Abstract: A process and equipment for an automated lumber end-scan system includes a conveyer to carry sawn lumber in a direction transverse to the axis of the boards, a light source to illuminate at least one butt end of each board as it passes by a scanning region, at least one digital camera to capture an image of each end face, and a processing unit to convert the digital signal into useable information. The digital signal is analyzed to obtain information about both natural and manufacturing defects that might be present at the end of the lumber and also to obtain further information about the properties of the lumber from the location of the pith, the growth rings and the grain pattern. This information may be used to augment the analysis of defects present in the entire board for determination of the final grade within an automatic lumber grading system. The system can also be used on a stand-alone basis and integrated into a non-automated grading area as a grader assist device.

Abstract: A rotary board inverter is provided for use in a conveyor for a lumber processing machine, with the motive force to invert the boards being provided by the forward motion of the boards themselves as they are transported along the conveyor. The device comprises a rotatable hub with regularly spaced, co-planar arms radiating outwardly from the hub. Each of the arms incorporates a board retainer adapted to sequentially receive boards from the board transporter of the conveyor; to releasably retain a board as the arm rotates about the hub; and to redeposit the now-inverted board on the conveyor downstream of the inverter. Rotation of the device is driven by the forward movement of the boards as they sequentially engage the inverter. The inverter is particularly adapted for use in a conveyor having an array of evenly spaced, longitudinally-displaceable lugs extending upwardly from the conveyor to transport the boards along the conveyor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical scanning device for use in sawmills, to determine the severity and location of surface defects on lumber, for the purpose of grading and trimming, having a plurality of optical scanning means mounted to a frame and positioned above lumber transport means. The scanning means are adapted to scan at least one face of a predetermined segment of each board, and comprise a lens, means to convert an image resolved in the lens into electronic signals and means to transmit said signals to signal processing means adapted to assess surface defects on the board and determine a lumber grade of each board. The device may include means for rotating each board about its longitudinal axis to sequentially expose the longitudinal faces thereof to the scanning means.