Abstract: A veneer slicer includes a mandrel for holding multiple flitches. The mandrel has a first axis about which it is rotated. A knife and pressure bar assembly is provided on a first reciprocable carriage. The carriage is reciprocated toward and away from the first axis of rotation as the flitches are carried around the first axis of rotation on the mandrel. The mandrel is reciprocated along the first axis of rotation. Rotation of the mandrel, coupled with reciprocation of the carriage and mandrel respectively toward and away from the first axis of rotation and along the first axis of rotation, causes veneer to be sliced sequentially from the multiple flitches.

Abstract: A flitch table is provided for mounting a flitch for slicing of veneer from the flitch by a knife. The flitch includes a mounting side which lies adjacent the table when the flitch is mounted to the table. The mounting side includes grooves which extend generally transversely of the direction of relative movement between the flitch and the knife during the slicing of veneer. The table includes dogs for projecting into the grooves when the flitch is mounted to the table to fix the flitch to the table for slicing of the flitch and guide rails between adjacent dogs longitudinally of the table. The guide rails also project into the grooves when the flitch is mounted to the table. The dogs have a flitch fixing position in which the flitch is fixed to the table by the dogs and a flitch releasing position in which the flitch is not fixed to the table by the dogs. A rack and pinion mechanism drives the dogs between the fixing and releasing positions.

Abstract: A veneer slicer having a flitch carried by a rotating carriage. A knife and pressure bar are carried on a reciprocating carriage which moves back and forth relative to the carriage. The carriage includes clamping elements for holding multiple flitches.

Abstract: A veneer dryer has an entry end and an exit end. A conveyor conveys sheets of veneer through the dryer from the entry end to the exit end. A drying medium is applied to the veneer in the dryer. The conveyor includes a first plurality of drums, each having an axis of rotation and being rotatably mounted in the dryer and a pair of belts permeable by the drying medium. The belts run together around the drums. The sheets are captured for conveyance through the flow of drying medium in the dryer between the belts.

Abstract: A flitch washer for washing flitches with a high volume of low pressure washing liquid is described. The flitch washer comprises an inner cylinder defining a passageway for the flitches. The passageway has open entry and exit ends. A conveyor is provided for conveying flitches through the passageway. The inner walls of the passageway are provided with high capacity, low pressure nozzles for discharging the low pressure washing fluid into the passageway. An outer cylinder having an axis parallel to the axis of the first cylinder, and bulkheads closing the end spaces between the outer and inner cylinders defines a manifold in communication with the nozzles. A high volume pump supplies washing fluid to the nozzles.

Abstract: A flitch washer includes inner and outer cylinders, the space between which is closed at its ends by bulkheads. The inner cylinder defines a passageway open at an entry end and an exit end. A conveyor is provided for conveying a flitch through the passageway from the entry end to the exit end. Nozzle openings are provided through the inner cylinder into the space. Nozzles and plugs are inserted into the nozzle openings to provide a desired pattern of spray of a washing fluid from the space between the cylinders through the nozzles into the passageway. A filter mechanism is provided for trapping debris and the like removed from the flitches by the washing fluid. The filtered washing fluid is then returned to the space between the cylinders for recycling through the nozzles. The filter and conveyor are oriented so that the conveyor also conveys accumulated debris from the filter to a receptacle for disposal.

Abstract: Slicer dogs for use in a veneer slicer in which a flitch is held against a flitch table and the table reciprocated in a plane generally parallel to the table relative to a knife and pressure bar. The knife slices sheets of veneer from the flitch during alternate reciprocations. The dogs have plural rows of teeth to assist in holding the flitch on the slicer.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a control system is provided for advancing and retracting the knife and pressure bar carriage of a veneer slicer. This system replaces the conventional feed screw carriage actuator and permits the knife and pressure bar tilt mechanism to be eliminated. The control system includes a hydraulic linear actuator for incrementally advancing and retracting the carriage and a programmable linear motion controller for controlling the sequence in which the linear actuator advances and retracts the carriage and the distance which the linear actuator advances and retracts the carriage. The controller includes a memory into which a program is loaded. The program determines the sequence, direction and distance that the linear actuator advances and retracts the carriage.