U.S. patent application number 15/671127 was filed with the patent office on 2017-11-23 for systems, methods and apparatuses for changing the direction/speed of a workpiece.
The applicant listed for this patent is USNR, LLC. Invention is credited to Christopher W. Blomquist, Mike Dockter, Petri Saastamo.
Application Number | 20170334656 15/671127 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50026967 |
Filed Date | 2017-11-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170334656 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Saastamo; Petri ; et
al. |
November 23, 2017 |
SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR CHANGING THE DIRECTION/SPEED
OF A WORKPIECE
Abstract
The present disclosure provides systems, methods and assemblies
comprising one or more tapered feed rolls. Tapered feed rolls may
be used to change the rate and direction of workpiece travel along
a processing line while retaining the workpieces in sequential
order. Routing workpiece flow with tapered feed rolls may allow the
workpieces to be tracked along one or more processing lines, and
may reduce the operational space required for workpiece
processing.
Inventors: |
Saastamo; Petri; (Woodland,
WA) ; Blomquist; Christopher W.; (Ridgefield, WA)
; Dockter; Mike; (Kelso, WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
USNR, LLC |
Woodland |
WA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50026967 |
Appl. No.: |
15/671127 |
Filed: |
August 7, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15187125 |
Jun 20, 2016 |
9725248 |
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15671127 |
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|
14680908 |
Apr 7, 2015 |
9387988 |
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15187125 |
|
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|
14318441 |
Jun 27, 2014 |
9016460 |
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14680908 |
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14086782 |
Nov 21, 2013 |
8794423 |
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14318441 |
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61802096 |
Mar 15, 2013 |
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61729299 |
Nov 21, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B07C 5/14 20130101; B27B
31/003 20130101; B65G 47/766 20130101; B27B 31/08 20130101; B65G
39/00 20130101; B65G 47/26 20130101; Y10T 83/0462 20150401; B27B
5/18 20130101; B65G 59/12 20130101; Y10T 83/664 20150401; B65G
13/02 20130101; B65G 43/00 20130101; B65G 47/34 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65G 39/00 20060101
B65G039/00; B65G 47/76 20060101 B65G047/76; B65G 47/34 20060101
B65G047/34; B65G 47/26 20060101 B65G047/26; B27B 5/18 20060101
B27B005/18; B65G 13/02 20060101 B65G013/02; B07C 5/14 20060101
B07C005/14; B27B 31/08 20060101 B27B031/08; B27B 31/00 20060101
B27B031/00; B65G 59/12 20060101 B65G059/12; B65G 43/00 20060101
B65G043/00 |
Claims
1. A workpiece sorting system comprising: a frame; one or more
conical rolls rotatably mounted to the frame; and a conveyor, the
one or more conical rolls arrayed along the conveyor.
2. The workpiece sorting system of claim 1, further comprising: a
control system; and a plurality of workpiece receiving structures
positionable relative to the conveyor, wherein the control system
is operable to control the conical rolls to selectively divert the
workpieces onto the workpiece receiving structures based at least
on one or more characteristics of the workpieces.
3. The workpiece sorting system of claim 2, wherein the workpiece
receiving structures comprise a workpiece receiving portion coupled
to base having one or more wheels.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/187,125, filed on Jun. 20, 2016, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/680,908, filed
Apr. 7, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,387,988, which is a continuation
of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/318,441, filed Jun. 27,
2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,016,460, which is a continuation of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 14/086,782, filed Nov. 21, 2013, now
U.S. Pat. No. 8,794,423, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/729,299, filed Nov. 21, 2012, and U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/802,096, filed Mar. 15, 2013,
all entitled "SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUSES FOR CHANGING THE
DIRECTION/SPEED OF A WORKPIECE," the entire disclosures of which
are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Embodiments herein relate to the field of wood processing,
and, more specifically, to systems, methods, and apparatuses with
one or more tapered feed rolls for changing the speed and/or
direction of a workpiece.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In current lumber processing systems, pieces of lumber are
typically fed into a processing machine (e.g. a planer) in three
stages. In the first stage, the pieces are conveyed on smooth
chains along a conveyor toward a transfer. The pieces are crowded
together to form a continuous edge to edge mat of lumber on the
conveyor, with each piece oriented perpendicular to the direction
of travel.
[0004] In the second stage, the transfer accepts the pieces from
the conveyor. The transfer may include a plurality of rollers (e.g.
pineapple rollers) rotating around an axis parallel to the first
stage conveyor. As the leading piece of lumber in the mat reaches
the transfer, the rollers contact the piece of lumber, abruptly
changing the direction of travel by ninety degrees and accelerating
the piece lineally along the transfer at a high rate of speed
toward a downstream processing machine. The directional change and
sudden acceleration produces large gaps between the pieces.
[0005] In the third stage, the lumber pieces are fed individually
into a processing machine, such as an edger. The large gaps between
successive lumber pieces reduce efficiency at the processing
machine. Further, deceleration of the lead piece over a short
distance can cause the following piece to collide with the lead
piece. Because the following piece is traveling at a high rate of
speed, such collisions can damage the pieces, cause work flow
stoppages, and necessitate costly clean-ups and repairs.
[0006] For this reason, current systems require a relatively long
(e.g. 40 ft.) intermediate conveyor, or "bridge," between the
transfer and the processing machine. This allows sufficient
distances for deceleration of the lead piece relative to the
following piece, providing minimization of both gaps and
collisions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Embodiments will be readily understood by the following
detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not by way of
limitation in the specification and in the accompanying
drawings.
[0008] FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a tapered roll
feed system in accordance with various embodiments;
[0009] FIG. 1B illustrates examples of vertically aligned and
vertically offset tapered feed roll arrangements;
[0010] FIGS. 1C-E illustrate examples of tapered feed rolls with
adjustable dimensions;
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of the tapered roll feed
system of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a side elevational view of the lineal
conveyor assembly of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates a front elevational view of the
transverse conveyor assembly of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates a front perspective view of a tapered
roll assembly and transverse conveyor assembly in accordance with
various embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates a rear perspective view of the tapered
roll assembly and transverse conveyor assembly of FIG. 5;
[0016] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate plan views of an transverse
conveyor assembly and tapered roll assembly;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an optimizing tapered
roll feed system;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a method of manipulating
workpieces, such as controlling gaps and/or changing workpiece flow
from transverse to lineal and vice versa;
[0019] FIG. 10 illustrates a plan view of a tapered roll feed
system;
[0020] FIG. 11 illustrates a plan view of a tapered roll feed
system with an alternative configuration;
[0021] FIGS. 12A-C illustrate views of a workpiece sorter with one
or more tapered feed rolls, and aspects thereof;
[0022] FIGS. 13A-B illustrate side view block diagrams of workpiece
sorting systems with one or more tapered feed rolls;
[0023] FIGS. 14A-B illustrate a top plan view and a side view,
respectively, of a workpiece even-ending system with one or more
tapered feed rolls;
[0024] FIG. 14C illustrates a top plan view of a cut-in-two system
with one or more tapered feed rolls;
[0025] FIGS. 15A-B illustrate block diagrams of a log feeder with
one or more tapered feed rolls;
[0026] FIG. 16 illustrates another embodiment of a cut-in-two
system with one or more tapered feed rolls;
[0027] FIG. 17 illustrates an example of a lug loader with one or
more tapered feed rolls;
[0028] FIGS. 18A-D illustrate block diagrams of a horizontal gang
outfeed and board separator system with one or more tapered feed
rolls;
[0029] FIGS. 19A-D illustrate block diagrams of a vertical gang
outfeed and board separator system with one or more tapered feed
rolls;
[0030] FIG. 20 illustrates an embodiment of a log feeder with one
or more tapered feed rolls;
[0031] FIGS. 21A-D illustrate an example of a separator/combiner
assembly with one or more tapered feed rolls; and
[0032] FIG. 22 shows a block diagram of a flitch diversion system
with one or more tapered feed rolls, all arranged in accordance
with various embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] In the following detailed description, reference is made to
the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which
are shown by way of illustration embodiments that may be practiced.
It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and
structural or logical changes may be made without departing from
the scope. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to
be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of embodiments is
defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
[0034] Various operations may be described as multiple discrete
operations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in
understanding embodiments; however, the order of description should
not be construed to imply that these operations are order
dependent.
[0035] The description may use perspective-based descriptions such
as up/down, back/front, and top/bottom. Such descriptions are
merely used to facilitate the discussion and are not intended to
restrict the application of disclosed embodiments.
[0036] The terms "coupled" and "connected," along with their
derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms
are not intended as synonyms for each other. Rather, in particular
embodiments, "connected" may be used to indicate that two or more
elements are in direct physical or electrical contact with each
other. "Coupled" may mean that two or more elements are in direct
physical or electrical contact. However, "coupled" may also mean
that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each
other, but yet still cooperate or interact with each other.
[0037] For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form
"A/B" or in the form "A and/or B" means (A), (B), or (A and B). For
the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form "at least one
of A, B, and C" means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and
C), or (A, B and C). For the purposes of the description, a phrase
in the form "(A)B" means (B) or (AB) that is, A is an optional
element.
[0038] The description may use the terms "embodiment" or
"embodiments," which may each refer to one or more of the same or
different embodiments. Furthermore, the terms "comprising,"
"including," "having," and the like, as used with respect to
embodiments, are synonymous.
[0039] In various embodiments, methods, apparatuses, and systems
for transporting a workpiece are provided. In exemplary
embodiments, a computing device may be endowed with one or more
components of the disclosed apparatuses and/or systems and may be
employed to perform one or more methods as disclosed herein.
[0040] As used herein, the term "workpiece" may be used to refer to
any form of wood, including (but not limited to) a stick/sticker or
lathe, a board, a flitch, a cant, a log, a slab, a stem, a panel, a
taper, veneer, and/or other material such as plywood,
particleboard, fiberboard, etc. In addition, the terms "transfer"
and "conveyor" are used interchangeably throughout the
description.
[0041] Embodiments herein provide a tapered feed roll assembly.
Tapered rolls as described herein may be used with infeed and/or
outfeed components, such as conveyors/transfers, to efficiently
transport workpieces. In some examples, tapered feed rolls may be
used with one or more lineal and/or transverse conveyors in various
combinations to transport pieces of lumber into and/or from a wood
processing device, including (but not limited to) a planer, edger,
jointer, molder, chipper, shape saw, and/or any other workpiece
cutting or surfacing apparatus. The tapering of the feed rolls as
described herein may provide gradual acceleration (or deceleration)
and/or directional change to workpieces (e.g. a directional change
of approximately 90 degrees) while directing the workpieces toward
or away from a guard/fence, as well as providing improved gap
control and collision reduction without the use of a long
intermediate bridge. Thus, tapered feed rolls may reduce the
footprint required for workpiece processing systems. Tapered feed
rolls may also increase worker safety in comparison to conventional
rollers, which provide sudden acceleration and directional
change.
[0042] One or more tapered feed rolls may be used to translate a
series of workpieces along a path of flow with one or more bends or
turns (e.g., a path with a right angle bend, a `zigzag` path as
shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, or a U-shaped path), in a manner that
maintains some or all of the workpieces in their original sequence.
An existing processing line may be modified by adding tapered feed
rolls in order to introduce a bend in the existing path of
workpiece flow. This may be done, for example, to reduce the length
of the processing line or fit a processing line within available
space.
[0043] FIGS. 1A and 2 illustrate perspective and plan views,
respectively, of a tapered roll feed system in accordance with
various embodiments, where the feed rolls are being used as part of
an infeed system. As best shown in FIG. 2, a tapered roll feed
system may include a transverse conveyor assembly 110, tapered roll
assembly 130, and lineal conveyor 180. Transverse conveyor assembly
110 may include a frame 116, a drive 118, and one or more lugged
chain(s) 112 comprising lugs 114. The drive 118 may be coupled to
lugged chain(s) 112 and may be configured to drive the lugged
chain(s) 112. Some embodiments may include a belt, a smooth chain,
or other transfer surface instead of, or in addition to, a lugged
chain. The lugged chain(s) 112 may be driven at an adjustable rate
of speed, allowing workpieces to be fed individually to the tapered
roll assembly 130 at intervals sufficient to help prevent
collisions between successive workpieces and help avoid excessive
gaps between workpieces. The illustrated transverse conveyor
assembly is merely one example, not intended to be limiting, and
the present disclosure is intended to encompass any apparatus
suitable for mechanically moving workpieces.
[0044] Tapered roll assembly 130 may include a base 140 coupled to
a vertical support 142, one or more upper tapered feed rolls 132, a
guide 156 coupled to vertical support 142 and side rolls 150 (see
FIG. 6), and one or more lower tapered feed rolls 136. Generally,
and as will be described in detail below, upper and lower tapered
feed rolls 132/136 may work in conjunction with each other to
change the direction and/or speed of a work piece that is entering
the tapered roll assembly. In various embodiments, one or more
upper feed rolls 132 may be generally conical in shape and disposed
directly above a corresponding lower feed roll 136. In various
other embodiments, the upper and lower feed rolls may be offset
from each other (see e.g., FIG. 1B). Upper feed rolls 132 may move
up, down, and/or along an arcuate path, and/or may be attached to a
pivoting frame. For example, base 140 and/or vertical support 142
may be pivotable.
[0045] Upper and lower tapered feed rolls 132/136 may be
constructed of any suitable material, such as rubber, metal,
plastic, a polymer, etc., or any combination thereof. Upper and
lower tapered feed rolls 132/136 may have a surface texture or
treatment for improved frictional engagement or gripping of
workpieces. For example, the narrow distal end 152 and/or the wider
proximal end of a tapered feed roll may be coated or textured,
coated with an elastomer, etc., in order to help improve transition
of the workpieces from one station to the next. A tapered feed roll
may have any suitable surface texture, such as smooth, spiked,
rubbery, or knurled. Optionally, the outer surface of tapered feed
roll 736 or some portion thereof may be provided with a surface
coating or texture to increase or decrease friction against the
workpieces. For example, the tapered feed roll may be chrome-plated
or treated with a polyester such as polytetrafluoroethylene at one
end to minimize surface friction, and the other end may be provided
with a rubbery or rough texture for greater surface friction. Some
tapered feed rolls may have a raised or depressed spiral pattern
along some or all of the outer surface (e.g., at the narrower end,
at the wider end, or along the entire length of the feed roll). The
narrow end of the tapered feed roll may be rounded. Alternatively,
the narrow end of the tapered feed roll may be flat or pointed.
[0046] The dimensions of upper tapered feed rolls 132 and lower
tapered feed rolls 136 may vary among embodiments. In one
embodiment, the proximal end diameter may be four times the
diameter of the distal end (i.e. proximal end to distal end ratio
of 4:1; see e.g. FIG. 5). In other embodiments, the proximal end
diameter may be between about 2 and 5 times the distal end
diameter. In accordance with various embodiments, some tapered feed
rolls may have an adjustable diameter, which may help modify the
speed of the workpiece. Each of FIGS. 1C, 1D, and 1E illustrate
block diagrams of tapered feed rolls with adjustable diameters. For
example, as shown in FIGS. 1D and 1E, a tapered feed roll may
comprise two or more conical/frustum/round plates 12 having one or
more apertures 22 and/or fastening elements 20, allowing plates of
varying diameters to be coupled together in a stack or spaced array
along a shaft 10 to form a tapered feed roll 32. Plates of varying
diameters may be added or exchanged with other plates along the
shaft to alter the length, diameter, degree of tapering, etc. of
the tapered feed roll. Optionally, two or more of the plates
arranged along the shaft may be separated by a gap. One or more
fasteners 20 may be coupled to a plate and/or shaft to retain the
plate in a desired position.
[0047] In another example, a tapered feed roll may comprise an
expandable ring within an outer end, spokes/rods connecting the
expandable ring to the distal end of the tapered feed roll, and
overlapping outer surface plates. In this example, the diameter of
the proximal (widest) end may be increased by expanding the ring,
providing an adjustable distal to proximal end diameter ratio. In a
third example, as illustrated in FIG. 1C, one or more hollow outer
shells/coverings 16, 18 may be fitted over a feed roll core 14 to
change the length, degree of tapering, etc. Optionally, feed roll
core 14 may have a cylindrical, conical, or frustoconical profile.
Feed roll core 14 may be coupled to a shaft 10, and
shells/coverings 16, 18 may be coupled to feed roll core 14 using
one or more bolts, screws, pins, or other suitable fasteners known
in the art.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 1A, each upper tapered feed roll 132 may be
coupled to and driven by an upper feed roll driver 134. Similarly,
each lower tapered feed roll 136 may be coupled to and driven by a
lower feed roll driver 138. Upper/lower feed roll drivers 132/134
may include any type of motor and/or other driver. In some
embodiments, each upper and lower tapered feed rolls 132 and 136
may be coupled to and driven by an individual driver/motor. In some
embodiments two or more feed rolls may be driven by a single
driver. For example, one or more tapered feed rolls may comprise an
integrated drum motor. In another example, a plurality of upper
tapered feed rolls may be driven by one feed roll driver while the
lower tapered feed rolls are driven by a second feed roll
driver.
[0049] Upper and lower tapered feed rolls 132/136 may be positioned
at an angle with respect to transverse conveyor assembly 110, fence
156, and/or vertical support 142. In one example, the feed axis of
the transverse conveyor assembly 110 (i.e. vector indicated by
Arrow A (in FIGS. 2 and 7B), which is the general direction of
workpiece flow in the illustrated example, is approximately
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of vertical support 142
(i.e. vector indicated by Arrow C in FIGS. 2 and 7B), substantially
forming a right triangle. In this example, where the direction of
workpiece flow along the transverse conveyor assembly 110 (shown by
Arrow A) is at 0 degrees and the direction of workpiece flow along
the lineal conveyor 180 (shown by Arrow C) is at approximately 90
degrees, an upper/lower tapered feed roll 132/136 may be positioned
with the axis of rotation extending at an angle of, for example,
approximately 30 degrees relative to direction of workpiece flow
along the transverse conveyor assembly. The angle may vary among
embodiments. In the above example, the angle may be within a range
of 10 to 50 degrees, etc. In some embodiments, the angle may be
adjustable between 1 degree to 89 degrees. Similarly, the upper
and/or lower tapered feed rolls 132/136 may be set at an angle with
respect to the vertical support 142. For example, where the
vertical support 142 is substantially perpendicular to base 140,
the axis of rotation of an upper tapered feed roll 132 may be
oblique to the horizontal longitudinal axis of vertical support 142
and/or oblique to the vertical plane of vertical support 142. As
another example, the axis of rotation of an upper tapered feed roll
132 may be oblique to one or both of guide 156 and guide 184.
[0050] Lineal conveyor 180 maybe positioned adjacent to the tapered
roll assembly 130 and adapted to receive workpieces being
transferred by the tapered feed rolls. In various embodiments,
lineal conveyor 180 may include lower rolls 182, guide 184, and a
press roll assembly 186. Lower rolls 182 may be driven rolls or
non-driven rolls. Press roll assembly 186 may be configured to
retain workpieces on lineal conveyor 180 as they are conveyed
toward the processing apparatus 190. Press roll assembly 186 may
include driven or non-driven rolls and a height adjustment
mechanism to raise and lower the press rolls and/or the press roll
assembly as desired. Other components such as a processing
apparatus 190 (e.g. planer, matcher, moulder, edger, etc.),
scanner/optimizer 198, computing device 194, conveyor 196,
repositioner 202, and/or controller 204 may also be coupled to one
or more components of lineal conveyor 180, transverse conveyor
assembly 110, and/or tapered roll assembly 130 (see FIG. 8).
[0051] In various embodiments, lineal conveyor 180 may be between
eight and twenty-five feet in length, or longer or shorter as
needed depending on the processing required. In one example,
transverse conveyor assembly 110 may be positioned such that its
horizontal longitudinal axis and direction of flow are
perpendicular to the horizontal longitudinal axes of tapered roll
assembly 130 and lineal conveyor 180. Thus, a tapered roll feed
assembly as shown in FIG. 1A may have a length of less than forty
feet in a first dimension (i.e. the length of transverse conveyor
assembly 110 added to the width of the tapered roll assembly 130)
and less than thirty feet in a second dimension (i.e. the length of
the tapered roll assembly 130 added to the length of the lineal
conveyor 180). In particular, the lineal conveyor 180 may be
shorter than a conventional bridge/transfer. For example, lineal
conveyor 180 may be less than 20 feet in length, less than 15 feet
in length, or less than 10 feet in length.
[0052] In operation, workpieces may be conveyed by lugged conveyor
112 along transverse conveyor assembly 110 toward the tapered roll
assembly 130 in the direction shown by Arrow A. The workpieces may
be individually separated by the lugs 114. Thus, each workpiece may
be individually presented to paired upper and lower tapered feed
rolls 132/136 in a transverse orientation (i.e. lengthwise,
perpendicular to the direction of travel shown by Arrow A), and the
narrow, distal ends 152 of upper and lower tapered feed rolls
132/136 (see e.g. FIG. 5) may contact one workpiece at a time.
[0053] As individual workpieces contact the tapered rolls, they may
be driven by the tapered rolls toward the tapered roll assembly 130
and lineal conveyor 180 along an angled path shown by Arrow B. The
workpieces may enter the upper and lower tapered feed rolls 132/136
at the distal (i.e. narrowest) end 152, and exit generally at or
near at the proximal (i.e. widest) end 154 (see e.g. FIG. 5). The
upper and lower tapered feed rolls 132/136 may be arranged at an
angle to the guides 156 and/or 184. For example, as shown in FIG.
1A, upper and lower tapered feed rolls 132/136 may be arranged at a
30 degree angle with respect to guide 184. The angle and tapering
of the tapered rolls may cause the workpieces to be pulled toward a
vertical support or guide 156 of the tapered roll assembly 130
while the workpieces substantially retain their previous
orientation (i.e. with the longitudinal axis of the workpieces
generally perpendicular to the direction shown by Arrow A).
[0054] As the workpieces progress from the narrow, distal ends of
the tapered rolls to the wider, proximal ends of the tapered rolls,
the workpieces may be gradually accelerated due to the increasing
surface velocity at the wider, proximal ends of the tapered rolls.
Lineal conveyor 180 may receive the workpieces from the tapered
roll assembly 130 and convey the workpieces in the direction shown
by Arrow C toward a processing apparatus such as a planer, edger,
matcher, moulder, or other cutting/finishing machine.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 3, upper tapered feed rolls 132 may be
paired in vertical alignment with lower tapered feed rolls 136. The
upper tapered feed rolls 132 and the lower tapered feed rolls 136
may rotate in opposite directions (i.e. clockwise and
counterclockwise). The upper/lower tapered feed rolls 132/136 may
be positioned such that the lower surface of the upper tapered feed
rolls 132 and the upper surface of the lower tapered feed rolls 136
are substantially parallel to the upper surface of the lugged
chain, leaving a gap of substantially constant height between each
paired upper and lower tapered feed roll. While four pairs of
tapered feed rolls are illustrated, other embodiments may include
one, two, three, five, six, or more pairs. In an alternate
embodiment, upper tapered feed rolls 132 and lower tapered feed
rolls 136 may be vertically offset, for example with a lower
tapered feed roll 136 positioned below and between two upper
tapered feed rolls 132 (see e.g., FIG. 1B).
[0056] Referring now to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, one or more plates 146
may be coupled to the vertical support 142 of the tapered roll
assembly 130 to allow vertical displacement/repositioning of upper
tapered feed rolls 132 relative to lower tapered feed rolls 136. In
some examples, a plate 146 may be pivotable around a pivot point or
along an arcuate path. As shown in the illustrated embodiment,
plates 146 may be coupled to one or more upper tapered feed rolls
132 and movably coupled to tracks 158 of the vertical support 142,
allowing plates 146 to be raised, lowered, pivoted, and/or moved
along an arcuate path relative to vertical support 142. Tracks 158
may comprise ridges, rails, grooves, or other known
movable/slideable coupling elements. An adjustment assembly 148 may
be coupled to plate 146 and to vertical support 142. Adjustment
assembly 148 may comprise a lift mechanism, such as a piston,
configured to apply force against vertical support 142 and plates
146 to raise or lower plates 146 with respect to vertical support
142. For example, adjustment assembly 148 may include a tensioning
cylinder coupled to a positioning cylinder. The tensioning cylinder
may bear part of the weight of the corresponding tapered feed roll,
and the positioning cylinder may be actuated to raise and lower the
tapered feed roll. Alternatively, adjustment assembly 148 may
comprise a passive sliding mechanism that allows plates 146 to be
pushed upward to accommodate workpieces as they are pulled between
the tapered feed rolls, the weight of plates 146 and upper tapered
feed rolls 132 applying sufficient pressure to secure the
workpieces. A separate plate 146 may be provided for each upper and
lower tapered feed roll pair. In some embodiments, two or more
upper tapered feed rolls may be coupled to, and vertically
repositionable with, a single plate 146. The upper and lower
tapered feed rolls may be vertically repositioned to adjust the
size of a gap between two or more tapered feed rolls.
[0057] In some embodiments, the adjustment assembly may be (or may
include) an electric, pneumatic, hydraulic, or electro hydraulic
mechanism (e.g., a linear actuator, rotary actuator, or cylinder)
coupled to plate 146 and the support. Other embodiments may lack a
plate 146, and may instead have another slideable support structure
that functions in a similar manner (e.g., a bar or other rigid
structure).
[0058] Different mechanisms for raising and lowering the feed rolls
may be provided instead of, or in addition to, those described
above. For example, the tapered feed rolls may be pivotably mounted
to the support. An actuator may be coupled to one or more of the
feed rolls, and may be configured to pivot the tapered feed roll(s)
to a desired position. A separate actuator may be provided for each
tapered feed roll. Alternatively, one actuator may be coupled to,
and operable to reposition, two or more tapered feed rolls. In a
specific example, a first actuator may be coupled to some or all of
the upper feed rolls and a second actuator may be coupled to some
or all of the lower feed rolls. The first and second actuators may
be separately actuated to reposition the upper and lower tapered
feed rolls, respectively. Optionally, a tapered feed roll may be
pivotable upwardly or downwardly toward another tapered feed roll
or support surface to engage a workpiece. For example, upper and
lower tapered feed rolls may be pivoted toward one another to grasp
a workpiece in a scissors-like fashion, and/or to pull or lift the
workpiece from a conveyor (e.g., a transverse conveyor).
[0059] The size of the gap between two tapered feed rolls can also
be adjusted in other ways. For example, the diameter, length,
and/or taper angle of the tapered feed rolls may be adjusted by
adding or removing an outer plate or covering, as described above.
This may increase or decrease the size of the gap. In addition,
where the tapered feed rolls comprise two or more plates, the
diameter, length, and/or taper angle of the tapered feed rolls can
be adjusted by adding plates to, or removing plates from, the
tapered feed roll or part thereof. As another example, the tapered
feed rolls may be mounted on an extendable shaft, allowing them to
be extended along their corresponding axes of rotation. Extending
or retracting a tapered feed roll may alter the size of the gap
between the tapered feed roll and an opposing tapered feed
roll.
[0060] In various embodiments, the tapered feed rolls may be
laterally adjusted relative to the vertical support 142 or guide
156 by a positioner in order to modify the lateral angle of the
feed roll axis. In one embodiment, the positioner may include
plates 146 that are slideably coupled to one or more generally
horizontal grooves or tracks of vertical support 142, which may be
adapted to move laterally and adjust the angle of the feed rolls.
In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a lower tapered feed
roll 136 and/or lower feed roll driver 138 may be coupled to a
positioner, which may include a positioning base 160. Positioning
base 160 may further comprise one or more couplers 162. Couplers
162 may couple the positioning base 160 to the base 140 and/or to
the vertical support 142. Couplers 162 may be moveably (e.g.
slideably/pivotably) coupled to base 140 and/or vertical support
142. In one example, couplers 162 may comprise a cam and cam
follower arrangement, or a vertical rod/post in sliding engagement
with a corresponding groove or track of base 140. Such a groove or
track may be curved to allow repositioning of the positioning base
160 along an arcuate path, such that the axis of rotation of the
corresponding tapered feed roll may be adjusted to form any desired
angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vertical support
140. In other examples, couplers 162 may comprise bearings,
tracks/grooves, and/or other movable coupling elements.
[0061] Other mechanisms for lateral repositioning of the tapered
feed rolls may be used in addition to, or instead of, those
described above. For example, the support may be slideably mounted
to the floor or other underlying support surface to allow lateral
repositioning of the tapered feed rolls relative to a conveyor or
transfer. Similarly, the support or part thereof (e.g., vertical
support 140) may be slideably mounted to an upright brace or other
structure to allow vertical repositioning of the tapered feed rolls
as a single unit. Alternatively, as described above, the tapered
feed rolls may be pivotably mounted to a support and coupled to one
or more actuators configured to pivot the tapered feed rolls to a
desired orientation (e.g., an orientation determined by a computing
device or system). Optionally, separate actuators may be provided
for lateral repositioning (e.g., for laterally skewing a tapered
feed roll relative to the support) and for vertical positioning
(e.g., for tilting a tapered feed roll upward or downward).
[0062] Tapered feed rolls may be laterally repositioned relative to
the transfer/conveyor and/or adjacent tapered feed roll(s). The
distance between laterally adjacent tapered feed rolls, or between
laterally adjacent pairs of tapered feed rolls, may be selectively
adjusted. For example, laterally adjacent tapered feed rolls may be
moved closer together to handle workpieces of a first length (e.g.
8 feet), and moved further apart to handle workpieces of a greater
second length (e.g., 12 feet, 15 feet, or 20 feet). Distances
between adjacent tapered feed rolls or pairs may be adjusted by
linear positioners or other actuators. Optionally, two adjacent
tapered feed rolls may be connected by a linear positioner that can
be actuated to increase or decrease the distance between them.
Alternatively, a linear positioner may be used to synchronously
move a pair of tapered feed rolls (e.g., upper and lower) from side
to side.
[0063] Optionally, tapered feed rolls may be laterally and/or
vertically repositionable relative to a transfer/conveyor in
response to a command by a computing device/system. Alternatively,
the transfer/conveyor (e.g., transverse conveyor assembly 110,
lineal conveyor 180) may be vertically and/or laterally
repositioned relative to the tapered feed rolls. Such
transfers/conveyors are known in the art and will not be described
in further detail herein. In any case, the position (angle, lateral
position, vertical position) of the tapered feed rolls may be
readjusted for individual workpieces or for a batch of workpieces.
The adjustments may be based on workpiece/batch characteristics
determined by a scanner or computing system, described further
below. The adjustments may also be based on a destination or path
of travel selected by the computing system for the workpiece(s),
and the angle at which the workpiece(s) must be driven relative to
the infeed or outfeed in order to reach the selected path of
travel. Alternatively, the adjustments may be determined or set by
a human operator based on factors such as an approximate workpiece
length or thickness or a desired destination or path of travel.
[0064] The tapered feed rolls may also be vertically repositioned
to adjust the pressure applied to a workpiece engaged in the gap
between them. In some embodiments, an adjustment assembly may
include a pressure sensor or tension gauge configured to detect
pressure exerted by the workpiece against a tapered feed roll. The
vertical position of the tapered feed roll may be adjusted based on
the detected pressure or tension.
[0065] The positioners may be coupled to, and operated/controlled
by, a controller and/or other device (e.g. controller 204,
computing device 194, controller 204, processing apparatus 190,
etc., see FIG. 8). In one example, positioner may comprise an
actuator configured to adjust the vertical/horizontal position of a
positioner (e.g. positioning base 160 or plates 146) in response to
a command from the controller and/or other device to adjust the
horizontal and/or vertical orientation of the corresponding tapered
feed roll. Two or more tapered feed rolls and/or positioning bases
160 may be coupled to allow synchronous adjustment of tapered feed
rolls.
[0066] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate plan views of a transverse
conveyor assembly and a tapered roll assembly. As shown in FIG. 7A,
a workpiece 199 may be conveyed on transverse conveyor assembly 110
toward the tapered roll assembly 130 and into contact with the
distal ends 152 of the tapered feed rolls.
[0067] As a workpiece 199 contacts the distal ends 152 of upper and
lower tapered feed rolls 132/136, the workpiece 199 may be pulled
toward the proximal ends 154 of the upper and lower tapered feed
rolls 132/136 (direction shown by Arrow A, FIG. 7B) due to the
angle of the tapered feed rolls 132/136. At the same time, the
rotation of upper and lower tapered feed rolls 132/136 may also
propel the workpiece toward the lineal conveyor 180 (direction
shown by Arrow C, FIG. 7B). As a result, the workpiece may move
along a path of flow that is perpendicular to the rotational axes
of the upper and lower tapered feed rolls 132/136. For example,
where the upper and lower tapered feed rolls 132/136 are angled at
30 degrees with respect the vector indicated by Arrow A, the
workpiece may move in the direction indicated by Arrow B. The
workpiece may substantially maintain its orientation, with the
longitudinal axis approximately parallel to the vector indicated by
Arrow A, during this process.
[0068] The surface speed of the tapered rollers is greater at
proximal ends 154 than at distal ends 152. Thus, the tapered
rollers may gradually accelerate the workpiece 199 as it proceeds
toward the proximal ends 154 and toward a guide (e.g. guide 184
and/or guide 156, shown in FIG. 1A).
[0069] Guide 184 may comprise a fixed straight edge lumber guide
that positions each workpiece for feeding into a processing device.
For example, guide 184 may align workpieces with one or more
positioning or cutting components of a planer. When the workpiece
199 reaches guide 184 and/or 156, the upper and lower tapered feed
rolls may continue to crowd the workpiece along guide 184. The
workpiece will then be traveling in a lineal fashion, parallel to
the vector indicated by Arrow C.
[0070] The rotational speeds of the upper/lower tapered feed rolls
may be adjustable to accelerate the workpiece 199 to travel along
the lineal conveyor 180 at a rate matching that of a processing
apparatus (e.g. processing apparatus 190). For example, the
rotational speeds of upper/lower tapered feed rolls 132/136 may be
adjusted to cause the workpiece 199 to travel along the lineal
conveyor 180 at a speed that matches the cutting speed of a planer
coupled to lineal conveyor 180. The rotational speeds of
upper/lower tapered feed rolls 132/136 may also be adjusted to
increase or decrease gaps between successive workpieces on lineal
conveyor 180. In some embodiments, adjacent tapered feed rolls or
adjacent pairs of tapered feed rolls may be driven at different
speeds. Optionally, a series of tapered feed rolls/pairs may be
driven at successively greater or lesser speeds according to their
relative positions in the series, with the tapered feed roll/pair
at one end of the series having the highest speed and the tapered
feed roll/pair at the opposite end of the series having the lowest
speed. For example, in a row of three tapered feed roll pairs, the
first tapered feed roll pair may be driven at a first speed, the
next adjacent tapered feed roll pair may be driven at a second
speed that is greater than the first speed, and the third tapered
feed roll pair may be driven at a third speed that is greater than
the first and second speeds.
[0071] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an optimizing
workpiece feed system, arranged in accordance with various
embodiments. An optimizing workpiece feed system may include
transverse conveyor assembly 110, tapered roll assembly 130, and
lineal conveyor 180 essentially as described above. The system may
further include a conveyor 196, a repositioner 202, and a
scanner/optimizer 198 operatively coupled to transverse conveyor
assembly 110. A processing apparatus 190 may be operatively coupled
to, and positioned to accept workpieces from, lineal conveyor 180.
An outfeed 192 may be operatively coupled to, and positioned to
accept workpieces from, processing apparatus 190. A computing
device 194 may be coupled to one or more of these or other
components (see e.g. FIG. 8). A controller 204 may be coupled to
one or more components of tapered roll assembly 130,
scanner/optimizer 198, and/or computing device 194. One or more of
scanner/optimizer 198, computing device 194, and controller 204 may
be integrated within a single device.
[0072] Conveyor 196 may comprise any workpiece storage/transport
device, including but not limited to a belt/chain, rollers,
table/platform, etc. Repositioner 202 may comprise any device for
removing workpieces from a path of flow by diverting, ejecting, or
otherwise dislocating the workpieces from the path of flow (e.g. a
ducker, a stopper, a dropout mechanism, etc.). In some examples,
repositioner 202 may be any device configured to flip and/or rotate
a workpiece to a desired orientation (e.g. from wane down to wane
up) based on scan data, a command, and/or manual activation.
Repositioner 202 may be positioned in any suitable location, such
as within, before, or after the transverse conveyor assembly 110.
For example, repositioner 202 may be disposed between the
transverse conveyor assembly 110 and the tapered roll assembly 130.
As another example, repositioner 202 may be located between the
tapered roll assembly 130 and the lineal conveyor 180. In still
another example, repositioner 202 may be located along/after the
lineal conveyor 180 and before the processing apparatus 190.
[0073] Scanner/optimizer 198 may also be disposed within, before,
or after the transverse conveyor assembly 110. For example,
scanner/optimizer 198 may be positioned along conveyor 196 or
between conveyor 196 and transverse conveyor assembly 110.
Scanner/optimizer 198 may comprise a lineal scanner, a transverse
scanner, and/or one or more cameras or other imaging devices, any
or all of which may be arranged above, below, or to the side of a
path of workpiece flow. Scanner/optimizer 198 may scan of
individual workpieces on the transverse conveyor assembly 110,
generate corresponding scan data, and send the scan data to one or
more other components. The scan data may be used to determine one
or more characteristics of a workpiece (e.g. physical dimensions,
contours, color, species, grain angle, density, pith, pitch, rot,
shelling, knots, wane, curvature/bow, warp, moisture content,
shake, wet pockets, insect damage, and/or other defects) that may
be used to generate an optimized processing solution for the
workpiece.
[0074] Processing apparatus 190 may be a planer, matcher, moulder,
edger, shape saw, and/or any other processing device. Processing
apparatus 190 may include one or more movable elements 206 that are
repositionable to accommodate variations in workpiece size,
cutting/processing patterns, etc. Movable elements 206 may be
workpiece positioners, cutting/planing/routing elements, chipping
heads, or other elements.
[0075] Controller 204 may be configured to adjust the angle and/or
rotational speed of one or more tapered feed rolls 132/136,
individually or in groups of two or more, in response to a command
from scanner/optimizer 198 and/or computing device 194. This
adjustment may be automatic, and may be based on factors such as
size of gaps between successive workpieces, workpiece sizes,
processing apparatus speed and/or time required to adjust a
processing apparatus for processing a workpiece, etc. In some
examples, controller 204 may be configured to facilitate manual
adjustment/setting of tapered feed roll rotational speed, angle,
and/or vertical position.
[0076] Scanner/optimizer 198 and/or computing device 194 may
include a processor, a memory storing one or more algorithms, and
computer executable instructions operable, upon execution, to
implement the stored algorithms. Examples of a stored algorithm may
include, but are not limited to, algorithms for: generating one or
more optimized processing (e.g. cutting, planing, edging, or
finishing) solutions for a scanned workpiece based on scan data;
predicting/determining a gap size between successive workpieces on
transport 180; adjusting a gap between successive workpieces (e.g.
by assessing the rotational speed of a tapered feed roll and the
length of the gap, determining a corrective adjustment to the
rotational speed, and sending a command to the corresponding feed
roll drive to make the corrective adjustment);
controlling/adjusting/coordinating the operation of system
components to reduce gaps between workpieces based on one or more
of scan data, optimized processing solutions, workpiece processing
speed of the processing apparatus, etc.; sending a command to
reposition or drop out a workpiece based on scan data; monitoring
and adjusting the rotational speed, angle, and/or position of a
tapered feed roll; and/or adjusting operation of the processing
apparatus 190 based on an optimized processing solution (e.g. by
sending a command to the processing apparatus 190 to reposition one
or more movable elements of the processing device based on a
processing solution for a workpiece on lineal conveyor 180).
[0077] In some embodiments, processing apparatus 190 may be an
optimizing processing device such as an optimizing planer,
optimizing edger, or optimizing matcher/moulder and may comprise
some or all of the functions of computing device 194. Processing
apparatus 190 may accept workpieces from lineal conveyor 180 and
process each workpiece according to an optimized processing
solution/pattern received from the scanner/optimizer 198.
Processing apparatus 190 may be configured to adjust or regulate
the operation of other components of the system, as described above
with respect to computing device 194.
[0078] In an example operation, workpieces may be conveyed to the
transverse conveyor assembly 110 on conveyor 196. The workpieces
may be individually scanned by scanner/optimizer 198 before,
during, or after the transfer of workpiece to the transverse
conveyor assembly 110. Scan data may be sent to the computing
device 194, the controller 204, and/or repositioner 202. For
example, scanner/optimizer 198 may send scan data for a workpiece
to computing device 194, and computing device 194 may determine
that the scan indicates a defect that renders the workpiece
unsuitable for further processing. Computing device 194 may then
send a command signal to repositioner 202. In response to the
command signal, repositioner 202 may remove the defective workpiece
from the lugged chain 112. Scanner/optimizer 198 may determine an
optimized processing solution (e.g. optimized
planing/cutting/edging solution) and/or optimized processing
pattern for each workpiece scanned. The optimized processing
solution/pattern may be sent to the computing device 194,
repositioner 202, and/or controller 204.
[0079] Workpieces may be conveyed along transverse conveyor
assembly 110 and into contact with one or more upper and lower
tapered feed rolls of tapered roll assembly 130 as described above.
The upper tapered feed rolls 132 may be raised or lowered based on
the scan data (e.g. based on workpiece thickness, etc.). Adjustment
assemblies 148 may be coupled to controller 204, scanner/optimizer
198, and/or computing device 194, and may be configured to raise or
lower the upper tapered feed rolls 132 in response to a command
from one or more of those components.
[0080] The workpieces may be accelerated by the upper and lower
tapered feed rolls and conveyed along lineal conveyor 180 toward
the processing apparatus 190. Press roll assembly 186 may apply
downward force to retain the workpieces on the transfer surface as
they move along the guide 184. Press roll assembly 186 may include
one or more driven rollers operable to adjust the speed of
individual workpieces. In one example, press roll assembly 186 may
reduce or increase the speed of a workpiece in response to a
command and/or to accommodate the processing speed of the
processing apparatus 190.
[0081] Computing device 194 may adjust the gaps between successive
workpieces and/or adjust workpiece infeed into processing apparatus
190 by sending commands to control the operation of one or more of
conveyor 196, scanner/optimizer 198, drive 118, upper/lower feed
roll driver 134/138, adjustment assembly 148, press roll assembly
186, lineal conveyor 180, and/or processing apparatus 190. In one
example, computing device 194 may issue a command to adjust the
rotational speed of upper/lower tapered feed rolls 132/136 based at
least in part on one or more optimized processing
solutions/patterns. Computing device 194 may also issue a command
to adjust the rotational speed of upper/lower tapered feed rolls
132/136 to leave gaps between workpieces sufficient to allow
repositioning of movable elements 206 according to the optimized
cut solution/pattern for a workpiece on lineal conveyor 180.
Computing device 194 may transmit one or more commands to
processing apparatus 190, such as a command to reposition movable
elements 206 according to the optimized cut solution/pattern for a
workpiece on lineal conveyor 180.
[0082] The processing apparatus 190 may process one or more
workpieces as they enter. As workpieces exit processing apparatus
190, the workpieces may be transferred to an outfeed 192. In some
embodiments, outfeed 192 may comprise one or more upper/lower
tapered feed rolls arranged/controlled substantially as described
above for tapered roll assembly 130. In one example, outfeed 192
may comprise a combination of a conveyor and a tapered roll
assembly. The upper/lower tapered feed rolls of outfeed 192 may be
configured to reduce, increase, change, or otherwise control the
speed and/or direction of the workpieces exiting the processing
apparatus 190. An outfeed with tapered feed rolls may be disposed
in any suitable location along a path of workpiece flow, such as
between conventional conveyors and/or before a second processing
apparatus.
[0083] FIG. 9 illustrates a method of manipulating workpieces, such
as controlling gaps and/or changing workpiece flow from transverse
to lineal and vice versa, arranged in accordance with various
embodiments. Method 300 may begin at block 302, "Positioning a
first and a second workpiece on a first transfer having a
longitudinal axis that generally defines a first direction of flow,
the first and second workpieces being positioned transverse to the
longitudinal axis, and the first transfer comprising a support
surface with a plurality of lugs." The first transfer may comprise
any workpiece transfer/conveyance known in the art. For example,
transverse conveyor assembly 110 may be the first transfer, and the
support surface may include one or more of lugged chains 112.
Workpieces may be placed onto the first transfer by any suitable
method. The first and second workpieces may be spatially separated
on the support surface by one or more lugs or other spacing
element(s), with the longitudinal axis of each workpiece extending
transverse/perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first
transfer. Some embodiments may omit block 302, and may begin with
block 304.
[0084] From block 302, the method may proceed to block 304,
"Conveying, by the first transfer, the first and second workpieces
in said first direction on the support surface." The first transfer
may be driven (e.g. by drive 118 or other mechanism) to transport
the workpieces in the first direction (i.e. the first direction of
flow). Thus, the workpieces may travel along the first transfer in
a broadside or transverse orientation, with the longitudinal axis
of each workpiece substantially perpendicular/transverse to the
direction of travel.
[0085] From block 304, the method may proceed to block 306,
"Scanning the first and second workpieces and generating scan data
corresponding to one or more characteristics of the first and
second workpieces." A scanner (e.g. scanner/optimizer 198) may be
positioned before, after, or along the first transfer as described
above with reference to FIG. 8. Workpieces may be individually
scanned by the scanner, which may generate scan data corresponding
to one or more characteristics of each workpiece as described
above. Generating scan data may include sending the scan data to
another device (e.g. computing device 194, controller 204,
processing apparatus 190, etc.).
[0086] From block 306, the method may proceed to block 308,
"Determining, by a computing device, based at least in part on the
scan data, one or more optimized processing solutions for the first
and second workpieces." The computing device may be a standalone
computing device (e.g. computing device 194). Alternatively, the
computing device may be processing apparatus 190, scanner/optimizer
198, controller 204, and/or any combination thereof. The computing
device may be a combination of two or more system components, and
the determining may be performed partially by one of the devices
and partially by another. For example, where the computing device
comprises scanner/optimizer 198 and computing device 194, the
scanner/optimizer 198 may determine a first optimized processing
solution based at least in part on the scan data, and the computing
device 194 may determine a second optimized processing solution for
the same workpiece based at least in part on an operational
parameter such as gap size, first transport speed, rotational speed
of one or more tapered rollers, time required to reposition a
downstream processing apparatus, etc. This may increase efficiency
by allowing adjustment of processing solutions to accommodate
changing operational parameters. Some embodiments may omit block
306 and/or 308, proceeding from block 304 to block 308 or 310.
[0087] From block 308, the method may proceed to block 310,
"Contacting, by a tapered roll assembly, the first and second
workpieces on the first transfer, the tapered roll assembly
comprising at least a first tapered feed roll movably coupled to a
substantially vertical support, the support positioned horizontally
transverse to the longitudinal axis of the first transfer, the
first tapered feed roll having an axis of rotation extending at an
oblique angle to said longitudinal axis of the first transfer." The
tapered roll assembly may be a tapered roll assembly 130. The first
tapered feed roll may be upper tapered feed roll 132, lower tapered
feed roll 136, and/or a pair of feed rolls (e.g. paired upper
tapered feed roll 132 and lower tapered feed roll 136). The support
may be vertical support 142 or any other suitable support element.
The support may be oriented generally perpendicular to, or at an
oblique angle to, the first direction and/or first transport. The
first tapered feed roll may be positioned as described above with
reference to FIGS. 4-6. The first tapered feed roll may have a
narrower distal end and a proximal wider end, with the distal end
extending toward the first transfer. The first tapered end may be
positioned to contact a workpiece at or near the end of the first
transport, and the rotation and tapered shape of the first tapered
feed roller may pull the workpiece from the first transfer.
[0088] From block 310, the method may proceed to block 312,
"Accelerating, by the tapered roll assembly, the first and second
workpieces in a second direction toward a second transfer, the
second direction being oblique to the first direction and generally
perpendicular to said axis of rotation." The rotation of the first
tapered feed roll may apply force to the workpiece in a direction
perpendicular to the axis of rotation, which may cause the
workpiece to move in the second direction. The workpiece may remain
substantially oriented in a transverse position with respect to the
first transfer as it is engaged by the tapered roll assembly and is
driven in the second direction by the tapered roll assembly. As the
workpiece is pulled toward the proximal end of the first tapered
feed roll, the surface speed gradually increases due to the
increasing feed roll diameter.
[0089] From block 312, the method may proceed to block 314,
"Determining, by the computing device, a gap length between the
first and second workpieces and a corrective adjustment to alter
said gap length." As described above, a computing device (e.g.
computing device 194, a scanner, an optimizer, a controller, etc.)
may be endowed with one or more algorithms and executable
instructions operable, when executed, to determine/predict gap
sizes and determine corrective adjustments. Corrective adjustments
may include adjustments to one or more components of the system
(e.g. a driver, a controller, movable element of a processing
apparatus, etc.) to increase or decrease conveyor speed, feed roll
rotational speed, feed roll angle, press roll/lower roll rotational
speed, vertical height of upper feed rolls, etc., and/or to
reposition a movable element of a processing machine.
[0090] From block 314, the method may proceed to block 316,
"Lineally conveying, by the second transfer, the first and second
workpieces in a third direction toward a processing apparatus
operatively coupled to the second transfer, the third direction
being substantially perpendicular to the first direction and
oblique to the second direction." The second transfer may be any
suitable workpiece transfer/conveyor, such as lineal conveyor 180.
The first and second workpieces may be sequentially conveyed by the
second transfer into a processing apparatus, such as processing
apparatus 190. The second transfer may include one or more powered
or non-powered rollers, such as hold-down rollers, and one or more
guides or fences to align the workpieces during conveyance.
[0091] From block 316, the method may proceed to block 318,
"Causing, by the computing device, the corrective action, wherein
said causing includes sending a command to a component configured
to drive one or more elements of the first transfer, the first
tapered feed roll, the processing machine, or the second transfer."
As described above with reference to FIG. 8, the computing device
may determine a corrective action to adjust or set a gap length
between workpieces and/or accommodate an optimized processing
solution. In some examples, the corrective action may include
generating a new optimized processing solution, sending a command
to a drive or other system component to make an operational
adjustment (e.g. to adjust speed, remove or reposition a workpiece,
reposition a movable element of a processing apparatus, etc.).
[0092] Alternatively, the first transfer may be a lineal conveyor
and the second transfer may be a transverse conveyor. Thus, the
workpieces may travel lineally in the first direction along the
lineal conveyor toward a tapered roll assembly. The workpieces may
be engaged by the tapered feed rolls and pushed away from a
guide/fence toward a transverse conveyor. For example, referring to
FIG. 2, the direction of flow may be essentially reversed. The
workpieces may begin traveling along lineal conveyor 180 (in the
opposite direction of Arrow C) toward tapered roll assembly 130.
The workpieces may individually engage the proximal end of a
tapered feed roll, which may drive/push each workpiece along the
path of flow (but in the opposite direction) indicated by Arrow B.
As the workpieces move toward the distal ends of the tapered feed
rolls, the workpieces may be transferred onto a transverse
conveyor, such as transverse conveyor assembly 110, or other
conveyance. In some examples, two or more tapered feed roll
assemblies may be provided as described below with respect to FIG.
10.
[0093] FIG. 10 illustrates a plan view of a tapered roll feed
system with a first transverse conveyor 410, a first tapered fee
roll assembly 430, a guide 414, a processing apparatus 190, a
second tapered feed roll assembly 432, and a second transverse
conveyor 420. First and second tapered feed roll assemblies 430/432
may be configured essentially as described above with respect to
tapered feed roll assembly 130. First and second transverse
conveyors 410/420 may be configured essentially as described above
with respect to transverse conveyor assembly 110. Guide 414 may
extend from first tapered feed roll assembly 430 toward and/or at
least partially through processing machine 190 to guide the
positioning of workpieces for processing.
[0094] In operation, a workpiece 199 may be transported by
transverse conveyor 410 in the direction indicated by Arrow A
toward first tapered feed roll assembly 430. First tapered feed
roll assembly 430 may drive and/or accelerate the workpiece 199 in
the direction indicated by Arrow B and against guide 414 in the
manner described above. Workpiece 199 may be transported lineally
in the direction indicated by Arrow C through processing machine
190, where it may be processed (e.g. planed, edged, cut, etc.). As
workpiece 199 exits processing machine 190, workpiece 199 may be
engaged by second tapered feed roll assembly 432 and driven and/or
decelerated in the direction indicated by Arrow D. Workpiece 199
may be deposited by second tapered feed roll assembly 432 onto
second transverse conveyor 420, which may transport workpiece 199
in the direction indicated by Arrow E.
[0095] Thus, one or more tapered feed roll assemblies may be
arranged with one or more conveyors, guides, and/or processing
machines in various configurations to provide a system to control
workpiece flow, speed, orientation, and/or direction of flow. In
some examples, a tapered feed roll assembly may be provided
upstream of a processing machine or other system component and may
be used to control the direction and/or speed of workpieces as they
approach a processing machine. A tapered feed roll assembly may
also/instead be provided downstream of a processing machine or
other system component and may be used to control the direction
and/or speed of workpieces as they exit the processing machine.
[0096] Tapered feed rolls may be added to existing processing lines
to introduce one or more bends or turns in the paths of flow along
the processing lines, and to reroute paths of workpiece flow while
maintaining some or all of the workpieces in sequential order. A
computing system operatively coupled to the tapered feed roll
assemblies (and other components) of different processing lines may
be programmed with operating instructions for tracking some or all
of the workpieces along multiple processing lines, and to adjust
the rotational speed and position of the tapered feed rolls (and
other components of the processing lines) based on factors such as
workpiece identification/tracking, upstream/downstream operating
conditions, scan data, workpiece characteristics, conveyor/transfer
speeds, and other factors described throughout the present
disclosure.
[0097] Additional embodiments of systems, methods, and apparatuses
that involve the use of tapered feed rolls to control the direction
and speed of a workpiece are described in further detail below.
Again, processing machine 190 may be any machine known in the art
for processing (e.g., cutting, planing, trimming, chipping, edging,
sawing, etc.) a workpiece. Several examples of such processing
machines and their use with tapered feed roll assemblies are
described below with reference to FIGS. 8 and 10. These examples
are provided by way of illustration and are not intended to be
limiting.
[0098] Hand Pull Sorting
[0099] In some sawmills, human operators pull boards manually from
a conveyor and stack or pile them in groups according to workpiece
dimension.
[0100] An embodiment of a hand pull sorting apparatus may include a
tapered feed roll assembly (e.g., tapered feed roll assembly 130)
positioned to receive workpieces pulled from a conveyor by a human
operator. A workpiece receiving surface (e.g., another conveyor, a
transfer, a bin, or a pallet) may be positioned to receive
workpieces from the tapered feed roll assembly.
[0101] In operation, the human operator may remove a workpiece from
a conveyor. Based on the dimensions or other characteristics of the
workpiece, the human operator may determine that the workpiece
should be directed to the workpiece receiving surface. The human
operator my insert the workpiece into the gap between the upper and
lower tapered feed rolls, which may engage and drive the workpiece
onto the workpiece receiving surface as described in further detail
above. In some embodiments, the workpiece receiving surface may be
proximal to the wider ends of the tapered feed rolls, and the human
operator may feed the workpiece into the gap between the narrower
ends of the feed rolls in a generally transverse orientation.
Alternatively, the workpiece receiving surface may be proximal to
the narrower ends of the tapered feed rolls, and the human operator
may feed one end of the workpiece into the gap between the wider
ends of the tapered feed rolls.
[0102] Processing Machine Infeeds/Outfeeds
[0103] In existing mills, some processing machines are configured
to process workpieces that are fed lineally into the processing
machine. Some examples of such processing machines include drop
saws, rip saws, chemical (e.g., fungicide) spraying machines,
edgers, and gangs. However, workpieces such as boards are often
conveyed toward the processing machine in a transverse orientation
(e.g., on a transverse conveyor). Therefore, the orientation and/or
direction of travel of the board must be changed upstream of the
processing machine.
[0104] The conventional method for reorienting the boards is to
place a lineal transfer at the end of the transverse conveyor. The
boards are crowded together into a mat at the end of the transverse
conveyor, and the leading board is pushed onto the lineal transfer.
The lineal transfer has a set of cylindrical or pineapple rollers
that are oriented with their axes of rotation extending outwardly
toward, and generally parallel to, the longitudinal axis of the
transverse conveyor. As the leading board is pushed onto the lineal
transfer/conveyor, the board engages the set of pineapple rolls.
The rotation of the pineapple rolls propels the board along the
lineal transfer toward the processing machine. This abrupt change
in the board's speed and direction of travel can result in
collisions downstream, damage to the workpieces, and/or undesirable
gaps between workpieces. In addition, such systems may require a
long (e.g., 40-80 ft) intermediate conveyor to accelerate and
decelerate the workpieces upstream or downstream of the processing
machine.
[0105] In one embodiment, an infeed for a processing machine may
include a tapered feed roll assembly upstream of the processing
machine. Similarly, an outfeed for a processing machine may include
a tapered feed roll assembly downstream of the processing machine.
Infeeds and/or outfeeds of this type may reduce or eliminate damage
to the workpieces and provide improved gap control over a shorter
distance than is currently required for accelerating and
decelerating the workpieces.
[0106] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 10, a processing machine infeed may
include a transverse conveyor 410, a feed roll assembly 430, and a
processing machine 190 (e.g., one or more drop saws, rip saws,
chemical spraying machines, edgers, and/or gangs) arranged along a
lineal transfer/conveyor 180. The output end of the transverse
conveyor may be positioned proximal to the narrower ends of the
feed rolls. Transverse conveyor 410 may include a belt, endless
chains, or other workpiece support surface coupled to a frame.
Optionally, transverse conveyor 410 may be a lugged conveyor. One
or more portions of the output end of transverse conveyor 410 may
be positioned between or next to a feed roll such that the
workpiece support surface terminates between the narrower ends of
the feed roll(s).
[0107] Lineal conveyor 180 may be positioned at an angle to the
transverse conveyor (e.g., an angle of 90 degrees, 80-100 degrees,
or 50-130 degrees). An input end of lineal conveyor 180 may be
positioned proximal to the wider ends of one or more of the feed
rolls. The feed roll(s) may be laterally skewed with respect to the
transverse conveyor, such that the axes of rotation are transverse
to the longitudinal axes of both transverse conveyor 410 and lineal
conveyor 180. In some examples, the longitudinal axes of conveyors
410 and 180 may be substantially perpendicular and form adjacent
angles with the axis of rotation of a feed roll as the common
vertex.
[0108] A processing machine outfeed may include a feed roll
assembly 432 and a transverse conveyor 420 (see e.g., FIG. 10). In
some examples, processing machine 190 may be positioned along
linear conveyor 180, and the processing machine outfeed may include
an output end of linear conveyor 180. In other examples, the
processing machine outfeed may include a second linear conveyor 180
or other linear transfer positioned to accept workpieces from
linear conveyor 180.
[0109] A scanner 198 may be provided upstream of the feed roll
assembly 430 to scan the boards. In contrast to the above-described
conventional feed systems in which boards are conveyed on a slick
chain to form a mat upstream of a lineal transfer, feed systems
with a feed roll assembly as described herein can be used in
combination with a conveyor on which the workpieces remain
singulated during transport (e.g., a lugged conveyor). Maintaining
the workpieces in a known order allows each workpiece to be scanned
upstream of the processing machine and processed downstream in
accordance with the scan data. For example, if one side of a
workpiece has a defect, the processing machine can be adjusted to
process the workpiece in order to remove or minimize the defect,
such as by shifting a guide member or cutting member to cut the
defective portion from the workpiece. As another example, a
workpiece can be dropped out and/or flipped over upstream of the
processing machine by repositioner 202 based on the scan data.
[0110] Lug Loader
[0111] Tapered feed rolls may be provided upstream, downstream, or
both upstream and downstream of a processing machine. In some
embodiments, a tapered feed roll assembly may be used downstream of
a processing machine to load workpieces into the lug spaces of a
lugged conveyor. In a specific example, a lug loader may be
provided between a planer and a trimmer along a path of workpiece
flow.
[0112] In a conventional planer outfeed system, workpieces exit the
planer onto a transfer (usually a lineal transfer) and into to an
unscrambler. Next, the workpieces are even ended and conveyed to a
lug loader, scanned, and put onto another conveyor toward a
downstream trimmer that cuts the workpieces to length. This
configuration has a relatively large footprint, and does not
provide an opportunity to track the workpieces from the planer to
the trimmer. As a result, the conventional configuration requires
the workpieces to be scanned downstream of the unscrambler and
upstream of the trimmer. Although lineal scanners are commercially
available, many sawmill operations are limited to using transverse
scanners due to the space required for the lug loader and for
slowing down workpieces after the planer (e.g., on a 40-foot
bridge).
[0113] FIG. 17 illustrates an example of a lug loader, in
accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. For purposes
of illustration, the lug loader is described in the context of a
planer outfeed system 1000. However, the lug loader may be provided
in other locations and/or integrated into other workpiece
processing lines for use in loading a lugged transverse
conveyor.
[0114] System 1000 may include an infeed 1110 configured to feed
workpieces 1199 into a planer 1190. Optionally, planer 1190 may
include an outfeed transfer 1180. The outfeed transfer 1180 may be
a lineal transfer as described above with regard to FIG. 1
(conveyor/transfer 180). A lineal scanner 1198 may be positioned
along outfeed transfer 1180. Outfeed transfer 1180 may be
positioned upstream or downstream of lineal scanner 1198.
Optionally, outfeed transfer 1180 may extend below/through lineal
scanner 1198. Alternatively, outfeed transfer 1180 may include
first and second transfers, with the first transfer positioned
between planer 1190 and the second transfer positioned between
planer 1190 and tapered feed roll assembly 1130. Some embodiments
may lack lineal scanner 1198. Other embodiments may lack outfeed
transfer 1180.
[0115] A tapered feed roll assembly 1130 as described in greater
detail above may be operatively coupled to the downstream end of
planer 1190 and/or outfeed transfer 1180. Optionally, as successive
workpieces 1199 exit planer 1190 in direction A, the workpieces may
be conveyed through a lineal scanner 1198 upstream of tapered feed
roll assembly 1130.
[0116] The workpieces may continue in direction A in their original
lineal orientation until the leading end of the foremost workpiece
enters the horizontal gap between the upper and lower feed rolls of
tapered feed roll assembly 1130. Rotation of the feed rolls may
drive workpiece 1199 in direction B toward a lugged conveyor 1120.
Because the workpieces are maintained in their original orientation
as they move in direction B, the next successive workpiece may be
engaged by the tapered feed rolls and begin to travel in direction
B before the previous workpiece has disengaged from the tapered
feed rolls. Thus, at any given moment there may be several
workpieces 1199 engaged by the tapered feed rollers and traveling
in direction B.
[0117] Lugged conveyor 1120 may be positioned generally
perpendicular to outfeed transfer 1180, forming an angle of
approximately 90 degrees (e.g., 80-100 degrees), at an acute angle
to outfeed transfer 1180 (e.g., 20-80 degrees), or at an obtuse
angle to outfeed transfer 1180 (e.g., 100-140 degrees). As
described above with reference to other embodiments, the feed rolls
may be laterally skewed relative to outfeed transfer 1180 and/or
transverse conveyor 1121. The degree of lateral skew may vary
according to the angle of outfeed transfer 1180 relative to
transverse conveyor 1121. For example, where outfeed transfer 1180
and transverse conveyor 1121 form an angle of approximately 90
degrees, the rotational axis of one or more of the feed rolls may
form the common vertex of complementary angles of approximately 30
degrees (angle of transverse conveyor to rotational axis) and
approximately 60 degrees (angle of lineal conveyor to rotational
axis).
[0118] Each successive workpiece 1199 may be driven through the
horizontal gap between the tapered feed rolls in direction B toward
the narrow ends of the tapered feed rolls and transverse conveyor
1020. Workpiece 1199 may be deposited onto transverse conveyor 1020
between two lugs. In this manner, successive workpieces may be
loaded onto transverse conveyor 1020 in corresponding successive
lug spaces.
[0119] A computing device/system 1194 may be operatively coupled
to, and in communication with, any one or more of tapered feed roll
assembly 1130, a controller 1204, lineal scanner 1194, planer 1190,
trimmer 1121, infeed 1110, and outfeed transfer 1180. Examples of
such components and their functionalities are described herein with
reference to FIGS. 1-16.
[0120] Optionally, lineal scanner 1198 may be an optimizing
scanner. Lineal scanner 1198 may be configured to scan workpieces
1199 with one or more of x-rays (e.g., for density evaluation),
lasers (e.g., for geometric profile measurements), and vision
(e.g., 4-sided multi-channel vision to detect visual
characteristics). Lineal scanner 1198 may be configured to classify
and/or verify lumber defects such as knots, stain, splits and
shake, wane, rot, and pith location along the length of workpiece
1199.
[0121] Likewise, planer 1190 may be an optimizing planer, and
system 1000 may include a scanner or sensor upstream of planer 1190
along the path of workpiece flow (see e.g., FIG. 8).
[0122] As indicated above, computing device/system 1194 may perform
one or more of the functions described herein for lineal scanner
1198, controller 1204, and/or another component of system 1000. In
addition, computing device/system 1194 may be operatively coupled
to one or more other processing machines, transfers/conveyors,
scanners, sensors, and/or other components of processing lines
upstream or downstream of the planer system 1000. Examples of other
processing lines include, but are not limited to, processing lines
for primary breakdown (e.g., headrigs, carriages, log
conveyors/transfers, bucking systems, debarkers, step feeders,
chippers), secondary breakdown (e.g., edgers, gang saws, curve
saws, resaws), sorter/stacker systems (e.g., lumber sorters, lumber
stackers, grade stations, lumber packaging systems, board feeders,
transfer tables), drying systems (e.g., kilns), and veneer/plywood
systems. Computing device/system 1194 may receive data from any one
or more such components, determine an action or adjustment based on
the received data, and generate and send a command to the
appropriate component or controller/driver thereof in order to
implement the action or adjustment.
[0123] Again, computing device/system 1194 may include a processor,
a memory storing one or more algorithms, and computer executable
instructions operable, upon execution, to implement the stored
algorithms. In addition to the examples of stored algorithms
discusses above with regard to computing device 194, computing
device/system 1194 may include one or more algorithms for:
predicting/determining a gap size between successive workpieces on
outfeed transfer 1180; receiving data from one or more components
of system 1000 regarding workpiece characteristics, workpiece
processing solutions and/or cut patterns, feed roll rotational
speed, feed roll height/angle, planer 1190 processing speed,
position of a movable element of planer 1190 (e.g., guide member or
cutting element), conveyor/transfer speed, lug rate, lug space
size; receiving data from an upstream or downstream processing line
(e.g., a cut-in-two decision); determining an adjustment to one or
more components of system 1000 based on the received data; and
generating and sending a command to a component of system 1000 or a
driver/controller thereof in order to implement the adjustment.
[0124] For example, computing device/system 1194 may include an
algorithm for determining and implementing a target feed roll
rotational speed for loading successive workpieces into
corresponding successive lug spaces of lugged conveyor 1020, based
on one or more factors such as the current rotational speed(s) of
the tapered feed roll(s), workpiece characteristics (e.g.,
dimensions), lugged conveyor speed, and the size of a gap between
two successive workpieces. The rotational speed of the feed rolls
may be increased, decreased, or maintained as needed to coordinate
feed roll assembly 1130 and lugged conveyor 1020 such that a
workpiece 1199 exits feed roll assembly 1130 at the corresponding
empty lug space on lugged conveyor 1020. The algorithm may also be
used to determine, based on a processing or grade decision made
downstream of tapered feed roll assembly 1130, that a workpiece is
to be cut in two, and to slow or halt the tapered feed rolls
accordingly in order to leave a corresponding number of empty lug
spaces. In addition, computing device/system 1194 may include an
algorithm for adjusting operation of the planer 1190 and/or trimmer
1121 based on data received from lineal scanner 1198 (e.g. to
increase or decrease speed, and/or to reposition one or more
movable elements of the planer/trimmer).
[0125] Computing device 1194 may include one or more algorithms for
adjusting gaps between successive workpieces on outfeed transfer
180, infeed 1110, within planer 1190, and/or in tapered feed roll
assembly 1130. For example, computing device 1194 may be programmed
to adjust one or more conveyor/transfer drives to adjust a gap.
[0126] Other processing machines may be configured to process
workpieces in a transverse orientation. FIG. 11 shows an example of
an alternate configuration in which workpieces are conveyed
lineally toward the processing machine, fed through the processing
machine in a transverse configuration, and reoriented again into a
lineal arrangement downstream of the processing machine. Workpieces
199 may be transported in a lineal arrangement toward processing
machine 190 on a lineal conveyor 180 in a direction shown by Arrow
C. Feed roll assembly 430 may accept each successive workpiece from
lineal conveyor 180 and drive the workpieces in order onto
transverse conveyor 410 in the directions shown by Arrow B.
Transverse conveyor 410 may transport the workpieces to and/or
through processing machine 190. In some examples, transverse
conveyor 420 may transport the workpieces from processing machine
190. Transverse conveyors 410 and 420 may be opposite ends of a
single conveyor or two separate conveyors. Feed roll assembly 432
may accept workpieces from transverse conveyor 420 and drive the
workpieces in the direction shown by Arrow D onto a lineal conveyor
180, which may transport the workpieces lineally in the direction
shown by Arrow C.
[0127] Stick Handling
[0128] Green lumber is typically dried in a kiln. To prepare the
stacks of green lumber for drying, the green boards are arranged in
a mat in one orientation and sticks are placed onto the mat in a
perpendicular orientation. Additional mats and stick layers are
deposited until the stack has the desired height or number of mats.
Although sticks can be placed by human operators, automatic stick
placers are frequently used to perform this task. Automatic stick
placers generally require an infeed of singulated sticks arranged
in a transverse orientation.
[0129] In one embodiment, tapered feed rolls may be used to load
sticks onto a conveyor in a transverse orientation. In another
embodiment, tapered feed rolls may be used to place sticks onto a
mat of green lumber.
[0130] Board Sorting by Thickness
[0131] FIGS. 12A-C illustrate views of a workpiece sorter and
aspects thereof, in accordance with various embodiments. As shown
in FIG. 12A, a workpiece sorter 500 may include a first tapered
feed roll assembly 570 and a second tapered feed roll assembly 572,
each with one or more upper feed rolls 532 positioned above a
transport surface 580. Transport surface 580 may be a support
surface of a conveyor, such as a lineal transport, a transverse
conveyor, a lugged conveyor, a smooth chain conveyor, a belt
conveyor, or any other type of conveyor/transport. Transport
surface 580 may include one or more cylindrical rolls 582, which
may be driven or passively rotatable (FIGS. 12A-B). Alternatively,
transport surface 580 may include a series of lower tapered feed
rolls 536 as described above (FIG. 12C).
[0132] One or more conveyors 510, 520 may be positioned at an angle
to transport surface 580. Conveyors 510 and 520 may be configured
to transport workpieces in a transverse orientation and transport
surface 580 may be configured to transport workpieces in a lineal
orientation, or vice versa. Optionally, one or more of the
conveyors may be lugged conveyors. Alternatively, conveyors 510
and/or 520 may be bins, stacks, platforms, piles, or any other
assembly or device configured to receive workpieces diverted from
transport surface 580.
[0133] One or more tapered feed rolls 532 may be positioned along
transport surface 580 at varying heights. The feed rolls of the
first tapered feed roll assembly 570 may be positioned at a first
vertical distance A above transport surface 580, and the tapered
feed rolls of the second tapered feed roll assembly 572 may be
positioned at a second vertical distance B above transport surface
580. Vertical distance A may be greater or less than vertical
distance B. For example, first feed roll assembly 570 may be
upstream of second feed roll assembly 572 along a first direction
of travel (arrow C) on transport surface 580, and vertical distance
B may be less than vertical distance A. Successive workpieces of
varying thicknesses may be transported in a lineal arrangement
(e.g., end-to-end) along transport surface 580. As the leading end
of a workpiece on transport surface 580 reaches the first upper
feed roll 532 of first feed roll assembly 570, the workpiece may be
engaged by the upper feed rolls and diverted onto first conveyor
510 if the thickness of the workpiece is equal to, or greater than,
vertical distance A. If the thickness of the workpiece is less than
vertical distance A, the workpiece may continue along transport
surface 580 toward second feed roll assembly 572. As the leading
end of the workpiece reaches the first upper feed roll 532 of
second feed roll assembly 572, the workpiece may be engaged by
those upper feed rolls and diverted onto second conveyor 520 if the
thickness of the workpiece is less than vertical distance A but
equal to, or greater than, vertical distance B. If the thickness of
the workpiece is less than vertical distance B, the workpiece may
continue along transport surface 580. Optionally, one or more
additional feed roll assemblies may be provided downstream of
second feed roll assembly 572, and may have one or more upper feed
rolls set at other vertical distances to divert workpieces of
corresponding thicknesses.
[0134] In this manner, workpieces may be sorted or diverted into
different flow paths based on workpiece thickness. The reverse is
also true--workpieces of varying thicknesses can be transported on
multiple conveyors (e.g., 510 and 520) toward a common transport
(e.g., transport surface 580) and combined into a single path of
flow.
[0135] In either case, conveyors 510 and 520 may convey the
workpieces in a direction A that is transverse (e.g., horizontally
perpendicular) to direction C. Feed roll assemblies 570/572 may
convey the workpieces between transport surface 580 and conveyors
510/520 in a direction B that is transverse to both direction A and
direction C, as discussed in detail above. Optionally, conveyor
510/520 may be an infeed or an outfeed of a processing machine.
Alternatively, conveyor 510/520 may be a bin, stack, or platform
configured to receive workpieces from, or feed workpieces to, feed
roll assembly 570/572. For example, conveyor 510/520 can include a
vertically adjustable platform onto which successive workpieces are
crowded to form a single layer or mat. As the layer/mat is
completed, the vertically adjustable platform may be lowered by a
given vertical distance (e.g., an average or maximum thickness of
workpieces received on the platform, or a predetermined vertical
distance).
[0136] In other embodiments, one or more upper feed rolls 532 may
be slideably mounted to an overhead support and selectively
repositioned along transport 580 and/or vertically to divert
workpieces onto different flow paths.
[0137] Board Sorting by Lug
[0138] Similarly, the transport surface may be a lugged conveyor
surface and one or more lineal conveyors may extend outwardly from
the transport surface. One or more tapered feed rolls may be
arranged above the transport surface to divert workpieces based on
the particular lug space and/or board thickness. FIG. 13A
illustrates a side view block diagram of such a configuration.
Transport surface 680 may include a plurality of lugs 681 spaced at
regular intervals. Upper feed rolls 632a, 632b, and 632c may be
supported by mounts 633, which are coupled to overhead support 696.
The upper feed rolls may be positioned at various heights above
transport surface 680 and rotatable in at least one rotary
direction (e.g., direction B). A corresponding transport 610, 620,
or 630 may extend outwardly from transport surface 680 near each of
the upper feed rolls 632a, 632b, and 632c, respectively. The
transports may be arranged on the same side or on different sides
of transport surface 680.
[0139] As transport surface 680 conveys workpieces 699a-e in
direction A, each workpiece continues along direction A until
contacted by an upper feed roll. In this example, the upper feed
rolls are positioned at progressively smaller vertical distances
above transport surface 680. As a result, the thickest workpieces
(699a, 699b) will be diverted onto transport 610 by upper feed roll
632a. Workpieces that are thinner (699c, 699e) will be diverted
onto transport 620 or 630, respectively. Some workpieces (699d) may
have a thickness that is less than the vertical height of any of
the upper feed rolls. These workpieces may be permitted to continue
moving forward in direction A to the end of transport surface A and
onto another transport/stack/bin, diverted by an additional upper
feed roll, or selectively diverted onto one of the transports by
lowering one of the upper feed rolls into contact with the
workpiece.
[0140] The upper feed rolls may be mounted at a fixed height/angle.
Alternatively, the height/angle may be adjustable, such as by
adjusting mount 633 to raise or lower the feed roll relative to
support 696 (arrow C). Thus, the upper feed rolls may be
selectively lowered to "pinch" a workpiece in a lug space and
divert that workpiece onto another conveyor/transfer, bin,
platform, or other workpiece receiving surface.
[0141] In some examples, a computing device (e.g., an optimizing
scanner) may select a conveyor for some or all of the workpieces.
The computing device may send a command to the appropriate upper
feed roll and/or corresponding mount 633 to cause the diversion of
the workpieces onto different conveyors based on the selection. As
the workpiece approaches the feed roll positioned near the selected
conveyor, the feed roll may be vertically adjusted to contact and
divert the workpiece onto the conveyor. This may be timed by the
computing device based on the lug space occupied by the workpiece
and the speed of transport surface 180 and/or lug rate per unit of
time. As such, workpieces may be diverted into different flow paths
on the basis of one or more factors such as grade, length, value,
subsequent destination within the sawmill, subsequent processing
required, or a command by a human operator.
[0142] Sorting System (Binless)
[0143] A typical modern sawmill produces a wide variety of
workpieces that vary in grade, dimension, and/or destination within
the sawmill. Therefore, workpieces are sorted by grade/dimension
into separate bins or piles at a number of different points within
the sawmill. The workpieces are dropped into the bins or piles,
often by a drop sorter. These workpieces must then be unscrambled,
stacked, loaded onto a transport/conveyor, or otherwise organized
for further processing (e.g., additional cuts, scans, spraying, or
stacked for drying or packaging). The bins or piles decrease the
amount of space available for use. In addition, workpieces can be
damaged during the scrambling and subsequent reorganization.
[0144] FIG. 13B shows a block diagram of a binless sorting system
in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. As
described above with regard to FIG. 13A, one or more tapered rolls
(e.g., 632a, 632b, 632c) may be provided above, below, or above and
below a path of workpiece flow (e.g., a conveyor or support
surface) to divert workpieces onto a support surface. In the
illustrated example the workpieces (699a-e) are translating along a
path of flow on a conveyor 680 with a plurality of lugs 681. In
other embodiments the conveyor or support surface may include a
smooth chain or belt. A receiving support surface (611, 621, 631)
may be positioned along conveyor 680 near a tapered feed roll.
Again, the tapered feed rolls may be selectively brought into
contact with a workpiece and rotated to drive the workpiece from
the path of workpiece flow onto the receiving support surface.
[0145] In some embodiments, the receiving support surface
611/621/631 or some portion thereof may be selectively raised,
lowered, and/or laterally repositioned. The vertical height and/or
horizontal position of the receiving support surface may be
selectively adjusted by a controller to receive a series of
workpieces in a predetermined pattern. For example, receiving
support surface 611, 621, and 631 may include a platform 612
coupled to a lift mechanism 613 and/or a controller 614. Controller
614 may be operatively coupled to a computing system (e.g., an
optimizing scanner system), and may control the position of the
receiving support surface in response to a command from the
computing system or from an operator.
[0146] Optionally, platform 612 may be coupled to a lateral
transport member 615 (e.g., a rail, track, belt, chain, or
wheels/treads) that provides lateral movement of the platform
relative to conveyor 680. For example, the receiving support
surface may be movable laterally along conveyor 680 and/or toward
and away from conveyor 680. Alternatively, the receiving support
surface(s) may remain stationary, and/or the tapered feed roll(s)
may be moved relative to conveyor 680. For example, support 696
and/or feed roll(s) 632a, 632b, and 632c may be selectively
repositioned along the path of workpiece flow. As described above,
the tapered feed roll(s) may be selectively raised, lowered, and/or
angled to contact an individual workpiece without contacting a
preceding or subsequent workpiece.
[0147] As the tapered feed roll contacts the workpiece, the
workpiece may be diverted from conveyor 680 onto the corresponding
receiving support surface. The rotational speed of the tapered feed
roll may be adjusted to increase, decrease, or maintain the speed
of the workpiece as the workpiece moves from conveyor 680 toward
the support surface. As additional workpieces are diverted onto the
support surface, the tapered feed roll and/or the receiving support
surface may be moved/adjusted to cause the received workpieces to
form an orderly layer or mat on the platform 612. As one layer or
mat is completed, platform 612 may be lowered to allow additional
incoming workpieces to form a second layer or mat on the first
layer or mat. Optionally, sticks may be placed onto the first mat
before the second layer or mat is deposited onto the sticks.
[0148] Even Ending a Workpiece
[0149] One or more tapered feed rolls may be used to even end a
series of workpieces against a stop member as shown for example in
FIGS. 14A (top plan view) and 14B (side view). FIG. 14A shows an
even ending system that includes a conveyor surface with a
plurality of lugs 781 defining lug spaces for workpieces 799. As
the workpieces 799 are transported on the conveyor in direction A,
a tapered feed roll 736 below the conveyor surface is rotated in
direction B. As each successive workpiece reaches tapered feed roll
736, the rotation of the tapered feed roll urges the workpiece in
direction B toward a stop member 795 (e.g., a board stop or paddle
member). Tapered feed roll 736 may be driven by drive 734, such as
a motor or engine. As the workpiece continues in direction A from
the narrower end of the tapered feed roll to the wider end of the
tapered feed roll, the workpiece is displaced toward stop member
795 at an increasing rate. This may provide a more gradual
acceleration than conventional conical even ending rolls. While
FIG. 14A shows tapered feed roll 736 extending generally
perpendicular to workpieces 799, in other embodiments tapered feed
roll 736 may be laterally skewed to adjust the rate of acceleration
of workpiece 799 in direction B.
[0150] In other embodiments, tapered feed roll 736 may be
positioned over the conveyor surface. Alternatively, a pair of
tapered feed rolls (upper and lower, two upper, or two lower) may
be provided. In still other embodiments, the conveyor may be a
lineal conveyor and the tapered feed roll(s) may be positioned at
an angle to the conveyor.
[0151] Cut-In-Two Separator
[0152] Workpieces such as boards are typically scanned and graded
at one or more points along a processing line. For some workpieces,
a grade decision or optimized processing solution includes a
decision that the workpiece should be cut into two or more pieces
(a "cut-in-two" decision). The resulting pieces may be reinserted
into the processing line by various methods. One method, used where
workpieces are conveyed on a lugged conveyor and a cut-in-two
decision is made downstream of the lug loader, is to generate an
empty lug space upstream of the trimmer. When the board is cut into
two pieces by the trimmer, one of the pieces remains in the
original lug space and the other is placed into the empty lug
space. Another method, used where the cut-in-two decision is made
upstream of the lug loader, is to disable the lug loader for one
lug space in order to leave an empty lug space immediately behind
the cut-in-two board. Again, after the trimmer one of the cut
pieces remains in its original lug space and the other piece is
placed into the empty lug space. Other processing lines may use a
recirculation transfer located downstream of the trimmer. This
allows one of the pieces from the trimmed workpiece to be
redirected while an empty lug is created at the lug loader. When
the empty lug space reaches the recirculation transfer, the piece
is diverted into the empty lug space to proceed along the
processing line. Finally, some processing lines drop one of the
pieces into a bin, or drop both pieces into separate bins. However,
all of these conventional methods require an empty lug space or bin
space, which can reduce productivity and/or increase the minimum
floor space required for processing the workpieces.
[0153] In one embodiment of a cut-in-two system, one or more
tapered feed rolls can be positioned over/under a lugged conveyor
downstream of the trimmer that cuts the workpiece into two or more
pieces.
[0154] In some embodiments, tapered feed rolls may be used to
divert one of the cut pieces in one direction and onto a separate
conveyor/bin (see e.g., FIGS. 13A-B and accompanying description),
and/or to urge the other piece in the opposite direction against a
stop member or even-ending surface (see e.g., FIGS. 14A-B and
accompanying description).
[0155] In a specific embodiment, tapered feed rolls can be
selectively rotated to move cut pieces apart and reroute one or
more of the pieces to an upstream portion of a processing line.
FIG. 14C shows an example of a cut-in-two system in which a tapered
feed roll is used to divert a cut piece toward an upstream lug
loader. In the illustrated example, a lug loader 730 is positioned
upstream of a lugged conveyor. Workpieces are loaded onto the
lugged conveyor and conveyed in direction A toward a trimmer 790.
Trimmer 790 may make one or more cuts in a workpiece, resulting in
two or more cut pieces 799 within a single lug space. A tapered
feed roll 736 positioned above or below the upper surface of the
lugged conveyor may be selectively rotated to divert one of the cut
pieces 799 in direction B onto recirculation conveyor 780.
Recirculation conveyor 780 may convey cut pieces 799 back to lug
loader 730. Lug loader 730 may then load cut pieces 799 into a next
empty lug space.
[0156] In another embodiment, a cut-in-two system may be configured
as shown in FIG. 11, and processing machine 190 may be a trimmer or
other apparatus that cuts the workpieces into two or more pieces.
The pieces may be loaded into separate lug spaces on conveyor 420
using known methods such as those described above.
[0157] Alternatively, the pieces may remain in the same lug space
and diverted onto lineal conveyor 180 in their original sequence.
As shown in FIG. 16, tapered feed rolls 932 can be used downstream
of the trimmer to transfer the cut pieces 999 from a transverse
conveyor 910 onto a lineal transfer as described above (see e.g.,
FIG. 1A and accompanying description). A cut-in-two system 900 may
include a transverse conveyor 910 (e.g., a lugged conveyor) that
conveys the cut pieces away from the trimmer. Tapered feed rolls
932 may be positioned at the end of the transverse conveyor. As the
cut pieces 999 are conveyed into the gap between the narrow ends
952 of the feed rolls, the feed rolls may be rotated to drive the
cut pieces along a diagonal path of travel toward a lineal guide
member or lineal transfer as described above. Drives 934/938 may be
coupled to one or more of the feed rolls and selectively driven to
control gaps between the cut pieces. The tapered feed rolls may be
used to change the direction and/or speed of the cut pieces while
maintaining their original sequence, which may reduce or eliminate
the need to rescan the cut pieces upstream of a subsequent
processing machine (e.g., a planer, edger, sorter, etc.).
[0158] Log Feeder
[0159] Conventional log feeders use a pusher or kicker mechanism to
shift logs from a lineal conveyor onto a second conveyor. When the
log is traveling along the first conveyor at a high rate of speed,
pushing or kicking the log onto the next conveyor can result in
dropped or incorrectly positioned logs. As a result, conveyor speed
may be compromised in favor of maintaining a constant flow of logs
and avoiding line stoppages due to dropped logs.
[0160] Tapered feed rolls as described herein can be used above,
below, or above and below a path of travel to both divert and
decelerate logs between two conveyors or paths of log flow. FIGS.
15A and 15B illustrate block diagrams of a log feeder in accordance
with embodiments described herein. As shown in FIG. 15A, a log
feeder may include a first conveyor 880, a feed roll assembly 830
with one or more tapered feed rolls 836, and a second conveyor 810.
Second conveyor 810 may be a transverse conveyor or support surface
(FIG. 15A) or a lineal conveyor or support surface (FIG. 15B).
Tapered feed rolls 836 may be driven individually by drives 834.
Alternatively, two or more tapered feed rolls 836 may be driven by
a single drive member. Optionally, one or more of the conveyors may
have a stop member 883 to prevent log movement beyond a side or
edge of the conveyor.
[0161] In operation, a log 899 may be transported lineally along
first conveyor 880 in direction A. When the leading end of log 899
contacts the first tapered feed roll 836, the shape and rotation of
tapered feed roll 836 begins to shift the log (still in its lineal
orientation) in direction B. Because the surface speed of tapered
feed roll 836 is greater at the wide/proximal end than at the
narrow/distal end, log 899 is decelerated as it continues in
direction B toward second conveyor 810/883. This deceleration may
allow more reliable log transfers among conveyors without
compromising conveyor speed.
[0162] In some embodiments, the tapered feed roll(s) 836 may be
raised or lowered away from contact with an oncoming log 899,
allowing log 899 to continue in direction A onto a third conveyor
881. For example, log 899 may be scanned upstream of tapered feed
roll(s) 836 by an optimizing scanner system. The optimizing scanner
system may determine a processing solution for log 899. Based at
least on the processing solution, the optimizing scanner may select
a destination for the log from among two or more possible
destinations (e.g., conveyor 881 or conveyor 883). The optimizing
scanner system may then send a command to a positioner on feed roll
assembly 830 to reposition feed roll(s) 836, as described elsewhere
in the present disclosure, in accordance with the selected
destination. This may cause log 899 to be directed to the selected
destination for further processing.
[0163] Positioning Fence
[0164] Conventional positioning fences include cylindrical
even-ending rolls positioned between and parallel to the chains of
a lugged conveyor. The rolls are driven in the direction of a
stationary or moving stop member (e.g., a rigid planar surface, a
board stop or paddle, etc.). However, driving a workpiece against
the stop member at a high rate of speed can cause damage to the
workpiece. In addition, the workpiece may strike the stop member
hard enough to rebound some distance, resulting in incorrect
positioning at a downstream processing machine such as a
trimmer.
[0165] In one embodiment of a positioning fence, cylindrical or
tapered feed rolls may be positioned both over and under the
surface of the conveyor. As a workpiece enters the horizontal gap
between the feed rolls, the feed rolls may engage the upper and
lower surfaces of the workpiece. Instead of driving the workpiece
from below and ending the workpiece against a stop member, the
vertically paired feed rolls may be rotated to drive the workpiece
into a desired lateral position, stopped, and disengaged. Thus, the
workpieces can be laterally repositioned at a desired rate of speed
and without using a stop member. Alternatively, a stop member may
be provided and the vertically paired rolls can be used to control
the speed at which the workpiece is moved laterally toward the stop
member. This may prevent damage to the workpiece. In either case,
the rotational speed of the feed rolls may be decreased as the
workpiece approaches the desired position and/or stop member.
[0166] In another embodiment, tapered or angled non-tapered feed
rolls may be positioned above or below the conveyor surface. If
tapered, the feed rolls may be oriented such that an approaching
workpiece engages the wider end of the roller and progresses toward
the narrower end, resulting in a gradual reduction of lateral speed
as the workpiece approaches the desired position and/or stop
member.
[0167] Horizontal Gang Outfeed and Board Separator
[0168] A horizontal gang can be used to make a number of parallel
longitudinal cuts along the length of a cant. In one embodiment,
one or more tapered feed rolls can be positioned downstream of the
horizontal gang and used to separate the boards.
[0169] FIGS. 18A-D illustrate block diagrams of a horizontal gang
outfeed and board separator system 1100, in accordance with
embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 18A shows an end view
of system 1100. System 1100 may include one or more tapered feed
rolls 1232 coupled to drive/positioner(s) 1233. Tapered feed rolls
1232 may be positioned to each side of a conveyor surface 1280,
downstream of a horizontal gang 1290 (shown in dotted outline, FIG.
18A). Conveyor surface 1280 may be either stationary or movable in
a direction of flow (arrow C, FIG. 18D). While FIG. 18A shows a
single pair of feed rolls 1232, some embodiments may include two,
three, four, or more than four pairs of feed rolls 1232 (see e.g.,
FIGS. 18B-D).
[0170] Feed rolls 1232 may be independently rotatable in direction
A and/or in an opposite rotary direction. Drive/positioner(s) 1233
may include one or more motors or other drive members configured to
selectively rotate feed rolls 1232. In some embodiments,
drive/positioners 1233 may include a motor and/or a variable speed
drive. In addition, drive/positioner(s) 1233 may be configured to
shift feed rolls 1232 toward and away from a longitudinal
centerline of conveyor surface 1280, either independently or in
pairs (e.g., a pair such as 1232a and 1232b).
[0171] FIGS. 18B-D illustrate system 1100 in operation. First, as
shown in FIG. 18B, the leading end of a cant 1299 that has been cut
into two or more pieces is engaged by tapered feed rolls 1232a and
1232b. Feed rolls 1232a and/or 1232b may be moved toward or away
from the longitudinal center of conveyor surface 1280 to grip cant
1299 in the vertical gap between the feed rolls.
[0172] As shown in FIG. 18C, feed rolls 1232a and 1232b may be
rotated at the same speed/direction or at different
speeds/directions to separate individual pieces of cant 1299 (e.g.,
1299a, 1299b, 1299c, 1299d, 1299e). In the illustrated example,
feed roll 1232a is being rotated in a first direction at a first
speed, and feed roll 1232b is being rotated in the opposite
direction at a second speed. This may cause acceleration of the
workpiece in contact with feed roll 1232a (workpiece 1299a) and
deceleration or backward movement of the workpiece in contact with
feed roll 1232b (workpiece 1299e). The workpieces between 1299a and
1299e may advance in the direction of flow at different rates or
remain relatively stationary until they contact one of the feed
rolls.
[0173] As shown in FIG. 18D, as the outermost workpiece passes
beyond a feed roll, the feed roll may be moved inward toward the
longitudinal center of conveyor surface 1280 to contact the next
workpiece. Some embodiments may have multiple pairs of feed rolls,
and each feed roll or pair may be repositioned independently of the
others. This may allow more efficient separation of the workpieces.
In addition, each feed roll or pair of feed rolls may be driven at
different speeds to increase separation of the workpieces. For
example, the feed roll that is furthest upstream may be rotated at
a higher speed than a feed roll downstream, or vice versa. In
addition, feed roll rotation speeds may be controlled and/or
adjusted (e.g., by a computing device and/or optimizing scanner
communicatively coupled to the tapered feed rolls) based on data
received from feed roll assembly 1230, a controller (e.g.,
controller 1204, FIG. 17), and/or other components of a processing
line. Examples of such data include, but are not limited to, an
external signal from one or more sensors positioned along the path
of flow (e.g., a sensor that detects a leading edge of a board),
workpiece characteristic data received from an upstream or
downstream scanner, data corresponding to a position of a movable
member of a processing machine, and conveyor/transfer speed data
received from a driver or a controller of the
conveyor/transfer/drive.
[0174] In some embodiments, one more tapered feed rolls may be
provided along only one side of conveyor surface 1280, and the sawn
cant 1199 may be pressed or squeezed between the feed roll(s) and a
stop member on the opposite side. Optionally, one or more hold-down
rolls may be provided overhead to stabilize the sawn cant upstream
of, or during engagement with, feed rolls 1232.
[0175] In other embodiments, one or more tapered feed rolls 1236
(FIG. 18D) may be positioned above and/or below the path of
workpiece flow downstream of horizontal gang 1190. Feed roll(s)
1236 may be provided instead of, or in addition to, feed rolls
1232. Feed roll(s) 1236 may be angled to extend across the path of
workpiece flow and rotatable in the direction of flow to further
separate the workpieces and/or to urge the separated workpieces
toward one side of conveyor surface 1280. This may cause the
workpieces to align end-to-end on conveyor surface 1280.
[0176] Vertical Gang Outfeed and Board Separator
[0177] Similarly, a vertical gang can be used to make a number of
parallel longitudinal cuts horizontally along the length of a cant.
One or more tapered feed rolls may be positioned downstream of the
vertical gang and used to separate the boards.
[0178] FIGS. 19A-D illustrate block diagrams of a vertical gang
outfeed and board separator system 1200, in accordance with
embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 19A shows an end view
of system 1200. System 1200 may include one or more tapered feed
rolls 1232 coupled to drive/positioner(s) 1233. Tapered feed rolls
1232 may be positioned to each side of a conveyor surface 1280,
downstream of a vertical gang 1291 (shown in dotted outline, FIG.
19A). Feed rolls 1232, drive/positioner(s) 1233, and conveyor
surface 1280 may be as described above with regard to FIGS.
18A-D.
[0179] FIGS. 19B-D illustrate system 1100 in operation. First, as
shown in FIG. 18B, the leading end of a cant 1298 that has been cut
into two or more pieces is engaged by tapered feed rolls 1232a and
1232b. Feed rolls 1232a and/or 1232b may be moved toward or away
from the longitudinal center of conveyor surface 1280 to grip cant
1299 in the vertical gap between the feed rolls.
[0180] Feed rolls 1232a and 1232b may be rotated in opposite
directions at the same speed to separate the workpieces 1298a-e. In
some embodiments, two or more pairs of feed rolls 1232 may be
rotated at different speeds/directions to further separate the
workpieces. In the illustrated example, feed roll 1232a is being
rotated in a first direction at a first speed, and feed roll 1232b
is being rotated in the opposite direction at the first speed (FIG.
19B). The next pair of feed rolls 1232 downstream of 1232a and
1232b may be rotated at the same speed or at a higher rate of
speed. Because the surface speed of each feed roll 1232 is highest
at the bottom (wider) end and lowest at the top (narrower) end, the
workpieces are accelerated at different rates, with the greatest
acceleration applied to the bottom-most workpiece 1298e and the
least acceleration applied to the top-most workpiece 1298a. This
differential acceleration of the workpieces may begin to separate
the workpieces 1298a-e from a vertically stacked arrangement to a
lineal end-to-end arrangement.
[0181] As shown in FIG. 19D, once the bottom-most workpiece 1298e
has moved past the last feed roll, there may be a gap between that
workpiece and the next workpiece. As the second bottom-most
workpiece 1298d is still engaged by the last pair of feed rolls,
that workpiece may be traveling at a greater rate of speed than the
bottom-most workpiece. This may reduce or close the gap between
these two workpieces before the second workpiece has disengaged
from the last feed rolls. Optionally, as described with regard to
horizontal gang outfeeds, rotational speeds of some or all of the
feed rolls may be selected and/or adjusted by a computing system or
scanner to provide a desired gap length between two or more of the
workpieces.
[0182] In some embodiments, one more tapered feed rolls may be
provided along only one side of conveyor surface 1280, and the sawn
cant 1298 may be pressed or squeezed between the feed roll(s) and a
stop member on the opposite side. Optionally, one or more hold-down
rolls may be provided overhead to stabilize the sawn cant upstream
of, or during engagement with, feed rolls 1232. This may prevent
tilting and upward acceleration of workpieces.
[0183] As discussed above and illustrated in FIG. 18D, one or more
tapered feed rolls 1236 may be positioned above and/or below the
path of workpiece flow downstream of vertical gang 1290 to further
separate the workpieces and/or to urge the separated workpieces
toward one side of conveyor surface 1280. Feed rolls 1236 may be
provided instead of, or in addition to, feed rolls 1232 to urge the
workpieces 1298a-e into a lineal, end-to-end arrangement on
conveyor surface 1280.
[0184] Separator/Combiner
[0185] Workpieces translating along a path of flow may be diverted
onto a different path by various mechanisms such as drop-out gates,
recirculation beds, and the like, and later redirected into the
path of flow using other devices. However, this typically requires
depositing the workpieces into bins and unscrambling the
workpieces, which reduces efficiency and does not allow the
workpieces to be continuously tracked.
[0186] FIGS. 21A-D illustrate an example of a separator/combiner
assembly 1400 in accordance with embodiments of the present
disclosure. When used as a separator, workpieces fed into the
assembly in a single stream may be sent in one of two opposite
directions, exiting the assembly at the wider ends of the tapered
feed rolls. When used as a combiner, workpieces fed into the
assembly from opposite directions may be integrated into single
stream, exiting the assembly at the narrower ends of the tapered
feed rolls.
[0187] In the illustrated system, a first tapered feed roll 1432a
is positioned above a second tapered feed roll 1432b to define a
first gap, and a third tapered feed roll 1432c is positioned below
the second tapered feed roll 1432b to define a second gap. The
tapered feed rolls may be aligned within a substantially vertical
plane near a terminal end of a transfer/conveyor 1480. When the
second tapered feed roll 1432b is rotated in a first direction and
the first tapered feed roll 1432a is rotated in the opposite
direction, a workpiece fed into the first gap will be driven in a
first direction that is transverse to the direction of flow along
the conveyor. When the second tapered feed roll 1432b is rotated in
the first direction and the third tapered feed roll 1432c is
rotated in the opposite direction, a workpiece fed into the second
gap will be driven in a second direction transverse to the
direction of flow. The first and second directions may be opposite
directions along a single lineal axis of movement.
[0188] In some embodiments, the tapered feed rolls may be arranged
at an oblique angle to the infeed as described further above. In
other embodiments, the tapered feed rolls may be arranged such that
their axes of rotation extend substantially parallel to a
longitudinal axis of the transfer/conveyor. Optionally, the tapered
feed rolls may have a raised or depressed helical or spiral surface
feature that aids engagement of the workpieces. Separate bins or
conveyor may be positioned at each side of the tapered feed rolls
to accept workpieces separated by the tapered feed roll assembly
and/or to feed workpieces into the tapered feed roll assembly.
Optionally, a bin may be positioned at one side of the tapered feed
roll assembly and a transfer/conveyor positioned at the other
side.
[0189] FIGS. 21A and 21B show the system 1400 in use as a
separator. In operation, first and third tapered feed rolls 1432a
and 1432c may be rotated in a first rotary direction (e.g.,
clockwise) while second tapered feed roll 1432b is rotated in an
opposite rotary direction (e.g., counterclockwise). As workpiece
1499 traveling along transfer/conveyor 1480 in direction F
approaches the tapered feed rolls, transfer/conveyor 1480 (or some
portion thereof) may be vertically adjusted to feed workpiece 1499
into the first gap or the second gap. Alternatively, the
transfer/conveyor may remain vertically stationary while the
tapered feed rolls are raised or lowered. As shown in FIG. 21B, if
the workpiece 1499 is fed into the first gap (between first tapered
feed roll 1432a and second tapered feed roll 1432b), the workpiece
will be driven in a first direction D. However, if the workpiece
1499 is fed into the second gap (between second tapered feed roll
1432b and third tapered feed roll 1432c), the workpiece will be
driven in a second direction E that is opposite to the first
direction D.
[0190] FIGS. 21C and 21D show essentially the reverse, in which
system 1400 is used as a combiner. Reversing the rotational
direction of the tapered feed rolls allows workpieces fed into the
assembly at or near the wide ends of the tapered feed rolls to be
combined into a single stream along conveyor 1480. As illustrated,
workpieces fed into the first gap (between first tapered feed roll
1432a and second tapered feed roll 1432b) in direction D and
workpieces fed into the second gap (between second tapered feed
roll 1432b and third tapered feed roll 1432c) in the opposite
direction E may be combined into a single stream on conveyor
1480.
[0191] In other embodiments, the tapered feed rolls may be arranged
along a plane that is substantially horizontal or tilted. The
tapered feed rolls may be coupled to a support (e.g., as described
with regard to tapered feed roll assembly 130).
[0192] Flitch Picker
[0193] A canter may cut one or more flitches from the vertical
sides of a log or cant. Conventional canter lines use butterfly
rolls positioned to each side of the saws to divert the flitches
onto another processing line.
[0194] FIG. 22 shows a block diagram of a flitch diversion system,
in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. System
2200 may include a primary conveyor 2210 and two secondary
conveyors 2280. Some or all of the conveyors 2210/2280 may be
configured to convey a workpiece in a direction of workpiece flow,
indicated by arrow C.
[0195] Tapered feed rolls 2232 may be positioned above and/or below
primary conveyor 2210. The axes of rotation of tapered feed rolls
2232 may extend perpendicular to, or at an oblique angle to, the
direction of workpiece flow.
[0196] One or more flitches 2298 may be cut from the vertical
side(s) of cant 2299. As the flitch 2298 on one side contacts the
corresponding tapered feed roll(s) 2232, the rotation of the feed
roll(s) may urge the flitch in a second direction (arrow A) that is
transverse to the direction of workpiece flow. Likewise, as the
flitch 2298 on the other side contacts the corresponding tapered
feed roll(s) 2232, the rotation of the feed roll(s) may urge the
flitch in a third direction (arrow B) that is transverse to the
direction of workpiece flow and generally perpendicular to the
second direction. Thus, the tapered feed rolls 2232 may urge the
flitches away from primary conveyor 2210 onto secondary conveyors
2280, leaving cant 2299 on primary conveyor 2210.
[0197] Step Feeder
[0198] A conventional log processing line begins with piled logs
being singulated and lifted from a pile of logs to an elevated
lineal conveyor. This is usually accomplished with a step feeder or
a log ladder.
[0199] FIG. 20 illustrates an embodiment of a log feeder 1300 with
tapered rolls, in accordance with embodiments of the present
disclosure. Log feeder 1300 may include two or more tapered feed
rolls 1332 rotatably coupled to a support 1342 and to a drive 1333.
Drive 1333 may be operable to rotate one or more tapered feed rolls
1332 around a rotational axis A. Optionally, drive 1333 may include
a variable speed drive. Drive 1333 may be operated manually, by a
human operator, or automatically by a computing device/system with
some or all of the functionalities described in further detail
above. While the illustrated embodiments includes a separate drive
1333 for each tapered feed roll 1332, other embodiments may include
one drive coupled to two or more tapered feed rolls. Optionally, a
single drive may be used to drive/rotate all of the tapered feed
rolls synchronously.
[0200] Log feeder 1300 may include two, three, four, five, six, or
more than six tapered feed rolls 1332. Tapered feed rolls 1332 may
include a helical flange 1334 that wraps around the feed rolls
between the narrower end and the wider end of the feed rolls.
Helical flange 1334 may define a plurality of workpiece receiving
spaces along the outer face of tapered feed roll 1332. Each
workpiece receiving space may be configured to support a workpiece
1399 (e.g., a log or a cant), and tapered feed rolls 1332 may be
aligned such that the workpiece 1399 is supported by the helical
flanges 1334 of two or more adjacent feed rolls 1332 in
cooperation. Optionally, tapered feed rolls 1332 may be inclined
relative to vertical, such that a workpiece 1399 is supported on
helical flange 1334 and also on the outer surface of tapered feed
roll 1332.
[0201] In operation, workpiece 1399 may be engaged by the lower
portion of helical flange 1334 on adjacent tapered feed rolls 1332.
Optionally, workpieces may be piled or stacked in a bin/hopper or
support surface that tilts the pile or stack toward the bottom ends
of tapered feed rolls 1332. Tapered feed rolls 1332 may be driven
to rotate in direction B to vertically displace workpiece 1399
(arrow C) upwardly along the outer face of the tapered feed rolls
1332 toward a workpiece receiving surface 1380. As workpiece 1399
reaches the top of tapered feed rolls 1332, the workpiece may roll
onto workpiece receiving surface 1380. In some embodiments,
workpiece receiving surface 1380 may be a lineal conveyor
configured to transport the workpieces along a path of flow.
[0202] In some embodiments, the tapered feed rolls 1332 may be
rotatable in the opposite rotary direction to lower workpieces to
the ground or floor surface.
[0203] In other embodiments, the tapered feed rolls may be oriented
with the wider ends at the bottom and the narrower ends at the top.
Optionally, the orientation of the tapered feed rolls may alternate
from one tapered feed roll to the next, such that one tapered feed
roll is oriented narrower-end-up and the next adjacent tapered feed
roll is oriented wider-end-up. The spiral flange may be continuous
or discontinuous. Optionally, the spiral flange may have a surface
treatment or texture that increases or reduces surface friction
between the spiral flange and the workpieces. Although certain
embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be
appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a wide
variety of alternate and/or equivalent embodiments or
implementations calculated to achieve the same purposes may be
substituted for the embodiments shown and described without
departing from the scope. Those with skill in the art will readily
appreciate that embodiments may be implemented in a very wide
variety of ways. This application is intended to cover any
adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein.
Therefore, it is manifestly intended that embodiments be limited
only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.
* * * * *