With so much emphasis placed on renewable energy sources and the need to protect the environment, it is no surprise that forestry would one-day benefit from the computer revolution. Tree harvesting has come a long way from the lone woodsman with an ax and a team of horses. The modern logging operation uses sophisticated machinery to precisely harvest the trees that best meet the requirements of the loggers and the needs of the forest.

The harvester is just one part of a complex electronic net that covers the trees from planting to final conversion into the final product. The system includes GPS interactive with localized forestry maps. Economic reports on sawmill capacities, available stocks of various types of woods, demand projections are all combined to ensure that enough trees are felled, but none are lost.

In Sweden this form of harvesting is called forest management. The tools are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars and they cut, strip and stack the trees neatly and carefully in one operation ready for removal. Swedish technology is considered by many in the logging business to be ahead of the pack. And lately, the reporting from the loggers front-line have come off a Pentax PocketJet printer.

ESE's computer controlled bucking system
ESE Technique was founded eleven years ago to develop a computerized system that would maximize the value of each tree as it was felled and processed. The original system was called DASA, DatorStyrd Aptering - Swedish for computer controlled bucking. Four generations later, the system is still the industry standard in several countries and is implemented in a number of international forestry companies such as Caterpillar.

Although based on a proprietary software package operating under Windows 95, it uses all ESE Technique created parts. The company not only produces its own systems, but also manufactures its own PC boards, assembles the computers and either installs them directly into the harvesters, or ships the components directly to the manufacturer.

Five years trouble-free printing in harsh conditions
"From the beginning, we were aware that our systems had to operate for a minimum of five years without a hitch. The cab of a forest harvester is not a hospitable place for delicate electronic components. In operation, the heat can rise to 100 F, the dust, resins and humidity can enter and clog the best assembled PC. The vibrations from the heavy diesel engines, the rugged terrain and the actual jerking and slamming from the operation will soon jar loose parts", according to Mr. Kalle Svensson, Director of ESE.

The on board computer system, which operates on the automotive industry standard CAN Bus to interface with the actual forestry hydraulic systems, motor controls and cutting operations is one of the keys to the rationalization of the tree harvesting industry. The DASA system controls the cutting head, estimates yields and reports on a tree by tree basis, on the cumulative return on investment from the machine's operation.

Printing out reports from these operations were done on small dot matrix printers using paper ribbons. The information was sketchy, operation erratic and had to be transcribed onto larger ledger sheets.

ESE Techniques went looking for a portable printer that would meet the harsh conditions the logging industry imposed. They soon found the Pentax PocketJet.

"We needed a small unit that could be tucked away inside the cab of the machine, operating independently of internal batteries, taking its power off the machine itself, and finally it meeting our five-year trouble-free quality standard." Mr. Svensson continues.

Five years is the average useful age for the more expensive and advanced tree harvesters, so the printer had to be just as solid as the diesel power plant, to last as long without having to be removed.

Pentax PocketJet technology for reliable, high-quality and stable thermal printing
Because the PocketJet relies on thermal technology to produce clear, high-quality text on standard thermal A4 sheets, it has none of the inconveniences of other portable printers on the market. For example, the inkjet printers that are now available in almost any configuration, and for any price, have the great disadvantage of liquid ink inside delicate cartridges. In adverse conditions the ink will freeze and the printer will not operate. The jets become clogged and the printer itself has to remain in an upright position without undue vibrations and stress. Since the carriers for the print heads move back and forth on steel bars, they are prone to stalling because of rust and sap.

"The Pentax PocketJet was designed from the outset for mobile operation. Produced originally as a high-end portable printer operating on standard batteries, it has slowly evolved into a device that has become the printer of choice for precision jobs such as architectural site visits, police cruisers, sales engineers, medical mobile units and anyone in need of printing on the move. The printer can be mounted in vehicles and is shock- resistant when being transported. With no replacement cartridges, toners, ribbons or inks, except Pentax's high quality, roll-fed thermal paper, and few moving parts, it delivers clean, reliable performance at minimal cost of ownership." says Per-Anders Asplund, Managing Director Pentax Scandinavia AB.

Printing forestry reports on the move
In the typical ESE Technique application, the printer is positioned directly onto the ceiling of the operator's cab. Because of its low energy consumption, it uses the harvester's own generated power, either in a 12V or 24 V configuration. The small footprint and low profile of the printer allows it to be installed without restricting the ergonomic requirements of the cab, designed for both comfort and safety of the operator.

In the midst of the modern forestry operation, there will always be a need for a written report based on actual facts from the field. Those reports are now produced by the industry standard, Pentax PocketJet straight from the source. The reports follow the logging loads as they leave the forest and head to the sawmill.

"We have been extremely pleased by the reliability and quality of the Pentax PocketJet, it integrates perfectly with our system and offers the ideal solution for this kind of application. There are ESE Technique systems on three continents. The latest ones, whether harvesting redwoods in the American West, Eucalyptus in Australia or pines in Sweden, will be reporting directly to headquarters from a Pentax PocketJet." concludes Mr. Svensson.

About Pentax PocketJet
Measuring only 25.5 centimeters (10.04") in length and weighing just under 500gm (1.09lb) including the battery, the PocketJet excels in face-to-face situations where on-the-spot hard copy documentation is required. With no replacement cartridges, toners, ribbons or inks, except Pentax's high quality, roll-fed thermal paper, and few moving parts, it delivers clean, reliable performance at minimal cost of ownership. An added bonus is its intuitive, self-adjusting, temperature controlled print head, offering field workers fast laser-quality results, in all weather and temperature conditions. Pentax offers an optional infrared (IrDA) adapter and a range of other accessories for even greater convenience. The PocketJet is compatible with all print-enabled Windows CE, PocketPC, Palm OS and EPOC portable computing, handheld and PDA devices.

About Pentax Technologies Corporation
Pentax Technologies Corporation, with headquarters in Golden, Colorado (US) and its branch office in Zaventem (Belgium), is a manufacturer of computer peripherals and optical components. Products include the PocketJet family of portable printers, continuous form laser printers, sheetfed scanners, the VersaCam Internet camera, and other optics-based parts and subassemblies. Established in 1985, Pentax Technologies is a wholly owned subsidiary of Asahi Optical Co., Ltd., Japan.

For more information, please contact:

PRESS CONTACT:
Per-Anders Asplund
Pentax Scandinavia AB
Tel. +46-18-711300
E-mail: per-anders.asplund@pentax.se
Website: www.pentax.se

PRESS CONTACT:
Anja D'Hondt
Duo Media Services
Tel. +32-2-4548555
E-mail: anja@duomedia.com
Website: www.duomedia.com

MAIN CONTACT:
Martin Mogendorff
Pentax Technologies Europe
Tel. +32-2-3061190
E-mail: martin.mogendorff@pentaxtech.com
Website: www.pentaxtech.com

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