Abstract: An apparatus for rotating elongated members of rectangular cross section, such as board lumber, is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pair of conveyors arranged so that the boards will cascade from the end of one conveyor onto the other conveyor by force of gravity, rotating in the process. A dampening mechanism to reduce the impact caused by the fall is also disclosed. The dampening mechanism allows the members to be delicately balanced on any side. After an inspection, the boards are turned again to position them for final processing. This second rotation is performed by halting the leading edge ofthe boards, at either the top or bottom, and propelling the opposite edge forward with a rubber wheel.

Abstract: A thread gage for use with a threading machine for automatically and quickly gaging a thread after it is formed. A stylus support is mounted on the machine turret for placement of the stylus in position for movement axially of the thread to follow the thread contour. The stylus is connected to a transducer. The machine computer control may be programmed to receive signals from the transducer indicative of radial position of the stylus tip and signals relative to axial position of the turret indicative of axial position of the stylus tip to form a digital model of the thread which may then be compared to a standard thread and/or used to make adaptive threading machine offsets.