Material Usage Optimization Patents (Class 700/171)
  • Patent number: 6263773
    Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for processing an Engine Wood Product member. The member is moved to a home position in a driving unit and the length of the EWP member is automatically measured by moving the EWP member from the home position while engaging the EWP member with a measuring assembly including a measuring wheel having a smooth hard facing, the facing contacting the EWP member. The member is moved to a first cutting position and cut to a predetermined length. Activating one or more position sensor devices, at least one of the position sensor devices positioned such that the EWP member engages the position sensor device while the member is in the home position, the length of the member is determined as it is moved from the home position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventors: David L. McAdoo, George Blaine
  • Patent number: 6205370
    Abstract: For making a nest of cuts (N) for cutting blanks out of flat, irregular workpieces (W), the contour (U) and the flaws (F) of the spread workpieces (W) together with a workpiece characteristic are detected by means of a digitizing unit (3), and the corresponding data are read into a computer (5), which on the basis of these data and the data stored in the computer (5) concerning number, shape and quality requirements of the blanks calculates and stores a nest of cuts and utilizes the detected workpiece characteristics of the workpieces (W) as a workpiece code for allocating the nests of cuts (N) to the respective workpieces (W).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: GFM Beteiligungs-und Management GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gottfried Blaimschein, Harald Dietachmayr
  • Patent number: 6167324
    Abstract: An improved monitoring system for a band saw has at least one position sensor, a controller, and a computer including a data storage device and a display monitor linked to the controller. The system may be used with new and existing models of band saws to provide real-time data relating to feed rate and band speed during the time the saw blade is in cutting engagement with a workpiece. A machine operator utilizes the data to optimize the operation of the band saw as it proceeds through a series of cutting operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: American Saw & Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Paul William Gorman
  • Patent number: 6009354
    Abstract: A sectional rate control unit for an agricultural implement is disclosed herein. The sectional rate control unit is preferably used with a planting system including a planting implement coupled to a work vehicle. The implement includes a frame having at least one section supporting multiple row units which are configured to apply a product (e.g., seed, fertilizer, insecticide, herbicide) to the rows in a field. Each section includes a product delivery apparatus having a target delivery rate controlled by a section application control signal and at least one product channel for delivering an amount of the product to each of the row units. The control unit includes an electronic product sensor coupled to each of the sections and the product channel. The product sensor is configured to generate a product rate signal representative of the amount of the product delivered to the row units. An electronic display located in the cab is configured to generate an image in response to a display signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventors: David D. Flamme, Paul W. Haack, Aly M. El-Dars