Thinking about buying the first cameras for your sawmill? Or perhaps you’ve outgrown your video monitoring system? Congrats, you’re in the right place to learn how to do this without breaking the bank and without compromising on quality.

Let’s start with a quick primer in case you’re not sure whether a video monitoring solution makes sense for your sawmill.

Does My Small Sawmill Need Cameras?

First off, the need for video monitoring doesn’t depend on the size of your sawmill. The right cameras in the right places do so much more than give your operators a second set of eyes. For example, you can improve your sawmill operations by simply recording and re-watching your feed to spot inefficiencies. 

Our clients use the Opticom cameras in sawmills of all sizes to:

• Improve the safety of their workers—remote operators can spot risks and incidents that are waiting to happen and halt the operations before it’s too late
• Avoid hefty fines and business interruptions by proving compliance and adherence to state and federal laws through camera recordings
• Save money on equipment maintenance by spotting potential problems early

Today, video monitoring is no longer reserved for large sawmills or large companies in general. Video monitoring is more accessible than ever, in terms of both the financial investment and setup time.

Speaking of financial investment, let’s look at the most common trap for first-time buyers of sawmill cameras.

Cheap Sawmill Cameras Get Expensive in the Long Run

You can get cheap cameras for your sawmill for as little as $50, so the temptation is undeniable. However, while the initial cost is very low, things add up in the long run.

In our 50+ years in this field, we’ve helped hundreds of sawmills of all sizes upgrade their video monitoring system. Their number one complaint about their old setup is usually how fast the cameras broke down.

The operators realized within a few months to a year that constantly replacing cameras that can’t handle the harsh environment of a sawmill added up very quickly. Yes, the cameras are cheap but if you need to buy a new one every week, you’ll end up paying a small fortune in cameras and in labor.

Oftentimes, it’s not just about replacing one or two cameras. In some cases, you will need to replace the entire system to ensure compatibility—a waste of time and money that wouldn’t be an issue if the right system was picked in the first place. 

A rugged, industrial monitoring system has a lower cost of ownership because the cameras last for years and you only need to do minimal maintenance on them. Plus, because they are designed to withstand the debris, splinters, sawdust, and all the other harsh elements in the environment of a sawmill, your feed will run uninterrupted.

Quality sawmill cameras are vital for your operations and this kind of quality cannot be found in off-the-shelf monitoring systems.

Dedicated industrial cameras fit all the prerequisites of operating in harsh environments. For instance, an Opticom CC04 camera took a direct hit by a board moving on the line at West Fraser Sawmill—and it survived!

Another Opticom camera got hit by a log in a sawmill and, again, it survived! In cases like these, sometimes you can reinstall the camera or you only need to replace the vibration mount, which means your expenses are minimal.

So, how do you future-proof your business and make sure you get the best possible ROI out of your sawmill cameras?

Minimize Your Investment by Choosing a Scalable Video Monitoring Solution

If you walk away with a single recommendation from this article, make it this one: it’s better to have a couple of high-quality sawmill cameras than a dozen of cheap ones.

You don’t have to build your entire system in one go, you just have to choose an option that comes with built-in scalability. This is the process we recommend for the small sawmills that work with us:

• Choose the top areas you need monitored, either for security or for operational businesses.
• Install the first cameras there. We can help you choose the right positioning so you get as much coverage as possible with a single camera.
• Add more cameras as you go or when the need arises. 

This approach allows you to scale when your budget permits it. If you choose cheap, off-the-shelf cameras, you will have to scrap everything and start from scratch every time you want an upgrade.

With a rugged system, scalability is a breeze. You can even add a single camera per year and you’ll never have to throw away any of the old cameras.

Not sure where to begin building your fist sawmill video monitoring system? You don’t have to do it alone!

Our consultants are ready to help you maximize your budget—there’s no need to waste money on expensive features you won’t use. Let us show you how to get an affordable video monitoring system that lasts for years. Get in touch for a free consultation.