Abstract: A method and apparatus for retaining a flitch on a staylog or slicer for slicing veneer from the flitch, the staylog or slicer having a plurality of expandable wedge-clamp dogs, the method comprising the steps of providing a flitch having a plurality of dados for receiving a plurality of wedge-clamp dogs, positioning the plurality of wedge-clamp dogs within the plurality of dados in the flitch, and expanding the wedge-clamp dogs to retain the flitch on the staylog or slicer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retaining a flitch on a staylog or slicer for slicing veneer from the flitch, the staylog or slicer having a plurality of expandable wedge-clamp dogs, the method comprising the steps of providing a flitch having a plurality of dados for receiving a plurality of wedge-clamp dogs, positioning the plurality of wedge-clamp dogs within the plurality of dados in the flitch, and expanding the wedge-clamp dogs to retain the flitch on the staylog or slicer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retaining a flitch on a staylog or slicer for slicing veneer from the flitch, the staylog or slicer having a plurality of expandable wedge-clamp dogs, the method comprising the steps of providing a flitch having a plurality of dados for receiving a plurality of wedge-clamp dogs, positioning the plurality of wedge-clamp dogs within the plurality of dados in the flitch, and expanding the wedge-clamp dogs to retain the flitch on the staylog or slicer.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for retaining a tapered flitch having a veneer-producing zone on a flitch table for rotating or translational movement past a veneer-slicing knife comprises stationary dog means coupled to a flitch-carrying body for engaging the flitch and means for engaging the flitch with the stationary dog means to hold the flitch on the flitch-carrying body. The flitch-carrying body may be part of a modular flitch table assembly. In the invention, the flitch is held on the flitch table with the veneer-producing zone in a parallel relation with the veneer-slicing knife so as to minimize the amount of waste veneer taken from the veneer-producing zone.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for retaining a tapered flitch having a veneer-producing zone on a flitch table for rotating or translational movement past a veneer-slicing knife comprises stationary dog means coupled to a flitch-carrying body for engaging the flitch and means for engaging the flitch with the stationary dog means to hold the flitch on the flitch-carrying body. The flitch-carrying body may be part of a modular flitch table assembly. In the invention, the flitch is held on the flitch table with the veneer-producing zone in a parallel relation with the veneer-slicing knife so as to minimize the amount of waste veneer taken from the veneer-producing zone.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus for preparing a flitch for slicing where the flitch includes a veneer-producing zone and a staylog-engaging zone. The apparatus comprises a drill mechanism for drilling a plurality of holes in the flitch and a mechanism for holding a flitch in a predetermined orientation relative to the drill mechanism. The holes are arranged in a predetermined pattern and extend from a flitch mounting surface to the veneer-producing zone so as to define a boundary between the veneer-producing zone and the staylog-engaging zone. A method for preparing a flitch for slicing comprises the steps of positioning the flitch in a preparing position and forming a plurality of dog-receiving holes in the flitch in a predetermined pattern so that each hole extends through the staylog-engaging zone to the veneer-producing zone.

Abstract: The present invention includes apparatus for retaining a tapered flitch, having a generally semi-cylindrical veneer-producing zone, on a staylog for movement past a veneer-slicing knife, wherein the tapered flitch includes an axis of rotation. The apparatus comprisesstationary dogs coupled to the staylog for engaging the flitch and movable dogs for moving the flitch into engagement with the stationary dogs to hold the flitch on the staylog. The flitch is held on the staylog so that the axis of rotation of the veneer-producing zone is in a parallel relation with the veneer-slicing knife in order to minimize the amount of waste veneer taken from the veneer-producing zone.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus for preparing a flitch for slicing where the flitch includes a veneer-producing zone and a staylog-engaging zone. The apparatus comprises a drill mechanism for drilling a plurality of holes in the flitch and a mechanism for holding a flitch in a predetermined orientation relative to the drill mechanism. The holes are arranged in a predetermined pattern and extend from a flitch mounting surface to the veneer-producing zone so as to define a boundary between the veneer-producing zone and the staylog-engaging zone. A method for preparing a flitch for slicing comprises the steps of positioning the flitch in a preparing position and forming a plurality of dog-receiving holes in the flitch in a predetermined pattern so that each hole extends through the staylog-engaging zone to the veneer-producing zone.

Abstract: A veneer slicer includes a flitch drive assembly for reciprocating a flitch table. The drive assembly includes a timing belt coupling a drive motor output shaft to at least one driven wheel, wherein the driven wheel is connected to the flitch table by a connecting rod and the flitch table reciprocates in response to rotation of the driven wheel. The drive assembly can include a plurality of driven wheels and a single timing belt coupling the plurality of driven wheels to the output shaft. Alternatively, each driven wheel can be coupled to a drive shaft by a separate timing belt.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and apparatus for cutting veneer from a tapered flitch so as to minimize the amount of waste veneer taken from the outside, or veneer-producing zone, of a flitch. A flitch is mounted to a staylog and oriented so that the veneer-producing zone is parallel to the veneer-slicing knife and the staylog is rotated to move the flitch past the veneer-slicing knife. In some embodiments, the flitch is mounted to the staylog so that the flitch mounting surface is in a non-parallel relation to the staylog mounting surface. In alternative embodiments, the flitch mounting surface is positioned adjacent the staylog mounting surface, and the staylog, or just the staylog mounting surface, is oriented to position the veneer-producing zone in a parallel relation with the veneer-slicing knife.

Abstract: A vacuum valve includes a valve body with a cylindrical sidewall having a vacuum inlet coupled to a vacuum source and a vacuum outlet. A piston is disposed within the valve body for movement between an open position and a closed position and provides a vacuum port that extends between the vacuum inlet and the vacuum outlet when the piston is in the open position. The valve also includes means for cooperating with a vacuum source to remove material from the vacuum valve as the piston moves between the open and closed positions. The vacuum port of the piston includes a reduced diameter portion that provides a passageway for vacuum and debris. A sharp edge, preferably an annular knife edge, circumferentially surrounds the piston adjacent, and extending into, the reduced diameter portion. The annular knife edge is oriented to provide a cutting stroke during movement of the piston from the open position to the closed position.

Abstract: The present invention includes apparatus for retaining a tapered flitch, having a generally semi-cylindrical veneer-producing zone, on a staylog for movement past a veneer-slicing knife, wherein the tapered flitch includes an axis of rotation. The apparatus comprisesstationary dogs coupled to the staylog for engaging the flitch and movable dogs for moving the flitch into engagement with the stationary dogs to hold the flitch on the staylog. The flitch is held on the staylog so that the axis of rotation of the veneer-producing zone is in a parallel relation with the veneer-slicing knife in order to minimize the amount of waste veneer taken from the veneer-producing zone.

Abstract: A system permits the apparatus for slicing veneer from a flitch to be initially adjusted and to be operated efficiently and reliably. The system includes an improved pressure plate adjustment means as part of the apparatus, including an electric drive for each end of the pressure plate to quickly and accurately position the pressure plate relative to the edge of the veneer cutting blade. By simply pressing push buttons controlling the two electric drives, each end of the pressure plate can be caused to move forward or backward in precise increments of less than 0.001 inch and to be quickly and accurately vertically aligned with the cutting blade edge. Thereafter, the desired spacing can be set on a control console by means of thumbwheel switches and a computer means will automatically position the pressure plate to achieve the desired spacing.

Abstract: A veneer slicer comprises a reciprocating flitch table providing a mounting surface for a flitch, a knife and pressure bar assembly movable along a path normal to the mounting surface, top and bottom dogs for gripping the flitch and holding the flitch against a central portion of the mounting surface, an intermediate dog mounted on the flitch table in proximity to the central portion of the mounting surface, a projecting device for projecting the intermediate dog from a retracted position within the flitch table to a projected position a distance from the mounting surface, and a power system for moving the top and bottom dogs toward the central portion of the mounting surface to concurrently grip and hold two sections of the flitch against the mounting surface. The top and intermediate dogs grip opposite portions of one of the flitch sections, and the bottom and intermediate dogs grip opposite portions of the other flitch section.

Abstract: An optical cutting edge locator for a cutting machine having a knife for cutting single or multiple sheets of material comprises a light source, a light-projecting system above the knife for downwardly projecting a beam of light from the light source along a planar surface of the knife generally perpendicular to the material, thereby to cause a shadow to be cast by the cutting edge of the knife and to create a line between a shadow area and a light area on the material in substantially the same plane as the cutting edge. The light-projecting system includes either a plurality of fiber optic transmission lines having light-emitting ends mounted above the knife or an elongated slot above the knife. The plane of the planar surface of the knife generally bisects either the light-emitting ends of the fiber optic transmission lines or the elongated slot so that the beam of light being downwardly projected is split by the planar surface of the knife.