CA2247065C - Apparatus and method for feeding elongated elements - Google Patents
Apparatus and method for feeding elongated elements Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2247065C CA2247065C CA 2247065 CA2247065A CA2247065C CA 2247065 C CA2247065 C CA 2247065C CA 2247065 CA2247065 CA 2247065 CA 2247065 A CA2247065 A CA 2247065A CA 2247065 C CA2247065 C CA 2247065C
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- Prior art keywords
- cants
- cant
- station
- edging
- engaging
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
- B65G47/22—Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors
- B65G47/24—Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors orientating the articles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B27—WORKING OR PRESERVING WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; NAILING OR STAPLING MACHINES IN GENERAL
- B27B—SAWS FOR WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; COMPONENTS OR ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
- B27B25/00—Feeding devices for timber in saw mills or sawing machines; Feeding devices for trees
- B27B25/02—Feeding devices for timber in saw mills or sawing machines; Feeding devices for trees with feed and pressure rollers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B27—WORKING OR PRESERVING WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; NAILING OR STAPLING MACHINES IN GENERAL
- B27B—SAWS FOR WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; COMPONENTS OR ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
- B27B31/00—Arrangements for conveying, loading, turning, adjusting, or discharging the log or timber, specially designed for saw mills or sawing machines
- B27B31/003—Arrangements for conveying, loading, turning, adjusting, or discharging the log or timber, specially designed for saw mills or sawing machines with rollers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B27—WORKING OR PRESERVING WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; NAILING OR STAPLING MACHINES IN GENERAL
- B27B—SAWS FOR WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; COMPONENTS OR ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
- B27B31/00—Arrangements for conveying, loading, turning, adjusting, or discharging the log or timber, specially designed for saw mills or sawing machines
- B27B31/006—Arrangements for conveying, loading, turning, adjusting, or discharging the log or timber, specially designed for saw mills or sawing machines with chains or belts
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B27—WORKING OR PRESERVING WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; NAILING OR STAPLING MACHINES IN GENERAL
- B27B—SAWS FOR WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; COMPONENTS OR ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
- B27B31/00—Arrangements for conveying, loading, turning, adjusting, or discharging the log or timber, specially designed for saw mills or sawing machines
- B27B31/06—Adjusting equipment, e.g. using optical projection
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B27—WORKING OR PRESERVING WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; NAILING OR STAPLING MACHINES IN GENERAL
- B27B—SAWS FOR WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; COMPONENTS OR ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
- B27B5/00—Sawing machines working with circular or cylindrical saw blades; Components or equipment therefor
- B27B5/02—Sawing machines working with circular or cylindrical saw blades; Components or equipment therefor characterised by a special purpose only
- B27B5/04—Sawing machines working with circular or cylindrical saw blades; Components or equipment therefor characterised by a special purpose only for edge trimming
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
- B65G47/22—Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors
- B65G47/26—Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors arranging the articles, e.g. varying spacing between individual articles
- B65G47/30—Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors arranging the articles, e.g. varying spacing between individual articles during transit by a series of conveyors
- B65G47/31—Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors arranging the articles, e.g. varying spacing between individual articles during transit by a series of conveyors by varying the relative speeds of the conveyors forming the series
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- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
- Forests & Forestry (AREA)
- Control Of Conveyors (AREA)
Abstract
A wood-edges for cutting away irregularities left on the edges of wood products, such away planks or boards, comprises a succession of different, transferring mechanisms cooperating to regulate the flow of wood products to be processed and to properly position the same for the ultimate edging operation.
Description
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FEEDING ELONGATED ELEMENTS
BACKGROUND OF' THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to handling of elongated elements and, more particularly, pertains to a material-handling system which is suitable for use in sawmill operations.
BACKGROUND OF' THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to handling of elongated elements and, more particularly, pertains to a material-handling system which is suitable for use in sawmill operations.
2- Description of the Prior Art A 7_og entering a sawmi:Ll is initially sawed into lumber pieces(hereinafter referred to as cants) having flat ,end parallel top and bottom surfaces but unfinished l~~ngitudinal side su:_faces or wanes. The wanes of a cent may be very irre~~ular and are usually oblique to the top and bottom surfaces thereof.
Accordingly, the cants have tc be run through an edger to trim the wanes thereof such as to produce wood pieces having parallel sid° surfaces which are planar and perpendicular to she top and bottom surfaces thereof.
Conventional edgers generally comprise various transfer mechanisms which are adapted to transversall~.~ transport successive cants through a scanning station which is adapted to ascertain the profile of the cants. In accordance with calculations made on the basis of the profilF~ data, the cants are conveyed and positioned on an infeed table of an edging station where the cant: are longitudinally accelerated. Typically, the infeed gable comprises a series of driven rollers disposed at regular intervals along the longitudinal axis of a frame for supporting a.nd moving the cants and a series of overhead pre:~sing rollers adapted to engage the top surface of the cants. The overhead pressing rollers are displaceable between inoperative and operative positions by means of hydraulic cylinders. Brackets are provided to connect the hy~~raulic cylinders to the overhead pressing rollers.
Although the conventional mechanisms used to transfer t:he cants from an ini~ake station, through a scanning station and then ont« an infeed table of an edging station perform satisf<~ctorily, it has been found that there is a need for new and simpler transfer mechanisms which are adapted to enhance the productivity of an edging apparatus.
For instance, conventional cant transfer mechanisms do not allow to fill ~~nwanted gaps between successive cents resulting from problems during the loading thereof on an entry conveyor of the edger.
Moreover, actual cant transfer mechanisms do not permit to change the speed of the production line accord=_ng to the lengtY: of each incoming successive cents, although shorter cants require less time to be processed. Accordingly, this limitation results in a lost of productivity.
Anc>ther problem associated with the actual cant transfer mechanisms is the ~~remature wear of the hydraulic cy_Linders of the overhead pressing rollers of the edger infeed table. This is mostly attributable to the vibrations transmitted to the rollers when the same are in contact with the top surface of the cants. Furthermore, according to the above described construction of she pressing rollers, the travelling speed of the roll.=_rs is limited, since relatively severe impacts of the rollers against the top surfac-~e of the cants can damage the cylinders.
SUMMARY OF TE:E INVENTION
It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide an apparatu;~ which is adapted to feed elonc~ate:d elements.
It is also an aim of t:he present invention to provide such an apparatus which is adapted to feed elongated elements at a substantially uniform rate.
It is a further aim of the present invent10I1 to provide such an ap~~aratus which is well adapted to cooperate with a scanning station and an edging station of a wood edger.
It is still an aim of she present invention to provide transfer mechanisms ~Nhich are adapted to enhance the ~~roductivity of an ec.ger.
It is still an aim of she present invention to provide a means for increasing the service life of an overhead caressing roller.
Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, tl-iere is provided an ,apparatus for feeding elongated elements at a substantially uniform rate comprising a frame having a longitudinal axis, multiple axially extending conveying means disposed in laterally spaced relationship on said frame means and adapted to be selectively driven at various speeds to move successive incoming transversally extending elongated elements along said longitudinal axis such as to provide a regular feeding rate, and means foz controlling operation of said conveying means.
Accordingly, the cants have tc be run through an edger to trim the wanes thereof such as to produce wood pieces having parallel sid° surfaces which are planar and perpendicular to she top and bottom surfaces thereof.
Conventional edgers generally comprise various transfer mechanisms which are adapted to transversall~.~ transport successive cants through a scanning station which is adapted to ascertain the profile of the cants. In accordance with calculations made on the basis of the profilF~ data, the cants are conveyed and positioned on an infeed table of an edging station where the cant: are longitudinally accelerated. Typically, the infeed gable comprises a series of driven rollers disposed at regular intervals along the longitudinal axis of a frame for supporting a.nd moving the cants and a series of overhead pre:~sing rollers adapted to engage the top surface of the cants. The overhead pressing rollers are displaceable between inoperative and operative positions by means of hydraulic cylinders. Brackets are provided to connect the hy~~raulic cylinders to the overhead pressing rollers.
Although the conventional mechanisms used to transfer t:he cants from an ini~ake station, through a scanning station and then ont« an infeed table of an edging station perform satisf<~ctorily, it has been found that there is a need for new and simpler transfer mechanisms which are adapted to enhance the productivity of an edging apparatus.
For instance, conventional cant transfer mechanisms do not allow to fill ~~nwanted gaps between successive cents resulting from problems during the loading thereof on an entry conveyor of the edger.
Moreover, actual cant transfer mechanisms do not permit to change the speed of the production line accord=_ng to the lengtY: of each incoming successive cents, although shorter cants require less time to be processed. Accordingly, this limitation results in a lost of productivity.
Anc>ther problem associated with the actual cant transfer mechanisms is the ~~remature wear of the hydraulic cy_Linders of the overhead pressing rollers of the edger infeed table. This is mostly attributable to the vibrations transmitted to the rollers when the same are in contact with the top surface of the cants. Furthermore, according to the above described construction of she pressing rollers, the travelling speed of the roll.=_rs is limited, since relatively severe impacts of the rollers against the top surfac-~e of the cants can damage the cylinders.
SUMMARY OF TE:E INVENTION
It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide an apparatu;~ which is adapted to feed elonc~ate:d elements.
It is also an aim of t:he present invention to provide such an apparatus which is adapted to feed elongated elements at a substantially uniform rate.
It is a further aim of the present invent10I1 to provide such an ap~~aratus which is well adapted to cooperate with a scanning station and an edging station of a wood edger.
It is still an aim of she present invention to provide transfer mechanisms ~Nhich are adapted to enhance the ~~roductivity of an ec.ger.
It is still an aim of she present invention to provide a means for increasing the service life of an overhead caressing roller.
Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, tl-iere is provided an ,apparatus for feeding elongated elements at a substantially uniform rate comprising a frame having a longitudinal axis, multiple axially extending conveying means disposed in laterally spaced relationship on said frame means and adapted to be selectively driven at various speeds to move successive incoming transversally extending elongated elements along said longitudinal axis such as to provide a regular feeding rate, and means foz controlling operation of said conveying means.
In a more specific construction, said multiple conveying means are independently and successively driven to convey ore incoming elongated elements at a time, thereby allowing to accumulate one elongated element per conveying means at a delivery end of said apparatus.
In accordance with an~~ther general aspect of the prey>ent invention, there is provided an apparatus fo:r transferring and orienting successive cants on an infeed table of an edging station. The apparatus comprises a frame having a longitudinal axis and at least two axially extending conveying means disposed in lateral spaced-apart relationship on said frame for moving success_~ve incoming cants in a direction transversal to longitudinal axes thereof .
Each convey~_ng means includes first and second endless driving members. The first and second endless driving members are respective=_y provided with at least one first engaging means and with at least one second engaging means. The first and second engaging means are adapted to cooperate to convey successive incoming cants along said longil_udinal axis of said frame. The first and second engaging means each have opposed pushing and abutment =sides. The apparatus further corr.prises reversible motor means for selective;.y driving said first and second endless driving members of said conveying means in a forward direction and a backward direction, and control means adapted to control the operation of said conveying means such a:~ to transport successive incoming cants to the infeed table of the edging station by alternate~.y wedging the same t~etween said pushing side of said first engaging means and said abutment side of said second engaging means, and between said pushing side of said second engaging means and said abutment ;~idE~ of said first engaging means.
In a further construction in accordance with the pre;~ent invention, the pushing side of each said firsr_ and second engaging means is provided with compressible means, whereas said abutment side thereof is substantially rigid.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of transporting successive elongated elements transversall~.~ of respective longitudinal axes thereof. 'The method comprises th~~ steps of: detecting a first incoming elongated eleme:zt, positioning first engaging means adjacent a lonc-itudinally extending upstream si~3e of the first incoming elongated element, wedding the first incoming elongated element between said first engaging mean; and second engaging means located on a downstream side of the first incoming elongated element, mo,ring said first and second engaging means in unison so as to transport said first incoming elongated element to a delivery location, morning said first and second engaging means away from said first incoming e~_ongated element such as to position said first and ~~econd engaging means on the down;~tream and upstream sides of a second incoming elongated element, r~=_spectively, whereby said first and second engaging means alternately serve to push and retain the successive incoming elongated elements.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an infeed table of an edging station adapted to cut away unfinished lengthwise extending wane surfaces of a cant to produce a dimensioned product. as the cant is displaced therethrough along ,~ prescribed edging path. The infeed table comprises infeed conveyor means for longitudinally displacing the cant into the edging station along the edging path, said infeed conveyor mea:zs including a supporting surface and a plurality of overhead roller pressing units, each said overhead roller pressing unit including first and second frame members pivotally mounted on a common pivot, said first frame member supporting a roller adapted to roll on the top surface of the cant, dampin~~ means disposed between said first and second frame members to absorb vibrations transmitted to said roller, and means for acting on said second frame member to displace said roller between an inoperative position wherein said roller is out of engagement. with the cant and an operative position wherein said roller engages a top surface of the cant.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for feeding one element at a time, c~~mprising frame means defining a longitudinal axis, a series of conveyors supported by said frame means and adapted to move incoming elements in a feeding direction parallel to said longitudinal axis, sensing means for detecting the space bEtween successive incoming elements, and control rnear.,s coupled to said sensing means and adapted to operate said conveyors to create a differential of speed between said conveyors such as to provide a desired spacing bet~~een the elements.
In accordance with an~~ther general aspect of the prey>ent invention, there is provided an apparatus fo:r transferring and orienting successive cants on an infeed table of an edging station. The apparatus comprises a frame having a longitudinal axis and at least two axially extending conveying means disposed in lateral spaced-apart relationship on said frame for moving success_~ve incoming cants in a direction transversal to longitudinal axes thereof .
Each convey~_ng means includes first and second endless driving members. The first and second endless driving members are respective=_y provided with at least one first engaging means and with at least one second engaging means. The first and second engaging means are adapted to cooperate to convey successive incoming cants along said longil_udinal axis of said frame. The first and second engaging means each have opposed pushing and abutment =sides. The apparatus further corr.prises reversible motor means for selective;.y driving said first and second endless driving members of said conveying means in a forward direction and a backward direction, and control means adapted to control the operation of said conveying means such a:~ to transport successive incoming cants to the infeed table of the edging station by alternate~.y wedging the same t~etween said pushing side of said first engaging means and said abutment side of said second engaging means, and between said pushing side of said second engaging means and said abutment ;~idE~ of said first engaging means.
In a further construction in accordance with the pre;~ent invention, the pushing side of each said firsr_ and second engaging means is provided with compressible means, whereas said abutment side thereof is substantially rigid.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of transporting successive elongated elements transversall~.~ of respective longitudinal axes thereof. 'The method comprises th~~ steps of: detecting a first incoming elongated eleme:zt, positioning first engaging means adjacent a lonc-itudinally extending upstream si~3e of the first incoming elongated element, wedding the first incoming elongated element between said first engaging mean; and second engaging means located on a downstream side of the first incoming elongated element, mo,ring said first and second engaging means in unison so as to transport said first incoming elongated element to a delivery location, morning said first and second engaging means away from said first incoming e~_ongated element such as to position said first and ~~econd engaging means on the down;~tream and upstream sides of a second incoming elongated element, r~=_spectively, whereby said first and second engaging means alternately serve to push and retain the successive incoming elongated elements.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an infeed table of an edging station adapted to cut away unfinished lengthwise extending wane surfaces of a cant to produce a dimensioned product. as the cant is displaced therethrough along ,~ prescribed edging path. The infeed table comprises infeed conveyor means for longitudinally displacing the cant into the edging station along the edging path, said infeed conveyor mea:zs including a supporting surface and a plurality of overhead roller pressing units, each said overhead roller pressing unit including first and second frame members pivotally mounted on a common pivot, said first frame member supporting a roller adapted to roll on the top surface of the cant, dampin~~ means disposed between said first and second frame members to absorb vibrations transmitted to said roller, and means for acting on said second frame member to displace said roller between an inoperative position wherein said roller is out of engagement. with the cant and an operative position wherein said roller engages a top surface of the cant.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for feeding one element at a time, c~~mprising frame means defining a longitudinal axis, a series of conveyors supported by said frame means and adapted to move incoming elements in a feeding direction parallel to said longitudinal axis, sensing means for detecting the space bEtween successive incoming elements, and control rnear.,s coupled to said sensing means and adapted to operate said conveyors to create a differential of speed between said conveyors such as to provide a desired spacing bet~~een the elements.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for feeding one element at a time, wherein the elements are conveyed along a feeding direction by a series of conveyors, comprising the steps of: ascertaining the spacing bet=ween successive incoming elements, generating related spacing data, and on the basis of said spacing data, creating a c.ifferential of speed from one conveyor to another to provide a desired spacing between the elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING~~
Hazing thus generally described the nature of the prese.zt invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration a preferred embodiment thereof, and in which:
Fic~. 1 is a schematic top plan view of a wood edges in accordance with the present invention;
Fic~. 2 is a schematic side elevational view of the wood edges of Fig. l;
Fic~. 3 is a schematic top plan view of a scanner delivery station of the mood edges of Fig. l;
Fic~. 4 is a top plan z~iew of one module of a positioning apparatus of the wood edges;
Fic~. 5 is fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of Fig.4 and showing the construction of a cant engaging member thereof;
Fic~. 6 is a simplified end elevational view of the module of Fig. 4, showing the disposition of two rollers of an edges infeeo table with respect thereto;
Fic~s. 7a to 7d ~~re schematic side elevational views of the po;~itioning apparatus, illustrating the sequence of operations thereof;
Fic~s. 8a and 8b are s:~de elevational views of an overhead pressing roller of the edger infeed table respectively shown in an inoperative position and an operative position thereof; and Fic~. 9 is a top plan view of the pressing roller o:~ Fic~s 8a and 8b.
DESCRIPTION C)F THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Now referring to ths~ drawings, and in particular t:o Figs. 1 and 2, a wood edger in accordance with the present invention and generally designated b~.~ numeral 10 will be described.
The wood edger 10, as will be explained hereinafter, is adapted t« cut away the irregularities or flaws left on the longitudinal side surfaces of elongated wood piece: or cants C cut from debarked log;. Accordingly, cants C having flat and parallel top and bottom surf~~ces and unfinished lengthwise e:Ktending wane surfa~~es may be converted into finished pieces having parallel side surfaces which are p:Lane and perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces thereof.
Ba:>ically, the wood edger 10 comprises a number of transfer or feeder mechanisms which are adapted to transversally transfer successive cants C
from an inta~te station 12, through a scanning station 14, and them onto an infeed table 16 of an edging station ~8 where the cants C are longitudinally accelerated.
_g_ The scanning station 1~~ detects the profile of the cants C and generates related data which are processed by a control system (not shown) to determine the position of the circular-saws (not shown) of th.e edging stations ~.8 and to adjust the orientation of the cants C on the infeed table 16 before being fed through the edging station 18. This permits to minimise the amount of material to be trimmed so as to produce the largest possible product.
As seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the intake station 12 includes two consecutive inclined multiple chain conve~rors 20 and 22. The multiple chain conveyor 20 comprises a number of parallel endless chains 24 which are driven in unison by means of driving sprockets engaged with the endless chains 24 at the delivery end of the first multiple chain conveyor 20. Similarly, the multiple chain conveyor 22 is provi~3ed with a number of parallel endless chains 28 ~n~hich are driven by means of driving sprockets 30 engaged with the chains 28 at the delivery end of the multiple chain conveyor 22. The cants C to be processed are transversally dragged one by one along the supporting surfaces of the inclined multiple chain conveyors 20 and 22 by attachments inserted at intervals in the endless chains 24 and 28. Lateral guide plates 32 are also provided along the sides of the multiple chain conveyors 20 and 22 to keep the cants C from running off.
The cants C are then successively transferred to an aligning sedation 34 where an operator may intervene to remove non-desired cants and properly position the same if need be. The aligning station 34 consists of an horizontal multiple chain conveyor which is composed of a plurality of parallel endless chains 36 driven in unison by sprockets 38 mounted on a driving shaft 39 disposed at a delivery end of the aligning station 34. Driven ~;piral rolls (not shown) are mounted in the endless chains 36 and are driven in synchronism therewith. ~~ driven endless chain 40 engaged at opposed ends thereof with sprockets 42 mounted on vertical shafts is provided along one side of the aligning station 34 to cooper<~te with the spiral rolls (not shown) in aligning one end of the cants along a common reference line=_ extending in the feeding dire<:tion on the opposed side of the aligning station 34. It is noted than according to the illustrated ?mbodiment, the dri~,ren endless chain 40 forms and angle of about 6o degrees with the feeding direction of the cants C.
From the aligning station 34, the successive cants C are disch,~rged to a spacing station 46 w:zich includes a series of three multiple chain conveyors 48, 50 and 52 independently driven by respective motors 54, 56 and 58 to move the cants C
transversally of their long:_tudinal axes. The multiple ~~ha:Ln conveyors 48, 50 and 52 each comprise a plurality of parallel endless ~~hains 60 disposed in a latera:~ly spaced-apart relationship on a frame structure 62. The spacing station 46 further includes a sensing sy;~tem (not shown) which is coupled to the control system (not shown) tc analyse the space between the pants C. Accordingly, for two successive cants, the control system computes the distance existing between the cants C and consequently increases o:~ reduces the feeding speed of the conveyor on which the upstream or second cant is supported such as to provide a desired space between the two. More generally, it can :~e said that based on the sensing data, the control system creates a differential of speed through the conveyors so as to obtain a desired spacing between the cants C. It is understood treat different number: of conveyors may be provided .*~o obtain the intended result.
In l.he event that two cants C overlap, the operator can reduce the spee~3 of the preceding conveyor in order to create a rE~quired space for the cant C ire e:ccess . Then, the operator may place the excess cant behind the first cant. Therefore, this permits to maintain a substantially uniform space between tile cants .
It is also noted that since the movements of the cants C is continuous, it is possible to reduce t:ze average speed of the multiple chain conveyors 48, 50 and 52 thereby facilitating the transportatic>n of the cants C and the work of the operator.
Moreover, another advantage of the present invention re;~ides in the fact that the empty spaces due to Loading problems occurred at the intake station 12 a.nd to rejections o:- deficient cants by the operator may be fill by adjusting the relative speed of the multiple chain convE~yors 48, 50 and 52.
The cants C are then transferred one by one from the spacing station 46 t:o a scanner infeed station 6=t. "'he scanner infeed station 64 consists of a feeding apparatus comprising a frame 65 on which a plurality of parallel endless cr.ains are disposed in a laterally spaced-apart relationship. Referring now more specifically to Fig. 3, it can be seen that the endless chains are grouped in five sets of three chains identified by reference numerals 66, 68, 70, 72 and 74 , the chains of a same set. being driven in unison by a common motor. Accordingly, the sets of chains 66, 68, 70, 72 and 74 are driven by respective motors 76, 78, 80, 82 and 84. The motors 76, 78 80, 82 and 8~ a:re coupled to respective driving shafts 86, 88, 90, 92 and 94 extending transversally of the longitudinal axis of the chains. The driving shafts 86, 88, 90, 92 and 94 are provided with respective sets of three sprockets 96, 98, 1.00, 102 and 104 distributed along the length thereof such as to engage the set of chains a;~sociated therewith.
The chairus are provided with attachments 106 for engaging and moving the cants C forward. The cants C
are transported above the chains on a plurality of longitudinal rails 108 extending along the sides of the chains.
A :sensing system (not ~~hown) adapted to detect the space between the cants C emanating from the last multiple chain conveyer 52 of the spacing station 45 c~~mmands, through the control system, the successive activation of the set=s of chains 66, 68, 70, 72 and 74 to transport onE~ cant at a time in front of the scanning station 14. Each set of chains 66, 68, 70, 72, 74 accumulates c_>ne cant. The sensing system is further adapted to ascertain the width of the incoming cants in order to control the relative position of t:he attachments 106 of the sets of chains 66, 68, 70, 72 and 74. Accordingly, a uniform space between adjacent cants accumulated on the upstream side of the scanning station 14 is provided. As the set of chains 66, 68, 70, 72 and 74 are independently driven, it is possible to vary the speed thereof according to the number of cants waiting in front of the scanning station 14. The scanner infeed station 64 also optimises the productivity of the wood edger 10 in that it increases the rate at which shorter cants are fed. Indeed, it is advantageous to be able to vary the advancing speed of the cants, as shorter cants require less time to be processed.
Fig. 3 illustrates two successive cants C
and C' which are moved transversally of their longitudinal axes toward the scanning station 14 by the first set of chains 66 and the second set of chains 68, respectively. The chains of the first set 66 are driven in unison to cooperate in transporting the cant C by means of their attachments 106a.
Similarly, the chains of the second set 68 are driven in unison to cooperate in transporting the cant C' by means of the attachments 106b. The attachments 106 of the first and second sets of chains 66 and 68 are respectively engaged at three spaced-apart locations on a longitudinally extending upstream surface of the cants C and C' to push the same forward. The relative speed of the first and second set of chains 66 and 68 is controlled so as to provide a uniform feeding rate, as explained hereinbefore. Indeed, the cant C
and C' may be simultaneously supported on the scanner infeed station 64, while not being advance at the same speed.
It is understood that the number of sets of chains and the quantity of chains per set may vary in accordance to the length of the cants and the number of cants which it is desired tc accumulate in front of the scanning station 14. It i.~ noted that the sets of chains 66, 68, 70, 72 and 74 could be replaced by corresponding sets of endless belts.
From the scanner infE=_ed station 64, the cants C are t=ransferred onto a conveyor 110 extending through the scanning station 14. The conveyor 110 is composed of at least two laterally spaced-apart parallel endless chains or belts driven in unison.
The speed o:E the conveyor 110 may be adjusted in accordance with the desired number of cants to be processed per minute.
The cants C carried by the conveyor 110 through the :canning station 14 ire optically scanned to detect the profile thereof. As mentioned hereinbefore, the data obtained during scanning are processed bar the control sys~=em (not shown) to establish tree orientation of the cants and the position of the circular-saws (not shown) of the edging station 18.
Once a cant has been scanned, it is positioned onto the edger infeed table 16 by an edger positioning apparatus 112. As :peen in Fig. 1, the edger positioning apparatus 112 comprises three modules 114 which are disposed i.:~ lengthwise parallel laterally spaced relation to one another on a downstream side of the scanning station 14. It is noted that depending on the length of the cant emanating from the scanning station 14, only the two modules 114 that are nearest to the ends of the cant may be operated by the control t>ystem (not shown) to position the cant on the edger infeed table 16.
Referring now more specifically to Fig. 4, it can be seen that each module 114 includes first and second side by side extending conveyors 116 and 118 which are driven by respective reversible motors 120 and 122. Each module 114 further includes a supporting member 123 disposed between the first and second conveyors 116 and 118 to fill the gap between the delivery end of the conveyor 110 and the edger infeed table 16. The first conveyor 116 includes an endless belt 124 having three 126a, 126b and 126c secured at regular intervals thereon. Similarly, the second conveyor 118 includes an endless belt 128 having three cant engaging members 130a, 130b and 130c secured at regular intervals thereon. Each cant engaging member 126, 130 has a front pushing side 132 and a rear abutment side 134.
In operation, as shown in Fig. 7a, a sensor (not shown) disposed in the area of the delivery end of the conveyor 110 and the receiving end of the edger positioning apparatus 112 detects the presence of a cant C and then sends a signal to the control system (not shown) to activate the first conveyor 116 of at least two modules 114 such as to position the front pushing side 132 of the cant engaging member 126a thereof adjacent on upstream longitudinal surface of the cant C. The cant C is then pushed by the cant engaging members 126a.
At this time, the second conveyor 118 of each module 114 is not activated and thus the cant engaging member 130a is immobile at a certain distance downstream of the cant C. As the control system (not shown) has already obtained and analysed the profile data of the cant C, it can control the speed and the advancement of the second conveyors 118 such as to properly wedge the cant C between the front pushing side 132 of the cant engaging member 126a of each operated first conveyor 116 and the rear abutment side 134 of the cant engaging member 130a of each operated second conveyor 118, aS 111ustrated in Fig. 7b. It is noted that the wedging operation of the cant C is effected while the first conveyors 116 are driven to move the cant C toward the cant engaging member 130a of the second conveyors 118.
Once the cant C is properly held in position between the cant engaging members 126a and 130a, the first and second conveyors 116 and 118 are driven in unison to transversally transport the cant onto the edger infeed table 16, as illustrated in Fig. 7c. The alignment and the position of the cant C
with respect to the circular-saws (not shown) of the edging station 18 are controlled by the control system which positions the first and second conveyors 116 and 118 of the modules 114.
For the sequence illustrated in Figs. 7a to 7c, the cant engaging members 126a serve as pushing members behind the cant C, whereas the cant engaging members 130a serve as abutment members in front of the cant C.
Once the cant C has been positioned on the edger infeed table 16, the first conveyors 116 are driven backward, while the second conveyors 118 are driven forward, as illustrated in Fig. 7d. At this stage, the cant engaging members 126a will serve as abutment members for the next incoming cant C', whereas the cant engaging members 130a will eventually return to the receiving end of the edger positioning apparatus 112 to push an incoming cant.
The cant engaging member 130c of the second conveyors 118 and the cant engaging member 126a of the first conveyors 116 will then cooperate to move the next incoming cant C' as per the way described hereinbefore.
Accordingly, it can be said that the cant engaging members 126 and 130 alternately serve to push and retain the cants.
Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate in greater details the construction of the cant engaging members 126 and 130. More particularly, each cant engaging member 126, 130 includes a base portion 136 and an upwardly protruding portion 138 extending substantially at right angle therefrom. A sleeve member 140 fitted over the upwardly protruding member 138 is normally urged in a forward position relative thereto by two compression springs 142 extending from two vertically spaced-apart horizontal bores 144 defined in a front surface of the upwardly protruding portion 138.
This construction provides a front pushing side 132 which is compressible to compensate for inaccurate positioning of the cant engaging members 126 and 130 by the control system, while still having a rigid rear abutment side 134 to retain the cant.
The first and second conveyors 116 and 118 are provided with lateral guides 146 which extend on the sides of the belts 124 and 128 to laterally restrain the motion of the cant engaging members 126 and 130. The lateral guides have an L-shaped configuration and include a portion which extends above the base portion 136 of the cant engaging members 126 and 130 to lim__t upward movements thereof.
It is understood that ~~he number of modules 114 of the edger positioning apparatus 112 may be different th,~n three and that i;he first and second conveyors 11~ and 118 thereof rnay consist of chain conveyors in:~tead of belt conveyers. Furthermore, the number o:f cant engaging members ~~er conveyor could be less or more than three.
As seen in Fig. 4 and 6, the edger infeed table 16 includes a number ~~f retractable cant supports 148 which are adapted to receive the cants from the edger positioning apparatus 112. The retractab:ie cant supports 148 are disposed near the modules 114 of the edger positioning apparatus 112 and are rockable between raised ,end lowered positions about axes which are parallel to the feeding direction of the edger positioning apparatus 112. The retractab:Le ~~ant supports 148 enable to temporarily maintain the cant above a conveying surface 150 of the edger infeed table 16.
The conveying surface 150 of the edger infeed table 16 is composed of a number of driven rollers 152 which are disposed between the modules 114 of the edger positioning apparatus 112 for longitudinally accelerating the cants in a direction transversal thereto.
As seen in Figs 2, the edger infeed table 16 further includes a series of overhead pressing roller 154 which are adapted to engage an upper surface of the cants C to guide the same into the edging station 18.
Referring now more specifically to Figs. 8 and 9, each overhead pressing roller includes first and second frame members 156 and 158 which are pivotally mounted on a common pivot 160. The first frame member 156 supports at a first end thereof a roller 1.62 which is adapted t;o roll on the top surface of the cants.
A pair of pneumatic bladders 164 are disposed between the first and second frame members 156 and 158 of each overhead pressing roller 154 to act as a damping member in order to absorb vibrations transmitted to the roller 162. The pressure inside the bladders may vary to adjust the pressure of the roller 162 on the cants C. The damping member could also be other means, such as hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders, s~>rings and resilient links.
As seen in Figs. 8a and 8b, each overhead pressing roller 154 includes a p:zeumatic or hydraulic cylinder 166 which is pivotall~r mounted to a main frame structure 168 of the infeed table 16 to act on the second frame member 158 su<;h as to selectively raise and lower the roller 162 in an inoperative position wherein the roller 162 is out of engagement with the cant and an operative position wherein the roller 162 engages a top surface of the cants.
The first and second frame members 156 and 158 are prozrided with cooperating abutment members 170 and 172 which are adapted to assist the cylinder 166 in maintaining and displacing the roller 162 in the inope:rati.ve position thereof.
In operation, the cant is maintained above the driven rollers 152 by t.:~e retractable cant supports 148 to permit to the cant engaging members 126 and .;30 to move away from the cant and to the overhead pressing rollers 154 to reach their operative position. Then, the retractable cant supports 148 are pivoted to their lower position to permit the engagement of the cant C by the driven rollers 152.
they cant C is then longitudinally translated t=hrough the edging station 18 where circular-saw~~ (not-shown) tr_i.m the unfinished longitudinal wane surfaces of the cant C.
The edged cant can then be transferred to a discharge table 174 where it can be conveyed to an appropriate ~~taring facilities.
It is noted that the present invention has been described in the context of a sawmill, since the transfer and orientation of a wood cant particularly exemplifies the problems to which the present invention is directed. However, it is understood that the invention is applicable to workpieces other than wood cants, ~~s for instance elongated steel elements produced during rolling mill operations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING~~
Hazing thus generally described the nature of the prese.zt invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration a preferred embodiment thereof, and in which:
Fic~. 1 is a schematic top plan view of a wood edges in accordance with the present invention;
Fic~. 2 is a schematic side elevational view of the wood edges of Fig. l;
Fic~. 3 is a schematic top plan view of a scanner delivery station of the mood edges of Fig. l;
Fic~. 4 is a top plan z~iew of one module of a positioning apparatus of the wood edges;
Fic~. 5 is fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of Fig.4 and showing the construction of a cant engaging member thereof;
Fic~. 6 is a simplified end elevational view of the module of Fig. 4, showing the disposition of two rollers of an edges infeeo table with respect thereto;
Fic~s. 7a to 7d ~~re schematic side elevational views of the po;~itioning apparatus, illustrating the sequence of operations thereof;
Fic~s. 8a and 8b are s:~de elevational views of an overhead pressing roller of the edger infeed table respectively shown in an inoperative position and an operative position thereof; and Fic~. 9 is a top plan view of the pressing roller o:~ Fic~s 8a and 8b.
DESCRIPTION C)F THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Now referring to ths~ drawings, and in particular t:o Figs. 1 and 2, a wood edger in accordance with the present invention and generally designated b~.~ numeral 10 will be described.
The wood edger 10, as will be explained hereinafter, is adapted t« cut away the irregularities or flaws left on the longitudinal side surfaces of elongated wood piece: or cants C cut from debarked log;. Accordingly, cants C having flat and parallel top and bottom surf~~ces and unfinished lengthwise e:Ktending wane surfa~~es may be converted into finished pieces having parallel side surfaces which are p:Lane and perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces thereof.
Ba:>ically, the wood edger 10 comprises a number of transfer or feeder mechanisms which are adapted to transversally transfer successive cants C
from an inta~te station 12, through a scanning station 14, and them onto an infeed table 16 of an edging station ~8 where the cants C are longitudinally accelerated.
_g_ The scanning station 1~~ detects the profile of the cants C and generates related data which are processed by a control system (not shown) to determine the position of the circular-saws (not shown) of th.e edging stations ~.8 and to adjust the orientation of the cants C on the infeed table 16 before being fed through the edging station 18. This permits to minimise the amount of material to be trimmed so as to produce the largest possible product.
As seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the intake station 12 includes two consecutive inclined multiple chain conve~rors 20 and 22. The multiple chain conveyor 20 comprises a number of parallel endless chains 24 which are driven in unison by means of driving sprockets engaged with the endless chains 24 at the delivery end of the first multiple chain conveyor 20. Similarly, the multiple chain conveyor 22 is provi~3ed with a number of parallel endless chains 28 ~n~hich are driven by means of driving sprockets 30 engaged with the chains 28 at the delivery end of the multiple chain conveyor 22. The cants C to be processed are transversally dragged one by one along the supporting surfaces of the inclined multiple chain conveyors 20 and 22 by attachments inserted at intervals in the endless chains 24 and 28. Lateral guide plates 32 are also provided along the sides of the multiple chain conveyors 20 and 22 to keep the cants C from running off.
The cants C are then successively transferred to an aligning sedation 34 where an operator may intervene to remove non-desired cants and properly position the same if need be. The aligning station 34 consists of an horizontal multiple chain conveyor which is composed of a plurality of parallel endless chains 36 driven in unison by sprockets 38 mounted on a driving shaft 39 disposed at a delivery end of the aligning station 34. Driven ~;piral rolls (not shown) are mounted in the endless chains 36 and are driven in synchronism therewith. ~~ driven endless chain 40 engaged at opposed ends thereof with sprockets 42 mounted on vertical shafts is provided along one side of the aligning station 34 to cooper<~te with the spiral rolls (not shown) in aligning one end of the cants along a common reference line=_ extending in the feeding dire<:tion on the opposed side of the aligning station 34. It is noted than according to the illustrated ?mbodiment, the dri~,ren endless chain 40 forms and angle of about 6o degrees with the feeding direction of the cants C.
From the aligning station 34, the successive cants C are disch,~rged to a spacing station 46 w:zich includes a series of three multiple chain conveyors 48, 50 and 52 independently driven by respective motors 54, 56 and 58 to move the cants C
transversally of their long:_tudinal axes. The multiple ~~ha:Ln conveyors 48, 50 and 52 each comprise a plurality of parallel endless ~~hains 60 disposed in a latera:~ly spaced-apart relationship on a frame structure 62. The spacing station 46 further includes a sensing sy;~tem (not shown) which is coupled to the control system (not shown) tc analyse the space between the pants C. Accordingly, for two successive cants, the control system computes the distance existing between the cants C and consequently increases o:~ reduces the feeding speed of the conveyor on which the upstream or second cant is supported such as to provide a desired space between the two. More generally, it can :~e said that based on the sensing data, the control system creates a differential of speed through the conveyors so as to obtain a desired spacing between the cants C. It is understood treat different number: of conveyors may be provided .*~o obtain the intended result.
In l.he event that two cants C overlap, the operator can reduce the spee~3 of the preceding conveyor in order to create a rE~quired space for the cant C ire e:ccess . Then, the operator may place the excess cant behind the first cant. Therefore, this permits to maintain a substantially uniform space between tile cants .
It is also noted that since the movements of the cants C is continuous, it is possible to reduce t:ze average speed of the multiple chain conveyors 48, 50 and 52 thereby facilitating the transportatic>n of the cants C and the work of the operator.
Moreover, another advantage of the present invention re;~ides in the fact that the empty spaces due to Loading problems occurred at the intake station 12 a.nd to rejections o:- deficient cants by the operator may be fill by adjusting the relative speed of the multiple chain convE~yors 48, 50 and 52.
The cants C are then transferred one by one from the spacing station 46 t:o a scanner infeed station 6=t. "'he scanner infeed station 64 consists of a feeding apparatus comprising a frame 65 on which a plurality of parallel endless cr.ains are disposed in a laterally spaced-apart relationship. Referring now more specifically to Fig. 3, it can be seen that the endless chains are grouped in five sets of three chains identified by reference numerals 66, 68, 70, 72 and 74 , the chains of a same set. being driven in unison by a common motor. Accordingly, the sets of chains 66, 68, 70, 72 and 74 are driven by respective motors 76, 78, 80, 82 and 84. The motors 76, 78 80, 82 and 8~ a:re coupled to respective driving shafts 86, 88, 90, 92 and 94 extending transversally of the longitudinal axis of the chains. The driving shafts 86, 88, 90, 92 and 94 are provided with respective sets of three sprockets 96, 98, 1.00, 102 and 104 distributed along the length thereof such as to engage the set of chains a;~sociated therewith.
The chairus are provided with attachments 106 for engaging and moving the cants C forward. The cants C
are transported above the chains on a plurality of longitudinal rails 108 extending along the sides of the chains.
A :sensing system (not ~~hown) adapted to detect the space between the cants C emanating from the last multiple chain conveyer 52 of the spacing station 45 c~~mmands, through the control system, the successive activation of the set=s of chains 66, 68, 70, 72 and 74 to transport onE~ cant at a time in front of the scanning station 14. Each set of chains 66, 68, 70, 72, 74 accumulates c_>ne cant. The sensing system is further adapted to ascertain the width of the incoming cants in order to control the relative position of t:he attachments 106 of the sets of chains 66, 68, 70, 72 and 74. Accordingly, a uniform space between adjacent cants accumulated on the upstream side of the scanning station 14 is provided. As the set of chains 66, 68, 70, 72 and 74 are independently driven, it is possible to vary the speed thereof according to the number of cants waiting in front of the scanning station 14. The scanner infeed station 64 also optimises the productivity of the wood edger 10 in that it increases the rate at which shorter cants are fed. Indeed, it is advantageous to be able to vary the advancing speed of the cants, as shorter cants require less time to be processed.
Fig. 3 illustrates two successive cants C
and C' which are moved transversally of their longitudinal axes toward the scanning station 14 by the first set of chains 66 and the second set of chains 68, respectively. The chains of the first set 66 are driven in unison to cooperate in transporting the cant C by means of their attachments 106a.
Similarly, the chains of the second set 68 are driven in unison to cooperate in transporting the cant C' by means of the attachments 106b. The attachments 106 of the first and second sets of chains 66 and 68 are respectively engaged at three spaced-apart locations on a longitudinally extending upstream surface of the cants C and C' to push the same forward. The relative speed of the first and second set of chains 66 and 68 is controlled so as to provide a uniform feeding rate, as explained hereinbefore. Indeed, the cant C
and C' may be simultaneously supported on the scanner infeed station 64, while not being advance at the same speed.
It is understood that the number of sets of chains and the quantity of chains per set may vary in accordance to the length of the cants and the number of cants which it is desired tc accumulate in front of the scanning station 14. It i.~ noted that the sets of chains 66, 68, 70, 72 and 74 could be replaced by corresponding sets of endless belts.
From the scanner infE=_ed station 64, the cants C are t=ransferred onto a conveyor 110 extending through the scanning station 14. The conveyor 110 is composed of at least two laterally spaced-apart parallel endless chains or belts driven in unison.
The speed o:E the conveyor 110 may be adjusted in accordance with the desired number of cants to be processed per minute.
The cants C carried by the conveyor 110 through the :canning station 14 ire optically scanned to detect the profile thereof. As mentioned hereinbefore, the data obtained during scanning are processed bar the control sys~=em (not shown) to establish tree orientation of the cants and the position of the circular-saws (not shown) of the edging station 18.
Once a cant has been scanned, it is positioned onto the edger infeed table 16 by an edger positioning apparatus 112. As :peen in Fig. 1, the edger positioning apparatus 112 comprises three modules 114 which are disposed i.:~ lengthwise parallel laterally spaced relation to one another on a downstream side of the scanning station 14. It is noted that depending on the length of the cant emanating from the scanning station 14, only the two modules 114 that are nearest to the ends of the cant may be operated by the control t>ystem (not shown) to position the cant on the edger infeed table 16.
Referring now more specifically to Fig. 4, it can be seen that each module 114 includes first and second side by side extending conveyors 116 and 118 which are driven by respective reversible motors 120 and 122. Each module 114 further includes a supporting member 123 disposed between the first and second conveyors 116 and 118 to fill the gap between the delivery end of the conveyor 110 and the edger infeed table 16. The first conveyor 116 includes an endless belt 124 having three 126a, 126b and 126c secured at regular intervals thereon. Similarly, the second conveyor 118 includes an endless belt 128 having three cant engaging members 130a, 130b and 130c secured at regular intervals thereon. Each cant engaging member 126, 130 has a front pushing side 132 and a rear abutment side 134.
In operation, as shown in Fig. 7a, a sensor (not shown) disposed in the area of the delivery end of the conveyor 110 and the receiving end of the edger positioning apparatus 112 detects the presence of a cant C and then sends a signal to the control system (not shown) to activate the first conveyor 116 of at least two modules 114 such as to position the front pushing side 132 of the cant engaging member 126a thereof adjacent on upstream longitudinal surface of the cant C. The cant C is then pushed by the cant engaging members 126a.
At this time, the second conveyor 118 of each module 114 is not activated and thus the cant engaging member 130a is immobile at a certain distance downstream of the cant C. As the control system (not shown) has already obtained and analysed the profile data of the cant C, it can control the speed and the advancement of the second conveyors 118 such as to properly wedge the cant C between the front pushing side 132 of the cant engaging member 126a of each operated first conveyor 116 and the rear abutment side 134 of the cant engaging member 130a of each operated second conveyor 118, aS 111ustrated in Fig. 7b. It is noted that the wedging operation of the cant C is effected while the first conveyors 116 are driven to move the cant C toward the cant engaging member 130a of the second conveyors 118.
Once the cant C is properly held in position between the cant engaging members 126a and 130a, the first and second conveyors 116 and 118 are driven in unison to transversally transport the cant onto the edger infeed table 16, as illustrated in Fig. 7c. The alignment and the position of the cant C
with respect to the circular-saws (not shown) of the edging station 18 are controlled by the control system which positions the first and second conveyors 116 and 118 of the modules 114.
For the sequence illustrated in Figs. 7a to 7c, the cant engaging members 126a serve as pushing members behind the cant C, whereas the cant engaging members 130a serve as abutment members in front of the cant C.
Once the cant C has been positioned on the edger infeed table 16, the first conveyors 116 are driven backward, while the second conveyors 118 are driven forward, as illustrated in Fig. 7d. At this stage, the cant engaging members 126a will serve as abutment members for the next incoming cant C', whereas the cant engaging members 130a will eventually return to the receiving end of the edger positioning apparatus 112 to push an incoming cant.
The cant engaging member 130c of the second conveyors 118 and the cant engaging member 126a of the first conveyors 116 will then cooperate to move the next incoming cant C' as per the way described hereinbefore.
Accordingly, it can be said that the cant engaging members 126 and 130 alternately serve to push and retain the cants.
Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate in greater details the construction of the cant engaging members 126 and 130. More particularly, each cant engaging member 126, 130 includes a base portion 136 and an upwardly protruding portion 138 extending substantially at right angle therefrom. A sleeve member 140 fitted over the upwardly protruding member 138 is normally urged in a forward position relative thereto by two compression springs 142 extending from two vertically spaced-apart horizontal bores 144 defined in a front surface of the upwardly protruding portion 138.
This construction provides a front pushing side 132 which is compressible to compensate for inaccurate positioning of the cant engaging members 126 and 130 by the control system, while still having a rigid rear abutment side 134 to retain the cant.
The first and second conveyors 116 and 118 are provided with lateral guides 146 which extend on the sides of the belts 124 and 128 to laterally restrain the motion of the cant engaging members 126 and 130. The lateral guides have an L-shaped configuration and include a portion which extends above the base portion 136 of the cant engaging members 126 and 130 to lim__t upward movements thereof.
It is understood that ~~he number of modules 114 of the edger positioning apparatus 112 may be different th,~n three and that i;he first and second conveyors 11~ and 118 thereof rnay consist of chain conveyors in:~tead of belt conveyers. Furthermore, the number o:f cant engaging members ~~er conveyor could be less or more than three.
As seen in Fig. 4 and 6, the edger infeed table 16 includes a number ~~f retractable cant supports 148 which are adapted to receive the cants from the edger positioning apparatus 112. The retractab:ie cant supports 148 are disposed near the modules 114 of the edger positioning apparatus 112 and are rockable between raised ,end lowered positions about axes which are parallel to the feeding direction of the edger positioning apparatus 112. The retractab:Le ~~ant supports 148 enable to temporarily maintain the cant above a conveying surface 150 of the edger infeed table 16.
The conveying surface 150 of the edger infeed table 16 is composed of a number of driven rollers 152 which are disposed between the modules 114 of the edger positioning apparatus 112 for longitudinally accelerating the cants in a direction transversal thereto.
As seen in Figs 2, the edger infeed table 16 further includes a series of overhead pressing roller 154 which are adapted to engage an upper surface of the cants C to guide the same into the edging station 18.
Referring now more specifically to Figs. 8 and 9, each overhead pressing roller includes first and second frame members 156 and 158 which are pivotally mounted on a common pivot 160. The first frame member 156 supports at a first end thereof a roller 1.62 which is adapted t;o roll on the top surface of the cants.
A pair of pneumatic bladders 164 are disposed between the first and second frame members 156 and 158 of each overhead pressing roller 154 to act as a damping member in order to absorb vibrations transmitted to the roller 162. The pressure inside the bladders may vary to adjust the pressure of the roller 162 on the cants C. The damping member could also be other means, such as hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders, s~>rings and resilient links.
As seen in Figs. 8a and 8b, each overhead pressing roller 154 includes a p:zeumatic or hydraulic cylinder 166 which is pivotall~r mounted to a main frame structure 168 of the infeed table 16 to act on the second frame member 158 su<;h as to selectively raise and lower the roller 162 in an inoperative position wherein the roller 162 is out of engagement with the cant and an operative position wherein the roller 162 engages a top surface of the cants.
The first and second frame members 156 and 158 are prozrided with cooperating abutment members 170 and 172 which are adapted to assist the cylinder 166 in maintaining and displacing the roller 162 in the inope:rati.ve position thereof.
In operation, the cant is maintained above the driven rollers 152 by t.:~e retractable cant supports 148 to permit to the cant engaging members 126 and .;30 to move away from the cant and to the overhead pressing rollers 154 to reach their operative position. Then, the retractable cant supports 148 are pivoted to their lower position to permit the engagement of the cant C by the driven rollers 152.
they cant C is then longitudinally translated t=hrough the edging station 18 where circular-saw~~ (not-shown) tr_i.m the unfinished longitudinal wane surfaces of the cant C.
The edged cant can then be transferred to a discharge table 174 where it can be conveyed to an appropriate ~~taring facilities.
It is noted that the present invention has been described in the context of a sawmill, since the transfer and orientation of a wood cant particularly exemplifies the problems to which the present invention is directed. However, it is understood that the invention is applicable to workpieces other than wood cants, ~~s for instance elongated steel elements produced during rolling mill operations.
Claims (21)
1. An apparatus for transferring and orienting successive cants on an infeed table of an edging station, comprising a frame having a longitudinal axis, at least two axially extending conveying means disposed in lateral spaced-apart relationship on said frame for moving successive incoming cants in a direction transversal to respective longitudinal axes thereof, each said conveying means including first and second endless driving members selectively independently movable in one of a forward direction and a backward direction, said first and second endless driving members being respectively provided with at least one first engaging means and with at least one second engaging means, said first and second engaging means cooperating together for grabbing therebetweeen an incoming cant in order to individually convey successive incoming cants along said longitudinal axis of said frame, said first and second engaging means each having opposed pushing and abutment sides, said first and second endless driving members of said conveyors being independently driven in a selected one of the forward direction and the backward direction by individual reversible motors, and control means adapted to control the operation of said conveying means for transporting successive incoming cants to the infeed table of the edging station by alternately wedging the same between said pushing side of said first engaging means and said abutment side of said second engaging means, and between said pushing side of said second engaging means and said abutment side of said first engaging means.
2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said pushing side of each said first and second engaging means is provided with compressible means, whereas said abutment side thereof is substantially rigid.
3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said first and second engaging means each include an upwardly protruding portion and a sleeve member fitted over said upwardly protruding portion, and wherein said compressible means of each said first and second engaging means include spring means extending forwardly from said upwardly protruding portion to normally urge a rear surface of a front portion of said sleeve member away from said upwardly protruding portion.
4. An apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said spring means of each said first and second engaging means include at least one compression spring mounted in a substantially horizontal receiving bore defined in said upwardly protruding portion, said receiving bore having a depth which is less than a longitudinal dimension of said compression spring under static conditions.
5. An apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein there is provided two of said compression springs for each said first and second engaging means, said compression springs being vertically spaced-apart.
6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said control means include sensing means for detecting an incoming cant and establishing the profile thereof.
7. An apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein there is three conveying means disposed in a laterally spaced-apart relationship on said frame, and wherein said control means are configured to activate said conveying means that are closest to opposed extremities of an incoming cant to move the same forward.
8. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least two conveying means each include a transporting surface for supporting the cants above said first and second endless driving members, while the cants are being moved by said first and second engaging means.
9. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein axially extending guide means are provided on each side of said first and second endless driving members for guiding said first and second engaging means.
10. An apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said first and second engaging means each include a base portion respectively secured to said first endless driving member and said second endless driving member, said base portion being laterally and upwardly restrained by said guide means.
11. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein at least three first engaging means are provided at substantially regular interval on said first endless driving member, and wherein at least three second engaging means are provided at substantially regular interval on said second endless driving member, each said first and second engaging members acting as an abutment for an incoming cant after having exerted a pushing action with said pushing side thereof on a preceding incoming cant.
12. In an edging line for cutting away unfinished lengthwise extending wane surfaces of successive cants to produce dimensioned products as the cants are displaced therethrough along a prescribed edging path;
a plurality of conveyors adapted to move the cants transversally of respective longitudinal axes thereof between an intake station and an infeed table of an edging station where the cants are longitudinally accelerated in a direction transverse to said conveyors, said intake station and said infeed table being respectively disposed on the upstream and downstream sides of a scanning station, said scanning station obtaining data on the profile of each scanned cant, said scanning station being coupled to control means for computing said data and control the operation of said conveyors and said edging station, wherein said conveyors include a series of conveyors upstream of said scanning station which are used in connection with sensing means for obtaining data on the space between successive cants leaving said intake station, and wherein, on the basis of said data obtained by said sensing means, said control means adjust the relative speed of said series of conveyors in order to provide a predetermined spacing between the cants.
a plurality of conveyors adapted to move the cants transversally of respective longitudinal axes thereof between an intake station and an infeed table of an edging station where the cants are longitudinally accelerated in a direction transverse to said conveyors, said intake station and said infeed table being respectively disposed on the upstream and downstream sides of a scanning station, said scanning station obtaining data on the profile of each scanned cant, said scanning station being coupled to control means for computing said data and control the operation of said conveyors and said edging station, wherein said conveyors include a series of conveyors upstream of said scanning station which are used in connection with sensing means for obtaining data on the space between successive cants leaving said intake station, and wherein, on the basis of said data obtained by said sensing means, said control means adjust the relative speed of said series of conveyors in order to provide a predetermined spacing between the cants.
13. In an edging line for cutting away unfinished lengthwise extending wane surfaces of successive cants to produce dimensioned products as the cants are displaced therethrough along a prescribed edging path;
conveying means adapted to move the cants transversally of respective longitudinal axes thereof between an intake station and an infeed table of an edging station where the cants are longitudinally accelerated in a direction transverse to said conveying means, said intake station and an infeed table being respectively disposed on the upstream and downstream sides of a scanning station, the scanning station obtaining data on the profile of each scanned cant, said scanning station being coupled to control means for computing said data and control the operation of said conveying means and said edging station, wherein said conveying means include an apparatus for feeding said cants at a substantially uniform rate to said scanning station, said apparatus comprising a frame having a longitudinal axis, multiple axially extending feed conveyor means disposed in laterally spaced relationship on said frame means, said multiple axially extending feed conveyor/means being selectively driven at various speeds to move successive incoming cants along said longitudinal axis such as to provide a regular feeding rate.
conveying means adapted to move the cants transversally of respective longitudinal axes thereof between an intake station and an infeed table of an edging station where the cants are longitudinally accelerated in a direction transverse to said conveying means, said intake station and an infeed table being respectively disposed on the upstream and downstream sides of a scanning station, the scanning station obtaining data on the profile of each scanned cant, said scanning station being coupled to control means for computing said data and control the operation of said conveying means and said edging station, wherein said conveying means include an apparatus for feeding said cants at a substantially uniform rate to said scanning station, said apparatus comprising a frame having a longitudinal axis, multiple axially extending feed conveyor means disposed in laterally spaced relationship on said frame means, said multiple axially extending feed conveyor/means being selectively driven at various speeds to move successive incoming cants along said longitudinal axis such as to provide a regular feeding rate.
14. An edging line as defined in claim 13, wherein said multiple axially extending feed conveyor means are independently and successively driven to convey one incoming cant at a time, thereby allowing to accumulate one cant per feed conveyor means at a delivery end of said apparatus disposed adjacent an upstream side of said scanning station.
15. An edging line as defined in claim 14, wherein each said multiple axially extending feed conveyor means includes at least two parallel laterally spaced-apart endless driving members, each said endless driving member being provided with engaging means for engaging an incoming cant to advance the incoming cant along said longitudinal axis.
16. An edging line as defined in claim 15, wherein each cant to be fed to said scanning station has a transversal median axis, arid wherein for each said axially extending feed conveyor means there is at least one endless driving member located on each side of said transversal median axis.
17. An edging line as defined in claim 15, wherein a transport surface is provided to support the cants above said endless driving members while allowing said engaging means thereof to extend through said transport surface.
18. An edging line as defined in claim 17, wherein said transport surface includes a number of axially extending blades laterally disposed relative to said endless driving members.
19. An edging line as defined in claim 15, wherein said endless driving members are selected from a group containing: chains and belts.
20. An edging line as defined in claim 15, wherein said endless driving members of a same axially extending feed conveyor means are driven by a common motor means.
21. An edging line as defined in claim 14, wherein each cant has a width, and wherein said control means include sensing means for determining the width of each cant to be processed and the space between successive cants before entry thereof in said apparatus.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2247065 CA2247065C (en) | 1998-09-11 | 1998-09-11 | Apparatus and method for feeding elongated elements |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2247065 CA2247065C (en) | 1998-09-11 | 1998-09-11 | Apparatus and method for feeding elongated elements |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2247065A1 CA2247065A1 (en) | 2000-03-11 |
| CA2247065C true CA2247065C (en) | 2003-12-02 |
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Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2247065 Expired - Lifetime CA2247065C (en) | 1998-09-11 | 1998-09-11 | Apparatus and method for feeding elongated elements |
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| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2247065C (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2004089584A1 (en) * | 2003-04-14 | 2004-10-21 | Coe Newnes/Mcgehee Ulc | Optimizing planer infeed system and method |
| US7681610B2 (en) * | 2003-04-29 | 2010-03-23 | Usnr/Kockums Cancar Company | Optimized planermill system and method |
| FR2855997B1 (en) * | 2003-06-11 | 2006-09-01 | Georges Brun | INPUT TABLE FOR WOOD SAWING MACHINE |
| CN109129721B (en) * | 2018-08-24 | 2020-12-01 | 王步熬 | Log branch material guide device is planted to chinese-medicinal material |
| CN114803650A (en) * | 2022-05-20 | 2022-07-29 | 清远市庆鸿塑料有限公司 | Plastic woven sack leveling device |
-
1998
- 1998-09-11 CA CA 2247065 patent/CA2247065C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
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| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2247065A1 (en) | 2000-03-11 |
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Effective date: 20180911 |