A clamp extension device adapted to extend the size range of materials that may be cut by a sawmill, the device being removably attachable to an existing clamp on the sawmill.

An edger feeding apparatus and method of placing flitches in position to be fed into an edger with minimal spacing between successive flitches and with flitches oriented and the edger adjusted so as to yield a maximum value of lumber from each flitch. The edger feeding apparatus may include a scanning system for creating and storing a digital three-dimensional model of each flitch. The apparatus and method may also include a control computer and its use for determining the optimum position for feeding each flitch into the edger to produce the most valuable yield of lumber from the flitch.

An edger feeding apparatus and method of placing flitches in position to be fed into an edger with minimal spacing between successive flitches and with flitches oriented and the edger adjusted so as to yield a maximum value of lumber from each flitch. The edger feeding apparatus may include a scanning system for creating and storing a digital three-dimensional model of each flitch. The apparatus and method may also include a control computer and its use for determining the optimum position for feeding each flitch into the edger to produce the most valuable yield of lumber from the flitch.

A system that includes a computer processor having a plurality of input data devices, a plurality of output data devices, and a plurality of sensors; and a mechanical assembly integrated with the computer processor to reposition a piece of wood lumber based on software code executing in the computer processor. In some embodiments, the system performs a method that includes eliciting and receiving into the computer processor data parameters from a first human user; obtaining incoming data points about the lumber from the plurality of sensors; processing and storing the data parameters; comparing the incoming data points to the data parameters to obtain comparison results; and, based on the comparison results, (1) rejecting the lumber to a preprogrammed position, (2) feeding the lumber into a saw assembly as positioned, or (3) repositioning the lumber to a more optimal position prior to feeding the lumber to the saw assembly.

A system that includes a computer processor having a plurality of input data devices, a plurality of output data devices, and a plurality of sensors; and a mechanical assembly integrated with the computer processor to reposition a piece of wood lumber based on software code executing in the computer processor. In some embodiments, the system performs a method that includes eliciting and receiving into the computer processor data parameters from a first human user; obtaining incoming data points about the lumber from the plurality of sensors; processing and storing the data parameters; comparing the incoming data points to the data parameters to obtain comparison results; and, based on the comparison results, (1) rejecting the lumber to a preprogrammed position, (2) feeding the lumber into a saw assembly as positioned, or (3) repositioning the lumber to a more optimal position prior to feeding the lumber to the saw assembly.

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 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 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.

A miter saw assembly includes a cutting tool configured to perform a cut along a cutting axis. A stop mechanism is linearly translatable in a first direction. A rotary motor includes a selectively rotatable rotor and a motion conversion mechanism configured to transform rotary motion of the rotor to linear motion of the stop mechanism in the first direction. A controller is configured to selectively rotate the rotor to cause linear translation of the stop mechanism toward or away from the cutting axis. A position detection system includes a visual sensor coupled to the stop mechanism and a ruler strip. The ruler strip includes a plurality of spaced apart position indicators configured for detection by the visual sensor in order to determine a position of the stop mechanism relative to the cutting axis of the cutting tool via position correlating perform by the controller.

A computer-assisted shingle sawing method for recovery optimization using a 0-1 defect relative to the clear line, comprising the steps of taking an image of a next slab to be cut from a wood block; defining from that image, a clear line there-across; and locations of defect on that slab relative to the clear line, determining edge lines of shingles recoverable from the slab according to optimal shingle grade recovery; sawing the next slab along these edge lines, and sawing the next slab from the wood block, thereby releasing an optimum recovery of shingles from the slab. In another aspect there is provided a method for shingle recovery optimization using an optimization by inversion strategy, wherein the inclination of a parting line for cutting the next slab from the wood block is determined for optimal shingle grade recovery. There is also provided an installation for carrying out these methods.