Finnish wood technology company Raute will supply AI-based Visual Analyzer R7 systems to Arauco for panel repair lines at two of the forest products group\u2019s plywood mills in Chile. Deliveries are scheduled for late 2026.<\/p>\n
The investment will introduce automated inspection directly into the panel repair process. Raute\u2019s system combines high-resolution colour cameras, 3D scanning and AI-based analysis to detect and measure defects as individual panels move through the production line.<\/p>\n
The information is then used to determine which areas require repair and how much repair material is needed. Raute says more precise defect measurement can reduce repair material consumption by up to 50%, while also supporting more consistent quality and higher productivity.<\/p>\n
AI moves further into plywood production<\/strong><\/p>\n The project comes as scanning and machine-learning technology becomes more widely integrated into plywood, veneer and LVL production.<\/p>\n Rather than relying only on inspection of the finished panel, newer systems can analyse wood at different stages of production and provide data for grading, clipping, routing and repair decisions. Earlier detection can prevent unnecessary processing of defective material and help mills achieve better recovery from each log and veneer sheet.<\/p>\n This is particularly relevant as producers handle greater variation in raw-material quality. Automated analysis allows production decisions to be based on measurements collected continuously at industrial speeds rather than visual assessment alone.<\/p>\n For Arauco, the immediate focus is the panel repair stage. The company said the project is intended to improve both the quality and productivity of its repair operations at the two Chilean mills.<\/p>\n Raute and ARAUCO extend existing relationship<\/strong><\/p>\n The latest order also builds on an established relationship between the two companies.<\/p>\n Raute supplied technology to Arauco\u2019s Chilean plywood operations more than two decades ago, including equipment for the Itata plywood plant at Nueva Aldea and an earlier generation of defect-analysis technology.<\/p>\n The new R7 systems bring that inspection process into a more data-driven environment, where cameras, 3D measurements and AI models can be combined to produce a detailed assessment of each panel.<\/p>\n The technology can also help reduce unnecessary patches. For large plywood operations, relatively small improvements in repair accuracy and material recovery can translate into meaningful savings across annual production.<\/p>\n Wood mills increase investment in automated quality control<\/strong><\/p>\n AI-based inspection is increasingly moving from specialised applications into normal mill operations. Wood processors are using scanner data not only to identify visible defects but also to improve grading consistency, optimise raw-material use and automate decisions further along the production line.<\/p>\n For plywood producers, material recovery is becoming an important part of that investment case. Better identification of defects can reduce waste and repair material while helping mills maintain product specifications without unnecessarily downgrading usable panels.<\/p>\n Arauco\u2019s new systems are expected to enter operation following their late-2026 delivery, adding AI-supported panel inspection to the repair lines at both Chilean plywood mills.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Finnish wood technology company Raute will supply AI-based Visual Analyzer R7 systems to Arauco for panel repair lines at two of the forest products group\u2019s plywood mills in Chile. Deliveries are scheduled for late 2026. The investment will introduce automated … Continue reading