In various embodiments, a dynamically directed workpiece positioning system may include a transport, a sensor positioned to detect a workpiece on the transport, a cutting member positioned along or downstream of the transport, and a computer system. The sensor may scan the workpiece as the workpiece is moved relative to the transport by a human operator or a positioning device. Based on the scan data, the computer system may generate commands to guide the human operator or positioning device in moving the workpiece to a desired position corresponding to a cut solution for the workpiece. Optionally, the computer system may cause the cutting member to be repositioned while the workpiece is being moved relative to the transport. Once the workpiece is in the desired position, the transport may be used to move the workpiece toward the cutting member. Corresponding methods and apparatuses are also disclosed.

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.

The present disclosure relates to a controller-based machine tool system configured for machining a flat elongated workpiece. The controller-based machine tool system includes a tool assembly having a spindle for machining a customized design pattern in the flat elongated workpiece. A spindle motor is configured to provide rotational power to the spindle. A power assembly is configured to provide linear movement of the spindle and a spindle control unit is configured for controlling the power assembly. A controller is electrically connected to the spindle control unit, wherein the controller is configured to generate a customized design pattern for the flat elongated workpiece. An infeed station and an outfeed station are configured to linearly move the flat elongated workpiece.

A working control module of a woodworking tenoning machine is configured to work a wood material in a desired tenoning shape by using a human machine interface (HMI). The working control module contains: a tool selection module, a tenoning shape selection module, a model calculation module, a three-dimensional (3D) drawing module, a working path module, a feeding module, a working module, and a material returning module. Thereby, the user is capable of selecting the desired tenon shape, inputting the at least one characteristic variable of the desired tenon shape to draw, view or amend the 3D model by using the HMI of the working control module. After confirming the 3D model, the wood material is worked in the desired tenon shape automatically, thus enhancing working efficiency and working accuracy.

The invention relates to a processing machine (10) or method for processing substantially plate-shaped work pieces (W), preferably made at least partially from wood, wood materials, composite materials or plastics, wherein the processing machine (10) has a processing device (6) for processing a work piece (W) in a processing direction (R), an optical detection device (2), an evaluation unit and a control device (4), wherein: the optical detection device (2) is designed and configured in such a way that it can optically detect front and rear (in relation to the processing direction (6)) end sections (Q1, Q2) of a work piece (W) to be processed, and it provides the evaluation unit with corresponding detection results; the evaluation unit is designed in such a way that it assesses, based on the detection results, whether a coating (B) is present on the front and/or rear end section (Q1, Q2) of the work piece (W) to be processed, and provides the control device (4) with corresponding assessment results; and the control device is designed in such a way that it controls the further processing of the work piece (W) to be processed via the processing device (6) on the basis of the assessment results.

In various embodiments, a scanner optimizer system may generate a virtual model of a predicted flitch based on a 3D model of a log/cant and a cut solution for the log/cant. The scanner optimizer system may compare a virtual model of an actual flitch to virtual models of predicted flitches by comparing data points at a fixed elevation relative to one or both faces of the models. Based on the comparisons, the scanner optimizer system may identify the source log from which the actual flitch was cut. In addition, the scanner optimizer system may identify the saw used to cut the actual flitch, and/or other relevant information, and use the additional information to monitor and adjust the saws and other equipment. Embodiments of corresponding apparatuses and methods are also described.

In various embodiments, a dynamically directed workpiece positioning system may include a transport, a sensor positioned to detect a workpiece on the transport, a cutting member positioned along or downstream of the transport, and a computer system. The sensor may scan the workpiece as the workpiece is moved relative to the transport by a human operator or a positioning device. Based on the scan data, the computer system may generate commands to guide the human operator or positioning device in moving the workpiece to a desired position corresponding to a cut solution for the workpiece. Optionally, the computer system may cause the cutting member to be repositioned while the workpiece is being moved relative to the transport. Once the workpiece is in the desired position, the transport may be used to move the workpiece toward the cutting member. Corresponding methods and apparatuses are also disclosed.

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.

The present disclosure is directed to calibrating position detection for a tool. The tool can use a sensor to detect a first value of a parameter. The tool can use a motor to extend the working member of the tool towards a working surface. The tool can include a base. The tool can detect, with the working member in contact with the working service, a second value of the parameter. The tool can determine a z-axis position of the working member relative to the working surface.

In a molder, at least one rotatably driven tool (7, 8, 10, 11) is used to produce the structure (27) or contour on the workpiece (1) by workpiece removal. The workpiece positions along the workpiece (1) for producing the structure or contour are set depending on the data of the workpiece (1) and of the tool (7, 8, 10, 11). The data are transmitted to the machine controller which processes the CNC program based on the data during the passage of the workpiece (1) through the molder and moves the tool (7, 8, 10, 11) into the required positions via CNC drives depending on the workpiece position. The workpiece position is sensed during the passage of the workpiece (1) through the molder. In order to sense the workpiece position in the molder, at least one measuring element (18) is provided upstream and downstream of the tool (1), said measuring element (18) being connected to the machine controller and supplying signals that describe the advancing travel of the workpiece (1) to the machine controller. By way of the machine controller, the tool (7, 8, 10, 11) is moved into the respective tool positions in accordance with the signals.