Scott Lyon operates the optimized headsaw during a wood industry course at Northcentral Technical College in Antigo. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By Brian Zweifel, DNR Forest Products Specialist, Dodgeville;
Brian.Zweifel@Wisconsin.gov
In case you missed the news, Wisconsin is now home to a one-of-a-kind training facility that offers courses utilizing a newly completed state-of-the-art sawmill.
The Northcentral Technical College (NTC)-Wood Technology Center of Excellence in Antigo designed and offered an exciting course aimed at reaching the future workforce of our industry. Technology Education teachers from high schools around Wisconsin received a two-day immersion into the world of sawmilling, kiln drying, and much more.
University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension, industry, UW-Stevens Point and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources joined Northcentral Technical College to assist with a wood industry course at the school. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Members of the Forest Products Services (FPS) team had the opportunity to assist with the inaugural offering of the “Wood Industry Teacher Camp” in late June. Scott Lyon, Alex Anderson, and Brian Zweifel joined partners from industry, UW-Extension, and UW-Stevens Point to assist Logan Wells, NTC’s Wood Science Faculty and Program Director. Our tasks included operating the various stations within the mill, covering safe operation of the machines, and allowing attendees to operate each station. Sawmill stations included the optimized headsaw, resaw, resaw pre-turner, optimized edger, trim saw and green chain/stacking area.
Outside of the sawmill, the teachers loaded the lumber they had just milled into a dry kiln and spent time learning about kiln operation and lumber drying. In addition, participants learned about the basics of log scaling, lumber grading, sawmill safety, saw sharpening/maintenance, primary and secondary forest product markets and much more. The 2-day course wrapped up with a tour of Menzner Hardwoods in Marathon City to learn more about hardwood lumber manufacturing.
A view of the mill from the green chain and stacking area at Northcentral Technical College in Antigo. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR