Computerized Wood Treating

A computerized system for improved process control of wood pressure treating operations is being introduced to the wood treating industry by the Specialty Wood Chemicals Division of Koppers Company, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pa.

This unique system, which is said to impart improved control, efficiency and product quality, is the first of its kind to be used in the pressure treating industry which has a history dating back to the turn of the century.

Designed and developed by Walker-Williams Lumber Co., Hatchechubbee, Al., the system has proven its effectiveness during two years of simultaneous operation of four large pressure treating cylinders. Walker-Williams recently assigned to Koppers the worldwide marketing and operating rights to the system.

The computerized treating system provides plant managers with improved flexibility and control of treating operations to reduce operating times and eliminate operator errors while optimizing processing control variables.

The system hardware and software is packaged at the Koppers facility in Conley, Ga.

One of the featured properties is that remote process control and monitoring are possible from great distances through telephone data line transmission. Development work is being pursued to transfer production data gathered from this system to computers already available for inventory and cost control.