Abstract: In preferred embodiments the invention includes a transverse board conveyor, a board extrusion portion, a marking station a sawing portion, and one or more board feeding portions, all of which are controlled by a process controller. In such, preferred embodiments, one or more stacks of boards are serially fed onto the transverse board conveyor and are conveyed in a direction transverse to the length of the boards. The boards are individually deposited into an elongate receiver of a board extrusion portion to be conveyed longitudinally. A carriage in the receiver transports the boards past an end detection station, past a marking station, and to a sawing station. The carriage has a moveable clamping member which pinches the board between a wall of the receiver and the clamping member. The carriage moves down the receiver with the board clamped thereto conveying the board in a longitudinal direction to position the board in a desired position for sawing the board.

Abstract: A board trimmer having pre-trimmer saws includes a selectively translatable upstream first pre-trimmer saw mounted on a near-side of a board flow path of a board transfer, upstream of a downstream multi-saw board trimmer. The pre-trimmer saw is selectively translatable by an actuator for translation linearly parallel to a near-side ended board on the board transfer. The pre-trimmer saw is perpendicular to the board when on the board transfer. A board elevator may be mounted below the board flow path and the pre-trimmer saw for elevating the board from a sequence of single boards from the board transfer into sawing engagement with the pre-trimmer saw once the pre-trimmer saw has been pre-positioned by the actuator into an optimized cutting path. Trimming of the board in the flow path is done according to an optimized solution for trimming the board.

Abstract: A punched adhesive tape for semiconductor which is made by punching an adhesive tape comprising a base film and an adhesive layer provided on one or each side of the base film to mark the regions in the adhesive tape where contaminants or defects are contained; a method of producing an adhesive tape-bearing lead frame by punching the punched adhesive tape for semiconductor, with the parts containing the punched holes skipped over, and applying the adhesive tape pieces punched out from the punched adhesive tape for semiconductor to a lead frame; a semiconductor device fabricated by using the adhesive-bearing lead frame.

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. The system comprises, at the infeed and outfeed ends of the unit, laterally moveable roller means 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, thereby causing the saws or cutters to follow along a controlled curve in relation to the natural curvature of said cant.

Abstract: A system and method for fabricating a polarizer for use in an LCD, which includes cutting said polarizer so that an absorption axis of the polarizer is aligned with an edge of the polarizer by using an optical sensor, coupled to a cutting machine, where the optical sensor uses a rotating reference polarizer to determine a null point of transmission through the polarizer and thereby determine any offset of the absorption axis with respect to an edge of the polarizer.

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: A cutting apparatus for cants of non-uniform original dimensions includes a pair of band saws at a cutting station through which a cant passes along a path; each band saw is mounted on a carriage that is mounted for movement relative to the path and actuating piston and cylinder devices are used to move each carriage in response to data fed to a control computer from a cant scan.

Abstract: Ultrasonic techniques are applied to the measurement of wooden members to detect splitting during sawing operations and thereby allow modification of a sawing technique or change in saw cut placement.

Abstract: A method and system of cutting parts from sheet material comprising a numerically-controlled cutting system having a cutting tool for cutting along a path, the method comprising the steps of: (a) placing a plurality of templates which define the shapes and sizes of the parts to be cut upon the sheet material while minimizing the spaces between the templates to form a closely-packed marker; (b) entering the marker into a pre-processor; (c) detecting common lines and tangencies between templates in the marker; (d) determining a path and speed for said cutting tool; and (e) directing the cutting tool in accordance with the path and speed such that the parts are cut from the sheet material. The pre-processor identifies critical segments of the cutting path where cutting difficulties may arise and modifies the data that guide the cutting tool for more accurate cutting through the critical segments.

Abstract: An apparatus and methodology are presented for automatically infeeding workpieces to a saw. A first workpiece is selected at an input station. A servo-driven friction belt system is connected to the input station, and advances the workpiece under a laser projection system. The laser projection system projects a laser pattern onto the workpiece, the laser pattern corresponding to one of a plurality of patterns corresponding to the blade configuration of a fixed arbor gang rip saw. Finally, there is a pinch roller system for removing the workpiece from the friction belt system and moving the workpiece into the saw, while maintaining the workpiece's orientation under the laser pattern. Also provided is a sensor for measuring the board width while moving on the servo-driven friction belt system, where the width is input to a computer controlling the friction belt system and which determines the optimum laser pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning lumber pieces for end trimming, by means of a succession of gates mounted on traveling chains set at a converging angle with the even end line of uniformly spaced lumber pieces carried transversely on parallel chains towards a multiple saw trimmer. The positioning is accomplished by any one gate pushing against the end of a lumber piece and then retracting when the lumber piece has reached the appropriate position for cutting by stationary trimming saws. The positioning process and the saw selection for each cut are scanner/computer controlled.

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: A lumber trimming device for trimming elongate workpieces conveyed on an infeed conveyor in a laterally disposed orientation relative to an infeed direction. The lumber trimming device includes a gang of laterally spaced apart drop saws wherein the drop saws are independently actuable according to generally optimized trimming instructions from an optimizer. At least on end-trimming saw is mounted adjacent the gang. The end-trimming saw or saws is or are selectively laterally translatable according to optimized end-trimming instructions from the optimizer so as to cooperate with the gang. The end-trimming saw or saws cooperate with the optimizer and the drop saws so that a first drop saw of the drop saws is actuated simultaneously with optimized lateral positioning of a first end-trimming saw so as to trim a first workpiece of the workpieces on the infeed conveyor simultaneously by both the first drop saw in a first trim cut and the first end-trimming saw in a second trim cut.

Abstract: A printing plate made of rolled sheet metal strip for extra-wide machines with an increased service life is made having a length and width arranged obliquely to the rolling direction of the sheet metal. A process for producing rectangular panels from rolled sheet metal strip with main directions running obliquely with respect to the rolling direction to produce such printing plates includes cutting the sides of the rectangular panels obliquely to the rolling direction of the sheet metal strip.

Abstract: A board trimmer having pre-trimmer saws includes a selectively translatable upstream first pre-trimmer saw mounted on a near-side of a board flow path of a board transfer, upstream of a downstream multi-saw board trimmer. The pre-trimmer saw is selectively translatable by an actuator for translation linearly parallel to a near-side ended board on the board transfer. The pre-trimmer saw is perpendicular to the board when on the board transfer. A board elevator may be mounted below the board flow path and the pre-trimmer saw for elevating the board from a sequence of single boards from the board transfer into sawing engagement with the pre-trimmer saw once the pre-trimmer saw has been prepositioned by the actuator into an optimized cutting path. Trimming of the board in the flow path is done according to an optimized solution for trimming the board.

Abstract: A board positioning device selectively positions in a lateral direction in a generally horizontal plane a board translating in a longitudinal direction in the horizontal plane, wherein the board is aligned along its length in the lateral direction. The device includes a stepped fence, which may be selectively positionable, lying generally in the horizontal plane. A fence positioner cylinder may selectively position the stepped fence in the lateral direction in the horizontal plane so as to position one step of a plurality of steps on the fence to correspond to a desired transition path so as to position the end of the board at a board optimizing position as determined by an optimizer, whereby the board may be laterally, selectively positioned into an optimized position relative to trimmer saws located downstream from the stepped fence in the longitudinal direction when the board is urged laterally against the stepped fence by ending rolls.

Abstract: Ultrasonic techniques are applied to the measurement of wooden members to detect splitting during sawing operations and thereby allow modification of sawing technique or change in saw cut placement.

Abstract: A log processing system contains a row of tipple units for supporting a log to be cut into programmed lengths by saws swing-mounted on carriages selectively positioned on a truck extending beside said row. Each tipple unit has two oppositely extending wings each independently moveable between upwardly sloped and downwardly sloped positions. The tipple units at the cutting positions have their wings lowered out of the cutting range of the saws. Log hold-down arms operate from the carriages in conjunction with the saws.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for processing an Engine Wood Product member. The member is moved to a home position in a driving unit and the length of the EWP member is automatically measured by moving the EWP member from the home position while engaging the EWP member with a measuring assembly including a measuring wheel having a smooth hard facing, the facing contacting the EWP member. The member is moved to a first cutting position and cut to a predetermined length. Activating one or more position sensor devices, at least one of the position sensor devices positioned such that the EWP member engages the position sensor device while the member is in the home position, the length of the member is determined as it is moved from the home position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simultaneously orienting and positioning first and second different boards, and for feeding the first and second boards along first and second saw axes, respectively, into at least one saw feeds sets of at least two boards at a time to increase the piece rate, while orienting and positioning each board individually to increase the yield rate. A lateral feed mechanism displaces the boards in laterally to a staging area. A first pair of movable stops cooperatively and independently moves to orient and position the first board axis parallel with a first alignment axes. Similarly, a second pair of movable stops cooperatively and independently moves to orient and position the second board axis parallel with a second alignment axes. A moveable displacement arm moves in the lateral direction between the staging area and a feed area for engaging and simultaneously displacing the boards together from the staging area to the feed area.

Abstract: A rectangular glass workpiece positioning system and method of use for a cutting table is disclosed. A conveyor transports a rectangular glass workpiece in a transporting direction. A stop mechanism is adapted to abut an edge of the glass workpiece which is positioned substantially perpendicular to the transporting direction of the conveyor. A movable edge sensor is adapted to sense an edge of the glass workpiece extending substantially parallel to the transporting direction with the movable edge sensor movable at least perpendicular to the transporting direction. A movable cutting head is provided for cutting the glass workpiece according to a predetermined pattern. The present invention additionally includes a method of retrofitting existing cutting tables.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting pieces of material from a workpiece, such as a web of patterned fabric, which includes irregularities or which is misaligned with respect to a coordinate system of the cutting apparatus. The workpiece is spread on a cutting table where it is cut by a numerically controlled cutter in accord with an electronic marker stored in the cutter controller. The marker is matched to the workpiece and appropriate adjustments are made to the marker before the workpiece is cut. A laser, operatively connected to the controller, projects a match target onto the workpiece at a point corresponding to a selected point on the marker. The marker is then adjusted such that the selected point coincides with a desired location on the workpiece. Adjustment is achieved by electronically displacing the match target from a non preferred location to a preferred one. Software in the controller translates this displacement into appropriate adjustments to the marker.