Method of producing wood strips from curved logs for conversion into composite lumber products

• Main Authors: KERNS, JOHN W, SELBY, JOHN S, WILDERMAN, RONALD C, DIMAKIS, ALKIVADIS G, WAGNER, RICHARD E
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 26.01.2001
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: COMPONENTS OR ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; MANUFACTURE OF VENEER, WOODEN STICKS, WOOD SHAVINGS, WOODFIBRES OR WOOD POWDER; NAILING OR STAPLING MACHINES IN GENERAL; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; REMOVING BARK OR VESTIGES OF BRANCHES; SAWS FOR WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; SPLITTING WOOD; TRANSPORTING; WORKING OR PRESERVING WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; WORKING VENEER OR PLYWOOD

A method for producing flitches prepared from round-wood logs, to the manufacture of wood slices or slats from the flitches, and methods of combining the strips into composite lumber products. The method is based in part on the concept of preparing flitches that retain the sweep or natural longitudinal curvature of the log and slicing around the sweep to prepare the slats for further conversion into composite lumber products. An opening cut is made in the log essentially following or parallel to the curve of any sweep to divide it into two approximately equal volume pieces. An opposing surface is machined parallel to the surface generated by the opening cut to produce a flitch. The flitches are then sliced around the sweep curvature to produce slats. The natural surface of the log is preferably retained on the sides of the flitches. Slats may then be edged and adhesively combined in various ways to produce composite lumber products. The method achieves an especially high yield from raw logs of products that simulate solid sawn lumber in appearance, properties, and ease of use.