Dual alternating transverse feeding mechanism for lumber edgers

Abstract

A lumber feeding mechanism for feeding lumber pieces laterally on a supply conveyor after scanning them with a light scanner to determine a reference axis for the optimum yield of boards. The lumber pieces are fed by dogs from a start position to a feed position in alignment with a feed conveyor which feeds such pieces longitudinally through a lumber edger with adjustable cutting saws. The feeding mechanism includes alternating sets of first and second dogs which are pivoted between a raised position for engagement with the rear edges of the lumber pieces to push such pieces from the start position to the feed position and a retracted position to enable the dogs to be returned to the start position passing on opposite sides or on the same side of the piece. Electrical actuation motors or fluid cylinder actuation motors with rotating output gears are used to pivot the dogs in response to a control signal produced by an electrical control system. The dogs are moved between the start position and the feed position along guides by drive cylinders and the lumber pieces are engaged by air stop cylinders as the pieces are moved toward the feed position to accurately position such pieces at the feed position where they are engaged by hold-down rolls and fed by the feed conveyor through the lumber edger.