Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B27—WORKING OR PRESERVING WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; NAILING OR STAPLING MACHINES IN GENERAL
  • B27L—REMOVING BARK OR VESTIGES OF BRANCHES; SPLITTING WOOD; MANUFACTURE OF VENEER, WOODEN STICKS, WOOD SHAVINGS, WOOD FIBRES OR WOOD POWDER
  • B27L11/00—Manufacture of wood shavings, chips, powder, or the like; Tools therefor
  • B27L11/005—Tools therefor
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B27—WORKING OR PRESERVING WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; NAILING OR STAPLING MACHINES IN GENERAL
  • B27L—REMOVING BARK OR VESTIGES OF BRANCHES; SPLITTING WOOD; MANUFACTURE OF VENEER, WOODEN STICKS, WOOD SHAVINGS, WOOD FIBRES OR WOOD POWDER
  • B27L11/00—Manufacture of wood shavings, chips, powder, or the like; Tools therefor
  • B27L11/007—Combined with manufacturing a workpiece

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for profiling a log, particularly for cutting a reentrant corner in the log that extends along the log.
• First and second knives 2 and 4 which are identical, are disposed on the circumference of a rotating disc 6.
• a slabbed log 8 having an elongate axis "L" is fed toward the disc along a circumferential direction "d.”
• the cutting edge of the first knife is oriented parallel to the axis of rotation of the disc and the cutting edge of the second knife is oriented in a plane of rotation of the disc.
• the first knife cuts a first leg "11 " of a particular reentrant corner C and the second knife cuts a perpendicular, second leg “12” of the reentrant corner, wherein the legs 11 and 12 meet at a region of intersection "cl " of the corner C.
• legs "11" and “12" are the visible portions of planar surfaces extending along the longitudinal axis of the log.
• Another example of a prior art profiler replaces the second knife with a sequence of cutting teeth disposed around the periphery of the disc, such as the teeth of a saw blade.
• the first and second knives are disposed so that the first knife meets the log at a different time than does the second knife. Because there is relative movement between the disc and the log, this time difference provides an opportunity for the two cuts to fail to intersect precisely at the same corner region cl and thereby fail to form a clean or smooth corner C.
• a method and apparatus for profiling a log solves the aforementioned problems and meets the aforementioned needs by providing in a profiler having first and second knives disposed on a rotating disc, wherein the first and second knives have respective cutting edges defining an angle therebetween that is typically but not necessarily 90 degrees, a mounting member that is adapted to mountably receive both the first and second knives so that each blade has a point on its cutting edge that is proximate a point that is on the cutting edge of the other knife.
• the points of the cutting edges that are proximate are the ends of the cutting edges and, preferably, the proximity is such that the points abut one another.
• an abutting relationship of the tips of the knives is maintained against the forces typically encountered by the knives during use.
• the knives preferably include keyways that mate with corresponding keys in a mounting member for holding the knives. The keyways and keys substantially prevent the knives from moving in response to the forces.
• the cutting edge of at least one of the knives is angled to avoid cutting the log parallel to the grain, to further improve the surface finish in profiling the log.
• Figure IB is a cross-section of the log of Figure 1 A after having been slabbed.
• Figure 1C is a cross-section of the log of Figure IB after having been profiled.
• Figure 2 is a plan view of a first prior art profiling apparatus.
• Figure 3 is a partially exploded view of a profiling apparatus according to the present invention, showing a single rotor and a preferred mounting member.
• Figure 4 is a side elevation of the profiling apparatus of Figure 3, taken along a line 4-4 thereof, showing four rotors.
• Figure 5 is an exploded view of the preferred mounting member of Figure 3.
• Figure 6 is a plan view of a profiling apparatus according to the present invention, shown cutting a log.
• Figure 7 is a simplified pictorial view of two knives for use in the profiling apparatus of Figure 6, shown in a first orientation with respect to a direction of travel of the log.
• Figure 8 is another simplified pictorial view of the two knives of Figure 7, shown in a second orientation with respect to the direction of travel of the log.
• FIG 9 is a simplified pictorial view of two knives of the profiling apparatus of Figure 6, shown in a preferred configuration in the second orientation of Figure 8.
• BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A profiling apparatus 10 according to the present invention is shown in Figures 3 and 4.
• the profiling apparatus is particularly adapted for profiling a log; however, it may be employed for profiling any elongate article.
• the term "profiling" means fundamentally to alter the shape of the article for some productive purpose.
• a rotor 12 is provided with a desired number of mounting members 14, such as four.
• the rotor may be disc shaped or it may have some alternative configuration such as that shown. As shown in both Figures 3 and 4, the rotor rotates about an axis "R." As in Figure 2, a slabbed log 8 having an elongate axis "L” is fed toward the rotor along a circumferential direction "d" which is represented in Figure 4 and which is perpendicular to the plane of Figure 5.
• Each mounting member 14 includes two holders 16 and 18. Each holder is adapted to clamp an associated knife 17 and 19 to the mounting member.
• the knives may be any cutting implements including, for example, saw teeth.
• the mounting member is, in turn, adapted for mounting to the rotor 12.
• the identification of discrete parts such as the mounting member and rotor may be somewhat arbitrary since these parts could be combined into an integral unit and function identically for purposes of the present invention. However, it is often preferable to provide these components as individual parts that are adapted to be connected together with machine screws or bolts.
• the holders 16 and 18 are adapted for clamping their respective knives to the mounting element and for releasing the knife to allow the knife to be removed therefrom. Any of a number of prior art holders may be employed.
• a particularly advantageous holder is that described in U.S. Patent No. 5,979,522, which is shaped to fit knives marketed by Key Knife, Inc., under the trademark KEYKNIFE.
• FIG 5 presents a more detailed view of a preferred mounting member 14 as shown in Figure 3.
• the knives 17 and 19 have respective cutting edges 20 and 22.
• the knife 17 is mounted by the holder 16 to the mounting member 14 so that the cutting edge 20 extends parallel to the rotational axis "R" of the rotor.
• the knife 19 is mounted by the holder 18 to the mounting member so that the cutting edge 22 lies in a plane of rotation of the rotor.
• the cutting edges 20 and 22 are typically disposed to form a 90 degree angle therebetween, for cutting a square comer C.
• the knives are preferably adapted so that a back side of the knife 17 abuts a side surface 25 of the knife 19 to form a mitered comer.
• the side surface 25 of the knife 19 is angled obliquely with respect to the cutting edge 22, and for cutting opposite comers C, left and right handed versions of the angle and, therefore, the knife 19 may be provided.
• the cutting edges define lines composed of a number of points. Cutting action by each knife creates respective surfaces, typically though not necessarily planes, as a result of the cutting edges progressing through the work as a result of relative movement there between. Similarly, cutting action resulting from a particular point on a cutting edge creates a line, typically though not necessarily straight, as a result of the relative movement.
• the mounting member is configured so that at least one of the points on one of the cutting edges is proximate at least one of the points on the other of the cutting edges.
• these points are end points "O" of the respective cutting edges and, preferably, these points abut one another, such as shown in Figure 4.
• this coincidence is preferably no more than about 1/8" for notable minimization of surface irregularities such as "waviness” and feathers, with 1/16" being a more desirable outer limit for commercial practice.
• decreasing the chip size generally permits a larger separation between the points for purposes of minimizing waviness, but the generation of feathers is not substantially affected. Neither waviness nor the generation of feathers is substantially affected by the size of the knives.
• a chipping knife is typically clamped to a mounting member by a knife holder, e.g., a bolt extending through the knife holder into either the mounting member or the rotor.
• the bolt may loosen, allowing the knife some latitude to slip backwardly from the direction of rotation.
• a gap develops therebetween.
• any gap so formed may become packed with debris from the log, the packing causing the knives to spread further and further apart from one another during continued use.
• corresponding mating features are provided in the knives 17 and 19 and the mounting member 14, to substantially lock the knives into a selected position with respect thereto, for maintaining an abutting relationship of the tips of the knives even when the clamping force for holding the knife exerted by the holders
• Figure 5 shows a preferred structure for this purpose.
• the knives 17 and 19 each include a keyway 15, and the mounting member 14 includes corresponding keys 32 and 34 that are adapted to fit closely the keyways 15 of the knives.
• the keyways and keys 32 and 34 are adapted so that interlocking the keyways and the keys prevents movement of the knives in a direction perpendicular to their cutting edges, or in the direction of rotation of the mounting member.
• the keyways are slots formed in the knives extending parallel to the cutting edges of the knives as shown and described more fully in Carpenter et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,850,408, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
• the holders 16 and 18 Providing for locking the knives to the mounting member rather than the holders 16 and 18 maintains their relative positions.
• the holders are subject to loosening because they are particularly adapted to apply a clamping force to the knives which must be removable in order to replace the knives.
• the closeness of fit between the keys and keyways is allowed to vary depending on the allowable separation of the tips of the knives.
• the keys Preferably for maintaining a substantially abutting relationship of the tips of the knives, the keys should fit the keyways to a tolerance of less than about 0.015".
• other corresponding mating features in the knives and mounting member could be provided to accomplish the result of substantially locking the knives together, as will be immediately appreciated by the person of ordinary skill.
• keys and keyways may be provided, such as "V" shapes, ridges or ribs in either member.
• a pin and aperture combination could be provided.
• a non-keyed mating feature a nonremovable or otherwise rigidly attached "backstop" to the knife could be employed. The backstop would be used in conjunction with the corresponding mating feature defined by the back surface of the knife as defined by the direction of rotation of the knife.
• Corresponding mating features may be keyed or non-keyed according to the principles of the invention.
• the mounting member 14 is formed of a single piece of metal, to enhance the security with which the relationship of the knives is maintained. However, this is not essential to the advantage provided by the present invention.
• the profiling apparatus 10 is shown in a typical configuration.
• the log 8 is shown in elevation as traveling in a direction “d” that is substantially along the longitudinal axis of the log.
• the grain "g" of the log is defined by a series of concentric cylinders having their axes in the direction “d.”
• the rotor 12 is shown provided with three mounting members 14, and the axis of rotation “R” of the rotor is perpendicular to the direction "d". In cutting the log along its travel direction "d,” the knives enter the log at point "D", reach a maximum depth of penetration at point "E” and exit the log at point "F".
• the present invention provides a selected angle ⁇ between the cutting edge 22 and the line "s" defined as being perpendicular to the travel direction "d" and the axis of rotation at point "E.”
• the angle ⁇ is preferably determined by constructing a radial line extending from the tips of the knives 17 and 19 to the center of the rotor "R”, the same result being obtained by projecting, in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the line extending from the tips of the knives to any point on the axis of rotation.
• An angular variation "v" of the angle ⁇ about the tips of the knives is preferably within about +/- 15 degrees.
• the angle ⁇ be greater where the depth of penetration "d c " into the log ( Figure 6), as compared to the radius "r" of the arc traveled by the tips of the knives, is greater.
• the consideration of the angle ⁇ is substantially independent of the choice of the angle ⁇ .
• the projections of the cutting edges 20 and 22 in the direction of rotation of the mounting member 14 that is responsible for the shape of the comer "C” ( Figure 1) remain 90 degrees apart regardless of the choice of the angle ⁇ .

Landscapes

• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
• Forests & Forestry (AREA)
• Manufacture Of Wood Veneers (AREA)
• Debarking, Splitting, And Disintegration Of Timber (AREA)
• Analysing Materials By The Use Of Radiation (AREA)
• Finish Polishing, Edge Sharpening, And Grinding By Specific Grinding Devices (AREA)
• Control Of Metal Rolling (AREA)
• Milling, Drilling, And Turning Of Wood (AREA)
• Perforating, Stamping-Out Or Severing By Means Other Than Cutting (AREA)
• Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
• Harvester Elements (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Publications (3)

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Family Applications (1)

Country Status (9)

Cited By (1)

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Citations (5)

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• 2000
  • 2000-06-08 CA CA002369769A patent/CA2369769C/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2000-06-08 BR BR0011413-8A patent/BR0011413A/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2000-06-08 DK DK00939747T patent/DK1192027T3/da active
  • 2000-06-08 AT AT00939747T patent/ATE371527T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2000-06-08 WO PCT/US2000/015937 patent/WO2000074910A2/fr active IP Right Grant
  • 2000-06-08 EP EP00939747A patent/EP1192027B1/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2000-06-08 AU AU54786/00A patent/AU758287B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2000-06-08 ES ES00939747T patent/ES2291213T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2000-06-08 DE DE60036213T patent/DE60036213T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime

Patent Citations (5)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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