Method and device for producing timber from a tree trunk

Abstract

To provide a method and an apparatus for producing timber from a tree trunk.SOLUTION: Two round areas (3) adjacent to the working surface (2) are milled by moving the tree trunk (1) to at least two milling tools (5) to profile at least one sub-product plate (4), and the sub-product plate (4) is separated from the tree trunk (1) by saw cutting. It is essential that the tree trunk (1) is moved from a transfer position into a processing position during the feed movement and before the profiling of the subproduct by moving the tree trunk (1) about and / or along at least one adjustment axis extending transversely to the conveying direction (9), so that at least a leading region of the tree trunk (1) is displaced transversely to the conveying direction (9) in the direction of at least one of the milling tools (5).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing timber from tree trunks. [Background technology]

[0002] In industrial timber processing, tree trunks are processed, inter alia, into boards. In this case, different cross-sectional areas of such trunks are generally used to obtain correspondingly different types of board. Thus, the generally inner cross-sectional areas are used to obtain so-called main products, while the outer cross-sectional areas are used to obtain so-called by-products. The main products may include one or more main-product boards, and the by-products may likewise include one or more by-product boards.

[0003] To produce the by-product, at least one by-product plate is generally profiled directly on the trunk. For this purpose, at least one working surface is first formed by removing the bark region of the trunk, which extends along the trunk. This working surface generally defines the broad sides of the by-product plate. The trunk is then moved in the conveying direction relative to at least two milling tools, thereby milling two rounded areas adjacent to the working surface and defining the two narrow sides of the by-product plate. The by-product plate is then separated from the trunk by a saw cut.

[0004] The above-described processing is often performed sequentially on multiple trunks, which are moved relative to the milling tool in the conveying direction, leaving a gap between them called a woodworking gap. To achieve the highest possible productivity, it is desirable to minimize the woodworking gap between two trunks. However, this presents a challenge because the processed trunk and the by-product to be profiled can differ significantly in shape and size. This sometimes requires the milling tool to move a long feed path before processing the trunk in order to profile the by-product in the desired shape. Because the feed movement is typically performed between the woodworking gaps, it has not been possible to arbitrarily reduce the woodworking gap until now.

[0005] Furthermore, to obtain the highest possible timber yield, it may be necessary to profile the by-product non-parallel to the trunk axis of the trunk. One way to achieve this is to move the trunk along its trunk axis relative to the milling tool and then displace the milling tool along its feed axis during milling. This allows for the desired by-product profile to be formed with an extension direction non-parallel to the trunk axis of the trunk. Depending on how pronounced the angle between the by-product and the trunk axis is, the milling tool may also need to move over a long feed path during milling. This also has a negative effect on the desired reduction of the woodworking gap, since the milling tool may need to be moved again in the opposite direction to process the subsequent trunk, also moving over a long feed path. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention aims to propose at least one method and device that makes it possible to increase efficiency when processing tree trunks by reducing the woodworking gap. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The invention is solved by two methods according to claims 1 and 14 and by a device according to claim 15. Advantageous developments are the subject of the respective dependent claims.

[0008] The method according to the present invention is a method for producing lumber from a tree trunk. In this method, at least one work surface is formed on the trunk by removing the bark area using a known method. The trunk is moved in a conveying direction relative to at least two milling tools, milling two rounded areas adjacent to the work surface, thereby profiling at least one by-product plate. The milling tools can be advanced along their respective feed axes. The by-product plate is then separated from the trunk by a saw cut.

[0009] In the method according to the invention, it is important to adjust the trunk from the transfer position to the processing position during the conveying movement and before profiling the by-product boards. For this purpose, the trunk is moved about and / or along an adjustment axis extending perpendicular to the conveying direction, whereby at least a leading region of the trunk is displaced perpendicular to the conveying direction in the direction of at least one of the milling tools.

[0010] The present invention is based on the recognition that, prior to profiling a pre-product board, the woodworking gap between two trunks to be processed can be significantly reduced by moving the trunk to a position that shortens the feed path of at least one, preferably two, milling tools. To this end, according to the present invention, the trunk is moved to move a leading region of the trunk toward the milling tool, so that the milling tool travels only a short feed path, or preferably no feed path at all, before it can engage the trunk. Compared to conventional methods in which the milling tool is advanced along its feed axis without positioning the trunk to profile the pre-product board, a smaller woodworking gap and thus higher productivity in lumber processing can be achieved.

[0011] In particular, the displacement movement of the leading region of the trunk is carried out at least partly in a plane in which the feed axes of at least one milling tool, or preferably of two milling tools, extend, the feed axes of the milling tools preferably extending perpendicular to the conveying direction and essentially parallel to the work surface of the trunk when the trunk is in the work position.

[0012] The transfer position refers to a position of the trunk at which the trunk is moved in the conveying direction toward the processing position before adjusting its position. The processing position refers to a position of the trunk at which the trunk is moved relative to the milling tool for profiling the by-product plate and engages cuttingly with at least one milling tool at least in the preceding region. It is within the scope of the present invention for the trunk to remain in the processing position during profiling of the by-product or to be further moved to at least one other processing position during profiling. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited by how the transfer position and / or processing position are defined. It is therefore conceivable that the transfer position and the processing position differ from each other by the relative orientation and / or relative position of the trunk with respect to the conveying direction or conveying axis of the trunk. In other words, the trunk may have a first relative orientation and / or a first relative position with respect to the conveying direction or conveying axis at the transfer position, and a second relative orientation and / or a second relative position with respect to the conveying direction or conveying axis at the transfer position. The same may be true for the first processing position and the second processing position during profiling of the by-product.

[0013] It is within the scope of the present invention that the bark region can be separated from the trunk as a single bark section or by cutting into pieces or similar shapes. In particular, the trunk, after removal of at least one bark region, can be a so-called model with two working surfaces or a timber with four working surfaces, each pair separated from the other by a body region of the trunk. The body region constitutes the outer periphery of the trunk, the nature of which depends on the natural growth of the trunk.

[0014] In a possible embodiment, the trunk is oriented so that the working surface faces the trunk's side after processing with the milling tool and during its transport movement. In other words, the working surface is located, in particular, on the left or right side of the trunk and extends at least partially parallel to the direction of gravity. Such a trunk orientation, in which the by-product board to be profiled is located on the trunk's side after profiling, is advantageous because, after sawing, the board can fall due to gravity. In the case of such a trunk orientation, the feed axis of the milling tool extends parallel to the direction of gravity, so that in order to reduce the woodworking gap by adjusting the trunk in accordance with the invention during the implementation of the method according to the invention, the trunk must be moved at least partially against the direction of gravity.

[0015] To avoid movement of the trunk against the direction of gravity, the processing surface of the trunk can be oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction of gravity, i.e. in particular facing upwards or downwards, and at least one feed axis of the milling tool can extend perpendicular to the direction of gravity. To adjust the trunk by moving the leading region perpendicular to the conveying direction towards the milling tool, the trunk can be moved perpendicular to the direction of gravity without having to be specifically lifted for adjustment about and / or along the adjustment axis. This allows for a particularly energy-efficient process management.

[0016] The sub-product plate can be part of a sub-product or a sub-product package, which includes one or more sub-product plates. The machined surface formed by removing the skin region can at least partially define the long, wide side of the sub-product plate. By milling the body region, it is possible to form, in particular, two long, narrow sides of the sub-product plate.

[0017] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the geometry of the sub-product plate to be profiled. It is within the scope of the present invention that the sub-product plate can be profiled to have a linear extension, or, for example, to have edges with a curved extension, where the sub-product plate is bent about a curvature axis extending substantially perpendicular to the work surface, or to have faces with a curved extension, where the sub-product plate is bent about a curvature axis extending substantially parallel to the work surface. What is essential is that the trunk is moved so that the leading region of the trunk is spatially close to at least one of the milling tools, so that the milling tool moves over as short a feed path as possible to come into cutting engagement with the trunk at the work position of the trunk. It is within the scope of the present invention that the method can be carried out on trunks with a substantially linear trunk axis or on trunks with a curved trunk axis. In particular, the curved extension direction of the by-product or of the by-product plate and / or trunk to be profiled can lie in a plane in which the feed axis of the at least one milling tool also extends.

[0018] The trunk is preferably adjusted to the processing position about and / or along the adjustment axis depending on the position and / or orientation of the preceding trunk, which allows the processing position of the following trunk to be adjusted so that the feed position of the milling tool used to process the preceding trunk does not have to be changed or only slightly, which can have various advantages depending on the elongation direction of the by-product plate of the preceding trunk.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment, at least two trunks are moved successively in the conveying direction, and one sub-product plate is profiled on each of the two trunks by at least one milling tool. During the profiling of the sub-product plate of the first of the two trunks, at least one of the milling tools is fed along its feed axis. Before profiling the sub-product plate of the second of the two trunks, the second trunk is moved into a processing position by moving the trunks about and / or along an alignment axis extending perpendicular to the conveying direction, thereby moving at least one leading region of the second trunk toward the at least one milling tool. Preferably, the milling tool is not fed while it is located in the woodworking gap between the first and second trunks.

[0020] The above-described embodiment of the method is advantageous when a first trunk is to be profiled so that the sub-product boards have an extension direction that is non-parallel to the trunk axis, and when the milling tool is advanced during profiling to obtain this extension direction of the sub-product boards relative to the trunk axis. To reduce the woodworking gap for a second, subsequent trunk, the preceding region of this trunk can be displaced perpendicular to the conveying direction into the position where the milling tool already exists due to processing the preceding first trunk. This allows the milling tool to preferably not be advanced and to engage the second trunk immediately after processing the first trunk with a minimal woodworking gap. The second trunk can then be considered a trunk processed according to the invention.

[0021] Similarly, it is conceivable to move at least two trunks in succession in the conveying direction, while two milling tools are used to profile one pre-product board on each of the two trunks. After profiling the pre-product board on the first of the two trunks, at least one of the milling tools is advanced along its feed axis. Before profiling the second of the two trunks, the second trunk is moved into a processing position by moving the second trunk about and / or along an adjustment axis perpendicular to the conveying direction, thereby displacing a leading region of the second trunk toward the milling tool perpendicular to the conveying direction. In particular, the leading region of the trunk is moved in the opposite direction to the milling tool. Preferably, the milling tool is advanced while the milling tool is positioned in the woodworking gap between the first and second trunks.

[0022] According to the aforementioned development, the milling tool can be fed in the woodworking gap between the first and second trunks to reach a position where it can engage the second trunk in cutting. At the same time, the leading region of the second trunk can be positioned opposite to the feed movement of the milling tool, thereby achieving the aforementioned preferred opposite movement. This allows the feed path of the milling tool to be significantly shorter than in a case where the trunk is not displaced between the transfer position and the processing position, and therefore the woodworking gap can be correspondingly shorter. Therefore, the second trunk can also be considered in this respect as a trunk processed according to the present invention.

[0023] In an advantageous development, the trunk is moved into the processing position by rotating it about a rotation axis extending perpendicular to the transport direction, and at least one of the milling tools is fed along its feed axis before milling the trunk, which feed axis extends perpendicular to the transport direction of the trunk and to the rotation axis.

[0024] As mentioned above, it is advantageous to rotate the trunk in order to move at least one leading region of the trunk in the opposite direction to one of the milling tools, which can then move over a shorter feed path before engaging the trunk for milling. The rotation axis is a possible alignment axis within the meaning of the present invention.

[0025] This essentially advantageous development is not limited to the angle at which the trunk is rotated to reach the processing position from the transfer position, but rather within the scope of this advantageous development, the trunk is rotated from the transfer position to the processing position during the conveying movement so that the elongation axis of the sub-product boards to be profiled can be substantially parallel or non-parallel to the conveying direction.

[0026] In an advantageous development, a cutting strategy for the trunk is determined before profiling at least one by-product plate, the cutting strategy comprising a substantially linear by-product extension direction on the trunk, in particular extending at an angle to the trunk axis, and the trunk is rotated about a rotation axis such that the target extension axis of the by-product plate in the processing position of the trunk is oriented parallel to the conveying direction. The by-product plate is profiled according to the cutting strategy by moving the trunk in the processing position relative to at least one of the milling tools and fixing the milling tool relative to its feed axis during profiling of the by-product plate.

[0027] The aforementioned development is most advantageous when the target extension axis of the by-product plate is oriented at an angle to the trunk axis in a plane extending parallel to the working surface of the trunk. By rotating the trunk about the rotation axis, the by-product plate can be positioned along the conveying direction, so that during milling of the trunk, the milling tool does not need to be fed to profile the by-product plate of the trunk according to the cutting method. Rather, the desired by-product extension direction of the trunk according to the cutting method can be obtained solely by the conveying movement of the trunk relative to the milling tool.

[0028] In another advantageous development, before profiling the by-product boards, a cutting pattern of the trunk is determined, which cutting pattern includes a substantially linear by-product extension direction in the trunk, which by-product extension direction extends in particular at an angle to the trunk axis, and the trunk is rotated around a rotation axis so that the target extension axis of the by-product boards is oriented non-parallel to the conveying direction.

[0029] If the target elongation axis of the part-product plate in the processing position is oriented non-parallel to the conveying direction, the part-product plate can be produced according to the cutting method or deviating from the cutting method. For this purpose, at least one milling tool can be moved or fixed relative to its feed axis during the profiling of the trunk.

[0030] In an advantageous development of profiling the cut-off plates according to the cutting method, at least one of the milling tools is fed with respect to its feed axis during milling of the trunk, and in particular the feed movement can be carried out according to the transport speed and length of the trunk in order to profile the cut-off plates linearly and in the desired orientation relative to the trunk axis according to the cutting method.

[0031] In another advantageous development, at least one of the milling tools is fixed relative to its feed axis during profiling of the workpiece, i.e., is not fed, thereby profiling the workpiece deviating from the cutting method. In this case, the workpiece is profiled with an extension direction that deviates from the target extension axis, which may result in a decrease in lumber yield. However, the applicant's research has shown that this decrease is acceptable in order to achieve a higher system productivity through a smaller woodworking gap.

[0032] The cutting strategy may indicate, among other things, the relative position of the by-product board with respect to the trunk shape. The target elongation axis can be considered as the central axis of the by-product board to be profiled. The cutting strategy can be determined by measuring the trunk with a profile sensor and inputting the collected measurement data into a computing unit that outputs the cutting strategy for obtaining an optimal timber yield.

[0033] In an advantageous development, the milling tools are each configured as a rotating milling head, the rotation axes of which respectively form an acute angle with respect to a plane perpendicular to the conveying direction, which acute angle can in particular also be fixedly set.

[0034] The aforementioned development is based on the recognition that if the milling tool, and in particular the cutting edges arranged on the milling tool, are guided parallel to the workpiece plate, in particular the narrow side of the workpiece plate, removing the rounded area usually involves re-cutting the profiled workpiece plate. To prevent this, the milling tool can be arranged obliquely to the conveying direction, so that the aforementioned acute angle is formed between the rotation axis of the milling head and a plane perpendicular to the conveying direction. Furthermore, by rotating the trunk around the rotation axis to the desired tree orientation, it is possible to eliminate the need to adjust the acute angle during milling of the trunk, and thus to set the above-mentioned acute angle as a fixed angle. This has structural advantages when mounting the milling tool.

[0035] The positioning of the trunk in the processing position according to the invention is not only advantageous when the trunk has only one by-product plate to be profiled on one side of the trunk, but also when two by-product plate profiles are to be formed on the trunk on two opposite sides.

[0036] In an advantageous development, two oppositely facing work surfaces can be formed by removing two bark regions from the trunk. Two sub-product plates are profiled on the trunk by milling four rounded regions adjacent to the work surfaces while moving the trunk in the conveying direction relative to at least four milling cutters. The two sub-product plates are then separated from the trunk by performing two saw cuts. Before profiling the two sub-product plates, the trunk is moved from the transfer position to the work position by displacing at least a leading region of the trunk perpendicular to the conveying direction toward at least two of the milling cutters by moving the trunk about and / or along the positioning axis.

[0037] A trunk having two oppositely facing working surfaces can be adjusted from the transfer position to the working position according to the aforementioned embodiment. It is particularly advantageous if the target extension axes of the sub-product plates extend substantially parallel to one another and the sub-product plates have substantially the same width, so that the feed paths of all milling tools used to profile the sub-product plates can be identical and relatively short when adjusting the trunk according to the method described here. The parallel extension directions of the sub-product plates can in particular be in a plane extending parallel to the working surfaces along which the sub-product plates are to be profiled.

[0038] However, due to the natural growth of the trunk, it is also possible that the by-product boards on opposite sides of the trunk will stretch non-parallel to each other in a common plane oriented parallel to the target stretching axis of the cutting method, in particular the working surface.

[0039] In an advantageous development, a cutting pattern for the trunk is determined before profiling the longitudinal sides of the secondary product plates, the cutting pattern comprising two non-parallel secondary product extension directions, each along a target extension axis of the secondary product plate, and the trunk is rotated about a rotation axis such that in the processing position the two target extension axes define an angular region surrounding the conveying direction. In particular, in the processing position the trunk is oriented along the angle bisector between the target extension axes of the secondary product plates and parallel to the conveying direction. Preferably, the non-parallel extension directions of the target extension axes lie in a plane extending parallel to the two processing surfaces.

[0040] In an advantageous development, the trunk is processed by a milling tool according to a cutting strategy, and during milling of the trunk, the milling tool is fed along its respective feed axis perpendicular to the conveying direction, so that the sub-product boards are produced according to the desired elongation axis. This allows the boards to be profiled according to the determined cutting strategy, thereby achieving an optimal timber yield. In particular, the feed movement is carried out according to the conveying speed of the trunk and the elongation direction of the desired elongation axis relative to the conveying direction.

[0041] In another advantageous development, the milling tools used to profile the two different sub-product plates are fixed along their respective feed axes during milling and are manufactured to have respective actual extension axes with respective angular deviations relative to the target extension axes of the respective sub-product plates, thereby processing the trunk with the milling tools in a manner that deviates from the cutting method.

[0042] In this regard, the applicant's research has shown that it is advantageous to position the trunk in the processing position even when the by-product boards are profiled at a non-optimal orientation relative to the trunk axis. Alternatively, it is possible to intentionally allow deviations from the ideal cutting strategy by not feeding the milling tool during milling. This is possible, for example, when the angle between the target longitudinal extension axis of the by-product and the trunk axis is relatively small, so that a reduced lumber yield is acceptable in exchange for a reduced woodworking gap.

[0043] In particular, in the processing position, the conveying direction between the target longitudinal extension axes of the by-product plates can be oriented along an angle bisector, in which case the angular deviation during milling of the trunk can correspond to a half angle between the target longitudinal extension axes of the by-product plates.

[0044] In an advantageous development, the trunk is moved at least partially into the processing position by being displaced along a translation axis extending perpendicular to the conveying direction, the translation axis being a positioning axis considered within the meaning of the invention.

[0045] Translational position adjustment of the trunk is particularly advantageous when the by-product to be profiled on the trunk already has a target extension axis oriented parallel to the conveying direction at the transport position of the trunk, i.e., before position adjustment, and at least one tool needs to be fed prior to profiling the by-product plate in order to profile the by-product plate according to the desired dimensions.

[0046] In an advantageous development, before profiling at least one by-product plate, a cutting pattern of the trunk, in particular of the second trunk, is determined, which cutting pattern comprises a by-product extension direction of the trunk, in particular of the second trunk. The target extension axis of the by-product plate extends substantially parallel to the trunk axis. The trunk is moved to the processing position by displacing the trunk with the target extension axis along a translation axis according to the preceding trunk.

[0047] The aforementioned development is based on the realization that translational positioning of the trunk can be advantageous if the by-product board to be profiled extends substantially parallel to the trunk axis and can be profiled with a small woodworking gap while obtaining the aforementioned advantages if the trunk is moved to its processing position according to the position of the preceding trunk.

[0048] In an advantageous development, at least two adjacent trunks in the conveying direction are aligned such that the by-products to be profiled are aligned along a common machining axis before each of the trunks is moved relative to the milling tool.

[0049] In an advantageous development, before the trunk is moved relative to the milling tool in the conveying direction, the trunk is displaced relative to the milling tool around and / or along at least one positioning axis extending perpendicular to the conveying direction, depending on the position and / or orientation of another preceding trunk.

[0050] In an advantageous development, the trunks are moved in the conveying direction by a plurality of conveyor roller pairs, at least two of which are arranged at a distance from one another along the conveying direction, and the trunks are moved into the processing position by displacing at least one of the conveyor roller pairs relative to the respective other conveyor roller pairs and / or at least two conveyor roller pairs together perpendicular to the conveying direction.

[0051] The conveyor rollers of one conveyor roller pair can each be driven to perform a rotational movement to transfer the trunks via their outer circumferential surfaces in a conveying movement, and each of the conveyor rollers can be adjustably arranged perpendicular to the conveying direction so as to transmit an adjusting movement to the trunks during its rotational movement.

[0052] For translational movements of the trunk, it is advantageous to displace at least one conveyor roller pair by an adjustment path. To prevent unwanted rotation of the trunk, it is also possible to displace further conveyor roller pairs by the same adjustment path. For rotational movements of the trunk, it is advantageous to displace one conveyor roller pair by an adjustment path relative to another conveyor roller pair.

[0053] It is within the scope of an advantageous development that the conveyor roller pairs are connected to at least one rotation drive and one position adjustment drive, each controlled by a control device. The control of the rotation drive and the position adjustment drive can be carried out depending on the cutting strategy, in particular whether the trunk is to be profiled according to the cutting strategy or deviating from it. Preferably, the trunk is adjusted along the conveying direction and / or perpendicular to the conveying direction by more than two conveyor roller pairs in order to move it from the transfer position to the processing position.

[0054] The object of the present invention is also achieved by a method according to claim 14, which is used for producing timber from tree trunks and can in particular be carried out alone or in addition to the methods described above or advantageous developments thereof.

[0055] According to the present invention, at least one working surface is formed on a tree trunk by removing a bark region. During a conveying movement in a conveying direction, the trunk is moved relative to at least two milling tools, each of which can be fed along its feed axis, to mill two rounded regions adjacent to the working surface, thereby profiling at least one by-product plate. The by-product plate is separated from the trunk by saw cutting. Prior to profiling the by-product plate, a cutting pattern for the trunk, including the by-product extension direction, is determined. The trunk is moved relative to the milling tools in a first working position, and is moved from the first working position to a second working position during profiling of the by-product plate. The two milling tools are fed along their feed axes during profiling of the by-product plate, thereby profiling the by-product plate according to the cutting pattern.

[0056] The applicant has recognized that the above-described method can be advantageous when, after profiling the by-product plate, the trunk axis of the trunk should be in a desired orientation relative to its transport direction. This is the case, for example, when the trunk is processed by a separate cutting means after profiling. Since it is impossible or extremely difficult to adjust the position of the cutting means to match the shape and dimensions of the trunk, it may be necessary to align the trunk with its trunk axis, at least in the area where the cutting means engages with the trunk. To enable the by-product to be profiled according to the cutting strategy, the invention provides for two milling tools to be fed between the profiling of the by-product plate and the movement of the trunk from the first to the second processing position. This makes it possible to profile the by-product as desired while the trunk is rotating around its rotation axis during its own processing.

[0057] Advantageously, the cutting method for determining the trunk before profiling at least one by-product plate comprises a substantially linear by-product extension direction in the trunk oriented at an angle to the trunk axis, the trunk being moved relative to the milling tool in a first processing position in which the target extension direction of the by-product plate is oriented parallel to the conveying direction, and during profiling of the by-product plate, the trunk is moved from the first processing position to a second processing position in which the trunk axis is oriented parallel to the conveying direction, and the by-product plate is profiled according to the cutting method by feeding two milling tools along their feed axes during profiling of the by-product plate.

[0058] The above-described method sequence is conceivable when the trunk is profiled as described above and then immediately separated from the main product by sawing in a so-called pre-cut. In particular, it is possible to move the trunk along its trunk axis relative to the first cutting means used here, in particular a so-called pre-cut sawing device. Preferably, the trunk axis is positioned in the second processing position so that the elongation axis of the by-product plate is centered between the two saw blades that separate the by-product plate.

[0059] In this case, the main product of the trunk to be profiled can be in contact with several by-product plates on its periphery, at least one of which is oriented at an angle to the trunk axis according to the previous embodiment, and is separated from the remaining trunk by a pre-cut. The remaining by-product plates, which are typically positioned at an angle of about 90 degrees, are then similarly profiled and separated from the main product by a so-called post-cut. Unlike the pre-cut, the main product is also separated by several parallel-oriented saw blades simultaneously with the saw cuts that separate the by-product plates from the main product. In the case of a curved trunk extension, it can be advantageous to properly align the trunk even before the post-cut so that the saw blades are not subjected to excessive bending loads due to the curvature of the trunk during the post-cut.

[0060] In an advantageous development, for this purpose, before profiling at least one sub-product plate, the cutting pattern of the trunk is determined, in which the sub-product extension direction and the trunk extension direction are curved, and the trunk is moved relative to the milling tools in a first processing position, and during profiling of the sub-product plate, the trunk is moved from the first processing position to a second processing position, in which the trunk axis and / or the sub-product plate are oriented parallel to the conveying direction in the area behind the profiling tools in the conveying direction, and the two milling tools are fed along their feed axes during profiling of the sub-product plate, thereby profiling the sub-product plate according to the cutting pattern.

[0061] In particular in the region behind the profiling tool in the conveying direction, a second cutting means, in particular a post-cut sawing device, is arranged, by means of which the post-cut is carried out.

[0062] As mentioned above, the object of the present invention is also achieved by a device according to claim 15.

[0063] The device according to the invention is used for producing timber from tree trunks, in particular by implementing the method according to the invention or an advantageous development of the method. The device comprises a separating means configured to separate the bark from the trunk to form at least one working surface, and a conveying means configured to move the trunk in a conveying motion along the conveying direction. The device further comprises two milling tools arranged to move the trunk relative to the milling tools during the conveying motion so as to profile the longitudinal sides of the by-product board by milling two rounded areas adjacent to the working surfaces. The device also comprises sawing means configured to separate the by-product board from the trunk. It is important to configure the conveying means as follows: the trunk is adjusted from a transfer position to a working position about and / or along at least one adjustment axis extending perpendicular to the conveying direction, so that at least one leading area of ​​the trunk is displaceable perpendicular to the conveying direction in the direction of at least one of the milling tools, in particular parallel to the feed axis of the milling tools.

[0064] The device according to the invention is preferably suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention or advantageous developments of the method, and therefore the embodiments relating to the method according to the invention and its advantageous developments apply accordingly.

[0065] The transport means preferably comprises a plurality of conveyor rollers, each of which can be driven into a rotational movement to effect a transporting movement of the trunks and which can be displaced transversely to the transport direction to effect a positioning of the trunks. Advantageous developments include the conveyor rollers being individually controllable or mechanically coupled to one another at least in pairs. It is particularly conceivable for the conveyor rollers to be independently adjustable transversely to the transport direction.

[0066] A drive system is preferably provided for effecting the rotational and / or positioning movements of the conveyor rollers. In particular, a control unit can be provided for controlling the drive system in accordance with a control program, which in particular correlates the conveyor roller movements required to adjust the processing position of the trunk. The conveyor roller movements adjustable by the control unit include, in particular, the rotational movement of at least one roller and / or a positioning movement perpendicular to the trunk transport direction, in particular in interaction with the transport movement of at least one other conveyor roller. It is within the scope of an advantageous development that the control unit is configured to determine the cutting strategy for the trunk. For this purpose, the control unit is preferably coupled in signal technology to one or more profile sensors, which can be used to determine the trunk geometry. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0067] The advantages and possible embodiments of the invention will be explained below on the basis of examples and drawings. Of the drawings,

[0068] [Figure 1] A method for rotating a trunk from a transfer position to a processing position prior to profiling of a by-product board. [Figure 2] A method for rotating from a first processing position to a second processing position for precutting a tree trunk during profiling of a by-product board. [Figure 3]A method for rotating from a first processing position to a second processing position for post-cutting a tree trunk during profiling of a by-product board. [Figure 4] A method for rotating two successive trunks from a transfer position to a processing position prior to profiling of by-product boards. [Figure 5] A method for rotating a trunk into a processing position prior to profiling two by-product boards on faces in opposite directions. [Figure 6] A method for translating a trunk into a processing position prior to profiling a by-product board. [Figure 7] A method for translating two consecutive trunks into respective processing positions before profiling a by-product board. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0069] When processing the trunks into boards, different cross-sectional areas are used to obtain different types of board. The inner cross-sectional areas are generally used to produce so-called main products or main product boards contained in the main products, and the outer cross-sectional areas are used to obtain so-called by-products or by-product boards contained in the by-products. Usually, the trunk is profiled with a milling tool to produce at least one by-product board and then separate it from the trunk.

[0070] In the devices used for this purpose, the trunk to be processed is moved continuously, usually at a distance called the woodworking gap, relative to a profiling tool, which engages the trunk for processing and mills two preformed rounded areas to profile the by-product. In order to achieve high productivity in the processing of such trunks, it is usually aimed to reduce the woodworking gap.

[0071] However, when the trunk geometry varies, in order to be able to profile sub-products with different widths and extension directions, the milling tools used for profiling must be individually fed along their respective feed axes at least prior to profiling. In this case, to mill the rounded areas, the milling tools are moved to their respective feed positions, where they engage with the leading end of the trunk. Typically, the feed movement of the milling tool is performed while the milling tool is located between the trunk that has already been profiled and the trunk to be profiled, i.e., in the woodworking gap. Because the woodworking gap determines the time during which a feed movement can be performed for a given trunk transport speed, the woodworking gap cannot be arbitrarily reduced until now.

[0072] In addition to the width of the by-product, the desired orientation of the by-product relative to the trunk axis also influences the reduction of the woodworking gap that has been possible up to now. For example, if the by-product is to be profiled in a direction that is not parallel to the trunk axis in order to increase lumber yield, the milling tool must be adjusted between the transport movement of the trunk and the profiling process. If the by-product forms a large angle with respect to the trunk axis, the milling tool must move over a long feed path, and possibly in the opposite direction to process the subsequent trunk. A sufficiently large woodworking gap is required for this purpose.

[0073] The method described below makes it possible to reduce woodworking gaps and thereby significantly increase productivity in profiling by-products.

[0074] Figure 1 shows in view a) a tree trunk 1 with a preformed working surface 2 and two rounded areas 3 adjacent to said working surface. In the diagram shown here, the tree trunk 1 can in particular be a model with two working surfaces 2 or a timber with four working surfaces 2, which are distributed over the periphery and separated from each other in pairs by rounded areas 3. To produce the sub-product plates 4, the sub-product plates are profiled at the trunk 1 by two milling tools 5. The pre-profiled sub-product plates 4 are then separated from the trunk 1 by performing saw cuts.

[0075] The by-product board 4 to be profiled has a target extension axis 6 before processing of the trunk 1, which extension axis is oriented at an angle to the trunk axis 7 in the drawing plane in FIG. 1 in which the processing surface 2 also lies.

[0076] In the case of profiling a typical by-product using conventional methods, the milling tool 5 must first be fed along its respective feed axis 8 from the position shown in view a) of FIG. 1 in the direction of the leading end of the trunk 1 so that it engages with the trunk 1 for milling. During profiling, the milling tool 5 must then be fed again in the opposite direction in order to produce the by-product board 4 according to the target extension axis 6 shown here. The feed movement of the milling tool 5 requires a sufficiently large woodworking gap both with respect to the leading trunk, not shown here, and with respect to the following trunk, also not shown.

[0077] In order to reduce the woodworking gap, the trunk 1 shown in view a) of FIG. 1 is moved from its transport position (see view a) of the drawings) to a processing position (see views b and c) of FIG. 1) by rotating it about a rotation axis, in which position it is moved relative to the milling tool. For this purpose, the leading front area of ​​the trunk 1 is rotated about a rotation axis facing the milling tool 5. The rotation axis extends perpendicular to the conveying direction 9 and is oriented perpendicular to the drawing plane or linear surface 2 in view a) of FIG. 1. Possible processing positions to which the trunk 1 can be moved by rotating it about a rotation axis are shown in views b) and c) of FIG. 1.

[0078] In view b) of FIG. 1, the sub-product 4 to be profiled has its target elongation axis 6 oriented parallel to the conveying direction 9, and its trunk axis 7 oriented at an angle to said conveying direction. This offers advantages with regard to the necessary feed path of the milling tools 5 both before and during profiling of the trunk 1. The feed path before profiling is shorter because the leading end of the trunk can be moved in the opposite direction relative to the milling tools 5, so that the required feed position of at least one of the milling tools 5 is reached more quickly than if the trunk 1 were not rotated about its rotation axis. Furthermore, according to view b) of FIG. 1, the feed movement of the milling tools 5 can be completely omitted during profiling, since the sub-product plate 4 to be produced is oriented parallel to the conveying direction, so that the sub-product plate can be profiled in accordance with its target elongation axis by just a conveying movement relative to the milling tools 5.

[0079] In an alternative embodiment, the trunk 1 can be moved to another processing position, as shown in view c) of FIG. 1. In this case, neither the target elongation axis 6 nor the trunk axis 7 of the by-product plate 4 is oriented parallel to the conveying direction 9. However, the reduced angle between the target elongation axis 6 and the conveying direction 9 compared to the transfer position shown in view a) of FIG. 1 also has the advantage that the feed path of the milling tool 5 is shorter before and during the milling process. In order to be able to profile the by-product according to the target longitudinal elongation axis 6, the milling tool 5 must be fed along its respective feed axis 8 during the milling process. Nevertheless, the required feed path can be significantly shorter than the feed path that would normally be required.

[0080] A further advantage provided by the machining positions according to views b) and c) of Figure 1 has to do with the fact that the milling tools 5 typically used are configured as rotating milling heads, which are arranged at an acute toe angle 11 relative to the conveying direction 9. In other words, the respective rotation axis of the milling head forms an acute angle with a plane oriented perpendicular to the conveying direction.

[0081] Such a toe angle 11 is advantageous because it can prevent backcuts of the milling head 5 during profiling of the workpiece. Normally, the toe angle 11 must be adjustable when feeding the milling head 5 along its respective feed axis during profiling, otherwise backcuts of the milling head 5 may occur. However, by rotating the trunk 1 into the processing position according to views b) and c) of FIG. 1, it is advantageous to set the toe angle fixedly, since the correct orientation of the trunk already makes it possible to obtain an optimal relative position between the workpiece board and the milling tool, which does not lead to backcuts. Furthermore, not having to readjust the angle between the milling tool 5 and the workpiece board 4 to be produced also has the advantageous effect of achieving the smallest possible woodworking gaps.

[0082] 1, it is possible to determine the cutting pattern of the trunk 1 before or after forming the processing surface 2, and to subsequently process the trunk 1 in accordance with this cutting pattern, in particular to profile the by-product boards 4. The cutting pattern can be determined by measuring the trunk with one or more geometry sensors and then calculating the optimal positioning and orientation of the main product and by-products relative to each other and relative to the trunk.

[0083] To move the trunk 1 to the desired processing position according to view b) or c) of Fig. 1, a conveying means is used, which comprises a number of conveyor rollers 10 arranged in pairs at a distance from one another in the conveying direction. Each conveyor roller 10, which for clarity is only numbered once, is transferred to a rotational movement 11, which transfers the trunk to a conveying movement by contacting its respective outer circumferential surface. In addition, each conveyor roller 10 is also movable translationally along its positioning axis 13 and can be transferred to a translational movement 14 perpendicular to the conveying direction. By adjusting the position of one conveyor roller pair relative to another, the trunk 1 can be rotated during its conveying movement and moved to the processing position, where it can be processed with a milling tool 5.

[0084] In Fig. 2 a method for moving a tree trunk 1 from a first processing position to a second processing position during profiling of a by-product 2 is illustrated, which method can be carried out independently or after the method step illustrated in Fig. 1.

[0085] Similar to the embodiment in Fig. 1, in view a) of Fig. 2 a tree trunk 1 with a processing surface 2 is shown, which is moved in a conveying direction 9. To profile the by-product boards 4, the tree trunk 1 is moved into a processing position perpendicular to the conveying direction by adjusting the position of the conveyor rollers 10, in which case the explanation given for Fig. 1 applies accordingly.

[0086] Before profiling the by-product plate 4, a cutting pattern for the trunk 1 is determined, which cutting pattern comprises an essentially linear by-product extension direction 1 in the trunk 1, which is oriented at an angle to the trunk axis 7. The trunk 1 is moved relative to the milling tool 5 in a first processing position, as shown in view a) of FIG. 2, in which the target extension direction 6 of the by-product plate is oriented parallel to the conveying direction.

[0087] During the profiling of the sub-product plate 4, the trunk 1 is moved from the first processing position to the second processing position by rotating the trunk 1 about an axis of rotation extending perpendicular to the drawing plane of FIG. 2. This is shown in FIG. 2, view b). The rotation of the trunk 1 about its axis of rotation is carried out until the trunk axis 7 is oriented parallel to the conveying direction 9, so that the trunk 1 is in the second processing position. This is shown in FIG. 2, view c). During the profiling of the sub-product plate 4, the two milling tools are fed along their feed axes 8, so that the sub-product plate is profiled according to the cutting method. In other words, the rotation of the trunk 1 does not affect the linear extension direction of the sub-product plate 4. Rather, even when the trunk 1 is rotated, the milling tools 5 are guided along the feed axes 8 to obtain the desired linear extension direction of the sub-product plate 4.

[0088] The method illustrated in Fig. 2 is based on the recognition that it can be advantageous to orient the trunk axis 7 of the trunk 1 parallel to its conveying direction by precisely controlling the conveyor rollers 10 and the milling tools 5 and positioning them perpendicular to the conveying direction 9 during the profiling of the sub-product plates 4. This is necessary, for example, if the trunk 1 is processed by a separating means immediately after profiling, and it is not possible or would require great effort to adjust the position of the separating means to suit the shape and dimensions of the trunk 1. In this case, therefore, to be able to profile the sub-product plates 4 with an extension direction at an angle to the trunk axis 7 depending on the cutting method, two milling tools 5 are fed in the above-mentioned manner during the profiling of the sub-product plates 4 and the movement of the trunk 1 from the first to the second processing position. This makes it possible to profile the sub-product plates 4 in a straight line while the trunk 1 is rotated about its rotation axis.

[0089] The above-described method sequence is conceivable when a trunk is profiled in the above-described manner and then immediately separated from the main product by sawing in a so-called precut. As highlighted in view c) of FIG. 2, the trunk 1 is moved along its trunk axis, in this case relative to a precut sawing device 15. By positioning the trunk transversely relative to the conveying direction 9, the trunk is positioned in a second processing position such that the elongated axis of the by-product plate 4 is centered between the two saw blades of the precut sawing device 15 for separating the by-product plate 4 from the trunk 1, as highlighted in view d) of FIG. 2.

[0090] The remaining by-product plates 4, which are arranged at an angle of 90° to the by-product plates 4 separated in the pre-cut, are then similarly profiled and separated from the main product in a so-called post-cut. This is illustrated in Figure 3, which shows in views a), b), c) and d) the correct orientation of the tree trunk 1 according to the embodiment of Figure 2.

[0091] Unlike the pre-cutting, during the post-cutting, the main product is separated by a plurality of parallel-oriented saw blades which are part of the re-cutting device 16 at the same time as the saw cuts which separate the by-product plates 4 from the main product. In order to avoid exposing the saw blades to excessive bending loads due to the curvature of the trunk during the post-cutting, in the case of a curved trunk extension direction, it may also be advantageous to orient the trunk 1 correctly for the post-cutting as well.

[0092] 2, for this purpose a cutting pattern of the trunk 1 is determined before profiling at least one sub-product plate, in which the sub-product extension direction and the trunk extension direction are curved, and the trunk is moved relative to the milling tools in a first processing position and, during profiling of the sub-product plate, is moved from the first processing position to a second processing position in which the trunk axis and / or the sub-product plate is oriented parallel to the conveying direction 9 in a region behind at least one of the profiling tools 5 in the conveying direction. In this case, the two milling tools 5 are fed along their feed axes 8 during profiling of the sub-product plate 4, so that the sub-product plate 4 is profiled in accordance with the cutting pattern.

[0093] As can be seen in FIG. 3, diagram d), a post-cut separates the by-product from the main product and simultaneously divides the main product into a plurality of main product plates.

[0094] 4 shows two trunks 1, 1' which are moved successively relative to two milling tools 5 in a conveying direction 9, in order to better visualize the advantages described with reference to FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the trunks 1, 1' differ in the orientation of the target elongation axis 7 of the by-product plate 4 to be profiled relative to the respective trunk axis 7.

[0095] In the case of conventional profiling of the by-product board 4 shown here, the trunk axis 7 of each of the trunks 1, 1' is oriented parallel to the conveying direction 9, which, as mentioned above, requires the milling tool 5 to move over a relatively long feed path both before and during the milling process.

[0096] However, by moving each of the trunks 1, 1' into a processing position as shown in Figure 4 according to the embodiment in Figure 1, in which the target elongation axis 6 is oriented essentially parallel to the conveying direction 9, it is possible to completely or almost completely avoid the aforementioned feed path and reduce to a minimum the woodworking gap between the trunks 1, as shown in the embodiment in Figure 1.

[0097] Figure 5 shows in diagram a) a tree trunk 1 which, unlike the tree trunk 1 in Figures 1 to 4, is used to produce not just one by-product board 4 but two by-product boards 4, 4' on oppositely facing sides of the tree trunk 1. The tree trunk 1 can in this case be called a model.

[0098] According to view a) of Figure 5, the trunk 1 has two working surfaces, of which the first working surface 2 is shown and labeled, while the second working surface faces away from the plane of the tree and is not labeled for clarity. The first working surface 2 is used to produce a first sub-product plate 4, whose target extension axis 6 extends parallel to and offset from the trunk axis 7 in the drawing plane of Figure 5. The second working surface, located below the trunk 1 in the direction of view of the first working surface 2, is used to produce a second sub-product plate 4', whose target extension axis 6' extends at an angle to both the trunk axis 7 and the target extension axis 6 of the first sub-product plate 4. An angle bisector 15 extends between the target extension axis 6 of the first sub-product plate 4 and the target extension axis 6' of the second sub-product plate 4'.

[0099] A milling tool 5 is used to profile the first sub-product plate 4, and a milling tool 5' is used to profile the second sub-product plate 4'. The milling tools 5, 5' are offset from one another along a vertical axis perpendicular to the drawing plane. In contrast to the arrangement shown in FIG. 5, it is also possible to arrange the milling tools 5, 5' at the same height along the conveying axis and offset from one another only along the aforementioned vertical axis perpendicular to the drawing plane. It is possible to feed the milling tool 5' along its feed axis 8' corresponding to the milling tool 5. For clarity, the milling tools 5 and 5' are shown in different feed positions, but they can in principle be in any feed position before the trunk 1 is processed.

[0100] To move the trunk 1 into the processing position, it is rotated about the rotation axis according to the embodiment according to Figures 1 to 4. The rotation is carried out so that the trunk 1 is oriented parallel to the conveying direction 9 with the angle bisector 15 and is moved in this position relative to the milling tool 5. In the processing position of the trunk 1, shown in view b) of Figure 5, the target extension axis 6, 6' and the trunk axis 7 of the by-product plate 4 or 4' are oriented non-parallel to the conveying direction 9. This is shown in view b) of Figure 5.

[0101] Investigations have shown that the orientation of the trunk 1 shown in view b) of Figure 5 is advantageous when the target extension axes 6, 6' of the two by-product plates 4 or 4' are oriented at an angle to one another. By orienting the trunk 1 along the angle bisector 15, it is possible to move the trunk relative to the milling tools 5, 5' and to optimize the required feed path before and during the milling process.

[0102] When the trunk is moved relative to the milling tools 5, 5' according to the processing positions shown here, the milling tools engage the respective sub-product plates 4, 4' to be profiled accordingly. When the sub-product plates 4, 4' are to be profiled according to the target extension axes 6, 6' shown here, the milling tools must be positioned along their respective feed axes 8. This results in a good timber yield.

[0103] However, investigations have shown that it may be advantageous to profile the sub-product plates 4, 4' so that they deviate from their target extension axes 6, 6'. This is possible, for example, by moving the trunk 1 to the processing position shown in view c) of FIG. 5 and feeding the milling tool into the position shown before milling. However, no feed movement of the milling tool 5, 5' is performed during milling. This suggests that the sub-product plates are each profiled with an actual extension axis that deviates angularly from their respective target extension axes 6, 6'.

[0104] Although such angle deviations result in a reduction in lumber yield, this reduction is acceptable in view of the reduction in woodworking gaps and the associated increase in system productivity from an economic point of view. Favorable factors under such conditions include, for example, low lumber prices and the need to reduce inventory at lumber processing facilities.

[0105] 6(a) shows a tree trunk 1 being moved in a conveying direction 9 by a plurality of conveyor rollers 10 for profiling by-product plates 4 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1(a). The tree trunk has at least one working surface 2 and two rounded areas 3 adjacent to said working surface. The target extension axis 6 of the by-product plate 4 extends parallel to the trunk axis 7 but is offset parallel to the trunk axis 7 in the plane formed by the working surfaces 2.

[0106] To move the trunk 1 into the processing position shown in view b) of Fig. 6, the trunk 1 is adjusted along an adjustment axis extending perpendicular to the transport direction by conveyor rollers 10 and moved in such processing position relative to the milling tool 5. Before the milling tools 5 are brought into processing engagement with the trunk 1, they are fed along their respective feed axes 8. The movements of the trunk 1 and the milling tool 5 result in opposing movements, which shorten the feed path that the milling tool 5 must travel compared to conventional feeding operations.

[0107] Figure 7, like Figure 4, shows two trunks 1 spaced apart by a woodworking gap and moved relative to two milling tools 5. The trunks 1 are processed to profile at least one by-product board 4 each. The target extension axes 6 of the two trunks 1 are offset parallel to the respective trunk axes 1. To reduce the woodworking gap, the trunks 1 are displaced translationally according to the embodiment described above with reference to Figure 6, which reduces the feed movements of the milling tools 5 before milling and eliminates the need for any feed during milling.

Claims

1. A method for producing timber from a tree trunk (1), At least one processed surface (2) is formed by removing the outer bark region from the tree trunk (1). The tree trunk (1) is moved in a transport motion in the transport direction (9) relative to at least two milling tools (5) that can each be fed along the feed axis (8), thereby milling two rounded regions (3) adjacent to the machined surface (2) to profile at least one by-product plate (4). In a method of separating the by-product board (4) from the tree trunk (1) by saw cutting, A method characterized in that the tree trunk (1) is moved from a transport position to a processing position during the transport motion and before profiling of the by-product board by moving the tree trunk (1) about and / or along at least one position adjustment axis that extends perpendicular to the transport direction (9), thereby displacing at least the leading region of the tree trunk (1) in the direction of at least one of the milling tools (5) perpendicular to the transport direction (9).

2. At least two tree trunks (1, 1') are moved in succession in the transport direction, and at least one of the milling tools is used to profile one by-product plate on each of the two tree trunks (1, 1'), During the profiling of the by-product plate of the first tree trunk (1'), the milling tool is moved along its own feed axis, The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, before profiling the by-product board of the second trunk (1), the trunk is moved from the transport position to the processing position by moving the trunk about and / or along the position adjustment axis which extends perpendicular to the transport direction (9), thereby displacing the leading region of the second trunk (1) perpendicular to the transport direction (9) in the direction of the milling tool (5).

3. At least two tree trunks (1, 1') are moved in succession in the transport direction, and at least one of the milling tools is used to profile one by-product plate from each of the two tree trunks (1, 1'), After profiling the by-product plate of the first tree trunk (1'), the milling tool is moved along its own feed axis, The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the second tree trunk (1) is moved to the processing position by moving the tree trunk about and / or along the position adjustment axis which extends perpendicular to the transport direction (9), thereby displacing the leading region of the second tree trunk (1) perpendicular to the transport direction (9) in the direction of the milling tool (5).

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the tree trunk (1) is rotated about a rotation axis that extends perpendicular to the transport direction (9), and at least one of the milling tools (5) is moved to the processing position by feeding the tree trunk (1) along the respective feed axes (8) that extend perpendicular to the transport direction (9) and the rotation axis of the tree trunk (1).

5. Before profiling the at least one by-product board (4), determine the cutting method of the tree trunk (1), which includes a substantially linear by-product extension direction in the tree trunk (1). The tree trunk (1) is rotated around the rotation axis such that the target stretching axis (6) of the by-product board (4) is oriented parallel to the transport direction (9) at the processing position of the tree trunk (1), The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the tree trunk is moved relative to at least one of the milling tools at the processing position, and the milling tool is fixed relative to its own feed axis during the profiling of the by-product plate (4), thereby profiling the by-product plate (4) according to the cutting method.

6. Prior to profiling the at least one by-product board, the cutting method of the tree trunk (1) including the by-product extension direction, which is substantially linear in the tree trunk (1), is determined. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the tree trunk (1) is rotated around the rotation axis such that the target stretching axis (6) of the by-product board (4) is oriented non-parallel to the conveying direction (9) at the processing position.

7. During the profiling of the by-product plate (4), at least one of the milling tools (5) is moved along its own feed axis (8) to profile the by-product plate (4) according to the cutting method. or The method according to claim 6, characterized in that when profiling the by-product plate (4) in a manner deviating from the cutting method, at least one of the milling tools (5) is fixed to its own feed axis during the profiling of the by-product plate (4).

8. The method according to claim 4, wherein each milling tool (5) is formed as a rotating milling head, and the axis of rotation of each milling head forms an acute angle with a plane oriented perpendicular to the conveying direction (9).

9. By removing two outer bark regions from the tree trunk (1), two processed surfaces (2) facing in opposite directions are formed. In the transport direction (9), the trunk (1) is moved relative to at least four milling tools (5, 5') to mill four rounded regions (3) adjacent to the processed surface, thereby profiling two by-product plates on the trunk (1). Two saw cuts separate the two by-product boards (4, 4') from the tree trunk. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the trunk (1) is moved from the transport position to the processing position during the transport motion and before profiling of the by-product plates (4, 4') by moving the trunk (1) about and / or along the position adjustment axis, thereby displacing at least the leading region of the trunk (1) perpendicular to the transport direction (9) and in the direction of at least two of the milling tools (5, 5') among the milling tools (5, 5').

10. Before profiling the longitudinal sides of the aforementioned by-product boards (4, 4'), determine the cutting method of the tree trunk (1) including two by-product extension directions that are substantially linear and non-parallel along the target longitudinal extension axes (6, 6'), respectively. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the tree trunk (1) is rotated about a rotation axis that extends perpendicular to the conveying direction such that the target longitudinal extension axis (6, 6') of the by-product board defines an angular region including the conveying direction (9) at the processing position.

11. The tree trunk (1) is processed according to the cutting method by feeding at least two milling tools along their respective feed axes (8) during the milling of the tree trunk, which are used to profile different by-product plates (4, 4'), and the by-product plates (4, 4') are manufactured according to the target longitudinal extension axis (6, 6'). or The method according to claim 10, characterized in that at least two milling tools used for profiling different by-product plates (4, 4') are fixed along their respective feed axes during the transport motion of the trunk (1) to produce the by-product plates (4, 4') each having an actual longitudinal axis having an angular offset with respect to the respective target longitudinal extension axis, and the trunk (1) is processed by the milling tools (5, 5') in a manner deviating from the cutting method.

12. The tree trunk (1) is positioned at least partially by displacing it along a translation axis that extends perpendicular to the transport direction, The cutting method of the tree trunk (1), including the direction of extension of the by-product in the tree trunk (1), is determined, and the target extension axis (6) of the by-product board (4) is extended substantially parallel to the trunk axis (7). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the trunk is moved to the processing position by displacing the trunk along the translation axis together with the target extension axis of the trunk, in accordance with the preceding trunk (1').

13. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the tree trunk (1) is moved in the conveying direction by a plurality of conveyor roller pairs, at least two of the conveyor roller pairs are spaced apart from each other along the conveying direction, and the tree trunk is moved to the processing position by displacing at least one of the conveyor roller pairs relative to the other conveyor roller pair and / or displacing the at least two conveyor roller pairs together at a right angle to the conveying direction.

14. A method for producing timber from a tree trunk (1), At least one processed surface (2) is formed by removing the outer bark region from the tree trunk (1). In the transport motion in the transport direction (9), the tree trunk (1) is moved relative to at least two milling tools (5) that can each be fed along the feed axis (8), thereby milling two rounded regions (3) adjacent to the processed surface (2) and profiling at least one by-product plate (4). In a method of separating the by-product board (4) from the tree trunk (1) by saw cutting, Before profiling the at least one by-product board, determine the cutting method of the tree trunk (1), including the direction of by-product extension in the tree trunk (1). At the first processing position, the tree trunk (1) is moved relative to the milling tool, and during the profiling of the by-product plate (4), the tree trunk (1) is moved from the first processing position to the second processing position by rotating it around a rotation axis that extends perpendicular to the transport direction. A method characterized by profiling the by-product plate (4) according to the cutting method by feeding the two milling tools (5) along their own feed axes (8) during the profiling of the by-product plate.

15. An apparatus for manufacturing timber from a tree trunk (1), A separation means configured to remove the outer bark from the tree trunk (1) to form at least one processed surface (2), A conveying means is formed to transition the tree trunk (1) into a conveying motion along the conveying direction (9), At least two milling tools (5) are arranged such that, during the transport motion, the trunk (1) moves relative to the milling tools (1) to mill two rounded regions adjacent to the processing surface, thereby profiling the longitudinal side surface of the by-product plate (4), and further An apparatus having a sawing means formed to separate the by-product board (4) from the tree trunk (1), The conveying means is characterized in that it adjusts the position of the tree trunk (1) around and / or along at least one position adjustment axis that extends perpendicular to the conveying direction, thereby enabling at least one leading region of the tree trunk to be displaced perpendicular to the conveying direction.

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