Flitch tracking

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10994438-B2
Application number	US-201815907257-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 27, 2018
Priority date	Feb 27, 2017
Publication date	May 4, 2021
Grant date	May 4, 2021

Abstract

In various embodiments, a scanner optimizer system may generate a virtual model of a predicted flitch based on a 3D model of a log/cant and a cut solution for the log/cant. The scanner optimizer system may compare a virtual model of an actual flitch to virtual models of predicted flitches by comparing data points at a fixed elevation relative to one or both faces of the models. Based on the comparisons, the scanner optimizer system may identify the source log from which the actual flitch was cut. In addition, the scanner optimizer system may identify the saw used to cut the actual flitch, and/or other relevant information, and use the additional information to monitor and adjust the saws and other equipment. Embodiments of corresponding apparatuses and methods are also described.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions operable, upon execution by a processor of a computer, to cause the computer to:
generate, based at least on a 3D virtual model of a primary workpiece and a cut solution for the primary workpiece, a 3D virtual model of a predicted flitch,
determine, based at least on the 3D virtual model of the predicted flitch, a first group of data points that represent an outer contour of the predicted flitch at a first elevation relative to a first face of the predicted flitch,
determine, based at least on a 3D virtual model of the actual flitch, a second group of data points that represent an outer contour of the actual flitch at said first elevation relative to a corresponding first face of the actual flitch,
compare the data points of the first group to corresponding ones of the data points of the second group to thereby compare the 3D virtual model of the actual flitch to the 3D virtual model of the predicted flitch, and
based on the comparison, identify the primary workpiece as the source of the actual flitch.

2. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 , the instructions are further operable, upon execution by the processor, to cause the computer to:
send instructions to a controller or a display based at least in part on the comparison, wherein the instructions are configured to
cause the controller to adjust a cutting device or a workpiece transport, or
cause the display to display a result of the comparison, a recommendation to adjust the cutting device, a recommendation to perform maintenance or repair on the cutting device, or a recommendation to adjust a speed of the workpiece transport.

3. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 2 , wherein the primary workpiece is a log.

4. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 2 , wherein the primary workpiece is a cant.

5. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 , wherein the first elevation is an elevation equidistant between the first face and an opposite second face of one of said flitches.

6. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 , wherein the instructions are further operable, upon execution by the processor, to cause the computer to,
generate, based at least on a 3D virtual model of a second primary workpiece and a cut solution for the second primary workpiece, a second 3D virtual model of a second predicted flitch,
compare the 3D virtual model of the actual flitch to the second 3D virtual model of the second predicted flitch, and
based on the comparison, eliminate the second primary workpiece as the source of the actual flitch.

7. A system for identifying a primary workpiece as a source of a flitch, the system comprising:
a first scanner optimizer system including a plurality of first sensors operatively coupled with a first computer system, wherein the first sensors are collectively positioned to scan a primary workpiece along a first path of flow and operable to measure a geometric profile of the primary workpiece, and the first computer system is configured to generate a 3D virtual model of the primary workpiece and a cut solution for the primary workpiece based at least on data from the first sensors;
a second scanner optimizer system including a plurality of second sensors operatively coupled with a second computer system, wherein the second sensors are collectively positioned to scan a flitch along a second path of flow and operable to measure a geometric profile of the flitch, and the second computer system is configured to generate a 3D virtual model of the flitch based at least on data from the second sensors; and
a third computer system operatively coupled with the first and second computer systems and programmed with instructions operable, upon execution by one or more processors, to cause the third computer system to
generate a 3D virtual model of a predicted flitch based at least on the 3D virtual model of the primary workpiece and the cut solution,
determine, based at least on the 3D virtual model of the predicted flitch, a first group of data points that represent the outer contour of the predicted flitch at a first elevation relative to a first face of the predicted flitch,
determine, based at least on the 3D virtual model of the predicted flitch, a second group of data points that represent the outer contour of the actual flitch at the first elevation relative to a corresponding first face of the actual flitch,
compare the first group of data points to the second group of data points to thereby compare the 3D virtual model of the actual flitch to the 3D virtual model of the predicted flitch, and
based on the comparison, identify the primary workpieces as the source of the actual flitch.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the instructions are further operable, upon execution by the one or more processors, to cause the third computer system to
send instructions to a controller or a display based at east in part on the comparison, wherein the instructions are configured to
cause the controller to adjust a cutting device or a workpiece transport, or
cause the display to display a result of the comparison, a recommendation to adjust the cutting device, a recommendation to perform maintenance or repair on the cutting device, or a recommendation to adjust a speed of the workpiece transport.

9. A method of matching a flitch to a source log, the method comprising:
detecting a geometric profile of a primary workpiece with a first plurality of sensors;
generating a 3D virtual model of the primary workpiece and a cut solution for the primary workpiece based at least on the detected geometric profile of the primary workpiece;
generating a 3D virtual model of a predicted flitch based at least on the 3D virtual model of the primary workpiece and the cut solution;
detecting a geometric profile of an actual flitch;
generating a 3D virtual model of the actual flitch based at least on the detected geometric profile of the actual flitch;
determining a first outer contour of the predicted flitch at a first elevation relative to a first face of the predicted flitch,
determining a second outer contour of the actual flitch at said first elevation relative to a corresponding first face of the actual flitch,
comparing the first cuter contour to the second outer contour to thereby compare the 3D virtual model of the predicted flitch to the 3D virtual model of the actual flitch; and
based on the comparison, identifying the primary workpiece as the source of the actual flitch.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein determining the first outer contour includes generating a first 2D model of the outer shape of the 3D virtual model of the predicted flitch at the first elevation determining the second outer contour includes generating a second 2D model of the outer shape of the 3D virtual model of the actual flitch at the first elevation, and comparing the first outer contour to the second outer contour includes comparing the first 2D model to the second 2D model.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the first outer contour is represented by a group of first coordinates at intervals along a length of the predicted flitch, and the second outer contour is represented by a group of second coordinates at intervals along a length of the actual flitch, and wherein comparing the first outer contour to the second outer contour includes comparing the first coordinates to corresponding ones of the second coordinates.

12. The method of claim 9 , further comprising identifying a zone within the primary workpiece as the zone from which the flitch was cut, based at least

Assignees

• Usnr Llc

Inventors

• Green Paul W
• Fujima Dwayne Seawai

Classifications

• G06F30/10

  Geometric CAD · CPC title

• Y02P90/80

  Management or planning · CPC title

• G05B2219/37558

  Optical sensor, scanner · CPC title

• G05B19/41875

  characterised by quality surveillance of production · CPC title

• G05B2219/35134

  3-D cad-cam · CPC title