Method and apparatus for making wooden i-beams

Abstract

A complete production line of a wood I-beam manufacturing apparatus and the method of manufacture is disclosed wherein generally identical chord members are simultaneously formed by cutting of a wooden stock material into the chord members and simultaneously providing grooves in one surface of each chord into which web members are received to form the I-beam. The individual web members are conveyed along a chords and webs assembly line between the grooved chords and the chords are converged so that the grooves interfit with the web edges to form the I-beam. The web longitudinal edges are preferably beveled in an off-line beveling operation. The beveled webs are stacked for feeding into the chords and webs assembly line. Prior thereto, first and second glue layers are applied to one transverse edge of each stacked web member. The web members are subsequently conveyed in the assembly line in end-to-end abutting relationship. The chords are independently driven at a speed greater than the webs so that the in-line chords abut each other in end-to-end relationship to minimize waste of material. Prior to abutting each other, a trailing end of one of the chords is sensed to actuate a flying cut-off saw positioned at the end of the production line by a distance equal to the desired length of the cut beam. After cutting, the cut beams are conveyed off the line for inspection and packaging.