Abstract: Tree harvester (10) is mounted on tractor (12) to enable continuously cutting and chipping of trees. The harvester (10) includes a rotary saw (14) for cutting a tree near ground level, transport means (16) adjacent the rotary saw (14) for gripping a tree cut by the rotary saw (14) and transporting the tree to and dropping the cut tree in a chipper (18) located at an end of the transport means (16) distant the rotary saw (14). The transport means (16) includes first and second opposed conveyors (46, 48) each provided with laterally extending fingers (50) so that a cut tree can be gripped by the fingers (50) of the opposed conveyors (46, 48) and subsequently transported therebetween to the chipper (18).

Abstract: In combination with a cant sawing or cutting unit, a system for guiding two-faced cants through the cut along the line of their natural curvature which includes at the infeed and outfeed ends of the unit, laterally moveable rollers for clamping upon parallel planar faces of the cant and imparting to it a pivotal movement in the horizontal plane while it is moving forward through the cut, so that the saws or cutters follow along a controlled curve in relation to the natural curvature of said cant.

Abstract: Elongated strands, particularly wood strands, are deposited on a molding belt or a conveyor belt so that the strands are longitudinally oriented relative to each other for manufacturing panels known as oriented strand boards. For this purpose the strands are discharged onto an alignment mechanism or head that has a plurality of rotation shafts each carrying a plurality of disks axially spaced from one another along the respective shaft. These disks form alignment channels when the shafts rotate. Each channel or channel section is further subdivided into strand alignment chambers by a plurality of paddle elements. Preferably four such paddle elements are mounted to the respective rotation shaft between two neighboring disks thereby forming four pass through chambers between two neighboring disks.

Abstract: Machine for profile working of front surfaces on oblong wood workpieces resolves the problem of simple, accurate and fluent or continued working of workpieces front surfaces of various lengths and intersections, and the machine is of a compact construction. It is characteristic by the construction of the entrance turnover device transversely placed between longitudinal conveyors with carriers, which has on the periphery of rotating wheels constructed movable bearing couplings, and by them fixed guiding plates with the groove inside which there are movably inserted guided bearings of bearing couplings. In the area of the entrance turnover device there are placed under an optional angle the oblique roller conveyors, inside which there are flexibly and circularly movably inserted rolls.

Abstract: An apparatus for sizing and sanding a workpiece, the apparatus comprising a housing having a horizontally throughgoing passage, a feed conveyor for advancing the workpiece through the passage, the workpiece having an upper surface that advances through the passage along a pass line, a sanding station for finishing the upper surface, and a planing station for sizing the workpiece along the upper surface. The planing station of the present invention has a driven planer head, an antikickback assembly, a chip-break assembly, and means for disengaging the planing station to convert the apparatus from a planing and sanding configuration to a sanding-only configuration.

Abstract: A conveyor between a log debarker and a flaker has three flat bottom plates which extend the length of the conveyor line, and two vertical side plates. Each of the five plates is driven to oscillate by a hydraulic piston. All five plates together move forward approximately 30 inches at a constant velocity, after the completion of the forward motion, each plate is retracted separately at approximately three times the velocity of the forward motion, to advance logs retained within a trough defined between the side plates in a stepwise forward motion.

Abstract: The invention consists of a process for the control of the motorized feed drive for the movable workplace table of a machine tool, in particular the rolling carriage of a circular saw. The manual force that is applied by the operator in direction of the feed is sensed and converted to a corresponding measured value. From this a set value for the feed rate of the rolling carriage is created and from that is derived a control signal for the drive.

Abstract: An automated planer machine for planing a piece of lumber. The planer machine has a feed table for slidably receiving the bottom surface of the piece of lumber along a traveling course. One or more planing heads extend on sides of the traveling course to plane the surfaces of the piece of lumber. A linebar laterally guides the piece of lumber. Feed rolls along the traveling course move the piece of lumber. Positioning devices responsive to respective control signals are provided for adjusting a height of the feed table and planing levels of the planing heads as much when the planer machine is idle as during operation. Position encoders coupled to the feed table and the planing heads produce positional signals usable to accurately position them using the positioning devices.

Abstract: A saw mill includes a base frame having a front and a rear and being sized and configured to support a log; saw apparatus having a cutting blade and being connected with the base frame for horizontal movement in a cutting stroke from a start position near the front of the base frame to an end position near the rear of the base frame and in a return stroke back to the front of the base frame and being for cutting in a generally horizontal plane a board from the log; power apparatus for powering the saw apparatus; at least one pushback arm connected to the saw apparatus and being sized and configured to engage and eject the board from atop the log during the return stroke; and, a board guide apparatus extending generally forwardly from the saw apparatus and including a crossbar and plurality of fingers connected with the crossbar and positioned to engage and guide the board in a desired path as it is being ejected from the log, each finger including an upper link connected to the crossbar and a lower link hinge

Abstract: A log processing machine and associate method employs one or more log guides to make joinery cuts in a processed log which has at opposed edges of the processed log the raw log's natural external contour. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each log guide includes a straight edge and is attached to the processed log to create an artificial straight edge for guiding the processed log through the joinery machine. Prior to attachment, centerlines are marked on the log guide and the processed log, and the centerlines are aligned when the log guide is attached to the processed log. The processed log, with the log guide attached, is then moved through the machine with the aid of computer control while the straight edge of the log guide follows a fence. In this manner, the position of the processed log and its centerline are always known so that the computer can make the programmed joinery cuts with high precision.

Abstract: Machine for profile working of front surfaces on oblong wood workpieces resolves the problem of simple, accurate and fluent or continued working of workpieces front surfaces of various lengths and intersections, and the machine is of a compact construction. It is characteristic by the construction of the entrance turnover device transversely placed between longitudinal conveyors with carriers, which has on the periphery of rotating wheels constructed movable bearing couplings, and by them fixed guiding plates with the groove inside which there are movably inserted guided bearings of bearing couplings. In the area of the entrance turnover device there are placed under an optional angle the oblique roller conveyors, inside which there are flexibly and circularly movably inserted rolls.

Abstract: A return conveyor belt system for conveniently returning ripped lumber to an individual after being ripped. The return conveyor belt system includes a table having an upper surface, a manipulating member slidably positioned upon the table and mechanically connected to a drive motor, a conveyor pivotally attached to the table, a control unit for controlling the drive motor and the conveyor, and a sensor positioned upon the conveyor for sensing a piece of lumber. A saw positioned adjacent to the table delivers ripped lumber upon the upper surface of the table where after the manipulating member forces the ripped lumber either onto the conveyor or away from the conveyor. The ripped lumber is transported towards the operator until a sensor detects the lumber thereby terminating movement of the conveyor. The operator is then able to remove the ripped lumber from the conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for cutting oversized wood chips smoothly and uniformly, such that the resulting chips are of optimum size and shape for use in making paper, cardboard, and other recyclable materials. A method is provided for aligning and guiding oversized wood chips through an array of spaced-apart saw blades using a reciprocating plunger controlled to continuously align and sweep the wood chips completely through the saw blades. The method and apparatus can be adapted to produce a variety of desired wood chip sizes.

Abstract: According to this invention, introduction of dynamic, closed-loop force and position control over press rolls of a planer or infeed table provides a dramatic increase in capability, performance, and reliability, as compared to the prior art.

Abstract: A hold down apparatus for a commercial molder is provided. The hold down apparatus generally includes a number of hold down plates adapted to hold down a work piece as it is conveyed through the commercial molder. A method of holding down a work piece in a commercial molder is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a log sawing system comprising multiple cutting blades. The multiple cutting blades are positioned to cut laterally or perpendicular to the centerline of the log which is to be cut. The logs are transported into cutting position using some type of log positioner. The multiple cutting blades are rotatably mounted on an arm which is pivotally mounted on a shaft in groups, being driven by an electrical or like motor, all of which are mounted onto a platform positioned adjacent to the log to be cut. Hydraulic lifters are used to partially rotate the saw blades into the cutting position adjacent the log. Means utilizing a computer and lasers are provided to develop a log cutting solution to best utilize the logs.

Abstract: A log handling and cutting system which cuts logs into lengths, and allows for maximum use of fiber. The system includes equipment for singulating the logs, optimally removing the bark from the logs, scanning the true log image, cutting the logs to length, and sorting the cut logs arranged in a sequence of coupled operations. The logs are singulated using a dual quadrant singulation system to provide maximum singulation reliability, thereby allowing a single operator to attend to this process. Once singulated, the logs are fed automatically into a debarker where the diameter and volume are scanned and debarker-operating parameters are set for optimum bark removal. The log is then scanned, tree length, using a unique scanning system, which determines the true image of the log. This enables the determination by computer of the optimum bucking solution of the log as well as a proper sorting of the optimum random lengths.

Abstract: The invention consists of a process for the control of the motorized feed drive for the movable workplace table of a machine tool, in particular the rolling carriage of a circular saw. The manual force that is applied by the operator in direction of the feed is sensed and converted to a corresponding measured value. From this a set value for the feed rate of the rolling carriage is created and from that is derived a control signal for the drive.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus which cuts certain wood pieces, commonly referenced as “mill ends,” such that the chips can be used to make paper, cardboard and other recyclable materials. The use of a horizontal drum in combination with a horizontal anvil and a “moving cavity” which orients elongate elements, is likewise contemplated.

Abstract: In combination with a cant sawing or cutting unit, a system for guiding two-faced cants through the cut along the line of their natural curvature which includes at the infeed and outfeed ends of the unit, laterally moveable rollers for clamping upon parallel planar faces of the cant and imparting to it a pivotal movement in the horizontal plane while it is moving forward through the cut, so that the saws or cutters follow along a controlled curve in relation to the natural curvature of the cant.

Abstract: This invention refers to a woodworking machine equipped with fastening devices capable of allowing the processing of items of complex shape and variable size, characterized in that it provides a multiple number of devices which are mobile and capable of being positioned on a working plane independently from each other, where each of said devices simultaneously constitutes both a striking element for positioning the item and a blocking element for the same.

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.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved centering of a workpiece in a surfacing machine includes centering assembly having a plurality of individually movable biasing element sets, comprising an upper element and a lower element. Each element set is operatively connected to a closed circuit, double rod end hydraulic cylinder assembly which selectively and independently positions the element set responsive to the surface to the workpiece. The hydraulic cylinder assembly includes a valve. A pressure device is also operatively connected to each element set to provide a centering force. In use, as the upper or lower element of an element set is forced away from the centerline of the workpiece, the opposing element would automatically move the same amount when the valve is closed. When the valve is open, the upper and lower elements are free to move independently, allowing the centerline to be easily positioned as desired.

Abstract: The invention refers to a positioning and blocking device of pieces, especially for wood working machines including a series of supports which can be positioned and blocked along a work top, wherein at least some of the aforementioned supports have a housing aimed at holding interchangeable blocking devices of the piece to be worked, locking and activation means of said devices being provided for.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the size of wood members, particularly pan-shaped wood members known in the industry as “lilypads”, such that the orientation of the fibers of the lilypads are encouraged to be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal and rotation axis of a cutting drum having a plurality of cutting members extending from its circumferential surface.

Abstract: A material support tool used for routers for allowing pieces of wood to be cut accurately and safely. The material support tool used for routers includes a base member having a hole centrally disposed therethrough and being adapted to receive a router bit therethrough; and also includes a first material support assembly being mounted upon a top of the base member; and further includes a second material support assembly also being mounted upon the top of the base member and being spaced from the first material support assembly, and in combination with the first material support assembly being adapted to support a piece of wood therebetween.

Abstract: Material-recovery apparatus for obtaining usable, uniformly-dimensioned blanks from scrap. Apparatus is small, and economical in manufacture and operation, using only a single lifting jack and vertical support unit to support the tool-and-feed-roller housing. Feed-roller tensioning units for exerting downward force on rollers have a spring-biased bell-crank mechanism.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus which cuts certain wood pieces, commonly referenced as “mill ends,” such that the chips can be used to make paper, cardboard and other recyclable materials. The use of a horizontal drum in combination with a horizontal anvil and a “moving cavity” which orients elongate elements, is likewise contemplated.

Abstract: The chopping machine includes a crosscutting device for cutting the timber, a feeder for feeding the timber in its longitudinal direction to the crosscutting device and a splitting apparatus operated by a splitting cylinder for splitting a cut block of timber. The feeder includes two elongated supporting surfaces forming a substantially horizontal trough open in the upward direction, into which the timber to be treated can be placed. One of the supporting surfaces is connected to a power device for moving the supporting surface back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the trough, and the supporting surfaces are provided with directional holding elements arranged in the longitudinal direction of the trough to prevent the timber from moving in relation to the surface away from the crosscutting device.

Abstract: A coping machine for making miter cuts on baseboard or crown molding stock includes a work platform supported on vertically movable spring assemblies. Stock to be cut is positioned on the work platform. A rotating cutting knife is disposed adjacent a rear edge of the work platform. Operation of a single lever mechanism functions to move the platform in a downward vertical direction so that the stock may be cut by the rotating cutting knife. The spring assemblies automatically return the platform to its original position when the single lever is released.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved separator, commonly referred to as a “lath”, “stick”, “sticker”, or “crosser”, that is used in the lumber industry to separate pieces of lumber in a stack or bundle. The separator features, in one embodiment, a plurality of grooves traversing the length of the separator to permit air circulation within the grooves, and a plurality of ridges between the grooves to support the pieces of lumber. In another embodiment, a second plurality of grooves traverse the length of the separator and the first grooves to form a cross-hatching of grooves to permit air circulation within the grooves, and forming a plurality of protrusions to support the pieces of lumber over the grooves.

Abstract: A log flaking and loading method and apparatus. First and second pairs of cutting heads have cutting heads spaced apart to receive a log passed therebetween and thereby to cut two substantially parallel sides. The log is first cut by the first pair of cutting heads, rotated about its elongate axis, and cut by the second pair of cutting heads to produce a four-sided cant. The logs are preferably stored ahead of the first pair of cutting heads in corresponding carriers, which are preferably held in a magazine for dispensing the loaded carriers.

Abstract: To produce square beams from tree trunks (13), a device is proposed in which a tree trunk (13) is first positioned by a centering device (4) such that the lengthwise axis (14) of the tree trunk (13) assumes essentially always the same stipulated position. The tree trunk (13) is then grasped by holders (11, 12) of a carriage (8) concentrically to the lengthwise axis (14), whereupon the centering device (4) is opened. Then the tree trunk (13) is guided through a band saw (5) and trimmed on the opposite sides, whereupon it is turned by 90° and the two other sides of the tree trunk (13) are trimmed.

Abstract: A lumber feeding mechanism for feeding lumber pieces laterally on a supply conveyor after scanning them with a light scanner to determine a reference axis for the optimum yield of boards. The lumber pieces are fed by dogs from a start position to a feed position in alignment with a feed conveyor which feeds such pieces longitudinally through a lumber edger with adjustable cutting saws. The feeding mechanism includes alternating sets of first and second dogs which are pivoted between a raised position for engagement with the rear edges of the lumber pieces to push such pieces from the start position to the feed position and a retracted position to enable the dogs to be returned to the start position passing on opposite sides or on the same side of the piece. Electrical actuation motors or fluid cylinder actuation motors with rotating output gears are used to pivot the dogs in response to a control signal produced by an electrical control system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved centering of a workpiece in a planer machine includes centering sectional shoe assembly positioned in close proximity to opposed cutting heads, between the cutting heads and a centering feed assembly. The shoe assembly includes a plurality of individually movable pressure shoe sets, comprising an upper shoe and a lower shoe. Each shoe set is operatively connected to a closed circuit, double rod end hydraulic cylinder assembly which selectively and independently positions the shoe set responsive to the surface to the workpiece. A pressure device is also operatively connected to each shoe set to provide a centering force. In use, as the upper or lower shoe of a shoe set is forced away from the centerline of the workpiece, the opposing shoe would automatically move the same amount. The shoe assembly thus centers each and every workpiece independent of the amount of stock removal required.

Abstract: A wood planing machine includes a base, two pairs of supporting rods respectively extending upright from the base, a cutter carriage including a pair of parallel carriage seats mounted movably and respectively on the pairs of the supporting rods, an emery axle mounted rotatably on the carriage seats and movable upward and downward relative to the carriage seats, and an axle height adjusting unit including a lever mounted on the carriage seats above the emery axle, and a pair of linkage plates interconnecting the lever and the emery axle. The lever is an eccentric rod, and is turnable about a horizontal axis so as to move the emery axle upward and downward.

Abstract: A log processing system contains a row of tipple units for supporting a log to be cut into programmed lengths by saws swing-mounted on carriages selectively positioned on a truck extending beside said row. Each tipple unit has two oppositely extending wings each independently moveable between upwardly sloped and downwardly sloped positions. The tipple units at the cutting positions have their wings lowered out of the cutting range of the saws. Log hold-down arms operate from the carriages in conjunction with the saws.

Abstract: A log positioning and securing device is described in which a frame supports a log receiving trough with sides positioned to receive and support a log along a longitudinal plane. A log clamp including a pair of log clamp members is movably mounted to the frame. The clamp members are driven to move between an inoperative position in which the log clamp members are separated in a log receiving position, and a log clamping position in which the log clamp members are moved toward one another and toward the longitudinal plane, to clamp and hold a log securely along the rough, with the centerline of the log parallel to or coincidental with the plane.

Abstract: A rotatable roll is provided under a planing cylinder rotating at a fixed position. A front feed unit and a rear feed unit having an upper and a lower roll for gripping the plate are provided upstream and downstream of the planing cylinder with respect to the feed direction of the plate. A front movable body and a rear movable body having an upper and a lower roll for gripping the plate member are provided between the planing cylinder and the front feed unit and between the planing cylinder and the rear feed unit. The upper and lower rolls of the front and rear movable bodies are forcibly moved up and down. The plate member is supported at three points and deflected downward to prevent floating of the plate during cutting and to prevent the formation of depressions in the plate near its front and rear ends during cutting.

Abstract: To make the usable wood volume of the tree trunks as large as possible, octagonal or dodecagonal dressed timbers are proposed from which then boards or beams with inclined edges are cut. To produce octagonal or dodecagonal dressed timbers, in a first machining stage (11) two side surfaces (13) are milled off the tree trunk, it is then turned by 90° and two additional side surfaces (19) are milled off in a second machining station (17). Immediately thereafter in another machining station (21) with four (for octagonal dressed timbers) or eight (for dodecagonal dressed timbers) milling cutters (22) the remaining rough edges (20) are milled off.

Abstract: A method for processing of workpieces, which are supplied to a processing station, in which the workpieces are processed on one side, are moved out of the processing station, and are turned and again supplied to the processing station for processing the second side. In particular, a workpiece or workpiece package is individually supplied to the processing station, is processed there and individually moved on following the processing of both sides. The first side of one workpiece, whose second side has not yet been processed, and the second side of another workpiece whose first side had already been processed in the previous processing operation, are processed in one processing operation in the processing station, so that during each processing operation a workpiece processed on both sides is created together with a workpiece processed only on one side.

Abstract: A repositionable supporting apparatus includes a lower post adapted to be fixed on a worktable. An upper post is disposed co-axially rotatable relative to the lower post, and has a downward abutment wall defining an upper cavity, and an anchored end portion connected to an anchoring end of a cantilever member. The cantilever member has a holding end opposite to the anchoring end in a direction radial to the upper post for carrying a workpiece feeding device. A coupling member couples the lower post with the upper post in both retained and released positions where the upper post is prevented from rotation and is rotatable relative to the lower post respectively, and has an upward abutment wall to slidably contact the downward abutment wall such that a lower cavity therein can be aligned and communicated with the upper cavity.

Abstract: A device for producing squared timber from tree trunks includes a feed section, a machining center, and a delivery section; the feed section has at least two grippers which can be placed against the tree trunk to be machined and using which the tree trunk is supplied to the machining center; the machining center has several plan cutters and feed rollers in order to advance the tree trunk, while it is machined by cutting at the desired locations. The square beam is transported from the machining center onto the delivery section and then removed for further machining. The grippers may be made such that they hold the tree trunk regardless of its diameter at a height which at least roughly corresponds to the axis of the machining center.

Abstract: A woodworking machine, in particular a trimming machine, of working elongate workpieces such as timbers, beams, boards and the like is proposed, the workpiece resting on a support and a longitudinally movable coupling element guiding the workpiece to working units. In this machine there is provided a guiding element which is likewise longitudinally movable and can be positioned in such a manner at a working unit that, on the one hand, optimal workpiece guidance is achieved and, on the other hand, the coupling element and the guiding element remain outside the operative region of the working unit.

Abstract: An adjustable support for a conveyor for controlling the position of a product such as a log. Support structure is provided near each end of the conveyor. The structure includes mechanism to shift the conveyor side ways and also has mechanism to elevate and lower the conveyor. Each structure is operable independent of the other.

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 reducing noise in a barking plant; a barking drum, a chipper and a conveyor between these. The penetration of noise through conveying openings of a partly or wholly covered conveyor (3) for receiving logs from a barking drum (1), and/or a partly or wholly covered conveyor (8′) for feeding logs to a chipper (11), is reduced, and the noise level is decreased by means of the water (21) used for washing the logs. The water forms a continuous curtain (18, 19) at the front and/or back end of the conveyor (3, 8, 8′) between the drum (1) and the chipper (11).

Abstract: Apparatus request for debarking logs comprising a generally horizontal rotary drum debarker having an inlet end, power drive device for continuously rotating the drum of the debarker generally about a horizontal axis, generally horizontal main conveyor element for conveying groups of tree length logs toward the drum, the main conveyor element having a discharge end below the axis of rotation of the drum, drive apparatus for continuously driving the main conveyor element, and auxiliary feed mechanism below the axis of rotation of the drum and between the discharge end of the main conveyor element and the inlet end of the drum for assisting the movement of groups of logs fed by the main conveyor element into the inlet end of the drum. The questions raised in reexamination request No. 90/003,655, filed Dec. 7, 1994, 90/003,826 filed May 8, 1995, and 90/004,552 filed Feb.