Positioning and feeding apparatus for lumber edger including improved

Abstract

An edging optimizer apparatus is described including scanner means for scanning lumber with light beams to determine a reference axis which may be the optimum yield axis for cutting boards therefrom and improved clamp means for clamping the lumber after scanning, skewing the lumber in response to the output of the scanner means until its reference axis is parallel with the cutting axis of the edger, and transferring the clamped and skewed lumber to an aligned position where its reference axis is in alignment with such cutting axis. The lumber is discharged from the clamp means at the aligned position and is fed to the edger cutting means longitudinally along the cutting axis to cut the opposite side edges of the lumber and produce boards of the proper size for optimum yield in volume or selling price. The clamp means includes a plurality of pairs of clamp members, each pair being mounted on separate guide means for sliding together to clamp the lumber between two pairs of clamps at the opposite ends thereof in a clamping position. The clamped lumber is skewed by moving the two pairs of clamps different amounts in response to positioning signals corresponding to its reference axis. The pairs of clamp members are pivoted between an extended condition above the lumber conveyor so they can clamp the lumber and a retracted condition below the conveyor so they can return beneath the lumber from the aligned position to the clamping position.