Patent ID: 6178858
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: B27B,B27L,Y10T

Abstract:
A shape sawing system for cutting curved cant portions into lumber pieces comprising:a side face opening cutting device;a saw;guide members;a computer;a scanner;a cant portion conveyor system for conveying curved cant portions on a determined path sequentially past the scanner, and linearly through the side face opening cutting device and through the saw;said scanner determining the configuration of the cant portions and the relationship of the cant portions to the path linearly through the side face opening cutting device and saw;said computer receiving information from the scanner and determining a pattern of curved cutting lines for the cant portions including curved exterior cutting lines at the opposed sides of the cant portions;said side face opening cutting device mounted for lateral movement, said computer controlling lateral positioning of said side face opening cutting device for cutting away side material of the cant portions along the curved exterior cutting lines;said guide members mounted for lateral movement and positioned between the side face opening cutting device and the saw, said computer providing a primary control for lateral positioning of said guide members to follow the curved exterior cutting lines, said saw mounted for pivotal and lateral movement independent of said side face opening cutting device, said computer providing primary control for pivotal and lateral positioning of said saw for positioning the saw relative to the curvature of the cant as determined by the computer, and a secondary control cooperatively controlling said guide members and said saw for cutting the cant portions in accordance with the pattern of cut determined by said computer in the event of a curvature change in the cant portion following removal of the side material by the side face opening cutting device.