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.

There is described a wood optimization system for a production line. The wood optimization system generally having a conveyor moving wood products across a handling area; a wood product selector positioned proximate to a selected wood product in the handling area; and a computer vision system along the production line having a camera imaging the handling area, a processor communicatively coupled to the camera, and a computer-readable memory having program code that when executed by the processor perform the steps of: receiving from the camera an image representing at least a portion of the handling area; finding the wood product selector in the image; identifying the selected wood product in the image as the wood product of the plurality being most proximate to the wood product selector; receiving an instruction associated to the selected wood product; and implementing the instruction into optimization data associated to the selected wood product.

There is described a wood optimization system for a production line. The wood optimization system generally having a conveyor moving wood products across a handling area; a wood product selector positioned proximate to a selected wood product in the handling area; and a computer vision system along the production line having a camera imaging the handling area, a processor communicatively coupled to the camera, and a computer-readable memory having program code that when executed by the processor perform the steps of: receiving from the camera an image representing at least a portion of the handling area; finding the wood product selector in the image; identifying the selected wood product in the image as the wood product of the plurality being most proximate to the wood product selector; receiving an instruction associated to the selected wood product; and implementing the instruction into optimization data associated to the selected wood product.

A plank positioning mechanism is adapted to move planks traveling in a traveling direction on a conveyor. The plank positioning mechanism comprises a conveying means traveling parallel to the conveyor; and a plurality of paddle assemblies mounted equidistant to the conveying means perpendicular to the traveling direction. The paddle assemblies comprise a movable part; and a motor adapted to drive the movable part perpendicular to the conveyor, Thereby, the movable part is adapted to thrust the plank perpendicular to its traveling direction as the paddle assembly travel parallel to the board.

A plank positioning mechanism is adapted to move planks traveling in a traveling direction on a conveyor. The plank positioning mechanism comprises a conveying means traveling parallel to the conveyor; and a plurality of paddle assemblies mounted equidistant to the conveying means perpendicular to the traveling direction. The paddle assemblies comprise a movable part; and a motor adapted to drive the movable part perpendicular to the conveyor, Thereby, the movable part is adapted to thrust the plank perpendicular to its traveling direction as the paddle assembly travel parallel to the board.

A logging machine including a conveyor assembly having a control box. The logging machine further having an initial conveyor assembly. The logging machine further having a secondary conveyor assembly. The logging machine further having an initial conveyor carving assembly. The logging machine further having a secondary conveyor carving assembly. The logging machine having a pair of end cabinets positioned on opposing sides of the secondary conveyor carving assembly.

A logging machine including a conveyor assembly having a control box. The logging machine further having an initial conveyor assembly. The logging machine further having a secondary conveyor assembly. The logging machine further having an initial conveyor carving assembly. The logging machine further having a secondary conveyor carving assembly. The logging machine having a pair of end cabinets positioned on opposing sides of the secondary conveyor carving assembly.

In a first aspect, there is provided a system for picking sawed shingles against a saw in movement. Further, F in a method for maintaining a database of images of shingle defects, wherein a front-face image and a backside image of a shingle are associated with each other in that database. To increase shingle quality, each shingle is inspected on five faces thereof, to detect surface defects and core defects. Comparison is made of images of the front-face to images of wood defects in the database. When the image of the front-face of a shingle matches an image of an acceptable defect, and that front-face image is tagged as predisposed to backside defect, the shingle is edged to remove the acceptable defect. In the shingle manufacturing process, each of these backside images is considered to be a mirror image of a next shingle to be sawed.

In a first aspect, there is provided a system for picking sawed shingles against a saw in movement. Further, F in a method for maintaining a database of images of shingle defects, wherein a front-face image and a backside image of a shingle are associated with each other in that database. To increase shingle quality, each shingle is inspected on five faces thereof, to detect surface defects and core defects. Comparison is made of images of the front-face to images of wood defects in the database. When the image of the front-face of a shingle matches an image of an acceptable defect, and that front-face image is tagged as predisposed to backside defect, the shingle is edged to remove the acceptable defect. In the shingle manufacturing process, each of these backside images is considered to be a mirror image of a next shingle to be sawed.

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.