Automated method and system for lumber analysis

An automated method for analyzing and processing lumber comprising:

• providing a first plurality of lumber bunks, wherein each one of the first plurality of lumber bunks is vertically displaced relative to at least one other of the first plurality of lumber bunks, wherein each bunk of the first plurality of lumber bunks is configured to hold a stack of lumber;
• selecting a first lumber stack from the first plurality of lumber bunks;
• inspecting a first lumber piece on the first lumber stack and generating a first analysis result based on the inspecting;
• picking up the first lumber piece from the first lumber stack;
• transporting the first lumber piece to a processing location that is chosen based on the first analysis result, wherein the transporting includes moving the first lumber piece in a direction that parallels a longitudinal axis of the first lumber stack;
• selecting a second lumber stack from the first plurality of lumber bunks;
• inspecting a second lumber piece on the second lumber stack and generating a second analysis result based on the inspecting;
• picking up the second lumber piece from the second lumber stack;
• and
• transporting the second lumber piece to a processing location that is chosen based on the second analysis result, wherein the transporting includes moving the second lumber piece in a direction that parallels a longitudinal axis of the second lumber stack.

An apparatus for automated analysis and processing of lumber, the apparatus comprising:

• a first plurality of lumber bunks, wherein each one of the first plurality of lumber bunks is vertically displaced relative to at least one other of the first plurality of lumber bunks, and wherein each bunk of the first plurality of lumber bunks is configured to hold a stack of lumber;
• means for selecting a first lumber stack from the first plurality of lumber bunks;
• means for inspecting a first lumber piece on the first lumber stack and generating an analysis result based on the inspecting;
• means for picking up the first lumber piece from the first lumber stack;
• means for transporting the first lumber piece to a processing location that is chosen based on the analysis result, wherein the means for transporting moves the first lumber piece in a direction that parallels a longitudinal axis of the first lumber piece;
• means for selecting a second lumber stack from the first plurality of lumber bunks;
• means for inspecting a second lumber piece on the second lumber stack and generating a second analysis result based on the inspecting;
• means for picking up the second lumber piece from the second lumber stack;
• means for transporting the second lumber piece to a processing location that is chosen based on the second analysis result, wherein the transporting includes moving the second lumber piece in a direction that parallels a longitudinal axis of the second lumber stack.