Robotic chopsaw or merchandiser

A method of cutting logs, the method comprising:

• depositing the log on a materials handling system conveying the log into an infeed side of a work envelope of a robotic workstation, the robotic workstation having a manipulator for reaching points within the work envelope using a cutting tool affixed to an end effector thereof;
• performing at least one cut of the log by the cutting tool as moved by the manipulator;
• and
• removing a cut portion of the log from an outfeed side of the work envelope using the materials handling system.

A cutting head affixed to an adapter plate of a robot manipulator capable of moving an end effector adapter plate to points in a three-dimensional work volume under programmed control of a programmable robot controller executing stored instructions for cutting logs, the cutting head comprising:

• a support structure;
• at least one rotatable shaft;
• a sawblade including at least one of a circular blade, a chain blade, or band blade, and coupled to the at least one rotatable shaft and driven in a cutting motion;
• and
• a motor coupled to the rotatable shaft for driving the blade.

A robotic saw workstation for cutting logs, the robotic saw workstation comprising:

• a first robot manipulator capable of moving a first cutting head to points in a three-dimensional work volume under programmed control of a programmable controller executing stored instructions;
• wherein the first cutting head includes:
• a support structure;
• a rotatable shaft;
• a blade coupled to the rotatable shaft;
• and a motor coupled to the rotatable shaft for driving the blade;
• a second robot manipulator capable of moving a second cutting head to points in a three-dimensional work volume under programmed control of the programmable controller executing stored instructions;
• wherein the second cutting head includes:
• a support structure;
• a rotatable shaft;
• a blade coupled to the rotatable shaft;
• and a motor coupled to the rotatable shaft for driving the blade;
• and
• a materials handling system moving workpieces into the work volume and cutting workpieces out of the work volume;
• and
• wherein a programmable controller executing stored instructions instructs the first robot manipulator and first cutting head, the second robot manipulator and the second cutting head to cut substantially contemporaneously a same log positioned by the materials handling system.