DROMEC winch system for Sawmill De Vree

Branche: Specials

At Houtzagerij De Vree in Randwijk, everything revolves around craftsmanship, precision and continuity. Founded in 1948, this family business specialises in sawing beam wood for the pallet industry and structural timber for renovation and new-build projects. Every day, it processes impressive poplar, Douglas fir, larch and oak trunks that can reach up to one metre in diameter and eight metres in length. To move these heavy logs safely and in a controlled way through the saw line, the winch system plays a crucial role, and that is where DROMEC’s expertise comes in.

A trusted process, renewed for the future

The principle behind a carriage that is pulled back and forth by a winch has been used for generations. Still, the existing system at Houtzagerij De Vree called for a modern and future-proof solution. DROMEC was asked to help develop a completely renewed winch system that had to be not only powerful and reliable, but also safer, more energy-efficient and easier to control.

The logs are placed on a carriage that moves along rails through the sawing installation. As the trunk slowly passes the saw, the rounded sides are accurately cut away. Once the block has been freed, the carriage accelerates powerfully back again. This releases significant forces: a continuous pulling force of around 2 tonnes with peak loads up to 4 tonnes to move a total weight of up to 18 tonnes back and forth.

“For DROMEC, the challenge was to combine this heavy load with maximum control and safety for the operator.”

Geerart de Vree, CTO DROMEC

Smart engineering with a strong focus on safety

DROMEC renewed the complete drive system and equipped the installation with a modern control system including a regeneration module, allowing all braking energy to be reused. In addition, a closed drive system was selected, significantly improving both safety and maintenance.

From the cabin, the operator controls the system easily and precisely with a joystick. Thanks to the renewed control setup, the carriage responds smoothly and in a controlled way to every movement. This not only improves ease of use, but also creates a more efficient sawing process and reduces wear on the installation.

Sustainable sawing with energy recovery

Braking the heavy carriage releases a large amount of energy. Where that energy used to be lost, it is now fed back into the company power network thanks to the new DROMEC solution. This energy recovery is also directly visible in the installation measurements, meaning the renewed winch system contributes to a more sustainable production process in a sector that works with the power of nature every day.

Where engineering and family history come together

For Geerart de Vree, this project had an extra special meaning:

“My grandfather founded the sawmill, my father expanded it further, and today two brothers continue the company. It is special to contribute from my technical expertise to a custom winch system solution for the sawmill. In this way, craftsmanship, engineering and sustainability come together beautifully.”

Geerart de Vree, CTO DROMEC

Key question from Houtzagerij De Vree

How can we modernise the existing winch system so that heavy tree trunks can be moved through the sawing installation more safely, with more control and with greater energy efficiency?

DROMEC advice

A completely renewed winch solution with a modern drive, closed safety construction and energy recovery for maximum control, reliability and sustainability.

Frequently asked questions

What was the main challenge at Houtzagerij De Vree?

The main challenge was to modernise the existing winch system so that heavy logs could be moved through the sawing installation more safely, with more control and with better energy efficiency.

What forces does the winch system need to handle?

The system operates with a continuous pulling force of around 2 tonnes and peak loads up to 4 tonnes to move a total of up to 18 tonnes back and forth.

What exactly did DROMEC renew?

DROMEC renewed the complete drive system and equipped the installation with a modern control system, a regeneration module and a closed drive construction.

What is the benefit of energy recovery in this application?

The braking energy of the heavy carriage is no longer lost, but returned to the company power network. This makes the process more efficient and more sustainable.

How does the operator control the renewed system?

The operator controls the system from the cabin with a joystick, allowing the carriage to respond smoothly and in a controlled way to every movement.

Why is a closed drive system important here?

A closed drive system improves safety and reduces maintenance, which is a major advantage in a heavy-duty and continuously used sawing installation.