Automated arbor wear adjustment for circular saws

Abstract

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for arbor wear adjustment in dual arbor gang saws. The guide bars are moved axially, relative to the saw box, by respective actuators controlled by a control system in accordance with parameters input by the user. Corresponding methods, systems, and processes are also described.

Description

AUTOMATED ARBOR WEAR ADJUSTMENT FOR CIRCULAR SAWSCross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] The present claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 698,559 filed September 24, 2024, and PCT / US25 / 47548 filed September 23, 2025, both titled “CHIPPING, PROFILING, AND SAWING SYSTEMS FOR LUMBER PRODUCTION,” the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.Technical Field

[0002] Embodiments described herein relate to the field of circular saw machinery, and, more specifically, to systems, methods, and apparatuses for automatically adjusting circular saw blade positions along saw arbors to offset or reduce uneven arbor wear.Background

[0003] Industrial lumber manufacturing facilities use a variety of cutting devices to cut larger workpieces, such as logs and cants, into smaller pieces such as flitches, smaller ‘center’ cants, and boards. Bandsaws and circular saws are the most common types of cutting devices used for that purpose. Bandsaws generally offer a smaller kerf and are preferred for cutting the largest diameter workpieces. However, circular saws are often viewed as a less expensive and lower-maintenance alternative to bandsaws.

[0004] Circular saw machines with multiple circular saw blades arranged along a saw arbor are commonly known as “gang saws.” In older gang saws the saw blades were mounted to the arbor with collars that were fixed in position along the arbor. Most modern gang saws have an arbor with a splined exterior, and the saw blades have a center annulus (the “eye”) with a complementary shape (the “inner spline”). Rotation of the arbor drives the rotation of the saw blades, but adequate clearance is left between the spline of the arbor and the inner splines of the saw blades to allow the saw blades to slide along the arbor.

[0005] Saw guides are used to restrict or control movement of the saw blades along the splined arbor, reduce lateral deflection or deformation of the saw blades, andcool / lubricate the saw blades, during cutting operations. The saw guides are positioned to leave a very small clearance (e.g., about 0.0001 " and about 0.005") between the blade-engaging ends of the guides and the corresponding faces of the saw blades.Liquids / gases (e.g., oil, water, coolant, air, etc.) are fed through the guides and into the gaps under pressure to stabilize the blades between the guides. The opposite ends of the saw guides are engaged by a linear guide.

[0006] A dual arbor gang saw has two splined arbors that are oriented parallel to one another and positioned above and below, or on opposite sides of, a workpiece feed axis. Each of the arbors accommodates multiple circular saw blades. In most guided- saw designs, each arbor has a corresponding set of saw guides and a corresponding linear guide. The arbors and the linear guides are typically mounted to a support (e.g., the saw box). Some or all of the saw guides are movable along the respective linear guides to reposition the corresponding saw blades along the arbors.

[0007] As the splined arbor drives the saw blades in rotation, the portions of the arbor that contact the saw blades during sawing operations are subject to more rapid wearing than other areas. Keeping the saw blades in fixed positions along the arbor during sawing can form grooves in the arbor at those positions, which can shorten the useful life of the arbor (or its outer surface) and cause cutting inaccuracies.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] Embodiments will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings.

[0009] Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of a dual arbor gang saw, with some components removed for clarity;

[0010] Figure 2A is a side elevational view of the dual arbor gang saw of Fig. 1 ;

[0011] Figure 2B is a sectional view taken along line A — A of Fig. 2A;

[0012] are;

[0013] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a control system;

[0014] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a first computer;

[0015] Figure illustrates a computer-implemented method for making arbor wear adjustments;

[0016] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a second computer;

[0017] Figure 7 is a flow diagram of an arbor wear adjustment process; and

[0018] Figure 8 illustrates a user interface, all in accordance with various embodiments.Detailed Description of Disclosed Embodiments

[0019] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration embodiments that may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of embodiments is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0020] Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding embodiments; however, the order of description should not be construed to imply that these operations are order dependent.

[0021] The description may use perspective-based descriptions such as up / down, back / front, and top / bottom. Such descriptions are merely used to facilitate the discussion and are not intended to restrict the application of disclosed embodiments.

[0022] The terms “coupled” and “connected,” along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Rather, in particular embodiments, “connected” may be used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact with each other. “Coupled” may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact.However, “coupled” may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact with each other.

[0023] For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form “A / B” or in the form “A and / or B” means (A), (B), or (A and B). For the purposes of the description, aphrase in the form “at least one of A, B, and C” means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C). For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form “(A)B” means (B) or (AB) that is, A is an optional element.

[0024] The description may use the terms “embodiment” or “embodiments,” which may each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments.Furthermore, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, as used with respect to embodiments, are synonymous.

[0025] As used herein, the terms “non-transitory computer-readable medium” and “non-transitory computer-readable media” encompass all computer-readable media except for a transitory, propagating signal.

[0026] In exemplary embodiments, a computing device may be endowed with one or more components of the disclosed apparatuses and / or systems and may be employed to perform one or more methods as disclosed herein.

[0027] In dual arbor gang saws, arbors tend to wear more rapidly in areas where the arbor contacts the circular saw blades arrayed thereon. If the saw blades remain stationary during sawing, or if they are movable but are frequently in the same locations along the arbor, the arbor may wear unevenly. Therefore, periodic adjustments to the locations of the saws along the arbors may help to reduce uneven wearing along the arbor.

[0028] Prior methods of arbor wear adjustment required a human operator to perform a manual 3-step process. First, the operator mechanically adjusts the linear guide for the bottom arbor at the saw box, moving that linear guide axially a specified distance relative to the saw box. This adjustment also shifts the corresponding saw guides by the same distance. Next, the top arbor bias is adjusted in the humanmachine interface (HMI) by the same distance. Finally, the reference saw blade location in the optimization computer software is adjusted by the same distance.

[0029] An error in any of these adjustments can result in lumber that is off size (i.e., cut to the wrong dimensions).

[0030] Therefore, the present disclosure provides embodiments of systems, methods, and apparatuses for automatic arbor wear adjustment.

[0031] The present disclosure provides embodiments of an arbor wear adjustment system for a dual arbor gang saw. The dual arbor gang saw includes a saw box with a frame, a first arbor and a second arbor rotatably mounted to the frame and oriented parallel to one another, and a first guide bar and a second guide bar mounted to the frame parallel to arbors. The arbor wear adjustment system includes a first actuator operatively coupled to the first guide bar and a second actuator operatively coupled to the second guide bar. The first and second actuators are selectively operable to move the first and second guide bars, respectively, axially relative to the saw box. In some embodiments the system may optionally include a first linear displacement transducer operatively coupled with the first actuator and a second linear displacement transducer operatively coupled with the second actuator. The actuators may optionally be linear positioners (e.g., hydraulic / pneumatic cylinders). In some embodiments, the actuators are short-stroke setworks cylinders.

[0032] Optionally, the arbor wear adjustment system may further include a control system. In some embodiments, the control system includes a human-machine interface (HMI) and a programmable logic computer (PLC). The HMI is configured to receive adjustment parameters (e.g., adjustment distance and frequency) input by the operator for one of the guide bars and to send the parameters to the PLC. The PLC is configured to control the first and second actuators to adjust the positions of the first and second guide bars relative to the saw box by the adjustment amount. Optionally the PLC is also configured to receive feedback from the linear displacement transducers and to control the first and second actuators based in part on the received feedback. The PLC may also be configured to determine the position of a reference saw blade relative to a reference location (e.g., an interior surface of the saw box frame) based on the previous position and the adjustment distance, and to communicate the determined position to an optimization computer.

[0033] The present disclosure also provides embodiments of methods for automatic arbor wear adjustment. In various embodiments, the method includes causing the first actuator to move the first guide bar axially, relative to the saw box, a defined distance in a first direction to a first position; and causing the second actuator to move the second guide bar axially, relative to the saw box, the defined distance in thefirst direction to a second position that corresponds to the first position. In some embodiments the method may further include receiving the defined distance from a HMI, or determining the defined distance based on operator input entered through the HMI. In some embodiments, the determined distance may be entered into the HMI by a user. In that case, after the input has been entered by the user, the method may be performed automatically without further input by the user.

[0034] Optionally, causing the first actuator to move the first guide bar to the first position includes determining an actual position of the first guide bar based at least on feedback from a linear displacement transducer positioned to detect linear displacement of the first guide bar. In some embodiments the method may further include determining a current position of a reference saw blade based on a previous position of the reference saw blade and said defined distance. In that case, the method may also optionally include sending the current position of the reference saw blade to another computer (e.g., an optimization computer).

[0035] In various embodiments, a method of upgrading a dual arbor gang saw with first and second arbors and first and second saw guide bars includes operatively coupling a first actuator with the first saw guide bar. Optionally, the method may further include coupling a second actuator with the second saw guide bar. Optionally, the method may further include operatively coupling the first and second actuators with a control system as described herein.

[0036] Referring now to the Figs. 1 and 2A-2B, in various embodiments a dual arbor gang saw system 100 may include a saw box 102 having a frame 104, a first arbor 106 and a second arbor 108 rotatably mounted to the frame 104, a first guide bar 1 10, and a second guide bar 112 mounted to the frame 104. A first actuator 114 is coupled to the first guide bar 110 and operable to move the first guide bar 1 10 axially (see arrow 1 18, Fig. 2B) relative to the saw box. A second actuator 1 16 is coupled to the second guide bar 1 12 and operable to move the second guide bar 112 axially (see arrow 1 18, Fig. 2B) relative to the saw box.

[0037] The arbors 106, 108 are oriented parallel to one another and spaced apart by a gap 120. Each of the arbors is configured to bear a corresponding plurality ofcircular saw blades 122. The guide bars 110, 1 12 are parallel to the arbors, and each of the guide bars is configured to engage a respective plurality of saw guides 124.

[0038] In some embodiments, the first and second actuators 1 14, 1 16 are linear positioners, each having a first portion fixedly mounted to the frame 104 and a second portion connected to the first portion and a corresponding one of the guide bars. The first portion is operable to move the second portion in opposite directions relative to the frame 104 to thereby move the corresponding one of the guide bars axially relative to the frame.

[0039] Optionally a first linear displacement transducer 126 is coupled with the first actuator 1 14 or first guide bar 1 10 and a second linear displacement transducer 128 is operatively coupled with the second actuator 116 or the second guide bar 112. In that case, each of the linear displacement transducers is operable to measure axial movement of the corresponding guide bar 110 or 112.

[0040] In some embodiments each of the first and second actuators includes a hydraulic cylinder or a pneumatic cylinder. Alternatively, one or both of the actuators may be any other type of actuator suitable to produce linear motion. In a particular embodiment, one or both of the first and second actuators 114, 116 is an electrohydraulic actuator that includes a linear displacement transducer.

[0041] While Fig. 2B shows the first arbor, first guide bar, first actuator, etc. positioned below the second arbor, second guide bar, second actuator, etc., this is not intended to be limiting. In other embodiments the first arbor, first guide bar, first actuator, etc. may be above the second arbor, second guide bar, second actuator, etc., or the arbors may be vertical and the related components may be arranged accordingly.

[0042] In some embodiments, the dual arbor gang saw system further includes a control system 200 operatively coupled with the first and second actuators 1 14, 1 16.

[0043] Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, in some embodiments the control system 200 includes a first computer 202. An example of a suitable first computer shown schematically in Fig. 4.

[0044] First computer 202 typically has one or more processors 204 and a memory 206 in communication with the processor(s) 204. Optionally, memory 206 and processor(s) 204 may be integrated in a central processing unit (CPU). Memory 206has logic 208 configured for execution by the processor(s) 204 to perform various actions as described further herein.

[0045] Memory 206 may include volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or both. In some embodiments, memory 206 includes a Random Access Memory (RAM). Optionally, memory 206 may also include Read Only Memory (ROM), firmware, flash memory, a hard disk drive, a solid-state drive, an external storage resource / device, and / or any other suitable type of memory.

[0046] Memory 206 may also have stored data 210 (e.g., feedback, position data, adjustment parameters / values, etc.). First computer 202 may optionally include one or more input / output modules 212, a power supply 214, and / or communications interface(s) 216. In some embodiments first computer 202 is a programmable logic controller (PLC). Alternatively, first computer 202 may be a personal computer (PC) or any other suitable computing device.

[0047] First computer 202 has machine-readable instructions (e.g., logic 208) that are executable by the processor(s) to perform various actions. For example, the machine-readable instructions may be executable by the processor(s) to perform some or all of the steps of method 300, which is illustrated in Fig. 5.

[0048] Referring now to that Figure, at block 301 first computer 202 may receive one or more adjustment parameters for the first guide bar. The adjustment parameter(s) defines an adjustment value that represents a target position for the first guide bar, or a first distance between a current position of the first guide bar and the target position.

[0049] At block 303, first computer 202 may cause the first actuator 114 to move the first guide bar 1 10 axially, relative to the saw box 104, in a first direction to the target position based at least on the one or more adjustment parameters.

[0050] At block 305, first computer 202 may cause the second actuator 1 16 to move the second guide bar 1 12 axially, relative to the saw box 104, in the first direction by the first distance to a corresponding position.

[0051] Optionally, at block 307 the first computer 202 may receive feedback from a first linear displacement transducer that is operable to measure linear displacement of the first guide bar, and feedback from a second linear displacement transducer that isoperable to measure linear displacement of the second guide bar. In that case, at block 309 the first computer 202 may use the feedback from the first and second linear displacement transducers to guide or confirm movement of the first and second guide bars, respectively, to the first and second positions.

[0052] At block 311 first computer 202 may optionally determine a reference position of a reference saw blade (e.g., reference saw blade 124a) relative to a reference location (e.g., an interior surface of the saw box 102 / frame 104) based at least on a previous position of the reference saw blade and said first distance.

[0053] At block 313 first computer 202 may communicate the reference position of the reference saw blade to one or more additional computers (e.g., an optimization computer and / or second computer 220). The one or more additional computers may use the reference position to determine cutting solutions or cut patterns for other workpieces, position adjustments for cutting devices and / or other equipment, assessing positioning or cutting errors, or other processes.

[0054] Referring again to Fig. 3, in some embodiments the control system further includes a second computer communicatively coupled with the first computer 202. An example of a suitable second computer 220 is shown schematically in Fig. 6.

[0055] Second computer 220 may include system control logic 222 coupled to one or more processor(s) 224 (e.g., a processor core), memory 226 / 228 coupled to system control logic 222, and one or more communications interface(s) 230 coupled to system control logic 222. Second computer 220 preferably includes an interface device 232, such as a display screen or touchscreen, configured to display a user interface. Optionally, second computer 220 may include one or more additional input / output (I / O) devices 234 (e.g., a keyboard, mouse, camera, projector, speaker, or a manually operated button, pedal, joystick, or switch, etc.) configured to receive input from, or present data to, a human operator. System control logic 222 may include any suitable interface controller(s) to provide for any suitable interface to at least one of the processor(s) 224 and / or any suitable device or component in communication with system control logic 222. System control logic 222 may also interoperate with input / output device 232 and / or input / output device(s) 234.

[0056] System control logic 222 may include one or more memory controller(s) to provide an interface to memory 226. Memory 226 may be used to load and store data and / or instructions. Memory 226 may include any suitable volatile memory, such as RAM and / or dynamic random access memory (“DRAM”). NVM / storage 228 may be used to store data and / or instructions. NVM / storage 228 may include any suitable nonvolatile memory, such as flash memory, and / or any suitable non-volatile storage device(s), such as one or more hard disk drive(s) (“HDD(s)”), one or more solid-state drive(s), one or more compact disc (“CD”) drive(s), and / or one or more digital versatile disc (“DVD”) drive(s). In some embodiments, system control logic 222 may include one or more input / output (“I / O”) controller(s) to provide an interface to NVM / storage 228 and communications interface(s) 230.

[0057] In some embodiments, system memory 226, NVM / storage 228, and / or system control logic 222 may include program logic 236 and / or data 238. Program logic 236 includes instructions that are executable by the processor(s) 224 to perform various actions as described herein.

[0058] Such actions may include, for example, displaying a user interface menu; receiving, through the user interface menu, user inputs that indicate a desired adjustment distance and a desired adjustment frequency; and sending the one or more adjustment parameters to the first computer.

[0059] If present, the second computer 220 may be a human-machine interface (HMI) device. Optionally, operator interface 300a may be an industrial HMI operator station with an integrated touchscreen. Alternatively, second computer 220 may be a personal computer, a smart phone, or any other suitable computing device.

[0060] Referring again to Fig. 3, the control system may optionally include a motion controller 240 in communication with the first computer and / or a hydraulic valve 242 operatively coupled with the first actuator. The hydraulic valve 242 is configured to control the first actuator in response to control signals received from the motion controller 240. Likewise, the control system may optionally include a second hydraulic valve operatively coupled with the second actuator and configured to control the first actuator in response to control signals received from the motion controller 240.

[0061] In a particular embodiment, the first computer 202 is a PLC, the second computer 220 is a HMI, the actuators are linear positioners, and the control system includes motion controller 240, hydraulic valves 242, and linear displacement transducers. A process flow for this embodiment is shown by way of example in Fig. 7.

[0062] Referring now to Figs. 7 and 8, at block 401 the HMI receives user input (e.g., via user interface 500, Fig. 8) of a desired adjustment distance and a desired adjustment frequency (e.g., via user input fields 502 and 504, respectively). At block 403, the PLC sends instructions / values to the motion controller 240 based on the inputs received from the HMI. At block 405, the motion controller sets the hydraulic axis to the commanded PLC position (e.g., via analog signal to the hydraulic valves). At block 407 the hydraulic valves control the linear positioners that adjust the positions of the respective guide bars. At block 709 the linear displacement transducers provide feedback to the motion controller on the actual positions of the linear positioners. At block 41 1 the PLC sends a new reference position for the reference saw blade to another computer, such as an optimization computer.

[0063] Many other variations are possible. For example, the user interface may be configured to receive the desired adjustment frequency as a number of workpieces (e.g., move 0.1 inch every 1000 cants).

[0064] Apparatuses and / or control systems as disclosed herein may be provided as modifications or upgrades to existing dual arbor gang saws that have a saw box with a frame, a first arbor and a parallel second arbor rotatably mounted to the frame, a first guide bar and a second guide bar mounted to the frame parallel to the arbors and configured to engage respective sets of saw guides. In various embodiments, a method of modifying a dual arbor gang saw includes operatively coupling a first actuator with the first guide bar such that the first actuator is operable to move the first guide bar axially relative to the saw box, and operatively coupling the first actuator with a control system as described herein. Optionally the method may further include operatively coupling a second actuator with the second guide bar such that the second actuator is operable to move the second guide bar axially relative to the saw box, and operatively coupling the second actuator with the control system.

[0065] In some embodiments, the control system may be provided as an upgrade kit for a dual arbor gang saw. Optionally, the upgrade kit may include the first actuator and / or the second actuator.

[0066] Embodiments of methods, apparatuses, and systems described herein may provide one or more advantages over prior methods and systems for offsetting or reducing uneven arbor wear in dual arbor gang saws. For example, the present embodiments may allow guide bar adjustments that previously required mechanical intervention by an operator to be scheduled and performed automatically. Because the guide bar adjustments are made with actuators (e.g., hydraulic cylinders with positioning feedback), they may be more accurate and repeatable than manual adjustments by human operators. The disclosed systems allow guide bar adjustments to be scheduled through a user interface (e.g., HM I). They may also reduce or eliminate the user intervention that was required in prior methods / systems for tasks such as adjusting the second guide bar to match the position of the first guide bar and / or updating the reference saw position in other computers / systems (e.g., in the optimizing computer(s)).

[0067] Although certain embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a wide variety of alternate and / or equivalent embodiments or implementations calculated to achieve the same purposes may be substituted for the embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope. Those with skill in the art will readily appreciate that embodiments may be implemented in a very wide variety of ways. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that embodiments be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

Claims

ClaimsWhat is claimed is:1 . A computer-implemented method for offsetting arbor wear in a dual arbor gang saw, wherein the dual arbor gang saw includes a saw box, a first and a second arbor rotatably mounted to the saw box, a first and a second guide bar mounted to the saw box and configured to engage respective sets of saw guides, a first actuator operatively coupled to the first guide bar and a second actuator operatively coupled to the second guide bar, and wherein the first and second actuators are selectively operable to axially reposition the first and second guide bars, respectively, relative to the saw box, the method comprising: receiving one or more adjustment parameters for the first guide bar, wherein the one or more adjustment parameters defines an adjustment value that represents a target position for the first guide bar or a first distance between a current position of the first guide bar and the target position; causing the first actuator to move the first guide bar axially, relative to the saw box, in a first direction to the target position based at least on the one or more adjustment parameters; and causing the second actuator to move the second guide bar axially, relative to the saw box, in the first direction by the first distance to a corresponding position.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further including: receiving feedback from a first linear displacement transducer that is operable to measure linear displacement of the first guide bar; receiving feedback from a second linear displacement transducer that is operable to measure linear displacement of the second guide bar; and using the feedback from the first and second linear displacement transducers to guide or confirm movement of the first and second guide bars, respectively, to the first and second positions.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 or claim 2, further including:calculating a reference position of a reference saw blade relative to a reference location based at least on a previous position of the reference saw blade and said first distance.

4. A control system comprising a first computer with one or more processors and a memory having stored therein computer-readable instructions that are operable, upon execution by the one or more processors, to cause the first computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 -3.

5. The control system of claim 4, further comprising a human-machine interface (HMI) device communicatively coupled with the first computer and configured to: display a user interface menu; receive, through the user interface menu, user inputs that indicate a desired adjustment distance and a desired adjustment frequency; and send the one or more adjustment parameters to the first computer.

6. The control system of claim 4, wherein the first computer is a programmable logic controller (PLC).

7. The control system of claim 5 or claim 6, further comprising: a motion controller in communication with the first computer; and a hydraulic valve operatively coupled with the first actuator, wherein the hydraulic valve is configured to control the first actuator in response to control signals received from the motion controller.

8. A dual arbor gang saw system comprising: a saw box having a frame; a first arbor and a second arbor rotatably mounted to the frame, wherein the arbors are oriented parallel to one another and spaced apart by a gap therebetween, and each of the arbors is configured to bear a corresponding plurality of circular saw blades;a first guide bar and a second guide bar mounted to the frame parallel to the arbors, each of the guide bars configured to engage a plurality of saw guides; a first actuator operatively coupled to the first guide bar and a second actuator operatively coupled to the second guide bar, wherein the first and second actuators are selectively operable to move the first and second guide bars, respectively, axially relative to the saw box.

9. The dual arbor gang saw system of claim 8, wherein the first and second actuators are linear positioners, each of the linear positioners having a first portion fixedly mounted to the frame and a second portion connected to the first portion and a corresponding one of the guide bars, the first portion being operable to move the second portion in opposite directions relative to the frame to thereby move the corresponding one of the guide bars axially relative to the frame.

10. The dual arbor gang saw system of claim 8 or claim 9, further comprising: a first linear displacement transducer coupled with the first actuator or the first guide bar and operable to measure axial movement of the first guide bar; and a second linear displacement transducer operatively coupled with the second actuator or the second guide bar and operable to measure axial movement of the second guide bar.1 1 . The dual arbor gang saw system of claim 10, wherein each of the first and second actuators includes a hydraulic cylinder or a pneumatic cylinder.

12. The dual arbor gang saw system of claim 10, wherein one or both of the first and second actuators is an electrohydraulic actuator that includes a corresponding one of the linear displacement transducers13. The dual arbor gang saw system of any one of claims 1 -12, further comprising a control system operatively coupled with the first actuator and the second actuator, wherein the control system includes a first computer with one or more processors and amemory having stored thereon computer-readable instructions that are operable, upon execution by the one or more processors, to cause the first computer to: receive one or more adjustment parameters for the first guide bar, wherein the one or more adjustment parameters defines an adjustment value that represents a target position for the first guide bar or a first distance between a current position of the first guide bar and the target position; cause the first actuator to move the first guide bar axially, relative to the saw box, in a first direction to the target position based at least on the one or more adjustment parameters; and cause the second actuator to move the second guide bar axially, relative to the saw box, in the first direction by the first distance to a corresponding position.

14. The dual arbor gang saw system of claim 13, wherein the control system further includes a second computer communicatively coupled with the first computer and configured to: display a user interface menu; receive, through the user interface menu, user inputs that indicate a desired adjustment distance and a desired adjustment frequency; and send the one or more adjustment parameters to the first computer.

15. The dual arbor gang saw system of claim 14, wherein the first computer is a programmable logic controller (PLC) and / or the second computer is a human-machine interface (HMI) device.

16. The dual arbor gang saw system of claim 14, wherein the first computer is further configured to calculate a reference position of a reference saw blade relative to a portion of the frame based at least on said first distance and a previous position of the reference saw blade.

17. The dual arbor gang saw system of claim 16, further including an optimization computer communicatively coupled with the first computer, wherein the first computer isfurther configured to communicate the reference position of the reference saw blade to the optimization computer.

18. A method of modifying a dual arbor gang saw, wherein the dual arbor gang saw includes a saw box with a frame, a first arbor and a parallel second arbor rotatably mounted to the frame, a first guide bar and a second guide bar mounted to the frame parallel to the arbors and configured to engage respective sets of saw guides, the method comprising: operatively coupling a first actuator with the first guide bar such that the first actuator is operable to move the first guide bar axially relative to the saw box; and operatively coupling the first actuator with a control system as recited in any one of claims 4-7.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the dual arbor gang saw includes a second actuator operatively coupled with the second guide bar, and the second actuator is operable to move the second guide bar axially relative to the saw box, the method further including operatively coupling the second actuator with the control system.

20. The method of claim 18, further including: operatively coupling a second actuator with the second guide bar such that the second actuator is operable to move the second guide bar axially relative to the saw box; and operatively coupling the second actuator with the control system.

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