Premier Gear & Machine Works

James F Uhl

Douglas C Mackintosh

Stephen R Albion

Larry E Westberg

A log charging apparatus for a veneer production line. A log to be peeled is supported in a non rotative manner at a scanning station. The log is scanned and the scan data is input to a computing device to determine an optimum cylinder of the log and to determine the longitudinal axis of the optimum cylinder. Grip points relative to the axis of the optimum cylinder are determined for each end of the log. The log is transferred to the peeling lathe by a transfer mechanism that grips the log at the established grip points and aligns the longitudinal axis of the optimum cylinder with the rotational axis of the opposed spindles of the lathe. The transfer mechanism includes a movable carriage mounted on pivotable main support arms. The main support arms are pivotally movable to and from the scanning station and to and from the peeling lathe. A gripping arm having gripping pads is pivotally mounted on the carriage to facilitate gripping the log at the defined grip points and to facilitate aligning the axis of the optimum cylinder of the log with the axis of the opposed spindles of the peeling lathe.

XY log charger

A veneer lathe for the peeling of a continuous strip of veneer off a log is arranged to automatically adjust the peeling blade angle and the position of the pressure roll as the log being peeled decreases in diameter. A control, such as a computer, is provided to control motors that adjust the angle of the blade and the position of the pressure roll according to the instant diameter of the log being peeled and in conjunction with other data input to the computer. A holder which supports the peeling blade is pivotally mounted on a movable carriage of the lathe. Pivoting the holder adjusts the angle of the blade. A carrier, which has a movable slide on which the pressure roll is mounted, is also pivotally mounted on the carriage. Pivoting the carrier will adjust the pressure roll vertically in relation to the peeling blade and movement of the carrier slide will adjust the pressure roll laterally in relation to the peeling blade. Position sensors are provided on the carriage, the blade holder, the carrier and the carrier slide to provide position feedback signals to the control.

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Gresham, OR, United States of America

James F Uhl