEC's Goldeneye X-ray grading technology in their operations, “James Jones & Sons Ltd has used Goldeneye X-ray grading for many years at its Aboyne and Lockerbie sites."