Production line assembly for making wooden i-beams

Abstract

A complete production line assembly of a wooden I-beam manufacturing apparatus 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 as stacks into a web infeed hopper where the individual web members are sequentially discharged from the hopper into a chords and webs assembly line. The web transfer mechanism for conveying the webs to the hopper is fully automated. The individual web members are conveyed along the 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 chords and webs assembly line is adjustable by virture of mounting guide rollers on at least one adjustable side frame to enable the line to manufacture wooden I-beams of varying depth. An overhead web drive system is utilized to drive the webs within the assembly line and is vertically adjustable to enable easy access to the assembly line for inspection or repair and to accommodate flange members of different thickness. After the wooden I-beams are cut to desired length, they are conveyed to a stacking area where they are uniquely stacked in a nested and staggered relationship prior to being conveyed for shipping.