Patent Publication Number: US-2023158588-A1

Title: Method and apparatus for providing flitches to an edger

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/823,607 filed on Mar. 19, 2020, which is a continuation-in-part U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/438,005 filed on Jun. 11, 2019 and entitled “Method and Apparatus for Feeding an Edger,” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/683,509 filed on Jun. 11, 2018 and entitled “Method and Apparatus for Feeding an Edger.” The complete disclosures of the above applications are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to processing wood products, and in particular to apparatus and a method for feeding flitches into an edger so as to optimize production of marketable lumber from the flitches. 
     When a log is sawed in the process of producing lumber a cant or cants are produced from the central portion of the log by removing slabs and flitches from sides of the log, usually in a way to maximize the marketable amount of lumber that can be produced from the cants. Flitches removed from the sides of the log may include wane that can be removed by an edger to obtain marketable lumber from each flitch. 
     An edger typically includes several parallel circular saw blades spaced at standard distances, or in some cases adjustably spaced, along an arbor. Sets of powered bottom rollers and press rollers are arranged to run a flitch longitudinally through the edger saws to produce standard-sized boards and remove edge portions that have no commercial value as lumber. 
     In conventional practice, an edger operator manually places each flitch onto infeed rollers of an edger in a position estimated to provide the maximum amount of marketable lumber from a particular flitch, in some cases with the assistance of laser guidelines. In such conventional edger operation flitches are delivered serially and longitudinally into a preliminary position where the edger operator must adjust its position and orientation before edger infeed rollers pinch the flitch and deliver it into the saw blades. As a result, there is a significant gap between the tail end of a flitch being sawn in the edger and the head end of the next flitch to enter the edger saw blades. 
     As a result of the gaps between flitches being fed into an edger, there may be a significant delay, or dead time, of as much as a few seconds between flitches going through an edger. The output of an edger could be significantly increased by reducing the space between the tail of one flitch and the head end of the next flitch, thus reducing the dead time between successive flitches. 
     What is desired, then, is a way to reduce the dead time between flitches being sent through an edger, and at the same time to maximize the production of marketable lumber from flitches by ensuring that they are located and oriented, as they pass through an edger, so as to produce boards calculated to result in the maximum value of marketable boards from each flitch. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     As an answer to some of the needs explained above, an edger feeding apparatus and a method of feeding flitches into an edger with only a minimum spacing and dead time between successive flitches are disclosed hereinbelow and defined in the claims that form a part of the disclosure. 
     In one embodiment of the apparatus disclosed herein, a feed line, also called a scanner and carriage assembly (or carriage assembly), moves individual flitches laterally, in a direction transverse to the length of each flitch, and a scanning system associated with the feed line measures each flitch and creates and stores a digital three-dimensional model of each flitch. The flitches are moved to a transfer ready position at an outfeed end of the scanner and carriage assembly in readiness to be transferred laterally to an edger ready position near the infeed end of an edger and a small distance above the edger infeed mechanism. Transfer of successive flitches to the edger infeed mechanism is accomplished in a much shorter time than by moving each flitch longitudinally after another. 
     In one embodiment of the apparatus, a scanning system is associated with the edger infeed mechanism downstream from a fetcher assembly to create and store a digital three-dimensional model of each flitch. In one embodiment of the apparatus, a first scanning system is associated with the feed line to create and store a digital three-dimensional model of each flitch, and a second scanning system is associated with the edger infeed mechanism downstream from a fetcher assembly to verify the position of the flitch on the edger infeed mechanism prior to the flitch arriving at the edger to determine if the saw positions based on the sawing solution from the three-dimensional model need to be adjusted. 
     In one embodiment of the apparatus, a control computer keeps the digital models of the flitches in memory in a queue specifically identifying the three-dimensional model of each flitch. Based on, for example, tabulations of the commercial values of different sizes and qualities of boards, the control computer determines how each flitch should be located and oriented on the edger infeed mechanism as it proceeds longitudinally through the edger, to produce the most valuable yield of lumber from that flitch. Alternatively, or additionally, the control computer determines a sawing solution based on three-dimensional model and the expected or actual position of each flitch on a conveyor belt of the edger infeed mechanism. 
     In one embodiment of the apparatus, each flitch is stopped in a transfer ready holding position and then is engaged to be moved by a charger subassembly. Each charger subassembly includes a lower flitch carrier member spaced apart from another along the length of the flitch, and each flitch carrier member includes a turntable portion which can engage the bottom of the flitch. A respective upper contact pad is moved down by an actuator to press the flitch onto the turntable portion of the flitch carrier member. The upper contact pad is positioned located directly above the turntable portion of the flitch carrier member. The flitch carriers are moved to carry the flitch laterally to the edger ready position, in a desired location and orientation above the edger infeed mechanism in a very short time. Each of the upper contact pads is controlled to move together with and remain aligned with the turntable of its corresponding flitch carrier member as the feed forks and contact pads move the flitch to the desired edger ready position with respect to an infeed mechanism of the edger that will result in the maximum commercial value of the boards that can be obtained from that flitch. 
     For example, an edge portion may be removed from each edge of a flitch, leaving a single dimensional board with four flat sides. For another flitch the control computer may direct the feed forks to orient and position the flitch where the edger will produce one board with four flat sides and another, lower grade, board with one edge surface including acceptable wane, depending upon the shape of the digital model of the flitch that has been produced by the control computer as result of scanning the flitch. Yet another flitch may be oriented and positioned so that when it proceeds through the edger two boards with acceptable wane will be produced. 
     In one embodiment of the apparatus, when a flitch is positioned above the infeed mechanism, a set of tipples adjacent the infeed mechanism is moved upward and into supporting contact with the underside of the flitch. At the same time, an infeed press roller associated with a tipple is lowered into contact with the upper side of the flitch, so the flitch is held in the correct location. Once the flitch has been grasped and is held by the tipples and the press rollers the flitch carrier members and the upper contact pads release the flitch and are retracted. The infeed press rollers keep the flitch in the desired orientation and location established by the carrier members and pressure pads and in contact with and supported by the tipples. 
     Once a preceding flitch has been moved far enough toward the edger saws the tipples are lowered and the accompanying infeed press rollers are raised, moving the flitch in the direction of movement of the infeed mechanism and lowering the flitch onto the infeed mechanism. In one embodiment of the invention the control computer takes into account the time that may be required to adjust the positions of the edger saw blades after the preceding flitch has cleared, while the flitch is supported and held by the tipples and press roller. The flitch is then lowered onto the edger infeed mechanism at a calculated time and in a controlled fashion so as to come into contact with the edger infeed mechanism in the position and orientation that has been calculated by the control computer to result in producing boards of optimum value from that flitch. 
     In one embodiment of the apparatus, each flitch is stopped in a transfer ready holding position and then is engaged to be moved by one or more fetcher subassemblies. Each fetcher assembly includes one or two sets of fetchers, with each set of fetcher having a left-hand (LH) dog and a right-hand (RH) dog. First sets of LH and RH dogs move toward each other to grip a first flitch and then move the first flitch from a transfer ready position to an edger ready position spaced upwardly apart from the edger infeed mechanism. Second sets of LH and RH dogs move toward each other to grip a second flitch. The first sets of LH and/or RH dogs move apart to release the first flitch from the edger ready position onto a conveyor belt of the edger infeed mechanism. The first sets of LH and RH dogs pivot about 90 degrees to a stow position, allowing the second sets of LH and RH dogs to move the second flitch from the transfer ready position to the edger ready position such that a portion of the first flitch is on a part of the conveyor belt that is directly below the second flitch in the edger ready position. When the first flitch has moved clear from beneath the edger ready position, the second sets of LH and/or RH dogs move apart to release the second flitch from the edger ready position onto the conveyor belt of the edger infeed mechanism. 
     In accordance with one aspect of a method disclosed herein, then, each of a series of flitches is scanned, a queue of three-dimensional models is produced, and the control computer calculates a position and an orientation for each flitch so as to feed the flitch into the edger and thus produce the optimal yield of lumber from the flitch. When a flitch reaches the final position on the feedline, or carriage assembly, where it is the next in line to be sent through the edger, it is moved by the flitch carrier members to a predetermined orientation and position above the edger infeed mechanism. When a preceding flitch has moved out of the way the flitch is engaged by tipples and pressure rollers and the flitch carrier members are retracted. 
     After a preceding flitch has moved a calculated distance toward the edger saws the flitch may be lowered onto the edger infeed chain and moved to where it can be engaged by infeed rollers of the edger. If the flitch is to be sawn into a different number of boards or into boards of widths or locations within the flitch that are different from the preceding flitch the amount of time required to adjust the edger saws is taken into account in determining when to move the flitch from the ready position to be engaged by the edger infeed mechanism. 
     The foregoing and other objectives and features of the invention will be more readily understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is an isometric view of an example of an edger feed apparatus according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a view of a portion of  FIG.  1   , at an enlarged scale. 
         FIG.  3    is a right side elevational view of a portion of the apparatus shown in  FIG.  1   , taken along lines  3 - 3  in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  4    is a partially cutaway rear elevational of the apparatus shown in  FIG.  1   , taken along lines  4 - 4  in  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  5    is a right side elevational view of a portion of the apparatus similar to that shown in  FIG.  3   , at an enlarged scale and showing a flitch ready to be moved into position to be fed into the edger. 
         FIG.  6    is a view of a portion of the apparatus similar to that shown in  FIG.  5   , showing a flitch being held in an edger ready station above the edger infeed mechanism. 
         FIG.  7    is a view similar to  FIG.  6   , showing a tipple raised into position to support the flitch in the edger ready station. 
         FIG.  8    is a view similar to  FIG.  7   , showing the tipple supporting the flitch and the feed fork and pressure pad moved toward a transfer ready position at the delivery end of the scanner and, carriage assembly 
         FIG.  9    is a view similar to  FIG.  5   , showing the flitch after being lowered onto the edger infeed mechanism. 
         FIG.  10    is a rear elevational view, taken in the direction of line  10 - 10  in  FIG.  6   , showing a portion of the apparatus shown in  FIG.  4   , at an enlarged scale, with a flitch in the transfer ready position and with a rear main plate of the apparatus shown in phantom view to disclose portions of the apparatus that otherwise would be hidden. 
         FIG.  11 A  is a somewhat schematic top plan view taken in the direction of the line  11 A- 11 A in  FIG.  10   , showing a portion of the charger assembly at the outfeed end of the scanner and carriage assembly, showing the position of engagement of a flitch by the feed forks. 
         FIG.  11 B  is a view similar to that of  FIG.  11 A  showing the flitch in a position of readiness to be lowered onto the edger infeed mechanism. 
         FIG.  12    is a view of the portion of the apparatus shown in  FIG.  10   , showing a flitch being supported by tipples and held in the edger ready position or station by infeed press rollers with the lower charger mechanisms and press pads disengaged from the flitch. 
         FIG.  13    is a view similar to  FIG.  12   , but showing the flitch resting on a sharpchain portion of the edger infeed mechanism with the tipples lowered and the infeed press rollers pressing the flitch onto the infeed mechanism sharpchain, while the lower charger mechanisms and press pads have engaged a following flitch at the transfer ready position. 
         FIG.  14    is a simplified front elevational view of the edger shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   . 
         FIG.  15    is a somewhat schematic view showing saw blades of the edger shown in  FIG.  14    and apparatus for moving the saw blades along an arbor of the edger. 
         FIG.  16    is a top plan view of a flitch showing the positions of saw cuts on the flitch according to a sawing solution developed by the control computer. 
         FIG.  17    is a top plan view of a different flitch from that shown in  FIG.  16   , and showing the planned cuts according to a sawing solution for that flitch. 
         FIG.  18 A- 18 D  are a functional flowchart of a functional operational sequence for operation of the edger feed apparatus shown in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  19    is a block diagram of the control signal paths between some of the sensors and control and flitch-moving portions of the apparatus. 
         FIG.  20    is a timing diagram showing movements of components involved in transferring a scanned flitch from the outfeed end of the scanner and carriage assembly onto the sharpchain of the edger infeed mechanism, and then carrying the flitch into the edger. 
         FIG.  21    is an isometric view of another example of an edger feed apparatus according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  22    is a side view of a portion of the apparatus shown in  FIG.  21   , taken along lines  22 - 22  in  FIG.  21   . 
         FIGS.  23 - 24    are isometric views of a fetcher subassembly having dual sets of fetchers of the edger feed apparatus of  FIG.  21   . 
         FIGS.  25 - 26    are end views of the fetcher assembly of  FIG.  22    shown without a cover. 
         FIG.  27    is an isometric view of a fetcher assembly having only a single pair of dogs of the edger feed apparatus of  FIG.  21   . 
         FIGS.  28 - 38    are partial sectional of the edger feed apparatus of  FIG.  21    taken along lines  22 - 22  in  FIG.  21    or partial top views of the edger feed apparatus of  FIG.  21   , showing without covers to show movement of flitches from a transfer ready position, to an edger ready position, and onto the edger infeed mechanism. 
         FIGS.  39 A- 39 E  is a functional flowchart of a functional operational sequence for operation of the edger feed apparatus shown in  FIG.  21   . 
         FIG.  40    is a block diagram of the control signal paths between some of the sensors and control and flitch-moving portions of the edger feed apparatus shown in  FIG.  21   . 
         FIG.  41    is a timing diagram showing movements of components involved in transferring a flitch from the outfeed end of the carriage assembly onto the conveyor belt of the edger infeed mechanism, and then carrying the flitch into the edger. 
         FIG.  42    is an isometric view of a further example of an edger feed apparatus according to the present disclosure. 
         FIGS.  43 A- 43 E  is a functional flowchart of a functional operational sequence for operation of the edger feed apparatus shown in  FIG.  42   . 
         FIG.  44    is a block diagram of the control signal paths between some of the sensors and control and flitch-moving portions of the edger feed apparatus shown in  FIG.  42   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring first to  FIGS.  1 - 4    of the drawings that form a part of the disclosure herein, an edger  20  and an edger feed apparatus  21  that includes an edger infeed mechanism  22  arranged to deliver a flitch of wood  24 ,  26 ,  28 , or  30 , etc. into the edger  20 . The edger  20  includes a set of edger saws  31  that are spaced apart from each other so as to produce a board or set of boards from a flitch  24 , etc., while removing bark-covered wane portions of the flitch that are of no commercial value as lumber. Unless explicitly stated, edger feed apparatus  21  may additionally, or alternatively, include one or more components of one or more other edger feed apparatus of the present disclosure. Edger infeed mechanism  22  is controlled and operated by various sensors and servo systems shown schematically in  FIG.  19   . 
     Edger feed apparatus  21  further includes a scanner and carriage assembly  32 , that also may be called a feedline or carriage assembly, has a structural frame  34  oriented to deliver flitches  24 ,  26 , etc. to the edger  20  by moving each flitch laterally, that is, in the direction of the arrow  36 , perpendicular to the length  38  of each flitch  24 ,  26 , etc. The flitches are arranged side-by-side, lying flat and with their lengths oriented generally parallel with the arrow  40 , indicating the direction in the direction of which each flitch will pass longitudinally through the edger  20 . An end of each flitch that will be the leading end  41  as the flitch enters the edger is aligned with a lumber line  42 , at the right-hand end of the scanner and carriage assembly  32  as seen in  FIG.  1   . The flitches may be loaded onto the scanner and carrier assembly  32  manually or by conventional loading apparatus that need not be disclosed herein. 
     Depending upon the amount of manual labor that will be acceptable, the scanner and carriage assembly  32  may include a scanner (not shown) capable of discovering whether a wane side of a flitch is up or down. A flitch turning mechanism  46  mentioned in  FIG.  18 A , may be included in the feed line assembly  32  to turn flitches over as necessary for the wane side  48  of each flitch  24 , etc. to face upward. Such a mechanism is well known and need not be described herein. Flitches located on the scanner and carriage assembly are desirably oriented with the narrower, or waned, face of each facing upward to be measured by the scanner system  44  in determining how to edge the flitch. 
     The frame  34  of the feed chain or scanner and carriage  32  assembly or scanner and carriage  30  includes a group of feed rail assemblies  50  that are oriented horizontally and parallel with each other, separated from one another by a distance  52  that is somewhat less than the length of the shortest flitch intended to be fed to the edger  20 . For example, the feed rail assemblies  50  may be spaced apart from each other by a distance corresponding to a standard board length intended to be produced. As shown in  FIG.  1   , there are four feed rail assemblies  50  in the scanner and carriage assembly  32 . 
     Endless loop feed chains  54  of which there are four shown in  FIG.  1   , are engaged with appropriate sprockets so as to move in respective parallel vertical planes. The endless feed chains  54  are arranged to be driven synchronously by drive sprockets carried on a chain drive shaft  58 , as best seen in  FIG.  3   . An upper portion of each of the endless chains  54  may be disposed horizontally and ride along the top of a respective one of the feed rail assemblies  50  to support flitches  24 ,  26 , etc. and move them along the feed rail assemblies  50  toward the edger infeed mechanism  22 , spaced apart from each other by a desired distance. The feed chains  54  are driven to move continuously to carry the flitches  24 ,  26 , etc. toward the edger infeed mechanism  22 . 
     Six sets of hooks  60 , seen in  FIG.  1   , extend across the direction of movement of the feed chains. They are carried on pivoted arms  62  and are arranged to be raised and lowered periodically to let each flitch  24 ,  26 , etc. move in steps through predetermined distance along the scanner and carriage assembly  32  toward the edger infeed mechanism  22 , and to keep the flitches separated from each other. When a set of hooks  60  is raised and obstructs one of the flitches the feed chains  54  continue to move, but the links of the feed chains preferably have smooth straight outer surfaces that can slide along the bottom face of a flitch  24 , etc. without causing damage when the flitch is held stationary by one of the sets of hooks  60 . At the same time, however, the flitches  24 ,  26 ,  28 , etc. are engaged by the feed chains  54  with sufficient friction that each flitch is carried with negligible slippage when the flitch is not obstructed by a set of the hooks  60 . 
     As may be seen in  FIG.  1   , there may be six sets of hooks, spaced apart by a convenient distance such as 30 inches that may be designed accordingly to the size of flitches installed to be handled. As a flitch is carried along the scanner and carriage assembly  32  it is stopped momentarily at each set of hooks  60 , which may be called hook stop # 1 , or hook stop # 2 , etc. Various functions may be carried out at each hook stop or between one hook stop and the next, as will be explained in greater detail below. 
     The arms  62  carrying the ones of a set of hooks  60  may all be mounted on a shaft  64  extending transversely of the scanner and carriage, or feed line, assembly, thus parallel with the length of a flitch on the scanner and carriage assembly. Each such shaft  64  may be rotated through a few degrees in either direction by a respective lever  66  that is moved in either direction by suitable means such as inflation and deflation of the ones of a respective pair of airbags  68 , for example, as may be seen in  FIG.  3   . 
     The flitch measuring scanner system  44 , not shown in detail, is supported on a scanner support structure  70  extending above the scanner and carriage assembly  32 . The scanner support structure  70  is long enough to permit passage of the longest flitch intended to be handled by the edger infeed mechanism. The scanner system  44  may include a scanner array  72  of several laser scanners, and is located between hook stop # 4  and hook stop # 5  along the scanner and carriage assembly  32 , where each flitch  24 ,  26 , etc. can be scanned precisely as it is carried along the feed rail assemblies  50  by the feed chains  54 . The scanner array  72  may, for example, measure a flitch on a grid of points spaced at 0.035″×0.035″ separation on all surfaces of the flitch. The scanner array  72  is connected functionally to a control computer  74 , as shown in  FIG.  19   . Digital data derived from scanning each flitch  24 ,  26 , etc. is delivered to the control computer  74 , as by a suitable data cable (not shown). 
     The control computer  74  is adapted to receive the digital data from the scanner array  72  and to compile it as a digital three-dimensional model, such as a wireframe model, of each flitch. The three-dimensional model of a flitch may preferably be prepared to a resolution of 0.001 inch, to identify the boundaries of the flat upper face of each flitch, where the flitch begins to wane, and the control computer  74  utilizes the digital three-dimensional model as a basis for deciding what parts of the flitch should be removed by the edger  20 . An optimizer section  76  of the control computer  74  incorporates a database which may include a tabulation of many different sizes, types, and grades of lumber and the current value of each. The control computer  74  may be programmed to determine from the three-dimensional model what boards of which grades can be produced from a particular flitch  24 , for example, which parts of the flitch should be removed by the edger and how to cut the remaining portion of the flitch into pieces which can result in an optimum value of marketable lumber. A sawing solution is then developed by the control computer  74  and conforming instructions and data may be communicated among the various elements of the edger  20 , the scanner and carriage assembly  32 , and the edger feed mechanism  22  using a programmable logic controller  77  so that the flitch will be sawed accordingly by the edger  20 . The sawing solution may include instructions to require the edger to adjust the positions of individual ones of the various saw blades. 
     The digital three-dimensional flitch models are retained in digital memory by the control computer  74 , and are coordinated with data from the feed chains  54 , making three-dimensional model of each flitch  24 ,  26 ,  28 , or  30 , etc. the size and shape of each flitch available for use by the control computer  74  when the flitch reaches a transfer ready position  78 , in hook stop # 6 , at the outfeed end of the scanner and carriage, or feedline, assembly  32 . 
     Edger feed apparatus  21  further includes a charger assembly  88  located at the outfeed end of the scanner and carriage assembly  32  to transfer each flitch to an edger infeed mechanism. The charger assembly includes a charger subassembly  82 ,  84 ,  86 , and  88 , each conveniently associated with one of the feed chains  54 . The charger subassemblies for convenience will be called charger sets numbers  1 ,  2 ,  3 , and  4 , as seen in right-to-left order in  FIG.  1   . Each charger set  82 , etc. includes a respective lower charger beam  90  supported by the frame  34  of the scanner and carriage assembly  32 , and each such beam  90  is attached to the frame  34  by a pivot  92  near a rear, or inner, end of the beam  90 . An elongate charger lower flitch support member  94  is mounted to move along a slide track extending along to the lower charger beam  90 . An endless chain or toothed belt  98  is disposed as a loop encircling around a sprocket  99  at an outer end of the beam  90  and a sprocket  100  on a shaft of a servo motor  102  mounted at the inner end of the beam  90 . The belt  98  is connected so as to move the charger lower flitch support member  94  longitudinally along the slide track as controlled by the servo motor  102 . The servo motor is preferably capable of being controlled by the control computer  74  to move the endless belt to position the lower charger flitch support member  94  precisely, to an accuracy of ±0.001 inch. 
     Each of the elongate charger lower support members  94  desirably has a portion  104  near its outer end that may be called a turntable. The turntable  104  may be a set of concentric circular ridges extending proud of the surrounding surface of the respective lower charger member with a height of, for example, 0.020 inch, that will provide a reasonably secure grip on a bottom face of a flitch, without noticeably marring the surface of the wood. With a charger lower flitch support member  94  in the retracted position, a flitch  24 , etc. in the transfer ready location  78  at hook stop # 6  is directly above the turntable of the feed fork. 
     An upper charger support structure  106  that is part of each charger set  82  or  84 , etc. extends toward the scanner and carriage assembly  32  from a support frame structure at a rear side of the edger infeed assembly  22 . An endless belt  108  extends horizontally along the upper charger support structure  106 , looped around a sprocket  110  at an outer end of the upper support charger structure  106  and a drive sprocket  112  mounted on a clamp pad positioning servo motor  114  at an inner end of the upper support frame structure. A clamp pad actuator  116  that may be an air cylinder-and-piston assembly is mounted on a slide track  118  extending horizontally along the upper support structure  106 . The clamp pad actuator  116  is connected with the endless belt  108  so that the clamp pad servo motor  114  controls its position along the slide track  118  under the control of the computer  74  with the same degree of precision by which the lower charger flitch carrier member  94  is controlled, so as to keep the actuator  116  located above the turntable  104 . A clamp pad  120  is carried on a moveable member of the clamp pad actuator  116 , and is thus kept directly above the center of the turntable  104 . The clamp pad  120  is arranged to move vertically so as to press a flitch  24 ,  26 , etc. down onto the turntable  104  of the lower flitch support member  94 . It will be understood that either an air cylinder or another convenient type of motor such as an electric actuator or a hydraulic cylinder-and-piston assembly could be used as the clamp pad actuator  116 . 
     The lower charger beam  90  of each charger set  82 ,  84 , etc. can be moved through a small angle about its pivot  92 , by a motor  122  such as an air cylinder and piston mounted on the frame of the scanner and carriage assembly and linked to an outer end of the beam  90 . By lowering the outer end of the beam  90 , the outer end of the charger lower flitch support member  94  can be lowered a small distance, for example about ½ inch, to be clear of the bottom face of a flitch  24 ,  26 , etc. in the transfer ready position  78  at the outfeed end of the scanner and carriage assembly  32  until the turntable  104  and clamp pad  120  of the charger set  82 , etc. is in a required position and is intended to engage the flitch at the middle  123  of its width. When the charger set  82 , etc. is correctly located the motor  122  can raise the outer end of the lower flitch support member  94 , bringing its turntable  104  into contact with the flitch that is ready to be transferred. At the same or shortly later time the clamp pad  120  can be lowered against the upper face of the flitch. 
     The edger infeed mechanism  22  may include an endless edger infeed chain  124  arranged as a loop around suitable sprockets, a drive sprocket  126  and an idler sprocket  128 , and driven continuously in a vertical plane perpendicular to the infeed chains of the scanner and carriage assembly  32  so as to carry a flitch  24 , etc. longitudinally into the edger  20 . An upper run  130  of the edger infeed chain  124  may extend along and ride upon a suitable horizontal support rail  132 . The edger feed chain  124  may be a roller chain with the outer edges of the side plates of each link having a sawtooth shape, as shown in the inset in  FIG.  10   , intended to engage a bottom surface of a flitch  24 , etc. firmly but without noticeable marring, and the edger infeed chain may be referred to herein as a sharpchain  124 . 
     A respective tipple  134  is associated with each of the charger sets  82 ,  84 ,  86 , and  88 , and each tipple will be referred to separately by the member of the charger set with which it as associated. Each tipple is mounted on a respective tipple shaft  136  extending horizontally and perpendicular to the plane of the edger infeed chain  124  and thus parallel with the direction of movement of flitches along the scanner and carriage assembly  32 . The tipples  134  may be generally planar, extending radially outwardly away from the respective tipple shafts  136 . The tipples  134  have outer margins  138  that may have roughened or textured surfaces intended to engage a bottom face of a flitch frictionally. 
     A respective infeed press roller  140  may be mounted for rotation about the axis perpendicular in the place of the sharpchain  124  and may be carried on a support arm  142  attached to each of the upper charger support beams  106  on its upstream side, further from the edger  20  and opposite the location of the associated clamp pad actuator  116 . The support arm  142  may be arranged to pivot up and down about a horizontal pivot axis  144  that may also be perpendicular to the plane of the edger infeed sharpchain  124 . A suitable motor  146  such as an air cylinder-and-piston assembly is arranged to raise and lower the edger infeed press roller  140  to press a flitch  24 , etc. down against a tipple  134  in the edger ready position and also while lowering the flitch onto the upper  130  of the sharpchain  124 , and then to keep the flitch in contact with the sharpchain  124  as the flitch is delivered into the edger  20 . 
     The tipple shafts  136  are located beneath the infeed press rollers  140 , allowing each of the tipples  134  to be rotated, between a lowered position as seen in  FIG.  4   , alongside the upper run  130  of the edger infeed sharpchain  124 , and a raised, generally upright, position as shown in  FIG.  12   , in which an outer margin  138  of each tipple is located above the sharpchain  124  and can bear upon a bottom face of a flitch supported on the charger lower flitch support member  94 . The shaft of the # 1  tipple can be rotated by an associated bell crank and motor  148 , while the shafts of the # 2 , # 3 , and # 4  tipples have respective bell cranks  149  all linked together and controlled by motor  150 , so that the # 2 , # 3 , and # 4  tipples can all be raised or lowered simultaneously. 
     Suitable sensors such as photocells  152 ,  154  may be located respectively a short distance upstream from each of the # 1  tipple and the # 2  tipple, in positions enabling the sensors to recognize that a tail end  162  of a flitch is passing the respective one of the tipples  134 . 
     Under digital control from the control computer  74 , each lower flitch carrier servo motor  102  and the associated clamp pad actuator positioning servo motor  114  are operated synchronously to move a respective end of a flitch  24 , etc. from the transfer ready position  78  over a distance determined by the control computer  74  on the basis of the digital three-dimensional model of the particular flitch. A flitch thus can be moved from the transfer ready location  78  toward a calculated edger ready position  156  directly above the sharpchain  124  of the edger infeed mechanism  22 . As shown in  FIGS.  11 A and  11 B , the control computer  74  causes each charger set  82 ,  84 , etc. to move a respective end of a flitch a distance calculated to place the flitch in a required location and orientation above the edger infeed sharpchain  124 , ready to be carried to the saws  31  of the edger  20  and sawn into a board or boards that will maximize the value of the lumber cut from each flitch. 
     An example of the sequence of steps for carrying flitches through the edger feed apparatus and the edger is shown in a flow chart embodied in  FIG.  18   . Other examples of the sequence of steps may add, omit, replace, and/or substitute one or more steps shown in  FIG.  18   , such as with one or more steps described in the present disclosure. An example of the components and the communication connections between those components are shown in  FIG.  19   . However, there may be additional and/or alternative components and/or communication connections as described in the present disclosure. An example of the timing sequence of actions in a cycle of handling a flitch is diagrammed in  FIG.  20   . Other examples of the timing sequence of actions may add, omit, replace, substitute, speed up, slow down one or more actions shown in  FIG.  20   , such as with one or more actions described in the present disclosure. 
     The actions shown in  FIG.  20    will be noted herein by step numbers in parentheses. A flitch may be placed flat on the scanner and carriage apparatus  32  with an end  158  of the flitch that is eventually to be the leading end of the flitch aligned with the lumber line  42  at the right end of the scanner and carriage assembly  32 . The feed chains  54  are continuously in motion and carry the flitch  30  to hook stop # 1 , where the first set of hooks  60  engage the leading edge of the flitch and align the flitch  30  in the full taper orientation. At an appropriate time, ultimately as a result of a flitch being transferred away from hook stop # 6 , the set of hooks of hook stop # 1  will be dropped allowing the flitch to move to hook stop # 2 , where flitch  28  is shown in  FIG.  1   . At each hook stop sensors will detect when the hooks  60  at the next subsequent hook stop are lowered so that a preceding flitch is starting to move away leaving space for the flitch being held at the lower-numbered hook stop, whose hooks  60  will then be lowered in response. As soon as a flitch has moved clear of a hook stop the hooks  60  are again raised to stop the next flitch. When the hooks  60  of hook stop # 2  are dropped, the feed chains carry the flitch to hook stop # 3  where it is engaged and stopped by the again-raised hooks  60  at hook stop # 3 . While moving between hook stop # 2  and hook stop # 3  the flitch  26  may have been scanned by a relatively simple scanner (not shown) to determine whether the wane is oriented up or down, and the determination will have been transmitted to the control computer  74 . Between hook stop # 3  and hook stop # 4  there may be a flitch turner selectively operative to turn up the wane side of a flitch if necessary. If the wane face is down the flitch turner will engage the flitch and turn it over to bring the wane face to the top. If the wane is already facing upward the control computer  74  will cause the feed chains  54  to carry the flitch on to hook stop # 4 , carrying the flitch so its leading edge contacts the hooks  60  and the flitch is thereby placed into a full taper orientation. 
     When the hooks of hook stop # 4  are lowered the feed chains  54  carry the flitch through the scanner support structure  70 , and the upper and lower scanner arrays  72  measure the flitch and transmits scanner data to the control computer  74 , enabling the control computer to generate the digital three-dimensional model of the flitch. When the flitch just scanned reaches hook stop # 5  the flitch is retained until a preceding flitch at hook stop # 6  has been engaged by the charger mechanism  80  and is being transferred toward the edger ready position  156 . When the charger mechanism  80  has carried a proceeding flitch clearly away from the transfer ready position at hook stop # 6  the hooks of hook stop # 6  are raised to stop the flitch being moved from hook stop # 5  in the transfer ready position in hook stop # 6  at the outfeed end of the scanner and carriage assembly as shown in  FIG.  5   . 
     The feed chains  54  thus eventually carry each flitch  24 ,  26 , etc. to the transfer ready position  78  at an outfeed end of the scanner and carriage assembly  32  at hook stop # 6 , where a charger assembly receives the flitch and moves it to the edger ready location  156  above an edger infeed mechanism  22  arranged to carry the flitch into the edger  20 . 
     In the transfer ready position  78 , the desired set of hooks  60  of hook stop # 6  stop the flitch  24  and establish a full taper orientation, located where the flitch can be grasped to be moved to the desired orientation in the edger ready position and location  156  from which it is to be moved onto the edger infeed mechanism  22 . With the flitch in the transfer ready location  78 , at least a pair of the elongate charger lower flitch support members  94 , are located beneath the flitch in a retracted position along the slide track on the beam  90 . 
     When the flitch  24  has arrived at hook stop # 6  it is ready for the charging sequence to be performed as directed by the control computer  74 . This begins as shown in  FIG.  3   , with each charger set  82 ,  84 ,  86 , etc. spanned by the length of the flitch  24  being moved to the position of the centerline  123  of the flitch, as determined from the three-dimensional digital model. With the lower flitch support member  94  lowered and the clamp pad  120  raised. Based on the digital three-dimensional model of the flitch  24  developed by the control computer  74 , each lower flitch support member  94  is moved along the beam  90  by the servo motor  102  to place the turntable  104  beneath the longitudinal centerline  123  of the flitch  24 , with the lower charger flitch support members  94  in their respective lowered positions. The lower flitch support members  94  can then be raised to bring the turntable  104  into contact with the bottom face of the flitch, as shown in  FIG.  5    (step  1 ), and the clamp pads  120  can also be lowered onto the upper face of the flitch (step  2 ). Depending on the sawing solution the appropriate charger sets (depending on the length of the flitch), engage the flitch  24 . The clamp pads of the # 1  charger set  82  and of the charger set  88  nearest the opposite end of the flitch  24  are lowered to press on the top face of the flitch, but the clamp pads of a charger set between those charger sets are not lowered to press on the flitch. Once this has been accomplished the hooks  60  of hook set # 6  are lowered (step  3 ). 
     When a previous flitch has been carried on the sharpchain  124  far enough into the edger  20  for press rollers  121  within the edger  20  to grip the previous flitch, the press rollers  140  of the charger sets # 2 , # 3 , and # 4  are raised (step  4 ). When the tail end  162  is detected passing a sensor such as photocell  152  at the # 1  charger set  82  the infeed press roller  140  at the # 1  charger set  82  is raised, providing clearance above the sharpchain  124  to receive the flitch  24  being supported by the charger sets  82  and  88  at the transfer ready location. While the press rollers  140  are being raised the charger sets are briefly held (step  5 ) before moving the flitch  24  to the edger ready position  156 . 
     When the space above the tipples  134  is cleared the two engaged charger sets may move by slightly different distances away from the transfer ready location  78  and toward the opposite side of the edger infeed mechanism  22 , moving the flitch  24  to the edger ready position  156  above the sharpchain  124  of the edger infeed mechanism in which the desired saw cut lines are parallel with the sharpchain  124  and where the flitch is offset laterally as necessary to rest in an optimal transport position on the sharpchain (step  6 ). 
     As the flitch  24  moves clear of the transfer ready position  78  the hooks  60  of hook stop # 6  are raised (step  7 ). When a flitch  24  has been carried by the lower flitch carrier members to the edger ready position in the calculated location and orientation above the sharpchain  124  of the edger infeed mechanism  22  it is held there until a preceding flitch has been moved far enough into the edger  20  so that none of the preceding flitch remains above any of a set of tipples  134 , as in  FIG.  14   . The tipples  134  are then rotated to their raised positions (steps  9 ,  15 ) in which a portion of each tipple  134  extends upward on each side of the sharpchain  124 , and the outer margin surfaces  138  of the tipples bear against the underside of the flitch  24  and support the flitch in the edger ready position  156  established by the charger assembly  80 . The tipples may thus lift the flitch  24  slightly. The edger infeed press roller arms  142  are then pivoted downward bringing the infeed press rollers  140  into contact on the upper face of the flitch, urging the flitch against the outer margin surfaces  138  of the tipples  134  (step  10 ). 
     Once the flitch  24  is supported by the tipples  134 , the lower charger beam actuator  122  is retracted to lower the lower flitch carrier members  94  a small distance from the lower face of the flitch, and the hold down pads  120  are raised from the upper face of the flitch (step  11 ). The flitch carrier motors  102  and hold down clamp pad carrier motors  114  are then operated to retract the lower flitch carrier members and move the clamp pad actuator  116  toward the transfer ready position  78  so as to be clear of the flitch  24  and ready to engage the flitch  26  when it is moved into the transfer ready position by the next cycle of the scanner and carriage assembly  32  (steps  12 ,  13 ). 
     The flitch  24  is then held between the tipples  134  and the edger infeed press rollers  140  as shown in  FIG.  8    for at least a long enough time to provide an optimum end gap, enough separation between the tail end of the preceding flitch and the leading end  41  of the current flitch  24  for the preceding flitch to be sawn and moved clear of the saws  31  within the edger  20 , before the current flitch engages the saws  31 . Additionally, lowering the current flitch  24  must be delayed long enough to permit any relocation of the sawblades on the saw arbor that may be required in accordance with the sawing solution determined by the control computer  74 . 
     Once the charger lower flitch support members  94  and clamp pad  120  and their actuators  116  have moved away from the flitch  24  the tipples  134  are not obstructed and are clear to be rotated downward. When the sawing solution for the flitch  24  being moved laterally into the upper edger ready position  156  calls for it to be sawn by the edger  20  into the same number and sizes of boards as the immediately preceding flitch, very little time is required for adjustment of the positions of the edger saw blades by the servo motors  160  as directed by the control computer  74  as shown in  FIG.  15   . There is then only a minimum delay (step  18 ) required between the tail end  162  of a preceding flitch and the leading end  41  of the flitch  24  about to be lowered onto the edger infeed sharpchain  124 . When the flitch  24  is to be sawn into boards of different widths and locations on the flitch  24  than how the preceding flitch has been sawn, the positions of the edger saw blades  31  must be adjusted along the edger saw arbor  158  using servo motors  164  controlled by the control computer, as shown in  FIG.  15   . This requires additional time (and resulting distance along the edger feed chain  124 ) between the tail end  162  of the preceding flitch and the leading end  41  of the flitch  24 . That distance may be determined by the photocell  152  sensing passage by the tail end  162  of the preceding flitch past the # 1  tipple  134  (step  14 ), and by data from encoders on the feed roller  121  of the edger  20 . The edger saws  31  can be quickly relocated on the arbor  158  as controlled by the computer  74 , using data from the optimizer  76  and processed through programmable logic controller  77 . The edger  20  can thus be quickly adjusted to saw the flitches  172  and  174  into different widths of boards  176 ,  178 ,  180  and  182 , shown in  FIGS.  16  and  17   . 
     As may be seen in  FIGS.  12    and  FIG.  13   , rotating the tipples  134  downward accelerates the flitch in the direction of movement of the upper surfaces of the sharpchain  124  toward the entry into the space between the press rollers  121  of the edger itself, as well as lowering the flitch into contact with the top of the sharpchain  124 . 
     As the tipples  134  are rotated downward the infeed press rollers  140  are also moved downward, remaining in contact with the top face of the flitch  124  and pressing the flitch first against the outer margins  138  of the tipples and then against the upper edges of the sharpchain. The sharpchain  124  then carries the flitch toward the edger  20 , feeding the leading end of the flitch between the edger press rolls  121  which then engage the flitch and move it through the saws to cut the flitch into boards according to the optimal sawing solution that was generated by the control computer  74  prior to operation of the charger mechanism. 
     After the calculated amount of movement of the tail end  162  of the previous flitch beyond the tipples, allowing for repositioning of the edger saws as mentioned above, the tipples  134  are lowered and the flitch  24  descends down upon the edger infeed sharpchain  124  and is pressed downward against the edger infeed sharpchain  124  by the infeed press rollers  140 . The edger infeed sharpchain  124  then carries the flitch  24  toward the edger  20 . Referring now to  FIGS.  14 - 17    the feed rollers  121  of the edger  20  then carry the flitch  24  into engagement by the saws  31 , which cut the flitch  24  into boards and scrap edge material according to the sawing solution determined by the control computer  74 . 
     By the time the flitch  24  has been moved far enough into the edger  20  and is being moved through the saws  31  by the feed rolls  121  of the edger  20  far enough so that the tail end of the flitch  24  has moved beyond the # 1  tipple, the tipple  134  closest to the edger  20 , the following flitch  26  should have been carried by the lower flitch carrier members  94  and clamp pads  120  into the edger ready position  156 , so that the cycle can be repeated as subsequent flitches  28 ,  30  etc. are moved laterally through the series of hook stops, and are scanned and converted into three-dimensional models and saved in the memory of the control computer  74 , together with the data necessary to each flitch to the edger ready position and ultimately through the edger  20 . 
     Once the preceding flitch has cleared the tipples and the leading end  41  of the flitch  24  is supported by the tipples  134 , when the tipples are lowered the flitch  24  supported by the tipples is already positioned to be fed to the edger saw blades  31  in the most advantageous position and orientation. The flitch has only to drop a small distance, such as about 4 inches, from the edger ready position  156  once the tail end  162  of the preceding flitch is clear from beneath the leading end  41  of the flitch  24  supported by the tipples. Lowering the tipples  134 , with the edger infeed presser rollers  140  pushing down on the top of the flitch, accelerates the flitch toward the edger saw blades  31 , bringing it to a speed approaching that of the edger infeed sharpchain  124 . The tipples  134  and the edger infeed presser rollers  140  continue to positively grasp and hold the flitch  24  until the flitch-contacting surfaces  138  of the tipples  134  have been lowered beneath the level of the upper faces of the edger infeed sharpchain  124 . The edger infeed sharpchain  124  then engages and moves the flitch toward the edger press rollers  121 . This transfer of the flitch  24  from the infeed scanner and carriage assembly  32  to the edger infeed sharpchain  124  and the change of direction from lateral movement to longitudinal movement of the flitch can all occur within a very brief time, as shown in  FIG.  20   , since the flitches moving laterally are at a higher location than the flitches moving longitudinally and have a shorter travel distance, and thus, the flitches moving laterally can be moved precisely, controlled by the charger sets to a properly oriented edger ready position  156  directly above the edger feed mechanism  22  that is moving longitudinally toward the edger saw blades, and the flitch  24  then can be lowered onto the edger infeed sharpchain. 
     Each time division on the time axis in  FIG.  20    represents 100 milliseconds. As may be seen in  FIG.  20   , an entire cycle  184  of moving a scanned flitch  24  from the transfer ready position  78 , through the edger ready position  156 , and into the press rollers  121  of the edger  20 , occurs in a very short time. The numbered steps shown in  FIG.  20    are listed in the following table: 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 1. Lower flitch carrier 94 raises in position on center of flitch face 
               
               
                 2. Clamp pad 120 lowers in position on center of flitch face 
               
               
                 3. #6 hook stop lowers 
               
               
                 4. Edger infeed press rollers 140 rise 
               
               
                 5. Delay charger set advance as press rollers 140 rise 
               
               
                 6. Charger set advances flitch to sawing solution relative to center line 
               
               
                 7. #6 Hook stop rises 
               
               
                 8. Trailing end of preceding flitch clears tipple #2 
               
               
                 9. Tipples 2, 3, 4 rise 
               
               
                 10. Press rollers 2, 3, 4 lower, clamping flitch 24 to tipples 
               
               
                 11. Clamp pad 120 raises &amp; flitch carrier 94 lowers 
               
               
                 12. Charger sets return to charger ready position (center of flitch face) 
               
               
                 13. Charger set clear of flitch 24 
               
               
                 14.Trailing end 162 of preceding flitch clear tipple #1 
               
               
                 15. Tipple 1 raises 
               
               
                 16. Press roll 1 lowers, clamping infeed flitch 24 to tipples 
               
               
                 17.Trailing end 162 of preceding flitch clears lumberline 
               
               
                 18. Minimum reguired end gap relative to lumberline 
               
               
                 19. Press rollers 140 &amp; tipples lower flitch 24 onto sharpchain  
               
               
                 124 to feed edger 20 
               
               
                 20. Flitch 24 past number 2 edger press roll 121 
               
               
                 21. Edger #2 press roll down on flitch 24 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     During the entire cycle  184  a flitch transfer charging cycle  186 , the complete set of actions for transfer of a flitch in a lateral direction from the scanner and carriage assembly  32  to the charger ready position  156 , may be completed in less than one second. After necessary delay while a preceding flitch clears the edger infeed mechanism  22  and enough space is left behind the tail end  162  of the preceding flitch for the preceding flitch to be clear of the saws  31  of the edger  20  and the saw blade positions are adjusted, before the next flitch engages the saw blades  31 . In a complete sharpchain loading cycle  188  each flitch can be lowered from the edger ready position  156  onto the edger feed sharpchain  124  and delivered into the edger  20  far enough to be engaged by the second feed press rollers  121  in slightly more than 0.6 second. 
     Referring to  FIG.  21   , another example of edger feed apparatus  21  according to the present disclosure is generally indicated at  221 . Unless explicitly stated, edger feed apparatus  221  may additionally, or alternatively, include one or more other components of one or more other edger feed apparatus of the present disclosure. Edger feed apparatus  221  includes an edger infeed mechanism  222  arranged to deliver a flitch of wood  224 ,  225 ,  226 ,  227 ,  228 ,  229 , or  230 , etc. into an edger, such as edger  20  described above. The edger infeed mechanism is controlled and operated by various components shown schematically in  FIG.  40   . 
     Edger feed apparatus  221  additionally includes a carriage assembly  232 , which has a structural frame  234  oriented or positioned to deliver flitches  224 ,  226 , etc. to the edger by moving each flitch laterally in the direction of arrow  236 , which is perpendicular to a length  238  of each flitch  224 ,  226 , etc. The flitches are arranged side-by-side, lying flat and with their lengths oriented or positioned generally parallel with arrow  240 , indicating the direction of which each flitch will pass longitudinally through the edger. An end of each flitch that will be leading end  241  as the flitch enters the edger is aligned with a lumber line  242 , at the right-hand end of carriage assembly  232 . The flitches may be loaded onto carrier assembly  232  manually or by a loading apparatus not disclosed herein. 
     Frame  234  of carriage assembly  232  includes a group of feed rail assemblies  250  that are oriented or positioned horizontal and parallel with each other, separated from one another by a distance  252  that is somewhat less than the length of the shortest flitch intended to be fed to the edger, such as a distance corresponding to a standard board length intended to be produced. As shown in  FIG.  21   , there are five feed rail assemblies  250  in carriage assembly  232 . However, other carriage assemblies may include less or more feed rail assemblies. 
     Endless loop feed chains  254  of which there are five shown in  FIG.  21   , are engaged with appropriate sprockets so as to move in respective parallel vertical planes. The endless feed chains  254  are arranged to be driven synchronously by drive sprockets carded on a chain drive shaft  258 , as best seen in  FIG.  28   . An upper portion of each of the endless chains  254  may be disposed horizontally and ride along the top of a respective one of feed rail assemblies  250  to support flitches  224 ,  226 , etc. and move them along feed rail assemblies  250  toward edger infeed mechanism  222 , spaced apart from each other by a desired distance. Feed chains  254  are driven to move continuously to carry flitches  224 ,  226 , etc. toward edger infeed mechanism  222 . 
     Seven sets of hooks  260  (five are seen in  FIG.  21    and the remaining two are seen in  FIG.  22   ), extend across the direction of movement of the feed chains. They are carried on pivoted arms  262  and are arranged to be raised and lowered periodically to let each flitch  224 ,  226 , etc. move in steps a predetermined distance along carriage assembly  232  toward edger infeed mechanism  222 , and to keep the flitches separated from each other. When a set of hooks  260  is raised and obstructs one of the flitches, feed chains  254  continue to move but the links of the feed chains preferably have smooth straight outer surfaces that can slide along the bottom face of a flitch  224 , etc. without causing damage when the flitch is held stationary by one of the set of hooks  260 . At the same time, however, flitches  224 ,  226 ,  228 , etc. are engaged by feed chains  254  with sufficient friction that each flitch is carried with negligible slippage when the flitch is not obstructed by a set of hooks  260 . 
     There may be seven sets of hooks, spaced apart by a convenient distance such as 30 inches that may be designed according to the size of flitches to be handled. As a flitch is carried along carriage assembly  232 , it is stopped momentarily at each set of hooks  260 , which may be called hook stop # 1 , or hook stop # 2 , etc. Various functions may be carried out at each hook stop or between one hook stop and the next. 
     Arms  262  carrying the ones of a set of hooks  260  may all be mounted on a shaft  264  extending transversely of carriage assembly  232 , thus parallel with the length of a flitch on the carriage assembly. Each such shaft  264  may be rotated through a few degrees in either direction by suitable means, such as inflation and deflation of the ones of a respective pair of airbags  268 , for example, as may be seen in  FIG.  28   . 
     A fetcher assembly  270  is located at the outfeed end of carriage assembly  232  and above edger infeed mechanism  222  to transfer each flitch to the edger infeed mechanism. The fetcher assembly includes fetcher subassemblies  272 ,  274 ,  276 ,  278 , and  280 , each conveniently associated with one of feed chains  254 . In the example shown in  FIG.  21   , fetcher subassemblies  272  and  274  include dual sets of fetchers (also called dual fetcher # 1  and # 2 , respectively), while fetcher subassemblies  276 ,  278 , and  280  include single sets of fetchers (also called single fetcher # 3 , # 4 , and # 5 , respectively). Each of the fetcher subassemblies are pivotably connected to edger infeed mechanism  222  and a linear actuator  281  (e.g., air or hydraulic cylinder) allows a user to selectively raise any of the fetcher subassemblies for operational or maintenance purposes as shown in  FIG.  22   . Although fetcher assembly  270  is shown to include five fetcher subassemblies, other examples of fetcher assembly  270  may include more or less fetcher subassemblies. Additionally, although fetcher assembly  270  is shown to include two fetcher subassemblies having dual sets of fetchers and three fetcher subassemblies having single sets of fetchers, other examples of fetcher assembly  270  may include dual fetchers for none, less, more, or all of the fetcher subassemblies, which may depend on the flitch sizes being processed. 
     A representative one of fetcher subassemblies  272  and  274  is depicted in  FIGS.  23 - 26   . Fetcher subassemblies  272  and  274  include a fetcher support structure  282  that extends over the outfeed end of carriage assembly  232  and above edger infeed mechanism  222 . Fetcher support structure  282  includes a vertical wall  284  that separates a first set of fetchers  286  from a second set of fetchers  288 . The first set of fetchers includes a first pair of dogs, namely a left-hand (LH) dog  290  and a right-hand (RH) dog  292 , that are connected to a first elongate rod or first shaft  294  such that those dogs pivot or rotate when first shaft  294  pivots or rotates. In the example shown in  FIGS.  22 - 25   , LH dog  290  and RH dog  292  each includes a generally planar member  295  having an edge with a plurality of teeth  296  for gripping flitches. A first shaft motor  298  is connected to first shaft  294  via a first shaft torque arm  300 , a first tie rod  302 , and a first shaft arm  304  to selectively pivot first shaft  294  and the LH and RH dogs such that the LH and RH dogs pivot between a ready or operating position in which the LH and RH dogs are perpendicular to a flitch in the transfer ready position, and a stow position in which the LH and RH dogs are parallel to a flitch in the transfer ready position. 
     Although LH dog  290  and RH dog  292  are connected to first shaft  294  such that those dogs pivot when the first shaft pivots, the LH and RH dogs also are slidably connected to first shaft  294  to allow those dogs to slide relative to that shaft. In the example shown in  FIGS.  23 - 26   , first shaft  294  is a shaft with external longitudinal splines (or a splined shaft) that fit into corresponding internal grooves in the LH and RH dogs allowing the LH and RH dogs to slide relative to the first shaft and also to rotate with the first shaft. LH dog  290  is connected to a LH belt  306  supported on idlers or spools  308 , while RH dog  292  is connected to a RH belt  310  supported on idlers or spools  312 . A LH dog motor  314  selectively rotates the LH belt to move the LH dog toward or away from a flitch in the transfer ready position. Similarly, a RH dog motor  316  selectively moves the RH belt to move the RH dog toward or away from a flitch in the transfer ready position. In other words, the LH and RH dog motors move the LH and RH dogs between a grip position in which the LH and RH dogs contact a flitch in the transfer ready position, and a release position in which the LH and RH dogs are spaced from a flitch in the transfer ready position. 
     Second set of fetchers  288  similarly includes a second pair of dogs, namely a left-hand (LH) dog  318  and a right-hand (RH) dog  320 , that are connected to a second elongate rod or second shaft  322  such that those dogs pivot or rotate when second shaft  322  pivots or rotates. Similar to the first set of fetchers, LH dog  318  and RH dog  320  each includes a generally planar member  324  having an edge with a plurality of teeth  326  for gripping flitches. A second shaft motor  328  is connected to second shaft  322  via a second shaft torque arm  329 , a second tie rod  330 , and a second shaft arm  332  to selectively pivot second shaft  322  and the LH and RH dogs such that the LH and RH dogs pivot between a ready or operating position in which the LH and RH dogs are perpendicular to a flitch in the transfer ready position, and a stow position in which the LH and RH dogs are parallel to a flitch in the transfer ready position. 
     Although LH dog  318  and RH dog  320  are connected to second shaft  322  such that those dogs pivot when the second shaft pivots, the LH and RH dogs also are slidably connected to second shaft  322  to allow those dogs to slide relative to that shaft. In the example shown in  FIGS.  23 - 26   , second shaft  322  is a shaft with external longitudinal splines (or a splined shaft) that fit into corresponding internal grooves in the LH and RH dogs allowing the LH and RH dogs to slide relative to the first shaft and also to rotate with the first shaft. LH dog  318  is connected to a LH belt  334  supported on idlers or spools  336 , while RH dog  320  is connected to a RH belt  338  supported on idlers or spools  340 . A LH dog motor  342  selectively rotates the LH belt to move the LH dog toward or away from a flitch in the transfer ready position. Similarly, a RH dog motor  344  selectively moves the RH belt to move the RH dog toward or away from a flitch in the transfer ready position. In other words, the LH and RH dog motors move the LH and RH dogs between a grip position in which the LH and RH dogs contact a flitch in the transfer ready position, and a release position in which the LH and RH dogs are spaced from a flitch in the transfer ready position. 
     A representative one of fetcher subassemblies  276 ,  278 , and  280  is depicted in  FIG.  27    having only a first set of fetchers  346  (and without a second set of fetchers). Fetcher subassemblies  276 ,  278 , and  280  have substantially the same structure and components as fetcher subassemblies  272  and  274  but without the second set of fetchers. For example, fetcher subassemblies  276 ,  278 , and  280  include a fetcher support structure  348 . The first set of fetchers includes a pair of dogs, namely a left-hand (LH) dog  350  and a right-hand (RH) dog  352 , that are connected to an elongate rod or shaft  354  such that those dogs pivot or rotate when shaft  354  pivots or rotates. LH dog  350  and RH dog  352  each includes a generally planar member  356  having an edge with a plurality of teeth  358  for gripping flitches. A shaft motor  360  is connected to shaft  354  via a shaft torque arm  362 , a tie rod  364 , and a shaft arm  366  to selectively pivot shaft  354  and the LH and RH dogs such that the LH and RH dogs pivot between a ready or operating position in which the LH and RH dogs are perpendicular to a flitch in the transfer ready position, and a stow position in which the LH and RH dogs are parallel to a flitch in the transfer ready position. 
     LH dog  350  and RH dog  352  also are slidably connected to shaft  354  to allow those dogs to slide relative to that shaft. LH dog  350  is connected to a LH belt  368  supported on idlers or spools  370 , while RH dog  352  is connected to a RH belt  372  supported on idlers or spools  374 . A LH dog motor  376  selectively rotates the LH belt to move the LH dog toward or away from a flitch in the transfer ready position. Similarly, a RH dog motor  378  selectively moves the RH belt to move the RH dog toward or away from a flitch in the transfer ready position. In other words, the LH and RH dog motors move the LH and RH dogs between a grip position in which the LH and RH dogs contact a flitch in the transfer ready position, and a release position in which the LH and RH dogs are spaced from a flitch in the transfer ready position. 
     Referring back to  FIGS.  21 - 22   , edger infeed mechanism  222  includes a frame  380  and a conveyor belt  382  having a transport surface  384  that moves in a direction that is parallel to the length of the flitches (and perpendicular to the direction of travel of the flitches on the carriage assembly) toward the edger. The transport surface of the conveyor belt includes a plurality of projections  386  to cushion the flitches (as best seen in  FIG.  35   ), which is also referred to as a “roughtop surface” or a “roughtop conveyor belt.” 
     Edger infeed mechanism  222  also includes a linear scanner system  388  disposed downstream from the fetcher assembly, as shown in  FIG.  21   . The scanner system scans each flitch precisely as it is carried on the conveyor belt toward the edger. The scanner system is connected functionally to a control computer  390 , as shown in  FIG.  40   . Digital data derived from scanning each flitch  224 ,  226 , etc. is delivered to the control computer  390 , as by a suitable data cable (not shown). 
     The control computer  390  is adapted to receive the digital data from scanner system  388  and to compile it as a digital three-dimensional model, such as a wireframe model, of each flitch. The three-dimensional model of a flitch may preferably be prepared to a resolution of 0.001 inch, to identify the boundaries of the flat upper face of each flitch, where the flitch begins to wane, and the control computer  390  utilizes the digital three-dimensional model as a basis for deciding what parts of the flitch should be removed by the edger. An optimizer section  392  of control computer  390  incorporates a database which may include a tabulation of many different sizes, types, and grades of lumber and the current value of each. The control computer may be programmed to determine from the three-dimensional model what boards of which grades can be produced from a particular flitch, for example, which parts of the flitch should be removed by the edger and how to cut the remaining portion of the flitch into pieces which can result in an optimum value of marketable lumber. A sawing solution is then developed by control computer  390  and conforming instructions and data may be communicated among the various elements of the edger, carriage assembly  232 , and edger infeed mechanism  222  using a programmable logic controller  394  so that the flitch will be sawed accordingly by the edger. The sawing solution may include instructions to require the edger to adjust the positions of individual ones of the various saw blades. 
     An example of the sequence of steps for carrying flitches through edger feed apparatus  221  and the edger is shown in a flow chart in  FIGS.  39 A- 39 E . Other examples of the sequence of steps may add, omit, replace, and/or substitute one or more steps shown in  FIGS.  39 A- 39 E , such as with one or more steps described in the present disclosure (e.g.,  FIG.  18    flowchart). An example of the components and the communication connections between those components are shown in  FIG.  40   . However, there may be additional and/or alternative components and/or communication connections as described in the present disclosure (e.g.,  FIG.  19   ). An example of the timing sequence of actions for fetcher subassemblies having dual fetchers is shown in  FIG.  41   . Other examples of the timing sequence of actions may add, omit, replace, substitute, speed up, slow down one or more actions shown in  FIG.  41   , such as with one or more actions described in the present disclosure (e.g.,  FIG.  20   ). 
     A flitch may be placed flat on the carriage assembly  232  with an end  241  of the flitch that is eventually to be the leading end of the flitch aligned with the lumber line  242  at the right end of the carriage assembly  232 . Feed chains  254  are continuously in motion and carry the flitch to hook stop # 1 , where the first set of hooks  260  engage the leading edge of the flitch. Promixity sensors (one example is shown in  FIG.  28    at  265 ) determine that hooks stops are occupied. Examples of proximity sensors include photocells, lasers, wands, and camera systems. At an appropriate time, the set of hooks of hook stop # 1  will be dropped allowing the flitch to move to hook stop # 2 , where the leading edge of flitch  229  shown in  FIG.  21    is aligned perpendicular to flow. At each hook stop, sensors will detect when the hooks  260  at the next subsequent hook stop are lowered so that a preceding flitch is starting to move away leaving space for the flitch being held at the lower-numbered hook stop, whose hooks  260  will then be lowered in response. As soon as a flitch has moved clear of a hook stop, the hooks  260  are again raised to stop the next flitch. When the hooks  260  of hook stop # 2  are dropped, the feed chains carry the flitch to hook stop # 3  where it is engaged and stopped by the again-raised hooks  260  at hook stop # 3 . A similar process occurs as the flitch is moved from hook stop # 3 , to hook stop # 4 , to hook stop # 5 , and to hook stop # 6 . At each of the above hooks stops, the leading edge of the flitch shown in  FIG.  21    is aligned perpendicular to flow. 
     When the flitch reaches hook stop # 6  the flitch is retained until a preceding flitch at hook stop # 7  has been engaged by fetcher assembly  270  and is being transferred toward edger ready position  406 . When fetcher assembly  270  has carried a proceeding flitch clearly away from the transfer ready position at hook stop # 7 , the hooks of hook stop # 7  are raised to stop the flitch being moved from hook stop # 6  to hook stop # 7  at the outfeed end of the carriage assembly. Feed chains  254  thus eventually carry each flitch on the carriage assembly to transfer ready position  398  at an outfeed end of carriage assembly  232  at hook stop # 7 , where fetcher assembly  270  receives the flitch and moves it to the edger ready location  406  above an edger infeed mechanism  222  arranged to carry the flitch into the edger. 
     In transfer ready position  398 , the desired set of hooks  260  of hook stop # 7  stop the flitch and establish a full taper orientation, located where the flitch can be grasped to be moved to the desired orientation in the edger ready position and from which it is to be moved onto edger infeed mechanism  222 . When the flitch has arrived at hook stop # 7  it is ready for the fetching sequence to be performed as directed by control computer  390 . Proximity sensors mounted near each hook stop sense the length of the flitch relative to the lumberline and the control computer determines based on those sensors which fetcher subassemblies and/or sets of fetchers of those subassemblies are required for the transfer. For example, all five fetcher subassemblies are used for flitch  396  in  FIG.  36    but only the first two fetcher subassemblies are used for flitch  400 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  28   , a first flitch  396  is against hook stop # 7  in a transfer ready position  398  and a second flitch  400  is spaced upstream of the first flitch. The LH and RH dogs of the first and second set of fetchers of fetcher subassemblies  272 ,  274 ,  276 ,  278 , and  280  are in the stow position. 
     Referring to  FIG.  29   , the LH and RH dogs of the first set of fetchers of the fetcher subassemblies move from the stow position to the ready position. The LH and RH dogs are spaced from the lateral edges of the first flitch. Referring to  FIG.  30   , the LH dogs of the first set of fetchers of the fetcher subassemblies move to the grip position contacting a lateral edge  402  of the first flitch and pushing the first flitch against hook stop # 7  to a predetermined motor torque and then lock in position becoming the master datum position. Referring to  FIGS.  31 - 32   , the RH dogs of the first set of fetchers of the fetcher subassemblies move to the grip position contacting and pushing against opposed lateral edge  404  of the first flitch to a predetermined motor torque (which may be slightly less than the LH dog motor torque) becoming the slave position. The control computer determines the widths of the flitch (e.g., large end width and small end width) via the grip position of the LH and RH dogs near each opposed longitudinal end of the flitch to determine the geometric centerline of the flitch (split taper). After flitch is clamped, hook stops # 7  lower below top of chain. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  33 - 34   , the LH and RH dogs of the first set of fetchers of the fetcher subassemblies move first flitch  396  to an edger ready position  406  above the transport surface of the conveyor belt of edger infeed mechanism  222 . The LH and RH dogs in the middle fetcher subassemblies follow flitch as it is transferred to maintain clamping force on the flitch being moved or transferred. Second flitch  400  is in transfer ready position  398  against hook stop # 7 . Subsequently, the LH and RH dogs of the second set of fetchers of the fetcher subassemblies move from the stow position to the ready position spaced from the second flitch. The LH dogs of the second set of fetchers of the fetcher subassemblies move to the grip position contacting a lateral edge  408  of second flitch  400  and pushing the second flitch against hook stop # 7 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  35 - 36   , the LH and/or RH dogs of the first set of fetchers of the fetcher subassemblies move away from the first flitch to release the first flitch onto the transport surface of the conveyor belt of edger infeed mechanism  222  for the transport surface to deliver the first flitch through the scanner system and to the edger. Additionally, the RH dogs of the second set of fetchers of the fetcher subassemblies move to the grip position contacting and pushing against opposed lateral edge  410  of the second flitch. Subsequently, the LH and RH dogs of the first set of fetchers of the fetcher subassemblies move to the stow position to clear a path for the second flitch. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  37 - 38   , the LH and RH dogs of the second set of fetchers of the fetcher subassemblies move second flitch  400  to edger ready position  406 , which occurs prior to the first flitch moving clear from beneath the edger ready position. In other words, second flitch  400  is in the edger ready position prior to first flitch  396  moving past, or downstream from, the fetcher assembly. Subsequently, the conveyor belt of edger infeed mechanism  222  moves first flitch  396  clear from beneath the edger ready position and the LH and/or RH dogs of the second set of fetchers of the fetcher subassemblies move apart to release second flitch  400  onto the transport surface of the conveyor belt of edger infeed mechanism  222  for the transport surface to deliver the first flitch through the scanner system and to the edger. 
     Depending on scanning and sawing operations of prior flitches, second flitch  400  may be held in the edger ready position for a predetermined amount of time after first flitch  396  clears from beneath the edger ready position before the second flitch is released onto the conveyor belt. For example, when the sawing solution for the flitch being moved laterally into the edger ready position calls for it to be sawn by the edger into the same number and sizes of boards as the immediately preceding flitch, very little time is required for adjustment of the positions of the edger saw blades by the servo motors as directed by the control computer. There is then only a minimum delay required between the tail end of a preceding flitch and the leading end of the flitch about to be lowered onto the conveyor belt of the edger infeed mechanism. However, when the flitch is to be sawn into boards of different widths and locations on the flitch than how the preceding flitch has been sawn, the positions of the edger saw blades must be adjusted along the edger saw arbor using servo motors controlled by the control computer. This requires additional time (and resulting distance along conveyor belt) between the tail end of the preceding flitch and the leading end of the flitch. That distance may be determined by a photocell sensing passage by the tail end of the preceding flitch, and by data from encoders on the feed roller of the edger. The edger saws can be quickly relocated on the arbor as controlled by the computer, using data from the optimizer and processed through the programmable logic controller. The edger can thus be quickly adjusted to saw flitches into different widths of boards. 
     The above process of holding a second flitch in the edger ready position while a portion of the first flitch is on a part of the edger infeed mechanism that is directly below the second flitch may be performed with only the first set of fetchers (such as when the first and second flitches are above a predetermined length), and/or both first and second set of fetchers (such as when the first and/or second flitches are at or below a predetermined length, e.g., 10 feet). In other words, when the first and second flitches are above the predetermined length, the same set of fetchers for moving the first flitch from the transfer ready position onto the conveyor belt of the edger infeed mechanism may be used for moving the second flitch from the transfer ready position onto the conveyor belt of the edger infeed mechanism. Edger feed apparatus  221  includes five fetcher subassemblies but only two of those subassemblies includes dual sets of fetchers because the second set of fetchers are involved only when the flitch is at or below the predetermined length. However, other examples of the edger feed apparatus may include more fetcher subassemblies having dual sets of fetchers, such as when the above process of holding a second flitch in the edger ready position while a portion of the first flitch is directly below the second flitch is performed regardless of the length of the flitches. 
     The transfer of the flitch from the carriage assembly to the edger infeed mechanism and the change of direction from lateral movement to longitudinal movement of the flitch can all occur within a very brief time, because the flitches moving laterally are at a higher location than the flitches moving longitudinally and have a shorter travel distance, and thus, the flitches moving laterally can be moved precisely, controlled by the fetcher assembly to a properly oriented edger ready position directly above the edger infeed mechanism that is moving longitudinally toward the edger saw blades, and the flitch then can be lowered onto the conveyor belt of the edger infeed mechanism. 
     Each time division on the time axis in  FIG.  41    represents 100 milliseconds (ms). As may be seen in  FIG.  41   , an entire cycle  412  (first fetchers) or  414  (second fetchers) of moving a flitch from the transfer ready position, through the edger ready position, and releasing the flitch from the edger ready position onto the edger infeed mechanism, occurs in a very short time (e.g., about 2 seconds). Additionally, cycles  412  and  414  overlap by about 1 second. The numbered steps shown in  FIG.  41    are listed in the following table: 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 1. First set of dogs rotate down around the first flitch 
               
               
                 2. LH dogs push the first flitch against the hooks stops, clamping  
               
               
                 the first flitch (e.g., with 15 lbs. force) 
               
               
                 3. Slave RH dogs push the first flitch back against the master LH dogs  
               
               
                 (e.g., with 10 lbs. force) and the hooks stops drop below chain. LH  
               
               
                 and RH dogs measure width of the first flitch on lumber line and  
               
               
                 measure width of first flitch on clear line end. All dogs advance,  
               
               
                 geometrically centering the flitch, split taper over the belt. 
               
               
                 4. LH and RH dogs pause in position over the belt, hook stops raise 
               
               
                 5. LH dogs retract 2″ and RH dogs advance 2″, releasing the first  
               
               
                 flitch onto the belt. 
               
               
                 6. LH and RH dogs raise. 
               
               
                 7. LH dogs retract to 0″ position, RH dogs retract to 30″ position. 
               
               
                 8. Waiting for next flitch to travel up against the hooks stop. 
               
               
                 9. Second set of dogs rotate down around the second flitch 
               
               
                 10. LH dogs push the second flitch against the hooks stops, clamping  
               
               
                 the second flitch (e.g., with 15 lbs. force) 
               
               
                 11. Slave RH dogs push the second flitch back against the master LH  
               
               
                 dogs (e.g., with 10 lbs. force) and the hooks stops drop below chain.  
               
               
                 LH and RH dogs measure width of the second flitch on lumber line  
               
               
                 and measure width of second flitch on clear line end. All dogs advance,  
               
               
                 geometrically centering the second flitch, split taper over the belt. 
               
               
                 12. LH and RH dogs pause in position over the belt, hook stops raise 
               
               
                 13. LH dogs retract 2″ and RH dogs advance 2″, releasing the  
               
               
                 second flitch onto the belt. 
               
               
                 14. LH and RH dogs raise. 
               
               
                 15. LH dogs retract to 0″ position, RH dogs retract to 30″ position. 
               
               
                 16. Waiting for next flitch to travel up against the hooks stop. 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Prior to step 1 above, the LH dogs are up at 0″ position, RH dogs are up at load position (2″ past hook stop) and, subsequently, the first flitch travels up against the hook stop in the loading position. Additionally, prior to step 9 above, LH dogs are up at 0″ position and RH dogs are up at 30″ position and, subsequently, the second flitch travels against the hook stop in the loading position. Any suitable number of the LH dogs may be the master dogs, while any suitable number of the RH dogs may be the slave dogs. For example, the LH dogs proximate the ends of a particular flitch may be the master dogs for that flitch. 
     Other examples of edger feed apparatus may include different combinations of the structures and/or components of edger feed apparatus  21  and  221 . For example, referring to  FIG.  42   , another example of edger feed apparatus  21  according to the present disclosure is generally indicated at  421 . Unless explicitly stated, edger feed apparatus  421  may additionally, or alternatively, include one or more other components of one or more other edger feed apparatus of the present disclosure. Edger feed apparatus  421  includes the same components of edger feed apparatus  221  with the addition of transverse scanner system  442  positioned above carriage assembly  432  and adjacent fetcher assembly  470 , which are in addition to a linear scanner system  488 . The transverse scanner systems may include one, two or more scanners, which are controlled and operated by various components shown schematically in  FIG.  44   . Transverse scanner system  442  may perform one or more (or all) of the steps performed by linear scanner system  388  in edger feed apparatus  221 . For example, a first transverse scanner of transverse scanner system  442  may scan the flitch on the carriage assembly for grade defects (such as at hook stop # 3 ), create a three-dimensional model of the flitch locating defects (such as at hook stop # 4 ), a second transverse scanner of transverse scanner system  442  may scan the flitch to determine geometric shape (such as at hook stop # 5 ), and create a three-dimensional model of the flitch to so suit product layout considering the defects and shape (such as at hook stop # 6 ). The control computer may then determine a sawing solution based on the information from transverse scanner system  442 . 
     Linear scanner system  488  may then serve as a verification scanner to determine the flitch&#39;s actual position on the conveyor belt of the edger infeed mechanism relative to the calculated position determined by the fetcher assembly. The cutting tools of the edger are then positioned based on the actual position of the flitch. Other examples of the edger feed apparatus of the present disclosure may include only one or more transverse scanners and exclude the linear scanner system. Additionally, edger feed apparatus  221  and/or  441  may additionally, or alternatively, include one or more other components described in the present disclosure. For example, edger feed apparatus  221  and/or  441  may include a flitch turner described for the scanner and carriage assembly in edger feed apparatus  21 . Additionally, edger feed apparatus  221  and/or  441  may include a sharpchain and press rollers of edger feed apparatus  21  instead of the conveyor belt of the edger infeed mechanism. 
     An example of the sequence of steps for carrying flitches through edger feed apparatus  421  and the edger is shown in a flow chart in  FIGS.  43 A- 43 E . Other examples of the sequence of steps may add, omit, replace, and/or substitute one or more steps shown in  FIGS.  43 A- 43 E , such as with one or more steps described in the present disclosure (e.g.,  FIGS.  18  and/or  39 A- 39 E  flowcharts). An example of the components and communication connections between those components are shown in  FIG.  44   . However, there may be additional and/or alternative components and/or communication connections as described in the present disclosure (e.g.,  FIGS.  19  and/or  40   ). 
     The terms and expressions which have been employed in the foregoing specification are used therein as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope of the invention is defined and limited only by the claims which follow.