Coming in 2025 – Alpine is excited to announce the evolution of the Alpine Linear Saw (ALS) with the introduction of ALS 5.0. Building on over two decades of reliability, durability, and accuracy, this latest version continues Alpine’s proud tradition of innovation. [For all photos, See PDF or View in Full Issue.]
Built Like a Tank
The ALS 5.0 represents the continuation and enhancement of features like robust mechanical design, consistent accuracy, dependability, and ease of maintenance. While similar in appearance to previous versions, the 5.0 offers the potential for substantial productivity increases in board footage per shift.
In today’s truss plants, productivity is essential. The right equipment will help alleviate labor inefficiencies, accuracy issues, and backlogs, in turn boosting profits. The new ALS 5.0 features include the ability to stack boards, eject small parts directly to the outfeed, and software improvements, representing the cutting-edge of modern linear saws.
Software Enhancements
Behind the scenes, the Alpine Software Team has improved an already robust software package. Sawyers, as well as other users, have come to expect reliability, accuracy, and ease of operation as core tenets of Alpine saws, and the ALS 5.0 positions users to achieve sizable gains in production throughput. The overall system speed is enhanced with the synchronization between the infeed and outfeed, helping reduce lag time.
The ALS 5.0 software package also features a Maintenance Dashboard designed to lower ownership costs and maximize productivity. It provides preventative maintenance reminders, predictive analytics, service/repair guidance with on demand instructional videos, an option to book repairs with Alpine Technicians or the flexibility to integrate seamlessly with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS). The new software is engineered to help simplify plant operations.
Double Stack
An improvement for the ALS 5.0 is the automated lumber function. The ALS 5.0 can double stack up to 20-foot stock lengths, allowing for maximum lumber throughput. The saw will automatically queue the next stack of boards as soon as the previous stack enters the saw cabinet. Sawyers will have complete control over this feature. When the feature is enabled, Alpine’s software will optimize identical components from the job file to increase cut productivity and deliver more identical components – faster.
Small Parts Handling
The days of sawyers manually sorting through the waste bin for small parts are gone. The ALS 5.0 is equipped with a state-of-the-art small parts handler that delivers small components directly to the outfeed. This innovation improves material handling by preventing small parts from ending up in the bottom of the saw cabinet. As a result, it helps provide a centralized delivery point while improving ergonomics and safety for employees.
Printing Improvements
The ALS 5.0 features two upgraded high-resolution printers for quick, legible output on board members. Both printers operate simultaneously with edge printing that marks double stacked boards for easy identification at the assembly table. Other enhanced features include plate alignment marking and jig point identification (matching letters at connection points in the truss). These improvements support faster component identification, quick jig assembly, consistent plate alignment and placement.
Next Generation Efficiency
Designed with component manufacturers in mind, the ALS 5.0 represents advancement in linear saw technology. It offers reduced total cost of ownership, preventative maintenance tools, optimized cutting workflow and material handling improvements. A testament to Alpine’s dedication to innovation.