Abstract: An apparatus for testing stiffness characteristics such as modulus of elasticity E of an article such as a piece of lumber moving in a conveying direction transverse to the testing axis, comprises a bearing unit capable of contacting the piece of lumber at two spaced apart portions thereof. There is provided a first deflecting unit including a first working element being normally disposed in a first static position relative to the conveying path for applying a first thrust against a loaded area on the article at an intermediary portion thereof located between the spaced apart portions, to produce an article deflection of a first magnitude. Each working element defines a loading surface extending substantially parallel to the article-conveying path.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing stiffness characteristics such as modulus of elasticity E of an article such as a piece of lumber moving in a conveying direction transverse to the testing axis, comprises a bearing unit capable of contacting the piece of lumber at two spaced apart portions thereof. There is provided a first deflecting unit including a first working element being normally disposed in a first static position relative to the conveying path for applying a first thrust against a loaded area on the article at an intermediary portion thereof located between the spaced apart portions, to produce an article deflection of a first magnitude. Each working element defines a loading surface extending substantially parallel to the article-conveying path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for classifying articles according to their color, wherein a first pair of wavelengths is selected on a plurality of light reflection curves in terms of a reflected light wavelength spectrum. An article to be inspected is illuminated with light comprising the first pair of wavelengths and light reflected therefrom is measured to detect light reflection values corresponding to this first pair or wavelengths. A primary signal is produced, which represents a resulting difference between the detected light reflection values, this signal being indicative of the color of the inspected article. At least one secondary wavelength is selected on the reflected light wavelength spectrum, and the inspected article is illuminated with light comprising this secondary wavelength and light reflected therefrom is measured to produce a secondary signal which is further indicative of the color of the inspected article.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for sensing the color of articles wherein a first pair of wavelengths is selected on a plurality of light reflection curves in terms of reflected light wavelength spectrum, these curves being associated with a plurality of articles constituting a sample representative of the color range to be sensed. The first pair of wavelengths delimits a first range of wavelengths corresponding to light reflection values in these curves, the light reflection values in each of the curves being in a substantially linear relationship over said first range of wavelengths. Each article to be inspected is illuminated with light comprising the first pair of wavelengths, and the light reflected therefrom is measured to detect light reflection values corresponding to the first pair of wavelengths. A primary signal is produced which represents a resulting difference between said detected light reflection values, this signal being indicative of the color of the inspected article.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for automatically detecting the approximate percentage of humidity in predetermined types of lumber cut to specific lengths. A conveyor is provided for conveying individual pieces of cut lumber to a weighing station which consists of platforms on which individual pieces of lumber are conveyed. One or more weighing cells are associated with the platforms for detecting the weight of the piece of lumber thereon. A control circuit is connected to the weighing cell and also to sensors which detect a predetermined length of the lumber pieces and the cross-sectional dimension thereof, and receives information signals therefrom to identify and classify the individual lumber pieces in accordance with one or more reference signals related to selected humidity content weight(s) of the lumber pieces. The apparatus compares the apparent density with selectable density(ies) used as criterium for sorting.