Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for reducing warp potential of lumber derived from a raw material, such as a log or stem are provided. In some embodiments, the methods involve examining the log or stem for shrinkage properties and/or properties of spiral grain. The location of the shrinkage properties and/or properties of spiral grain may be used to determine how the log is oriented relative to a cutting device. In some embodiments, these characteristics may determine what cutting pattern is selected for creating the lumber or how a stem is bucked.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a combination forest biomass and tree harvester, a harvesting head assembly, and methods for harvesting trees and forest biomass. In some embodiments, the combination forest biomass and tree harvester includes a self-propelled vehicle base, a moveable arm, and a harvesting head assembly. The harvesting head assembly may include a frame member, a grabbing assembly, and a cutting assembly. The cutting assembly may include a primary cutting mechanism and a secondary cutting mechanism. As the combination forest biomass and tree harvester moves through a forest area, the cutting assembly may be used to cut trees and mow biomass.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for stacking wood products. In some embodiments, the disclosure the steps of designing at least two types of engineered wood products via a software application; producing the at least two types of engineered wood products based on the designs utilizing a saw in conjunction with the software application; designating, via the software application, at least two bins to hold the at least two different types of engineered wood products; selecting a first bin for depositing a first type of engineered wood product; selecting a second bin for depositing a second type of engineered wood product; automatically placing the first type of engineered wood product into the first bin; and automatically placing the second type of engineered wood product into the second bin. The at least two types of engineered wood products are at least two of: panels, I-joists, headers and dimensional lumber.

Abstract: Methods for optimizing lumber are provided. In an embodiment, boards cut from a log are examined for warp stability and/or knots. This occurs prior to and/or after the planing process. Based on the examination for warp stability and/or knots, the boards can be sent to a lumber upgrade process, such as for example, re-drying, edging, splitting, trimming, chopping, chipping, or the like. Accordingly, the method of the present invention enables more efficient allocation of lumber towards manufacturing needs.

Abstract: Methods are provided for determining a location of a pith along a length of a wood sample. The methods may comprise the steps of: determining pith direction; selecting two areas of the wood sample at which two or more chords of a ring can be defined; bisecting the chords to define a line perpendicular to the chords; and locating at least one intersection point for two or more of the bisecting perpendicular lines.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods for enhancing hardness and dimensional stability of a wood element. In one embodiment, the method includes placing the wood element in a compression assembly set to a compression temperature between about 365° F. and about 410° F., heating and compressing the wood element without exceeding the species' threshold pressure value to produce a compressed wood product, heating the compressed wood product to a post-compression temperature between about 275° F. and about 350° F., and holding the compressed wood product at the post-compression temperature for about 30 to about 48 hours. The disclosure also includes a wood product having enhanced hardness.

Abstract: Provided is a system for cutting and sorting of engineered wood products. Using appropriate software, a designer may model an entire house's structural frame. The dimensions and labeling for individual members of the structure are extracted from the model and captured by the software. The software may batch and optimize the products to be cut on the saw and develop sawing control instructions. The instructions are used by the saw to process the parts according to the house structure design. As the parts are processed by the saw, they are discharged and sent to an outfeed system that will stack the engineered wood products according to the parameters defined by the workstation operator. The system can handle the multiple lengths and widths of engineered wood parts from the saw and stack them in the order the software may specify.

Abstract: A composite wood product and methods for manufacturing the same and determining the concentration and distribution of an organic biocide within a composite wood product are provided. The organic biocide may be added to wood elements (i.e., fibers, flakes, strands, veneers) prior to consolidation and/or heating of the wood particles to form the composite wood product. A tracer additive may be mixed with the biocide, or applied separately to the furnish which is used to produce the composite wood product. The tracer additive may be detected via, for example, x-ray fluorescence. An amount of tracer additive detected may correlate to an amount of organic biocide within the wood elements and/or the composite wood product.

Abstract: The present invention is a raised floor assembly efficiently connecting a pre-fabricated shear wall to a foundation in applications other than slab-on-grade. The raised floor assembly includes an engineered wood material block machined to accept a connecting rod therethrough. The raised floor assembly also includes a connecting rod that is configured to attach at one end to a pre-fabricated shear wall and is coupled at the other end to an anchor bolt. Additionally, a transfer plate may be positioned between the pre-fabricated shear wall and the top of the engineered wood material block. The transfer plate provides a bearing surface for the pre-fabricated shear wall and helps maintain connecting rod alignment. A transfer plate may also be provided underneath the engineered wood material block and above the foundation. Additionally, a variety of spacers may be provided between the bottom of the engineered wood material block and the foundation.

Abstract: Methods are provided for using light reflection patterns to determine various properties of fibrous materials, such as wood. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods for determining a dive angle for grain. Further, the present invention relates to methods for using information in T2 plots, combined with knowledge of the microstructure of a wood sample surface, to find pith location and/or ring curvature.

Abstract: A shear brace assembly is provided which laterally braces wall lines within a structure, such as a house or other residential construction, while also providing vertical and out-of-plane load carrying capacity. The assembly consists of one or more wood-based panel(s) which are rigidly connected to concrete, masonry or wood support material directly below or above the shear brace assembly bearing surface. The term “wood-based” should be interpreted to mean that the panel may be constructed from a natural wood, or partially or wholly from an engineered wood, such as Timberstrand®, Parallam®, or the like. Ductile anchorage assemblies are used below, and in some applications, above the individual panels.

Abstract: Methods are provided for detecting compression wood, blue stain, or pitch in lumber. A light beam is projected towards the wood sample. Line or area cameras acquire images of light that is reflected from the wood sample. Based on the intensity of the reflected light at one or more locations on the wood sample, compression wood, blue stain, or pitch may be detected.

Abstract: A method of non-destructive testing of a wood piece using a multiplicity of sensors. The method may include the steps of sensing the wood piece; collecting information from the sensors; and integrating the information into a physical model providing for strength and stiffness prediction. The collected information relate to material characteristics of the wood piece and to fiber quality characteristics of the wood piece. The material characteristics may include one or more of the following material characteristics of the wood piece: growth ring thickness; grain angle deviation; clear wood density; knot location; knot density; knot type; knot size; location in the tree from which the wood piece was cut.

Abstract: A timing assembly (200) for a manufactured wood products press (66) is provided. The manufactured wood products press includes a first drive shaft (120) coupled to a first platen (90) and second drive shaft (120) coupled to a second platen (90). The first and second platens are disposed within the manufactured wood products press in an opposed manner. The timing assembly includes a housing (202) and a plurality of timing gears (204) disposed within the housing. The plurality of timing gears are operatively connected to the first and second drive shafts for simultaneously driving the first and second drive shafts in an eccentric path.

Abstract: Methods are provided for predicting warp of a wood product given its differential characteristics, such as, for example, curvature. The methods may involve measuring at least one original warp profile for each of one or more first wood products; measuring one or more inputs on the one or more first wood products; converting the warp profile, for each of the one or more first wood products, into a differential characteristic profile; developing a prediction algorithm based on the one or more inputs and the differential characteristic profile; measuring one or more inputs of the given wood product; inputting the one or more inputs of the given wood product into the prediction algorithm; and determining a differential characteristic profile for the given wood product based on the prediction algorithm.

Abstract: Methods for determining appropriate span lengths for a given piece of lumber for use as a joist and conveying that information to a user are provided. The appropriate span length may be a function of load type, amount of load, bending stiffness, joist spacing, or the like. The span lengths may be conveyed via, for example, printing of a table onto the lumber piece itself. A user may then review the table and determine into which applications the lumber may be implemented. Accordingly, the method of the present invention enables more efficient allocation of lumber towards building needs.