Labeling methods and apparatus

• US 6,886,462 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2003
• Issued: 05/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Precision Automation Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Precision Automation Incorporated
• Inventors: Dick, Spencer B., Lee, David, Morgan, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAU, MINH H
• Application Number:
  US10/645,831
• Publication Number:
  US 20040206264A1
• Time in Patent Office: 622 Days
• Field of Search: 101/35, 101483-486, 83/13, 83/35, 83 766- 769, 83364-367, 834252-4254, 834/352, 834/372, 83 72- 74, 700/97, 700/117, 700/182
• US Class Current: 101/483
• 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 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 83/141 With means to monitor and control operation [e.g., self-regulating means]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/173 Arithmetically determined program

Abstract

System, including apparatus and method, for processing a material involves automatically printing labels for pieces cut pursuant to a cut list.

Claims

1. 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,

measuring a piece of material to be cut,

marking any defects in the piece of material,

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

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

automatically printing labels for the cut list parts, each label indicating information about the part.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the calculating and printing steps are carried out by the computer.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the executing step is controlled by the computer.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the measuring step is carried out automatically.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the marking step is carried out by affixing actual marks on the piece of material.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the marking step is carried out by signaling a location in space near a defect, without affixing an actual mark on the piece of material.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising

automatically printing labels for salvage pieces having a length equal to or greater than a predetermined length.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising

automatically printing labels for defect pieces having a length equal to or greater than a predetermined length.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising

automatically printing labels for adjacent salvage and defect pieces having a combined length equal to or greater than a predetermined length.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the label indicates one or more of the following items of information:

(a) length, (b) date, (c) time, (d) grade, (e) assembly destination, (f) cut list origin, (g) batch number, and (h) project name.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the material is wood.

12. 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,

inputting into the computer:

(a) a cut list, (b) a minimum salvage length (Smin), (c) a minimum defect length (Dmin), (d) a maximum drop box length (DBmax),

inputting the length of a piece of material to be processed,

inputting location of any defects in the piece of material,

using the computer to automatically determine a cutting plan for optimal cutting of the piece of material to fulfill cut list requirements, and in which;

(a) salvage pieces having a length less than Smin are cut to lengths of DBmax or less, and (b) defect pieces having a length less than Dmin are cut to lengths of DBmax or less;

except if adjacent salvage and defect pieces have a combined length greater than Dmin then the adjacent pieces are not cut to DBmax or less regardless of their individual lengths,

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

automatically printing labels for the cut list parts and for salvage and defect pieces that are not cut to lengths of DBmax or less.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the executing and printing steps are controlled by the computer.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of inputting the length is performed automatically.

15. An apparatus for controlling material processing comprising

a saw machine including a saw and a pushing mechanism configured to automatically push material toward the saw,

a computer connected to the saw machine, the computer being programmed to control optimized cutting of stock to satisfy a cut list, and

a printer connected to the computer and positioned near an out-feed on the saw machine, the computer being programmed to print labels automatically for pieces conforming to the cut list, wherein the computer is also programmed to print labels automatically for salvage pieces having lengths equal to or greeter than a predetermined minimum.

16. An apparatus for controlling material processing comprising

a saw machine including a saw and a pushing mechanism configured to automatically push material toward the saw,

a computer connected to the saw machine, the computer being programmed to control optimized cutting of stock to satisfy a cut list, and

a printer connected to the computer and positioned near an out-feed on the saw machine, the computer being programmed to print labels automatically for pieces conforming to the cut list, wherein the computer is also programmed to print labels automatically for defect pieces having lengths equal to or greater than a predetermined minimum.

17. An apparatus for controlling material processing comprising

a saw machine including a saw and a pushing mechanism configured to automatically push material toward the saw,

a computer connected to the saw machine, the computer being programmed to control optimized cutting of stock to satisfy a cut list, and

a printer connected to the computer and positioned near an out-feed on the saw machine, the computer being programmed to print labels automatically for pieces conforming to the cut list, wherein the computer is also programmed to print labels automatically for adjacent salvage and defect pieces having a combined length equal to or greater than a predetermined minimum.