Embodiments provide a log positioning system configured to transport a log through one or more chipper/profiler modules to produce a cant with four chipped/profiled sides. In some embodiments, a log processing system may include an infeed, a positioning feed module downstream of the infeed, and one or more chipper/profiler modules disposed proximal to the positioning feed module. The positioning feed module may include a sharp chain coupled to one or more pairs of vertical positioning rolls. The positioning feed module may be selectively skewed, slewed, and/or tilted to match the vertical and angular orientation of the infeed.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a workpiece singulator with one or more movable stairs. A first one of the movable stairs may include an outer step member and an inner step member that is positioned between the outer step member and a second one of the movable stairs. The step members may be movable synchronously as a single stair to transport larger workpieces and asynchronously to transport smaller workpieces on the outer step member. Optionally, the workpiece singulator may further include a sensor configured to detect the size and/or position of a workpiece. In some embodiments, the workpiece singulator may be coupled with a controller configured to control the position of the outer step member independently of the position of the inner step member. In various embodiments, a workpiece singulator as disclosed herein may be operable to selectively singulate workpieces of different sizes.

Disclosed is an industrial belt that can be used in, for example, conveying or forming engineered wood composites or other industrial products. The industrial belt has a seamable base belt with a coating that includes a polymer, an anti-contaminant, and a conductive anti-static component.

Embodiments provide systems, methods and apparatuses for positioning boards and other wood pieces in preparation for sawing/trimming. In embodiments, a continuous track loop conveys board stops slideably mounted to board stop guides positioned perpendicular to the direction of flow. A horizontal frame member provides a series of positioning guides through which a cam follower coupled to a board stop is diverted, thus adjusting the position of board stops in a direction perpendicular to the direction of flow without the use of braking devices or other added sources of mass, friction or vibration.

Lumber sorting systems and methods that use adaptive lumber management to tailor the distribution of lumber to improve the yield and aesthetic properties of a product are disclosed. An adaptive lumber management system in accordance with the present disclosure may comprise a lumber scanner configured to record one or more characteristics of each board and create a data file for each board comprising information regarding the characteristic of the board. A processor may be configured to determine a target tray for each board based on the data files. The processor may be further configured to generate at least one mapping. The system may further comprise a sorting mechanism configured to sort the plurality of boards into their respective target trays and at least one tipple configured to select each board or the plurality of boards from the plurality of trays according to the at least one mapping.

A separator placer assembly is used with a lumber stacker, which creates a stack of lumber, includes a frame, a separator transfer assembly, and a plurality of transfer arm assemblies. The separator transfer assembly includes a continuous loop chain, preferably a plurality of continuous loop chains, with upper and lower reaches mounted to the frame. Separators are transferred to lugs on the chain at a first position along the lower reach. The plurality of transfer arm assemblies, each with first and second arms, is mounted to the frame beneath the lower reach at a transfer position downstream of the first position. A separator supported by the lugs is removed from the lugs by the arms and released onto the stack of lumber.

A wooden long product sorting device for the automated distribution and transfer of the longer wooden components, such as beams, boards or bars, processed in a woodworking plant to different trays or receptacles. In order to enable automatic sorting also of longer wooden components with reduced space requirements, the wooden long product sorting device has two or more receiving and transfer devices arranged side by side and parallel to each other, which include a component support that can be pivoted between a horizontal receiving position and a folded-up transfer position.

The present disclosure provides embodiments of tilt hoists and lumber unstacking systems with a rotation table, a tier alignment system, or both. The rotation table may include a base and a tilt frame supported on the base. The tier alignment system may include an alignment beam and an actuator operable to raise and lower one end of the alignment beam relative to the opposite end to thereby adjust the lateral slope of the spill edge. Optionally, a control system may include distance sensors to detect tiers of lumber as they approach the spill edge and a computer system configured to determine a difference between the lateral slope of the tier and the lateral slope of the spill edge. The computer system may also be configured to automatically adjust the slope of the spill edge to match the slope of the tier before the tier is spilled over the spill edge.

A board turner assembly may include an endless chain, first and second groups of turning arms pivotably coupled with the endless chain and disposed along opposite sides thereof, an upper guide with an inclined surface, an actuator selectively operable to move the upper guide between a resting position and an extended position, and one or more endless belts. The turning arms may be spaced apart at regular intervals that are offset on one side of the chain relative to the other. The groups of turning arms may be operated in an alternating fashion to turn selected boards to a desired orientation (e.g., wane side up). Corresponding methods and systems are also described.

A system and a method are described for the intermediate storage of differently cut boards for a wooden structure, in particular a truss, with several compartments arranged laterally adjacent to one another. The compartments are each configured for receiving a set of boards for such a wooden structure, wherein a set is to be understood as the entirety of cut boards which are required for such a wooden structure. A feeding device fills the cut boards into the individual compartments and stacks them over one another therein. The compartments can be opened respectively at their underside, in order to remove the set of boards. A discharge device transports away the set of boards removed from the respective compartment.