Lumber printer

A method of stamping boards using a printer comprising:

• a support constructed and arranged such that a length of the support mounts over a width of a conveyor for conveying boards transversely to be stamped;
• a drive shaft rotatably mounted to the support, the drive shaft disposed in generally the direction of the length of the support;
• a plurality of arms movably connected to the drive shaft;
• a plurality of lift mechanisms constructed and arranged for lifting and lowering the arms;
• a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to the arms, the wheels having a plurality of stamps located around an outer surface of the wheels, and the wheels rotatably driven by rotation of the shaft;
• a drive mechanism constructed and arranged for rotating the drive shaft;
• a wheel position device constructed and arranged for determining a location of the stamps on the wheels;
• and
• an ink supply mechanism constructed and arranged for applying ink to the stamps, the method comprising:
• conveying a board on a conveyor under the printer so that the length of the board is substantially aligned with a length of the printer;
• determining a desired stamp to be applied to the board;
• rotating the shaft to rotate the wheels to a starting location for applying the desired stamp;
• dropping the wheels down onto the board being conveyed for a time period sufficient for the wheels to rotate and apply the desired stamp to the board;
• and
• lifting the wheels off of the board when the desired stamp is applied to the board and before an undesired stamp is applied.