Systems and methods of processing materials

• US 20040117058A1
• Filed: 08/20/2003
• Published: 06/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Precision Automation Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Precision Automation Incorporated
• Inventors: Dick, Spencer B., Lee, David, Morgan, David A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,898,478 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/171
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 47/04 of devices for feeding, positioning, clamping, or rotating work
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 59/001 Measuring or control devices, e.g. for automatic control of work feed pressure on band saw blade measuring in general G01; controlling in general G05
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 59/008 comprising computers
• CPC Class Codes: B27B 27/02 arranged laterally and parallel with respect to the plane of the saw blade
• CPC Class Codes: B27B 27/10 Devices for moving or adjusting the guide fences or stops
• CPC Class Codes: B27B 31/00 Arrangements for conveying, loading, turning, adjusting, or discharging the log or timber, specially designed for saw mills or sawing machines B27B29/00 takes precedence ; arrangements for raising or lowering the feed rollers of gang saw mills B27B3/14; driving mechanisms for the feed rollers of gang saw mills B27B3/16
• CPC Class Codes: B27G 1/00 Machines or devices for removing knots or other irregularities or for filling-up holes filling up cracks or holes in a veneer cutting block B27L5/00; caulking decks B63B5/065
• CPC Class Codes: B27M 1/08 by multi-step processes
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/02 for measuring length, width or thickness G01B11/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/0524 Plural cutting steps
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/727 With means to guide moving work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/73 Guide fixed to or integral with stationary tool element
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/739 Positively confines or otherwise determines path of work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/741 With movable or yieldable guide element
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7647 Adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7722 Support and tool relatively adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/773 Work-support includes passageway for tool [e.g., slotted table]

Abstract

System, including apparatus and method, for processing a material involves automatically measuring the length of a work piece and calculating an optimal plan for cutting the work piece to fulfill cut list requirements.

Claims

1. A system for cutting material comprising

a saw machine having a pusher for pushing a work piece down a processing path, and a sensor being positioned along the processing path to detect an end of a work piece as it translates down the processing path,

a computer connected to the saw machine and configured to calculate the length of the work piece based on the position of the pusher when the end of the work piece is sensed by the sensor.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein computer is programmed to calculate a plan for optimal cutting of the work piece to fulfill cut list requirements based on the length of the work piece.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising

a source producing a light beam substantially parallel to the processing path, and a detector connected to the computer and configured to detect the light beam, wherein deflection of the light beam can be interpreted by the computer to locate a defect boundary on the work piece.

4. The system of claim 3, further comprising an audible or visible signal mechanism indicating completion of a marking event by deflection of the light beam.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the saw machine has a marking station adjacent and parallel to a cutting station, the computer being programmed to allow execution of a cutting plan on a first work piece, while defects are being marked on a second work piece.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising

inputting location of a defect in the work piece into the computer prior to the calculating step.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the operating, sensing, determining, calculating, and executing steps are all controlled by the computer.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein the inputting step includes the step of deflecting a light beam adjacent a defect boundary in the work piece.

6. A method of cutting material comprising

connecting a computer to a saw machine, the computer being programmed to optimize cutting of stock to satisfy a cut list,

operating a pusher to push a work piece along a processing path,

automatically sensing an end of the work piece,

determining the length of the work piece based on the position of the pusher when the end is sensed,

automatically calculating a plan for optimal cutting of the work piece to fulfill cut list requirements,

executing the plan including automatically pushing the work piece toward the saw, and cutting the work piece into one or more cut list parts.

10. A method of cutting material comprising

connecting a computer to a saw machine, the computer being programmed to optimize cutting of stock to satisfy a cut list,

operating a pusher to push a work piece along a processing path,

automatically sensing an end of the work piece,

determining the length of the work piece based on the position of the pusher when the end is sensed,

inputting location of a defect in the work piece into the computer,

automatically calculating a plan for optimal cutting of the work piece to fulfill cut list requirements based on the length and location of any defects on the work piece, and

executing the plan including automatically pushing the work piece toward the saw, and cutting the first piece of material into one or more cut list parts.

11. A method of cutting material comprising

connecting a computer to a saw machine, the computer being programmed to optimize cutting of stock to satisfy a cut list,

automatically determining the length of a work piece,

virtually marking a defect on the work piece,

automatically calculating a plan for optimal cutting of the work piece to fulfill cut list requirements based on the length of the work piece and location of the defect,

executing the plan including automatically pushing the first piece of material toward the saw, and cutting the first piece of material into one or more cut list parts.