System for affixing tags to lumber

A method for automatically affixing labels to boards within a pack of lumber, said method comprising the steps of:

• inputting identifying information about said boards in said pack to a computer system by an operator, said information including a size of said pack and dimensions of boards in said pack, said computer system using said information to generate labels for said boards;
• and
• under control of said computer system,
• remotely detecting a position of a leading board within said pack,
• moving a labeling device to a position proximate said leading board, and
• operating said labeling device to print a label and apply said label to said leading board.

An apparatus for affixing labels to boards within a pack of lumber, said apparatus comprising:

• a computer system;
• input means for inputting identifying information about said pack to said computer system by an operator, said information including a size of said pack and dimensions of boards in said pack, said computer system processing said information to generate labels;
• a positioning assembly;
• a detector carried by said positioning assembly said detector adapted for determining a position of a leading board within said pack, said detector operated by said computer system;
• a labeling assembly carried by said positioning assembly, said labeling assembly including means for printing a label and means for applying said printed label to a board;
• and
• at least one bidirectional communications link connecting said detector, said labeling assembly, and said positioning assembly to said bidirectional communications link so that said computer system can automatically operate said detector, said labeling assembly, and said positioning assembly to detect said position of said leading board, move said labeling assembly to a position near said leading board, and print and apply said label to said leading board, respectively.