Open Wide!
The next step in manufacturing our super special beams is planing. We, here at Unalam, believe we have the largest double sided planer in North America!
Before we can get to the planer, we have to lift the beam off the form. Moving a beam 80′ long that weighs over 20,000 lbs requires some special equipment. This is where our overhead hoist system comes in. These special hoists are over the Glue Room, Finishing Department, and the Loading Bays. For beams this large we use a combination of forklifts and our overhead hoists. This helps us safely maneuver and transfer beams and arches to the next phase of production. In this case, from the forms to the planer.
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| Beam in position to begin planing |
Once queued up, we need to open wide. The planer will take the beam down from its current width, 14-3/4″, to its finished width of 14″. While this is a really big beam, our planer can handle a beam up to 24″ wide by 72″ deep!
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| Infeed side of the planer just prior to feeding the beam |
While passing through our team prepares the overhead hoists on the other side to catch the planed beam. One pass through is all that is needed to get a smooth and even finish.
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| Beam exiting the planer |
The beam is then moved to a Finishing Bay where it will get a clear wooden plug along the exposed seam, fabricated for connections, and stained.