Abstract: In various embodiments, a scanner optimizer system may generate a virtual model of a predicted flitch based on a 3D model of a log/cant and a cut solution for the log/cant. The scanner optimizer system may compare a virtual model of an actual flitch to virtual models of predicted flitches by comparing data points at a fixed elevation relative to one or both faces of the models. Based on the comparisons, the scanner optimizer system may identify the source log from which the actual flitch was cut. In addition, the scanner optimizer system may identify the saw used to cut the actual flitch, and/or other relevant information, and use the additional information to monitor and adjust the saws and other equipment. Embodiments of corresponding apparatuses and methods are also described.

Abstract: The present invention therefore provides an improved apparatus and integrated method for producing barrel staves. The apparatus measures the profile of unfinished stave workpieces and based on the width and shape of the stave, as well as other parameters such as the type of barrel that is required, the edges of the stave are trimmed accordingly. This ensures fewer rejected staves, less waste in that the width of the unfinished stave is continuously measured across its entire length with minimum depth of cut required, and most importantly, barrel staves having extremely accurate jointed edges ensuring superior finished barrels have an internal surface that is free from undesirable spacing between the staves, utilizing less labor than hitherto known apparatus.

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

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cutting a log into pieces. The log is cut into pieces with at least two nearly diametrical cuts (S1, S2), where the outermost lie essentially symmetrically around the pith of the stock. Each so-obtained plank is edged (S7, S8) with the outer side as a reference for the trimming direction. Two planks are formed through a cut (S9, S10) being placed near to the pith essentially parallel with each edged outer side. The cutting is performed on the outermost part of the log with the alignment cut (S3, S4) essentially parallel with the nearly diametrical cuts (S1, S2) preferably in the same operation as the cutting into pieces with the nearly diametrical cuts. Each block with the alignment cut (S3, S4) is conveyed through at least one twin-bladed saw, the cuts of which are inclined with respect to the base surface of the block, for example 30° and cut essentially radially symmetrically around the position of the pith.

Abstract: An apparatus for sequentially and automatically cutting a piece of dimension lumber at a number of predetermined angles to produce a building component, such as a rafter or truss web or chord, with composite or compound angles, is disclosed. The apparatus includes infeed and outfeed tables tiltable about a longitudinal axis and equipped with fences along which a workpiece moves longitudinally via moving devices. Clamps hold the workpiece at different positions relative to a cutting station during a cutting operation. A cutter, which for example includes a circular saw blade, is mounted for a positioning movement about a vertical axis at the cutting station, as well as for vertical movement to cut a workpiece at a predetermined composite or compound angle.

Abstract: Procedure for working curved tree trunks by chipping into timber products, such as boards and cants, in which procedure the trunk (T) is crook-chipped and a straight side board (S1) is edged at the same time. The invention also relates to an apparatus for implementing the procedure.

Abstract: A method of position-based integrated motion controlled curve sawing includes the steps of: transporting a curved workpiece in a downstream direction on a transfer, and monitoring position of the workpiece on the transfer, scanning the workpiece through an upstream scanner to measure workpiece profiles in spaced apart array, along a surface of the workpiece and communicating the workpiece profiles to a digital processor, computing by the digital processor, a high order polynomial smoothing curve fitted to the array of workpiece profiles of the curved workpiece, and adjusting the smoothing curve for cutting machine constraints of downstream motion controlled cutting devices to generate an adjusted curve generating unique position cams unique to the workpiece from the adjusted curve for optimized cutting by the cutting devices along a tool path corresponding to the position cams, sequencing the transfer and the workpiece with the cutting devices, and sequencing the unique position cams corresponding to the work

Abstract: A method of position-based integrated motion controlled curve sawing includes the steps of: transporting a curved workpiece in a downstream direction on a transfer, and monitoring position of the workpiece on the transfer, scanning the workpiece through an upstream scanner to measure workpiece profiles in spaced apart array, along a surface of the workpiece and communicating the workpiece profiles to a digital processor, computing by the digital processor, a high order polynomial smoothing curve fitted to the array of workpiece profiles of the curved workpiece, and adjusting the smoothing curve for cutting machine constraints of downstream motion controlled cutting devices to generate an adjusted curve generating unique position cams unique to the workpiece from the adjusted curve for optimized cutting by the cutting devices along a tool path corresponding to the position cams, sequencing the transfer and the workpiece with the cutting devices, and sequencing the unique position cams corresponding to the work

Abstract: A method of position-based integrated motion controlled curve sawing includes the steps of: transporting a curved workpiece in a downstream direction on a transfer, and monitoring position of the workpiece on the transfer, scanning the workpiece through an upstream scanner to measure workpiece profiles in spaced apart array, along a surface of the workpiece and communicating the workpiece profiles to a digital processor, computing by the digital processor, a high order polynomial smoothing curve fitted to the array of workpiece profiles of the curved workpiece, and adjusting the smoothing curve for cutting machine constraints of downstream motion controlled cutting devices to generate an adjusted curve generating unique position cams unique to the workpiece from the adjusted curve for optimized cutting by the cutting devices along a tool path corresponding to the position cams, sequencing the transfer and the workpiece with the cutting devices, and sequencing the unique position cams corresponding to the work

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: A method and apparatus for around the curve sawing is shown and described wherein a group of roller assemblies are positionable along a selected semicircular path having a point of tangency relative to lines of cut provided by an assembly of cutting blades whereby each roller assembly provides a transport path normal to the axes of rotation for each roller assembly and tangent to the selected semicircular path. Upon actuation of the roller assemblies, as positioned along the selected semicircular path, the wood product, as captured between rollers of the roller assemblies, moves along the selected semicircular path and into the cutting device for cutting along concentric lines of cut. The method and apparatus is particularly well suited for use with tree species having irregularly shaped protrusions and formations deviating from an idealized curved centerline of the log or cant.

Abstract: A process for producing beams of square cross-section from tree boles or the like is characterized in that plano-convex slabs are severed in parallel to the hart zone of the boles. An apparatus for performing the process is characterized in that the boles (2) are supported by height-adjustable supports (9, 10) in such a way that the heart zone (8) is congruent with the preferably horizontal feeding direction of the bole (2). Thereby, the thus-produced square beam (7) is defined by planes parallel to the heart zone.

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: A method serves for flattening logs (10) showing a curved longitudinal center line (10a). The logs (10) are conveyed in horizontal position in their longitudinal direction, with their convex side (11) up and their concave side (12) down. The concave side (11) of the logs (10) is flattened from below in the area of their butt ends (27). In order to optimize the yield in wood, the logs (10) are measured before carrying out the flattening step, in a position where they are supported on a reference plane (13) by the end points (20, 22) of their concave side (12) only. The geometrical position of a first point (26) of the log (10) is determined on the convex side (11) as its elevation above the reference plane (13).

Abstract: A system of optimizing the volume of boards that may be cut from a log provides for one surface of a cant to be cut with a curved or straight surface. This takes into account curved, tapered or straight logs. The system comprises a scanner positioned to scan the log and determine an optimum cut surface profile, a cutting head positioned to cut the top surface of the log, the cutting head having relative vertical movement to the top surface, a conveyor to convey the log passed the scanner and the cutting head, and a controller to control the relative movement of the cutting head in accordance with the signal from the scanner to produce the predetermined optimum cut surface profile for the top surface of the log.

Abstract: A controller for a head rig edger saw for sawing the edges of a board that is cut from a log by a head saw includes a detector for determining the surface contour of the log to be sawed, along a line displaced from the face of the log; a computer device for selecting an edger saw line through the log from the surface contour to produce a board satisfying predetermined criteria; and an edger saw controller connected to the computing device for providing control signals to the edger for causing the saw to cut the board along the selected line.

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 log sawing and cutting apparatus has a knife head which serves as a cutting tool for the production of wood chips and a coaxial circular sawblade which serves to saw off at least one side board. The knife head is connected with a hollow shaft. The saw shaft is connected to a saw shaft and is pivoted and axially displaceably supported in the hollow shaft. The saw shaft is connected with a drive apparatus which provides a higher spped than the hollow shaft.

Abstract: A process which enables boards with unfinished edges or edges still covered with bark to be split up easily and rapidly is suggested.After clamping for performance of the trimming cut, the board is gripped at its unfinished edge located opposite to the unfinished edge to be severed, and is prevented from displacement in the longitudinal direction and from pivoting in its bearing plane. For performance of consecutive separating cuts, the board is then displaced in the transverse direction in such a way that the remaining unfinished edge approaches the cutting plane.The advantage of this process is that boards need only be trimmed on one longitudinal side, and the separating cuts may be made subsequently, with the other unfinished edge being left over at the end as remainder.

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 machine for removing root swellings on tree logs comprises a holding device (2) for supporting the log generally from below with an end portion (4) thereof protruding freely from the holding device. Furthermore, the holding device is adapted to cause the log to rotate. A rotatable milling unit (5) has peripherically or externally located processing elements and is located for processing the protruding end portion of the log from below. The holding device has bearing members (6, 6a) operable for moving the log between an upper position and a lower position. The bearing members are located in such a way relative to the milling unit that a log resting on the bearing members on lowering thereof will enter into contact with the milling unit, which is stationarily mounted to a frame of the machine.

Abstract: Log processing positioning apparatus in which a log is brought to pass along a path from an input end of the same and through a log processing device at an output end of the path provided to divide the log into wood products. Between the input end and the processing device a scanner is provided to register the dimensions and shape of the log passing through the scanner. A computer is provided to receive and analyze the values registered by the scanner and relating to the dimensions and shape of the log by means of a program directed towards a number of cutting patterns and the position of the log in the processing device in order to divide the log into wood products so that the maximum yield is obtained. A first positioning device is provided to feed the log along the path, to move it transversally to the extension of the path and to turn the log along its longitudinal axis and provided to be governed by the computer in order to give the log said intended position.

Abstract: In a milling apparatus for removing root swellings from timber logs the log is received on two spaced apart supports with the butt-end of the logs freely overhanging from the supports. A holder-on urges the log against the supports. The holder-on as well as the supports comprise means for rotating the log relative to the holder-on as well as the supports. Under the overhanging butt-end of the log a milling cutter cylinder is arranged for machining the rotating log on the bottom side of the log so as to remove the swellings but no useful wood material.