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 system (100A) to track logs in a wood processing chain, includes a database arrangement (102) that includes pre-recorded image of a given log, wherein the given log is associated with log identification information. The system further includes a plurality of imaging devices implemented at a sorting station. The plurality of imaging devices (104) is configured to capture a first set of images from at least a first prespecified oblique angle. The system further includes a data processing arrangement (106) that is configured to: identify the given log at the sorting station; compare the at least one pre-recorded image with the captured first set of images at the sorting station in order to find an optimum image from the compared images for identification of the given log; determine a plurality of physical characteristics; and append the log identification information with the determined physical characteristics of the given log.

Method and calculating unit for curve sawing of a block in a cutting direction with at least a first circular saw blade. The method comprises determining a radius of the curve sawing, by measuring the curvature of the block in the direction of cutting; calculating a vertical inclination angle of the first circular saw blade in a vertical plane relative to the cutting direction in the block, based on the determined radius of the curve sawing; inclining the first circular saw blade with the calculated vertical inclination angle; and sawing the block in the cutting direction with the inclined first circular saw blade along the determined radius of the curve sawing.

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 method of wood shingle classification and sawing using machine vision comprises the steps of taking an image of a wood slab in a wood block and identifying a defect in that slab; comparing an image of this defect to images of confirmed defects in a database of confirmed defects to find a match of the defect in these images. If a match is not found, sawing a shingle from the slab and classifying the shingle while making abstraction of the defect. In a second aspect, when images of two consecutive shingles are identical, a third and subsequent shingles can be sawn from a block without taking images thereof. In another aspect, the comparing of images is done by an artificial intelligence system that is trained on a database of images that are associable to the subjectivity of experienced shingle sawyers.

The invention relates to a method for determining material dimensions of a longitudinal profiled section (2) during a sawing process, in which a saw blade (3) is advanced, the longitudinal profiled section (2) being machined by said saw blade (3) along a saw groove during this time; advancement position data of said saw blade (3) along the advancement path (s) being determined and, during this sawing operation, additional measurement data being determined from the group of sawing force (F.sub.s) or another variable which corresponds to the sawing force (F.sub.s). The invention is characterised in that an actual profile is determined from the advancement position data and said additional measurement data.

A material processing system includes: an offsetter configured to receive a stack of material and including a lifting bar configured to lift a portion of the stack of material; and a processing station operably connected to the offsetter. A method of processing a material includes: loading a stack of material on an offsetter, the stack of material including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion positioned above the second portion and separated from the second portion by at least one cross tie, the stack of material including a first end and a second end distal from the first end; lifting the second portion away from the first portion by a lifting bar of the offsetter pushing upward on the second end; and removing the cross tie.

The present disclosure relates to a power tool (1) driven by an internal combustion engine and comprising a housing (9) and having a service access interface (11) for connecting to an internal control unit of the engine during service. The access interface (11) comprises a connector (21) and an access interface cable, connecting the connector (21) to the control unit. The housing comprises an opening (15), and a grommet (13) is provided configured to clamp the access interface cable or the connector (21). The grommet (13) is configured to be moved between an operating position and a service position. In the operating position, the grommet (13) is located in the opening (15), the access interface cable and connector (21) being fully enclosed in the housing (9), and in the service position, the grommet (13) is located in said notch, the access interface cable or connector (21) extending through the opening inside the grommet (13).

An automated crosscut saw system utilizing a wood scanning unit to optimize the cuts in a particular piece of wood to remove defects or flaws and a method of use therefor is provided. The automated saw system has the ability to scan and cut a piece of wood simultaneously or in rapid succession without the need for scanning the entire length of the wood prior to cutting. Further, the automated saw system may eliminate the need for a secondary feeder and secondary queue.

In accordance with an example embodiment, a saw blade sharpness mechanism for use on a tree sawing device, having a saw blade which rotates to saw trees. The saw blade dulls over time during normal operating conditions, and the speed of the saw blade decreases as the saw blade contacts the tree during sawing operation. The speed of the saw blade during sawing operations decreases more after repeated operations as the saw blade dulls. A sensor senses the speed of the saw blade. A processor receives inputs from the sensor and determines when the speed of the saw blade during tree sawing operation has decreased due to wear to a point that it would be more economical to replace the saw blade with a new sharper blade. When such condition is determined, the processor sends a signal to an indicator which sends a signal to the operator.