Patent Abstract:
A method and an improvement to saw systems configured to convert raw I-joists from inventory to pre-cut sizes and/or cut routed patterns in I-joists for utility pass-through applications prior to their shipment to a construction site or return to inventory, whereby a controlled amount of adhesive and a protective liner are automatically and successively applied to the top flange of each I-joist. The saw system improvement comprises coordinated mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic components.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     None 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to the field of saw systems used to cut I-Joists to size, specifically to a method and an improvement to saw systems, such as but not limited to the Sawtek saw system used by Boise Cascade that is configured to convert raw I-joists from inventory to pre-cut sizes and/or cut routed patterns in I-joists for utility pass-through applications prior to their shipment to a construction site, whereby the prior art saw system is enhanced by the addition of equipment configured for applying a controlled amount of adhesive and a protective liner automatically and successively to the top flange of each I-joist, and wherein such application preferably takes place before the I-joists are cut. The present invention preferably comprises coordinated mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic components to achieve the adhesive and protective liner applications. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In today&#39;s construction, most local building codes require adhesive bonding in floor construction, which has led to the common practice of manually applying liquid adhesives on site. However, there are at least two important disadvantages to the on-site manual application of liquid adhesives during floor construction. One such disadvantage is that it is labor intensive and can significantly increase construction cost. The second such disadvantage is that there is the potential for inconsistent application, whereby, if too little adhesive is used, maximum sheer and strength in the finished construction project is not achieved. In the alternative, if too much adhesive is applied, material cost is unnecessarily increased. In addition, weather conditions also can adversely affect the bonding of adhesives applied on site by interfering with its application or curing, or both. To overcome these disadvantages, the present invention comprises a method and equipment for improving the saw systems used for cutting and/or routing raw I-joists prior to their shipment to a construction site or return to inventory. It has many advantages over the prior art method of on-the-job manual adhesive application now in use. One of the main advantages of automated adhesive application using the present invention is that it is manufactured in a controlled environment that achieves a more consistent and stronger bond of the adhesive layer to the I-joist than can be achieved with on-the-job adhesive applications. The controlled manufacturing environment for the present invention also creates a good bond between the release liner and the protected adhesive layer beneath it so that the release liner is not easily dislodged by casual contact prior to I-joist installation on a construction jobsite, allowing the adhesive to remain in its optimum condition for easy, rapid, strongly bonded, and secure I-joist installation. Also, as a result of the controlled manufacturing environment at the time the release liner is applied over the present invention adhesive layer, the adhesive layer stays covered and dry prior to I-joist installation, whereby I-joist installation during adverse weather conditions does not interfere with or diminish the bonding capability of the pre-applied adhesive. Further, as no curing time is required for the present invention adhesive layer after on-site I-joist installation, its bonding is prompt and immediately strong. Another advantage of the present invention is that the protective release liner over the adhesive layer is configured and positioned to prevent adhesive degradation prior to I-joist installation, either from casual contact with other objects during transport and handling that could lead to the removal of indiscriminate portions of the adhesive layer via nicking or gouging, as well as various potentially degrading contact of the adhesive layer with airborne particles, other debris, moisture, and direct solar radiation during the transport of the I-joists enhanced with the present invention, their storage, and/or while they are present on a construction site waiting for installation. Further, the cost of the automated application of the present invention adhesive layer and protective release liner to I-joists prior to their delivery to a construction jobsite is very low when compared to the on-site labor cost needed to achieve the enhanced strength in a finished floor that is mandated by most local codes. A further advantage of the low cost present invention&#39; in areas subject to severe weather conditions, such as but not limited to areas frequently experiencing hurricanes, typhoons, and tornados, the present invention can provide a means for strengthening the connection between I-joists and adjacent sheer panels in roof construction for a very low material and labor cost when compared to on-site manual adhesive application, which is not currently required by building codes or routinely done in today&#39;s residential and commercial construction. No method or improvement to I-joist cutting saw systems is known that provides the valued-enhanced product or other advantages of the present invention. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The primary object of this invention to provide a method and improvement to saw systems used to cut raw I-joists prior to their delivery to a construction jobsite, whereby I-joists are enhanced by the automated application of an adhesive layer and a protective liner configured and dimensioned to achieve a stronger and more consistent bond between the I-joists and adjacent sheer panels commonly used in today&#39;s residential and commercial construction industry. Another object of this invention is to provide a method and improvement to saw systems used to cut raw I-joists prior to their delivery to a construction jobsite that produces adhesive-enhanced I-joists that meet local building codes for floor construction which require the use of adhesives, and does so with a very low cost when compared to the labor cost of manual adhesive application. It is a further object of this invention to provide a method and improvement to saw systems used to cut raw I-joists prior to their delivery to a construction jobsite that produces adhesive-enhanced I-joists that promptly bond with adjacent sheer panels, achieve a more consistent bond between I-joists and adjacent sheer panels in finished construction than manually applied adhesives, and are not compromised by I-joist installation during inclement weather. 
     The present invention method and saw system improvement, when properly implemented, will provide I-joists enhanced with an adhesive layer and a protective liner that are able to achieve a more consistent bond with adjacent sheer panels to achieve maximum overall strength in finished construction for a very low cost when compared to the cost of on-site manual adhesive application. Such enhanced I-joists can be used in various parts of a building under construction, such as but not limited to floors, walls, decks, and/or roofs. It is contemplated for the adhesive layer and overlaying protective liner to be applied to at least one side of an I-joist flange by coordinated mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic components added to a saw system that convert raw I-joists from inventory to pre-cut sizes prior to shipment to a construction site or return to inventory, and/or a saw system that cuts routed patterns in I-joists for utility pass-through applications. Preferably, the present invention controller first accepts the cut patterns from the associated saw system controller. The associated saw system drive mechanism then begins transfer of the raw I-joist across the present invention improvement. In the alternative the present invention improvement can include an I-joist drive. An air-activated side pressure wheel in the present invention then pushes the I-joist to be enhanced against the opposing straight edge of the saw system&#39;s in-feed table assembly. Preferably, a low friction backing material is incorporated into or applied to the opposing straight edge, and/or one or more guide wheels are employed to reduce friction created by contact of the I-joist against the opposing straight edge. At least one present invention adhesive/glue head then extrudes glue/adhesive onto the exposed (top) edge of the I-joist. Once the glue/adhesive is applied, a present invention liner applicator then places a protective liner upon the applied adhesive. A present invention applicator roller bearing and a pressure roller bearing then press the adhesive and the protective liner to the mil thickness desired for the adhesive, after which the present invention liner applicator cuts the protective liner at pre-determined points according to the cut pattern instructions received from the saw system&#39;s controller. If needed, a cooler can be used to cool the glue/adhesive before the application of the release liner. An angled wheel in the present invention improvement then holds the enhanced I-joist in a fixed orientation so as to guide the I-joist to the saw system&#39;s routing and/or cutting stations and for optimum and expedient travel through the out-feed assembly of the present invention. In the alternative, the present invention improvement can be positioned after the saw system&#39;s routing and/or cutting stations, or between them if they are separate. It is contemplated for the combined saw system and present invention improvement to be located in an area where both are readily accessible for inspection, routine maintenance, and repair. The saw system used with the present invention improvement typically exceeds 130 feet in length and maintains a working height of approximately three feet, and further has a controller, a saw and/or router, an inkjet system for applying markings to the flange end web, an in-feed table assembly, an out-feed table assembly, an air compressor, and a dust collector. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a saw system that includes the most preferred embodiment of the present invention improvement. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged side view of saw system in  FIG. 1  having a support table, a straight edge, an angled wheel to maintain the opposed end of an I-joist against the straight edge, a liner applicator, at least one glue head, and an alignment/pressure wheel. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the saw system in  FIG. 1  having a remotely located drum melter and saw system CPU station. 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged front view of the angled wheel used in the most preferred embodiment of the present invention used to maintain the opposed end of the I-joist against the straight edge of the saw system. 
         FIG. 5  is a further enlarged side view of combined saw system and present invention improvement in  FIG. 1  that provides additional visual detail about present invention components. 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged top view of the adhesive layer and release liner application system in the most preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a protective cover applied by the present invention across the top end of an I-joist. 
         FIG. 8  is a not-to-scale side view of an I-joist with an adhesive layer and protective cover applied by the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged top view of the most preferred embodiment of the present invention with alternative positioning of the release liner unwinder, low friction backing material secured to the opposing straight edge in place of guide wheel/roller bearings, a cooler, and I-joist sensors. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention provides value-added construction materials and a method that achieves a more consistent bond between structural framing components, such as but not limited to smaller I-joist  44  and larger I-joist  42  in  FIG. 3 , and adjacent sheer panels (not shown) to achieve maximum overall strength in finished construction. Typically in the present invention, but not limited thereto, framing components, such as roof trusses, floor trusses, floor and ceiling joists, walls studs, roof and wall sheathing, and floor panels, will have adhesive (shown in  FIG. 8  by the number  58 ) applied during manufacture to at least one surface, with the adhesive being configured and dimensioned to meet up with the intended contact area of the opposing component to which it will be joined after adhesive  58  has been pressed into its final thickness dimension. For example, but not limited thereto, in today&#39;s construction when roof trusses are laid out two foot on center, there is no adhesive between each truss and the sheathing above it, and thus no strength is provided in such a bond other than that which is derived via the nails or other fasteners used. When product made by the present invention is used (such as that shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ), the bonding provided by its adhesive  58  enhances the overall strength of the roof in which it is used to protect roof integrity against strong winds and other harsh weather conditions. This bond can be provided by adhesive  58  applied during manufacture to the truss, the sheathing above it, or both. Similar application is anticipated for floor construction, wall construction, deck construction, and the construction of other areas needing added strength for enduring use. The present invention adhesive  58  can also completely cover a surface, or be applied to the construction materials in strips, such as two foot on center. When it completely covers the surface of a panel, the additional pre-applied adhesive of the present invention not in direct contact with an adjacent structural framing component can be used for interim or permanent bonding of vapor barriers and insulating materials. It is contemplated for the type of adhesive/glue used in the present invention to be unaffected by and/or protected from inclement weather so that a uniform and consistent bond is always achieved between adjacent framing components, even when installation occurs during adverse/inclement weather conditions that would otherwise cause construction delay. It is also contemplated for the product made according to the present invention to be used in all areas of a building, not just its floors, although it may be limited to one part of a structure that according to the intended application is in particular need of added strength. A covering, protective liner (such as liner  56  in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ), or removable film is used over the adhesive  58  for pre-installation protection of adhesive  58 , with the intent that the covering/liner/film be removed immediately prior to enhanced framing component use. If the adhesive  58  used as a part of the present invention enhanced framing component is thickly applied during manufacture, the adhesive  58  would also provide a noise buffer in the finished structure, particularly when present invention enhanced framing components are used throughout the structure in its roof and walls, as well as its floor systems.  FIG. 7  shows a perspective view section of I-joist  42  having opposed flanges  46  and  48 , with a release liner secured to flange  46  over an adhesive layer  58  that is hidden from view. In contrast,  FIG. 8  shows an enlarged side view of the same flange  46  of I-joist  42  having an adhesive layer  58  in contact with flange  46  and a release liner  56  above adhesive layer  58  in a protective position over it. 
       FIGS. 1-6  and  9  show the most preferred embodiment of the present invention improvement  4  to a saw system  2  which allows the addition of adhesive layer  58  and a protective liner  56  to the flange  46  of various sizes of I-joist (such as but not limited to those shown by the numbers  42  and  44 ), while  FIGS. 7 and 8  show an example of a product made by the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 3 , a drum melter  52  and CPU station/controller  50  for saw system  2  are typically located remotely from the present invention support table  32  over which the I-joists  42 ,  44 , or other travel for cutting/routing, as well as adhesive layer  58  and protective release liner  56  application. When needed, a cooler (such as but not limited to the cooler shown by the number  96  in  FIG. 9 ) can be used to lower the temperature of glue/adhesive  58  before release liner  56  is applied.  FIG. 1  is a side view of an entire saw system  2  with in-feed table assembly  8  and out-feed table assembly  12 , incorporating the most preferred embodiment of the present invention  4  therebetween for the addition of an adhesive layer  58  and a protective liner  56  to an I-joist  42  or  44 . Unless otherwise specifically excluded herein, it should be understood that any use of the designation I-joist  42  or  44  is not limited to the size and configuration of the I-joists  42  and  44  shown in  FIG. 3 .  FIGS. 2 and 5  are enlarged side views of a portion of the saw system  2  shown in  FIG. 1 , with the present invention  4  having a support table  32 , an angled wheel  34  adapted to maintain the opposed end of the I-joist  42  or  44  against the straight edge  54  of saw system  2 , a liner unwinder  36 , liner applicator/cutter means  60 - 62 , at least one glue head  24 , and an alignment/pressure wheel  38 . Means to permit smoother transfer of an I-joist  42  or  44  across support table  32  during adhesive layer  58  application is also desired, which preferably comprises a low friction backing material (such as but not limited to that shown in  FIG. 9  by the number  72 ), one or more guide wheel/roller bearings (such as but not limited to that shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6  by the numbers  26  and  28 ), or a combination of the two.  FIGS. 2 and 6  are top views of the most preferred embodiment of the present invention improvement  4 . As shown by the horizontally-extending left-pointed arrow in  FIGS. 1-3  and  5 - 6 , the travel direction of I-joists  42  or  44  over saw system  2  is from right to left, although repositioning of components could also allow for left to right I-joist  42  or  44  travel. In addition,  FIG. 3  shows the in-feed assembly  8  and present invention improvement  4  with the CPU station/controller  50  of saw system  2  being remotely positioned from the saw/router cabinet  6 , with the drum melter  52  for supplying adhesives  58  to glue heads  24  being remotely located from saw/router cabinet  6 . Although shown together in  FIG. 3 , it is not critical for CPU station/controller  50  and drum melter  52  to be positioned adjacent to one another.  FIGS. 4 and 9  shows an enlarged view of the angled wheel  34  used in the most preferred embodiment of the present invention  4  to maintain the opposed end of the I-joist  42  or  44  against the straight edge  54  of saw system  2 . Further,  FIG. 9  is an enlarged top view of the most preferred embodiment of the present invention with alternative positioning of the release liner unwinder  36  and the use of low friction backing material  72  upon the entire face of straight edge  54  in place of guide wheel/roller bearings  26  and  28 . 
     The present invention improvement  4  is preferably integrated into a saw system  2  between its in-feed table assembly  8  and its sawing and routing station/cabinet  6 . However, although not shown, it is also contemplated for present invention  4  to be positioned between sawing and routing station/cabinet  6  and the out-feed table assembly  12 , or between sawing and routing equipment if not positioned in a combined sawing and routing station/cabinet  6 , as indicated in  FIG. 2 . Typically, the raw I-joist product  42 ,  44 , or other that needs to be cut to size and/or routed for a special purpose, is transferred through the present invention  4  by the saw system  2  drive. If the saw system  2  used with the present invention  4  does not have drive means, although not shown, it is contemplated that the present invention would include one. In either case, it is preferred for the drive means used to be controlled by electric or hydraulic power. The orientation of I-joist  42  or  44  for transfer along the saw system  2  in-feed table assembly  8 , sawing and routing station/cabinet  6 , and the present invention improvement  4 , is such that the opposed bottom flange  48  of the I-joist  42  or  44  not targeted for adhesive  58  and release liner  56  application is positioned against the straight edge  54  of saw system  2 , while the top flange  46  of the I-joist  42  or  44  targeted for enhancement is in a position remote from the straight edge  54  of saw system  2 . Two important purposes are served by this arrangement. The specified I-joist  42  or  44  orientation permits the operator  20  to visually observe the application of adhesive  58  in progress. Also, the protective release liner  56  will not be in a position to rub against the straight edge  54  of the out-feed table assembly  12  while transferring across the portion of saw system  2  beyond sawing and routing station/cabinet  6 . Rubbing on straight edge  54  could scratch the finish of protective liner  56  and degrade the quality of any ink jet markings applied thereto by printer  18 . Before running the I-joist  42  or  44  product through the combined saw system  2  and present invention improvement  4 , the present invention  4  will be adjusted according to the height and flange width of the I-joist  42  or  44  targeted for adhesive  58  and release liner  56  application. Such adjustment in present invention  4  can be via manual means, by automated operation, or both. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the present invention improvement  4  to a saw system (such as but not limited to the saw system  2  in  FIG. 1 ) is supported by a floor-mounted base frame in the form of a support table  32 , preferably made from steel and capable of adjusting to the height of I-joists, including but not limited to the I-joists  42  and  44  shown in  FIG. 3 . Support table  32  includes a top surface configured for guiding the I-joist  42 ,  44 , or other from the in-feed table assembly  8  of saw system  2 , across present invention  4 , and on to the sawing and routing station/cabinet  6  of saw system  2 .  FIG. 2  also shows a dust collector  68  in association with sawing and routing station/cabinet  6 . The saw blade that cuts I-joists  42  or  44  to length is located adjacent to sawing and routing station/cabinet  6  and shown in  FIGS. 1-3  and  5  by the number  66 . The present invention improvement  4  includes but is not limited to a top flange face guide/pressure wheel  38 , a length of low friction backing material (identified in  FIG. 9  by the number  72 ) and/or series of straight edge guide wheels or roller bearings (identified by the numbers  26  and  28  in  FIGS. 3 and 6 ), a cleaning brush assembly  64 , at least one adhesive application head  24  (also identified herein as glue head  24 ) connected via glue hoses  22  to a drum melter  52  with pump and controls, a liner unwinder  36 , a liner applicator  60 , at least one liner cutter  62 , and an adhesive system controller  70 , which is preferably located under and attached to main support table  32 . Mechanical components include a top flange face guide wheel  38  that is configured to push the I-joist  42 ,  44 , or other to be enhanced against the straight edge  54  of saw system  2 . Pneumatic operation is contemplated for the opening and closing of guide wheel  38  to accommodate the size of I-joist targeted for enhancement ( 42 ,  44  or other). A low friction backing material  72  and/or a series of guide wheels or roller bearings (such as but not limited to guide wheels or roller bearings  26  and  28  shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 ), are integrated into the straight edge  54  that is in an opposed position to the top face guide wheel  38 , whereby they to reduce friction and torque requirements of the saw system  2  drive and thereby permit smoother transfer of the I-joists, such as  42  and  44 , through the present invention improvement  4 . Low friction backing material  72  may comprise ultra high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene, but is not limited thereto. The brush assembly  64  sweeps the surface of the I-joist  42  or  44  free of dust immediately prior to the application of adhesive  58 . Preferred glue application components include a bulk hot melt tank  52  (also referred to herein as melter  52 ) with integral temperature controller, a variable speed-controlled pump (not separately identified with a number in the illustrations), at least one heated glue hose  22 , and at least one glue head assembly  24 . Each glue head  24  is independently adjustable according to I-joist  42  or  44  height and flange width. Further, each glue head  24  extrudes adhesive  58  at desired intervals according to patterns cut in response to the instructions given by the CPU station/controller  50  of saw system  2 . When needed, a cooler  96  can be used between glue head  24  and liner applicator  60  to lower the temperature of adhesive  58  before liner  56  is placed over adhesive  58 . 
     The present invention further has protective release liner  56  application components that include a liner unwinder  36 , as well as a liner applicator  60  with integral liner cutter  62 . As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 9 , liner unwinder  36  is positioned above support table  32  and may be in varying positions and orientations relative to support table  32 . Preferably, the cutting knife or blade in liner cutter  62  is located at a distance of less than one inch from the positioning of liner applicator  60 . The liner unwinder  36  can be powered or non-powered, and maintains even tension according to variable saw system  2  speeds. The liner applicator  60  covers the already applied adhesive  58  on the top of the I-joist  42  or  44  with an easily-releasable protective liner  56 , and includes an integral applicator roll and an integral post pressure roll (not separately shown) that together form and maintain the desired mil thickness of adhesive  58  on the targeted top end of I-joist  42  or  44 . Pressure may be applied either mechanically or pneumatically. The liner cutter  62  severs the protective liner  56  at desired intervals according to the I-Joist  42  or  44  cut patterns determined by saw system  2 . Although not critical, it is preferred that the controller  70  in the most preferred embodiment of the present invention  4  have web-based support so that diagnosis and troubleshooting can be performed over an Internet connection. Further, it is contemplated that the most preferred controller  70  of the present invention improvement  4  will provide position verification for its components, it will accept signals from the CPU station/controller  50  of saw system  2  that provide I-joist  42  or  44  dimensions and cut patterns, and it will control the liner unwind, application, and cutting equipment  36 ,  60 , and  62 . In addition, although not shown, it is contemplated for the most preferred controller of the present invention to have sensor and push button panel inputs; have mechanical, pneumatic, and alarming outputs; integrate the adhesive control system; monitor I-joist travel speed, and provide a signal for variable control of the adhesive pump associated with glue melter  52 .  FIG. 9  also shows a floating sub-base  80  that preferably supports a guide wheel  76 , glue head or heads  24 , liner applicator/cutter  60 - 62 , and an adjustable base  78 . Sub-base  80  is guided by precision V-wheels  82  and V-rail  84 . The in and out motion of sub-base  80  is by air cylinder (not shown). Adjustable base  78  is adjusted manually to go up and down by a hand wheel  86  to position the components supported by sub-base  80  according to the flange width of the I-joist  42 ,  44 , or other receiving adhesive/glue  58  and a protective liner  56  during travel across support table  32 . In addition, it is contemplated for liner applicator  60  to have a configuration and positioning that allows temporary rotation ninety degrees to simplify the threading of liner applicator  60  and for maintenance work. The position of liner applicator  60  is secured by a hand knob  94 . The pivot point for liner applicator  60  is shown by the number  92 .  FIG. 9  also shows a leading edge control sensor  74  that detects the lead edge of an I-joist  42 ,  44 , or other, which sends a signal to controller  70 , which then causes pressure wheel  38  to extend an I-joist  42 ,  44 , or other against straight edge  54 . Upon command from controller  70 , sub-base  80  also extends toward I-joist  42 ,  44 , or other, and makes contact with the top surface of the adjacent flange  46  of I-joist  42 ,  44 , or other. Sub-base  80  will remain under air pressure to keep sub-base guide wheel  76  against I-joist  42 ,  44 , or other. Guide wheel  76  and the floating capability of sub-base  80  will maintain a pre-determined desired distance between top surface  46  and glue head or heads  24 , as well as between top surface  46  and liner applicator/cutter  60 - 62 , so as to achieve consistent adhesive application.  FIG. 9  also shows a trailing edge sensor  90  that instructs controller  70  that there is no longer an I-joist  42 ,  44 , or other moving across support table  32 , whereby controller  70  then releases pressure wheel  38 , sub-base  80 , and angle wheel  34  so that they move away from straight edge  54  to an outermost position ready for the in-feed of another I-joist  42 ,  44 , or other. 
     During its operation, the most preferred embodiment of the present invention  4  undergoes the following sequence of events. The controller  70  of the present invention  4  first accepts the cut patterns from the CPU station/controller  50  of saw system  2 . The trolley track drive assembly (designated by the number  10  in  FIG. 1 ) of saw system  2  then begins transfer of the raw I-joist  42  or  44  across present invention improvement  4 . Although not shown, in the alternative the present invention  4  can include a drive for I-joist  42  or  44  travel during adhesive  58  and release liner  56  application. Upon instruction from controller  70 , the side pressure wheel  38  then pneumatically activates to push the I-joist  42  or  44  against the opposing straight edge  54  associated with the trolley track drive assembly  10 . Guide wheel  38  serves two functions. First, it protects the downstream equipment from damage in the event an I-joist  42  or  44  is bowed away from straight edge  54  and thus would strike the adhesive application equipment. Second, it also maintains the desired gap between the I-joist  42  or  44  surface receiving the adhesive  58  and the release liner  56 . If the I-joist  42  or  44  surface were to bow out toward the orifices of the glue head  24 , the adhesive pattern would be adversely affected. Because guide wheel  38  forces the I-joist  42  or  44  against straight edge  54 , friction is produced that can adversely affect the performance of the Sawtek drive mechanism (an AC Servo controlled “Trolley”). Low friction backing material  72  and/or roller  26  opposes guide wheel  38  in order to reduce friction at the straight edge  54  across from guide wheel  38 . Low friction backing material  72  and/or roller  28  serves the same function only it is located opposite of angled wheel  34 . The glue head or heads  24  then extrude glue/adhesive  58  onto the targeted top edge  46  of the I-joist  42  or  44  according to saw system  2  speed. The liner applicator  60  then places the protective release liner  56  on top of the already applied adhesive  58  on the top edge  46  of I-joist  42  or  44 . The applicator roll and post pressure roll integral to liner applicator  60 , and not separately shown, press the adhesive  58  and the protective liner  56  to the desired mil thickness of adhesive  58  that is dictated by the construction application in which it will be used. Further, the liner cutter  62  cuts the protective liner  56  at pre-determined points according to the cut pattern instructions received from the CPU station/controller  50  of saw system  2 . Angled wheel  34  holds the I-joist  42  or  44  against the straight edge  54  as it leaves present invention improvement  4  and travels toward the saw/routing station/cabinet  6 , after which controller  70  releases pressure wheel  38 , sub-base  80 , and angle wheel  34  so that they move away from straight edge  54  to an outermost position ready for the in-feed of another I-joist  42 ,  44 , or other. In the alternative, although not shown, it is contemplated that adhesive  58  could be applied first to the release liner  56 , and the combined adhesive  58  and release liner  56  pressed against the top  46  of an I-joist  42 ,  44 , or other so that the adhesive  58  is protected between release liner  56  and the top  46  of the I-joist  42 ,  44 , or other. 
     The combined saw system  2  and present invention improvement  4  must be located in an area where they are readily accessible for inspection, routine maintenance, and repair. At a minimum, the saw system  2  used with the present invention improvement  4  has a CPU station/controller  50 , a saw/router cabinet  6 , an air compressor  40 , a dust collector  68 , an in-feed table assembly  8 , an out-feed table assembly  12 , and a trolley track drive assembly  10  and associated straight edge  54 . Although not limited thereto, it is preferred for the combined saw system  2  and present invention improvement  4  to exceed 130 feet in length and maintain a working height of approximately three feet.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8