Wood-Mizer Industrial Solutions - All About Wood-Mizer Industrial Sawmills for High-Volume Timber Processing

Wood-Mizer Industrial Solutions, a division established within the Wood-Mizer company, brings together talented design engineers and sawmilling experts to create customized solutions for high-efficiency industrial wood processing.

“Our main focus is to create competitive advantages for our customers, who benefit from Wood-Mizer technology in every aspect of their production — whether it’s material resources, energy, labor, or time,” says Adam Kubiak, Industrial Sales Manager at Wood-Mizer.

Here, you’ll find answers to frequently asked questions about how Wood-Mizer sawmilling lines are built, who they are designed for, and how the investment and installation process works.

INCREASING SAWING CAPACITY

Who is the Wood-Mizer Industrial Sawmill Series designed for?

Wood-Mizer’s Industrial Series is designed for sawmillers seeking to expand their operations. The system is scalable, allowing gradual expansion without the need for significant upfront investments. These sawmills integrate seamlessly into automated wood-processing lines, which include log decks, conveyors, sorting tables, edgers, and multirip saws.

What are the main benefits of Wood-Mizer industrial sawmilling for today’s wood-processing companies?

Introducing industrial sawmilling solutions into a modern wood-processing operation significantly increases efficiency while reducing labor costs. The industrial series offers tailored configurations to meet specific business requirements. Moreover, its scalable design enables strategic, gradual investment and long-term growth planning.

When should I consider upgrading my sawmill to the industrial range?

If you need to increase the volume of processed timber, it’s time to upgrade to an industrial level. Large-scale operations require increased speed, precision, automation, and lower labor costs. All that is provided by the industrial sawmills.

INDUSTRIAL SAWMILL RANGE

How do I determine which industrial sawmill is best suited for my needs: the WM2500, WM3500, or WM5500?

The most critical parameter is the machine’s productivity (the volume of wood cut during the work shift). We recommend that the customer contact the Wood-Mizer sales representative to get an individual quote. Once the engineering team completes a customer questionnaire (including the volume of wood processed per shift, the size of logs processed, and the desired volume to be processed, among other details), a comprehensive offer with the best match can be prepared.

What is the difference between the WM2500 and the WM5500 sawmill?

The WM2500 is the entry-level model in Wood-Mizer’s industrial range, offering reliable speed, precision, and versatility at an accessible price point. In contrast, the WM5500 is the flagship model, engineered for high-performance operations. It features advanced capabilities, including compatibility with wide blades, a powerful 45 kW electric motor, compressed-air support for multiple functions, and a fully equipped operator's cabin for enhanced control and comfort.

How does the productivity of the WM5500 compare to other sawmills in the range?

While sawmill productivity depends on several factors, such as operator experience, wood type, and log shape, average figures can help illustrate performance differences. The WM5500 typically achieves 30–35 m³ per work shift, making it the most productive in the range. In comparison, the WM3500 averages around 25 m³ per shift, while the WM2500 delivers approximately 20 m³ per shift.

WM5500 SAWMILL FEATURES 

Why did the WM5500 replace the WB2000 in the product lineup?

The WM5500 replaced the WB2000 to introduce a range of significant advancements, such as compatibility with wider blades and a servo-driven sawhead positioning system. These enhancements make the WM5500 a fundamentally new and more capable machine. Additionally, the naming was updated to align with the standardized “WM” prefix used across Wood-Mizer’s Industrial Sawmill range.

Can WB2000 users upgrade their sawmills with the latest features from the WM5500?

Yes, newer WB2000 models can be upgraded with several key features from the WM5500, including the servo-driven up/down system, triple-chain sawhead movement, upgraded blade wheels, a blade cleaning system, and compatibility with 100 mm-wide blades. For more information on available upgrades, users are encouraged to contact Wood-Mizer Industrial Customer Service.

Can the WM5500 operate as a standalone machine or as part of a sawmilling line?

Yes, the WM5500 is designed to function either as a powerful standalone sawmill or as the main component of a complete sawmilling line. Depending on the current needs of the business, it can be used independently today and seamlessly expanded into a full-scale industrial system in the future.

How many workers are needed to operate a sawmilling line with the WM5500?

For a basic sawmilling line consisting of one WM5500 sawmill, a log deck, a sorting table, and an edger, a team of three operators is typically sufficient. For more advanced or expanded lines, staffing may increase to five or six people, depending on the level of automation and production requirements.

BUILDING A SAWMILLING LINE

What equipment can be added to build a complete industrial sawmilling line?

A standard industrial sawmilling line typically includes a primary sawmill, a log deck, conveyors, a sorting table, and an edger or multirip. The configuration is fully customizable—customers can specify dimensions such as width, length, and height, or request tailored modules to match their production requirements. More advanced setups may also include optimizers, cross-cut saws, panel saws, following conveyors, centering units, and other specialized equipment to enhance efficiency and output.

Can you design a sawmilling line tailored to my specific business needs?

Yes, absolutely. We recommend contacting your local sales representative to request a personalized quote. After completing a customer questionnaire, our engineering team will visit your site to take measurements, draft a layout, and discuss all technical and operational requirements. Every detail you share is carefully considered and incorporated into the project. The result is a comprehensive and customized proposal, ready for implementation.

Can I integrate existing material handling equipment (old-generation Wood-Mizer or non-Wood-Mizer) with the WM5500 sawmill?

Yes, the WM5500 is designed with a standardized bed height shared across all Wood-Mizer industrial models, making system upgrades and expansions straightforward. Additionally, our engineering team can modify and adapt existing equipment—whether from Wood-Mizer or other manufacturers—to fit seamlessly into the new industrial line. Log decks, sorting tables, and conveyors can be custom-built or adjusted to match specific dimensions such as height, width, and length.

EDGERS AND MULTIRIPS BENEFITS

Why should I consider adding an edger/multirip to my sawmill?

A board edger (or a multirip) is a versatile machine designed to enhance sawmill productivity by maximizing yield from every log. It streamlines operations, enabling sawmill users to achieve higher output and greater profitability. It’s a perfect addition to the sawmill, which you already utilize, and what’s more, it opens the door to further upgrading of your sawmilling setup.

Is it possible to use an edger in the function of a multirip?

Yes, the EG300 and EG350 board edgers can be used either as an edger or as a multirip.  In edger mode, two blades (one fixed, one movable) ensure precision trimming. Multirip mode allows up to five blades to be mounted on a special sleeve, using spacers to customize the cut width. Blades are easily interchangeable by accessing the shaft through the side cover.

What is the difference between an edger and a multirip, for example, the EG350 and the MR200?

An edger, such as the EG350, is designed to trim off the irregular sides of a board and is typically used for processing boards up to around 100 mm thick, usually one board per pass. In contrast, a multirip like the MR200 is built to cut through larger cants, often up to 200 mm thick or more, and can produce multiple boards in a single pass, offering higher throughput. The MR200 and MR250 multirips are equipped with two arbors and can be fitted with up to 20 circular saw blades for the MR200 and 32 for the MR250, respectively. While multirips are generally more productive, the choice between an edger and a multirip depends on the specific material being processed and the customer’s production goals.

What type of tools should I use in my Wood-Mizer edger/multirip?

In the Wood-Mizer TOOLS Catalog, you can find a variety of tools and accessories, including circular blades and spacers. The blades must match the machine’s requirements, such as external diameter, shaft diameter, number of teeth, maximum operating speed, and type of application. Additionally, spacers will be necessary to adjust the desired width of the cut. In case of doubts, we recommend contacting a WMI customer service representative for assistance.  All items from the Wood-Mizer Tools Catalog are manufactured from premium materials, including steel and carbide, and are produced to strict standards, ensuring that Wood-Mizer’s tools deliver high cutting quality and durability.

INSTALLATION AND INVESTMENT PROCESS

How long does the installation process take, and who is responsible for it?

Installation is typically carried out by Wood-Mizer Industries (WMI) Customer Service. In some cases, a local Wood-Mizer representative or even the customer (with appropriate guidance) may handle the process. On average, installation takes 4–5 days: 2–3 days for mechanical and electrical setup, followed by 1 day of operator training and 1 day of trial operation.

How does the investing process work?

The investment amount depends on the sawmill model and the quantity of additional equipment. These investments can be made gradually, allowing for better planning, exploration of different options, and adapting the project to specific needs and budget constraints.

 
For more information on the Wood-Mizer Industrial Solutions, visit the official website or contact your local sales representative.

***