Flitch tracking
AssigneeUsnr, LLC
InventorsPaul W. Green, Dwayne Seawai Fujima
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In various embodiments, a scanner optimizer system may generate a virtual model of a predicted flitch based on a 3D model of a log/cant and a cut solution for the log/cant. The scanner optimizer system may compare a virtual model of an actual flitch to virtual models of predicted flitches by comparing data points at a fixed elevation relative to one or both faces of the models. Based on the comparisons, the scanner optimizer system may identify the source log from which the actual flitch was cut. In addition, the scanner optimizer system may identify the saw used to cut the actual flitch, and/or other relevant information, and use the additional information to monitor and adjust the saws and other equipment. Embodiments of corresponding apparatuses and methods are also described.
Claims21
A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions operable, upon execution by a processor of a computer, to cause the computer to:
- generate, based at least on a 3D model of a primary workpiece and a cut solution for the primary workpiece, a virtual model of a predicted flitch to be cut from the primary workpiece according to the cut solution, wherein the primary workpiece is a cant or a log, and the 3D model of the primary workpiece is based on a detected geometric profile of the primary workpiece,
- compare a virtual model of an actual flitch to the virtual model of the predicted flitch, wherein the virtual model of the actual flitch is based on a detected geometric profile of the actual flitch and the geometric profile of the actual flitch is detected after the actual flitch is cut from the primary workpiece,
- based on the comparison, identify the primary workpiece as a source of the actual flitch,
- determine a difference between the actual flitch and the predicted flitch, and
- send control instructions to a controller to cause the controller to adjust a cutting device, a cutting member, a workpiece positioning or handling device, or a workpiece transport based at least in part on said difference.
A system for identifying a primary workpiece as the source of a flitch, the system comprising:
- a first scanner optimizer system including a plurality of first sensors operatively coupled with a first computer system, wherein the first sensors are collectively positioned to scan a primary workpiece as the primary workpiece is transported along a first path of flow and operable to measure a geometric profile of the primary workpiece, and the first computer system is configured to generate a virtual model of the primary workpiece and a cut solution for the primary workpiece based at least on data from the first sensors, wherein the primary workpiece is a cant or a log;
- a second scanner optimizer system including a plurality of second sensors operatively coupled with a second computer system, wherein the second sensors are collectively positioned to scan an actual flitch as the actual flitch is transported along a second path of flow and operable to measure a geometric profile of the actual flitch, and the second computer system is configured to generate a virtual model of the actual flitch based at least on data from the second sensors;
- and
- a third computer system operatively coupled with the first and second computer systems and programmed with program instructions operable, upon execution by a processor, to cause the third computer system to:
- generate, based at least on the virtual model of the primary workpiece and the cut solution, a virtual model of a predicted flitch to be cut from the primary workpiece according to the cut solution,
- compare the virtual model of the actual flitch to the virtual model of the predicted flitch,
- based on the comparison, identify the primary workpiece as a source of the flitch,
- determine a difference between the actual flitch and the predicted flitch, and
- send control instructions to a controller or a display based at least in part on the difference, wherein the control instructions are configured to
- cause the controller to adjust a cutting device, a cutting member, a workpiece positioning or handling device, or a workpiece transport, or
- cause the display to display a result of the comparison or a recommendation to adjust the cutting device, perform maintenance or repair on the cutting device, or adjust a speed of the transport.
A method of matching a flitch to a source log, the method comprising:
- receiving, from a first plurality of sensors or a first computer system, a virtual model of a predicted flitch to be cut from a primary workpiece according to a cut solution, wherein the primary workpiece is a log or a cant;
- receiving, from one or more second sensors or a second computer system, a virtual model of an actual flitch;
- comparing the virtual model of the predicted flitch to the virtual model of the actual flitch;
- based on the comparison, identifying the primary workpiece as a source of the actual flitch;
- determining a difference between the actual flitch and the predicted flitch, and and
- sending instructions to a controller based at least in part on the difference, wherein the instructions are configured to cause the controller to adjust a cutting device, a cutting member, a workpiece positioning or handling, device, or a workpiece transport.
A method of modifying a log processing system, wherein the log processing system includes a first scanner optimizer and a second scanner optimizer, the method comprising:
- operatively coupling a computer system with the first and second scanner optimizers, wherein the computer system is programmed with program instructions operable, upon execution by one or more processors of the computer system, to cause the computer system to:
- receive a virtual model of a primary workpiece and a cut solution for the primary workpiece from the first scanner optimizer, wherein the primary workpiece is a log or a cant;
- generate a virtual model of a predicted flitch based at least on the virtual model of the primary workpiece and the cut solution;
- receive a virtual model of an actual flitch from the second scanner optimizer;
- compare the virtual model of the predicted flitch to the virtual model of the actual flitch;
- identify the primary workpiece as a source of the actual flitch based at least on the comparison;
- determine a difference between the actual flitch and the predicted flitch;
- and
- send control instructions to a controller, based at least in part on said difference, to cause the controller to adjust a cutting device, a cutting member, a workpiece positioning or handling device, or a workpiece transport.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.