Nine weeks for a sawline
Comprehensively modernizing an existing sawline while keeping production downtime to a minimum: this was the challenge facing the Karl Streit sawmill in Hausach. Together with LINCK, the project was completed in just nine weeks—one week ahead of the original schedule.
Proven technology.
New requirements.
The Karl Streit sawmill in Hausach has relied on sawing technology from LINCK for decades. However, over time, the existing control and electrical systems, combined with increasingly difficult spare parts procurement, presented the operation with new challenges. At the same time, the goal was to further improve efficiency and lumber yield without compromising the high level of flexibility in sawing. This is because the sawmill produces exclusively on a per-order basis and must meet a wide variety of requirements for its sawn lumber. The decision was therefore made to comprehensively modernize the existing sawline. The aim was not to completely replace what had proven successful, but to strategically combine existing technology with new solutions.
The timeline was clear: the modification had to be completed within a maximum of ten weeks to keep production downtime as short as possible. Following an intensive planning phase, work began on November 22, 2024. In addition to extensive mechanical adjustments, the entire electrical system of the sawline was renewed. Around eight tons of cable were laid. At times, approximately 70 external specialists were involved in the modification. Precise coordination, synchronized workflows and shift-based operations were crucial to the project's success. The result: the first log was processed through the modernized sawline again on January 27, 2025—after just nine weeks, one week ahead of schedule.
Intelligently upgrading
existing systems
A key component of the modernization concept was the targeted integration of new technologies into the existing sawline. Existing chipper canter components were upgraded with energy-efficient IE5 motors and frequency-controlled drives. Combined with units for energy recovery, this creates the technical foundation for more energy-efficient sawline operation. The sawing technology was also further developed. A new LINCK CSMK 425 A2/B2 is now used for circular saw for primary processing. It enables the production of two sideboards per side, thereby expanding the possibilities for sideboard production. The previous primary breakdown circular saw was not decommissioned, but rather integrated into the secondary processing. Supplemented by new separating conveyor, cant turners and conveyors, a perfectly coordinated sawline configuration was created. This concept demonstrates what matters when modernizing existing sawlines: leveraging existing potential, retaining proven components and investing where new technology offers concrete added value.
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In addition to mechanical and electrical upgrades, the Karl Streit sawmill opted for full LINCK optimization. The goal is to utilize available logs as efficiently as possible, further improve yield potential, and maintain the sawing flexibility essential to the operation. Safety technology was also modernized as part of the project. This created a technical foundation for the long-term operation of the existing sawline under changing requirements. The fact that a modernization of this sawline could be implemented in such a short time was the result of intensive preparation and close cooperation between all parties involved. The long-standing partnership between Karl Streit and LINCK played a key role in this. The LINCK technicians were familiar with the existing system and were able to apply this experience directly to the planning and implementation. Klaus Henne of the Karl Streit sawmill sums up the joint project success:
“It was a masterstroke by everyone involved.”
For LINCK, this project demonstrates that future-oriented modernization does not always require a complete new sawline. The key is a solution tailored to the existing technology, operational requirements and the customer's goals.