Veneer lathe charger having improved positioning for charger spindles

摘要

A veneer lathe charger apparatus is described having an improved charger spindle positioning system which is less vulnerable to damage, is of simpler construction and is of faster operation. The charger spindle positioning system includes spindle support and adjustment means for moving the spindles both horizontally and vertically by linear movement in one direction of linear positioning means at the opposite ends of the log. The linear positioning means are located above the log so as not to be damaged by a falling log. Each linear positioning means includes a pair of cylinders whose piston rods are pivotally attached to a spindle support plate on opposite sides of the spindle. A log support and centering means receives logs at a pick up position and transports such logs to a scan position after rough centering and clamping the logs with their longitudinal axis in such a scan position. The charger spindles engage the log in the scan position and rotate the log while it is scanned with a light beam to determine the optimum yield axis of the log for the greatest production of wood veneer. The charger spindles are then moved automatically by the linear positioners to move the log from the scan position until its optimum axis is aligned with a transfer position located at a predetermined position relative to the lathe axis. Transfer arms engage the log to move the log from the transfer position to the lathe where the optimum axis of the log is in alignment with the lathe spindle axis.