Abstract: A work centre to process section bars, in particular made of aluminium, light alloys, PVC or the like, is provided with a plurality of gripping units movable along a base and designed to hold at least one section bar, an overhead crane movable along the base and provided with at least one operating head to cut and/or process sections bars, a signalling unit provided with a plurality of light devices distributed along the base, and an electronic control unit configured to selectively turn on the light devices and signal to the operators in charge the position of each section bar to be loaded in the relevant gripping units.

Abstract: A precut module with one or more profiling heads and/or circular saws may be provided upstream of a saw module. The precut module may be used to implement a portion of a cut that would otherwise be made by the saw module, thereby reducing the depth of cut required at the saw module. In some embodiments, profiling heads may be used to profile a block that is wider than a desired side board. The block may be cut from the workpiece and sent to the edger. This may provide the same or better wood volume recovery and/or throughput speed than profiling the side board or cutting the side board from a flitch. In some embodiments, cut patterns for the precut module and other machine centers may be calculated and/or selected based on a desired depth of cut at the saw module, desired throughput speed, wood volume recovery, and/or other parameters.

Abstract: A method and system for processing whole hemp stalks is disclosed. The method and system use an entirety of the whole hemp stalks in producing the particulate hemp such that the particulate hemp comprises both bast fiber and shire of the original whole hemp stalks. Additionally, hemp crumbs or crumbles may be processed from whole hemp stalks, or from particulate hemp which is larger than the hemp crumbs such as hemp pellets. The hemp crumbs may be formed by crushing the hemp pellets.

Abstract: A precut module with one or more profiling heads and/or circular saws may be provided upstream of a saw module. The precut module may be used to implement a portion of a cut that would otherwise be made by the saw module, thereby reducing the depth of cut required at the saw module. In some embodiments, profiling heads may be used to profile a block that is wider than a desired side board. The block may be cut from the workpiece and sent to the edger. This may provide the same or better wood volume recovery and/or throughput speed than profiling the side board or cutting the side board from a flitch. In some embodiments, cut patterns for the precut module and other machine centers may be calculated and/or selected based on a desired depth of cut at the saw module, desired throughput speed, wood volume recovery, and/or other parameters.

Abstract: A process of comminution of corn stover having a grain direction to produce a mixture of corn stover, by feeding the corn stover in a direction of travel substantially randomly to the grain direction one or more times through a counter rotating pair of intermeshing arrays of cutting discs (D) arrayed axially perpendicular to the direction of corn stover travel.

Abstract: Wood particles having fibers aligned in a grain, wherein: the wood particles are characterized by a length dimension (L) aligned substantially parallel to the grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) normal to W and L; the L×H dimensions define two side surfaces characterized by substantially intact longitudinally arrayed fibers; the W×H dimensions define two cross-grain end surfaces characterized individually as aligned either normal to the grain or oblique to the grain; the L×W dimensions define two substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces; and, a majority of the W×H surfaces in the mixture of wood particles have end checking.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the treatment of a workpiece, in particular of a substantially flat substrate, comprising a table (2) for supporting the workpiece (5), a flow generation apparatus (6, 11) producing a gas flow (22) on a top face (17.1, 17.2) of the table (2) in a region between the workpiece (5) and the top face (17.1, 17.2) of the table (2), on which gas flow the workpiece (5) is supported during the treatment.

Abstract: Plant biomass particles coated with a biological agent such as a bacterium or seed, characterized by a length dimension (L) aligned substantially parallel to a grain direction and defining a substantially uniform distance along the grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) normal to W and L. In particular, the L×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel side surfaces characterized by substantially intact longitudinally arrayed fibers, the W×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel end surfaces characterized by crosscut fibers and end checking between fibers, and the L×W dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces.

Abstract: A process of comminution of wood chips (C) having a grain direction to produce a mixture of wood particles (P), wherein the wood chips are characterized by an average length dimension (LC) as measured substantially parallel to the grain, an average width dimension (WC) as measured normal to LC and aligned cross grain, and an average height dimension (HC) as measured normal to WC and LC, and wherein the comminution process comprises the step of feeding the wood chips in a direction of travel substantially randomly to the grain direction one or more times through a counter rotating pair of intermeshing arrays of cutting discs (D) arrayed axially perpendicular to the direction of wood chip travel.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a log positioning system configured to transport a log through one or more chipper/profiler modules to produce a cant with four chipped/profiled sides. In some embodiments, a log processing system may include an infeed, a positioning feed module downstream of the infeed, and one or more chipper/profiler modules disposed proximal to the positioning feed module. The positioning feed module may include a sharp chain coupled to one or more pairs of vertical positioning rolls. The positioning feed module may be selectively skewed, slewed, and/or tilted to match the vertical and angular orientation of the infeed.

Abstract: A knife and knife assembly for a planer side head. An L or an LV type side planer head is retro-fitted with knives having substantially less mass than the knives originally provided for these heads.

Abstract: A process of comminution of wood chips (C) having a grain direction to produce a mixture of wood particles (P), wherein the wood chips are characterized by an average length dimension (LC) as measured substantially parallel to the grain, an average width dimension (WC) as measured normal to LC and aligned cross grain, and an average height dimension (HC) as measured normal to WC and LC, and wherein the comminution process comprises the step of feeding the wood chips in a direction of travel substantially randomly to the grain direction through a counter rotating pair of intermeshing arrays of cutting discs (D) arrayed axially perpendicular to the direction of wood chip travel, wherein the cutting discs have a uniform thickness (TD), and wherein at least one of LC, WC, and HC is greater than TD.

Abstract: Plant biomass particles coated with a bioactive agent such as a fertilizer or pesticide, characterized by a length dimension (L) aligned substantially parallel to a grain direction and defining a substantially uniform distance along the grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) normal to W and L. In particular, the L×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel side surfaces characterized by substantially intact longitudinally arrayed fibers, the W×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel end surfaces characterized by crosscut fibers and end checking between fibers, and the L×W dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces.

Abstract: Wood particles having fibers aligned in a grain, wherein: the wood particles are characterized by a length dimension (L) aligned substantially parallel to the grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) normal to W and L; the L×H dimensions define two side surfaces characterized by substantially intact longitudinally arrayed fibers; the W×H dimensions define two cross-grain end surfaces characterized individually as aligned either normal to the grain or oblique to the grain; the L×W dimensions define two substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces; and, a majority of the W×H surfaces in the mixture of wood particles have end checking.

Abstract: An industrial feedstock of plant biomass particles having fibers aligned in a grain, wherein the particles are individually characterized by a length dimension (L) aligned substantially parallel to the grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) normal to W and L, wherein the L×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel side surfaces characterized by substantially intact longitudinally arrayed fibers, the W×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel end surfaces characterized by crosscut fibers and end checking between fibers, and the L×W dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces, and wherein the particles in the feedstock are collectively characterized by having a bimodal or multimodal size distribution.

Abstract: Comminution process of wood veneer to produce wood particles, by feeding wood veneer in a direction of travel substantially normal to grain through a counter rotating pair of intermeshing arrays of cutting discs arrayed axially perpendicular to the direction of veneer travel, wherein the cutting discs have a uniform thickness (Td), to produce wood particles characterized by a length dimension (L) substantially equal to the Td and aligned substantially parallel to grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) substantially equal to the veneer thickness (Tv) and aligned normal to W and L, wherein the W×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel end surfaces with end checking between crosscut fibers.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to wood chippers and baling machines and methods of operation therefor, and more specifically, to an apparatus and a method for chipping tree branches and the like and baling wood chips formed from such chipping activities. The apparatus includes a chipper assembly having a chipping mechanism operable to reduce the trimmed branches to wood chips. Also provided is a bale forming assembly operatively connected to the chipper assembly. The bale forming assembly has a housing and a baling mechanism contained within an interior space of the housing. The housing has an opening defined therein for receiving wood chips from the chipper assembly. The opening provides access to the interior space of the housing. The baling mechanism is operable to form a bale from the wood chips produced by the chipper assembly.

Abstract: This patent application describes a method to produce wood chips with the intention of reducing the energy consumption in the subsequent process steps for pulp production. With the present method wood chipping is done in a wood chipper where the chipping tool (3) has an angle ? (4) within the interval of 75° to 105° between the fibre direction of the log and the side of the tool which faces the chip (2). Angles in this interval will cause an axially directed compression of the chip which will cause a cracking of the wood during chipping.

Abstract: A new class of plant biomass feedstock particles characterized by consistent piece size and shape uniformity, high skeletal surface area, and good flow properties. The particles of plant biomass material having fibers aligned in a grain are characterized by a length dimension (L) aligned substantially parallel to the grain and defining a substantially uniform distance along the grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) normal to W and L. In particular, the L×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel side surfaces characterized by substantially intact longitudinally arrayed fibers, the W×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel end surfaces characterized by crosscut fibers and end checking between fibers, and the L×W dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces.

Abstract: A wood chipper having a rotatable disc that contains a series of slots that pass through the disc. A primary chipper knife is located at the entrance of each slot which separates slices from a work piece and directs the slices through the slot. A counter knife unit is mounted within each slot for engaging the slices leaving the primary chipper knife to reduce the size of the chips as they move through the slot. The counter knife unit contains a first series of spaced apart chip contact elements that have a first height to contact the slices as they leave the primary chipper knife to reduce the size of the slices. The counter knife further contains a second series of chip contact elements that have a second height that is less than that of the chip contact element in the first series. Each contact element in the second series is arranged to contact chips leaving the contact elements in the first series to further reducing the size of the chips.

Abstract: A novel class of flowable biomass feedstock particles with unusually large surface areas that can be manufactured in remarkably uniform sizes using low-energy comminution techniques. The feedstock particles are roughly parallelepiped in shape and characterized by a length dimension (L) aligned substantially with the grain direction and defining a substantially uniform distance along the grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) normal to W and L. The particles exhibit a disrupted grain structure with prominent end and surface checks that greatly enhances their skeletal surface area as compared to their envelope surface area. The L×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel side surfaces characterized by substantially intact longitudinally arrayed fibers. The W×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel end surfaces characterized by crosscut fibers and end checking between fibers.

Abstract: A novel class of flowable biomass feedstock particles with unusually large surface areas that can be manufactured in remarkably uniform sizes using low-energy comminution techniques. The feedstock particles are roughly parallelepiped in shape and characterized by a length dimension (L) aligned substantially with the grain direction and defining a substantially uniform distance along the grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) normal to W and L. The particles exhibit a disrupted grain structure with prominent end and surface checks that greatly enhances their skeletal surface area as compared to their envelope surface area. The L×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel side surfaces characterized by substantially intact longitudinally arrayed fibers. The W×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel end surfaces characterized by crosscut fibers and end checking between fibers.

Abstract: A combination planer/moulder having means to raise, lower and lock a cutting member at a desired position is provided. The device includes a platform onto which a table for holding materials and an adjustment system are attached. The adjustment system includes at least one column having a rectilinear wall. A cutterhead is provided, having cooperative openings and a locking means, such that it may move along the at least one column of the adjustment system and locked in place. The rectilinear wall of the column cooperates with a similarly shaped opening in the cutterhead, such that by pressing the rectilinear shaped side of the opening against the rectilinear wall of the column the cutterhead may be fixed in desirable positions to permit work on materials and released for adjustment. The device includes a window such that the placement of the cutting knives on the materials can be viewed and debris can be seen and removed therefrom.

Abstract: A wood particle mixture is described especially made from raw wood for an extruded or injection-molded wood-plastic composite material, especially manufactured from wood-plastic compound, which significantly improve the strength properties in a wood plastic composite material. Each wood particle has certain dimensions and certain shaping.

Abstract: A wood chipper having a rotatable disc that contains a series of slots that pass through the disc. A primary chipper knife is located at the entrance of each slot which separates slices from a work piece and directs the slices through the slot. A counter knife unit is mounted within each slot for engaging the slices leaving the primary chipper knife to reduce the size of the chips as they move through the slot. The counter knife unit contains a first series of spaced apart chip contact elements that have a first height to contact the slices as they leave the primary chipper knife to reduce the size of the slices. The counter knife further contains a second series of chip contact elements that have a second height that is less than that of the chip contact element in the first series. Each contact element in the second series is arranged to contact chips leaving the contact elements in the first series to further reducing the size of the chips.

Abstract: A knife and knife assembly for a planer side head. An L or an LV type side planer head is retro-fitted with knives having substantially less mass than the knives originally provided for these heads.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus finishing the surface of a wood piece to appear rough hewn. The apparatus comprises a hand planer having a longitudinal direction, a rotatable cutter head having at least one planning blade and a bottom surface. The bottom surface has a convex curved profile longitudinally along the hand planer. The cutter head extends below the curved profile of the bottom surface. The method comprises simultaneously translating and rocking the hand planer on the bottom surface so as to intermittently engage the cutter head against a surface so as to form a plurality of spaced apart divots therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing flat chips for structurally-oriented wood materials. The method comprises the following method steps: an intermediate product is generated from lignocelluose-containing material; the intermediate product is of a length between 20 and 200 mm; the intermediate product undergoes a hydrothermal treatment; the period of action lasts at least three minutes, while the temperature of action is at least 40° C.; the intermediate product undergoes chipping or splitting.

Abstract: A hood assembly for converting a surface planer between at least two operative modes for expelling chips removed from a workpiece being planed is provided. The hood assembly includes a manifold that is releasably attachable to the carriage assembly. The hood assembly also includes a hood door that is actuatable between at least two operative positions relative to the manifold, thereby providing at least two operative modes for expelling chips from the planer.

Abstract: A carpentry tool comprises an elongated handle and a metal head attached to one end of the handle. The head includes a ferrule adapted to fit over one end of the handle, and first and second cutting portions extending laterally away from opposite sides of the ferrule. The first cutting portion has a width that progressively increases as the distance from the ferrule increases, and terminates in a first single cutting edge. The second cutting portion has a width that progressively decreases as the distance from the ferrule increases, and terminates in a second single cutting edge that is narrower than the first cutting edge.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved method for producing wood flooring. This method comprises providing a roughhewn board having an upper and a lower surface and ripping the board to a desired width thereby providing a long length flooring blank. The method further includes scanning the long length flooring blank to maximize value and recovery and then cutting a dimensional flooring blank based on grade and length. The improved method also comprises automatically sorting the dimensional flooring blank based on grade and length, automatically orienting the dimensional flooring blank for downstream machining, and machining the oriented dimensional flooring blank to provide desired features.

Abstract: The invention relates to an intermediate product, a method for processing the intermediate product and a wood chipping device for processing the intermediate product. The intermediate product is substantially rod shaped and is sized in a range that includes between one and two times as oriented strand (OS) chips. The intermediate product is fed to a wood chipping device. The wood chipping device has a number of blades. The number of blades each have a number of cutting edges that run parallel to a blade ring axis, and which enclose a working chamber. The intermediate product is rotated about the blade ring axis and is aligned in such a way that it lies substantially parallel to the blade ring axis and is pressed by centrifugal force against the cutting edges.

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: Apparatuses, methods, and systems for producing wood chips are disclosed. The invention in one embodiment produces smooth wood chips of generally uniform size and shape, suited for use in making paper, cardboard, and other recyclable materials. An apparatus is disclosed for collecting, aligning and guiding wood scraps through an array of spaced-apart saw blades using a feeder assembly operating on a continual basis. The feeder assembly may include one or more paddle assemblies shaped to align and guide the wood scraps along a feeder path toward the saw blades. A system for controlling the inventive apparatus is also disclosed. A method for reducing wood scraps into cut chips is also disclosed.

Abstract: A two-part blade support base for mounting a chipper knife to a chipper disc wherein the parting line between the upper part and lower part is substantially parallel to a plane defined by the chipper disc. The parting line incorporates a vertical step which transmits shear forces which would cause the upper part to move outwardly of a chip receiving surface. A screw or bolt connects the upper and lower parts of the blade base. The upper part of the blade base may be constructed of a wear resistant material.

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: A method is provided for reconditioning after rehardfacing the wear plates that are used on the mounting face of the knife disc of a disc chipper so that the original dimensions of the wear plate are substantially restored. Also, a wear plate is provided which is reconditioned in accordance with the method. A rear side of the wear plates is machined to incorporate at least one additional groove and into the grooves made on the wear plate rear side are affixed machining allowance strips, whereupon the allowance strips can be machined as required to restore the thickness dimensions of the wear plate.

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: In a method and device for automatically exchanging knife units of a knife ring slicing device, the knife changing magazine is moved relative to the knife ring into a knife changing position in which the knife receptacles of the knife changing magazine are axially aligned with the knife receptacles of the knife ring. The worn knives of the knife ring are moved axially into empty knife receptacles of the knife changing magazine. A relative movement between the knife changing magazine and the knife ring is carried out until the knife changing magazine and the knife ring are again in a knife changing position in which the knife receptacles with resharpened knife units are aligned with the knife receptacles in the knife ring. The resharpened knife units are introduced in the opposite axial direction into the knife receptacles of the knife ring from which the worn knife units had been removed.

Abstract: In a method and device for automatically exchanging knife units of a knife ring slicing device, the knife changing magazine is moved relative to the knife ring into a knife changing position in which the knife receptacles of the knife changing magazine are axially aligned with the knife receptacles of the knife ring. The worn knives of the knife ring are moved axially into empty knife receptacles of the knife changing magazine. A relative movement between the knife changing magazine and the knife ring is carried out until the knife changing magazine and the knife ring are again in a knife changing position in which the knife receptacles with resharpened knife units are aligned with the knife receptacles in the knife ring. The resharpened knife units are introduced in the opposite axial direction into the knife receptacles of the knife ring from which the worn knife units had been removed.

Abstract: In a method and device for automatically exchanging knife units of a knife ring slicing device, the knife changing magazine is moved relative to the knife ring into a knife changing position in which the knife receptacles of the knife changing magazine are axially aligned with the knife receptacles of the knife ring. The worn knives of the knife ring are moved axially into empty knife receptacles of the knife changing magazine. A relative movement between the knife changing magazine and the knife ring is carried out until the knife changing magazine and the knife ring are again in a knife changing position in which the knife receptacles with resharpened knife units are aligned with the knife receptacles in the knife ring. The resharpened knife units are introduced in the opposite axial direction into the knife receptacles of the knife ring from which the worn knife units had been removed.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing an essentially wedge-shaped wood flake comprises a chipping tool rotating about a first, horizontal axis for chipping the flake out of the wood such that the flake has a first, concave surface and a second, convex surface. The flake is delimited between the surfaces. A circular saw blade is provided rotating about a second, vertical axis for removing wood in an area in which the surfaces intersect in an imaginary tip, prior to the chipping out.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for setting the conditions in the feed chute of a disc chipper according to the size of wood to be chipped. The position of the chipping anvil at the outlet end of the chute is changed in a plane which is essentially parallel to the plane of the knife disc in regard to a diagonal of the knife disc parallel to the plane of the anvil so that the inclination of the chipping plane of the anvil towards the blade disk remains substantially unchanged. Furthermore, the position of the feed chute bottom in the chipper may be adjusted to comply with the changed position of the chipping plane, where necessary.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for planing an article of wood. Specifically disclosed is a cutting head adapted for rotation about an axis, and at least one elongate knife including a linear cutting edge for cutting the wood. The cutting edge terminates at opposite ends of the knife in respective tips. The knife is held by the cutting head so that each tip is rotated about the axis of rotation at the same fixed radius. However, the cutting edge is misaligned by a predetermined bias angle with respect to the axis of rotation. Where a plurality of the cutting heads are stacked or ganged together, preferably, the angle of misalignment for the knives of some of the cutting heads is reversed from the angle of misalignment for the knives of others of the cutting heads.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for reconditioning after rehardfacing the wear plates that are used on the mounting face of the knife disc of a disc chipper so that the original dimensions of the wear plate are substantially restored and further to a wear plate reconditioned in accordance with the method. According to the invention, the rear side (9) of the wear plates is machined to incorporate at least one additional groove (14; 14′, 19) and into the grooves (12 and 14; 14′, 19) made on the wear plate rear side are affixed machining allowance strips (16, 17), whereupon the allowance strips can be machined as required to restore the thickness dimensions of the wear plate.

Abstract: An adjustable profiling head for a wood cutting apparatus. There is a first body portion for carrying a plurality of first knives and a second body portion for carrying a plurality of second knives. The cutting edges of the knives define respective cutting surfaces of revolution about an axis that have different mean diameters for the two body portions. In one aspect of the invention, the body portions are adapted to receive the respective knives by associated knife clamping mechanisms that are adapted to be removably mounted to the body portions with one or more first control plates therebetween, for adjusting the radial positioning of the knives. In another aspect of the invention, the body portions are adapted to be removably mounted to each other so that the body portions are disposed axially adjacent one another with one or more second control plates therebetween, for adjusting the relative axial positioning of the knives of one of the body portions with respect to the knives of the other body portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for profiling a log. In a profiler having first and second knives disposed on a rotating disc, a mounting member is adapted to mountably receive both the first and second knives so that each blade has a point on its cutting edge that is proximate a point that is on the cutting edge of the other knives. Preferably, the points are end most points and abut one another.

Abstract: An adjustable profiling head for a wood cutting apparatus. There is a first body portion for carrying a plurality of first knives and a second body portion for carrying a plurality of second knives. The cutting edges of the knives define respective cutting surfaces of revolution about an axis that have different mean diameters for the two body portions. In one aspect of the invention, the body portions are adapted to receive the respective knives by associated knife clamping mechanisms that are adapted to be removably mounted to the body portions with one or more first control plates therebetween, for adjusting the radial positioning of the knives. In another aspect of the invention, the body portions are adapted to be removably mounted to each other so that the body portions are disposed axially adjacent one another with one or more second control plates therebetween, for adjusting the relative axial positioning of the knives of one of the body portions with respect to the knives of the other body portion.

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.