Method for determining an angular orientation of a log (2) about one of its longitudinal development axes, comprising a first generation step, during which one or more first digital images are generated of the lateral surface of the log placed in a reference position, using one or more first digital photographs, a second generation step, during which one or more second digital images are generated of the lateral surface (1) of the log (2) placed in a second position using the one or more second digital photographs, a step of comparing the one or more second digital images with the one or more first digital images, and a step of determining the angular orientation of the log (2) in the second position with reference to a reference angular orientation of the log (2) in the reference position, based on information related to the first digital images and the second digital images for which a match was identified. Also claimed is a device which can implement is programmed to perform the following of the steps described above: the second generation step, the comparison step and the determination step.

Apparatus for peeling a log (5) comprising a cutting station (3), a loading station (2) and a device (4) for transferring logs (5) from the loading station (2) to the cutting station (3), the cutting station (3), the loading station (2) and the transfer device (4), in use, interacting with each other to position the log (5) in the cutting station (3). The loading station (2) comprises a device (10) for axially rotating the log (5) about a second rotation axis (11) and a radiographic examination device (19) configured to generate, in use, radiographic scans of the log (5). An electronic unit is connected both to the radiographic examination device (19), to receive digital-format data from it relating to each radiographic scan generated by it, and to the axial rotation device (10), and which is programmed to use said digital-format data to control the operation of the transfer device (4) and/or the cutting station (3).

Apparatus for peeling a log (5) comprising a cutting station (3), a loading station (2) and a device (4) for transferring logs (5) from the loading station (2) to the cutting station (3), the cutting station (3), the loading station (2) and the transfer device (4), in use, interacting with each other to position the log (5) in the cutting station (3). The loading station (2) comprises a device (10) for axially rotating the log (5) about a second rotation axis (11) and a radiographic examination device (19) configured to generate, in use, radiographic scans of the log (5). An electronic unit is connected both to the radiographic examination device (19), to receive digital-format data from it relating to each radiographic scan generated by it, and to the axial rotation device (10), and which is programmed to use said digital-format data to control the operation of the transfer device (4) and/or the cutting station (3).

When the absolute value (|Tt−Tc|) of the difference between the turning time Tt of a log PW and the transport time Tc of the log PW is longer than a reference measurement time Ts, the turning-axis center line measurement time Tm is set to the absolute value (|Tt−Tc|) (Step S120), the rotation speed W of centering spindles 24a and 24b is set to a speed (Ws×Ts/Tm) lower than a reference rotation speed Ws, and also the measurement rotation angle α is set to an angle (αs×Ts/Tm) smaller than a reference measurement rotation angle as (Step S122). When the absolute value (|Tt−Tc|) is equal to or less than the reference measurement time Ts, the turning-axis center line measurement time Tm is set to the reference measurement time Ts (Step S116), the rotation speed W of the centering spindles 24a and 24b is set to the reference rotation speed Ws, and also the measurement rotation angle α is set to the reference measurement rotation angle αs (Step S118).

When the absolute value (|Tt−Tc|) of the difference between the turning time Tt of a log PW and the transport time Tc of the log PW is longer than a reference measurement time Ts, the turning-axis center line measurement time Tm is set to the absolute value (|Tt−Tc|) (Step S120), the rotation speed W of centering spindles 24a and 24b is set to a speed (Ws×Ts/Tm) lower than a reference rotation speed Ws, and also the measurement rotation angle α is set to an angle (αs×Ts/Tm) smaller than a reference measurement rotation angle as (Step S122). When the absolute value (|Tt−Tc|) is equal to or less than the reference measurement time Ts, the turning-axis center line measurement time Tm is set to the reference measurement time Ts (Step S116), the rotation speed W of the centering spindles 24a and 24b is set to the reference rotation speed Ws, and also the measurement rotation angle α is set to the reference measurement rotation angle αs (Step S118).

Embodiments of an electric linear actuator may include a roller screw assembly, an electric motor coupled to the roller screw assembly, and a linear transducer operatively coupled with the roller screw assembly. The motor may be configured to drive the roller screw assembly to extend and retract another component, such as a rod. In some embodiments, the linear transducer may be configured to detect a position of the rod. The roller screw assembly may be coupled directly to the motor via a gear coupling, with the motor disposed generally in axial alignment with the roller screw assembly. Other embodiments disclosed herein include a veneer lathe carriage with electric linear actuators and corresponding apparatuses, methods, and systems.

Embodiments of an electric linear actuator may include a roller screw assembly, an electric motor coupled to the roller screw assembly, and a linear transducer operatively coupled with the roller screw assembly. The motor may be configured to drive the roller screw assembly to extend and retract another component, such as a rod. In some embodiments, the linear transducer may be configured to detect a position of the rod. The roller screw assembly may be coupled directly to the motor via a gear coupling, with the motor disposed generally in axial alignment with the roller screw assembly. Other embodiments disclosed herein include a veneer lathe carriage with electric linear actuators and corresponding apparatuses, methods, and systems.

A method of cutting a wood block and a veneer lathe are disclosed. Two groups of first plural contact members and second plural contact members disposed around the wood block for supporting the wood block from the periphery thereof and each having a contact portion contactable with periphery of the wood block. The first and the second contact members are spaced away from each other along the spin axis of the wood block so as to form a space between any two adjacent contact members, respectively, and arranged in such a way that a part of the contact member of one group is insertable into the space between any two adjacent contact members of the other group when the wood block is cut to a predetermined reduced diameter so that the wood block is continued to be supported further.

A nosebar is supported by supports arranged along the longitudinal direction, and the supports are assembled to fixtures to swing independently of each other in a direction away from a log according to the reaction force of the pressing force acting on the supports. Thus, when a knife peels a knot part of the log or a fragment of the log enters a cutting edge, the portion of the nosebar pressing the knot part or corresponding to the location where the fragment enters the cutting edge is greatly deformed, while the deformation of the nosebar in the other portions is kept small. A corner of the nosebar is prevented from contacting the peeled portion of the raw wood and generating a gap when the nosebar is bent and deformed.

A nosebar is supported by supports arranged along the longitudinal direction, and the supports are assembled to fixtures to swing independently of each other in a direction away from a log according to the reaction force of the pressing force acting on the supports. Thus, when a knife peels a knot part of the log or a fragment of the log enters a cutting edge, the portion of the nosebar pressing the knot part or corresponding to the location where the fragment enters the cutting edge is greatly deformed, while the deformation of the nosebar in the other portions is kept small. A corner of the nosebar is prevented from contacting the peeled portion of the raw wood and generating a gap when the nosebar is bent and deformed.