Lumber retrieval method with selective crown orientation
OwnerSteven L. Aylsworthinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A lumber handling method identifies the existence and direction of crowning in dimensional lumber and automatically orients the board and specifies a cutting direction prior to a saw cutting the board into one or more board segments to be used in a structural board assembly, such as in a truss or a wall panel. Crowning is a curve that occurs along a narrow convex edge of a board, wherein the curve is about an axis that is perpendicular to the board's widest face. In some examples, a board's crown is detected by a row of photoelectric sensors. In some examples, the method involves calibrating the sensors by passing a straight board past the sensors. In some examples, the convex and/or concave edges of the board are marked.
Claims20
A lumber handling method for retrieving a plurality of boards of various sizes from a plurality of stations supported by a floor, the plurality of stations include at least a first station, the plurality of boards includes at least a board, the lumber handling method comprising:
- placing the board right-side-up at the first station;
- using a trolley for transferring the board in a forward direction from the first station toward a board receiving area, the forward direction being substantially perpendicular to a length of the board;
- defining a predetermined positive limit of curvature;
- detecting whether the board has a board curvature exceeding the predetermined positive limit of curvature;
- before cutting a board segment from the board, determining whether to turn the board up-side-down based on whether the board curvature exceeds the predetermined positive limit of curvature;
- using the saw for cutting the board into the board segment with the board right-side-up if the board curvature is less than the predetermined positive limit of curvature, wherein the board segment is shorter than the board with reference to the length of the board;
- mechanically turning the board up-side-down and using the saw for cutting the board into the board segment with the board up-side-down if the board curvature exceeds the predetermined positive limit of curvature;
- and
- assembling a structural board assembly incorporating the board segment.
A lumber handling method for retrieving a plurality of boards of various sizes from a plurality of stations supported by a floor, the plurality of stations include at least a first station, the plurality of boards includes at least a board, the lumber handling method comprising:
- placing the board right-side-up at the first station;
- using a trolley for transferring the board in a forward direction from the first station toward a board receiving area, the forward direction being substantially perpendicular to a length of the board;
- defining a predetermined positive limit of curvature;
- detecting whether the board has a board curvature exceeding the predetermined positive limit of curvature;
- determining whether to cut the board in a first direction or a second direction based on whether the board curvature exceeds the predetermined positive limit of curvature, wherein the first direction deviates from the second direction;
- using the saw for cutting the board in the first direction to create a board segment if the board curvature is less than the predetermined positive limit of curvature;
- using the saw for cutting the board in the second direction to create the board segment if the board curvature exceeds the predetermined positive limit of curvature;
- and
- assembling a structural board assembly incorporating the board segment.
A lumber handling method for retrieving a plurality of boards of various sizes from a plurality of stations supported by a floor, the plurality of stations include at least a first station, the plurality of boards includes at least a board, the lumber handling method comprising:
- placing the board right-side-up at the first station;
- using a trolley for transferring the board in a forward direction from the first station toward a board receiving area, the forward direction being substantially perpendicular to a length of the board;
- defining a predetermined positive limit of curvature;
- detecting whether the board has a board curvature exceeding the predetermined positive limit of curvature;
- if the board curvature exceeds the predetermined positive limit of curvature, automatically applying a first mark on the board that distinguishes a convex edge of the board from a concave edge of the board;
- if the board curvature exceeds the predetermined positive limit of curvature, cutting the board with a saw to create a board segment that includes the first mark;
- and
- assembling a structural board assembly incorporating the board segment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.