Abstract: A log processor and log processing method scans a log (L) at a first station (18) so that the longitudinal centerline (32) and a sawing scheme for the log can be automatically determined by a controller (4). The log is oriented at a second station (24) so that the longitudinal centerline is oriented with respect to a vertical plane passing through the feed line. The position of the log is automatically adjusted at third and fourth stations (36, 42) so that the saw blade path (56) through the log is generally parallel to the feed line as the log passes a log exit (12) and through a saw (14). The sawing scheme can include variable tapering sawing from split taper sawing to full taper sawing. Differential steering chain assemblies (37) may be used at the fourth station and may each include continuous loop, log-engaging chains (106) which engage the log above and below the log. Log chipping, profiling heads (62) may be used on either side of the feed line, such as at a fifth station.

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: The invention relates to a work center for wood working including: a support base (1) for the pieces to be worked; a structure (6), mobile along said base in the direction of a first numerically controlled axis (X); a support (12) of a tool group (13) mounted on said structure and mobile, under numeric control, along a second axis orthogonal the first two, wherein a second tool group (15) is provided, mounted on said support (12), said second tool group (15) being mobile between a first position in which it fits completely within said support (12) and a second position in which said second tool group protrudes from the said support (12). According to a second preferred embodiment, the machine includes, mounted onto the same structure (6), a second carriage mobile along said second axis and supporting a second tool group mobile along said third axis (Z) orthogonal to the first two.

Abstract: The two boom members and hydraulic cylinders of a knuckle boom tree harvesting machine are so arranged and proportioned that with a single control movement during reaching and retracting actions the working tool head is made to travel in an approximately horizontal path. The cylinders and control valve are so connected that during horizontal reaching action load-supporting pressurized oil from a collapsing cylinder is not required to be dumped to the reservoir in the conventional heat generating manner, but is rather shunted directly to an extending cylinder where it continues to do useful load support work. Energy waste to hydraulic oil heat and fuel consumption is significantly reduced. Although these advances have been particularly developed for disc saw felling and stroke delimbing of trees they can also be applied to other knuckle boom applications where horizontal reaching is a major function.

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

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

Abstract: The present invention relates to a barking machine which comprises a frame (1), barking rotor (2), which is rotably mounted on the frame (1) and which barking rotor comprises a rotor frame (3), barking blades (4) mounted on the rotor frame (3), and a first power unit (5) mounted on the rotor frame (3) that is connected to the barking blades (T) for transferring the barking force into them. According to the invention, in the barking rotor there is arranged an adjustment device (6) movable with respect to the rotor frame, and a second power unit (7) which is mounted on the frame (3) for transmitting the barking force via the first power unit (5) to the barking blades (4). This solution enables one to adjust the barking depth of the barking blades without stopping the barking rotor.

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: The present invention provides an apparatus and method of processing logs. The apparatus includes a linkage having a boom and a stick. The boom is adapted for attachment to a support platform. A delimbing assembly is connected to the boom, and a loading assembly is connected to the stick. The method includes the steps of picking up a log, delimbing the log, and placing the log into a desired position.

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 furniture surface includes a new solid wood substrate, a two-color silk screened image on the substrate, and a CNC-carved and embossed indentation in the substrate that provides a relief effect located in reference to the printed image so as to make a composite ornamentation on the substrate that makes the substrate look antique.

Abstract: A door preparation station includes a data processing control system that drives a display for presenting sequential series of menu selections that illicit operator information that is used as control data to configure the station for preparing a door for receipt of predetermined door hardware (e.g., locks, hinges, etc.) of one type or another. Based upon responses received at the menu selections, the processing system positions and operates various door preparation cutting and drilling elements for the door preparation procedure.

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

Abstract: An electronic control system for a planing or sanding machine is disclosed. The system uses twin linear measuring devices and twin motor-driven drive-systems, integrated by a computer or other electronic device, to independently monitor and control the position of each end of the planing or sanding head.

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

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

Abstract: The two boom members and hydraulic cylinders of a knuckle boom tree harvesting machine are so arranged and proportioned that with a single control movement during reaching and retracting actions the working tool head is made to travel in an approximately horizontal path. The cylinders and control valve are so connected that during horizontal reaching action load-supporting pressurized oil from a collapsing cylinder is not required to be dumped to the reservoir in the conventional heat generating manner, but is rather shunted directly to an extending cylinder where it continues to do useful load support work. Energy waste to hydraulic oil heat and fuel consumption is significantly reduced. Although these advances have been particularly developed for disc saw felling and stroke delimbing of trees they can also be applied to other knuckle boom applications where horizontal reaching is a major function.

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: A machining system and an associated method for forming a non-metallic part including a headstock assembly and a tailstock assembly, the headstock assembly and the tailstock assembly being axially aligned along a headstock-tailstock axis, the headstock assembly and the tailstock assembly together operable for rotatably supporting the part. The system also including a base operable for movably supporting the headstock assembly and the tailstock assembly. The system further including at least one accessory carrier movably coupled to the base, the at least one accessory carrier including at least one accessory operable for assisting in the loading, stabilizing, and unloading of a workpiece. The system further including a plurality of tool changers movably coupled to the base, each of the plurality of tool changers including a plurality of tools operable for machining surfaces of the workpiece and forming the part.

Abstract: A method and a system for forestry, in particular harvesting by means of a harvesting machine comprising a vehicle and a harvesting arrangement mounted thereon, is based on the fact that at least one position determining device (5), capable of determining the positioning of the harvesting machine by means of external wirelessly receivable signals, is arranged on the harvesting machine (1). A marking device adapted to apply a marking on pieces of timber obtained from trees is arranged on the harvesting machine. A control unit (8), suitably a computer, is arranged on the harvesting machine to control the marking device to mark the piece of timber with position information or a code corresponding thereto by means of position information received from the position determining device (5).

Abstract: In a control method of a tree harvesting machine, the tree harvesting machine comprises a tree-supporting part (1) with a feeding means (2) for feeding the tree in its longitudinal direction and a cross-cutting saw (5) for cutting the tree at selected locations. The part (1) is supported by a boom assembly (6) or the like. At the moment of action of the cross-cutting saw (5), the tree-supporting part (1) is moved by means of the control automatics of the tree harvesting machine in such a way that the force caused by the weight of the tree, tending to bend the tree at the cutting point and thereby tending to cleave the tree, is compensated at least partly.

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

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

Abstract: An automated system and process for managing building materials which requires a minimal amount of manual labor and supervision. The automated system and method are especially suited for precutting lumber used for building trusses and frames having predetermined specifications.

Abstract: An active edger includes an actively positionable gangsaw or a first end saw mounted on an arbor mounted within a stationary saw box. The gangsaw or first end saw is actively positionable relative to the saw box. In a second embodiment, the gangsaw or first end saw is mounted on an arbor in fixed translational and skewing relation relative to, and within, an actively positionable saw box. The actively positionable gangsaw is selectively actively laterally translatable and selectively actively rotatable so as to skew the gangsaw relative to the saw box. In both embodiments, the saw box receives a workpiece, longitudinally conveyed in a downstream direction, longitudinally into the gangsaw or first end saw from an upstream position.

Abstract: A device for machining workpieces of wood or plastic has at least one spindle having a spindle axis and being moveable transverse to the spindle axis relative to a reference plane. A machining tool having cutting edges is provided. The machining tool is seated on the spindle. At least one measuring device is provided for correctly positioning the cutting edges relative to the reference plane. Correct positioning is achieved by moving the spindle in a direction transverse to the spindle axis and detecting by the measuring device a preset position of the cutting edges of the machining tool relative to the reference plane and generating a switch-off signal when the cutting edges of the matching tool are in the preset position.

Abstract: The automatic pallet collar apparatus comprises a frame that has a fixed rail and a movable rail to adjust the width of the frame. A rotatable driving member is in operative engagement with the frame to move forward a set of wood members. A downstream cutting station cut the wood members into a precise length. The drilling station drills holes into the wood member and rivets are dropped into the holes at the rivet mounting station. A downstream turner station turns each wood member downside up and a hinge is positioned onto the rivets at the hinge mounting station. The rivets are then fastened to firm hold the hinge to the wood member. A suitable logo may be printed in the screen printing station and the finished pallet collar components are then stacked at the stacker station.

Abstract: A shaping machine has at least one rotatably driven spindle having a conical receiving opening. A tool is provided. A conical member is mounted in the receiving opening, wherein the tool is secured by the conical member to the spindle. A clamping device clamps the conical member in the receiving opening, wherein the tool is supported on an end face of the spindle.

Abstract: A safety system for a stump cutter machine which comprises a swing out operator's control console equipped with an interlock to prevent rotation of the stump cutter wheel when not locked into the operating configuration, and a restraint means to hinder and prevent full use of the controls when the stump cutter is not in the operating configuration.

Abstract: The articulated boom and utility head for manipulating objects underwater of the present invention includes an articulated arm mounted at a first end thereof to a free floating platform, and a remotely operable utility head mountable at a second end of the arm. At least one sensor for relaying sensed information from the sensor to a remote operator or processor is mounted to the articulated arm. The sensed information is transmitted in real time as the arm remotely operated under water.

Abstract: A workpiece positioning device for translating elongate workpieces conveyed on a first workpiece conveyor in a conveyance direction and for positioning the elongate workpieces on an adjacent second workpiece conveyor, wherein the elongate workpieces are generally laterally aligned across the first workpiece conveyor, generally perpendicular to the conveyance direction, has a selectively actuable rotatable member extending between the first and second workpiece conveyors, rotatable so as to translate workpiece engaging means, coordinated by coordinating means, into engagement with an elongate workpiece at a workpiece engaging position on the first workpiece conveyor generally at an end of the first workpiece conveyor adjacent the second workpiece conveyor, and to translate the workpiece engaging means and the elongate workpiece so engaged from the first workpiece conveyor to the second workpiece conveyor so as to position the elongate workpiece on the second workpiece conveyor.

Abstract: A centerless rotary veneer lathe comprises a slidable backup device which is disposed on the opposite side of a peeler log from a knife carriage of the lathe. The backup device has a pair rotatable rolls located one above the other with the axes thereof extending in parallel to the axis of the log. The paired rolls are disposed such that the axes of such two rolls are spaced at substantially the same distance from an imaginary line extending perpendicularly to the axis of the log and in parallel to the direction in which the backup device is moved. In operation of the veneer lathe with the rolls set in contact with the log periphery, the knife carriage and the backup device are moved synchronously at such a variable controlled rate that causes peeling of veneer with a predetermined thickness.

Abstract: An apparatus for sequenced or simultaneous feeding of a plurality of flitches to a board edger includes a sequencing conveyor for sequenced feeding of flitches in a horizontal first direction, the flitches oriented in a horizontal second direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction, the flitches fed sequentially into first or second adjacent parallel holding locations, a selectively actuable transfer device for selective transfer of a first fitch in the first direction from either of the first or second adjacent parallel holding locations onto a first edger feeder, and a second edger feeder parallel and adjacent to the first edger feeder, the first and second parallel adjacent edger feeders for selective sequential or simultaneous feeding into an edger according to a feed controller for (i) controlling the sequential or simultaneous feeding of the first flitch on the first edger feeder, and (ii) controlling the sequential or simultaneous feeding of a second flitch transferred from the first or se

Abstract: A production line for manufacturing wooden I-beams wherein a pair of grooved flanges are conveyed along opposite left and right sides of a train of web members and converged so that the web longitudinal edges are inserted into the flange grooves is disclosed. The flanges are moved along left and right hand chutes of the assembly machine with plural vertical flange drive rolls engaging the wider flange faces for improved traction. These flange drive rolls and the chutes are mounted to the machine base with a lateral adjustment mechanism permitting center justified adjusting movement relative to the machine center line. The lateral adjustment mechanism utilizes a series of lead screws each formed with left and right handed threaded portions engageable with a threaded nut attached to each chute. A pair of web bottom rails are vertically adjustable in elevation with plural vertical column screws connected between the machine base and the support rails.

Abstract: A router machine for making repetitive router cuts at predetermined positions on one or two workpieces. The router machine has a free standing main frame with an open work horizontal platform for supporting said one or two workpieces. The platform has a longitudinal front edge with a fence therealong. Clamping mechanisms for clamping the one or two workpieces at the predetermined positions. A workpiece feed mechanism for advancing the one or two workpieces to each of the predetermine positions. A pair of routers are provided having vertically oriented, opposed, coaxial bits. A movable support assembly supports the routers. The routers are shiftable vertically on the support assembly toward each other to an extended cutting position and away from each other to a retracted non-cutting position.