Abstract: A method and apparatus for around the curve sawing is shown and described wherein a group of roller assemblies are positionable along a selected semicircular path having a point of tangency relative to lines of cut provided by an assembly of cutting blades whereby each roller assembly provides a transport path normal to the axes of rotation for each roller assembly and tangent to the selected semicircular path. Upon actuation of the roller assemblies, as positioned along the selected semicircular path, the wood product, as captured between rollers of the roller assemblies, moves along the selected semicircular path and into the cutting device for cutting along concentric lines of cut. The method and apparatus is particularly well suited for use with tree species having irregularly shaped protrusions and formations deviating from an idealized curved centerline of the log or cant.

Abstract: A veneer lathe including a knife blade which is adjustable to different pitch angles. The veneer lathe includes a feed carriage mounted for movement on guides fixed to a lathe frame and a blade carriage supporting the knife blade. The blade carriage is a massive member pivotally mounted by trunnions on the feed carriage so as to rotate under the force of gravity. A support device is operative between the feed carriage and the blade carriage for supporting the blade carriage against the force of gravity in an angularly biased position relative to the feed carriage. The lathe also includes a control responsive to different types of wood for allowing the means for supporting the blade carriage to retract at different rates under the force of gravity exerted on the blade carriage.

Abstract: A fluid spraying saw bar, and a chain sawing apparatus, such as a tree harvester, having such a saw bar are provided for selectively applying a predetermined fluid pattern of urea on a tree stump during felling, and of paint on a log end during bucking. A bar member supports an endless saw chain and has an elongate chamber therein to receive pressurized fluid from a harvester reservoir. Plural fluid emitting holes extend from the chamber to at least one side surface of the bar member. A tubular or a dual valve plate flow controller is slidably received in the chamber operatively engaged by a harvester actuator to control flow through the fluid emitting holes. For a rot-preventing urea spray, the pattern is adjusted for logs of varying diameter. For a marking spray, a striping spray pattern is selected in response to a harvester computer generated signal to indicate log length, diameter, mill designators, and the like.

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: An end-dogging log carriage including a first dog assembly with a first dog member rotatably mounted thereon and a second dog assembly with a second dog member rotatably mounted thereon. A log is supported solely by the first and second dog members engaging opposite ends of the log. At least one of the dog members is movable horizontally and vertically to orient the log to a desired position for sawing the log. There may be an indexing device operatively connected to one of the dog members through a clutch. The log may be rotated for scanning when the clutch is disengaged. The indexing device and the clutch are engaged after the log is oriented in a rotational position for a first sawing operation. The clutch is left engaged and the indexing device is employed to rotate the log through the required angle for the next sawing operation.

Abstract: A method serves for flattening logs (10) showing a curved longitudinal center line (10a). The logs (10) are conveyed in horizontal position in their longitudinal direction, with their convex side (11) up and their concave side (12) down. The concave side (11) of the logs (10) is flattened from below in the area of their butt ends (27). In order to optimize the yield in wood, the logs (10) are measured before carrying out the flattening step, in a position where they are supported on a reference plane (13) by the end points (20, 22) of their concave side (12) only. The geometrical position of a first point (26) of the log (10) is determined on the convex side (11) as its elevation above the reference plane (13).

Abstract: Apparatus for loading or picking, temporarily storing and placing one of two side-by-side cut boards from/to a lugged conveyor is described. The apparatus preferably includes a circulating wheel oriented transversely to the lugged conveyor with the wheel having a number of arcuately spaced bins, each capable of temporarily storing a cut board, or board piece, of any crosscut length. The wheel is rotated such that its angular velocity tangent to the lugged conveyor is approximately equal to the linear velocity of the lugged conveyor. The number of bins provided in the wheel is determined by the number of boards that will have been already loaded onto the conveyor at the loading station before the pick operation can be temporarily halted by a decision of the board scanner that a cut-in-two operation will be performed.

Abstract: In an automatic sawmill, logs are first sawn horizontally into pieces that are respectively deposited flat side down on a bed plate and conveyed through multiple, close spaced horizontal bandsaws located above the bed plate. Sawn cants are positioned by clamps to have their waney edges removed by a flying saw after clamp retraction.

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: A method wherein a length of squared timber can be completely separated i a number of thin boards having a predetermined thickness without an excessively thin or excessively thick unusable residual board being left over is disclosed. The method includes measuring the thickness of the residual squared timber after one or more thin boards have been separated, and feeding the thickness measurement back to the cutting apparatus to adjust the setting of the apparatus. The method is useful on an apparatus that separates a length of squared timber into thin boards without producing chips and without timber loss, and wherein the predetermined board thickness cannot be set exactly because of variations in the property parameters of the wood.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for scaling, sorting, processing, cutting-up and the like of elongate timber items with two substantially parallel, longitudinal surfaces achieved by processing, during longitudinal feed of the item, including determination of a given lateral position and/or form of the item at at least one position along the item, e.g., a cross-section or cross-sectional element, with the aid of sensing means. The method determination takes place with the aid of touch-free distance-sensing means with predetermined measuring directions, fixed and discrete, for determining distances to at least two measuring points on the surface of the timber item, said measuring points being substantially in a cross-section or cross-sectional element of the timber item and on either side of a reference line across the cross-section or cross-sectional element.

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: An edging apparatus edges a wood board to achieve a desired rounding effect under a rounding rule of the lumber industry. A positioning apparatus positions and holds two edging saws, and the positions of the saws are initially controlled by an operator who selects initial cut positions. Input data, including board length and thickness parameters and the initial cut positions are generated by input devices and a computer is responsive to the input data for computing the best cut positions of the saws. In making this computation, the computer takes into consideration the rounding rule and, according to predetermined criteria, the computer selects best cut positions that will produce an edged board whose measurement exceeds a whole board foot measurement by a desired fraction of a board foot. Adjustment input may be provided to adjust the size of the desired fraction of the board foot.

Abstract: A veneer lathe charging apparatus includes a break-beam scanning system and a computer for determining an optimal log spin axis. The charging apparatus further includes charger arms independently operable and adjustable to transfer a log from a scanning station to a veneer lathe so that a predetermined spin axis is precisely aligned in the chucks of a veneer lathe. Additionally, there is provided an extendible-retractable spindle assembly operable for rotating a log during scanning.

Abstract: A lineal output measurement circuit adapted for use with product cutting apparatus, primarily with wood cutting apparatus of the type which have a plurality of simultaneously operable cutting elements. This product cutting apparatus is thereby capable of cutting product stock, such as ripping of a wood member simultaneously into individual wood section strips with a plurality of saw blades positioned to cut the individual strips. The apparatus generally includes some form of input mechanism for programming the cutting mechanism to produce the individual sections of product, that is, to produce the desired amount of the selected widths of product. The measurement circuit of the present invention utilizes program electrical signals from the apparatus which provide a program input representative of the different sizes of product sections to be produced, along with a port circuit and a processing means.

Abstract: A log-positioning conveyor (10) includes a pair of spaced-apart lug-supporting frames (12, 14) and an interconnecting center frame (16). Vertical and horizontal cylinders (42, 44, 46, 48), one of each at each end of the conveyor, are interconnected between end frame members (22, 24) and anchor locations (50, 52, 54, 56). The cylinders (42, 44, 46, 48) are extended and retracted for moving the conveyor vertically and/or horizontally. The conveyor frame (12, 14, 16) is stabilized in position, both endwise and angularly by a stabilizing arm (66). This arm (66) has a universal joint (68) at its inner end connected to an end frame (24) and a universal joint (70) at its outer end connected to an anchoring structure (72). A system of horizontal and vertical light beams (HB, VB) is used to measure each log as it ascends on the conveyor (10) to an uppermost position.

Abstract: A system of optimizing the volume of boards that may be cut from a log provides for one surface of a cant to be cut with a curved or straight surface. This takes into account curved, tapered or straight logs. The system comprises a scanner positioned to scan the log and determine an optimum cut surface profile, a cutting head positioned to cut the top surface of the log, the cutting head having relative vertical movement to the top surface, a conveyor to convey the log passed the scanner and the cutting head, and a controller to control the relative movement of the cutting head in accordance with the signal from the scanner to produce the predetermined optimum cut surface profile for the top surface of the log.

Abstract: An automated multiple rip sawing apparatus is disclosed, wherein the boards are inspected at an inspection station to identify the lateral boundaries of the maximum usable clear area of each board. Each board is then delivered to an elongated saw feeding table which includes a transversely movable guide fence, and the board is then fed through a multiple rip saw having blades of differing separations, to thereby form a plurality of separate wood components. The transverse movement of the fence is automatically adjusted by a computer control, which includes the stored value of the boundaries of the maximum clear area of the board, and so that the board is ripped into the number and size of wood components which achieves a maximum yield from each board. Also, the saw feeding table includes a fixed support frame, and guide means for supporting the transverse movement of the fence while maintaining a high degree of accuracy in its alignment with respect to the fixed support frame.

Abstract: A controller for a head rig edger saw for sawing the edges of a board that is cut from a log by a head saw includes a detector for determining the surface contour of the log to be sawed, along a line displaced from the face of the log; a computer device for selecting an edger saw line through the log from the surface contour to produce a board satisfying predetermined criteria; and an edger saw controller connected to the computing device for providing control signals to the edger for causing the saw to cut the board along the selected line.

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: A tree trunk is fed to a cutting station along a centerline line by a pluity of groups of centering rolls spaced along the centering line. Some rolls are driven to advance the trunks. The groups of rolls are adjustable from a centering mode to a non-centering mode by either retracting the rolls or unloading the rolls. During the advancement of a trunk successively through the roll groups, the groups are successively adjusted between their centering and non-centering modes such that roll groups located to support front and rear ends of the trunk are in their centering modes, while at least one roll group disposed therebetween is in its non-centering mode.

Abstract: In a delimbing device for a tree processing apparatus (10), comprising a pair of curved gripping means (22, 26) provided with limbing knives (24, 28) and adjustable by actuator means (44, 46) for supporting and delimbing a peripheral section of a tree trunk movable in the longitudinal direction and preferably towards the top end thereof relative to the gripping means, and comprising an additioinal limbing knife (36) movably biassed against the tree trunk for delimbing a remaining peripheral section thereof, there is suggested, in order to maintain the close contact of the limbing knives around the trunk during the limbing operation, that position sensor means (64) are arranged to emit a signal for adjustment of said actuator means (44, 46) to change the amount of closing of said gripping means (22, 26) and to thereby change the position of the tree trunk in the processing apparatus (10), each time a section of the trunk facing the additional limbing knife (36) has been displaced a predetermined distance in th

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: A board cut-off saw apparatus 10 is described for enabling cut-off saw operator to cross cut boards along their length to obtain usable wood pieces and to remove or discard defective sections. The apparatus 10 includes a plurality of cut-off saw lines 26 with manually activated cut-off saws for cutting the boards along each line. The length of the boards and the length of the cut wood pieces are measured while the board is being cut. Each cut-off saw line has an optical measuring system extending upstream and downstream for measuring the length of the boards 12 and cut wood pieces 24, respectively. The downstream optical sensors (photo) comprise a longitudinal row of closely assembled light emitting diodes 58 for sensing the length of the wood pieces with a measurement resolution of less than 1/4 of an inch. Each cut-off saw line 26 has a sorter for sorting the wood pieces according to their measured length.

Abstract: Aa veneer lathe charger and method of operation to center logs for transfer to a veneer lathe to obtain optimum yield of wood veneer at a higher production rate up to 15 logs per minute is described. The method includes scanning the log to determine its optimum yield axis while the log is being rotated and moved laterally toward a transfer position and adjusting the position of the log spindles to align the optimum yield axis with a lathe reference axis at such transfer position for transfer to the veneer lathe axis.

Abstract: A system for processing a log or cant including chippers, profiling heads, and saws arranged as a sequence of coupled operations. Scanners and computers determine the log configuration and projected configuration of lumber pieces to be derived. One scanning function is the determination of the wane area configuration in the region of the projected side board edges. This enables a determination of the side board edges including acceptacle wane area and the desired orientation (incline or decline) of the boards relative to the path of conveyance. The profiling heads are adjustable in response to computer calculations to edge the established side boards. Stabilizing is provided and includes guide anvils positioned at the board edges following the edging operation.

Abstract: A system that rotatively orients and skew positions a log for lumber processing. A log is placed in centering V's and rough centered. Rotatable scan spindles rotate the log while scanners obtain measurements at spaced locations along the log length and at selected rotative positions. Each angular position is analyzed for an optimum cutting pattern and the spindles are rotated to rotate the log into the most desirable angular position. The log is skew adjusted by the scan spindles and/or knee clamps in a carriage and conveyed to a saw array. A computer controls the cutting action to achieve the selected cutting pattern.

Abstract: The invention provides a trim waste reduction process for wood fingerjointing operations. It normally includes the following steps: (1) Automatic determination if the end profile of each block is acceptable with less or no trim (2) Displacing acceptable wood blocks from path of trim saw as desired.

Abstract: Centering a log by determining the location of a selected axis through the log relative to a fixed replicate axis. The log is pinned and each end is provided with double pivots. Pivoting the log about one pivotal axis spaced from the replicate axis determines a pathway around that axis. Pivoting the log about the other pivotal axis sweeps the log end and, accordingly, the selected axis across the determined pathway. The selected axis is positioned on the pathway by pivoting the log about said other axis and it is positioned at the replicate axis by pivoting the log about the first pivotal axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tapered peeling of veneer to form a curved veneer and clipping the curved veneer into discreet sheets by adjusting the angular relationship of the clipping knife to the axis of rotation of the bolt being peeled thereby to clip the veneer along lines substantially radial to the curvature of the veneer adjacent to the point of clipping.In the preferred arrangement two clippers are used in series and their angular relationship adjusted relative to the axis of rotation of the bolt to produce a veneer sheet with substantially parallel sides and to remove a substantially triangular piece between adjacent clipped sheets.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the cutting of dressed lumber to achieve the optimum valve of cut pieces based upon the specific structural and surface defect characteristics of each board, as well as upon historical demand, business inventory and market factors. The invention includes the use of a Modulous of Elasticity test and photo-electric surface scanners in order to determine these specific structural and surface defect characteristics.

Abstract: A system for clipping veneer, peeled with curved side edges one longer than the other, into discrete full and partial panels each defined by a longer and shorter curved side edge and a leading and trailing edge, wherein the angle of the clipping knife to the direction of travel of the veneer is adjusted during passage of the peeled veneer to clip the veneer into full panels having their leading and trailing edges substantially parallel and partial panels each having its trailing edge at an acute angle to its leading edge and flowing from its shorter curve side to its longer curve side to tend to equalize the accumulated lengths of the curved side edges of the peeled veneer.

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 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: The present invention is a method of determining edge profile of one or both edges of an elongated member such as a piece of lumber or structural timber. This can be done at high speed as the member is conveyed past a scanning station where it is subject on the conveyor to translational and/or rotational movement relative to a baseline. The baseline is located generally parallel to the longitudinal axis or centerline of the member. At the leading end of the member the instantaneous edge height above the baseline is measured at three spaced apart locations. These measurements are continued along the member with each sampled portion substantially overlapping the previously sampled portion. For each individual sampled portion any deviation from linearity of the edge at the interior measurement position is determined from a chord drawn between the end measurement positions. Knowing these deviations the edge profile can be readily computed for the member.

Abstract: A method and a device for determining the desired middle line of a cylindrical object, such as a log. For example, to determine the rotating middle line of an object to be rotary-cut, the invention provides a method in which the diameter of the object and its change is recorded with at least one camera or some other image producing device from several angles, and the images thus produced are stored in a computer memory, after which the desired middle line can be calculated using ordinary logic and the image most suitable for the purpose.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for peeling a tapered block by setting the cutting edge of the peeling knife on an angle comensurate with the taper of the block. In one embodiment, the angle remains substantially constant throughout the peeling operation so that the resulting core is tapered. In another embodiment, the angle continuously changes and the veneer is cut thicker at one side than at the other whereby to produce a tapered veneer and result in a substantially right cylindrical core when the peeling operation is completed.

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: An edging apparatus edges a wood board to achieve a desired rounding effect under a rounding rule of the lumber industry. A positioning apparatus positions and holds two edging saws, and the positions of the saws are initially controlled by an operator who selects initial cut positions. Input data, including board length and thickness parameters and the initial cut positions are generated by input devices and a computer is responsive to the input data for computing the best cut positions of the saws. In making this computation, the computer takes into consideration the rounding rule and, according to predetermined criteria, the computer selects best cut positions that will produce an edged board whose measurement exceeds a whole board foot measurement by a desired fraction of a board foot. Adjustment input may be provided to adjust the size of the desired fraction of the board foot.

Abstract: A device for trimming two opposite edges of veneer to provide parallel edges uses optical apparatus to scan the edges and determine the maximum width to which the veneer can be trimmed. The veneer is scanned at an inlet table upstream in the feed direction from a trimming apparatus in which previously checked veneer is cut to the determined width. The width to be cut is stored in a controlled device. When the trimming apparatus completes the cutting of the previously checked veneer, the control device sets the trimming apparatus for the width of the veneer to be cut and the veneer is moved from the inlet table to the trimming apparatus and is cut.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for sawing a tree trunk and for treating a slice of wood of uniform thickness sawn off the trunk. In the first method, the trunk dimensions and shape as well as the biological quality of each section of the trunk both in the lengthwise and the crosswise direction are defined along with the sawing process, and this information is taken into account while treating the trunk. This method is characterized in that the production programme, which comprises various articles, i.e. product components, of different measures and qualities, is recorded (a) before the actual sawing process. The trunk is sawn into two halves in the middle (b), or the heart slice is removed therefrom (i). The longitudinal quality borders of each trunk half are defined on the basis of the sawn face and recorded (c), and further the shape and size of the trunk half are measured and recorded (d). The quality information and the measuring results are combined (e).

Abstract: A saw assembly for reducing logs while passing the logs at least once through the assembly and resawing the resultant sawn blocks while re-passing the blocks at least once through the saw assembly. The assembly comprises a pair of chippers (1) and at least one pair of band saws (2) located downstream thereof, and a pair of guide-and-feed devices (9) located between the chippers and the band saws. The components in each of these pairs of assembly units are located opposite one another on different sides of the center line of the saw line and are adjustable in relation to the center line.

Abstract: A lathe for peeling logs to produce veneer for making plywood or the like. The lathe includes sets of inner and outer dogs supporting each end of a log being peeled. A reciprocating-pressure bar or roller is included for engaging the peeled veneer adjacent to the knives. The lathe is operated by a programmed controller. The radius of each log being peeled is determined by the controller based on the position of the pressure bar or roller after round up of the log. When the radius of the log is greater than a preprogrammed value, the log core is released from the lathe after peeling to the diameter of the outer dogs. When the radius of the log is less than the preprogrammed value, the log core is released from the lathe after peeling to the diameter of the inner dogs. The controller automatically determines to which core diamter each log is to be peeled.

Abstract: A method and a device for carrying out the method of guiding the blades (4) of a circular saw in operation, such as at the sawing of, for example, saw timber, timber blocks, battens or other workpieces on wood basis, where one or several blades (4) are located at an axle (6) and each blade is guided by at least one guide (9,11) acting on the blade. At least one of the guides (9,11) of each blade (4), and in such a case guides corresponding to each other for all blades (4), separate or together with said corresponding guide of remaining blades in the form of a guide package (9',11') during the sawing are floating substantially in the axial direction of the blades (4) and hereby continuously positioned laterally in response to movements and position of the workpiece (1) being sawn, substantially in the axial direction of the blades in connection to the guide or guide package and/or the lateral movements and lateral position of the blade(s) in connection to the guide (9,11) or guide package (9',11').

Abstract: According to the present invention, a control system is provided for advancing and retracting the knife and pressure bar carriage of a veneer slicer. This system replaces the conventional feed screw carriage actuator and permits the knife and pressure bar tilt mechanism to be eliminated. The control system includes a hydraulic linear actuator for incrementally advancing and retracting the carriage and a programmable linear motion controller for controlling the sequence in which the linear actuator advances and retracts the carriage and the distance which the linear actuator advances and retracts the carriage. The controller includes a memory into which a program is loaded. The program determines the sequence, direction and distance that the linear actuator advances and retracts the carriage.

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.

Abstract: A crude curved log with an essentially circular cross-section is before a first machining cycle in a working machine fixed in a rotary condition where the longitudinal sectional plane comprising the maximum curvature is horizontal, and is then measured and processed along curved paths determined in a computer unit on the basis of the measured curvature. Thereafter the central block, thus obtained is processed, in a second cycle along paths having the same curvature as the first cycle by utilizing the same command signals as in the first cycle are used, possibly with a correction for changed lateral position of the block.

Abstract: A method and a plant in processing, especially cutting objects such as timber.The invention relates to a method of cutting up elongate objects such as boards e.g. for providing parquet blocks. The method relates, inter alia, to preventing the creation of unnecessary waste and includes measuring the length of every board (6) between its leading edge (L) and trailing edge (T) by advancing the board (6) between rollers (16) so that pulse trains corresponding to the respective board length are obtained. These are stored in a dator (21) register, markings (10-15) for possible defects (7-9) being positionally registered.

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.

Abstract: Apparatus for the lateral feeding and transfer handling of successive cants into and through a wane scanning station, with subsequent adjusted-position placement on the infeed conveyor for an edger. Featured in the apparatus are a main carriage, which is driven reciprocally with what might be thought of as sinusoidal motion, and thereon a relatively moveable subcarriage which can translate, and rotate about a central upright axis, under the influence of a pair of conventional setworks. The subcarriage includes cant transport blades which directly support a cant, and which are rockable between raised and lowered positions and about axes which substantially parallel the reciprocation axis of the main carriage, all for the purpose of effecting a simple pick-up and final hand-off transfer of a cant as it travels and is scanned on the fly between intake and discharge stations. During cant transfer, there is no relative movement occurring between the cant and the structure directly supporting it.