Variable opening reducer for logs and stems

A Variable Opening Reducer (VOR) for chipping excess fibers on a log or stem periphery, the VOR comprising:

• a flared butt detector configured to:
• characterize a flared butt on the log or stem;
• and
• calculate a baseline diameter based on the characterized flared butt;
• a reducing portion comprising:
• linear guiding elements;
• a plurality of movable chipping tools, each of the chipping tools:
• revolving about a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the log or stem, the rotation axis being at an angle with at least one other rotation axis of another chipping tool, and
• chipping peripheral sections in excess of the calculated baseline diameter of the log or stem;
• a plurality of actuators operatively connected to the chipping tools, the actuators displacing the chipping tools along the guiding elements forming to form a substantially circular processing passageway prior to receiving the log, the passageway having a diameter substantially equal to the calculated baseline diameter of the log or stem, the reducing portion being adapted to remove peripheral sections in excess of the calculated baseline diameter of the log or stem, wherein two of the plurality of chipping tools are displaced by the actuators along the same displacement axis;
• infeed portion for moving the log or stem toward the reducing portion along the longitudinal axis of the log or stem;
• and
• an outfeed portion for moving the log or stem away from the reducing portion.