Automated lumber retrieval and delivery

A lumber handling method for retrieving and delivering a board, wherein the board is included in at least one of a first stack of lumber and a second stack of lumber, the lumber handling method involving a use of a track extending in a lengthwise direction, a track follower mounted to the track and being movable in the lengthwise direction, a board picker mounted to the track follower and being movable in the lengthwise direction, a laser unit mounted to the track follower and being movable in the lengthwise direction, and a first saw;

• the lumber handling method comprising:
• defining a work area;
• storing a plurality of lumber supports in the work area, the plurality of lumber supports including a first lumber support and a second lumber support that are spaced apart from each other with reference to the lengthwise direction;
• defining a service area that is offset to the work area with reference to a lateral direction that is substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise direction;
• defining a plurality of shuttle paths extending in the lateral direction between the work area and the service area, the plurality of shuttle paths corresponding to the plurality of lumber supports;
• via the plurality of shuttle paths, moving the first stack of lumber and the second stack of lumber from the service area to the work area;
• storing the first stack of lumber on the first lumber support;
• storing the second stack of lumber on the second lumber support;
• moving the track follower along the track and thereby carrying the board picker and the laser unit over at least one of the first stack of lumber and the second stack of lumber;
• laser scanning with the laser unit at least one of the first stack of lumber and the second stack of lumber while the track follower, the board picker, and the laser unit pass over at least one of the first stack of lumber and the second stack of lumber;
• creating a digital profile by laser scanning at least one of the first stack of lumber and the second stack of lumber;
• displaying a digital image of the digital profile on a digital display;
• identifying a location of the board based on the digital profile;
• picking up the board via the board picker such that the board hangs from the board picker while an elongate length of the board extends in the lateral direction;
• while the board hangs from the board picker, moving the track follower, the board picker, the board, and the laser unit in the lengthwise direction along the track such that the board passes over at least one of the first lumber support and the second lumber support and moves closer to the first saw, wherein laser scanning with the scanner unit and moving the board in the lengthwise direction along the track happens concurrently;
• transferring the board to the first saw;
• cutting the board with the first saw into a plurality of smaller pieces;
• and
• assembling the plurality of smaller pieces into an assembly, wherein the assembly is at least one of a roof truss and a wall panel.