Cant & Timber Sizers
A cant and timber sizer removes material from one or more faces of a cant or timber, bringing oversized or variable stock down to the exact dimension the next machine requires. The configuration is determined by the material and what the downstream equipment requires: top, side, multi-face, or full four-sided.
For standard pallet and lumber operations, that means sizing cants before they reach the gang saw or bandsaw. For railroad tie and bridge timber production, it means handling large-dimension stock across all four faces before it moves to the next stage of the line.
Pendu builds cant and timber sizers as standalone machines or integrated into a complete production line, configured to your material, your downstream equipment, and your line speed.
The starting point for every cant and timber sizer is what machine it's feeding. A gang saw and a bandsaw cut differently, and that determines what surface the material needs to be removed from before the cant reaches the blade.
Top Sizing: For operations running a gang saw downstream. A gang saw cuts vertically, so height variation in the cant becomes width variation in the finished board. A top-sizing configuration removes material from the face before the cant reaches the saw, so the gang is working with consistent stock.
Side Sizing: For operations running a bandsaw downstream. A bandsaw cuts horizontally, so edge variation in the cant is what travels downstream. A side-sizing configuration addresses that before the cant reaches the blade.
Multi-Face Sizing: For material that needs cleanup on more than one face. Common when cants have been stored outside and surface degradation affects multiple sides. Top, bottom, and one edge can all be addressed in a single pass.
Timber Sizing: For railroad tie and bridge timber production, where the material is larger and the dimensional requirements are just as tight. The timber sizer handles all four faces of large-dimension timber stock, built heavier for the material and the removal depth the application demands.
Speed: How fast the machine runs and how much material needs to come off are tied together. Standard configurations run at 60 to 70 FPM, taking a ½” off. Up to 1” covers most applications. Variations of material removal, speed, and cant size can be accommodated.
The configuration determines what a cant sizer solves for a given operation, whether that's board consistency downstream, material already compromised before it enters the line, or large-dimension stock that has to hold true dimension across every face.
Consistent board width before the gang saw: When cants arrive at the gang saw oversized on the face, the finished boards come off at inconsistent width. A top-sizing configuration removes that variation before the cant reaches the saw, so the gang is cutting consistent stock and the boards coming off are what the rest of the line expects.
Yard-stored material ready to run: Cants that have been outside develop surface degradation on multiple faces. When that material enters the line as-is, it creates problems at every station downstream. A multi-face configuration removes the compromised material from the top, bottom, and one edge before the cant enters the line.
Large-dimension timber at true dimension: Pendu's timber sizer addresses all four faces before the material moves forward, so the production sequence is working with timber that's at true dimension from the start.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which configuration is right for my operation?
The first question is always what the sizer is feeding. A gang saw and a bandsaw cut differently, and that tells us whether material needs to come off the top or the side. From there, it's how much you're taking off and how fast you need to run. Call us at 717-354-4348 and we'll work through it.
Can I add a cant sizer to a line I already have?
Yes. The typical situation is an older gang saw without a sizer built in, or a bandsaw operation that needs a lead machine ahead of the blade. Either way, Pendu designs around what's already on your floor: upstream, downstream, and everything in between.
What cutting tools do you use?
Three options, depending on the application. An inserted tooth cutter handles most pallet industry applications and covers removal up to 1”. A SHELIX head produces a smoother finish but handles less removal per pass. A multi-wing planar head is the third option for operations where finish quality is the priority. Which one fits depends on how much material is coming off and what the finished surface needs to look like. We can walk through it with you.
How much material can you remove in a pass?
Up to 1” covers most applications. Beyond that, we're talking a larger cutter head, more horsepower, and a custom build, which is a conversation worth having.
If You Can Describe It, We Can Build It.
Cant and timber sizer applications vary. The material coming in, the machine it's feeding, and how much needs to come off all factor into how the right configuration gets specified.
If your operation requires something outside what's described here, tell us what you're running, what's downstream, and what you're trying to accomplish. We'll take it from there.
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