Abstract: A machine including: a table having a surface adapted to have a workpiece lay and move thereon, and a vise for gripping the workpiece. The machine also includes a drive system for moving the vise and workpiece a distance along the table surface, and a sensor assembly connected to the vise for measuring an amount of slip distance occurring between the vise and the workpiece. The machine also includes a control unit connected to the sensor assembly and the drive system for storing the measured slip distance and for operating the drive system and for operating to do at least one of, when a predetermined amount of slip distance is detected: sounding an alarm and stopping further movement of the workpiece, and, when a slip distance is measured, for causing the drive system to move the vise and workpiece an added distance equal to the measured slip distance.

Abstract: A vacuum system and apparatus extracts metal chips and cuttings away from the cutting area of a sawing machine. The system and apparatus is located on the previously cut surface end of the saw and includes rotatable bracketry to engage and disengage a vacuum nozzle from the end of a cut piece to extract metal chips and cuttings from the inside of hollow metal stock as the stock is being cut. Rotation of the bracketry is actuated by means of an electronic controller or other control circuitry.

Abstract: A rotating blade guide assembly for use with a sawing machine includes a blade guide carrier and means for rotating the blade guide carrier from a first position to a second position. The first position would be that blade orientation when the blade is initially placed about a pair of band wheels. The second position would be the blade orientation when the blade is rotated about 90° to a cutting position. In this way, the orientation of the sawing machine blade is changed when the blade guide carrier is rotated from the first position to the second position. The rotating blade guide assembly further provides means for securing the blade guide carrier in the second position so as to prevent rotation of the blade guide carrier during use of the sawing machine.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a vertical band saw frame assembly having a support column having a top and a bottom, the support column having a lower band wheel attached thereto. The band saw frame further provides for a tilt plate having a plurality of apertures attached to the top of the support column and a mounting plate. The tilt plate provides a mounting platform for the upper band wheel, blade tensioning assembly, blade guide, and blade break sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the tilt plate is attachable to the mounting plate in two positions, a first position in vertical alignment with the lower band wheel and a second position in which the upper band wheel further from the support column and at an angle to the first position to create a canted cutting blade angle.