Abstract: A method for scanning the internal quality of wooden elements (1) such as logs or planks comprises the operating steps of irradiating the wooden element (1) with at least one beam (3) of electromagnetic radiation according to one or more directions of irradiation which are transversal to the main axis of extension, at the same time creating a relative helicoidal movement between the wooden element (1) and the beam (3). During the movement, for a plurality of separate reciprocal positions of the wooden element (1) and the beam (3), the residual intensity of the electromagnetic radiation which passed through the wooden element (1) is detected for a detection length (L). The relative movement is created in such a way that the helix has a pitch P equal to Y times the sum of the detection length (L) of all of the detectors used, where Y?5.

Abstract: A method for identifying the orientation of wood fibres (2) comprises the operating steps of generating at least one beam of light (4) polarised in a predetermined first polarisation plane, projecting the beam of light (4) onto a surface of a piece of wood (3) to illuminate a zone of said surface and generate diffuse light without polarisation and reflected light (5) polarised in a second polarisation plane (pX2), detecting the linearly polarised reflected light (5) and identifying the orientation of the illuminated fibres (2) at least indirectly based on the orientation in space of the second polarisation plane (pX2) of the reflected light (5).

Abstract: A method for identifying a piece of wood amongst a plurality of starting pieces of wood comprises the operating steps of: acquiring a tomographic reconstruction of each piece of wood of said plurality; acquiring at least one piece of real X-ray information about a first piece of wood to be identified; calculating, based on a tomographic reconstruction, a piece of virtual X-ray information in the same way as acquisition of the real X-ray information; comparing the real and virtual X-ray information to verify whether they at least substantially match; and repeating the calculation and comparison steps for a plurality of separate pieces of virtual X-ray information which can be obtained based on the selected tomographic reconstruction, and/or selecting a different tomographic reconstruction and reiterating the calculation and comparison steps and, if necessary, the repetition and/or selection steps.

Abstract: Method for scanning the internal quality of logs envisaging the irradiation of at least a longitudinal section (4) of a log (1) with a beam (2) of electromagnetic radiations while this is made to move forward axially along a movement trajectory while at the same time creating a relative helical movement between the log (1) and the beam (2) of electromagnetic radiations. For a plurality of distinct positions of the log (1) the residual intensity is detected of the electromagnetic radiations that have crossed the longitudinal section (4) and the reciprocal position and spatial orientation of the longitudinal section (4) itself and the beam (2).

Abstract: A device for measuring the properties of moving objects includes a station (5) for measuring predetermined properties of an object (100) and a first conveyor (2) for transferring the object (100) towards the measuring station (5). The device (1) includes accelerator means (6) for accelerating the object (100), acting on the object and positioned upstream of the measuring station (5) and slowing means (7) for slowing or stopping the object (100), acting on the object and positioned at the measuring station (5). A method for measuring the properties of moving objects includes the steps of: transporting an object (100) along a first conveyor (2) having a predetermined feed speed (T1); accelerating the object (100) relative to the first conveyor (2) feed speed (T1) then slowing the object (100) relative to the first conveyor (2) feed speed (T1) at least at a station (5) for measuring predetermined properties of the object (100).

Abstract: A method for scanning the internal quality of wooden elements (1) such as logs or planks comprises the operating steps of irradiating the wooden element (1) with at least one beam (3) of electromagnetic radiation according to one or more directions of irradiation which are transversal to the main axis of extension, at the same time creating a relative helicoidal movement between the wooden element (1) and the beam (3). During the movement, for a plurality of separate reciprocal positions of the wooden element (1) and the beam (3), the residual intensity of the electromagnetic radiation which passed through the wooden element (1) is detected for a detection length (L). The relative movement is created in such a way that the helix has a pitch P equal to Y times the sum of the detection length (L) of all of the detectors used, where Y?5.

Abstract: A method for determining the nodosity of a wooden plank comprises the operating steps of observing the lateral surface (4) of the wooden plank (1) to identify its zones (7) corresponding to knots (6), assessing the overall extent of the knots (6) inside the plank (1) and the relative volume, and determining the nodosity as a ratio of the volume occupied by the knots (6) to the overall volume of the plank (1) or the remaining volume of the plank (1).

Abstract: A device for proof loading wooden boards comprises means (9) for deforming the boards (2) which are designed to cause the boards (2) to elongate along their main direction of extension, said means comprising first and second feed means (3), (4) positioned at a first and a second segment (5), (6) of a feed path along which the boards (2) are fed parallel with their main di-reaction of extension, and being able to apply a longitudinal tractive force on the boards (2) using the first and the second feed means (3), (4). A method for proof loading wooden boards is also claimed, which can be implemented without interrupting board feed along its feed path.

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: A method for calibrating apparatuses for determining the moisture content of products based on capacitive measurements comprises the following operating steps: Inserting a device (1) for simulating the dielectric properties of products in a measuring area of an apparatus (2) to be calibrated; taking a capacitive measurement with the apparatus (2) while the device (1) is inserted in the measuring area; modifying the device (1) settings at least once and taking the capacitive measurement again, for each different setting value; comparing each capacitive measurement taken this way with a corresponding known reference capacitive measurement; calibrating the apparatus (2) based on this comparison.

Abstract: A method for identifying the cutting pattern for pieces of wood such as logs comprises the following operating steps: obtaining a virtual three-dimensional model (1) of the density of the piece of wood; selecting a possible first virtual cutting pattern (4) for the piece of wood which may allow one or more semi-finished products (3) to be obtained from the piece of wood; applying virtually the first virtual cutting pattern (4) to the three-dimensional model (1) of the piece of wood, to obtain one or more virtual semi-finished products (3); virtually associating with the virtual semi-finished products (3), the corresponding density identified on the basis of the three-dimensional model (1); processing, for each virtual semi-finished product (3), an estimate of its mechanical properties based on its density; repeating the selection, application, association and processing steps for a plurality of different possible cutting patterns (4); comparing the estimates regarding the mechanical properties of the virtu

Abstract: A method for determining the moisture content of wood (1), comprising the operating steps of: inserting the wood (1) between a first plate and a second plate (3) of a capacitor (4); applying a first signal to the first plate (2) of the capacitor (4) using the plate as a transmitting antenna; detecting on the second plate (3) a second signal induced by the first signal, using the second plate (3) as a receiving antenna; determining from the second induced signal detected, a third reference signal, obtaining a differential signal; determining the components of the differential in phase and in quadrature signals from the first signal; filtering the components of the differential in phase and in quadrature signals to obtain a filtered in phase component and a filtered in quadrature component, which are independent of the frequency of the first signal; and calculating the moisture content of wood (1) based on the value of the filtered in phase and in quadrature components of the differential signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying the position of defects (100) in bodies (2), comprises feed means (3) for moving the body (3) along a feed direction (A), an emitter (5) designed to direct towards the body (2) a plurality of beams (6?, 6?, 6??) of electromagnetic radiation lying in lying planes (P1, P2, P3) set at different angles to each other, and transversal to the feed direction (A), and a plurality of sensors (8?, 8?, 8??) each facing the emitter (5) for receiving a respective beam (6?, 6?, 6??) after the beam (6?, 6?, 6??) has passed through the body (2). The lying planes (P1, P2, P3) are positioned one after another along the feed direction (A), allowing each portion of the body (2) to be struck by successive beams (6?, 6?, 6??) as the body (2) is fed forward. A corresponding method is also claimed.

Abstract: A method for identifying the cutting pattern for pieces of wood such as logs comprises the operating steps of: obtaining a virtual three-dimensional model (1) of the density of a piece of wood; selecting a possible first virtual cutting pattern (4) for the piece of wood which may allow one or more semi-finished products (3) to be obtained from the piece of wood; virtually applying the first virtual cutting pattern (4) to the three-dimensional model (1) of the piece of wood to obtain one or more virtual semi-finished products (3); virtually associating with the virtual semi-finished products (3) the corresponding density identified on the basis of the three-dimensional model (1); repeating the selection, application and association steps for a plurality of different possible cutting patterns (4); comparing the semi-finished products (3) which can be obtained with the different cutting patterns (4) and, on the basis of said comparison, selecting the actual cutting pattern (4).

Abstract: A process for checking the quality of logs, each log having a front surface (2), a rear surface (6) and a lateral surface (3). In the process, the quality check being carried out by means of a visual examination of the outer appearance of the logs (1). The process also comprising the operating steps of obtaining a first flat photographic representation (7) which represents the flat extension of the lateral surface (3) of the log (1), and if necessary a second flat photographic representation (4) which represents the front surface (2) of the log (1), and a third flat photographic representation (5), representing a rear surface (6) of the log (1). Finally, the quality of the log (1) is evaluated by means of an examination of the photographic representations (4), (5), (7).

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying the modulus of elasticity of logs comprises a device (2) equipped with means (5, 6) for detecting at least one log (T) eigenfrequency (natural frequency) and with a plurality of supports (10) able to move by rotating between a pick up position, in which they are located at a loading station (7), and a release position in which they are located at an unloading station (8) which is on the opposite side of a supports (10) axis of rotation relative to the loading station (7). A method for identifying the modulus of elasticity of logs comprises the steps of picking up a log (T) while it is fed along a first direction (A1) on a first conveyor line (102); subjecting the log (T) to a step of detecting at least one natural frequency; and a step of releasing the log (T) on a second conveyor line (103) defining a second feed direction (A2) which is transversal to the first conveying direction (A1).

Abstract: A device for measuring the properties of moving objects comprises a station (5) for measuring predetermined properties of an object (100) and a first conveyor (2) for transferring the object (100) towards the measuring station (5). The device (1) comprises accelerator means (6) for accelerating the object (100), acting on the object and positioned upstream of the measuring station (5) and slowing means (7) for slowing or stopping the object (100), acting on the object and positioned at the measuring station (5). A method for measuring the properties of moving objects comprises the steps of: transporting an object (100) along a first conveyor (2) having a predetermined feed speed (T1); accelerating the object (100) relative to the first conveyor (2) feed speed (T1) then slowing the object (100) relative to the first conveyor (2) feed speed (T1) at least at a station (5) for measuring predetermined properties of the object (100).