Abstract: A system for selecting wood veneers on the basis of their size comprises in combination: a cutter, at least a selector apparatus downstream of the cutter composed of a vacuum conveyor, expellers cooperating with the conveyor to separate the veneer from it, sensors for reading the length of the veneer which are disposed upstream of the cutter and which control the coming into operation of the expellers, and a conveyor for taking the veneers to a stacker downstream of the selector apparatus. The expellers consist of a plurality of compressed air nozzles above the feed path of the veneer which are adapted to direct in a controlled manner jets of air against the veneer so as to detach it abruptly from the vacuum conveyor.

Abstract: A rotary cutter for sheet materials, particularly wood veneers, comprising a blade (11) controlled to rotate between two supporting rolls (12, 13), which are upper and lower respectively and which are also rotary, wherein each of the supporting cylinders (12, 13) rests on at least a pair of travelling rolls (14, 15 and 16, 17), which can be reciprocally neared and/or distanced through the intermediary of actuating means which cooperate with them.

Abstract: A log clamping apparatus for use in holding half round or stay logs in a cutting operation. The apparatus comprises a rectangular bar rotatable about a rotational axis parallel to the major axis of the bar. The bar has at least one fixed toothed element and one moveable toothed element extending from one narrow side of the bar. The toothed elements face each other and are adapted to extend into axial grooves in the log. Shafts are connected on opposite wide sides of the bar and are each connected to toothed dogs. The shafts are rotated by drive means to pivot the dogs to further clamp the log.

Abstract: A process for slicing logs to produce a veneer comprises passing a log to be sliced through a curved cutting path having a varying radius of curvature about a fixed axis and contacting the log with a cutting means for slicing a veneer therefrom.

Abstract: A device for shearing wooden logs, comprising a beam on which the log is secured and guidedly supported for rotation about an axis, a blade and a pressure bar, and adjusting means for adjustment of the variation of the radius of the curved cutting path and of thickness of the sheared sheets is disclosed.

Abstract: In a vertical type wood shearing machine having a blade holder and bar carrying unit and a substantially vertical support cable, the improvement being at least two wood stock support arms each pivotally mounted at one end thereof to the blade holder and bar carrying unit and pivotable from a support position with the arms extended away from the blade holder and bar carrying unit to a retracted position with the arms folded toward the blade holder and bar carrying unit. A double action hydraulic cylinder is associated with each of the support arms and is pivotally mounted at its one end to the blade holder and bar carrying unit and is pivotally mounted to an intermediate portion if each of said support arms at its other end. Each of the double action hydraulic cylinders are mounted at an angle so as to permit the extension of the support arm into the support position and a retraction of the support arms into a retracted position.

Abstract: A generally vertical veneer slicing device having a plurality of holding hooks for supporting a wood-stock on a generally vertical supporting table. Each of the respective holding hooks include a pair of complementary adjustable jaw members for gripping the wood-stock therebetween wherein the complementary pairs of jaw members vary in length. The arrangement is such that the holding hooks are rendered selectively operative so that progressively smaller hooks are used for supporting the wood-stock as the wood-stock is reduced in size during a cutting operation with the larger length jaw members being shifted to an inoperative out-of-the way position.

Abstract: There is described a wood shearing machine for the production of veneers, having the wood supporting table with the supporting surface for the wood stock, vertical and running on slideways, alternatively upwards and downwards, characterized in that in addition it has the blade-holding unit placed above the bar-carrying unit and both being slidable on horizontal slideways, the arrangement being such that the cutting operation may take place while the wood stock moves upwards and that the sheet is obtained with the edges turned downwards.

Abstract: There is described a wood shearing machine, for the production of veneers, characterized in that it has the table supporting the wood stock to be cut, as well as the slideways upon which said table slides is inclined at an angle .alpha. to the vertical and consequently the bar-carrying unit and the blade-holding unit, which are perpendicular to the former, are inclined at an angle .alpha.' to the horizontal; the two angles .alpha. and .alpha.' being obviously equal to each other, the arrangement being such so as to ensure with the same speed lower stresses and increased speeds than with vertical wood shearing machines.

Abstract: A device to rapidly move away and subsequently move closer to the wood stock the blade-holding unit and bar-carrying unit, after each cutting operation, in a vertical type wood shearing machine, comprising and characterized by one or more pairs of screws, which when rotating determine the axial feeding motion of the assembly, as well as an equal number of hydraulic double-acting cylinders provided at the rear ends of the screws and connected thereto, which determine by the axial displacement of the respective pistons the actual quick movement away and movement closer of the assembly with respect to the wood stock to be cut.

Abstract: A traversing device for the blade-holding unit and the bar-carrying unit of a vertical wood shearing machine, or a wood shearing machine slightly inclined to the vertical, comprising four screws, two of which are placed at the bottom near the slideways, and the other two screws, being placed at the top slightly above the reaction plane of the pressure bar, and a mechanical transmission capable of making the four screws kinematically synchronized with each other.

Abstract: The safety device is applied to a vertical type, wood shearing or veneer cutting machine, and prevents the blade-holding unit and the bar-carrying unit from striking the hooks of the wood supporting table, during the shearing process. The safety device comprises a set of magnetic proximity switches, placed on the bar-carrying unit near and above the cutting point, equally spaced from each other and opposed to respective hooks or dogs fixed to the wood supporting table. The hooks are also equally spaced and are alternatively of greater and smaller length, so that the upward and downward vertical motion of the wood stock is stopped when the magnetic switches near the hooks of greater length and operation of the machine is stopped so that the hooks or dogs can be replaced by others of smaller length.