Veneer lathe charging apparatus and method for determining log spin axis

An apparatus for scanning the surface configuration of a log and transferring the log so that a predetermined log spin axis is aligned in the chucks of a veneer lathe comprising:

• a frame;
• rotating means mounted on said frame including a power-driven extendible-retractable spindle for rotating a log about a longitudinal axis;
• electro-optical scanning means disposed adjacent to said log and including source means for emitting beams of light across a rotating log to a detector means, said light beams being interrupted during continuous rotation by peripheral points on the log to thereby generate electrical signals indicating distances from said longitudinal axis to the interrupting peripheral points;
• computer means for receiving said signals and determining a spin axis based on said distances;
• shaft encoder means connected to said spindle for producing electrical signals to said computer means indicating the degree of rotation of said spindle;
• a pair of elongate charger arms pivotally connected to said frame including gripping means operable for gripping the ends of the log and transferring it to locate said spin axis in alignment in the chucks of the veneer lathe, said gripping means being mounted on a rod which is slidably mounted in a guide means provided on each arm;
• power-driven means mounted on each of said arms and power transmission means operatively coupled to said power-driven means and said gripping means for selectively extending and retracting said rod relative to said guide means in a direction generally along the longitudinal axis of said arm;
• and
• actuating means provided for independently angularly displacing an associated arm, each of said actuating means being mounted on said frame and shiftable in a substantially horizontal direction.