Rip Navigator Tracker

The Rip Navigator Tracker is a compact rip optimizer that brings automated Select-Rip yield optimization to small and mid-size shops — big-shop performance at a small-shop price. As a moving blade rip saw, it shifts one or two saw blades to each board’s optimal rip pattern, recovering more usable width than a fixed-blade gang saw. Its small footprint and affordable price make it an ideal small shop rip optimizing system — and the same Rip Navigator control scales up across Mereen-Johnson’s larger systems as you grow.

For big shop performance at a small shop price. 12″ arbor capacity with up to two inboard shifting saws to facilitate access to outboard mounted TwistLock fixed blade saw collars or a removable saw sleeve.

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Features

Select-Rip Flexibility in a Compact, Affordable Package

Up to Six – 16′ boards per minute production capacity.
One or two shifting blades with fixed or TwistLock fixed blades.
Fewer rejects.
Better yield from your raw materials.
Track operator/shift/vendor/performance.
Less rework.

New Rip Navigator 5.0 Technology

Our newly enhanced Rip Navigator 5.0 technology has three modes of operation to provide production flexibility: Yield Mode to maximize fiber recovery, Value Mode that allows you to quantify a dollar value for needed components, and Manual Mode for times when inventory is more important than yield recovery. With optional board flipping and other features, these systems integrate seamlessly with Mereen-Johnson rip saws and other material handling equipment. An optional NaviVision upgrade further enhances scanning with multiple color cameras.

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12’ system shown / also available in 16’ capacity

Specifications

Capacity	12″ arbor space, thickness to 2-3/4″ using 14″ dia. tooling, 30″ min. length for glue joint accuracy, 22″ min. length bust-up only.
Shifting Saw(s)	One outboard shifting blade in combination with fixed saws. One inboard shifting blade in combination with fixed saws. Two inboard shifting blades in combination with fixed saws. 1″ min. width net rip between shifting saws, 1-1/8″ min. net rip between TwistLock saw mounted saw collars (when using individual hold down shoes).
Laser Lights	Machine mounted laser light stand arranged for mounting up to six laser lights. One traveling laser light provided for each shifting saw and integrated with saw movement.
Arbor Drive	Direct drive 50 HP, 3600 RPM TEFC MereenJohnson saw arbor motor.
Feed Drive	3 HP with variable frequency speed control, infinitely variable, 30′-235′ per minute.
Feed Bed	Posi-Feed friction feed bed of structural aluminum feed slats with replaceable steel backed rubber inserts carried on precision Double-Vee hardened steel feed chains and track. Oil mist lubrication of feed system with low oil level auto feed shut-off.
Hold Downs	Four 3″ dia. air loaded press rolls. Air loaded traveling shoes provided for each shifting blade. Air loaded individual shoe or removable bed plate hold downs for fixed blades can handle up to 1/2″ thickness variation.
Anti-Kickbacks	Single lower, double upper infeed. Single upper outfeed.
Dust Collection	One 10″ dia. and one 5″ dia. upper, one 5″ dia. lower, 4,060 total CFM required.
Electrical	Arranged for 3/60/230 or 460 volt power supply (other electrics available).
Shipping Information	Nominal 8′ by 6′ by 6′ shipping skid, 7,200 lbs, 3,300 kg.

Automation & Robotics

Tailored Solutions for the Solid Wood Sector

Mereen-Johnson stands at the forefront of delivering cutting-edge automated handling solutions that will streamline your workforce and wood machinery assets. Our smart, automated handling solutions are meticulously crafted to enhance your machine throughput and efficacy while substantially trimming your labor expenses.

Our complete spectrum of services ranges from conceptualization and design of production lines to installation, personnel training and ongoing maintenance, and we cater to a wide array of client requirements, offering both standardized system solutions and fully personalized options to suit your specific needs.

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The Mereen-Johnson Difference

Made in the USA Quality

Vertically integrated manufacturing in the USA means we control every step of the process to deliver the performance and longevity that the industry has grown to expect from us.

Turnkey Custom Solutions

Listening to your specific needs, we will adapt a standard machine or develop a fully custom solution, including automation and robotics, and manufacture it in-house.

Excellence Under One Roof

Our state-of-the-art production space has room to build, test and prove large-scale design solutions. Design-build teams work together to make your custom concept a reality.

Parts, Service & Training

We will always support your machine. From training programs to replacement parts, schematics to software support, we’ve got you covered, remotely or onsite.

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How the Rip Navigator Tracker Works

The Tracker pairs a compact 12″ Select-Rip saw with Rip Navigator 5.0 optimization to rip each board for maximum yield:

Scan & solve. Rip Navigator calculates the highest-value rip solution for each board against your active cut list, then positions the shifting saws — with a traveling laser light guiding each moving blade.
Shift & rip. One or two moving saw blades shift to the solution while fixed or TwistLock blades handle the rest of the pattern, recovering usable width down to a 1″ minimum net rip between shifting saws.
Choose your mode. Rip Navigator 5.0 runs three ways — Yield Mode to maximize fiber recovery, Value Mode to prioritize your highest-dollar components, and Manual Mode when inventory matters more than yield.
Track everything. The system records production by operator, shift, and vendor, so you can see performance, cut rejects, and reduce rework.

It’s a moving blade rip saw that thinks — optimizing every board — in a footprint and at a price that fits a small shop. Optional board flipping and a NaviVision color-camera upgrade extend it further as your needs grow.

Applications

The Tracker fits shops that want the yield of Select-Rip optimization without the footprint or cost of a full-size line:

Entry into rip optimization — a first optimizing rip saw for shops moving up from fixed-arbor ganging.
Width & value recovery — shifting blades cut each board for the most usable width, or the highest part value.
Dimension & S4S parts — precision components and blanks from solid stock.
Short-run & mixed production — quick, software-driven changeovers for varied cut lists.
Yield-sensitive small shops — better recovery where every board of raw material counts.

As a compact rip optimizer, the Tracker delivers optimizing performance in a package sized and priced for smaller operations.

Industries Served

The Rip Navigator Tracker supports solid-wood operations across:

Cabinetry — face-frame, stile, and rail stock with better yield.
Furniture — dimension components from varied-width stock.
Custom Millwork — flexible, value-driven ripping for short runs.
Flooring — strip recovery from solid hardwood.
Mouldings — random-width blanks feeding profile lines.
Doors & Windows — component stock for frame and panel work.
Rough Mill — cut-first and recovery operations at small-shop scale.

Emerging applications: mass timber and pre-fabricated / modular home components, where even smaller shops benefit from higher yield per board.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Rip Navigator Tracker?

The Tracker is a compact Select-Rip optimizing system built on a 12″ arbor saw. It shifts one or two saw blades to each board’s optimal rip pattern under Rip Navigator 5.0 control — bringing automated yield optimization to small and mid-size shops at an affordable price.

What is a Select-Rip (moving blade) rip saw?

A Select-Rip, or moving blade, rip saw has saw blades that shift position for each board instead of cutting at a fixed spacing. That lets the saw match each board’s actual width and recover usable material a fixed-arbor gang saw would lose as edgings.

How is the Tracker different from the Scout or the 5300 Trailblazer?

All three use Rip Navigator optimization. The Tracker is the compact, small-shop configuration — a 12″ arbor with one or two shifting blades, up to six 16-ft boards per minute. The 5300 Trailblazer adds up to four shifting blades for short stock, and the Scout is the largest platform, with infeed chains and board dealers for the highest throughput.

What are the three optimization modes?

Yield Mode maximizes fiber recovery, Value Mode prioritizes your highest-dollar components, and Manual Mode is for times when inventory matters more than yield.

How many boards per minute can it run?

Up to six 16-foot boards per minute, with a 50 HP direct-drive arbor and an infinitely variable feed rate from 30 to 235 feet per minute.

How many shifting blades does it have?

One or two shifting saw blades — one outboard, one inboard, or two inboard — combined with fixed or TwistLock fixed blades, with a 1″ minimum net rip between shifting saws.

Can I add camera scanning later?

Yes. An optional NaviVision upgrade adds multiple color cameras for surface-defect detection, and optional board flipping is also available.

Is it made in the USA?

Yes. Mereen-Johnson designs and builds its machinery in the United States, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with U.S.-based parts and service.

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Rip Navigator Tracker