A method for controlling a device system (10) having a saw blade (14) that is attached to a saw arm (15) and that can be moved along an advancing direction (26) by a motor-driven advancing mechanism (13), whereby there is an infeed motion of the saw arm (15) with the saw blade (14) into the workpiece (18) and, during the infeed motion of the saw arm (15) into the workpiece (18), a control unit (27) calculates an arc length (φ) of the saw blade (14) that is engaged with the workpiece (18), and the calculated arc length (φ) is compared to a pre-set, critical arc length (φ.sub.crit) of the saw blade (14).

A method for controlling a wall saw system during creation of a separation cut in a workpiece between a first and second end point, is disclosed. The separation cut is carried out in a plurality of main cuts. In addition to the main-cut sequence, an overcut sequence having at least two overcuts is defined for each end point defined as a free end point. For each overcut sequence, a starting position and an end position are defined, the overcuts being carried out therebetween. The wall saw is positioned in the starting position and is pivoted into a first overcut angle; subsequently, the saw head is moved by way of the inclined saw arm until the end position has been reached. The wall saw is displaced back into the starting position and pivoted into a second overcut angle. This sequence is repeated until all of the overcuts have been carried out.

In various embodiments, a dynamically directed workpiece positioning system may include a transport, a sensor positioned to detect a workpiece on the transport, a cutting member positioned along or downstream of the transport, and a computer system. The sensor may scan the workpiece as the workpiece is moved relative to the transport by a human operator or a positioning device. Based on the scan data, the computer system may generate commands to guide the human operator or positioning device in moving the workpiece to a desired position corresponding to a cut solution for the workpiece. Optionally, the computer system may cause the cutting member to be repositioned while the workpiece is being moved relative to the transport. Once the workpiece is in the desired position, the transport may be used to move the workpiece toward the cutting member. Corresponding methods and apparatuses are also disclosed.

A paint roller manufacturing system and method are described. In an embodiment, an inner strip of material and an outer strip of material are wound about a mandrel in offset relation. The inner strip of material and the outer strip of material each comprise material that results in a final paint roller which shrinks by less than 2.5 percent of the final paint roller axial length, or which has shrinkage that varies by less +/−0.1%, upon hardening and setting. An adhesive is applied to at least a portion of the outer strip as it is wound about the mandrel. A length of fabric is wound about at least the outer strip to form a paint roller tube, and compression is applied to the paint roller tube while advancing the paint roller tube in a direction parallel to the mandrel.

In various embodiments, a scanner optimizer system may generate a virtual model of a predicted flitch based on a 3D model of a log/cant and a cut solution for the log/cant. The scanner optimizer system may compare a virtual model of an actual flitch to virtual models of predicted flitches by comparing data points at a fixed elevation relative to one or both faces of the models. Based on the comparisons, the scanner optimizer system may identify the source log from which the actual flitch was cut. In addition, the scanner optimizer system may identify the saw used to cut the actual flitch, and/or other relevant information, and use the additional information to monitor and adjust the saws and other equipment. Embodiments of corresponding apparatuses and methods are also described.

Process accuracy and throughput in a system for processing timber and lumber with a circular gang saw can be improved by measuring a sawing force and a guide friction force near an end of one or more saw arbors and incorporating the force measurement into a process control system to adjust the workpiece feed speed (or other process parameters) to achieve better results.

A CNC machining center that includes a machine base and a machine tool positioned on the base for carrying out a machining operation on a workpiece. A work table is positioned on the base and is adapted for supporting the workpiece and moving the workpiece relative to the machine tool during a machining operation. A saw is positioned above the work table in a longitudinally-offset direction from the machine tool for carrying out a sawing operation on the workpiece. The saw may be a band saw.

In various embodiments, a scanner optimizer system may generate a virtual model of a predicted flitch based on a 3D model of a log/cant and a cut solution for the log/cant. The scanner optimizer system may compare a virtual model of an actual flitch to virtual models of predicted flitches by comparing data points at a fixed elevation relative to one or both faces of the models. Based on the comparisons, the scanner optimizer system may identify the source log from which the actual flitch was cut. In addition, the scanner optimizer system may identify the saw used to cut the actual flitch, and/or other relevant information, and use the additional information to monitor and adjust the saws and other equipment. Embodiments of corresponding apparatuses and methods are also described.

A paint roller manufacturing system and method are described. In an embodiment, an inner strip of material and an outer strip of material are wound about a mandrel in offset relation. The inner strip of material and the outer strip of material each comprise material that results in a final paint roller which shrinks by less than 2.5 percent of the final paint roller axial length, or which has shrinkage that varies by less +/−0.1%, upon hardening and setting. An adhesive is applied to at least a portion of the outer strip as it is wound about the mandrel. A length of fabric is wound about at least the outer strip to form a paint roller tube, and compression is applied to the paint roller tube while advancing the paint roller tube in a direction parallel to the mandrel. A precision measuring or sensing device is used to control a cutting device causing the cutting device to cut the advancing paint roller tube into pre-selected lengths prior to the paint roller tube hardening and setting.

A paint roller manufacturing system and method are described. In an embodiment, an inner strip of material and an outer strip of material are wound about a mandrel in offset relation. The inner strip of material and the outer strip of material each comprise material that results in a final paint roller which shrinks by less than 2.5 percent of the final paint roller axial length, or which has shrinkage that varies by less +/0.1%, upon hardening and setting. An adhesive is applied to at least a portion of the outer strip as it is wound about the mandrel. A length of fabric is wound about at least the outer strip to form a paint roller tube, and compression is applied to the paint roller tube while advancing the paint roller tube in a direction parallel to the mandrel. A precision measuring or sensing device is used to control a cutting device causing the cutting device to cut the advancing paint roller tube into pre-selected lengths prior to the paint roller tube hardening and setting.