Found a better illustration that shows the process of cutting inside the Hewsaw.

The orange bits are giant router heads squaring the log sides.

Then a stack of horizontal circular blades cutting from both sides to make planks.

As that leaves a live edge on the outer boards, a third set of combined saw and cutter heads gets rid of that.

#Hewsaw

Of course now you'll be wondering what a Hewsaw is.

It's a fully automated, computer controlled and configurable sawmill.

First there's four large cutting heads (two per axis) that simply chip away the round part of the log, there are no flitches cut, just woodchips which are typically burnt to heat the drying kilns.

Then there's an adjustable stack of circular saws, cutting the shaped log into planks or beams.

The rest are just feeders and guides, which as you can see are also configurable in case you want to cut curved logs as in this animation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bxB2f7MQZg

#HewSaw #Industry #Sawmill #Machinery #Engineering #Saw #Wood