A pickup and alignment mechanism for logs is disclosed along with a method of using the mechanism. The pickup and alignment mechanism includes a frame, a connector and a plurality of L-shaped tines secured to the frame. The plurality of L-shaped tines is grouped into pairs. The pickup and alignment mechanism also includes a pair of side tines. The pickup and alignment mechanism is designed to be removably mounted to a motorized vehicle. All of the L-shaped tines can be hydraulically or pneumatically actuated to remove from between one to six logs from a stacked pile of logs. The one to six logs are then raised above ground level and are aligned relative to one another so that they can be easily cut into smaller piece of firewood by a person with a chain saw.

A lumber handling method identifies the existence and direction of crowning in dimensional lumber and automatically orients the board and specifies a cutting direction prior to a saw cutting the board into one or more board segments to be used in a structural board assembly, such as in a truss or a wall panel. Crowning is a curve that occurs along a narrow convex edge of a board, wherein the curve is about an axis that is perpendicular to the board's widest face. In some examples, a board's crown is detected by a row of photoelectric sensors. In some examples, the method involves calibrating the sensors by passing a straight board past the sensors. In some examples, the convex and/or concave edges of the board are marked.

A lumber handling method identifies the existence and direction of crowning in dimensional lumber and automatically orients the board and specifies a cutting direction prior to a saw cutting the board into one or more board segments to be used in a structural board assembly, such as in a truss or a wall panel. Crowning is a curve that occurs along a narrow convex edge of a board, wherein the curve is about an axis that is perpendicular to the board's widest face. In some examples, a board's crown is detected by a row of photoelectric sensors. In some examples, the method involves calibrating the sensors by passing a straight board past the sensors. In some examples, the convex and/or concave edges of the board are marked.

A system including a gantry structure; a first and a second saw head movable along at least part of the length of the gantry structure; and a first and a second lumber support also movable along corresponding lengths of the gantry structure. A controller moves the first saw head and first lumber support adjacent a first location along a board and moves the second saw head and second lumber support adjacent a second location along a board, and operates the first and second saw heads to cut first and second ends off the board. The controller then moves the saw heads and the lumber supports relative to the board to third and fourth locations and operates the first and second saw heads to cut third and fourth end pieces off. The saw heads and lumber supports optionally move together and rotate around respective vertical axes to enable angled board cuts.

What is disclosed is an improved method of sawing wood and an improved sawmill capable of producing vertical grain lumber. Vertical grain lumber is a preferred lumber for use, for example, in trim applications. The improved method and improved sawmill both utilize a track having a carriage, the carriage has a vertical blade and a horizontal blade. The vertical blade and the horizontal blade travel on the carriage down the track. The log is then rotated for another length of lumber to be cut. In a preferred embodiment the sawmill utilizes a skewer for adjusting the log. In a preferred embodiment the log is held by a lathe that can be moved. In a preferred embodiment the log is placed on a skewer before it is engaged by the lathe.

The device comprises a log advancing path and a set of jaws in the form of double four-bar linkage, with an adjusting mechanism to adjust the position of the jaws according to the diameter of the logs to be cut.

A robotic apparatus for processing the timber logs intended to be used in the construction of a log structure. The robotic apparatus includes at least a vertical clamp assembly, a horizontal clamp assembly, a roller clamp assembly, a central log processing assembly, and a conveyor. The central log processing assembly allows multiple processes to be performed sequentially on the same machine requiring much less equipment and less labor in the handling and processing of the logs. By utilizing multiple tool masts, a primary mast can be performing a primary process while the secondary mast is selecting the tool appropriate to the next or secondary process.

Embodiments provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for cutting wood workpieces, such as logs and cants, into desired products. In various embodiments, after a log is chipped into a cant, the cant may be scanned and re-optimized based on the new scan data and information about the source log, such as simulated orientation parameters, a 3D model, and/or potential cut solutions. In other embodiments, data from multiple sensor types may be used in combination to detect splits in logs, cants, or both. Optionally, re-optimization and split detection techniques may be used in combination to improve wood volume recovery, value, and/or throughput speed.

A feed roll comprises a roll having a rotary axis, flutes fixed on the roll, mounts fixed on the roll between the flutes, each mount having a seat spaced apart from the outer surface of the roll and replaceable flute elements detachably and matingly engaged in the seats of respective mounts and extending outward beyond the mounts. The replaceable flute insert element comprises an elongated plate body having an inner longitudinal edge, an outer longitudinal edge, and a backing face extending between the inner longitudinal edge and the outer longitudinal edge and the inner longitudinal edge and the backing face configured to matingly engage the seat of the mount. The flue insert element further comprises the outer longitudinal edge being formed with a traction element and the plate body having a plurality of bolt holes therethrough for registering with the bolt holes of the mount element when the plate body and the seat are matingly engaged.

A delivery chain apparatus of wood-working machine with saw blades is disclosed. The delivery chain apparatus is formed into a loop by pivoting track units. The surface of each track unit is provided at least with a chain, each chain is locked on the track unit, some chains are made of metal, and the surface of a metallic chain is provided with teeth. The delivery device revolves on a desktop by power to send wood boards below the saw blades. The present invention is characterized in that the chains on the track units of the delivery device are combination of non-skid chains and the metallic chains, with the non-skid chains being made of rubber.