Abstract: A veneer slicer includes a flitch drive assembly for reciprocating a flitch table. The drive assembly includes a timing belt coupling a drive motor output shaft to at least one driven wheel, wherein the driven wheel is connected to the flitch table by a connecting rod and the flitch table reciprocates in response to rotation of the driven wheel. The drive assembly can include a plurality of driven wheels and a single timing belt coupling the plurality of driven wheels to the output shaft. Alternatively, each driven wheel can be coupled to a drive shaft by a separate timing belt.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and apparatus for cutting veneer from a tapered flitch so as to minimize the amount of waste veneer taken from the outside, or veneer-producing zone, of a flitch. A flitch is mounted to a staylog and oriented so that the veneer-producing zone is parallel to the veneer-slicing knife and the staylog is rotated to move the flitch past the veneer-slicing knife. In some embodiments, the flitch is mounted to the staylog so that the flitch mounting surface is in a non-parallel relation to the staylog mounting surface. In alternative embodiments, the flitch mounting surface is positioned adjacent the staylog mounting surface, and the staylog, or just the staylog mounting surface, is oriented to position the veneer-producing zone in a parallel relation with the veneer-slicing knife.

Abstract: A vacuum valve includes a valve body with a cylindrical sidewall having a vacuum inlet coupled to a vacuum source and a vacuum outlet. A piston is disposed within the valve body for movement between an open position and a closed position and provides a vacuum port that extends between the vacuum inlet and the vacuum outlet when the piston is in the open position. The valve also includes means for cooperating with a vacuum source to remove material from the vacuum valve as the piston moves between the open and closed positions. The vacuum port of the piston includes a reduced diameter portion that provides a passageway for vacuum and debris. A sharp edge, preferably an annular knife edge, circumferentially surrounds the piston adjacent, and extending into, the reduced diameter portion. The annular knife edge is oriented to provide a cutting stroke during movement of the piston from the open position to the closed position.