Abstract: A lumber trimmer is disclosed wherein only one pair of parallel spaced-apart trim saws is mounted at one or both ends of a shaft. Each pair of trim saws is laterally movable along the shaft parallel to the longitudinal axis of lumber in the lumber trimmer. Each saw of the pair of trim saws is operably coupled with an actuator such that each saw is selectively vertically movable to trim the lumber. The pair of trim saws may be mounted to a carriage. A second actuator is operably coupled with the pair of trim saws for selectively laterally translating the pair of trim saws along the shaft.

Abstract: An optimizing planermill system includes a control system and a workpiece feed path for feeding an array of workpieces linearly downstream to an optimizing planer. The gap size between successive workpieces is set so that each gap provides enough time for relative movement of at least one of movable cutting elements in the planer and movable guiding elements so as to obtain relative movement between the cutting elements and the workpiece being next fed in for optimized positioning.

Abstract: A continuous sharp chain conveyor system is disclosed wherein a workpiece may be elevated from the sharp chain conveyor while the workpiece is transported down the sharp chain conveyor such that the workpiece may be rotated to maintain the workpiece in an optimized position. The system includes a sharp chain which engages the workpiece, a first and a second skid positionable parallel alignment with the sharp chain to elevate and lower the workpiece relative to the sharp chain, and pairs of rotatable positioning drive rolls positionable along the sharp chain to rotate the workpiece when the workpiece is elevated. The system may also include a plurality of hold-down rolls to maintain the workpiece on the sharp chain by exerting downward pressure on the workpiece. The pairs of rotatable positioning drive rolls may cooperatively displace the workpiece laterally and/or independently angularly displace the workpiece relative to the longitudinal centreline of the sharp chain.