Claims
- 1. A method of planing a flitch having a first generally planar surface and a second generally frustoconical surface, comprising:measuring distance between said first and second surfaces at a plurality of longitudinally spaced positions along said flitch; calculating a planing operation of said flitch based upon said plurality of distance measurements; and, planing said flitch according to said calculation.
- 2. A method of planing a flitch as recited in claim 1 wherein said calculating step optimizes yield and minimizes waste.
- 3. A method of planing a flitch as recited in claim 1 wherein said measuring comprises moving said flitch past a bank of photodetectors at a fixed speed.
- 4. A method of planing a flitch as recited in claim 1 wherein said planing comprises cutting at least one discontinuous groove in said first surface of said flitch.
- 5. A method of planing a flitch as recited in claim 1 wherein said planing comprises making at least two stepped planing cuts in said flitch.
- 6. An apparatus for automatically planing a flitch, comprising:means for making a plurality of distance measurements between a first generally planar surface of said flitch and a second generally frustoconical surface of said flitch; means for calculating a planing operation for said flitch based upon said measurements; and, means for planing said flitch in accordance with said calculations.
- 7. An apparatus for automatically planing a flitch as recited in claim 6 wherein said means for making a plurality of distance measurements comprises:at least one measuring device; and, means for moving said flitch past said plurality of measuring devices at a uniform speed.
- 8. An apparatus for automatically planing a flitch as recited in claim 7 wherein said measuring device comprises a photodetector.
- 9. An apparatus for automatically planing a flitch as recited in claim 7 wherein said means for moving said flitch past said plurality of measuring devices at a uniform speed comprises at least on mechanical scissor jack driven by a motor.
- 10. An apparatus for automatically planing a flitch as recited in claim 6 wherein said means for calculating a planing operation for said flitch based upon said measurements comprises a microprocessor programmed to process said measurements and calculate optimum planing for said flitch.
- 11. An apparatus for automatically planing a flitch as recited in claim 10 wherein said means for planing comprises at least two planing heads for planing said first and second surfaces, respectively, where said at least two planing heads operate in response to commands from said microprocessor.
- 12. An apparatus for automatically planing a flitch as recited in claim 11 wherein one of said planing heads is fixed and one of said planing heads is movable, and said movable planing head moves in response to commands from said microprocessor.
- 13. An apparatus for automatically planing a flitch as recited in claim 11 further comprising a movable concave planing head, operatively arranged to move in response to commands from said microprocessor.
- 14. An apparatus for automatically planing a flitch as recited in claim 11 further comprising a groove cutting planing head, operatively arranged to cut grooves in said flitch in response to commands from said microprocessor.
RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/171,063, filed Dec. 16, 1999.
US Referenced Citations (16)
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60/171063 |
Dec 1999 |
US |