Other

Timesavers, Inc.

Howard W Grivna

Peter Alexander Loring

A material removal optimizing system for a wood surface treating apparatus with a plurality of individual work stations arranged serially along an endless conveyor. Each station includes a working abrasive head along with an elevation adjustment mechanism for adjustably positioning the contact surface of each abrasive head at a desired working distance from the opposed surface of the workpiece traveling along the endless conveyor. An incoming workpiece dimension indicator is positioned at the infeed end, and additional workpiece dimension indicators are positioned downstream from each work station, with each dimension indicator being positioned to measure the dimensional deviation of the workpiece from a datum plane after it has passed through its preceding individual work station.

Material removal monitor

A belt wear optimizing system for a wood surface treating apparatus with a plurality of individual work stations arranged serially along an endless conveyor. Each station includes a working abrasive head along with an elevation control for adjustably positioning the contact surface of each abrasive head at a desired working distance from the opposed surface of the workpiece traveling along the endless conveyor. An incoming workpiece thickness detector is positioned at the infeed end, and additional workpiece thickness detectors are positioned downstream from each work station, with each being positioned to measure the thickness of the workpiece after it has passed through its preceding individual work station. In addition to a workpiece thickness detector at the infeed end, a signal generated by the thickness detector is transmitted to a central processor whereupon the head elevation control is actuated responsively to controllably and adjustably position the working head to its desired working position based upon a predetermined stock removal program for each individual head in the sequence.

A gauge assembly for use with surface finishing apparatus having an endless conveyor for transporting workpieces through one or more work stations. The gauge assembly includes a gauge head or body having a planar base support surface housing a movable linear scale shaft having a planar distal upper end surface and mounted for reciprocatory movement between extended and retracted dispositions. A push rod control is provided for accurately controllably positioning the head within the finishing apparatus. A signal generator coupled to the linear scale shaft generates a signal indicative of the position of the distal end surface of the linear scale shaft relative to the planar base support surface, and a remote meter coupled to the signal generator provides a movable and closely positionable meter for visually determining the position of the elevation of the distal end surface and the gauge head.

Work station set-up gauge with remote readout

A prompter/monitor system for use in combination with wide-belt abrasive surface treating apparatus and including an array of individual axially spaced apart signal generating workpiece sensors operatively positioned across the width of the belt with each sensor creating a signal in response to the presence of a workpiece moving along a segment of the width of the belt. Readout means are provided for receiving signals from each of the sensors, with the readout means including a display responsive to a selected one of the workpiece sensors. A data processor is coupled to the readout for determining the accumulative duration of time during which a workpiece is detected by each sensor, and also determining that certain sensor which has detected the least duration of workpiece presence. The total amount of time for which workpieces are detected for each individual sensor are compared, and the display is actuated to represent those width segments which are being under (or over) utilized.

Width utilization prompter/monitor system for wide-belt abrasive machines

A prompter/monitor system for use in combination with wide-belt abrasive surface treating apparatus and including an array of individual axially spaced apart signal generating workpiece sensors operatively positioned across the width of the belt with each sensor creating a signal in response to the presence of a workpiece moving along a segment or lane of the width of the belt. Readout means are provided for receiving signals from each of the sensors, with the readout means including a display responsive to a selected one of the workpiece sensors. A data processor is coupled to the readout for determining the accumulative duration of time during which a workpiece is detected by each sensor, and also determining that certain sensor which has detected the least duration of workpiece presence which becomes the reference for all others. Using that reference lane, the total amount of time for which workpieces are detected for each of the other individual sensors are compared to the reference, and the display is actuated to represent those lanes or width segments which are being under or over utilized.

A method and apparatus for improved centering of a workpiece in a surfacing machine includes centering assembly having a plurality of individually movable biasing element sets, comprising an upper element and a lower element. Each element set is operatively connected to a closed circuit, double rod end hydraulic cylinder assembly which selectively and independently positions the element set responsive to the surface to the workpiece. The hydraulic cylinder assembly includes a valve. A pressure device is also operatively connected to each element set to provide a centering force. In use, as the upper or lower element of an element set is forced away from the centerline of the workpiece, the opposing element would automatically move the same amount when the valve is closed. When the valve is open, the upper and lower elements are free to move independently, allowing the centerline to be easily positioned as desired. The shoe assembly thus centers each and every workpiece independent of the amount of stock removal required.

Automatic centering system for finishing machine

A method and apparatus for improved centering of a workpiece in a planer machine includes centering sectional shoe assembly positioned in close proximity to opposed cutting heads, between the cutting heads and a centering feed assembly. The shoe assembly includes a plurality of individually movable pressure shoe sets, comprising an upper shoe and a lower shoe. Each shoe set is operatively connected to a closed circuit, double rod end hydraulic cylinder assembly which selectively and independently positions the shoe set responsive to the surface to the workpiece. A pressure device is also operatively connected to each shoe set to provide a centering force. In use, as the upper or lower shoe of a shoe set is forced away from the centerline of the workpiece, the opposing shoe would automatically move the same amount. The shoe assembly thus centers each and every workpiece independent of the amount of stock removal required. The feed assembly also includes a closed circuit, double rod end hydraulic cylinder assembly to improve centering of the workpiece by the feed assembly.

Centering sectional shoe assembly

An abrasive, sanding and/or surface finishing apparatus designed to extend the useful life of abrasive material which employs a dual-platen arrangement having a particulate removal system designed to effectively remove particulate from the working area of the machine. Specifically, the particulate removal system is designed to remove particles from the surface of the work in the area of the gap created between the twin platens, with a secondary particulate removal system designed to remove material from the work following treatment by abrasive from both platens. The inlet port of the particulate removal system interposed between the platens is designed to occupy a substantial portion of the area within the gap zone between the platens. In addition to increasing the useful life of the abrasive, the particulate removal system reduces the release or discharge of dust into the ambient.

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Maple Grove, MN, United States of America

Howard W Grivna