Abstract: A method of producing a hardwood flooring product, including the steps of processing a strip of raw wood into a blank having a predetermined thickness and width, and top and bottom surfaces defining parallel planes relative to each other, and splitting the blank along the width of the blank from one side to the other to form two low profile flooring strips having the same width as the blank and a thickness less than one-half the thickness of the blank. The splitting step includes the steps of providing first and second circular saw blades mounted on spaced-apart vertical axes for rotation in a single plane intermediate and parallel to the planes of the top and bottom surfaces of the blank and positioning the blank on conveying means upstream from the saw blades with the plane of rotation of the saw blades intermediate and parallel to the planes of the top and bottom surfaces of the blank for movement of the blank from an upstream position to a downstream position relative to the saw blades.

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: Processes are provided for producing wood chips with a variety of cross sections such as those resembling botanical leaves and other decorative designs. The processes also produces wood chips that have coloration and shading. A rough form of wood having a elongated length is extruded lengthwise to make an extrusion having a decorative cross section. The extrusion is then cut at an angle to the direction of the elongated length of the extrusion into a plurality of wood chips having the desired cross-section. The step of cutting the extrusion involves positioning a lengthwise end of the extrusion adjacent at least one cutting blade oriented at an angle in the range of about 15 degrees to about 75 degrees relative to the elongated length of the extrusion, providing a relative rotational movement between the extrusion and the blade about the longitudinal center of gravity of the extrusion, and providing a relative linear movement between the extrusion and the blade in the elongated direction towards one another.

Abstract: A method of preparing a multilayered wood panel from thin boards is discld. The thin boards are produced by from square timber by a knife cut.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method apparatus for the manufacture of wood products from tree trunks in the form of an integral work station utilizing modern splinter-chipping technology. In a preferred embodiment a tree trunk (6) is alignable on a feeder carriage (4) for optimal utilization of the wood, on the feeder carriage (4), and is moveable by means of the carriage lengthwise in the working zone (8). Laterally modular tool units (10, 12, 14, 16) are provided alongside the working zone (8). They are of modular design and can optionally, for a selective processing sequence, be brought into engagement with the tree trunk repeatedly passing by.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for cutting squared timber into a number of thin boards. Individual boards 32 are cut off by a blade 30 from the squared timber in each of the successive cutting machines 14a-g, essentially in longitudinal direction of the squared timber. The thickness of the squared timber 26 is selected in such a way that, once an integral number of boards having a predetermined thickness are cut off, a residual board remains which is reduced to the same thickness d as the boards 32 by shaving. The shaving preferably takes place by placing a planer 18 after the last cutting machine 14g. The installation 10 is equipped with a material feed 12 and a conveying system 20 for removing the cut boards, the cutting machines and the planer are also connected to one another by conveying devices 16, 24.

Abstract: Sheets of wood are cut from a timber piece along a guide and against a cung blade. A transverse taper of the wood piece is measured as the wood piece is conveyed. In accordance with changes in the measured transverse taper, the guide or the blade is pivoted about an axis extending perpendicular to the blade edge as the wood piece is being conveyed. Also, the longitudinal taper of the wood piece can be measured as the wood piece is conveyed. In accordance with the changes in the measured longitudinal taper, the distance between the blade edge and the wood guide is varied as the wood piece is conveyed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for, in one continuous operation, receiving a slab sawn from a log, sensing the thickness of the slab and setting the apparatus to plane its upper and lower surfaces to produce a desired thickness slab which then is sawn into boards of desired width. The apparatus includes upper and lower planer heads, the upper of which is mounted on adjustable setworks for raising and lowering. At the infeed end of the apparatus a sensor determines the thickness of an entering slab and through control mechanism adjusts the space between the planer heads to plane the slab to a desired common board thickness which is the maximum available from the slab size. A bank of smooth cutting saws downstream from the planer heads saws the slab into smooth-sided boards.

Abstract: A veneer cutting station (10) for a wood log (12) comprises a veneer cutting machine (11) producing a continuous sheet of rotary-cut veneer sent to transverse cutting means and at least one incising blade (23) arranged for cutting longitudinally the veneer sheet in a predetermined position of its width and thus form parallel strips of veneer. Downstream of the veneer cutting machine (11) are located deflecting means (14) identifying running tables (27) for strips of veneer each towards one of a plurality of superimposed paths (15,16,20,21) and there being along each path (15,16,20,21) a cutter (18,19) for transverse cutting of the veneer.

Abstract: A veneer slicer includes a mandrel for holding multiple flitches. The mandrel has a first axis about which it is rotated. A knife and pressure bar assembly is provided on a first reciprocable carriage. The carriage is reciprocated toward and away from the first axis of rotation as the flitches are carried around the first axis of rotation on the mandrel. The mandrel is reciprocated along the first axis of rotation. Rotation of the mandrel, coupled with reciprocation of the carriage and mandrel respectively toward and away from the first axis of rotation and along the first axis of rotation, causes veneer to be sliced sequentially from the multiple flitches.

Abstract: A method of continuously processing chopsticks (35), the outer shape of which is defined by two mutually parallel surfaces and two opposing, plane, oblique surfaces (5, 6) inclining towards one another by the same inclination seen relative to a common plane of symmetry. The chopsticks (35) are advanced in the longitudinal direction while passing pairs of processing implements (37, 38 and 39). During the advancing movement, one oblique surface (5) of the chopsticks (35), the common longitudinal plane of symmetry, and the second oblique surface (6) are aligned one by one substantially parallel to a common plane of alignment (50) extending in the direction of advance (36) and are processed by a pair of processing implements (37, 38 and 39) associated with each aligning position. The advance is carried out by continuously rotating friction rolls (8 to 34) engaging the mutually parallel surfaces of the articles.

Abstract: A method of preparing a multilayered wood panel from thin boards is discld. The thin boards are produced by from square timber by a knife cut.

Abstract: Methods for producing a chipped wood surfacing material having unusually high shock absorbing capabilities are provided. The chipped wood is processed in order to give it a very high shock absorbing quality. This invention also relates to chipped wood having these unusually high shock absorbing characteristics.

Abstract: Discarded utility poles may be recycles to form usable utility poles through a recycling process utilizing the good portions of the discarded utility pole to form pieces of lumber used in the construction of a composite beam. Discarded utility poles can be cut into pieces of lumber already treated with a wood preservative to be used form the laminated layers of a composite beam which may be used in the production of a new utility pole.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for separating or slitting a rigid material, in particular a piece of wood, having a modulus of elasticity of between 50,000 and 400,000 kg/cm.sup.2. A narrow tool having chip-removing elements, in particular a circular saw blade, produces a slot or kerf of finite width in the material at a cutting speed of more than 40 m/s. After the chip-removing elements having passed, a separator element bends a side piece out of the slot plane so that after the chip-removing elements have passed, the side piece is always at a distance from the tool. When viewed along the feed direction of the material, the separator element is provided with a hump at a distance from its periphery adjoining the tool and being first to come into contact with the material when the material is fed in. An imaginary connection line extending between the hump and the chip-removing elements is at a distance above a first portion of the separator element lying between the hump and the periphery.

Abstract: A cooperative conveyor system for a lumber production line. The production line has a canting station and a sawing station spaced at a distance from each other and interconnected by a powered conveyor system. The cants are fed at a higher rate through the canting station than through the sawing station. The conveyor system is arranged to receive cants from the canting station at a high feed rate and transport the cants to and into a sawing station at a lower feed rate. The cants are fed through the canting station at controlled intervals so that the resulting gap between succeeding cants received on the conveyor are at a desired spacing to maximize the production of the sawing station. The cant exiting from the canting station is forced to overrun the conveyors feed rate and thereby reduces the gap between it and a preceding cant. The conveyor then transports the cant to and into the sawing station at the desired feed rate for the sawing station. In one embodiment, the sawing station has two saws.

Abstract: The combination with a machining tool for machining boles, of a clamping and feeding device for feeding the boles to the machining tool. The clamping and feeding device comprises a slide on which the bole rests during machining. The slide has mounted thereon a pivotable device that directly supports the bole, this pivotable device being elongated and extending lengthwise of the bole and being pivotally connected at one end to the slide. A power jack changes the elevation of the other end of the elongated pivotal device thereby to permit positioning the bole with its heart zone parallel to the direction of movement of the slide. In another embodiment, a lifting device is carried by the slide for lifting one end of the bole relative to the other end of the bole, the lifting device comprising at least one cam supported eccentrically on the slide, and a power jack to rotate the at least one cam to lift the one end of the bole.

Abstract: An edger for use with a conventional sawmill, including upper and lower chippers or cutters for forming the upper and lower edges of a board to be removed from a log, mechanical or optical sizers for automatically determining the location of the upper and lower edges of the board, and a control mechanism, responsive to the sizers, for positioning the cutters. The cutters have horizontal or vertical motors with associated blades, and the motors are mounted on carriages which ride up and down on a mast, positioned by a hydraulic cylinder. Mechanical sizing wheels are mounted on separate carriages, and the wheels are urged to contact the log's surface to determine extreme points of narrowness thereof. The extreme motion points of the sizing wheels are recorded by frictionally secured pistons which are sensed by metallic sensors which are input to the control mechanism. An electric eye causes the sizing wheels to move toward and away from the log.

Abstract: A flitch table is provided for mounting a flitch for slicing of veneer from the flitch by a knife. The flitch includes a mounting side which lies adjacent the table when the flitch is mounted to the table. The mounting side includes grooves which extend generally transversely of the direction of relative movement between the flitch and the knife during the slicing of veneer. The table includes dogs for projecting into the grooves when the flitch is mounted to the table to fix the flitch to the table for slicing of the flitch and guide rails between adjacent dogs longitudinally of the table. The guide rails also project into the grooves when the flitch is mounted to the table. The dogs have a flitch fixing position in which the flitch is fixed to the table by the dogs and a flitch releasing position in which the flitch is not fixed to the table by the dogs. A rack and pinion mechanism drives the dogs between the fixing and releasing positions.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method serve for cutting elongate pieces of wood having a modulus of elasticity between 50,000 and 400,000 kg/cm.sup.2. A circular saw blade is provided having a plurality of spaced peripheral teeth. The saw blade is rotated about an axis at a cutting speed exceeding 40 m/s. The pieces of wood are displaced relative to the saw blade along a feeding direction extending perpendicular to the saw blade axis of rotation. A stationary bending element is arranged on a broad side of the saw blade adjoining the cutting teeth. The bending element has a radially profiled surface with at thickness increasing towards the axis and decreasing towards the cutting teeth. The saw blade can be used to cut a slot into the pieces of wood along the feeding direction, thus generating a first and a second section of the pieces of wood. The bending element ensures that the first section is lifted from the saw blade immediately after the formation of the slot.

Abstract: An apparatus for the cutting and sawing of logs including a cutting unit mounted to engage the log and including a pair of spaced apart axle sets. Each of said axle sets has mounted thereon at least one disc saw for sawing the logs in a lengthwise direction and at least one chipper edger for chipping a board to the right width. The cutting unit is moveable so that the axle sets are moved and the position of the disc saw and the chipper edger on each of the axle sets in changed relative to the log.

Abstract: A method for the production of finished wood sheets from rough cut wood includes the steps of conditioning the rough cut wood, as necessary, to obtain a predetermined mositure content equivalent to a humidity of at least 50%. The conditioned rough cut wood is cut into predetermined dimensions using a sawdust-free process and then immediately dried to obtain a low moisture content. The dried wood is further machined to eliminate rough edges of the finished sheet.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for controlling the material feed of a machine for chipping wood or brush. The machine has a pair of coacting feed rolls which feed material to be chipped into a rotating chipper that is driven by an engine of variable speed. Hydraulic motors for driving each of the feed rolls are actuated when the speed of the engine is at least a selected high level appropriate for efficient chipping. If the material is of a size or composition to load the engine below a selected low level adverse to efficient chipping, the hydraulic motors are interrupted to stop feeding of the material to allow the engine to return to an efficient chipping speed. When the engine has recovered to at least the selected high level, the hydraulic motors are reactivated to again feed material into the chipper.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and to a device for producing a coherent web from long slivers which are produced by breaking-up the raw material fed and are then compacted to give a web which is subsequently glued and then pressed together with other webs to give blocks or the like. The raw material used is sticks or slabs which are split parallel to the fibers by vertically oscillating cutting motions, to give long slivers which are then compacted by ramming to give a web.

Abstract: A process for reconfiguring the surfaces of a construction log (10) used in the construction of log structures to produce a log having the appearance of a hand-hewn log. The process includes a first step (30) of chamfering at least the upper and lower forward edge portions (22 and 24) of the log body (12) to produce upper and lower irregularly beveled forward corners (22' and 24'), and a second step (34) of cutting a plurality of indentations (38) into at least the front surface (18) of the log body (12) to produce an irregular front surface.

Abstract: A machine for reducing the size of material is provided. A movable blade is moved at least nearly parallel to a fixed blade via a raising and lowering mechanism, and is supplied with a force that opposes a cutting pressure. Only a single drive is necessary for the movable blade, so that the machine has a structurally simple and economical configuration. Since the blades are moved parallel to one another at low speed, the noise and dust emission is extremely low. The cutting pressure necessary for the cutting process is applied by the raising and lowering mechanism. The force required is kept small since the material is cut in a shearing process.

Abstract: A method for the production of finished wood sheets from rough cut wood includes the steps of conditioning the rough cut wood, as necessary, to obtain a predetermined moisture content equivalent to a humidity of 50%. The conditioned rough cut wood is cut into predetermined dimensions using a sawdust-free process and then immediately dried to obtain a low moisture content. The dried wood is further treated using a grinding process to eliminate rough edges of the finished sheet.

Abstract: A horizontal disk wood flaking machine has two or more continuous feed conveyors each of which has a vertical chute or feed box that brings wooden logs to an upper surface of the cutting disk. The drive motor for the disk is situated below the disk at the under side of the machine, so that the power train is from the bottom upwards.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for continuously processing and packing elongated articles (10) such as coherent pairs of chopsticks imply that the articles (10) are continuously advanced in the longitudinal direction in a track and are centrally aligned during the continued advancement. The alignment is performed during the processing by means of one or more processing implements (31, 35) by means of uniform centering rolls (14, 15) operating from their respective side of the plane of symmetry of the articles. These centering rolls are biased by a uniform spring tension. Subsequently the articles are continuously advanced in the transverse direction by means of transverse conveyor means (50, 51) to a bundling device. In the bundling device the articles (10) are situated in layers and collected in a bundle (80) of articles (10) subsequently wrapped in a sheet material (84) in a wrapping device (83).

Abstract: A process and machine for reconfiguring the surfaces of a construction log (10) used in the construction of log structures to produce a log having the appearance of a hand-hewn log. The process includes a first step (30) of chamfering at least the upper and lower forward edge portions (22 and 24) of the log body (12) to produce upper and lower irregularly beveled forward corners (22') and 24'), and a second step (34) of cutting a plurality of indentations (38) into at least the front surface (18) of the log body (12) to produce an irregular front surface. In the third step (48) of the process, the front surface (18) of the log body (12) is scored with a plurality of cuts (54) to mimic the scoring pattern left by hand-wielded hewing tools. The hewing machine comprises a support structure including platform across which a log is moved.

Abstract: An improved wood patch, in combination with a slot formed in a blemished wooden surface, and apparatus and method of manufacture thereof. The improved wood patch has, where the wooden surface to be repaired is horizontal, three faces: a flat horizontal exterior face, a flat vertical interior face, and an angled arcuate interior face. The patch has both a larger vertical radius of curvature and a larger angle between the flat vertical interior face and the angled arcuate interior face than the slot. Apparatus for manufacture includes a router utilizing a double router bit having a straight cutting edge oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the bit and an angled cutting edge oriented at an angle to the straight cutting edge.

Abstract: The four sides of a batten are thicknessed and surfaced using a machine unit with a succession of tools driven by one motor and rotating horizontally throughout: a bottom planing tool incorporating a first trimming cutter at one end, a first surfacing cutter aligned with the first trimming cutter, a top planing tool incorporating a relative trimming cutter at the opposite end to that associated with the bottom planer, and a second surfacing cutter aligned with the trimming cutter of the top planing tool.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process of preparing a novel form of laminated-veneer-lumber. More particularly, this invention pertains to a process of producing a laminated-veneer-lumber which is composed of compactly arranged veneer sheets which have sinusoidal edges. A method of joining sheets of veneer in a layup, useful for continuous production of laminated veneer-lumber, comprising dispensing the stress concentration of the joints over an extended area of the joint by using veneer sheets that have opposite edges cut in a sinusoidal pattern.

Abstract: A tree trunk is fed to a cutting station along a centerline line by a pluity of groups of centering rolls spaced along the centering line. Some rolls are driven to advance the trunks. The groups of rolls are adjustable from a centering mode to a non-centering mode by either retracting the rolls or unloading the rolls. During the advancement of a trunk successively through the roll groups, the groups are successively adjusted between their centering and non-centering modes such that roll groups located to support front and rear ends of the trunk are in their centering modes, while at least one roll group disposed therebetween is in its non-centering mode.

Abstract: A method and a device serve for cutting or slotting rigid material, in particular wood, having a modulus of elasticity of, preferably, approximately 50,000 to 400,000 kg/cm.sup.2. A gap of finite width is cut into the material by a narrow tool comprising cutting elements, in particular a circular saw blade, at a cutting speed of over 40 m/s. After passage of the cutting element a timber section is always lifted off the remainder of the material and bent out of the plane of the gap. In order to reduce the thermal loading of the tool, which is generated by the friction between the timber section and the tool, the timber section is always bent off in such a manner that once the timber section has left the cutting elements, it is spaced a certain distance from the circular saw blade.

Abstract: A log (10) to be sawn into boards is supported by a support assembly (26) which supports the log with its longitudinal axis aligned with the direction of carriage movement of a carriage (22) reciprocating along a defined pathway. A side trimming head (12) is mounted adjacent the path followed by the log and includes first (94) and second (96) spaced-apart circular saw blades oriented so as to make two blind cuts to a predetermined depth into a supported log. An intermediate rotary cutter (104) may be provided between the blades to shape the portion of the log between the first and second blades. A third circular saw blade (14; 107), oriented transversely to the first two blades, cuts the completed board from the log.

Abstract: The invention is an infeed conveyor for a saw which enables feeding sweepy cants or logs in such a manner as to achieve a significant improvement in lumber recovery. The conveyor has at least one portion which can be configured between a straight line track and a curve which approximates an arc of a circle. The arc can be adjusted so that it approximates the sweep curvature of the log or cant which can then be guided into a saw along a path approximating it radius of curvature. The conveyor consists of a sharp chain having at least one portion running on a slide bar which can be configured to give the desired curvature. The conveyor can further be adjusted with regard to the following saw or saws to control offset. In its most preferred version a pair of chipper heads is located between the conveyor and saws to dress the upper and lower faces of an incoming cant into a gang cant of predetermined depth.

Abstract: A process for reconfiguring the surfaces of a construction log (10) used in the construction of log structures to produce a log having the appearance of a hand-hewn log. The process includes a first step (30) of chamfering at least the upper and lower forward edge portions (22 and 24) of the log body (12) to produce upper and lower irregularly beveled forward corners (22' and 24'), and a second step (34) of cutting a plurality of indentations (38) into at least the front surface (18) of the log body (12) to produce an irregular front surface. In the third step (48) of the process, the front surface (18) of the log body (12) is scored with a plurality of cuts (54) to mimic the scoring pattern left by hand-wielded hewing tools.

Abstract: In a method for profile chipping, the necessary chipping out of wany-edged corners laterally defining a side board (4) to be separated is carried out in such a manner that firstly in a direction perpendicular to the trunk axis saw incisions (6) are made to the full depth of the corner but that material adjacent the saw incision (6) is simultaneously chipped out by chipping blades only to a lesser depth, and in a second working step in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction (17) remaining corner material (20) is chipped out by means of chipping blades and simultaneously a second saw incision (18) is made. The side board (4) exposed in this manner is separated by a saw severance cut. This provides throughout corner faces worked by saw cut which do not have any material splits due to chipping blades.

Abstract: Round wood trunks are formed into beams, boards, etc. shaped on all sides, each round wood trunk being continuously flattened along its lengthwise direction in each of several working steps. In each feeding operation of the round wood trunk, it is simultaneously flattened on at least two sides.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing oblong wooden articles to be used for the manufacture of coherent pairs of chopsticks includes punching or cutting the articles out of veneer sheets along outer straight lines resulting in outer surfaces (6 and 7) being formed. These surfaces are preferably inclining slightly towards one another and extend over the entire length of the articles. The articles are simultaneously provided with a cut along the plane of symmetry between the inclining surfaces (6 and 7), which results in a short uncut portion at the thickest end (9). This cut (8) along the plane of symmetry extends only partially through the articles in the transverse direction thereof, whereby a bridge-creating portion (10) is present between the parts (2 and 3) of the articles. This bridge-creating portion (10) is optionally automatically removed at a succeeding processing involving a bevelling (11-18) of the parts of the article.

Abstract: To produce wooden laths, boards of optional width are resawn in unplaned condition, whereupon the laths are fed each into one compartment which is defined by splitting knives and within which the laths are subjected to a pressure which is directed against the feed table carrying the laths and under the action of which first the lower side and then the upper side are planed. The machine for resawing the boards and planing the laths has a feed table with a guide edge and sawing means comprising coaxially mounted saw blades adjacent the infeed end of the machine, splitting knives mounted directly after the sawing means and defining compartments each adapted to accommodate a lath, and pressure means above each compartment for applying to the laths a pressure directed against the feed table. Planing means are arranged for working, under the action of said pressure, first the lower side and then the upper side of each lath.

Abstract: A reedmaking system is disclosed that includes a device for thickness sizing by sliding a cane segment along a guide surface past a cutting edge that is spaced apart from the guide surface a distance slightly greater than the thickness of a conventional finished reed. An adjacent length sizing tool on a common base member enables cutting to length with a blade spaced apart from a stop member a distance slightly greater than the length of a conventional finished reed. A separate hand held tapering tool includes a tapered bar on a handle for tapering by trimming to the taper of the bar as a rough reed blank is retained against the tapered bar with a single clamp member attached adjustably to the distal end of the tapered bar, while a duplicator mounted on a separate base member includes a cutting assembly with a follower that follows the shape of the pattern reed as a blade shaves the reed accordingly.

Abstract: Square or rectangular clean cut flakes, wafers or strands of a uniform thickness, width and length, with edges extending at right, acute or obtuse angles to the surfaces are produced by an apparatus in four distinct operations, comprising the veneer slicing, cutting of the veneer sheets into veneer strips, chemical or laser beam treatment and flake cutting. The chemical or laser beam treatment is applied to the edges of the veneer strips which run transversally to the direction of wood fiber and the application takes place before the veneer strips are cut into flakes.

Abstract: A piece of board stock is advanced on a conveying table between a pair of milling units mounted about and below the table. Each milling unit comprises at least one milling tool having a pair of spaced rotary cutting blades and a profiling tool of lesser diameter than these blades sandwiched therebetween. For each pair of blades on the upper milling unit, there is a corresponding pair of blades on the lower milling unit disposed in coplanar relation therewith. Each pair of blades is so dimensioned as to cut at least halfway, but not all the way, through the piece of advanced board stock, and each profiling tool is so dimensioned as to profile the adjacent surface of the board stock. In this manner, a piece of advanced board stock is simultaneously cut into a plurality of slats having opposed profiled edges, and this is done in a single pass.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing lumber products which are machined on all sides. With this method, the curved trunk which is to be machined, and which increases approximately conically in thickness toward one of its ends, is first, prior to flattening its longitudinal sides and cutting off boards, aligned relative to a processing line of sawmill equipment in such a way that its longitudinal central plane, which is disposed in the direction of curvature of the trunk, extends approximately parallel to the machining surfaces of side cutting devices which flatten the longitudinal sides of the trunk. After that, a portion of the large trunk end which projects beyond an alignment plane is flattened. This flattening is effected in a plane which is tangential to the two trunk ends on a convexly curved surface portion thereof.

Abstract: A method for trimming the edges of a sheet of veneer perpendicularly to its grain while preventing this sheet from splitting. In a first step, a strip of tape is applied onto the sheet of veneer close to each of its edges to be trimmed. In a second, subsequent step, the tape-reinforced edges of the sheet of veneer are trimmed by shearing, preferably using a pair of overlapping cutting discs positioned to produce the requested shearing action. A machine especially designed for carrying out this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: In veneer slicing, the surface portion of the log or block to be sliced is heated but to a relatively shallow depth. Heating preferably is effected by infrared radiation, whereby the large hot water vats at present in use can be dispensed with, and a veneer of very high quality is obtained at lower cost and with a minimum of waste.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for equalizing the effective radii of multiple cutting elements on a power-driven spindle of a machine tool. A fixture carrying an abrasive stone is placed upon a pre-existing workpiece supporting or guiding surface in the machine tool, slidably shifted on that surface to bring the stone to juxtaposed alignment with the cutter edges, and then magnetically locked to that surface. Positionable means in the fixture are then used to infeed the stone so that the cutters are ground off to effectively equal radii. The methods and apparatus are equally applicable to straight or profiled cutters, and one portable fixture may be employed to condition the cutters of several spindles in a given machine as well as spindles of different machines.

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.