Precision trimming and precision cross-cutting apparatus and method for bulk material

In an apparatus for precision trimming and/or precision cutting bulk elongated material into desired lengths comprising:

• (a) an elongated infeed conveyor table for supporting the material to be trimmed and cut and for conveying such material along a path extending longitudinally of same;
• (b) an elongated cutting table disposed adjacent one end of said conveyor table for receiving and supporting material being conveyed along said path;
• (c) power cutting means located adjacent said cutting table, said cutting means including a circular saw mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis on a moveable saw carrier, said saw carriage being operable to move said circular saw across said path to cut the material on said cutting table;
• (d) a first substantially horizontal carriage mounted on said conveyor table for controlled reversible movement along said path, said carriage having a first material engaging surface extending across and substantially normal to said path for engaging one end of the material to push same along said conveyor toward said cutting table;
• and
• (e) a second substantially horizontal carriage mounted on said cutting table for controlled reversible movement along said path on the downstream side of said circular saw, said second carriage having a further material engaging surface extending across and substantially normal to said path for engaging the opposite end of said material to act as a stop for material moving along said path to permit cutting of, the material at a desired point;
• the improvement wherein:
• the elongated material is a strapped bundle of lumber which is to be precision trimmed and cut into a plurality of bundles of shorter length;
• and
• said first carriage includes means for substantially aligning the ends of a bundle of lumber on said conveyor, said aligning means including means for mounting said first material engaging surface on said first carriage so that it is moveable, relative to said first carriage, along said path in a reversible manner, and a controllable piston connected between said first material engaging surface and the front of said first carriage for selectively and controllably exerting pressure on said first material engaging surface to move same relative to said first carriage and under pressure against the adjacent end of a bundle of lumber.