Energy usage and conservation in surfacing lines

This paper deals with energy usage and conservation for a surfacing line in a carpentry factory. In this line, wood panels are coated with paint in a highly automated fashion. The products vary in shapes and the way they shal l be coated, and therefore, a number of machines are present in the line wh ich is about 100 m long. Sanding machines, roller coaters, dryers etc. are installed, and all machinery uses electricity for their operation. There ar e, however, other equipments coupled to the line. One example is the wood d ust transportation system, and another is the steam system used for heating purposes. By use of a number of electricity meters, monitoring ventilation flow rates etc., it has been possible to analyze how much energy is used i n the surfacing line and also to propose measures to reduce this amount. (C ) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.