Abstract: A veneer lathe for peeling veneer from a log includes a first and a second support roll and a counter roll, all the rolls being parallel with the rotation axis of the log and having a length of substantially at least the length of the log. Each roll includes a shaft, with discs placed thereon having a width equaling to not more than the distance of the discs from each other in the longitudinal direction of the log. The discs have an outer diameter greater than that of their respective shaft and are concentric therewith. The discs of the second support roll and counter roll do not coincide in the longitudinal direction with the discs of the first support roll for enabling overlapping of the discs of the second support roll and the counter roll with the discs of the first support roll in the radial direction of the discs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retaining a flitch on a staylog or slicer for slicing veneer from the flitch, the staylog or slicer having a plurality of expandable wedge-clamp dogs, the method comprising the steps of providing a flitch having a plurality of dados for receiving a plurality of wedge-clamp dogs, positioning the plurality of wedge-clamp dogs within the plurality of dados in the flitch, and expanding the wedge-clamp dogs to retain the flitch on the staylog or slicer.

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: 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: Method and apparatus for retaining a tapered flitch having a veneer-producing zone on a flitch table for rotating or translational movement past a veneer-slicing knife comprises stationary dog means coupled to a flitch-carrying body for engaging the flitch and means for engaging the flitch with the stationary dog means to hold the flitch on the flitch-carrying body. The flitch-carrying body may be part of a modular flitch table assembly. In the invention, the flitch is held on the flitch table with the veneer-producing zone in a parallel relation with the veneer-slicing knife so as to minimize the amount of waste veneer taken from the veneer-producing zone.

Abstract: The problem in previously known stay log-type veneer slicers in which a large block of wood is directed in an eccentrically rotating manner past a knife consists of the fact that a remaining block that cannot be sliced has to be removed by hand from a girder structure on which the block is mounted. Hence, the downtime for removing the remaining block and mounting a new block of wood is relatively long. The aim of the invention is therefore to create a stay log-type veneer slicer that has a reduced downtime. Said aim is achieved by disposing means for discarding the block of wood (16) and a device for automatically conveying away the discarded block of wood on the girder structure (12).

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: A drive mechanism for reciprocating a flitch table (114), the drive mechanism comprising a drive shaft (118) having an output end, a prime mover coupled to the drive shaft (118) for rotating the drive shaft (118), a coupler (120) on the output end of the drive shaft (118), and a connecting rod (122) coupled to the flitch table (114) and the coupler (120). The flitch table (114) is supported from the frame (130) by a guide member (128) secured to one of the flitch table (114) and the frame (130) and a bearing member (126) secured to the other of the flitch table (114) and the frame (130) for cooperation with the guide member (128). The guide member (128) and bearing member (126) form between them at least one channel (86) for a plurality of bearings (90). The bearings (90) are movable relative to the bearing member (126) and the guide member (128).

Abstract: The invention relates to a veneer slicing machine. The output of prior art veneer slicing machines is limited by virtue of the fact that the slideways quickly heat up at a maximum stroke rate. As a result, the maximum permissible temperature of 120° C. is quickly reached thereby making it necessary to shut down the machine in order to permit the slideways to cool. The inventive veneer slicing machine should be able to be used in continuous operation at a maximum stroke rate and thus function without resulting in a loss in quality. To this end, cooling means are arranged on the slideways (16) and are provided in said slideways (16) e.g. in the form of borings (21) through which the coolant circulates whereby enabling heat to be carried away in a well-directed manner.

Abstract: A station (10) for shearing wood sheets from a log comprises a shearing blade (18) and a pair of chucks (16) supporting log gripping means (21). The chucks are powered to rotate around an axis (20) parallel to the blade and the gripping means (21) are movable to change the inclination of the gripped log with respect to said chuck rotation axis.

Abstract: A riser (10, 50) for supporting a plurality of panels (66) to be laminated with a plastic laminate sheet (96), which is defined with a press table (12) of a laminating press (14) by a plurality of alternating ridges (20) and channels (22). A plurality of blocks (36) are received in the channels (22) for selective longitudinal movement therein, each of the blocks (36) extending from the channel sufficiently to define a gap (64) between a distal surface (42) of the block (36) and an upper surface of the adjacent ridges (20). The blocks (36) are movable longitudinally in the channels (22) to define wrap gaps (70) between the ends (38, 40) of the blocks (36) and the edges (74) of the panels (66) supported thereon for the plastic laminate sheet (96) to wrap under perimeter edges of the panels during lamination. A method of supporting a plurality of panels to be laminated with a plastic sheet in a laminating press is disclosed.

Abstract: A veneer slicer comprises a frame and a flitch table for supporting a flitch for the slicing of veneer therefrom. The flitch table is supported from the frame. The veneer slicer further comprises a knife. The flitch table and knife are relatively movable along a path toward and away from one another. The flitch table is mounted on the frame for movement of the flitch across the knife in cutting and return strokes. The flitch table is supported from the frame by a guide member secured to one of the flitch table and the frame and a bearing member secured to the other of the flitch table and the frame for cooperation with the guide member. The guide member and bearing member form between them at least one channel for a plurality of bearings.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding flitches for slicing in a vertical slicing process. The apparatus includes a clamp having a centrally located vacuum pocket disposed between two opposed clamping dogs. The clamp provides a vacuum assisted clamp for vertical slicing of thin veneers.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for retaining a tapered flitch having a veneer-producing zone on a flitch table for rotating or translational movement past a veneer-slicing knife comprises stationary dog means coupled to a flitch-carrying body for engaging the flitch and means for engaging the flitch with the stationary dog means to hold the flitch on the flitch-carrying body. The flitch-carrying body may be part of a modular flitch table assembly. In the invention, the flitch is held on the flitch table with the veneer-producing zone in a parallel relation with the veneer-slicing knife so as to minimize the amount of waste veneer taken from the veneer-producing zone.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for cutting veneer sheets from a tapered flitch (one-half of a veneer log which has been sawn in half longitudinally) that places the veneer producing face of a tapered flitch in a stable, parallel relationship with the veneer slicing knife, thereby allowing full utilization of the natural taper of a veneer log.

Abstract: A veneer slicer includes a flitch drive assembly for reciprocating a flitch table. The drive assembly includes a timing belt coupling a drive motor output shaft to at least one driven wheel, wherein the driven wheel is connected to the flitch table by a connecting rod and the flitch table reciprocates in response to rotation of the driven wheel. The drive assembly can include a plurality of driven wheels and a single timing belt coupling the plurality of driven wheels to the output shaft. Alternatively, each driven wheel can be coupled to a drive shaft by a separate timing belt.

Abstract: The present invention includes apparatus for retaining a tapered flitch, having a generally semi-cylindrical veneer-producing zone, on a staylog for movement past a veneer-slicing knife, wherein the tapered flitch includes an axis of rotation. The apparatus comprisesstationary dogs coupled to the staylog for engaging the flitch and movable dogs for moving the flitch into engagement with the stationary dogs to hold the flitch on the staylog. The flitch is held on the staylog so that the axis of rotation of the veneer-producing zone is in a parallel relation with the veneer-slicing knife in order to minimize the amount of waste veneer taken from the veneer-producing zone.

Abstract: Slicer dogs for use in a veneer slicer in which a flitch is held against a flitch table and the table reciprocated in a plane generally parallel to the table relative to a knife and pressure bar. The knife slices sheets of veneer from the flitch during alternate reciprocations. The dogs have plural rows of teeth to assist in holding the flitch on the slicer.

Abstract: A system permits the apparatus for slicing veneer from a flitch to be initially adjusted and to be operated efficiently and reliably. The system includes an improved pressure plate adjustment means as part of the apparatus, including an electric drive for each end of the pressure plate to quickly and accurately position the pressure plate relative to the edge of the veneer cutting blade. By simply pressing push buttons controlling the two electric drives, each end of the pressure plate can be caused to move forward or backward in precise increments of less than 0.001 inch and to be quickly and accurately vertically aligned with the cutting blade edge. Thereafter, the desired spacing can be set on a control console by means of thumbwheel switches and a computer means will automatically position the pressure plate to achieve the desired spacing.

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 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: 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.