Abstract: A method of moving an elongate member (12) along a predetermined axis (A-A) for the introduction or withdrawal thereof to or from a free body (11). The method includes providing an elongate guide surface (18) extending parallel to the predetermined axis, and also providing a plurality of support elements (26) which are slidable on the support surface in a direction parallel to the predetermined axis. The elongate member is supported on the support elements so that at least a major portion of the mass is supported. The elongate member and the support elements are moved along the predetermined axis. Apparatus for moving an elongate member in this manner is also provided.

Abstract: A method for locating an optimum peeling axis of a log and a maximum radius point on peripheral surface of the log with respect to the located optimum peeling axis and an apparatus for practicing the method are disclosed. A plurality of swingable members are provided, each member having a contact surface which is swingable in contact with the peripheral surface of the log thereby to follows the peripheral profile of the log while it is being rotated about its preliminary axis. Angular positions of the contact surfaces are measured with respect to a reference position at a number of angularly spaced positions of the log. On the basis of the measured angular positions of the contact surfaces, radial distances of the log from a plurality of predetermined locations on the optimum peeling axis to selected contact surfaces are computed for comparison such radial distances. The distance having the greatest value is regarded as the maximum radius point of the log.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for centering a log for veneer peeling in a lathe. In the method the log is first centered in the centering arrangement of the lathe equipment using centering alignment data based on the contour of the log. On the basis of the thus determined centering data, a computer simulation of peeling is carried out and the results thereof are displayed. The operator performs an alternative centering based on visual evaluation of the log end and, using this centering data, another computer simulation of log peeling is carried out. The peeling outcomes are displayed as an image. The peeling outcomes of all simulations are compared with each other and the centering of actual peeling operation is performed using the centering data giving the optimum yield of peeling.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for peeling veneer from a log, wherein the centering device is calibrated during the peeling process without interrupting the production. In the method in accordance with the invention, the around-contour of the log is defined by means of techniques of prior art in the centering device by measuring the distance between the surface of the log and the rotation axis at several positions at the length of the log, and the rotation centres of the ends of the log are set to the chucks of the lathe in accordance with this determination of contour. The validity of the centering is controlled, and a correction factor for the centering of a next log is transmitted to the apparatus commanding the centering device.

Abstract: An improved log charging system for a sawmill having a sharp chain infeed conveyor includes a log turning station for scanning and rotating a horizontally supported log about its longitudinal axis to a desired orientation that will produce maximum lumber yield, and a charging system for clamping the log in the desired position, lowering the horizontal log, while clamped in the desired orientation, forwardly and downwardly relative to the sharp chain, and pressing the log downwardly toward embedded engagement with the teeth of the sharp chain by a continued travel hand-off device. To increase the speed of the log charging operation, the log is preliminarily scanned prior to transport to the log turning station, thereby to permit adjustment of the log support device for size before it receives a given log.

Abstract: To make coincide cutting centers of two end surfaces of raw wood with the axis of spindles of a veneer lathe, at least two axial corrections which are performed in a state in which the raw wood is held by centering spindles are required. Conventional apparatuses suffer from too complicated structures and enlargement of the cost because of the complicated structures. A correction operation of an axial direction of correction operations in the two axial directions is performed such that only a movable centering spindle is moved in a direction intersecting a direction in which holding arms are extended/contracted. Another correction operation in another axial direction is performed by extending/contracting the holding arms.

Abstract: A pair of centering spindles are disposed away from cutting spindles and movably in the direction of Z or parallel with the axial center line of cutting spindles. A plurality of log center detecting means are disposed along the Z direction in relative to a log chucked by the centering spindles. A pair of holding members are mounted movably in the directions of X, Z, and Y including components orthogonally intersecting the X and Z. By way of controlling means, the centering spindle holding a log is caused to rotate at least one revolution thereby enabling the log center detecting means to determine each position of axial center which is assumed to constitute the axial centers at both end faces of the log, the virtual line passing through every positions of axial centers in Z direction is aligned with the Y, and the holding members are moved in the Z direction to hold the log, after which the chucking of log by the centering spindles are released.