Abstract: A method of cutting a wood block and a veneer lathe are disclosed. Two groups of first plural contact members and second plural contact members disposed around the wood block for supporting the wood block from the periphery thereof and each having a contact portion contactable with periphery of the wood block. The first and the second contact members are spaced away from each other along the spin axis of the wood block so as to form a space between any two adjacent contact members, respectively, and arranged in such a way that a part of the contact member of one group is insertable into the space between any two adjacent contact members of the other group when the wood block is cut to a predetermined reduced diameter so that the wood block is continued to be supported further.

Abstract: The invention relates to a peeling station with means for rounding a block by peeling and means for producing veneers from the block by peeling The peeling station comprises a frame assembly provided with a rounding segment having first roller elements for accommodating and centering as well as rotating a block and a first knife element for peeling the block to become substantially circular in cross-section during its rotating motion; an interim storage segment for accommodating a rounded block; and a veneer peeling segment having second roller elements for accommodating and rotating the rounded block coming from the interim storage and a second knife element for peeling veneers from a block during its rotating motion.

Abstract: A method of cutting a wood block and a veneer lathe are disclosed. Two groups of first plural contact members and second plural contact members disposed around the wood block for supporting the wood block from the periphery thereof and each having a contact portion contactable with periphery of the wood block. The first and the second contact members are spaced away from each other along the spin axis of the wood block so as to form a space between any two adjacent contact members, respectively, and arranged in such a way that a part of the contact member of one group is insertable into the space between any two adjacent contact members of the other group when the wood block is cut to a predetermined reduced diameter so that the wood block is continued to be supported further.

Abstract: A method of cutting a wood block for production of veneer by a rotary veneer lathe. The veneer lathe includes a veneer knife, a number of rotatable peripheral drive wheels placed parallel to the veneer knife and each having a number of tooth-like projections pierceable into a wood block for driving the wood block for rotation about its axis, and a guide member for guiding veneer peeled from the wood block. The cutting of the wood block is done at a first position of the peripheral drive wheels where the veneer peeled from the wood block is pierced by the projections to such an extent that substantial splits are formed in the veneer along wood grain thereof, and also at a second position where the projections provide no force to the veneer moving past the guide member that causes the substantial splits in the veneer.

Abstract: A method of cutting a wood block for production of veneer by a rotary veneer lathe. The veneer lathe includes a veneer knife, a number of rotatable peripheral drive wheels placed parallel to the veneer knife and each having a number of tooth-like projections pierceable into a wood block for driving the wood block for rotation about its axis, and a guide member for guiding veneer peeled from the wood block. The cutting of the wood block is done at a first position of the peripheral drive wheels where the veneer peeled from the wood block is pierced by the projections to such an extent that substantial splits are formed in the veneer along wood grain thereof, and also at a second position where the projections provide no force to the veneer moving past the guide member that causes the substantial splits in the veneer.

Abstract: A peripherally driven veneer lathe employs a knife with an improved shape which increases the deflection resistance of the cutting edge and improves its cutting ability. A cutting edge (7c) is positioned on the flank side a predetermined distance (H) away from a point (X) of intersection of an extended plane of a cutting face (7a) and that of a flank (7b) of a knife (7) toward the downstream of the rotation of a log. The cutting face immediately following the cutting edge (7c) is formed as a connecting curved surface (7d) coinciding with a concentric arc distanced from the trajectory (G) of rotation of piercing projections (4a) of a peripheral-drive member (4) with a predetermined gap (S). Preferably, the angle (&agr;) formed by a line (D) tangent to the connecting curved surface (7d) at the cutting edge and the flank (7b) is roughly equal to the sharpness angle (&bgr;: 18° to 25°) of the conventional knife.

Abstract: A peripherally driven veneer lathe employs a knife with an improved shape which increases the deflection resistance of the cutting edge and improves its cutting ability. A cutting edge (7c) is positioned on the flank side a predetermined distance (H) away from a point (X) of intersection of an extended plane of a cutting face (7a) and that of a flank (7b) of a knife (7) toward the downstream of the rotation of a log. The cutting face immediately following the cutting edge (7c) is formed as a connecting curved surface (7d) coinciding with a concentric arc distanced from the trajectory (G) of rotation of piercing projections (4a) of a peripheral-drive member (4) with a predetermined gap (S). Preferably, the angle (&agr;) formed by a line (D) tangent to the connecting curved surface (7d) at the cutting edge and the flank (7b) is roughly equal to the sharpness angle (&bgr;: 18° to 25°) of the conventional knife.

Abstract: A veneer lathe that can provide a veneer produced by cutting out a log, which is substantially free from surface scratches, and thus can be used as a surface sheet for plywood. A roller bar drives a log while pushing its peripheral surface on the upstream side of a knife fixed to a knife carriage for cutting the rotating log in a log rotating direction. The roller bar 3 has a large number of grooves defined in a peripheral surface thereof. The shape of the grooves 5a in a section crossing the shaft centerline of the roller bar 3 is set so that an angle between a tangent at a corner portion 3e constituted by a line 3d of an outer periphery of the roller bar 3 and a line 3b extending outward from an upstream side face of the grooves 5a is 130 to 160 degrees.

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: A veneer lathe that can provide a veneer produced by cutting out a log, which is substantially free from surface scratches, and thus can be used as a surface sheet for plywood. A roller bar drives a log while pushing its peripheral surface on the upstream side of a knife fixed to a knife carriage for cutting the rotating log in a log rotating direction. The roller bar 3 has a large number of grooves defined in a peripheral surface thereof. The shape of the grooves 5a in a section crossing the shaft centerline of the roller bar 3 is set so that an angle between a tangent at a corner portion 3e constituted by a line 3d of an outer periphery of the roller bar 3 and a line 3b extending outward from an upstream side face of the grooves 5a is 130 to 160 degrees.

Abstract: A veneer lathe comprising a piercing roller and a guiding member for producing a veneer which is free from piercing scars. A third rotational shaft (25) is raised from the position where the piercing projections (27a) of the piercing rolls (27) are pierced into the outer peripheral wall of the log (3) to a position which enables the distance between the tip end of the piercing projections (27a) and the backing plate (5a), the concave portion (4) and the guide member (6) to become larger than the thickness of the veneer (T1), and then, the third rotational shaft (25) is moved away from the log (3) up to a position which makes the piercing projections (27a) impossible to pierce the outer peripheral wall of the log (3), after which the log (3) is rotated to perform the cutting by means of knife (5).

Abstract: A nose bar device for a veneer lathe which is equipped with a knife carriage movable toward and away from a log from which a veneer sheet is cut, and a knife mounted on the knife carriage and having at the tip end thereof a cutting edge extending horizontally across the direction in which the knife carriage is moved. The lathe further includes a plurality of nose bars juxtaposed along the cutting edge of the knife and mounted to a block which forms a part the knife carriage and is adapted to be movable independently of the knife carriage. Each nose bar has at the lower end thereof a pressure edge located adjacent to the cutting edge of the knife for pressing against the log periphery adjacent to the knife cutting edge. There is provided a mechanism for independently adjustably moving the pressure edge of at least one of the nose bars toward and away from the cutting edge of the knife.

Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus for a woody strand cement board, in which a woody group material and cement are combined to form a construction material. The construction material is fire resistant and has a strength comparable to a lumbered raw wood product. The apparatus includes means for finely splitting a fibrous woody material such as wood, bamboo, and reed in a direction parallel to the fiber of the material to obtain pieces of finely split material; a molding frame; and feeders, such as a forming conveyor and swing conveyor, for feeding the pieces to the molding frame to form first and second layers. Mortar is poured on the first and second layers, and pressure is applied to mold and solidify the layers to a semi-hardened state. Two feeders may provide the first and second layers in cross-wise directions.

Abstract: A veneer lathe comprising a knife (2) for peeling a log (1), which is secured rotatably to a knife stock, and a roller bar (3) disposed to press a circumferential surface of the log (1) at an upstream side, in relative to said knife (2), of a rotational direction of the log (1). The roller bar (3) has a diameter of not more than 30 mm, and is provided on the circumferential surface thereof with a large number of projections (5) whose height is not higher than the circumferential surface of the roller bar (3). The roller bar (3) is sustained in a sliding bearing (9) and adapted to receive a rotational force from a driving source. The roller bar (3) functions not only as a pressure bar but also as a power transmitting media to rotate the log (1), thereby preventing the generation of lathe check of veneer to be produced.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for use in the rotary cutting of wood veneer is disclosed. The improved apparatus and method are preferably employed in connection with a conventional lathe having a pressure bar. Such a lathe is of the type that is used to produce wood veneer from a workpiece of wood, such as a log. The improvement is characterized as maintaining a preselected pressure of the pressure bar against the wood, and subsequently adjusting the preselected pressure bar position by using means for doing so, thereby producing wood veneer of uniform thickness and surface quality, independent of variations in wood density and wood hardness, such variations resulting from natural growth conditions and temperature of the wood.

Abstract: A centerless rotary veneer lathe comprises a slidable backup device which is disposed on the opposite side of a peeler log from a knife carriage of the lathe. The backup device has a pair rotatable rolls located one above the other with the axes thereof extending in parallel to the axis of the log. The paired rolls are disposed such that the axes of such two rolls are spaced at substantially the same distance from an imaginary line extending perpendicularly to the axis of the log and in parallel to the direction in which the backup device is moved. In operation of the veneer lathe with the rolls set in contact with the log periphery, the knife carriage and the backup device are moved synchronously at such a variable controlled rate that causes peeling of veneer with a predetermined thickness.

Abstract: A method of controlling the feed of the backup rolls of a log backup apparatus for use in a veneer lathe for preventing a log from bowing while veneer is peeled from the log. The method comprises the step of centripetally feeding the backup rolls from a control-start diameter .PHI. at a provisional feed rate f which is higher than a predetermined feed rate F by a feed rate of a pre-selected correction value .alpha. per log rotation. The aforementioned control-start diameter .PHI. is slightly larger than the diameter of the log at which the backup rolls are brought into contact with the log. The method further comprises the steps of stopping the centripetal feeding of the backup rolls at the provisional feed rate f when the bowing is eliminated from the log and thereafter centripetally feeding the backup rolls at the predetermined feed rate F, thereby eliminating the bowing that occurs during the veneer peeling from the log.

Abstract: A method of controlling the clearance angle of a veneer knife in a veneer lathe under a spindleless condition is applied to a veneer lathe that includes the veneer knife, at least three rollers, feed mechanisms coupled to at least two of the rollers for feeding the rollers, and a drive system coupled to at least one of the rollers for rotatably driving thereof, wherein the rollers to which the drive system is coupled supplies all the driving force required for rotating the log while each roller to which the feed mechanism is coupled are fed to hold the log while the log is peeled by the veneer knife.

Abstract: A veneer lathe is disclosed having a nose bar and drive assembly in place thereon. A nose bar shaft is splined lengthwise and supported by lathe mounted bearing assemblies. Rolls include splined inserts for shaft engagement. Roll surfaces are grooved for biased engagement with a wooden article installed in the lathe. Drive members are insertably engaged with ends of the nose bar shaft and with power transmission units in place on the veneer lathe. The drive members are disengaged from the nose bar shaft upon positioning of retainer caps on each power transmission unit.

Abstract: A method of controlling the clearance angle of a veneer lathe knife in a veneer lathe having a knife holder beam rotatably mounted on a knife carrier. The beam's vibration frequency is continuously measured and compared with a stored representation of a vibration frequency range (about 50-200 Hz.) characteristic of disruption of the veneer peeling operation. If the comparison reveals that the measured vibration frequency is within the characteristic disruptive range, the beam is rotatably adjusted until the comparison reveals that the measured vibration frequency no longer lies within the disruptive range. Usually, the adjustment accelerates lowering of the beam in order to make the knife clearance angle less positive.

Abstract: A veneer lathe apparatus and method are described in which the height of the nose bar roller relative to the knife is automatically adjusted during peeling by a computer control system. In addition, the two veneer exit gaps between the nose bar and the knife and between the nose bar and the knife backing member are automatically maintained substantially the same as or slightly greater than the veneer path width which is equal to the thickness of the veneer plus a clearance space of a predetermined amount. As a result the automatic control positions the nose bar as close as possible to the knife during peeling thereby greatly improving the quality of the veneer. The height of the nose bar is adjusted by moving a moveable wedge along a fixed wedge with a control cylinder in response to a computer generated control signal.

Abstract: A nose bar is disclosed which is used in a veneer peeling machine which peels off a veneer with a cutting blade applied to a log for causing a chip to abut upon the peripheral surface of the log in the vicinity of the cutting blade, said nose bar comprising: a body portion, a retaining block detachably mounted on said body portion, and a replaceable chip fixedly retained by said body portion and said retaining block.

Abstract: A peripheral drive log lathe having no sliding surfaces susceptible to wear in either the log pinching apparatus or in the knife assembly. All loads are transferred to the frame members through rotary bearings. The knife assembly is self aligning to the thickness W of the veneer cut by the fixed distance W between the noseroll and the knife edge. The idler rolls are mounted on a carriage which can only move in parallel planes as determined by a three point translation scheme. A trio of ball screws and nuts provide synchronized drive to the three points. A rounding actuator controls the knife assembly until the log is rounded at which time the rounding actuator is de-energized and the becomes self aligning.

Abstract: A method of producing a veneer having a given thickness requires cutting of a stock material by a mechanism including a rotary lathe blade and a nose bar. The nose bar is arranged at the outer periphery of the stock material in the vicinity of the tip of the rotary lathe blade, such that the spacing between the tip of the nose bar and the tip of the rotary lathe blade in a horizontal direction is 20 to 30% smaller than the thickness of the desired veneer to be cut. The stock material is cut by rotating the stock material by a spindle which chucks the end faces of the stock material at opposite ends thereof. A backup roller rotated by the rotation of the stock material constantly biases the stock material toward the nose bar and is positioned on the outer periphery of the stock material in a position diametrically opposite to the rotary lathe blade.

Abstract: A process for selectively abrading one surface of a veneer knife at a higher rate that the other face and includes a novel way of providing lubricating and cooling fluid to the faces of the knife wherein the majority of the lubricant is provided to the face which abrades slower to further enhance the self sharpening of the knife.

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: Methods and apparatus for using a veneer type lathe of compact design for the pellitizing of a log portion directly from the log without intermediate steps. A log saddle with slide guides for the axles of the incisor rolls enables a significant reduction in the complexity of a peripheral drive veneer lathe and permits the use of a single press to clamp, incise and separate the pellets from the log.

Abstract: A new type of fuel pellet and method and apparatus for manufacturing. Pellets are cut directly from logs without requiring grinding and extruding. A veneer type lathe and rolls hold a log and the rolls incise the log surface to a depth larger than the veneer cut prior to cut off with the veneer knife so that all three dimensions of the pellet are precisely controlled as well as being clean cuts.

Abstract: A veneer slicing machine having a cutting knife and a pressure bar spaced from the knife having a face for contacting the wood for creating pressure on the wood to be sliced, the region of the pressure bar before the face on the entrance side of the knife having a concave portion and the region of the bar past the point of contact of the face with the wood on the exit side also being concave, the pressure bar wood contacting face being convex.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the knife carriage feed is disclosed herein which is applicable to a centerless type veneer lathe wherein a peeler log is driven to rotate by peripheral drive system without use of conventional spindles. The apparatus includes a roll which is engageable with the peripheral surface of a log to be rotated thereby for measuring the current log peripheral speed and a device connected to a carriage feeding screw for monitoring the current log diameter. The knife carriage feed is effected in accordance with the log rotational speed which is determined by the current log diameter and the current log peripheral speed so that a veneer knife on the carriage cuts into the log peripheral surface for a predetermined distance for each turn of said log.

Abstract: Pressure is applied at a plurality of locations to the driving roller of a peripheral driving veneer lathe. The pressure at each location is selectively and independently controlled to achieve a desired degree of engagement by the driving roller over the surface of a bolt to be lathed.

Abstract: In a veneer lathe having a pair of left and right double spindles, a small spindle is inserted in a large spindle in such a manner that the small one is relatively transferred in the axial direction freely and also is relatively rotated freely in the structure of the large one. Either one of the large or small spindle is driven at the one side of the left and right sides by a driving source at a required revolution.

Abstract: A rotary veneer-cutting machine for tree trunks including a blade holder unit (15, 16, 17, 18) that laterally approaches the axis of a trunk (12) to be cut and top rollers (25) and side rollers (31) counteracting the bending of the trunk (12) caused by the shearing stresses of the blade. The side rollers (31) are positioned diametrically opposite the blade (17) and are motor driven. A piston (39) supplies thrust action for the rollers (31) against the trunk so as to insure adherence thereto even with low bending stresses of the trunk.

Abstract: An electrical control system is described for automatic adjustment of the pitch angle of a lathe knife in a veneer lathe apparatus in response to reduction of the diameter of the log during peeling. The control system includes a digital computer having a memory in which are stored a plurality of data tables of different pitch angle profile ranges for different wood species. The lathe knife pitch angle is adjusted by such compute control system changing the height of a cam follower roller on a knife carriage which moves along a mechanical pitch rail cam member during peeling.

Abstract: A mechanism for adjusting the orientation of the arms that carry the backup rollers in a core steady rest. The rollers are rendered fixed relative to each other and relative to the arms. The arms are adjusted toward and away from the log as necessary to maintain equal contact of the two rollers on the log. The adjustment is preferably accomplished by mounting the arm ends opposite the rollers to an eccentric that pivots the arm ends in an arc toward the log.

Abstract: There is disclosed a veneer lathe comprising a pair of spindles one of which spindles is powered to impart rotating torque to the log and the other of which is non-powered and rotatable with the log, means for detecting the rotation of the non-powered spindle and providing a detect signal, and control means which is operable in response to the detect signal to control the knife carriage feed. The lathe further includes means for detecting the rotation of the powered spindle and providing a detect signal, and means for comparing the detect signals from the two detecting means and providing a control signal, if the difference in angular velocity between the spindles exceeds a predetermined value, thereby to cause the knife carriage to stop its feeding operation.

Abstract: A veneer lathe apparatus control system and method are described for automatic adjustment of lathe components which engage the log during peeling in response to reduction of the log diameter and to changes in the surface temperature of the log. The lathe components which are automatically adjusted include the lathe knife pitch angle, the knife gap spacing from the nose bar, and the radial positions of backup idler rolls and of core drive rolls. A computer control system is employed for such automatic adjustment of the lathe components in response to control signals produced by a temperature sensor which senses the surface temperature of the log and by a lathe carriage position sensor whose output indicates the diameter of the log as it is being peeled. Adjustment curves selected by the computer, such as pitch angle profiles and knife gap curves, are stored as data tables in the data memory of the computer.

Abstract: Helical spline actuator includes a pair of cylinder housings connected together in end-to-end spaced apart aligned relationship by means of a center mount. A shaft is mounted for rotation within the two housings, and has a rotatable drive member extending outwardly therefrom between the spaced apart inboard ends of the housings and out through a circumferential slot in the center mount. Pistons are axially movable within each of the housings toward and away from opposite ends of the shaft. Inboard of the pistons are helical drive members for converting axial movement of the pistons into relative rotational movement of the shaft and drive member connected thereto.

Abstract: A veneer lathe has a frame, a support for rotatably drivingly supporting a peel block, and a knife for peeling veneer from the block. First and second "backup" rolls rotatably, drivingly engage the block during peeling thereof. The first roll is positioned along a first arc which is centred on a first pivot axis; and, the second roll is positioned along a second arc which is centred on the first roll.

Abstract: A wood veneer lathe that includes a sensor carried by the nose bar and co-acting with the peeling knife to detect and provide an output signal in response to and proportioned to deviations from a predetermined spacing of the nose bar and knife relative to one another. The sensor is located downstream from the point of contact of the nose bar with the block at a position opposite a flate face of the knife and adjacent the latters cutting edge. A particular veneer lathe is disclosed that includes electrohydraulic linear actuators with feedback control means for adjustably positioning the peeling knife. Signals from the sensor, detecting deviations of the peeling knife from its fixed setting, are analyzed by a computer and the latter controls actuators to make suitable knife position adjustments to control the veneer thickness.

Abstract: A wood incising roller where the teeth are formed by grooves in the roller surface and where some of such grooves cross others. Each cutting tooth has a knife-like cutting edge of finite length that is in one instance perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the roller and in another instance parallel to such axis. The grooves can be formed by machine cutting, either turning or grinding or by being molded in the surface and then shaped by a grinding operation. At least some grooves preferrably spiral about the roller. The pattern of cutting teeth and shape are determined by such variable parameters as pitch, number of thread starts, angle of cutter, depth of cut and lead angle. An incisor for lumber or veneer consists of two rollers at least one of which is as described in the forgoing. The grooves can be filled or partially filled with an elastic compressible material. The incising roller of the foregoing also is used in combination with a veneer lathe.

Abstract: A veneer lathe having a fixed roller, a slidably positionable pressure roller and a slidably positionable following roller. A following roller positioning means selectably positions the following roller with respect to the fixed and pressure rollers in response to a following roller position control signal. The rollers are rotated against a block positioned between the rollers, thereby rotating the block with respect to a knife, which peels veneer from the block. The pressure roller is slidably positionable in a first plane, and the following roller is slidably positionable into a selected location in a second plane, thereby affording precise control over peeling of the block.A knife positioning means controllably advances the knife into the rotating block in response to a knife position control signal. A knife angling means controllably positions the knife at a selectably variable angle with respect to the rotating block in response to a knife angle control signal.

Abstract: A roller assembly of a veneer lathe for rotating a log is disclosed. It comprises a rotatable element, an elastic element provided on the rotatable element, and a plurality of ring shaped members each having a periphery for being urgedly contacted the periphery of a log. The ring shaped members are spacedly provided on the rotatable element with the elastic element interposed therebetween. A veneer lathe including the above-mentioned roller assembly is also disclosed.

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 rotary veneer cutting machine for conversion of a block of wood into veneers comprises a device for preventing the block of wood from sagging which consists of a first and second set of pressure rollers which act respectively on the upper half and lower half of the block of wood. The first set of rollers is mounted along a beam which is translatable in the plane that contains it, from which beam there extend articulated arms carrying the said second set of rollers. With the said beam and said articulated arms there are associated guide means and actuators which keep the said sets of rollers in contact with the block of wood as its diameter decreases.

Abstract: A large diameter nose bar roll apparatus for a veneer lathe is disclosed including an automatic knife gap adjustment means. The knife gap adjustment means reduces the knife gap between the nose bar roll and the knife blade during peeling in response to decreases in the log diameter and/or changes in the knife pitch angle. This knife gap adjustment maintains the nose bar roll in contact with the log at the proper contact pressure as the diameter of the log decreases during peeling. This is necessary for nose bar rolls having a large diameter of at least 1.5 inches and 15 times the thickness of the veneer such as, for example, a nose bar roll of 3.75 inches diameter. An electrical control means is employed for automatically controlling the knife gap adjustment means by moving the nose bar roll toward the knife in response to decreases in the log diameter and changes in the pitch angle.

Abstract: A veneer lathe for peeling a veneer from a log, comprising a knife mounted on a knife frame and adapted to peel said veneer from said log, a plurality of pressure bars retained on a pressure bar frame as disposed parallelly to said knife and spaced in the direction of the line of the blade of said knife, roller discs interposed one each between said plurality of pressure bars, retained on said pressure bar frame through the medium of rotary shafts, and rotated at a peripheral speed greater than the peripheral speed of said log, a guide face forming the passage of said veneer from the vicinity of said knife through said roller discs, a plurality of pressure rollers disposed on the lower side of said guide face and pressed displaceably in the direction of the axial line of said roller discs, and a guide member for said peeled veneer disposed on the underside of said pressure bar frame.

Abstract: A veneer lathe apparatus is described with a powered nose bar roll of large diameter that is capable of peeling logs down to an extremely small core diameter on the order of about 21/2 inches for soft wood. The large diameter nose bar roll prevents jam-up of wood chips and trash at the junction between such roll and the log and greatly increases cutting time between lathe knife sharpenings. Both ends of the nose bar roll are connected through flexible couplings of plastic to the output shafts of two separate drive motors. The nose bar roll may be provided with a grooved outer surface for greater friction and can apply up to 40 percent of the total torque required for rotation of the log and to pressure the log for compression of its surface in front of the lathe knife during peeling. The nose bar roll is of larger diameter than the minimum log core and preferably such diameter is at least fifteen times the thickness of the wood veneer being peeled.

Abstract: In a veneer lathe comprising a cutting slide and an anti-buckling device which are pressed by actuating means against a workpiece held between said lathe's rotating end chucks and wherein said cutting slide and anti-buckling device are guided relative to the stationary frame of said lathe along converging working planes forming an upwardly opening obtuse angle of substantially 120.degree., the improvement wherein said working planes are bisected by a plane substantially vertical to and intersecting the rotational axis of the rotating workpiece.

Abstract: Apparatus for stabilizing a rotating block of wood from which veneer is being peeled in a veneer lathe, and a method for its operation. A block stabilizer includes a massive stabilizer head having paired rollers which extend along a majority of the length of the block of wood, parallel with the axis of rotation of the block being peeled. Sensors produce electrical signals used to inform a computer of the location of the veneer knife. The computer provides position orders to move the block stabilizer head to hold the surfaces of the rollers at the expected location of the peripheral surface of the block in response to movement of the veneer knife during the entire process of peeling veneer from the block.