IE86875B1 - A timber product manufacturing process - Google Patents
A timber product manufacturing processInfo
- Publication number
- IE86875B1 IE86875B1 IE20150425A IE20150425A IE86875B1 IE 86875 B1 IE86875 B1 IE 86875B1 IE 20150425 A IE20150425 A IE 20150425A IE 20150425 A IE20150425 A IE 20150425A IE 86875 B1 IE86875 B1 IE 86875B1
- Authority
- IE
- Ireland
- Prior art keywords
- log
- machining station
- inlet
- conveyor
- support arm
- Prior art date
Links
Abstract
Raw timber logs (10) are delivered through a debarking apparatus (14) and then through a scanner (17) to collect log scan profile information for each log (10) which is used by a controller (18) to select a pre-set desired cutting sequence for the log (10). Each log (10) is delivered through a log machining station (22) in two separate passes. On a first pass, each log (10) is guided between an in-feed conveyor (20) and an inlet (24) of the log machining station (22) by a support arm (25) extending between an outlet (23) of the in-feed conveyor (20) and the inlet (24) of the log machining station (22) providing a substantially continuous log support path therebetween. On the first pass, side boards are cut from opposite sides of the log (10) providing flat and parallel side faces on opposite sides of the log (10). The log (10) is returned to the inlet (24) of the log machining station (22) by means of a recirculating conveyor (28). The support arm (25) is pivoted downwardly out of the way and the log (10), with a flat side face engaging the conveyor, is delivered in a second pass through the log machining station (22) in which it is cut into a plurality of timber products. Downstream of the log machining station (22), the timber products are sorted (32) and packaged (34). <Figure 1>
Description
“A Timber Product Manufacturing Process”
Introduction
This invention relates to a timber product manufacturing process.
It is well known that there can be significant differences between the profiles of logs derived from trees grown under different climatic conditions. For example, trees grown in colder countries, such as Scandinavian countries, are slower growing trees and tend to be denser and of a more uniform profile along the length of the trunk. In contrast, trees grown in more temperate countries, such as Ireland for example, are faster growing, less dense and generally have a more uneven profile along the length of the trunk. In particular, the base of the trunk tends to have a significantly greater flare. This presents particular problems for handling and machining logs derived from such fast growing trees because of the relatively uneven profile and flared base.
The present invention is directed towards overcoming these problems.
Summary of the Invention
According to the invention there is provided a timber product manufacturing process comprising the steps:
delivering raw logs to a debarking apparatus, stripping the bark from each raw log and discharging debarked logs from the debarking apparatus onto a debarked log feed conveyor;
scanning each debarked log being delivered along the debarked log feed conveyor and delivering selected log scan profile information for each log to a controller;
the controller selecting a pre-set desired cutting sequence for each log in response to the log scan profile information associated with the log;
delivering each log from the debarked log feed conveyor onto an infeed
-2conveyor and feeding the log from an outlet of infeed conveyor to an inlet of a log machining station;
delivering each log through the log machining station, the controller directing operation of the log machining station for cutting the log into a preselected set of timber products as it is delivered through the log machining station according to the desired cutting sequence selected for the log by the controller;
each log being delivered through the log machining station in two passes;
on a first pass, guiding the log between the outlet of the infeed conveyor and the inlet of the log machining station by means of a support arm extending between the outlet of the in-feed conveyor and the inlet of the log machining station to provide a substantially continuous log support path therebetween;
cutting side boards from opposite sides of the log on said first pass, thus providing flat and substantially parallel side faces on opposite sides of the log;
delivering the log with flat opposed side faces on a recirculating conveyor from an outlet of the log machining station to an inlet of the in-feed conveyor;
on a second pass retracting the support arm, positioning the log with one of said flat side faces engaging the surface of the infeed conveyor, and feeding the log in this orientation from the outlet of the infeed conveyor to the inlet of the log machining station;
delivering the log through the log machining station for cutting the log into the preselected set of timber products on said second pass; and after said second pass, discharging the timber products from the log machining station to a sorting station.
In one embodiment of the invention the process includes moving the support arm between a deployed engaged position extending between the outlet of the in-feed
-3conveyor and the inlet of the log machining station and a disengaged stored position by means of a ram.
In another embodiment the process includes pivoting the support arm between the deployed engaged position and the disengaged stored position.
In another embodiment the support arm has a tapered leading edge.
In another embodiment the support arm has a cut-out portion at an inner end thereof for wrapping about an inlet end of a log feed conveyor at the inlet of the log machining station.
In another embodiment the process includes restraining upward movement of each log entering the inlet of the log machining station by means of a hood mounted above the inlet of the log machining station.
In another embodiment the hood is pivotally mounted above the inlet of the log machining station for raising and lowering the hood.
In another embodiment the controller is operable for regulating delivery of logs from the debarked log feed conveyor and from the recirculating conveyor onto the infeed conveyor for first and second passes through the log machining station.
In another embodiment the controller is operably connected to a first log inlet gate mounted between an outlet of the debarked log feed conveyor and the infeed conveyor and a second log inlet gate mounted between an outlet of the recirculating conveyor and the infeed conveyor for controlling delivery of logs from the debarked log feed conveyor and the recirculating conveyor onto the in-feed conveyor.
In another aspect the invention provides a timber processing apparatus comprising:
a debarker;
a debarked log feed conveyor communicating between the debarker and an infeed conveyor;
-4a log scanner mounted at the debarked log feed conveyor for scanning logs carried thereon;
said log scanner connected to a controller for delivery of log scan profile information from the scanner to the controller;
the infeed conveyor having an outlet end for delivery of logs from the infeed conveyor to an inlet of a log machining station, said outlet of the infeed conveyor and the inlet of the log machining station being spaced-apart;
a support arm movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position extending between the outlet of the infeed conveyor and the inlet of the log machining station to provide a log supporting path therebetween;
the log machining station having a plurality of saws for cutting a log into a preselected set of timber products as directed by the controller in response to the log scan profile information retrieved for that log;
a recirculating conveyor for delivery of logs from an outlet of the log machining station to an inlet of the in-feed conveyor; and a sorting station downstream of the log machining station and connected thereto for reception of the timber products from the log machining station.
In another embodiment the support arm is pivotally mounted at an inlet of the log machining station for movement between the disengaged position and the engaged position.
In another embodiment the support arm is pivotally movable between the engaged position and the disengaged position by means of a ram operably connected to the controller.
In another embodiment a hood is mounted above the inlet of the log machining station.
-5In another embodiment the hood is pivotally mounted above the inlet of the log machining station, an associated ram being provided for raising and lowering the hood.
In another embodiment the support arm has a tapered leading edge.
In another embodiment the support arm has a cut-out portion at an inner end thereof which wraps about an inlet end of a log feed conveyor at the inlet of the log machining station when the support arm is in the engaged position.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The invention will be more clearly understood by the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a timber product manufacturing process according to the invention;
Fig. 2 is a perspective of a log machining station used in the process;
Fig. 3 is another perspective view of the log machining station;
Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view showing a support arm mounted at an inlet of the log machining station; and
Fig. 5 is an enlarged side elevational view of the inlet of the log machining station and the support arm in one position of use.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
-6Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a timber product manufacturing process according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The process includes delivering raw timber logs 10 by means of a conveyor 12 to a debarking apparatus 14. In passing through the debarking apparatus 14, each raw log has the bark stripped away from the log. Clean or debarked logs are discharged from the debarking apparatus 14 onto a debarked log feed conveyor 16.
As each log is delivered along the debarked log feed conveyor 16 it passes through a scanner 17 which scans selected dimensions of the log. Log scan profile information collected by the scanner 17 is delivered to an associated controller 18.
The controller 18 has a library of different cutting sequences for logs of different dimensions. Upon receipt of the selected log scan profile information from the scanner 17, the controller 18 will compare the received log scan profile information with the library of cutting sequences and will select a pre-set desired cutting sequence appropriate to that log with a view to obtaining the optimum efficiency and yield from the log.
Each log is delivered from the debarked log feed conveyor 16 through a gate 19 controlled by the controller 18 onto the inlet of an in-feed conveyor 20. Thus, the controller 18 controls delivery of logs onto the in-feed conveyor 20 for processing.
Each log is delivered by the in-feed conveyor 20 to a log machining station 22. The controller 18 directs operation of the log machining station 22 for cutting the log into a preselected set of timber products as it is delivered through the log machining station 22 according to the desired cutting sequence selected by the controller 18 for the log when it was scanned.
The machining of each log as it is delivered through the log machining station 22 is carried out in two separate passes through the log machining station 22. On a first pass each log is guided between an outlet 23 of the in-feed conveyor 20 and an inlet 24 of the log machining station 22 by means of a support arm 25 extending between the outlet 23 of the in-feed conveyor 20 and the inlet 24 of the log machining station 22. It will be noted that the support arm 25 provides a
-7substantially continuous log supporting path between the in-feed conveyor 20 and the log machining station 22. A top surface of the support arm 25 is substantially in-line with and forms an extension of a top surface of the in-feed conveyor 20 and likewise is in-line with a top surface of a log feed conveyor at the inlet 24 of the log machining station 22 as will be described in more detail later.
On the first pass through the log machining station 22 sideboards are cut from opposite sides of the log to provide flat and substantially parallel side faces on opposite sides of the log. This log is then returned by means of a recirculating conveyor 28 from an outlet of the log machining station 22 through a gate 29 and onto the infeed conveyor 20 as controlled by the controller 18 which regulates operation of the gate 29.
Prior to delivering the log with flat side faces through the log machining station 22 on a second pass, the support arm 25 is pivoted downwardly out of the way into a disengaged position. The log is positioned on the infeed conveyor 20 with one of the flat side faces engaging the upper surface of the infeed conveyor 20 and in this orientation, the in-feed conveyor 20 delivers the log to the inlet 24 of the log machining station 22. As the log is delivered through the log machining station 22 on this second pass, a plurality of saw blades within the log machining station 22 cut the log according to the pre-set selected desired cutting sequence for that log into the preselected set of timber products.
Timber products discharged from the log machining station 22 are delivered on a discharge conveyor 31 to a sorting station 32 in which the various different products cut from the log are sorted prior to delivery for packaging 34 on pallets or the like for example.
It will be noted that the controller 18 is operably connected to the various pieces of apparatus such as the debarker 14, scanner 17, conveyors 16, 20, 28, gates 19, 29, log machining station 22, sorting station 32 and packaging station 34 for controlling the process and regulating the throughput of logs and timber products in the process line.
Referring in particular to Figs. 2 to 5, the log machining station 22 and the
-8associated support arm 25 are shown in more detail. The log machining station 22 is largely conventional comprising various conveyors, rollers, saw blades and the like for feeding and cutting a log into various timber products of different sizes and cross-section. In accordance with the present invention the support arm 25 is mounted at the inlet 24 of the log machining station 22. As best seen in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, the support arm 25 is carried on a U-shaped swing frame 40 having a pair of side arms 41, 42 interconnected by a cross-piece 43 extending between outer ends of the side arms 41, 42. Inner ends 45, 46 of the arms 41, 42 are pivotally mounted on a frame of the log machining station 22. A ram 47 is mounted between the frame of the log machining station 22 and the cross-piece 43 for pivotally moving the support arm 25 between a raised engaged position as shown in the drawings and a lowered disengaged position.
Referring in particular to Fig. 5, when the support arm 25 is in the raised engaged position a cut-out portion 50 at an inner end of the support arm 25 wraps about an inlet end 51 of a log feed conveyor 52 at the inlet 24 of the log machining station 22. It will be noted also that the support arm 25 has a tapered leading edge 54 to prevent snagging of the log as it moves from the infeed conveyor 20 onto the support arm 25.
The support arm 25 is particularly advantageous when handling logs with a pronounced flare at a bottom end of the trunk which typically occurs with fast growing trees, such as those grown in Ireland for example, as it prevents snagging of the logs doe to their flared base as they enter the log machining station 22.
Another problem with logs having a pronounced flare on the end of the log is that upon entering the log machining station 22 as the log engages with saw blades and/or routers at the inlet 24 of the log machining station 22 there is a tendency for the log to be thrown upwardly. To resist any such upward movement of the log a hood 60 is mounted above the inlet 24 of the log machining station 22. This is shown in a raised position in the drawings. A ram 62 extending between a frame 63 of the log machining station 22 and the hood 60 is operable to pivot the hood 60, which is pivotally mounted on the frame of the log machining station 22 into a lowered normal operating position to prevent, or at least limit, upward movement of any logs being fed into the inlet 24 of the log machining station 22.
-9The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (10)
1. A timber product manufacturing process comprising the steps: delivering raw logs to a debarking apparatus, stripping the bark from each raw log and discharging debarked logs from the debarking apparatus onto a debarked log feed conveyor; scanning each debarked log being delivered along the debarked log feed conveyor and delivering selected log scan profile information for each log to a controller; the controller selecting a pre-set desired cutting sequence for each log in response to the log scan profile information associated with the log; delivering each log from the debarked log feed conveyor onto an infeed conveyor and feeding the log from an outlet of infeed conveyor to an inlet of a log machining station; delivering each log through the log machining station, the controller directing operation of the log machining station for cutting the log into a preselected set of timber products as it is delivered through the log machining station according to the desired cutting sequence selected for the log by the controller; each log being delivered through the log machining station in two passes; on a first pass, guiding the log between the outlet of the in-feed conveyor and the inlet of the log machining station by means of a support arm extending between the outlet of the infeed conveyor and the inlet of the log machining station to provide a substantially continuous log support path therebetween; cutting side boards from opposite sides of the log on said first pass, -11 thus providing flat and substantially parallel side faces on opposite sides of the log; delivering the log with flat opposed side faces on a recirculating conveyor from an outlet of the log machining station to an inlet of the infeed conveyor; on a second pass retracting the support arm, positioning the log with one of said flat side faces engaging the surface of the infeed conveyor, and feeding the log in this orientation from the outlet of the in-feed conveyor to the inlet of the log machining station; delivering the log through the log machining station for cutting the log into the preselected set of timber products on said second pass; and after said second pass, discharging the timber products from the log machining station to a sorting station.
2. The process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the process includes moving the support arm between a deployed engaged position extending between the outlet of the in-feed conveyor and the inlet of the log machining station and a disengaged stored position by means of a ram.
3. The process as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the process includes pivoting the support arm between the deployed engaged position and the disengaged stored position.
4. The process as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the support arm has a tapered leading edge. 5. 17. The timber processing apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 16 wherein the support arm has a cut-out portion at an inner end thereof which wraps about an inlet end of a log feed conveyor at the inlet of the log machining station when the support arm is in the engaged position.
5. The process as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the support arm has a cut-out portion at an inner end thereof for wrapping about an inlet end of a log feed conveyor at the inlet of the log machining station.
6. The process as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the process includes -12restraining upward movement of each log entering the inlet of the log machining station by means of a hood mounted above the inlet of the log machining station.
7. The process as claimed in claim 6 wherein the hood is pivotally mounted above the inlet of the log machining station for raising and lowering the hood.
8. The process as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the controller is operable for regulating delivery of logs from the debarked log feed conveyor and from the recirculating conveyor onto the infeed conveyor for first and second passes through the log machining station.
9. The process as claimed in claim 8 wherein the controller is operably connected to a first log inlet gate mounted between an outlet of the debarked log feed conveyor and the infeed conveyor and a second log inlet gate mounted between an outlet of the recirculating conveyor and the infeed conveyor for controlling delivery of logs from the debarked log feed conveyor and the recirculating conveyor onto the in-feed conveyor. 10. A timber product manufacturing process substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 11. A timber processing apparatus comprising: a debarker; a debarked log feed conveyor communicating between the debarker and an in-feed conveyor; a log scanner mounted at the debarked log feed conveyor for scanning logs carried thereon; said log scanner connected to a controller for delivery of log scan profile information from the scanner to the controller; -13the infeed conveyor having an outlet end for delivery of logs from the infeed conveyor to an inlet of a log machining station, said outlet of the infeed conveyor and the inlet of the log machining station being spacedapart; a support arm movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position extending between the outlet of the infeed conveyor and the inlet of the log machining station to provide a log supporting path therebetween; the log machining station having a plurality of saws for cutting a log into a preselected set of timber products as directed by the controller in response to the log scan profile information retrieved for that log; a recirculating conveyor for delivery of logs from an outlet of the log machining station to an inlet of the in-feed conveyor; and a sorting station downstream of the log machining station and connected thereto for reception of the timber products from the log machining station. 12. The timber processing apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the support arm is pivotally mounted at an inlet of the log machining station for movement between the disengaged position and the engaged position. 13. The timber processing apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the support arm is pivotally movable between the engaged position and the disengaged position by means of a ram operably connected to the controller. 14. The timber processing apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13 wherein a hood is mounted above the inlet of the log machining station. 15. The timber processing apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein the hood is pivotally mounted above the inlet of the log machining station, an associated ram being provided for raising and lowering the hood. -1416. The timber processing apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 15 wherein the support arm has a tapered leading edge.
10. 18. A timber processing apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| IE20150425A IE86875B1 (en) | 2015-12-02 | 2015-12-02 | A timber product manufacturing process |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| IE20150425A IE86875B1 (en) | 2015-12-02 | 2015-12-02 | A timber product manufacturing process |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| IE20150425A1 IE20150425A1 (en) | 2017-06-28 |
| IE86875B1 true IE86875B1 (en) | 2018-02-21 |
Family
ID=59092292
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| IE20150425A IE86875B1 (en) | 2015-12-02 | 2015-12-02 | A timber product manufacturing process |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| IE (1) | IE86875B1 (en) |
-
2015
- 2015-12-02 IE IE20150425A patent/IE86875B1/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| IE20150425A1 (en) | 2017-06-28 |
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