Lumber cutter for removing end defects and sawing to desired lengths

Abstract

There is disclosed saw mill apparatus for cutting root end defects from lumber pieces and cutting such pieces to desired sizes including a generally conventional scanner for recording detailed contour data for each piece as it is moved by a plurality of chain belt conveyors transverse to its longitudinal dimension; the scanner is followed by a root end trim saw unit extending over the root end edge of such conveyors including a motor driven rotating circular saw blade articulated to move down into or up out of the path of lumber pieces and also slidably mounted to be moved over a range of about 24 inches in one half inch increments thereby to cut away a defective portion of a lumber piece identified by the scanner and a conventional mill computer; following the end trimming saw unit is an even ending apparatus with generally conventional ending rolls to transport lumber pieces lengthwise as necessary to butt the root end against a guide fence. The guide fence positions the lumber pieces' root ends at the same, or nearly the same, position for entering a generally conventional sizing saw array unit where a wafer cut is made by a zero-line saw on the root end of the lumber piece as necessary, and selected ones of the sizing saws are lowered into operative position to cut the lumber pieces to the desired sizes for optimum value.