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).

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).

A log feeding apparatus for feeding a log to first and second cutting spindles is provided, in which a log is fed to a second receiving position when centering spindles have reached second delivery position that is away from the second receiving position downward in the direction of log transport by a distance equal to or greater than an assumed maximum diameter of the log. That is, a new log is transported to the second receiving position when the log transported by placing sections reaches a position not to contact the log held between the centering spindles. As a result, the time can be reduced for transporting the log to the cutting spindles.

The veneer lathe comprises rotatable spindles for engaging the ends of a block, a centering device for measuring dimensions of the block for determining optimal centering of the block, the centering device comprising centering spindles for engaging each end of the block, transfer arms moveable in the axial direction of the spindles for engaging the ends of the block and in a direction that is perpendicular to the axial direction for transferring the block from the centering device to a peeling position, a knife assembly comprising a knife and a nose bar, which is in the form of a rotatable roll, and a support device comprising a lower roll and an upper roll at a distance from the lower roll for supporting the block during peeling.

A log feeding apparatus for feeding a log to first and second cutting spindles is provided, in which a log is fed to a second receiving position when centering spindles have reached a second delivery position that is away from the second receiving position downstream in the direction of log transport by a distance equal to or greater than an assumed maximum diameter of the log. That is, a new log is transported to the second receiving position by placing sections when the log held between the centering spindles reaches a position that will avoid contact with the new log. As a result, the time can be reduced for transporting the log to the cutting spindles.

The veneer lathe comprises rotatable spindles for engaging the ends of a block, a centering device for measuring dimensions of the block for determining optimal centering of the block, the centering device comprising centering spindles for engaging each end of the block, transfer arms moveable in the axial direction of the spindles for engaging the ends of the block and in a direction that is perpendicular to the axial direction for transferring the block from the centering device to a peeling position, a knife assembly comprising a knife and a nose bar, which is in the form of a rotatable roll, and a support device comprising a lower roll and an upper roll at a distance from the lower roll for supporting the block during peeling.

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).

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.

When the absolute value (|TtTc|) 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 (|TtTc|) (Step S120), the rotation speed W of centering spindles 24a and 24b is set to a speed (WsTs/Tm) lower than a reference rotation speed Ws, and also the measurement rotation angle is set to an angle (sTs/Tm) smaller than a reference measurement rotation angle as (Step S122). When the absolute value (|TtTc|) 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 is set to the reference measurement rotation angle s (Step S118).