Abstract: A positioning system can position lumber to be cut while the lumber is traveling on a transfer deck. The positioning system has end stops that circulate at the same rate as the transfer deck. The end stops each have a locking mechanism that is triggered when the end stop passes an actuating member. A controller positions the actuating member so that the locking mechanism will lock the position of the end stop when the end stop is in a desired position.

Abstract: A method of position-based integrated motion controlled curve sawing includes the steps of: transporting a curved workpiece in a downstream direction on a transfer, and monitoring position of the workpiece on the transfer, scanning the workpiece through an upstream scanner to measure workpiece profiles in spaced apart array, along a surface of the workpiece and communicating the workpiece profiles to a digital processor, computing by the digital processor, a high order polynomial smoothing curve fitted to the array of workpiece profiles of the curved workpiece, and adjusting the smoothing curve for cutting machine constraints of downstream motion controlled cutting devices to generate an adjusted curve generating unique position cams unique to the workpiece from the adjusted curve for optimized cutting by the cutting devices along a tool path corresponding to the position cams, sequencing the transfer and the workpiece with the cutting devices, and sequencing the unique position cams corresponding to the work

Abstract: A method of position-based integrated motion controlled curve sawing includes the steps of: transporting a curved workpiece in a downstream direction on a transfer, and monitoring position of the workpiece on the transfer, scanning the workpiece through an upstream scanner to measure workpiece profiles in spaced apart array, along a surface of the workpiece and communicating the workpiece profiles to a digital processor, computing by the digital processor, a high order polynomial smoothing curve fitted to the array of workpiece profiles of the curved workpiece, and adjusting the smoothing curve for cutting machine constraints of downstream motion controlled cutting devices to generate an adjusted curve generating unique position cams unique to the workpiece from the adjusted curve for optimized cutting by the cutting devices along a tool path corresponding to the position cams, sequencing the transfer and the workpiece with the cutting devices, and sequencing the unique position cams corresponding to the work

Abstract: A lath placer places pairs of lath segments to overlap in a package of lumber. The lath placer has at least one section which includes a pair of back-to-back lath segment placers. Each lath segment placer has a magazine and lath picker which picks lath segments from a top of the magazine. The lath segments are dropped down guide chutes onto lath gates which release the lath segments onto the package of lumber.

Abstract: A lumber bin has live bin walls. The lumber bin may be used in lumber sorting. The bin has upstream and downstream walls located above a conveyor. A lumber support in the bin has an elevator mechanism and can be lowered to a discharge position in which lumber on the lumber support can be carried away by the conveyor. A gate is mounted below the conveyor. The gate is in an upright position as the lumber support is lowered. The gate can be pivoted downstream to a lowered position below a level of the conveyor to gently discharge lumber onto the conveyor.

Abstract: A lath placer places pairs of lath segments to overlap in a package of lumber. The lath placer has at least one section which includes a pair of back-to-back lath segment placers. Each lath segment placer has a magazine and lath picker which picks lath segments from a top of the magazine. The lath segments are dropped down guide chutes onto lath gates which release the lath segments onto the package of lumber.

Abstract: A method of position-based integrated motion controlled curve sawing includes the steps of: transporting a curved workpiece in a downstream direction on a transfer, and monitoring position of the workpiece on the transfer, scanning the workpiece through an upstream scanner to measure workpiece profiles in spaced apart array, along a surface of the workpiece and communicating the workpiece profiles to a digital processor, computing by the digital processor, a high order polynomial smoothing curve fitted to the array of workpiece profiles of the curved workpiece, and adjusting the smoothing curve for cutting machine constraints of downstream motion controlled cutting devices to generate an adjusted curve generating unique position cams unique to the workpiece from the adjusted curve for optimized cutting by the cutting devices along a tool path corresponding to the position cams, sequencing the transfer and the workpiece with the cutting devices, and sequencing the unique position cams corresponding to the work

Abstract: A method of position-based integrated motion controlled curve sawing includes the steps of: transporting a curved workpiece in a downstream direction on a transfer, and monitoring position of the workpiece on the transfer, scanning the workpiece through an upstream scanner to measure workpiece profiles in spaced apart array, along a surface of the workpiece and communicating the workpiece profiles to a digital processor, computing by the digital processor, a high order polynomial smoothing curve fitted to the array of workpiece profiles of the curved workpiece, and adjusting the smoothing curve for cutting machine constraints of downstream motion controlled cutting devices to generate an adjusted curve generating unique position cams unique to the workpiece from the adjusted curve for optimized cutting by the cutting devices along a tool path corresponding to the position cams, sequencing the transfer and the workpiece with the cutting devices, and sequencing the unique position cams corresponding to the work

Abstract: The board positioning device of the present invention is for optimally longitudinally positioning a board for trimming. The board is translated from an upstream position to a downstream position in a first direction towards the trimming saws. The board translates at a translation speed on a board translating device such as a lugged transfer chain. The board while translating in the first direction, is aligned longitudinally, that is, along its length, in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction so as to position the board relative to the saws. The board is urged by board ending means, such as ending rolls, in the second direction against a corresponding board positioning member, such as a shaft mounted paddle, on the board positioning device. In the preferred embodiment, the first and second directions lie in a generally horizontal plane.

Abstract: A method of position-based integrated motion controlled curve sawing includes the steps of: transporting a curved workpiece in a downstream direction on a transfer, and monitoring position of the workpiece on the transfer, scanning the workpiece through an upstream scanner to measure workpiece profiles in spaced apart array, along a surface of the workpiece and communicating the workpiece profiles to a digital processor, computing by the digital processor, a high order polynomial smoothing curve fitted to the array of workpiece profiles of the curved workpiece, and adjusting the smoothing curve for cutting machine constraints of downstream motion controlled cutting devices to generate an adjusted curve generating unique position cams unique to the workpiece from the adjusted curve for optimized cutting by the cutting devices along a tool path corresponding to the position cams, sequencing the transfer and the workpiece with the cutting devices, and sequencing the unique position cams corresponding to the work

Abstract: A method of position-based integrated motion controlled curve sawing includes the steps of: transporting a curved workpiece in a downstream direction on a transfer, and monitoring position of the workpiece on the transfer, scanning the workpiece through an upstream scanner to measure workpiece profiles in spaced apart array, along a surface of the workpiece and communicating the workpiece profiles to a digital processor, computing by the digital processor, a high order polynomial smoothing curve fitted to the array of workpiece profiles of the curved workpiece, and adjusting the smoothing curve for cutting machine constraints of downstream motion controlled cutting devices to generate an adjusted curve generating unique position cams unique to the workpiece from the adjusted curve for optimized cutting by the cutting devices along a tool path corresponding to the position cams, sequencing the transfer and the workpiece with the cutting devices, and sequencing the unique position cams corresponding to the work

Abstract: A method of position-based integrated motion controlled curve sawing includes the steps of: transporting a curved workpiece in a downstream direction on a transfer, and monitoring position of the workpiece on the transfer, scanning the workpiece through an upstream scanner to measure workpiece profiles in spaced apart array, along a surface of the workpiece and communicating the workpiece profiles to a digital processor, computing by the digital processor, a high order polynomial smoothing curve fitted to the array of workpiece profiles of the curved workpiece, and adjusting the smoothing curve for cutting machine constraints of downstream motion controlled cutting devices to generate an adjusted curve generating unique position cams unique to the workpiece from the adjusted curve for optimized cutting by the cutting devices along a tool path corresponding to the position cams, sequencing the transfer and the workpiece with the cutting devices, and sequencing the unique position cams corresponding to the work

Abstract: A continuous breakdown tilt hoist having an overhead rotatable secondary hoist where the overhead rotatable secondary hoist is selectively rotatable about a pivot, selectively rotatable between an elevated non-engaging position into a lowered lumber stack translating position when primary hoist arms reach a raised position, the secondary hoist being selectively translatable between a lumber stack engaging position to a lumber stack discharging position, secondary hoist arms cantilevered outwardly of the secondary hoist so as to support a first lumber stack when the secondary hoist is in the lumber stack translating position, the secondary hoist arms being selectively translatable so as to translate the first lumber stack over a tier shearing edge, the primary hoist returnable from a reclined position to a lumber stack receiving position and the primary hoist arms returnable to a lower position for receiving a second lumber stack from a lumber stack conveyor, and elevating the second lumber stack to the tier s