A sawing inspection system to measure dimensions of a cant that has been cut into pieces is disclosed. The system includes a housing having a window, an image sensor, a first mirror, and a second mirror. The first mirror includes a concave parabolic reflective surface and a focal point, and the second mirror includes a flat, reflective surface. The focal point is where parallel rays of light that enter the housing through the window and reflect off of the concave parabolic reflective surface intersect. The second mirror is positioned to reflect toward the focal point the parallel rays of light reflected by the first mirror. The image sensor is located at the focal point. At least one of the first mirror, the second mirror, and the image sensor is movable relative to the others to remove parallax error from the measurement of the pieces of the cant.

An adjustable toe board, an adjustable toe board assembly, kit and sawmill comprising the adjustable toe board are provided. The toe board comprises a baseplate having a first end, an opposed second end, and a rod extending away from the baseplate. The toe board includes a support bar pivotably coupled to the baseplate proximate the first end, spaced apart from the rod, and extending towards the second end, the support bar being configured to support a log. The toe board also includes a ratcheting arm pivotably coupled to the support bar, the ratcheting arm having a plurality of spaced-apart teeth defining notches adapted and positioned to selectively engage with the rod, wherein selective engagement of the teeth with the rod enables pivotal adjustment and releasable locking of the support bar relative to the baseplate during operation.

An adjustable toe board, an adjustable toe board assembly, kit and sawmill comprising the adjustable toe board are provided. The toe board comprises a baseplate having a first end, an opposed second end, and a rod extending away from the baseplate. The toe board includes a support bar pivotably coupled to the baseplate proximate the first end, spaced apart from the rod, and extending towards the second end, the support bar being configured to support a log. The toe board also includes a ratcheting arm pivotably coupled to the support bar, the ratcheting arm having a plurality of spaced-apart teeth defining notches adapted and positioned to selectively engage with the rod, wherein selective engagement of the teeth with the rod enables pivotal adjustment and releasable locking of the support bar relative to the baseplate during operation.

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.

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.

An edger feed apparatus and method of feeding flitches into an edger are disclosed. The flitches are positioned with minimal spacing between successive flitches and with flitches positioned and the edger adjusted so as to yield a maximum value of lumber from each flitch. The edger feed apparatus may include a fetcher assembly to hold a second flitch in an edger ready position while a portion of the first flitch is directed below on an edger infeed mechanism being transported to the edger. The fetcher assembly releases the second flitch on to the edger infeed mechanism when the first flitch has moved clear from beneath the edger ready position. The edger feed apparatus additionally includes a scanner system for creating and storing a digital three-dimensional model of each flitch for determining a sawing solution to be implemented by the edger.

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.

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.

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 Variable Opening Reducer (VOR) for chipping excess fibers on a piece of wood periphery is described, the VOR comprising an infeed portion for securing and moving the piece of wood, along a longitudinal log axis thereof, inside the VOR, a chipping portion disposed sequentially after the infeed portion for receiving therein the piece of wood and for chipping and removing peripheral sections of the piece of wood, the chipping portion comprising a plurality of cutting tools, each of the cutting tools being adapted to revolve about a rotation axis thereof that is substantially perpendicularly located in respect of the longitudinal log axis of the log, each of the cutting tools being radially located in a position interfering with the piece of wood periphery to chip and remove excess fibers and an outfeed portion, disposed after the chipping portion, for receiving, securing and moving the piece of wood along the longitudinal log axis thereof A kit and a method of use thereof are also presented in the present application.