Abstract: A method for making a piece of figured veneer comprises softening lignin in a sheet of veneer, and advancing the sheet of veneer between a first roller having a semi-flexible outer surface and a second roller. Apparatus for making a piece of figured veneer comprises a device for softening lignin in a sheet of veneer, and first and second rollers between which the sheet of veneer is pressed. The first roller has a semi-flexible outer surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for trimming the edges of sheets including providing a conveyor, a first saw and a second saw, first conveying the sheets on the conveyor past the first saw, trimming a first side edge of the sheets, and then conveying the sheets on the conveyor past the second saw and trimming a second side edge of the sheets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for trimming the edges of sheets including providing a conveyor, a first saw and a second saw, first conveying the sheets on the conveyor past the first saw, trimming a first side edge of the sheets, and then conveying the sheets on the conveyor past the second saw and trimming a second side edge of the sheets.

Abstract: A method for making a piece of figured veneer comprises softening lignin in a sheet of veneer, and advancing the sheet of veneer between a first roller having a semi-flexible outer surface and a second roller. Apparatus for making a piece of figured veneer comprises a device for softening lignin in a sheet of veneer, and first and second rollers between which the sheet of veneer is pressed. The first roller has a semi-flexible outer surface.

Abstract: A method for making a piece of figured veneer comprises softening lignin in a sheet of veneer, and advancing the sheet of veneer between a first roller having a semi-flexible outer surface and a second roller. Apparatus for making a piece of figured veneer comprises a device for softening lignin in a sheet of veneer, and first and second rollers between which the sheet of veneer is pressed. The first roller has a semi-flexible outer surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a piece of figured veneer comprise means for, and the steps of, softening lignin in a sheet of veneer, pressing the sheet of veneer between complementary corrugating press rollers having a pitch and a depth to press the sheet of veneer into a wavy or corrugated configuration, and surfacing the pressed sheet of veneer to remove crests of the corrugations, making the piece of figured veneer. Another method and apparatus for making a piece of figured veneer, comprise means for, and the steps of, softening lignin in a sheet of veneer, placing the sheet of veneer onto a wavy or corrugated surface of a plate, pressing the sheet of veneer using a press roller so that the roller presses the sheet of veneer against the surface to achieve a wavy or corrugated veneer, and surfacing the pressed sheet of veneer to remove peaks of the corrugations, making the piece of figured veneer.

Abstract: A method for making a piece of figured veneer comprises softening lignin in a sheet of veneer, and advancing the sheet of veneer between a first roller having a semi-flexible outer surface and a second roller. Apparatus for making a piece of figured veneer comprises a device for softening lignin in a sheet of veneer, and first and second rollers between which the sheet of veneer is pressed. The first roller has a semi-flexible outer surface.

Abstract: A veneer slicer includes a knife, a flitch table for supporting a flitch for movement relative to the knife to slice veneer from the flitch, a flitch table support for movably supporting the flitch table, and at least one of a fluid motor and an electric motor coupled between the flitch table and the flitch table support for moving the flitch table relative to the knife more slowly during one part of the cutting stroke and more rapidly during another part of the cutting stroke.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a flitch into sheets of veneer. The method and apparatus include providing a drive mechanism which causes relative motion of a knife in contact with the flitch. The relative motion is relatively slower during one part of the cutting stroke and is relatively faster during another part of the cutting stroke.

Abstract: An apparatus for surfacing a flitch by cutting material from its radially outer surface to prepare the flitch for veneer slicing or other uses. The apparatus comprises a cutterhead rotatable about a cutterhead axis. The apparatus further comprises a carriage comprising a ring that rotates about a carriage axis and a pivot arm that carries the cutterhead and is coupled to the rotatable ring for pivoting movement about a pivot arm axis. The apparatus further comprises a flitch contour accommodation device coupled to the pivot arm and to the cutterhead to permit rotation of the cutterhead about a device axis that is generally transverse to the cutterhead axis.

Abstract: A conveyor conveys sheets and deposits the sheets at a location to be stacked. The conveyor includes a sensor for determining the presence of a sheet before the sheet arrives at the location. A controller is coupled to the sensor and responsive to sensor inputs for controlling a movable support for projecting into a projected orientation to receive the sheets as the sheets exit the conveyor. The movable support moves to a retracted orientation to assist a stack to be withdrawn therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus for surfacing a flitch by cutting material from its radially outer surface to prepare the flitch for veneer slicing or other uses. The apparatus comprises a cutterhead rotatable about a cutterhead axis. The apparatus further comprises a carriage comprising a ring that rotates about a carriage axis and a pivot arm that carries the cutterhead and is coupled to the rotatable ring for pivoting movement about a pivot arm axis. The apparatus further comprises a flitch contour accommodation device coupled to the pivot arm and to the cutterhead to permit rotation of the cutterhead about a device axis that is generally transverse to the cutterhead axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a piece of figured veneer comprise means for, and the steps of, softening lignin in a sheet of veneer, pressing the sheet of veneer between complementary corrugating press rollers having a pitch and a depth to press the sheet of veneer into a wavy or corrugated configuration, and surfacing the pressed sheet of veneer to remove crests of the corrugations, making the piece of figured veneer. Another method and apparatus for making a piece of figured veneer, comprise means for, and the steps of, softening lignin in a sheet of veneer, placing the sheet of veneer onto a wavy or corrugated surface of a plate, pressing the sheet of veneer using a press roller so that the roller presses the sheet of veneer against the surface to achieve a wavy or corrugated veneer, and surfacing the pressed sheet of veneer to remove peaks of the corrugations, making the piece of figured veneer.

Abstract: A conveyor conveys sheets and deposits the sheets at a location to be stacked. The conveyor includes a sensor for determining the presence of a sheet before the sheet arrives at the location. A controller is coupled to the sensor and responsive to sensor inputs for controlling a movable support for projecting into a projected orientation to receive the sheets as the sheets exit the conveyor. The movable support moves to a retracted orientation to assist a stack to be withdrawn therefrom.

Abstract: Apparatus for shaping a flitch includes an upper shaping head assembly for shaping an upper surface of the flitch, a lower shaping head assembly for shaping a lower surface of the flitch, and a groover assembly for placing at least one groove in a surface of the flitch. The apparatus further includes at least one centering arm and chain runner assembly. The at least one centering arm and chain runner assembly includes a chain runner assembly for conveying the flitch toward a transverse center of the centering arm and chain runner assembly, and a centering arm assembly for positioning the flitch. A flitch transport conveyor includes a conveyor frame, a first dogger arm assembly for engaging a first end of the flitch, and a second dogger arm assembly for engaging a second end of the flitch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a flitch into sheets of veneer. The method and apparatus include providing a drive mechanism which causes relative motion of a knife in contact with the flitch. The relative motion is relatively slower during one part of the cutting stroke and is relatively faster during another part of the cutting stroke.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a flitch into sheets of veneer. The method and apparatus include providing a drive mechanism which causes relative motion of a knife in contact with the flitch. The relative motion is relatively slower during one part of the cutting stroke and is relatively faster during another part of the cutting stroke.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for trimming the edges of sheets including providing a conveyor, a first saw and a second saw, first conveying the sheets on the conveyor past the first saw, trimming a first side edge of the sheets, and then conveying the sheets on the conveyor past the second saw and trimming a second side edge of the sheets.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for reciprocating a flitch table (114), the drive mechanism comprising a drive shaft (118) having an output end, a prime mover coupled to the drive shaft (118) for rotating the drive shaft (118), a coupler (120) on the output end of the drive shaft (118), and a connecting rod (122) coupled to the flitch table (114) and the coupler (120). The flitch table (114) is supported from the frame (130) by a guide member (128) secured to one of the flitch table (114) and the frame (130) and a bearing member (126) secured to the other of the flitch table (114) and the frame (130) for cooperation with the guide member (128). The guide member (128) and bearing member (126) form between them at least one channel (86) for a plurality of bearings (90). The bearings (90) are movable relative to the bearing member (126) and the guide member (128).

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.