Log scanning in veneer lathe to determine optimum yield axis.

摘要

Apparatus is disclosed for scanning a log (L) with light or other electromagnetic radiation while such log is rotated by the spindles (10) of a veneer lathe to determine its optimum yield axis with respect to the lathe spindle axis (11). Scanning means (15, 17) detects light reflected from the log or light transmitted past the side of a log to determine its optimum yield axis. Positioning arms (20) are mounted on support arms (22) having a horizontal sliding pivot (24) at one end thereof to provide vertical and horizontal adjustment of the positioning arms in response to positioning motors (50, 66). The positioning motors move to the positioning arms to align the optimum yield axis of the log with the lathe spindle axis and are controlled by the output of a computer which determines the optimum yield axis.