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.

An adjustable hold-down shoe assembly having an assembly body, a plurality of hold-down shoes movably mounted to the assembly body, a bias device that biases the plurality of hold-down shoes in a direction away from the lumber bias surface, a body mount, and a lifting/lowering mechanism movably connecting the assembly body to the body mount that moves the assembly body in relation to the body mount and in a first direction towards the lumber bias surface and in a second direction away from the lumber bias surface. A planermill trimmer having the adjustable hold-down shoe assembly mounted thereon and a method of end trimming lumber using the planermill trimmer.

An adjustable hold-down shoe assembly having an assembly body, a plurality of hold-down shoes movably mounted to the assembly body, a bias device that biases the plurality of hold-down shoes in a direction away from the lumber bias surface, a body mount, and a lifting/lowering mechanism movably connecting the assembly body to the body mount that moves the assembly body in relation to the body mount and in a first direction towards the lumber bias surface and in a second direction away from the lumber bias surface. A planermill trimmer having the adjustable hold-down shoe assembly mounted thereon and a method of end trimming lumber using the planermill trimmer.

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.

The invention features a method of reconditioning a fluid container including heating for at least one cycle the fluid container to a select temperature for a select time duration; sealing for at least one cycle the fluid container; cooling for at least one cycle the fluid container to a select vacuum for a select time duration in an interior of the fluid container; wherein the select vacuum and the select time duration of the cooling step are selected to draw substantially a fluid from at least one of a pore, a cell and a fiber of the fluid container to a surface of the fluid container. The invention also features methods of infusing an infusion agent into a reconditioned fluid container, and methods for preparing construction materials, devices adapted for the construction material preparation methods, and construction materials including wood reconditioned and prepared in accordance with the methods of the invention.

The invention features a method of reconditioning a fluid container including heating for at least one cycle the fluid container to a select temperature for a select time duration; sealing for at least one cycle the fluid container; cooling for at least one cycle the fluid container to a select vacuum for a select time duration in an interior of the fluid container; wherein the select vacuum and the select time duration of the cooling step are selected to draw substantially a fluid from at least one of a pore, a cell and a fiber of the fluid container to a surface of the fluid container. The invention also features methods of infusing an infusion agent into a reconditioned fluid container, and methods for preparing construction materials, devices adapted for the construction material preparation methods, and construction materials including wood reconditioned and prepared in accordance with the methods of the invention.

An automated inline rip saw system utilizing x-ray and optical scanning techniques to identify and detect flaws within a piece of wood. The present system may further utilize a precision skewing unit which may reduce or eliminate errors while allowing for precision rip cuts to be performed. Further, the present automated inline rip saw system may utilize multiple independently controlled saw blades to perform precision cuts. Finally, the present inline rip saw system may allow for more accurate detection of flaws or undesirable inclusions within the wood earlier in the wood production process, including the ability to scan for, identify, and remove sap wood from green lumber.

An automated inline rip saw system utilizing x-ray and optical scanning techniques to identify and detect flaws within a piece of wood. The present system may further utilize a precision skewing unit which may reduce or eliminate errors while allowing for precision rip cuts to be performed. Further, the present automated inline rip saw system may utilize multiple independently controlled saw blades to perform precision cuts. Finally, the present inline rip saw system may allow for more accurate detection of flaws or undesirable inclusions within the wood earlier in the wood production process, including the ability to scan for, identify, and remove sap wood from green lumber.

An automated inline rip saw system utilizing x-ray and optical scanning techniques to identify and detect flaws within a piece of wood. The present system may further utilize a precision skewing unit which may reduce or eliminate errors while allowing for precision rip cuts to be performed. Further, the present automated inline rip saw system may utilize multiple independently controlled saw blades to perform precision cuts. Finally, the present inline rip saw system may allow for more accurate detection of flaws or undesirable inclusions within the wood earlier in the wood production process, including the ability to scan for, identify, and remove sap wood from green lumber.

An automated inline rip saw system utilizing x-ray and optical scanning techniques to identify and detect flaws within a piece of wood. The present system may further utilize a precision skewing unit which may reduce or eliminate errors while allowing for precision rip cuts to be performed. Further, the present automated inline rip saw system may utilize multiple independently controlled saw blades to perform precision cuts. Finally, the present inline rip saw system may allow for more accurate detection of flaws or undesirable inclusions within the wood earlier in the wood production process, including the ability to scan for, identify, and remove sap wood from green lumber.