Abstract: A knife assembly for use in a veneer cutting machine such as a rotary veneer lathe and a veneer slicer includes a knife blade, a knife blade holder and a knife adjusting bolt with a lock nut. The knife blade holder includes a holder block having formed therethrough a threaded hole through which the knife adjusting bolt is adjustably inserted. The holder block has a first support surface that is in supporting contact with a part of one surface of the knife blade on the side thereof where a bevel face of the knife blade is formed and a second support surface that is in supporting contact with a part of a base end surface located opposite from and extending parallel to a cutting edge of the knife blade.

Abstract: Implementations described herein comprise knives and cutting systems for forming a predetermined impression into a wood layer and methods associated therewith. In some aspects a cutting system comprises at least one knife, and a means for rotating the wood block about a rotation axis. Each knife of the at least one knife can have a cutting portion and a base portion, wherein the cutting portion comprises a cutting surface defining a pattern. The at least one knife can be operatively positioned relative to the wood block such that, upon rotation of the wood block about the rotation axis, the peripheral surface of the wood block is urged against the cutting surface of the at least one knife to form the wood layer and the pattern defined on the cutting surface of the at least one knife is configured to form the predetermined impression into the wood layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a flitch into sheets of veneer. The method and apparatus include providing a drive mechanism which causes relative motion of a knife in contact with the flitch. The relative motion is relatively slower during one part of the cutting stroke and is relatively faster during another part of the cutting stroke.

Abstract: Disclosed is a veneer slicing apparatus including a table assembly. A blade support is mounted on the table assembly. A blade is supported in the blade support. A carriage assembly is adapted to engage and hold a log generally parallel to the table assembly. A drive assembly is configured to reciprocate the carriage assembly between a cutting stroke and a return stroke. During the cutting stroke, the log is passed over the blade to longitudinally cut a slice of veneer from the log. Disclosed is a method for manufacturing veneer. At least one log is received on a table assembly. The log is engaged by a carriage assembly. The log dwells in a ready position on a heated portion of the surface. The carriage assembly is moved to pass the log longitudinally over a blade supported on the table assembly to cut a slice of veneer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a knife assembly for a veneer lathe, the knife assembly comprising heads having mounted therebetween a knife beam and a nose bar beam, the beams respectively supporting a peeling knife and a solid nose bar. The knife assembly is turnable about an axis of rotation aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the peeling knife and the nose bar, whereby the angular position of the knife assembly relative to the lathe carriage heads is adapted to change about this axis of rotation in compliance with the progress of veneer peeling. In the knife assembly, the angular position of the nose bar relative to the peeling knife is adapted changeable during peeling in order to control the angle between the nose bar and the peeling knife.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cutting wood or other materials by separating the material along a line of controlled failure through the application of mechanical force in combination with laser light to break molecular bonds holding the material together along the line of controlled failure. A preferred embodiment of the cutting apparatus is a generally broad wedge-shaped blade having planar lower and upper surfaces which converge toward each other to terminate along a leading edge. The blade is generally hollow with a cavity for passing optical fibers carrying laser light to a transparent window attached to the leading edge of the blade. Laser light passes through the window and is directed to a line of controlled failure in the material being cut to break the molecular bonds and locally weaken the material.

Abstract: A veneer lathe knife assembly includes a lower portion supporting a veneer cutting knife, and a upper portion supporting a backing nose bar. The upper portion includes adjustment screws, for example, for adjusting a position of the nose bar in the upper portion of the assembly. To perform a fine adjustment of the knife gap formed between the cutting knife and the nose bar, the adjustment screws are individually temperature controlled to compensate for a thermal expansion of the adjustment screws, thus maintaining the knife gap along the length of the knife assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a veneer lathe knife assembly comprising a lower portion (5) supporting a veneer cutting knife (3) and a upper portion (2) supporting a backing nose bar (4), said upper portion including adjustment screw means (1 to 1″″) or the like devices for adjusting position of the nose bar (4) in the upper portion (2) of the assembly. To perform a fine adjustment of the knife gap formed between the cutting knife and the nose bar, the adjustment screw means are equipped with means (6) for controlling the temperature of the screw means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a veneer lathe knife assembly comprising supported by a frame assembly a knife mounting beam (4) and a nose bar beam (5), both of which having a front portion (4′; 5′) for holding a cutting knife (6) and a nose bar (7), respectively, and a stiffening rear portion. The knife mounting beam (4) and the nose bar beam (5) are adapted movable relative to each other on the frame assembly so as to permit adjustment of the knife gap formed between the cutting knife (6) and the nose bar (7). Heat transfer means (2, 2′, 2″, 2′″) are adapted to the stiffening rear portion of both the knife mounting beam (4) and the nose bar beam (5). Both the knife mounting beam (4) and the nose bar beam (5) have placed thereon, in a close vicinity to the knife (6) and the nose bar (7), at least one first set of temperature sensors (3, 3′) disposed in predetermined positions along the length of the knife and the nose bar.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a new kind of veneer which has the cross grain (such as wavy grain and interlocked grain) artificially formed on the surface of straight-grained veneer cut by quarter sawing from a species of wood which should yield the cross grain but actually has no cross grain. Disclosed also herein is a method of producing the cross-grained veneer, said method comprising cutting wood into veneer of desired thickness which assumes the straight grain, by using a veneer peeling machine equipped with a knife whose cutting edge waves continuously in the lengthwise direction, and flattening the veneer having an uneven surface by means of thermal fixing or hot pressing, thereby artificially forming the cross grain on the surface of the straight-grained veneer. The knife is constructed such that the cutting edge waves in the widthwise direction of the knife and the troughs of the wave are disposed along the straight line extending in the lengthwise direction of the knife.

Abstract: A veneer slicer comprises apparatus for reciprocating a flitch from which veneer is to be sliced, apparatus for supporting a knife for slicing veneer from the flitch as the flitch is reciprocated, and apparatus for supporting a pressure bar for contacting the flitch and exerting pressure on the flitch. The knife supporting apparatus and veneer reciprocating apparatus are movable relatively toward each other prior to a stroke of the flitch reciprocating apparatus during which the knife is in contact with the flitch to thereby remove a slice of veneer from the flitch. The apparatus for supporting the pressure bar is separately controllable from the knife supporting apparatus.

Abstract: A method of fixing an adjusting bolt of a veneer peeling knife which is usually performed after adjusting the knife in a knife setting gauge to position its cutting edge at a desired height. The adjusting bolt is fixed by forcing the adjusting bolt by a fixing member in such a direction that the advancing side flank of the external thread of the adjusting bolt is kept in pressed contact with the lower side flank of the internal thread of a threaded hole formed in the knife bottom and receiving therein the adjusting bolt by thread engagement. The fixing member may be provided by a rigid member disposed below the knife bottom surface and formed with a threaded hole through which the adjusting bolt is inserted by thread engagement so that forcing the fixing member upward by a pressing member such as a bolt in a direction that effects the pressed contact between the above two flanks fixes the adjusting bolt securely to place. The fixing member is provided by any suitable resilient material such as silicon rubber.

Abstract: A cutting blade holding device is disclosed which is capable of preventing damage to a blade stock per se to improve operational efficiency of a veneer lathe per se and to reduce a maintenance cost. The cutting blade holding device in a veneer lathe which is supported by a frame F of the veneer lathe with its cutting blade 19 kept in parallel with a log W to be peeled and which comprises: a blade stock 5 having its side facing the log W formed with a blade retaining portion 7 for retaining the cutting blade, the cutting blade 19 being detachably mounted in the blade retaining portion 7 of the blade stock 5, and an abutment member 25 as a member separate from the blade stock 5, which is separately replaceably disposed in the upper end portion of the blade retaining portion 7 in the vicinity of a cutting edge of the cutting blade 19 mounted in the blade retaining portion 7.

Abstract: A knife changing method is disclosed which is applicable to a veneer lathe equipped with a knife carriage to which a veneer peeling knife is clamped with its cutting edge set at a predetermined elevation relative to the knife carriage. The knife carriage is shiftable to at least one knife changing position and the lathe has formed in at least one of its side frames a knife passage adjacent the knife changing position of the carriage. In the knife changing operation, the knife carriage is firstly shifted to its knife changing position, where an old knife is released from the knife carriage by undoing knife clamps. The freed knife is laterally moved away from the veneer lathe through the knife passage in the side frame. Then, a new, or reground knife is moved laterally into the veneer lathe through the knife passage to a predetermined knife installing position on the knife carriage, where the new knife is fixed to the carriage by activating the knife clamps.

Abstract: In a veneer lathe having a knife mounted to a knife support frame with a backing plate, a roundup control system for a veneer lathe is disclosed that recognizes or detects the production of usable veneer using the body of the knife as a signal source. During initial production of veneer, the lathe produces a trash or roundup veneer that is directed to a chipper through a trashgate. When there begins production of usable veneer, the trashgate is closed and the usable veneer is directed toward production trays or stackers. A sensor or displacement detection device is mounted in the backing plate of the knife support frame lateral the unsupported portion of the knife. As the knife contacts wood, the unsupported span of the knife flexes causing the magnet to move which the sensor detects. The sensor outputs a voltage signal proportional to movement of the knife in magnitude and direction. This voltage signal is relayed to a central processing unit where it is converted into a digital signal.

Abstract: A veneer manufacturing process comprising placing a log within a work station, the work station having chucks at either end thereof for releasably engaging respectively ends of the log such that the log is rotatable about its longitudinal axis, and then rotating the log about its axis such that the rotating log may be brought into engagement with a blade system, The blade system extends along the entire length of the work station and engages the log during rotating thereof such that a thin continuous layer of timber of uniform thickness is cut therefrom as the log rotates, The blade system includes retractable end sections that may be retracted prior to the blade system striking the chuck, thus allowing a central blade section to continue engagement with the log to a diameter less than the diameter of the chucks.

Abstract: A veneer lathe for the peeling of a continuous strip of veneer off a log is arranged to automatically adjust the peeling blade angle and the position of the pressure roll as the log being peeled decreases in diameter. A control, such as a computer, is provided to control motors that adjust the angle of the blade and the position of the pressure roll according to the instant diameter of the log being peeled and in conjunction with other data input to the computer. A holder which supports the peeling blade is pivotally mounted on a movable carriage of the lathe. Pivoting the holder adjusts the angle of the blade. A carrier, which has a movable slide on which the pressure roll is mounted, is also pivotally mounted on the carriage. Pivoting the carrier will adjust the pressure roll vertically in relation to the peeling blade and movement of the carrier slide will adjust the pressure roll laterally in relation to the peeling blade.

Abstract: A rotary veneer-cutting machine for cutting sheets of veneer from tree trunks comprises a bladeholder unit (19) moving on a pair of support elements (21, 23) along guides (23) for drawing a blade (16) toward the axis of the trunk (14). Said support elements (21, 23) in addition to moving along guides (23) also move independently in a direction virtually perpendicular to the guides (23) to incline and displace the blade (16) in relation to the diametrical plane of the trunk (14). Support element (21) is located virtually in a plane perpendicular to the guides (23) that passes through the edge of the blade (16) and the other support (22) in a position which is remote from said plane.

Abstract: A continuously moving lathe knife is provided which can be retrofit to an existing lathe carriage. The knife assembly includes a chain bar secured to the knife carriage with a pair of sprockets at either end of the chain bar. An endless loop chain extends around the sprockets. The chain includes knife tips with angularly disposed serrations which engage the surface of the log from which veneer is being cut. As the log is rotated about its longitudinal axis, the friction between the log and knife tip serrations imparts longitudinal movement of the chain with respect to the log. The chain thereby moves around the chain bar so as to cut a layer of veneer from the log. No separate power source is required for rotating the chain.

Abstract: A continuously moving lathe knife is provided which can be retrofit to an existing lathe carriage. The knife assembly includes a chain bar secured to the knife carriage with a pair of sprockets at either end of the chain bar. An endless loop chain extends around the sprockets. A power source rotates one of the sprockets so as to rotate the chain around the sprockets. The movement of the chain is guided by a channel in the chain bar. Each link of the chain includes a knife tip for cutting a layer of veneer from a wooden log which is rotated about its longitudinal axis as the chain is rotated in a plane parallel to the log surface.

Abstract: A knife, especially a veneer knife, having a wedge shaped body equipped with a leaf spring and a backing plate which retain a removable, disposable blade. The blade is inserted on the rake face of the tool under the leaf spring and wedged between the retaining plate and the rake face. Cutting forces provide main clamping of the blade.

Abstract: A cutter block for rotary veneer cutting machine for converting a block of wood into veneers is position-wise registrable with respect to the frame of the machine which supports it, so as to permit regulation of the cutting angle of the cutter, the cutting edge of which is parallel to the axis of rotation of the block of wood.To this end, the cutter block is mounted on the machine frame along a registration fulcrum pin which is not coincident with the cutting edge of the cutter and to which is imparted a combined movement of rotation and translation.Control means for obtaining such movement are associated with the registration fulcrum pin.

Abstract: A lathe for cutting a spiral strip of veneer from the surface of a log includes motor-driven mechanisms for adjusting the knife blade pitch angle and edge height, and for moving a pressure head relative to the knife to adjust the vertical gap and horizontal gap between the knife edge and the roller bar, and provides sensors for determining the actual positions of movable elements of the lathe, thus enabling computer-controlled adjustment of the movable elements of the lathe during lathe operation. A knife clamp of the lathe includes a plurality of separate clamp segments for pressing against different portions of a knife bar to hold it firmly, resisting deformation and rocking of the knife bar. Fluid-pressure-biased bearings eliminate looseness between relatively movable parts of the lathe, reducing the amount of variation of thickness in veneer produced using the lathe. Veneer thickness is controlled by monitoring cumulative movement of the lathe spindles and the main feed carriage.

Abstract: A veneer lathe having power spindle means for rotating a log on the spindle axis, a knife carriage disposed for movement transversely of said spindle axis, a knife rockably mounted on the carriage for movement laterally of the spindle axis, means for adjusting the pitch of the knife as it is moved toward the spindle axis, and means for correcting the pitch adjustment in accordance with lateral deflecting forces on the knife. A sensing device mounted adjacent the knife utilizes lateral deflection of the knife edge during the veneer peeling operation to generate a signal indicating the direction and amplitude of the deflection. The signal may be applied directly to a suitably calibrated deflection indicator. It may also be amplified and utilized to effect a correction in the pitch adjusting means so as to maintain the lateral forces on the knife in approximate balance, with a slight bias toward the wood.

Abstract: A veneer reinforcing unit is provided. The unit comprises a first cutter which functions as a cutter for trimming a veneer sheet and a second cutter which extends from one or both sides of the blade of said first cutter. During a trimming action of the first cutter, the second cutter cuts in the veneer sheet at its butt ends newly formed by the first cutter. The thus obtained veneer sheet is ready for any reinforcing step. However, if the first and second cutters are additionally provided with a hole to pay out a cord therethrough, the cut formed in the butt end of the veneer sheet firmly hold the cord since the veneer sheet has a tendency to close the cut after the passage of the second cutter, providing a reinforced veneer sheet.

Abstract: A system for producing veneer from deteriorated or hollow core logs. The log is rotated about its longitudinal axis in a lathe by means secured to the log at or near its outer circumferential surface. Two kerfs are cut around the circumference of the rotating log and the veneer blade is then brought to bear against a portion of the rotating log between the kerfs such that a sheet of veneer is cut from that log portion. The length of the veneer blade is no less than the distance between the inner kerf edges and no greater than the distance between the outer kerf edges.