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Abstract

A method and apparatus for positioning a log in a lathe charger for transfer to a veneer lathe for peeling in which the geometrical centerline of the log is first determined by sensing the log in an at-rest position with light sensors or mechanical sensors and then two geocenters where such centerline intersects the ends of the log are determined. The log is then scanned with light scanners while it is rotated on charger spindles about such centerline to determine the optimum yield axis of the log by computer processing of the scan data. Two computed centers where the optimum yield axis intersects the opposite ends of the log are computed and the vectors of such computed centers relative to the geocenters are computed. A common line extending between the computed centers is determined and the displacement angle between such common line and a reference line is computed. The reference line may be a vertical axis or the charger pendulum arm radius. Then the log is rotated through the displacement angle to position the common line parallel to the reference line. Next the charger spindles are adjusted laterally along the reference line until the computed centers of the log are both positioned at the point of intersection of the common line and an arc line of travel of the pendulum arm. Then the pendulum arms clamp the log with chucks engaging the ends of the log and the log is transferred from the charger to the veneer lathe spindles by pivoting the pendulum arms to move their chucks and the log along the arc line to the lathe.

First Claim