Selection and bundling apparatus for random length materials

Apparatus for selecting a plurality of random length boards to form a stock row of predetermined target length range, comprising:

• an accumulating conveyor for supporting a plurality of random length boards;
• a storage rack longitudinally proximal the accumulating conveyor, having a plurality of parallel channels for receiving boards from the accumulating conveyor;
• a scanning assembly positioned between the accumulating conveyor and the storage rack for determining the length of each board as the boards move from the accumulating conveyor to the storage rack;
• means located between the accumulating conveyor and the storage rack for moving boards from the accumulating conveyor to the storage rack;
• detector means in each channel for detecting the presence of a board;
• a central processor electrically connected to the scanning assembly and detector means, for receiving and processing length information for each board from the scanning assembly, and location information from the detector means;
• selection means connected to the central processor, for selecting and moving boards from the storage rack in response to a signal from the processor;
• and
• means for conveying selected boards from the storage rack to a stock row accumulating location.