Article scanning method and apparatus for computer-controlled sawing machines

A cant positioning apparatus for an infeed conveyor of a gang saw device where the gang saw device includes a cutting bank of saws movable through a predetermined pivot angle, a cant first scanning array located upstream relative to the direction of movement of the cant of the gang saw device and said infeed conveyor, a positioning conveyor located upstream of said infeed conveyor and downstream of said first scanning array, said positioning conveyor including a plurality of cant positioning members spaced along a length of said positioning conveyor, computer means for receiving and analyzing the results of output of said first scanning array and for actuating at least some of said cant positioning members to position a cant on said positioning conveyor relative to the path of travel of the cant so that the cant will be cut to produce the maximum of usable lumber from the cant with said gang saw operating within said predetermined pivot angle.