Patent ID: 6374714
Filing Date: 2002-04-23
Classification: B27B,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of grading and cutting a board, the method comprising the steps of:(1) feeding the board to a grading station; (2) initially projecting laser lines across the board in the grading station to indicate fixed cutting positions, respectively, pairs of the laser lines corresponding to trim settings for cutting off both ends of the board; (3) identifying a first trim setting as the pair of laser lines which are spaced furthest apart and which extend across the board; (4) inspecting a first face of the board for defects, and if unwanted defects are present on the first face which are positioned between the laser lines corresponding to the first trim setting, then (a) identifying a second trim setting that is shorter than the first trim setting, and (b) moving the laser lines relative to the board so that the unwanted defects on the first face are not positioned between the pair of laser lines corresponding to the second trim setting; (5) inspecting a second face of the board for defects, and if unwanted defects are present on the second face which are positioned between the laser lines corresponding to one of the first trim setting and the second trim setting, then (a) identifying a third trim setting that is shorter than one of the first trim setting and the second trim setting, and (b) moving the laser lines relative to the board so that the unwanted defects on the second face are not positioned between the pair of laser lines corresponding to the third trim setting; (6) positioning the board relative to the fixed cutting positions based on the shortest identified one of the first, the second, and the third trim settings; and (7) cutting off both ends of the board.