The technology disclosed relates a robotic workstations and methods for cutting timber. The robotic saw workstation can achieve improved cutting of timber. In one configuration, the robotic saw workstation includes a robot manipulator capable of moving an end effector adapter plate to points in a three-dimensional work volume under programed control of a programmable robot controller executing stored instructions. A cutting head is affixed to the end effector adapter plate. The cutting head further includes a support structure; a rotatable shaft; a blade coupled to the rotatable shaft; and a motor coupled to the rotatable shaft for driving the blade. Configurations include multiple manipulators disposed to make multiple cuts in a log substantially contemporaneously, cutting heads implementing circular, band or chain sawing mechanisms, continuous or batch-feeding of logs into and out of the workstations.

An integrated approach to the production and supply chain from forest to end use products, including growing trees, logging trees, and processing logs that maximises production of higher value products and minimises costs and 5 waste is critical to a sustainable timber industry.

An integrated approach to the production and supply chain from forest to end use products, including growing trees, logging trees, and processing logs that maximises production of higher value products and minimises costs and 5 waste is critical to a sustainable timber industry.

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.

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.

Embodiments of a system for shape sawing wood may include a feed unit and a saw box pivotably coupled to, and suspended from, one end of the feed unit. The saw box may be coupled to the side walls of the feed unit by pivot pins that define a rotational axis. A motor may be mounted to one side of the saw box to drive a saw arbor in rotation. The system may include an actuator that is selectively actuable to pivot the saw box about the rotational axis relative to the feed unit. Another actuator may be provided to move the saw box laterally along the pivot members. The feed unit may be slideably mounted on rails and selectively movable along the rails relative to a feed axis that extends through the saw box and the feed unit.

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.

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.

In various embodiments, a splitter profiler apparatus may include at least one profiler head and at least one circular saw mounted to a common arbor. The circular saw may be mounted to a saw arm, and the saw arm may be coupled with an actuator that is selectively operable to move the circular saw along the arbor. The circular saw may be used in a profiling position, in which the circular saw and profiler head are in close proximity, such that the profiler head and circular saw function collectively to form a sideboard edge with a sawn finish. The circular saw may also be used in a splitting position, in which the circular saw is at a distance from the profiler, to divide the sideboard into narrower sideboards before the sideboards are sawn from the primary workpiece. Corresponding methods and systems are also described herein.

An adjustable toe board, an adjustable toe board assembly, kit and sawmill comprising the adjustable toe board are provided. The toe board comprises a baseplate having a first end, an opposed second end, and a rod extending away from the baseplate. The toe board includes a support bar pivotably coupled to the baseplate proximate the first end, spaced apart from the rod, and extending towards the second end, the support bar being configured to support a log. The toe board also includes a ratcheting arm pivotably coupled to the support bar, the ratcheting arm having a plurality of spaced-apart teeth defining notches adapted and positioned to selectively engage with the rod, wherein selective engagement of the teeth with the rod enables pivotal adjustment and releasable locking of the support bar relative to the baseplate during operation.