Abstract: In a wood processing plant, planks are typically split into strips and then passed through an automated cross-cutting saw station to remove defects such as knots, cracks or flash. One defect which also occurs is the hit and miss defect caused by a planer and/or a sander. In order to improve the performance of the cross-cutting saw station, color is applied to the wood prior to being planed and sanded. The cross-cutting saw station is then modified to optically inspect the wood for the presence of color, indicating a hit and miss defect, and to remove the portions of the wood containing color.

Abstract: A method and a system for classifying a plurality of random length boards of random grade, using a conveyer provided with reading units to read both the length and the grade of each board at a first end of said conveyer; a processor, receiving length and grade data from the reading units; calculating combinations of board lengths and grades and selecting a preferred combination of boards from the combinations; and a distribution section, located at a second end of the conveyer, and operated by the processor according to the preferred combination; the processor being fed with a large number of identified boards, from which to calculate the combinations of board lengths and grades, before they reach the distribution section.

Abstract: An automated saw system for cutting a crooked piece of lumber with a mitered end and a length. The saw system includes a saw for cutting the piece of lumber, a lumber feed conveyor for feeding the piece of lumber to the saw, and a sensor that measures a deviation amount by which the piece of lumber deviates from an idealized straight piece of lumber. A controller communicates with the sensor to adjust either the saw or the conveyor in response to the detected deviation amount so that the piece of lumber is cut to correspond to a cut of the idealized straight piece of lumber.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a tree harvesting machine including a tree harvesting tool are provided. The method may include identifying a tree to be harvested, generating one or more tree position signals indicative of a position of the tree, and controlling movement of the tree harvesting tool toward the tree as a function of the one or more tree position signals. The system may include a tree position sensor operable to generate one or more tree position signals indicative of a position of a tree. The system may further include a controller operable to receive the one or more tree position signals. The controller may be further operable to generate one or more tool control signals for controlling movement of the tree harvesting tool toward the tree as a function of the one or more tree position signals.

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 tree harvesting apparatus is provided. The harvesting apparatus comprises a frame member, a cutting device mounted to the frame member, and at least one cutting member attached to the cutting device. A tree accumulation member is also provided and overlays at least a portion of the cutting device. Also provided is a tree securing device for securing at least one tree on the tree accumulation member, and an adjustment device for automatically adjusting the position of the tree securing device relative to the frame member.

Abstract: A material handling system with a drag mechanism including a wheel for a table saw that controls the orientation and speed of material as it moves through the system.

Abstract: A ystem for localizing and optimizing harvesting of trees or stands of trees, using locating devices for tracking same over time, and geographically tracking same once harvested, and for providing such information to users. Sensors may be provided along with the locator devices in association with each tree or block of trees for sensing characteristics of the tree or block of trees and/or characteristics of the location of such trees.

Abstract: An apparatus for optimizing orientation of a workpiece in a planermill for feeding of the workpiece into a planer includes an infeed to the planer, a workpiece turner for selectively turning the workpiece end-for-end upstream of the planer on the infeed a workpiece flipper for selectively flipping the workpiece one hundred eighty degrees about a longitudinal axis of the workpiece upstream of the planer on the infeed, a scanner on the infeed upstream of the workpiece turner and workpiece flipper for detecting defects on the workpiece, a processor cooperating with the scanner, the workpiece turner and the workpiece flipper for optimizing the orientation of the workpiece relative to status and actively translatable cutterheads in the planer.

Abstract: A forestry machine with devices for felling, trimming and cutting trees includes a control system with operating devices which are actuable by an operator. The operating devices control the felling, trimming and cutting devices, as well as the movements of the forestry machine. The operating devices are disposed discrete and separate from the forestry machine so that the working environment of the operator is free of the turnings, jolts and vibrations which the forestry machine is subjected to during operation. Preferably, the operator and the operating devices are placed in a load-carrying vehicle on which the forestry machine loads the felled trees. A system for forest felling includes a felling unit and an operating module. The operating module is disposed discrete and separate from the felling unit. Preferably, the operating module is disposed in a load-carrying vehicle which receives felled trees from the felling unit.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a chipping or crushing apparatus having a prominent speed of rotation and mass inertial moment. The main parts of the apparatus include a chipping disc or a rotor, a short circuit motor and a frequency converter connected to the circuit of the motor. From the chipping disc, respectively from the rotor or from the motor there is arranged a data connection of the speed of rotation to the frequency converter, and the frequency converter has been arranged to control the frequency of the motor current by means of said data so, that in a situation of peak load, when the motor load (torque M) has reached the nominal load, the frequency converter keeps the motor load at the nominal load by decreasing the frequency of the motor current. Thereby kinetic energy of the rotating components will be released for use in the peak loads corresponding to the decrease of the speed of rotation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a veneer slicing apparatus including a table assembly. A blade support is mounted on the table assembly. A blade is supported in the blade support. A carriage assembly is adapted to engage and hold a log generally parallel to the table assembly. A drive assembly is configured to reciprocate the carriage assembly between a cutting stroke and a return stroke. During the cutting stroke, the log is passed over the blade to longitudinally cut a slice of veneer from the log. Disclosed is a method for manufacturing veneer. At least one log is received on a table assembly. The log is engaged by a carriage assembly. The log dwells in a ready position on a heated portion of the surface. The carriage assembly is moved to pass the log longitudinally over a blade supported on the table assembly to cut a slice of veneer.

Abstract: A reversing automatic feed assembly for a stump grinder includes at least one sensor adapted to sense excessive load placed on the stump grinder and output a signal thereof. The reversing automatic feed assembly also includes a control system operatively connected to the least one sensor to automatically reverse feed movement of the cutting assembly in response to the signal from the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A saw with a safety system is disclosed. The safety system includes a detection system adapted to detect contact between a person and a blade while the blade is moving. The safety system further includes a brake system adapted to engage the blade and to stop the blade when the detection system detects contact between the person and the blade.

Abstract: A woodworking machine is disclosed. The machine includes a cutting tool and a motor adapted to drive the cutting tool. The machine further includes a detection system to detect a dangerous condition between the cutting tool and a person, such as a person coming into contact with the cutting tool. A reaction system is provided to disable the cutting tool, such as by covering, blocking, destroying, wrapping, etc., upon detection by the detection system of the dangerous condition.

Abstract: A resaw apparatus and method of sawing a succession of boards from a cant of a succession of cants. A band saw is vertically positioned to cut the succession of boards from the cant as the cant is reciprocated through the saw. A pivoted raker gate downstream of the band saw's blade engages the cut board and prevents it from passing through the saw in the reverse direction. A vertically movable live hold-down roller upstream of the saw blade presses down on the cant during sawing. A measuring device measures the cant's height prior to sawing the first board from the cant. When the raker gate moves into its vertical position after the cut board passes, the saw blade is raised slightly to avoid contact with cant splinters on the reverse pass. Each cant is processed to completion before sawing the next cant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a place where a saw may be performed. An oscillating laser beam is provided to a target according to a user preference. The user selects at least one characteristic of the oscillating laser beam in order to identify the target in an outdoor environment. The selected at least one characteristic is then provided to a motor which executes the oscillating.

Abstract: A saw is disclosed having a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and a saw blade, and a brake adapted to stop the saw blade in response to detection of the dangerous condition. The saw further includes a brake positioning system that allows the brake to be positioned in at least two different operable positions to accommodate at least two different blade diameters. The saw may include a system to detect brake-to-blade spacing.

Abstract: An apparatus for optimizing orientation of a workpiece in a planermill for feeding of the workpiece into a planer includes an infeed to the planer, a workpiece turner for selectively turning the workpiece end-for-end upstream of the planer on the infeed a workpiece flipper for selectively flipping the workpiece one hundred eighty degrees about a longitudinal axis of the workpiece upstream of the planer on the infeed, a scanner on the infeed upstream of the workpiece turner and workpiece flipper for detecting defects on the workpiece, a processor cooperating with the scanner, the workpiece turner and the workpiece flipper for optimizing the orientation of the workpiece relative to status and actively translatable cutterheads in the planer.

Abstract: A portion (14a, 14b) of a chip remover (14) is defined to be vibratory to give an NC machine tool (MT 1) a vibration transferable onto a surface (FS) of a work (13) under a finishing by the NC machine tool (MT1), a decision is made whether the NC machine tool (MT1) enters the finishing, and vibration of the vibratory portion (14a, 14b) is controlled, as the decision is true. A chip removal method and an NC machine tool equipped with a spiral chip remover (113) as a chip remover have various chip removal rules for determining permission/prohibition of the operation of the spiral chip remover (113). This spiral chip remover (113) operates based on commands described in a machining program. When a command in the machining program is executed, the permission/prohibition of the operation of the spiral chip remover (113) is controlled according to the chip removal rules.

Abstract: In a method, when using a single-grip harvester head for felling and processing trees, of controlling the press power which, by means of a limbing knife assembly (6), is exerted on a stem (3) which is horizontally fed through th head with its butt end first, the diameter of the stem is measured and the press power is reduced in accordance with a control diagram as the diameter decreases during the feeding. The measured diameter values are registered, and each measured diameter value is compared with a predetermined diameter value which is selected from the diameter values of the stem (3) which are previously registered during the feeding of the stem. If a measured diameter value is found to equal or be greater than this predetermined diameter value, the press power is increased to a corrective power value, which is maintained until a later measured diameter value falls below a reference value.

Abstract: Disclosed is a veneer slicing apparatus including a table assembly. A blade support is mounted on the table assembly. A blade is supported in the blade support. A carriage assembly is adapted to engage and hold a log generally parallel to the table assembly. A drive assembly is configured to reciprocate the carriage assembly between a cutting stroke and a return stroke. During the cutting stroke, the log is passed over the blade to longitudinally cut a slice of veneer from the log. Disclosed is a method for manufacturing veneer. At least one log is received on a table assembly. The log is engaged by a carriage assembly. The log dwells in a ready position on a heated portion of the surface. The carriage assembly is moved to pass the log longitudinally over a blade supported on the table assembly to cut a slice of veneer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for cutting submerged trees at an underwater logging site and for retrieving the cut trees. Once cut, each tree is retrieved to the water surface by an inflatable bag deployed from and inflated by the apparatus. The apparatus includes a control unit positioned on a surface vessel, such as a barge or large boat, and an underwater vessel connected together by an umbilical. Preferably the underwater vessel is a remotely controllable submersible including a grapple for releasably holding each tree to be cut, a saw, a gas supply connectable to a gas source located on the surface vessel, and an air bag deployment and inflation assembly for inflating the air bag and securely attaching it to the tree. The underwater vessel is initially loaded with a plurality of air bags which are stored in a magazine located in the interior of the vessel.

Abstract: A peeler block is formed previously on its opposite end faces with markings the centers of which define an optimum axis about which the block should be rotated for achieving maximum yield in peeling veneer from the block in a rotary veneer lathe. An apparatus is disclosed herein which is designed to detecting such markings at two different detecting stations and finally positioning the block such that its optimum axis is set parallel to the axes of spindles of a rotary veneer lathe is disclosed. At the first station, the markings are detected by a first pair of image sensors such as CCD cameras having lenses with a short focal length hence wide-angle viewing capability.

Abstract: A resaw apparatus and method of sawing a succession of boards from a cant of a succession of cants. A band saw is vertically positioned to cut the succession of boards from the cant as the cant is reciprocated through the saw. A pivoted raker gate downstream of the band saw's blade engages the cut board and prevents it from passing through the saw in the reverse direction. A vertically movable live hold-down roller upstream of the saw blade presses down on the cant during sawing. A measuring device measures the cant's height prior to sawing the first board from the cant. When the raker gate moves into its vertical position after the cut board passes, the saw blade is raised slightly to avoid contact with cant splinters on the reverse pass. Each cant is processed to completion before sawing the next cant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a knife assembly for a veneer lathe, the knife assembly comprising heads having mounted therebetween a knife beam and a nose bar beam, the beams respectively supporting a peeling knife and a solid nose bar. The knife assembly is turnable about an axis of rotation aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the peeling knife and the nose bar, whereby the angular position of the knife assembly relative to the lathe carriage heads is adapted to change about this axis of rotation in compliance with the progress of veneer peeling. In the knife assembly, the angular position of the nose bar relative to the peeling knife is adapted changeable during peeling in order to control the angle between the nose bar and the peeling knife.

Abstract: An edge-routing unit has a routing tool (4) on a shaft (9) of a routing motor (6), which is arranged on a rest (10), and which is controlled approximately along a workpiece outline in a workpiece feed-through direction, an X-axis, and in a workpiece thickness direction, a Z-axis. Furthermore, by way of a feeler wheel (5), which is coaxial to the routing tool (4) and which travels over a workpiece surface adjoining an edge strip (3), the rest (10) is supported on the workpiece (1) for follow-up of the routing tool (4) according to a contour sensed. In order to be able to change adjustment of the routing tool (4) relative to the feeler wheel (5) during machining operations, a positioning slide (15) is arranged on the rest (10), on which the positioning slide (15) and the routing motor (6) sit together with the routing tool (4) and which is traversable in a motor-operated program-controlled manner relative to the rest (10), in a direction of the X-axis and in a direction of the Z-axis.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing rectangular furniture boards with a glued-on edge, in which the following are arranged one after another in the passage direction: a longitudinal sawing device (14), which divides a rectangular initial board (12) into a plurality of parallel longitudinal boards (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d), a longitudinal gluing device (31), which in each case glues a longitudinal edge onto both longitudinal sides of a longitudinal board (12a) passing through and machines the edge, a transverse sawing device (38), which divides a longitudinal board (12a) transversely with respect to its longitudinal direction into furniture boards (39) with a predetermined size, a transverse gluing device (40), which in each case glues a transverse edge onto both transverse sides of a furniture board (39) passing through and machines this edge.

Abstract: An intelligent deck apparatus and method for serially moving workpieces moving side-by-side on a conveyor system to a processing system. The intelligent deck is comprised of an edge detector system having at least one sensor, a shift mechanism, and a lift arm system having at least one lift arm. The intelligent deck apparatus also has a computer system operatively connected to the working parts of the intelligent deck and the processing system. The intelligent deck distinguishes between workpieces by shifting the leading workpiece to distinguish it from subsequent workpieces.

Abstract: The process is used for making individual wood boards (52) from a plurality of wood pieces (10). In this process, wood pieces (10) of similar length and are joined side by side so as to form a panel (30). The panel (30) is then cut in a longitudinal direction with reference to the wood pieces (10) into panel sections (40) having a similar width. These panel sections (40) are jointed end to end to form a continuous wood board (50), which is then cut into individual wood boards (52). This process allows to manufacture wood boards (52) with a high degree of structural integrity and dimensional stability. It also allows to efficiently use small wood pieces (10) that could have been considered otherwise waste or low-grade materials, thereby increasing the yield of the sawmill.

Abstract: A method of measuring amount of wood (13) in a rotating barking drum (1). By means of a transducer (11), the distance of the level of the wood bed (13) in the drum is measured through an opening or openings (7) of the drum.

Abstract: The optimized band saw feed speed system of this invention is associated with a saw mill carriage reciprocable past a band saw by a power drive motor. The feed speed control system utilizes a first laser line arranged to allow video scanning of the diameter profile of a log on the carriage for measuring the impending depth of cut by the band saw blade as the carriage moves the log through the band saw. A second laser line is arranged to show on the band saw blade for detecting the lateral deviation of the blade from its path. A video camera is arranged to cover the diameter of a log on the carriage and to view the laser line projections and control the speed of the power drive motor of the carriage, to provide optimum speed of movement of the log through the band saw.

Abstract: A process for the manufacturing of longitudinal profiles such and tongue and groove on boards wherein the process includes the steps; a) Moulding a substantial part of the profile cross-section by means of milling with a milling tool. b) Fine moulding undercuts in at least the groove of the board by means of broaching utilising at least one broaching tool.

Abstract: A hydraulic valve is used to judiciously shunt oil from lowering ends of the hoist and stick cylinders that have been plumbed to achieve near horizontal movement. This allows the use of cylinders that have unequal rod/bore ratios or to compensate for certain transient effects that may require the exchange of oil to the reservoir. The action of the hydraulic valve acts without obtrusive operator intervention and is essentially automatic. This allows for greater flexibility in the design of the boom system, allows the boom system to perform various tasks, while not requiring obtrusive intervention from the operator.

Abstract: A wood planing machine includes a base, screw rods mounted rotatably on and extending from the base, a cutter carriage mounted movably on the screw rods, and a detecting unit including a light transmitter and a light receiver that cooperates with the light transmitter to define a gap therebetween and that generates an electrical signal upon receiving light from the light transmitter. An optical encoder wheel is fixed to one of the screw rods, and is formed with a plurality of angularly spaced apart holes. The optical encoder wheel extends into the gap.

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: Apparatus and method for carving a uniformly carved portion and a variably carved portion in a workpiece in a single pass. The apparatus consists of a uniform carving head fixed relative to the workpiece and a variable carving head that is movable simultaneously in two directions substantially perpendicular to the motion of the workpiece. A control system, which may include a programmable computer, controls the motion of the variable carving head.

Abstract: A clamp control system for a feller/buncher has three buttons for automating the operation of the harvesting and accumulating clamps. A CLOSE button, when momentarily actuated for the first tree of a bundle, closes the harvesting clamp and the accumulating clamp and then re-opens the harvesting clamp. When actuated again momentarily for the second and subsequent trees, the harvesting clamp closes, the accumulating clamp opens and re-closes and the harvesting clamp re-opens. Actuation of an OPEN button opens both clamps and resets the system to be ready for the first tree of the next bundle. Actuation of a STOP/CANCEL button freezes both clamps in their current positions.

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: 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: The present invention relates to a method controlling a drum debarker by way of using the drum weighing information in the control of the drum debarking process. The method comprises the steps of determining the weight of the contents in the drum determining the filling degree of the debarking drum determining the average density of the log bunch tumbling in the debarking drum from drum weighing information and drum filling degree information, and determining a target value for the log retention time or debarking work in the debarking drum. Based on the information thus obtained, at least one following variables is controlled: the drum rotating speed, discharge rate of logs from the drum and infeed rate of logs into the drum so as to achieve the desired target value for the log retention time or debarking work in the debarking drum.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a compact, low-cost, lightweight, versatile and easy-to-operate, processor-controlled carving and multi-purpose shaping device (“PCCMPS machine”). The PCCMPS machine that represents one embodiment of the present invention is configured, in part, similarly to common, commercially available portable wood planers and ubiquitous laser and ink-jet computer printers, with work pieces fed into the PCCMPS machine in a horizontal direction. The PCCMPS machine includes a motor-powered cutting head that can power detachable bits to drill, cut, shape, and rout a work piece under processor and computer control. The cutting head may be translated, under processor control, back and forth across the surface of the work piece in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the work piece is fed into the PCCMPS machine and moved by motor-powered rollers.

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: A device of depth index of a planing machine includes a bottom base, an upper base, an index device and a sensor device. The upper base is fitted with an index device at a preset position in the front. A push rod is pushed up to activate the index device to show a planing depth. The sensor device includes a sensing strip pivotally connected to a preset position under the upper base. As soon as contacting with a wood material moving on the bottom base, the sensing strip will rotate for a preset angle and prop up the push rod to let it activate the index device to show a numerical value of planing depth. As the sensing strip is elongate, a wood material moving on the bottom base can immediately sensed by it, no matter what size or where or how it is placed, obtaining effect of wholly sensing the wood material being planed and ensuring measuring precision.

Abstract: The invention relates to a veneer lathe knife assembly comprising supported by a frame assembly a knife mounting beam (4) and a nose bar beam (5), both of which having a front portion (4′; 5′) for holding a cutting knife (6) and a nose bar (7), respectively, and a stiffening rear portion. The knife mounting beam (4) and the nose bar beam (5) are adapted movable relative to each other on the frame assembly so as to permit adjustment of the knife gap formed between the cutting knife (6) and the nose bar (7). Heat transfer means (2, 2′, 2″, 2′″) are adapted to the stiffening rear portion of both the knife mounting beam (4) and the nose bar beam (5). Both the knife mounting beam (4) and the nose bar beam (5) have placed thereon, in a close vicinity to the knife (6) and the nose bar (7), at least one first set of temperature sensors (3, 3′) disposed in predetermined positions along the length of the knife and the nose bar.

Abstract: A veneer lathe knife assembly includes a lower portion supporting a veneer cutting knife, and a upper portion supporting a backing nose bar. The upper portion includes adjustment screws, for example, for adjusting a position of the nose bar in the upper portion of the assembly. To perform a fine adjustment of the knife gap formed between the cutting knife and the nose bar, the adjustment screws are individually temperature controlled to compensate for a thermal expansion of the adjustment screws, thus maintaining the knife gap along the length of the knife assembly.

Abstract: The stump grinder has a rotating cutting wheel that is mounted onto an arm for raising and lowering movement and is driven by a hydraulic motor. The arm is capable of being moved about a generally upright axis to control the rate of laterally feed of the cutting wheel. The actuator movement is controlled as a function of the pressure to the hydraulic motor driving the cutting wheel so that as the pressure increases, the rate of feeding movement laterally of the cutting wheel is reduced. The rate of movement is controlled in both directions of swinging of the post about an upright axis, by utilizing variable opening or proportional flow pilot operated valves on the lines to the actuator for controlling the swing. As pressure to the motor increases the variable outlet or proportional pilot operated valve connected to the pressurized end of the swing actuator opens a greater amount diverts a portion of the hydraulic fluid flow to drain to slow movement of the swing actuator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the starting point of rounding turning in the turning of veneer. For turning a log, the knife carriage of the lathe is withdrawn into a home position before starting the turning of a new log and, during the initial phase of turning, the knife carriage is driven from the home position forward into the starting position of rounding turning at a fast rate. During the initial turning phase, the intensity of knife carriage vibration is monitored and the thus obtained intensity value of knife carriage vibration is used in the determination of the initial position of the log rounding phase.

Abstract: A method for cutting trees (18) in the vicinity of a power line (10) using a topping saw (17) suspended from a helicopter (15) in such a way that the helicopter is flown in the direction of the power line (10) so close to the electricity wires (12) that the topping saw suspended from the helicopter cuts the desired tops of the trees. The cutting line (14) of the topping saw (17) is determined in such a way that the helicopter is flown with the help of a video camera (21) attached to the suspension bar (16) for the topping saw at an angle of 45° and a monitor (22) placed in connection with the helicopter's cockpit so that the video camera is kept directed towards the electricity wire (12) of the power line (10). The distance (a, b) of the point where trees are to be cut from the electricity wire (12) is determined by adjusting the distance (h) of the video camera from the cutting blade (20) of the topping saw (17).

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically cutting a drawer slide groove and drilling a drawer-securing pin hole in a drawer with a bottom with a number of edges extending downwardly from the bottom, and a rear wall. The apparatus includes a support, the drawer resting on the support during the cutting and drilling operations; a power saw having a moving blade adapted for cutting a groove in the drawer; a first guide mounted on the support and adapted to engage one of the plurality of downwardly extending drawer edges, thereby positioning the saw blade adjacent the downwardly extending drawer edge; a drill carrier movable in a first direction and a second direction relative to the support; and a power drill mounted in the drill carrier and having a drill bit adapted to drill a drawer-securing pin hole in the rear wall of the drawer.