Abstract:
A wood product assembly includes a cutter and skewing assemblies. A cutter positioning body is movable by the slewing assembly along a slewing axis. A spindle housing is mounted to the cutter positioning body for pivotal movement about a pivot axis. A spindle, to which a cutter, such as a sawblade or chipper head, is affixed, is mounted to the spindle housing for rotation about a spindle rotation axis by a drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a fixed position drive motor and a drive shaft assembly. The drive shaft assembly comprises a hollow drive shaft sleeve and a drive shaft. The drive shaft sleeve extends at least part way through the drive motor and is rotatable by the drive motor. An end of the drive shaft is slidably housed within and rotated by the drive shaft sleeve. The skewing assembly is coupled to the spindle housing to position the spindle rotation axis to a selected angular orientation to position the cutter at a selected skew angle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/688,076 filed 19 Mar. 2007, having the same title, Attorney Docket number MGDC 1004-2, which application claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 60/743,619, filed 21 Mar. 2006, having the same title, attorney docket number MGDC 1004-1, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     None.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Many trees do not grow straight so that the logs cut from the trees are swept or curved in shape. Special procedures and equipment must be used to maximize the board feet of lumber cut from these imperfect logs.  FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate two typical swept or curved logs  2 ,  3 .  FIG. 2  is an end view of log  2  showing how the swept or curved feature is typically in a single plane. To create lumber from log  2 , side boards  4 , illustrated in  FIG. 3 , are, in this typical example, cut from log  2  by making cuts along lines  6 ,  7  on either side of log  2  so that each side board  4  has parallel, cut surfaces  8 ,  9  and unfinished, uncut edges  10 ,  11 . These cuts are made in a conventional manner. What is left of log  2  is called a center cant illustrated as center cant  12  in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0004]     Center cant  12  has opposite, parallel, cut surfaces  14 ,  15  which correspond to surfaces  9  of boards  4  made at cutting lines  7 . The end  16  of center cant  12  in  FIG. 4  has a number of dashed cut lines  18  corresponding to where cant  12  will be rip sawn to create center cant lumber  20 . See also  FIG. 5 . To maximize the board feet of lumber from center cant  12 , cut lines basically parallel the edges  22  of center cant  12 . While the center cant lumber  20  will originally have the same curved or swept shape as center cant  12 , most, if not all, of this curve can be removed during drying operations. Side boards  4  are cut differently than center cant  12  to maximize the amount of side board lumber  24  as suggested in  FIG. 6 . Using conventional computer-controlled edger optimizing systems, the number, size and position of center cant lumber  20  and side board lumber  24  are determined automatically using appropriate computer programs based upon profile information of the side board  4  or center cant  12  scanned into the computer.  
         [0005]     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,239,072 discloses a method and apparatus for edge trimming a side board. A number of overhead pressure rolls engage the side board as the side board passes along a chain conveyor. The side board is centered by sets of centering rolls. A number of scanning gates are positioned above the conveyor to provide a computer with appropriate information on the profile of the side board. The edging assembly includes a pair of adjustable cutting heads designed to chip the unwanted edges from the side board. The cutting heads are slewed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the board by hydraulic cylinders so that one or more pieces of side board lumber can be cut from a single side board.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,449,557, assigned to the same assignee as U.S. Pat. No. 4,239,072, uses substantially the same system for delivering partially cut logs to an edging assembly as the &#39;072 patent. However, instead of using angled edge chippers, as in the &#39;072 patent, the &#39;557 patent uses sawing disks or saw blades to make the edge cuts. The entire edger saw system moves as a unit so that the sawing disks can skew, that is change the angle between the axis of rotation of the sawing disks and the direction of feed of the work piece and can slew, that is move laterally along a line generally perpendicular to the direction of feed of the work piece.  
         [0007]     Some conventional edger optimizer systems measure the boards transversely and then position the board onto a feeding mechanism and move the board longitudinally into the edger. This conventional method requires a considerable amount of expensive scanning, positioning and transporting equipment to carry out the process. Conventional systems also commonly create cumulative scanning, positioning and transport errors that make the systems somewhat less than optimal. With regard to the &#39;557 patent, complex board centering mechanisms, multiple scanner heads, complex and high maintenance feeding and tracking devices, and complex high inertia edger rotation devices are all characteristic of the system described in the patent.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,761,979 and No. 5,870,939 describe a saw assembly that includes a rotatable arbor on which two or more saw blades are mounted. The driving interface between the saw blades and the arbor permits the axis of rotation of the saw blades to be collinear with the arbor axis or skewed a few degrees in either direction. A saw blade positioning assembly includes pairs of guide arms which engage the sides of the saw blades to position each saw blade at the proper location along the arbor and at the proper skew angle. The guide arms are moved in unison so that the axial position and the skew angle of each of the saw blades can be changed in unison before and during sawing operations.  
         [0009]     In these designs, the use of guide arms that engage the sides of the rotating saw blades, require constant maintenance and can often lead to problems. These saw guide arms require the use of saw blade lubricants and cooling water that reduce the fuel value of the saw dust and cause environmental and waste water concerns.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     An example of a wood product assembly includes a frame, a cutter subassembly and a skewing assembly. The cutter subassembly is supported by the frame and comprises a slewing assembly, having a slewing axis, and a cutter positioning body secured to and movable by the slewing assembly for movement along the slewing axis. The cutter subassembly also includes a spindle housing, mounted to the cutter positioning body for pivotal movement about a pivot axis, and a drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a fixed position drive motor; and a drive shaft assembly. The drive shaft assembly comprises a hollow drive shaft sleeve and a drive shaft. The drive shaft sleeve extends at least part way through the drive motor and is rotatable by the drive motor. The drive shaft has first and second ends, the second end slidably housed within and rotated by the drive shaft sleeve. A spindle is mounted to the spindle housing for rotation about a spindle rotation axis, the spindle connected to and rotatable by the first end of the drive shaft. The cutter subassembly also includes a cutter affixed to and movable with the spindle. A skewing assembly is supported by the frame and is coupled to the spindle housing. The skewing assembly is operable to position the spindle rotation axis to a selected angular orientation over a range of angular orientations thereby positioning the cutter at a selected skew angle.  
         [0011]     Other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention can be seen on review the figures, the detailed description, and the claims which follow. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are overall views showing two different types of curved or swept logs;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is an end view of the log of  FIG. 1A  taken along line  2 - 2 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged view showing a side board cut from the log of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged view showing a center cant cut from the log of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a simplified top plan view of the center cant of  FIG. 4  illustrating dashed cut lines and the resulting center cant lumber to be cut from the center cant;  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a simplified top plan of the side board of  FIG. 3  illustrating the outlines of side board lumber to be cut from the side board of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a simplified top plan view of an example of a sawing apparatus made according to the invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is a simplified side view of the apparatus of  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged side view of the saw assembly of  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0021]      FIGS. 10 and 11  are end and top views of the saw assembly of  FIG. 9  showing a set of two saw blade positioner assemblies and associated saw blades at a first set of locations and at a zero cant in  FIG. 10  and at a 2° cant in  FIG. 11 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged isometric view of the saw blade positioner assembly of  FIG. 9  together with a saw blade;  
         [0023]      FIGS. 13, 14  and  15  are side, top and end views of the saw blade positioner of  FIG. 12 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 16  is a somewhat simplified cross-sectional view taken along line  16 - 16  in  FIG. 14 ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 17  is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line  17 - 17  in  FIG. 13 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 18  is a top view of saw blade positioner of  FIG. 12  showing the saw blade at a 2 degree angle;  
         [0027]      FIG. 19  is a top view of saw blade positioner of  FIG. 12  showing the saw blade at a −2 degree angle;  
         [0028]      FIG. 20  is an isometric view of an assembly of four saw positioner assemblies of  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 21  is a top view of the saw assembly of  FIG. 9  showing an alternate drive assembly for the spindle;  
         [0030]      FIG. 22  is a section view  22 - 22  of the alternate saw drive assembly shown in  FIG. 21 ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 23  is an isometric view of the alternate saw drive assembly section view of  FIG. 22 ;  
         [0032]      FIGS. 24 and 25  are an isometric and front view of the alternate saw drive assembly of  FIG. 21  showing a set of four assemblies configured on a frame;  
         [0033]      FIG. 24A  shows an alternative embodiment of the saw drive assembly of  FIGS. 21-25 ;  
         [0034]      FIG. 26  is an isometric view of two of the saw assemblies of  FIG. 21  with the saws replaced with chip heads shown removing the opposing sides of a center cant;  
         [0035]      FIG. 27  is an enlarged view of  FIG. 26 ;  
         [0036]      FIG. 28  is an isometric view of an assembly of six of the saw positioners of  FIG. 21  with two positioners having the saws replaced with chip heads shown chipping and sawing a center cant; and  
         [0037]      FIG. 29  is an isometric view of the saw assembly of  FIG. 21  having a plurality of saw blades cutting a center cant in the vertical plane. 
     
    
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS  
       [0038]      2  Curved Log  
         [0039]      3  Curved Log  
         [0040]      6  Cut Lines  
         [0041]      7  Cut Lines  
         [0042]      8  Cut Surfaces  
         [0043]      9  Cut Surfaces  
         [0044]      10  Uncut Edges  
         [0045]      11  Uncut Edges  
         [0046]      12  Center Cant  
         [0047]      14  Opposite, Parallel, Cut Surfaces  72  Saw Blade Positioner Assembly  
         [0048]      15  Opposite, Parallel, Cut Surfaces  74  Saw Spindle  
         [0049]      16  End of Center Cant  12   75  Saw Blades  
         [0050]      18  Dashed Cut Lines  76  Saw Positioner  
         [0051]      20  Center Cant Lumber  78  Skewing Assembly  
         [0052]      22  Edges of Center Cant  12   80  Saw Blade Slewing Assembly  
         [0053]      24  Side Board Lumber  82  Saw Positioner Body  
         [0054]      26  Chipped Face of Cant  12   84  Pivoting Spindle Housing  
         [0055]      30  Sawing Apparatus  86  Spindle Bearings  
         [0056]      32  Infeed Assembly  87  Clamping Collar  
         [0057]      34  Infeed Lug Chain  88  Annular Side Surface of Saw Blade  75   
         [0058]      36  Partially Cut Log  90  Saw Shift Axis  
         [0059]      38  Canted Drive Rolls  92  Vertical Pivot Axis of  84   
         [0060]      40  Fence  93  Pivot Axis of  142   
         [0061]      41  Longitudinal or Forward Direction  94  Skewing Angle  
         [0062]      42  Lateral or Infeed Direction  95  Pivot Axis of  142   
         [0063]      44  Scanning Conveyor  96  Pivot Bearings  
         [0064]      46  Scanning Assembly  99  Spindle Rotation Axis  
         [0065]      48  Scanner  101  Rotation Axis of Fixed Drive Source  
         [0066]      50  Controller  131   
         [0067]      52  Cutting Assembly  104  Chip Head  
         [0068]      54  Pressroll Assembly  114  Skewing Positioner  
         [0069]      56  Saw Assembly  116  Skewing Drive Shaft  
         [0070]      58  Driven Feed Chain  118  Bell Crank Arm  
         [0071]      60  Pivotal Press Rolls  119  Bell Crank Bushing  
         [0072]      62  Drum Reman Head  120  Sliding Rotary Bell Crank Assembly  
         [0073]      64  Driven Exit Rolls  121  Thrust Washers  
         [0074]      66  Sawn Lumber  122  End of Skewing Drive Shaft  116   
         [0075]      68  Discharge Assembly  123  Locking Nuts  
         [0076]      70  Paddle Picker Outfeed  124  End of Skewing Drive Shaft  116   
         [0077]      126  Linear Bearings  
         [0078]      128  Saw Assembly Frame  
         [0079]      129  One End of Skewing Cylinder  114   
         [0080]      130  Steering Arm  
         [0081]      131  Fixed Drive Source  
         [0082]      132  Skewing Linkage  
         [0083]      133  Ball Joint  
         [0084]      136  Linear Positioner  
         [0085]      140  Extendable Universal Joint Driveline Assembly  
         [0086]      141  Feed Path  
         [0087]      142  Universal Joint  
         [0088]      143  Universal Joint  
         [0089]      144  Slip Joint  
         [0090]      150  Packing Nut  
         [0091]      151  Lock Nut  
         [0092]      152  Internal Splined Drive Flange  
         [0093]      153  Drive Flange Adaptor  
         [0094]      154  Hollow Shaft of Fixed Drive Source  131   
         [0095]      155  Smooth Bore of Hollow Shaft  154   
         [0096]      156  Guide Piston  
         [0097]      157  Lubrication Port and Fan Mounting Adaptor  
         [0098]      158  Packing Material  
         [0099]      160  End Yoke of Slip Joint  144   
         [0100]      166  Shift Shaft  
         [0101]      170  Bearings  
         [0102]      172  Bearings  
         [0103]      174  Belt and Pulley Arrangement  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0104]     The following description will typically be with reference to specific structural embodiments and methods. It is to be understood that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specifically disclosed embodiments and methods but that the invention may be practiced using other features, elements, methods and embodiments. Preferred embodiments are described to illustrate the present invention, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a variety of equivalent variations on the description that follows. Like elements in various embodiments are commonly referred to with like reference numerals.  
         [0105]     The present invention is directed to a wood product assembly, such as an improved edge trimming and board ripping apparatus, and method which provides a greatly simplified approach to, for example, optimally edging and ripping boards.  
         [0106]     The edge trimming and board ripping apparatus includes an improved saw assembly used as a part of a sawing apparatus. The sawing apparatus, in one example, includes an in-feed assembly which delivers side boards or center cants one at a time to a scanning assembly. The side boards and center cants both have two parallel cut surfaces and are referred to generically as partially cut logs, cut logs or just logs. The scanning assembly preferably includes a scanner adjacent to a scanning conveyor. The scanner scans the cut log and provides a profile of the log to a computer which controls the operation of the improved saw assembly. The saw assembly is preferably part of a cutting assembly. The cutting assembly includes a press roll assembly which maintains the cut log in the same orientation, passing through the saw assembly, as the cut log had when it passed the scanner.  
         [0107]     A saw assembly  56 , see  FIGS. 7, 8  and  9 , includes two or more saw blades  75  as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . Each saw blade is individually supported, positioned and driven by subcomponents of saw assembly  56  as follows. Each saw blade is rigidly attached to a saw spindle  74 . Each saw spindle  74  and saw blade  75 , connected and rotating together, are mounted in a pivoting spindle housing  84 . The pivoting spindle housing contains spindle bearings  86  (see  FIG. 16 ) that allow free rotational movement of the saw spindle  74 . Each pivoting spindle housing  84  is pivotally mounted to a saw positioner body  82  of a saw positioner  76 . See FIG.  12 . Each saw positioner body  82  supports a pivoting spindle housing  84  while allowing the spindle housing to turn at a slight angle about a vertical pivot axis  92  to facilitate saw skewing (typically approximately +/−2 degrees) through the use of two pivot bearings  96  as shown in  FIGS. 14 and 16 . The saw positioner  76  also shifts (repositions) positioner body  82  in a linear motion at a right angle (or transversely) to the log&#39;s direction of travel to provide the required slewing movement of the saw blade/saw spindle assembly during saw operation.  
         [0108]     Each saw spindle is coupled to and driven by an extendable universal-joint driveline assembly  140 . The other end, opposite the saw spindle end, of each extendable universal-joint driveline assembly is coupled to a fixed drive source  131 , meaning one with only rotational movement. Examples of a fixed drive source could include a fixed motor  131  or a fixed drive shaft coupled to a remote drive motor  131 . The axis of rotation of the fixed drive source would preferably be at a right angle to the log&#39;s direction of travel and generally parallel to the saw shift axis  90  (see  FIGS. 10, 11  and  12 ).  
         [0109]     The extendable universal-joint driveline assembly transmits torque to the saw spindle while allowing both: [1] the axis of rotation of the saw spindle to turn at an angle relative to the axis of rotation of the fixed drive source, and [2] the saw spindle to move closer to or further away from the fixed drive source. The extendable universal-joint driveline  140  would typically have two universal joints  142 ,  143  and a slip joint  144 , also called drive shaft  144 . The extendable driveline would typically be of a two-part splined or keyed shaft construction that permits high torque transmission while allowing driveline extensions and retractions as required during saw operation.  
         [0110]      FIGS. 10 and 11  show the preferred embodiment of a saw assembly when composed of 2 saw blades. In this example two shift shafts  166  support and position each saw positioner  76 . Each saw positioner  76  is rigidly connected to one of its shift shafts  166  and slides on the other. The two shift shafts that support the saw positioners are supported on each end by the saw assembly frame  128 . Linear positioners  136 , located outside and connected to the saw assembly frame  128 , are coupled to each shift shaft  166  and actuate each shift shaft to provide the required saw positioning and slewing motion for each saw blade along the saw shift axis  90  during saw operation. Linear bearings  126  are used where the shift shafts intersect the saw assembly frame  128  to provide the proper guiding and support.  
         [0111]     In this embodiment, a skewing drive shaft  116  is used to skew the saw blade/saw spindle assembly  74 ,  75  during saw operation. Skewing drive shaft  116  extends parallel to saw shift axes  90 . A single skewing positioner  114  actuates the rotation of the skewing drive shaft. The skewing drive shaft is linked to the pivoting saw spindle housing  84  through a sliding rotary bell crank assembly  120  and skewing linkage  132  ( FIG. 13 ). The sliding rotary bell crank assemblies  120  move along the skewing drive shaft  116  since they are captivated by the saw positioner bodies  82  (following the slewing motion of the saw positioner  76  specific to each saw blade) and also rotate with the skewing drive shaft  116  (through a splined or keyed connection). The sliding rotary bell crank  120  is connected by the skewing linkage  132  to the steering arm  130  by a ball joint  133 . Steering arm  130  is rigidly connected to the pivoting spindle housing  84 . Therefore, rotation of skewing drive shaft  116  by skewing cylinder  114  rotates bell crank assembly  120  which drives tie rod linkage  132  causing steering arm  130  and spindle housing  84  therewith to pivot about axis  92  to provide the required saw blade skewing or angular motion.  
         [0112]     With the present invention, side board lumber can be cut from side boards by edge trimming the side board and, optionally, rip sawing the side board to create one or more pieces of side board lumber. Also, center cants can be simultaneously edge trimmed and rip sawed to create center cant lumber from the center cant using the saw assembly made according to the invention.  
         [0113]     One of the primary advantages of the invention is its simplicity. The partially cut board need not be centered on the scanning conveyor or the feed chain of the press roll assembly but rather simply placed somewhere on the scanning conveyor. Therefore, no centering rolls, as are used with conventional edger systems, are needed. Also, the present invention is designed to be used with only a single scanner, as opposed to the multiple scanners used with conventional systems, thus reducing cost. In addition, the present invention is adapted for use for both edge trimming and board ripping of both side boards and center cants making it very flexible.  
         [0114]     An additional advantage is that the saw blade slewing assembly  80  is used to both initially position the saw blades at the desired locations as well as slew, in unison, the saw blades while sawing the log. Also, the same structure used to position the saw blades is used to keep the saw blades at the proper skewing angle. Thus, of the actual sawing components (motor, arbor, saw blades, support frame), the only components which must move during sawing operations are the saw blade spindle assemblies  74 ,  87 ; the electric motor which drives the saw spindle remains stationary as well as the support frame which supports the motor and spindle assemblies. The complicated slewing and skewing schemes used with conventional edger systems are eliminated.  
         [0115]     Another advantage of the invention is that the saw blades require no guide arms to provide the positioning and stabilization. The use of saw guide arms adds complexity to the sawing system along with requiring constant maintenance. The guide arms require a complex lubricating and cooling system to properly guide, position and stabilize the saw blades. The use of this saw blade lubricating and cooling system increases operating cost and causes the saw dust to be wet reducing its value as a fuel. Excess saw blade cooling water can find its way into storm drains, streams and rivers and cause environmental damage and well as contaminate ground water.  
         [0116]      FIGS. 21-25  illustrate an alternative saw drive assembly in which the vertical pivot axis  92  of spindle housing  84  passes through the rotational center of universal joint  142 . By this positioning, the vertical pivot axis  92  intersects the two pivot axes  93 ,  95  of universal joint  142  and periodically becomes collinear with pivot axes  93 ,  95  during each revolution of universal joint  142 . This alignment of spindle housing  84  and universal joint  142  permits the saw spindle  74  to rotate about pivot axis  92  and not change the angle between the slip joint  144  and the rotation axis  101  of the fixed drive source  131  thus keeping the slip joint axis collinear with axis  101  of fixed driver  131 . This eliminates the need for the second universal joint  143  in the spindle drive system which enhances stability, reduces vibration and reduces the overall width of the sawing apparatus  30 .  
         [0117]     Saw positioner  76  is coupled with slip joint  144  through universal joint  142  and end yoke  160  of slip joint  144 . Fixed driver  131  has a hollow drive shaft  154 , also called drive shaft sleeve  154 , fixed in position relative to fixed driver  131 . Actuation of fixed driver  131  causes shaft  154  to be rotated about drive axis  101 . Slip joint  144  has a splined or keyed external drive surface that engages the internal splined or keyed surface of drive flange  152 . Drive flange  152  is rigidly attached and rotates with hollow drive shaft  154  through drive flange adaptor  153 . Packing nut  150  and lock nut  151  are mounted on the end of drive flange  152  holding packing material  158  in place preventing contamination from entering the inside of drive flange  152 . Rotation of saw spindle  74  is provided by drive device  131  turning hollow drive shaft  154  and drive flange  152  engaging slip joint  144  driving universal joint  142  through end yoke  160 . Slip joint  144  has guide piston  156  attached to is end. Guide piston  156  slides with a close tolerance on the smooth bore  155  of hollow drive shaft  154  providing support for the end of slip joint  144 . Saw positioner  76  moves along saw shift axis  90  causing slip joint  144  to move along axis  101  of the fixed drive device  131  while the drive device constantly provides rotation to saw spindle  74  through engagement with drive flange  152 .  
         [0118]      FIG. 24A  shows an alternative embodiment to the saw blade drive assembly of  FIGS. 21-25 . In this embodiment of hollow drive shaft  124  does not extend into fixed driver  131 . Rather, hollow drive shaft  124  is mounted in an axially-fixed position by, for example, a pair of bearings  170 ,  172 . Hollow drive shaft  124  extends past bearing one under  72  and is driven by fixed driver  131  through a belt and pulley arrangement  174 .  
         [0119]     One can envision many alternative applications of the saw assembly  56  of  FIG. 9  for positioning different cutting tools used in the manufacture of lumber and wood products. One such application is shown in  FIGS. 26 and 27 . In  FIG. 26 , a center cant  12  is fed along feed path  41  through a pair of chipper heads  104  that removes sides  22  of center cant  12  leaving square edge chipped face  26  on the sides of center cant  12 . As center cant  12  is fed along feed path  141 , the two chipper heads  104  rotating about spindle axis  99  cut the edge  22  off of center cant  12  leaving chipped face  26 . As the cant  12  feeds along the feed path  141  the chip heads  104  are constantly positioned both side to side along shift shaft axis  90  and angularly about each axis  92  of saw positioners  76  in order to produce a uniform cut along the sides of center cant  12 . In this application, the chip heads  104  have replaced the saw blades  75  on the saw spindle  74 . The spindle rotation axis  99  is positioned angularly by the actuation of skewing positioner  114  coupled directly to ball joint  133  which is connected to steering arm  130  causing spindle housing  75  to pivot about vertical pivot axis  92 . In this application each positioner assembly  76  has a skewing positioner  114  to allow the angle  94  of the each spindle axis to be adjusted independently depending on the profile of center cant  12 .  
         [0120]     An additional turn of the application is shown in  FIG. 28 . In this application, center cant  12  is fed along feed path  41  through a pair of chipper heads  104  and on into a set of four saw blades causing the center cant  12  to be processed into finished square edged lumber. As center cant  12  is being fed along feed path  41  chipper heads  104  and saw blades  75  are constantly positioned both side to side along shift shaft axis  90  and angularly about vertical pivot axis  92 . The angles  94  of both chipper head rotation axes  99  are adjusted independently by skew positioners  114  allowing each chipper head to follow the edge  22  of center cant  12 .  
         [0121]      FIG. 29  shows another alternative application of the saw blade positioner  76  of  FIG. 9 . In this application, the single saw blade  75  has been replaced by a plurality of saw blades  75  to provide multiple cut lines  18  on center cant  12  as center cant  12  is fed through the saw blades  75  along feed path  41 . In this application the saw spindle axis is generally in the vertical position. As center cant  12  is being fed through the saw blades  75  skewing actuator  114  and linear actuator  136  constantly position both the angle  94  of the saw spindle about spindle pivot housing pivot axis  92  and the vertical position of the saws  75  relative to the profile of center cant  12  as is passes through saws  75 . In this example spindle  74  is an extended length spindle and the sawblades  75  are mounted to the extended length spindle with a desired thickness spacer between the sawblades to cut the desired width of finished lumber. The sawblades are held onto the extended length spindle with a nut at the end of the spindle.  
         [0122]      FIG. 29  shows the axis  99  of saw spindle  74  in roughly a vertical position. This same gang assembly could also have the saw spindle axis  99  in roughly a horizontal position. There are an unlimited number of applications for using an extendable universal joint driveline to drive the different cutting tools used in the manufacture of lumber and other wood products. Using an extendable universal joint driveline to drive the cutting tool allows the drive motor to stay fixed reducing the mass that has to be positioned to that of the saw positioner  76  and the actual cutting tools. This reduced mass allows the cutting tools of saw positioner  76  to be positioned faster than conventional cutting tools that are positioned with the drive motor and motor mounting base.  
         [0123]     The above descriptions may have used terms such as above, below, top, bottom, over, under, et cetera. These terms are used to aid understanding of the invention are not used in a limiting sense.  
         [0124]     While the present invention is disclosed by reference to the preferred embodiments and examples detailed above, it is to be understood that these examples are intended in an illustrative rather than in a limiting sense. It is contemplated that modifications and combinations will occur to those skilled in the art, which modifications and combinations will be within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the following claims. For example, the proportions and numbers of center cant  12 , center cant lumber  20 , side boards  4 , and side board lumber  24  illustrated in  FIGS. 2-6  are simply one example for one particular log  2 ; some logs may produce no side board lumber. Extendable drive line  140  could use constant velocity joints instead of universal joints to transmit power to the saw spindle  74 . Different configurations of the invention can be used to allow varying numbers of saw blade positioners  76 .  FIG. 20  shows one configuration using four saw blade positioners  76 .  
         [0125]     Any and all patents, patent applications and printed publications referred to above are incorporated by reference.