A machine for cutting and splitting logs includes a saw for cutting off a piece of wood from a log, a first receiver for a log that is to be cut, and a splitter for splitting a piece of wood into pieces, a splitting channel with a second receiver for the piece of wood that is to be split, wherein the splitting channel with the second receiver is downstream of the first receiver, and wherein the splitting channel may be tilted at an angle greater than 0 to horizontal when the machine is ready for use.

An apparatus for guiding a plank along a transfer path and towards a cutting assembly. The apparatus includes an auto-centering lateral displacement mechanism maintaining support plates and corresponding guide and drive elements equidistant relative to the transfer path and includes: at least one pair of fixed length vertically extending driving shafts connected to each one of the support plates, the driving shafts each having a lower end connected to the corresponding support plate and being angularly movable relative to a vertical axis according to the lateral position of the corresponding support plate; at least one bushing assembly mounted to the upper section of the frame and receiving therein the upper end of a corresponding one of the driving shafts; and a fixed length connecting shaft extending between the driving shafts of the at least one pair of driving shafts, at the upper end thereof.

Systems and methods for automated cutting of lumber are disclosed. The system includes a loading module that receives lumber from a loading area and places the lumber on a cutting table. The system includes an actuating module that receives the lumber from the loading module, inspects the lumber, records lumber information based on the inspection, and positions the lumber on the cutting table in preparation for cutting. The system includes a sensor module that detects the position of the lumber on the cutting table, and records the position to the lumber information. The system includes a computing module that analyzes the lumber information received from the actuating module and sensor module. The system includes a cutting module that cuts the lumber based the lumber information, the cutting resulting in cut lumber. The system includes an unloading module that places the cut lumber on an unloading area.

Systems and methods for automated cutting of lumber are disclosed. The system includes a loading module that receives lumber from a loading area and places the lumber on a cutting table. The system includes an actuating module that receives the lumber from the loading module, inspects the lumber, records lumber information based on the inspection, and positions the lumber on the cutting table in preparation for cutting. The system includes a sensor module that detects the position of the lumber on the cutting table, and records the position to the lumber information. The system includes a computing module that analyzes the lumber information received from the actuating module and sensor module. The system includes a cutting module that cuts the lumber based the lumber information, the cutting resulting in cut lumber. The system includes an unloading module that places the cut lumber on an unloading area.

A lumber transfer system for transferring pieces of lumber comprising a feeding conveyor having a conveying surface for receiving the pieces of lumber; a plurality of grasping assemblies spaced apart transversely along the conveying surface, each one of the grasping assemblies comprising a grasping finger able to be positioned independently for either grasping a piece of lumber located upstream from the grasping assembly and moving it, or preventing it from grasping a piece of lumber; a detection system for detecting a presence of a piece of lumber and producing signals; and a controller controlling the grasping assemblies for the grasping fingers to be positioned independently. The lumber transfer system is therefore able to have only grasping fingers responsible to grasp the piece of lumber to be in a grasping position.

A lumber transfer system for transferring pieces of lumber comprising a feeding conveyor having a conveying surface for receiving the pieces of lumber; a plurality of grasping assemblies spaced apart transversely along the conveying surface, each one of the grasping assemblies comprising a grasping finger able to be positioned independently for either grasping a piece of lumber located upstream from the grasping assembly and moving it, or preventing it from grasping a piece of lumber; a detection system for detecting a presence of a piece of lumber and producing signals; and a controller controlling the grasping assemblies for the grasping fingers to be positioned independently. The lumber transfer system is therefore able to have only grasping fingers responsible to grasp the piece of lumber to be in a grasping position.

The device has a sawing station with cross-cut saw downstream of a feed transport device feeding workpieces to a transport unit of the sawing station that has a drive separate from that of the feed transport device. The feed transport device has a retaining/accumulating unit driven independently of a transport element of the feed transport device and subjecting the workpieces to a slower supply speed than the transport element. A transfer transport device is located between retaining/accumulating unit and sawing station. The drive of the transport element of the transfer transport device is controlled/adjusted independent of or by the drive of the retaining/accumulating unit via mechanically coupled step-up gear. The workpieces initially accumulate in the feed transport device and abut each other and are then transported onward with acceleration so that they are again spaced apart. The workpiece position is detected in the region of the transfer transport device.

A feed roller is provided with feed roller head having a helical carbide gripping inserts. The gripping inserts extend along a helical path and are configured to grip and shift a work piece in a predetermined direction. The gripping inserts are secured to the feed roller body in a helical slot formed between a wall of the feed roller body and a plurality of clamping wedges. The clamping wedge facilitates locking and securing the gripping insert to the feed roller body in a radial direction in response to centrifugal forces created as the feed roller head rotates.

A sawmill for tree logs includes a rocking carriage to pick up fresh logs and feed them into the path of a saw blade, as well further provisions relating to improvements to infeed systems for the fresh logs, as well as to, outflow systems for transfer of sawn-off product to a production line conveyor or the like for further processing to downline processes after the first saw cuts on the fresh logs.

Lumber retrieval systems and methods feed a centrally located saw with a predetermined assortment of boards picked from certain stations distributed at either side of the saw. In some examples, an overhead trolley system carries individual boards in a certain sequence from chosen stations to a board-receiving apparatus. The board-receiving apparatus, in turn, feeds the boards to the saw. The saw then cuts the boards into board segments, which can be used for making prefabricated trusses and wall panels. In some examples, the trolley system has a laser-scanning feature for determining the location of the next-to-pick board while simultaneously transporting the board currently heading to the board-receiving apparatus. In some examples, the trolley system includes two board carriers each of which are dedicated or assigned to certain stations. In some examples, one carrier serves as backup for the other one when one of the carriers is broken or otherwise inactive.