Abstract: Provided is a medicine identifying system which enables automatization of medicine identification. A medicine identifying system is constituted of a medicine photographing device and a computer. Medicine identifying software is installed in the computer. At the time of performing medicine identification, a user first sets a medicine to be identified in the medicine photographing device. Next, the medicine photographing device starts to photograph the medicine by using an operation of the user with respect to the computer as a trigger. A photographed image of the medicine is transmitted to the computer as data. Then, the medicine identifying software refers to a database based on this image data to search the medicine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system, particularly a mobile device, configured for determining the solute concentrations in a colored liquid sample, which is based on imaging of the sample and standards of known concentrations of solute, and determining the concentration of the sample on the basis of processing the images and the color values that they provide.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the three-dimensional structure of a log including supporting means (3) forming a holder (4) for a log (2); means (5) for detecting the log (2) lateral surface structure positioned only on one side of the log (2) placed on the holder (4); and control and processing means for receiving detection step results from them and for reconstructing the log (2) overall surface structure; and means (6) for making the log (2) rotate about one or more axes of rotation which are substantially parallel with the log (2) main direction of extension (D), the control and processing means also being operatively connected to the means (6) for making the log rotate, controlling their operation.

Abstract: An improved harvester head assembly is provided. The harvester head includes a housing which is rotatable between a horizontal orientation and a vertical orientation. The harvester head further includes feeding system with a central feed roller and a pair of outer feed rollers that are moveable relative to the housing. The harvester head also includes top and bottom saws. A pair of delimbing knives are pivotable relative to the housing. A manifold and valve assembly is disposed in the housing and includes a plurality of solenoid valves which are configured to channel hydraulic fluid to motors and actuators to power and/or move a plurality of the components. The manifold and valve assembly includes a manifold with a rectangular shape and which is oriented with its long dimension extending in a longitudinal direction. The solenoid valves are spaced from one another in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: At least one image device proximate a second conveyor is disposed a predetermined distance in front of chip heads. The at least one image device can image a log and capture the actual log position on a sharp chain before its being engaged by chip heads. A computing device is coupled to the at least one image device to receive data including the actual log position information. The computing device compares the actual log position to a preferred log position solution so as to check whether a log deviates from its expected position. If any position deviation exists, the computing device may send instructions to adjust the positions of the chip heads and saws to ensure that a log is correctly positioned relative to the chip heads and saws, whereby correcting log position errors and eliminating transport accuracy losses.

Abstract: Provided is an improved lumber edger having a cross cut saw to cross cut lumber into two or more separate pieces to increase the available amount or value of boards, and a method of using the improved lumber edger.

Abstract: An audit system and method audits operation of an optimizer system in a mill, for example auditing operation of a cant optimizer which optimizes sawing patterns. The audit system may be completely independent of the optimizer. For example, the audit system may acquire information (e.g., optically) indicative of a geometry of boards downstream from a piece of equipment such as a gangsaw. The audit system may computationally reconstruct a cant from which the boards were sawn, determine an outside dimension indicative of wane, and simulate alternative sawing patterns, determining a theoretical amount of recovery that would have resulted from each and comparing such to actual recovery from the log or cant. Alternative sawing patterns may take into account various wane rules and comparison may take into account current demand and/or prices for dimensional lumber.

Abstract: A wood member for a musical instrument, which is capable of preventing occurrence of damage, such as cracking, to thereby ensure smooth and stable operation of the musical instrument and maintain excellent appearance of the same over a long time period. The wood member has compressive internal stress remaining at least in an outer peripheral portion thereof by being subjected to heating processing, cooling processing, and moisture conditioning processing, in advance. A wood workpiece as a workpiece for the wood member is heated at a predetermined temperature, and the heated wood workpiece is cooled. The cooled wood workpiece is subjected to moisture conditioning such that compressive internal stress is generated at least in an outer peripheral portion of the wood workpiece.

Abstract: An improved method and arrangement for increasing the yield in the production of edge glued laminations for the manufacture of edge glued laminated panels from thin timber. The edge glued laminations are manufactured from planed boards with residual waney edge by longitudinal sawing on an edging line including an upper and lower inlet feed conveyor, and edging machine and an upper and lower outlet feed conveyor, the edging machine preferably including a number of saw blades which are laterally adjustable, and the feed conveyors including endless belts of reinforced rubber 5-10 mm thick, having an underside provided with longitudinal channels with a width of 2-10 mm and a depth of 2-10 mm, the feed conveyors running on a number of tracked rollers adapted to the belts. An edge glued laminated panel based on varying lamination widths manufactured according to the method is also described.

Abstract: A veneer patching apparatus includes a detection device for detecting and locating defect points in the veneer, a stationarily located patching unit (1/2) having a punch and a patch inserter, and elements (5, 7) for holding and conveying the veneer, controlled by the detection device. Each veneer specific patching apparatus has two or more patching units (1,2).

Abstract: This invention concerns an apparatus and method for perforating a beam. The apparatus comprises a main longitudinal support structure to support the beam. A cutting zone is located along the main longitudinal support structure. Controllable translating means translate the beam longitudinally in the cutting zone. A detector detects a presence of the beam in the cutting zone and in response, a router is controllably moved substantially orthogonally and transversally with respect to the beam, while the beam is translated. The combined controlled movement of the router and the beam results in a perforation of the beam following a predetermined perforation pattern.

Abstract: There is disclosed a combination chopsticks and chopstick rest which are manufactured as a single unit. Bending the end of the chopsticks unit at a pair of incised grooves separates the chopstick rest. The remaining portion of the chopsticks unit comprises a pair of coherent chopsticks separated by a transverse cut and leaving a short uncut portion at the thickest end of the article. The chopsticks are separated by pulling them apart. The chopsticks may then be rested upon the previously separated rest, which may be imprinted with advertising, logos or other text and graphics, thus keeping the tips of the chopsticks off the eating surface and free of dirt, debris and germs, as well as keeping the eating surface clean. A method of manufacture of the combination chopsticks and chopstick rest is presented.

Abstract: Methods to detect when a human body contacts a predetermined portion of a machine are disclosed. The methods distinguish contact with a person from contact with other materials. The methods are particularly applicable in woodworking equipment such as table saws to distinguish contact between a person and the blade of the saw from contact between the blade and wet or green wood. The methods and woodworking equipment may include predictive blade stop algorithms that prevent unnecessary activations of a safety brake during coast down of a blade and continued protection in the event a main power switch is turned off.

Abstract: The board edger has a longitudinal horizontal board path therein and first and second saw boxes disposed in a tandem mode adjacent the board path. Each saw box has a pair of saw blades mounted therein. The saw blades have a cutting direction that is aligned generally along the longitudinal board path. A controller is provided for coordinately moving the pair of saw blades in the first saw box into the board path for edging a first wood board and the pair of saw blades in the second saw box out of the board path for pre-positioning in view of edging a second wood board. One saw box is used for edging odd wood boards and the other saw box is used for edging even wood boards.

Abstract: A method for machining workpieces in a machine tool, according to which the workpiece (10) is measured in the region of the machining assembly of the machine tool, and deviations from the specified position and/or form of the workpiece (10) are compensated for by controlling the tools (14) and/or the workpiece (10) accordingly.

Abstract: A method for detecting the three-dimensional structure of a log comprises the operating steps of: making the log (2) rotate axially, leaving it free to translate during the rotation; during said rotation repeating the step of detecting the relative surface structure of the log (2) at least at one log surface portion (13), so that the relative surface structure of substantially all of the points of at least the log (2) lateral surface is detected at least once; and combining the relative surface structures detected to reconstruct an overall surface structure for at least the log (2) lateral surface. The detection steps are carried out in such a way that each detection step result shares at least several points with at least one other detection step result, whilst the step of combining the relative surface structures is carried out in such a way that the shared points are made to coincide with each other.

Abstract: An automated floor board texturing cell includes a programmable robot that stores, or has access to, a plurality of patterns. The robot automatically selects a stored pattern for at least one of the floor boards introduced into the cell. The robot textures the floor boards to exhibit the selected pattern. The robot may select a pattern for a batch of floor boards or for each individual floor board. Pattern selection can be random or based on stored information such as a production schedule.

Abstract: A light source is used to illuminate a sawn portion of a piece of wood and exposed surfaces of the saw blade on both sides of the sawn portion. The sawn portion and the exposed surfaces of the saw blade are then imaged substantially concurrently using a single image generator. At least one geometric characteristic of the sawn portion and at least one geometric characteristic of the saw blade are determined based on the imaging.

Abstract: An automated saw system for cutting a crooked piece of lumber with a mitered end and a length. The saw system includes a saw for cutting the piece of lumber, a lumber feed conveyor for feeding the piece of lumber to the saw, and a sensor that measures a deviation amount by which the piece of lumber deviates from an idealized straight piece of lumber. A controller communicates with the sensor to adjust either the saw or the conveyor in response to the detected deviation amount so that the piece of lumber is cut to correspond to a cut of the idealized straight piece of lumber.

Abstract: A tree harvesting apparatus is provided. The harvesting apparatus comprises a frame member, a cutting device mounted to the frame member, and at least one cutting member attached to the cutting device. A tree accumulation member is also provided and overlays at least a portion of the cutting device. Also provided is a tree securing device for securing at least one tree on the tree accumulation member, and an adjustment device for automatically adjusting the position of the tree securing device relative to the frame member.

Abstract: In a method, when using a single-grip harvester head for felling and processing trees, of controlling the press power which, by means of a limbing knife assembly (6), is exerted on a stem (3) which is horizontally fed through th head with its butt end first, the diameter of the stem is measured and the press power is reduced in accordance with a control diagram as the diameter decreases during the feeding. The measured diameter values are registered, and each measured diameter value is compared with a predetermined diameter value which is selected from the diameter values of the stem (3) which are previously registered during the feeding of the stem. If a measured diameter value is found to equal or be greater than this predetermined diameter value, the press power is increased to a corrective power value, which is maintained until a later measured diameter value falls below a reference value.

Abstract: In a method, when using a single-grip harvester head for felling and processing trees, of controlling the press power which, by means of a limbing knife assembly (6), is exerted on a stem (3) which is horizontally fed through th head with its butt end first, the diameter of the stem is measured and the press power is reduced in accordance with a control diagram as the diameter decreases during the feeding. The measured diameter values are registered, and each measured diameter value is compared with a predetermined diameter value which is selected from the diameter values of the stem (3) which are previously registered during the feeding of the stem. If a measured diameter value is found to equal or be greater than this predetermined diameter value, the press power is increased to a corrective power value, which is maintained until a later measured diameter value falls below a reference value.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing rectangular furniture boards with a glued-on edge, in which the following are arranged one after another in the passage direction: a longitudinal sawing device (14), which divides a rectangular initial board (12) into a plurality of parallel longitudinal boards (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d), a longitudinal gluing device (31), which in each case glues a longitudinal edge onto both longitudinal sides of a longitudinal board (12a) passing through and machines the edge, a transverse sawing device (38), which divides a longitudinal board (12a) transversely with respect to its longitudinal direction into furniture boards (39) with a predetermined size, a transverse gluing device (40), which in each case glues a transverse edge onto both transverse sides of a furniture board (39) passing through and machines this edge.

Abstract: A log processor and log processing method scans a log (L) at a first station (18) so that the longitudinal centerline (32) and a sawing scheme for the log can be automatically determined by a controller (4). The log is oriented at a second station (24) so that the longitudinal centerline is oriented with respect to a vertical plane passing through the feed line. The position of the log is automatically adjusted at third and fourth stations (36, 42) so that the saw blade path (56) through the log is generally parallel to the feed line as the log passes a log exit (12) and through a saw (14). The sawing scheme can include variable tapering sawing from split taper sawing to full taper sawing. Differential steering chain assemblies (37) may be used at the fourth station and may each include continuous loop, log-engaging chains (106) which engage the log above and below the log. Log chipping, profiling heads (62) may be used on either side of the feed line, such as at a fifth station.

Abstract: The process is used for making individual wood boards (52) from a plurality of wood pieces (10). In this process, wood pieces (10) of similar length and are joined side by side so as to form a panel (30). The panel (30) is then cut in a longitudinal direction with reference to the wood pieces (10) into panel sections (40) having a similar width. These panel sections (40) are jointed end to end to form a continuous wood board (50), which is then cut into individual wood boards (52). This process allows to manufacture wood boards (52) with a high degree of structural integrity and dimensional stability. It also allows to efficiently use small wood pieces (10) that could have been considered otherwise waste or low-grade materials, thereby increasing the yield of the sawmill.

Abstract: A process for the manufacturing of longitudinal profiles such and tongue and groove on boards wherein the process includes the steps; a) Moulding a substantial part of the profile cross-section by means of milling with a milling tool. b) Fine moulding undercuts in at least the groove of the board by means of broaching utilising at least one broaching tool.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method of processing logs. The apparatus includes a linkage having a boom and a stick. The boom is adapted for attachment to a support platform. A delimbing assembly is connected to the boom, and a loading assembly is connected to the stick. The method includes the steps of picking up a log, delimbing the log, and placing the log into a desired position.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for cutting oversized wood chips smoothly and uniformly, such that the resulting chips are of optimum size and shape for use in making paper, cardboard, and other recyclable materials. A method is provided for aligning and guiding oversized wood chips through an array of spaced-apart saw blades using a reciprocating plunger controlled to continuously align and sweep the wood chips completely through the saw blades. The method and apparatus can be adapted to produce a variety of desired wood chip sizes.

Abstract: According to this invention, introduction of dynamic, closed-loop force and position control over press rolls of a planer or infeed table provides a dramatic increase in capability, performance, and reliability, as compared to the prior art.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method controlling a drum debarker by way of using the drum weighing information in the control of the drum debarking process. The method comprises the steps of determining the weight of the contents in the drum determining the filling degree of the debarking drum determining the average density of the log bunch tumbling in the debarking drum from drum weighing information and drum filling degree information, and determining a target value for the log retention time or debarking work in the debarking drum. Based on the information thus obtained, at least one following variables is controlled: the drum rotating speed, discharge rate of logs from the drum and infeed rate of logs into the drum so as to achieve the desired target value for the log retention time or debarking work in the debarking drum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically planing a flitch. The method of the invention comprises measuring the distance between the top and bottom surfaces of the flitch at a plurality of longitudinally spaced locations, calculating a planing operation of the flitch based upon the plurality of distance measurements; and then planing the flitch according to the calculation. In a preferred embodiment, the measurements are taken by a bank of photodetectors in combination with a computer (microprocessor). The calculation is done by the microprocessor.

Abstract: A method for creating a full surface model of a log using optical scanners mounted on an existing infeed assembly. The method recognizes that a log is only stable for a portion of its travel along the infeed assembly, meaning that only portions of the log may be accurately scanned for both cross-sectional and positional data. The balance of the log can only be scanned for cross-sectional data. The method uses the regions of the log for which both cross-sectional and positional data are known to create a theoretical centerline for the entire log. The cross-sections for the regions without positional data are then placed along the theoretical centerline and all the cross sections are blended together to create a full surface model. The full surface model is then used to determine the optimum configuration of dimensioned lumber which may be sawn from the log.

Abstract: A machine vision system that can address a number of board, lineal, cant, and flitch inspection problems by incorporating all the sensors needed to address the surface feature detection problem, the three-dimensional shape detection problem, and the internal feature detection problem. To detect surface features, two color cameras are employed, one for imaging each of the major faces of a board, lineal, cant, or fitch. To address the three-dimensional shape detection problem, a high speed laser profiling device is employed. An x-ray scanning system is employed to detect internal features. The system is able to process material in a species-independent manner by using a histogram-based segmentation procedure for analyzing both the camera imagery and the x-ray imagery; and can detect small defects by removing the effects of large features from the histograms once they have been detected. The system also utilizes redundant information from the set of multiple sensors to improve system accuracy.