Abstract: The invention is a method of assisting lumber grading using an electro-optical scanning system. A first critical determination is determination of pith position of the log from which the lumber was cut, relative to the scanned faces. This then indicates knot orientation. With knot orientation known, knot size and position data also determined by the scanning system can be used to accurately estimate cross sectional area of the knots. From this point a tentative lumber grade can readily be assigned. Pith position is indicated by a number of factors including wane, knot counts on each of the faces and the presence or absences of spiky faces. A preferred form the scanner is one which measures localized wood fiber angles relative to three orthogonal axes. These fiber angle measurements reveal grain slope disturbances on the lumber which are indicative of many types of defects including knots. The system has been used for grading lumber at speeds as high as 350 m/min. with considerable accuracy.

Abstract: The invention is a method of assisting lumber grading using an electro-optical scanning system. A first critical determination is determination of pith position of the log from which the lumber was cut, relative to the scanned faces. This then indicates knot orientation. With knot orientation known, knot size and position data also determined by the scanning system can be used to accurately estimate cross sectional area of the knots. From this point a tentative lumber grade can readily be assigned. Pith position is indicated by a number of factors including wane, knot counts on each of the faces and the presence or absences of spiky faces. A preferred form of scanner is one which measures localized wood fiber angles relative to three orthogonal axes. These fiber angle measurements reveal grain slope disturbances on the lumber which are indicative of many types of defects including knots. The system has been used for grading lumber at speeds as high as 350 m/min. with considerable accuracy.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of determining edge profile of one or both edges of an elongated member such as a piece of lumber or structural timber. This can be done at high speed as the member is conveyed past a scanning station where it is subject on the conveyor to translational and/or rotational movement relative to a baseline. The baseline is located generally parallel to the longitudinal axis or centerline of the member. At the leading end of the member the instantaneous edge height above the baseline is measured at three spaced apart locations. These measurements are continued along the member with each sampled portion substantially overlapping the previously sampled portion. For each individual sampled portion any deviation from linearity of the edge at the interior measurement position is determined from a chord drawn between the end measurement positions. Knowing these deviations the edge profile can be readily computed for the member.