Abstract: A system (40) for processing a workpiece includes a support surface (88) for supporting a workpiece (44). The system (40) includes a processing tool (92) movable with respect to a processing path. The system (40) includes a sensor carriage (408) movable along a scan axis and having a light source (476, 515, 550, 586) located to emit a light beam at an angle to the scan axis onto a target surface of a workpiece (44), and a camera (484, 522, 558, 594) configured to record location data of the light beam on a target surface of a workpiece (44) as the sensor carriage (408) moves along the scan axis. The system (40) includes a control system for generating a three-dimensional point representation of a workpiece surface from the light beam location data, to control movement of the processing tool (92) based on the three-dimensional point representation of a workpiece (44).

Abstract: A transfer apparatus (104) for transferring a workpiece (116) has a support surface (124) for supporting a workpiece (116). The transfer apparatus (104) has a carriage (128) movable with respect to the support surface (124) between a loading location and an unloading location. The transfer apparatus (104) further has a drive mechanism (146, 150) operatively connected to the carriage (128) for moving the carriage (128). The carriage (128) has a lift member (230) moveable between a lowered position and a raised position relative to the support surface (124). The carriage (128) further has a push member (292) operatively connected with the lift member (230) to enable engagement of a workpiece (116) with the push member (292) and the lift member (230) to lift at least a portion of the workpiece (116) from the support surface (124) to decrease the factional engagement between the workpiece (116) and the support surface (124).

Abstract: A transfer apparatus (104) for transferring a workpiece (116) has a support surface (124) for supporting a workpiece (116). The transfer apparatus (104) has a carriage (128) movable with respect to the support surface (124) between a loading location and an unloading location. The transfer apparatus (104) further has a drive mechanism (146, 150) operatively connected to the carriage (128) for moving the carriage (128). The carriage (128) has a lift member (230) moveable between a lowered position and a raised position relative to the support surface (124). The carriage (128) further has a push member (292) operatively connected with the lift member (230) to enable engagement of a workpiece (116) with the push member (292) and the lift member (230) to lift at least a portion of the workpiece (116) from the support surface (124) to decrease the factional engagement between the workpiece (116) and the support surface (124).

Abstract: A device for measuring a workpiece surface along an X-axis, the measured surface residing generally within an X-Y plane. The measuring device has a ring body supported on a pivot body for pivoting in a limited angular range about a pivot axis spaced from and substantially parallel to the X-axis. The measuring device also has a base fixed in the direction of the Y-axis and a ring body supported on the base for limited movement relative to the base in a direction substantially parallel to the Y-axis. A measurement wheel is rotatable about an axis of rotation defined by the ring body and rolls along the workpiece surface when the workpiece and the measurement device move relative to one another in the direction of the X-axis.

Abstract: A device for measuring a workpiece surface along an X-axis, the measured surface residing generally within an X-Y plane. The measuring device has a ring body supported on a pivot body for pivoting in a limited angular range about a pivot axis spaced from and substantially parallel to the X-axis. The measuring device also has a base fixed in the direction of the Y-axis and a ring body supported on the base for limited movement relative to the base in a direction substantially parallel to the Y-axis. A measurement wheel is rotatable about an axis of rotation defined by the ring body and rolls along the workpiece surface when the workpiece and the measurement device move relative to one another in the direction of the X-axis.

Abstract: A system (40) for processing a workpiece includes a support surface (88) for supporting a workpiece (44). The system (40) includes a processing tool (92) movable with respect to a processing path. The system (40) includes a sensor carriage (408) movable along a scan axis and having a light source (476, 515, 550, 586) located to emit a light beam at an angle to the scan axis onto a target surface of a workpiece (44), and a camera (484, 522, 558, 594) configured to record location data of the light beam on a target surface of a workpiece (44) as the sensor carriage (408) moves along the scan axis. The system (40) includes a control system for generating a three-dimensional point representation of a workpiece surface from the light beam location data, to control movement of the processing tool (92) based on the three-dimensional point representation of a workpiece (44).

Abstract: A cutting device for a mill plate including a cutting tool supported for movement in a Y-direction and cutting in a Z-direction, and a conveyor for conveying a mill plate in the X-direction. A measuring device is movable in the X-direction along one side of a mill plate supported on the conveyor to map the X-axis and Y-axis positions of the mill plate one side. Positioning guides adjacent one side of the conveyor are adjusted in the Y-direction to follow the mapped Y-axis position of the mill plate one side at the X-axis position of the mill plate one side aligned with the positioning guides as the mill plate is conveyed in the X-direction. A clamp on the side opposite the mill plate one side is adapted to push the mill plate opposite side in the Y-direction to maintain the mill plate one side in engagement with the positioning guides.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus embodying the principles of the present invention includes first and second cutting torches which can be selectively operated, depending upon the nature and thickness of a workpiece which is being cut. The cutting apparatus includes a pivotally moveable torch mounting plate on which each of the first and second torches is mounted, with the mounting plate in turn being rotatably moveable about a vertical main axis of the apparatus. The present apparatus provides significant savings, in that two individual torches, such as an oxy-acetylene gas torch and a plasma torch, and can be mounted on the same mechanism for positioning to produce bevel and vertical cutting in materials having different thicknesses and/or cutting requirements at a significant savings in machine complexity.

Abstract: A machine for modifying a workpiece oriented lengthwise along an X-axis, including a support frame having aligned tracks arcuate about the X-axis, and rails supported on the arcuate tracks for selective rotation together about the X-axis. A pressing mechanism is adapted to press a workpiece tool and an associated support block together along a pressing axis to modify a portion of a workpiece located therebetween, with the pressing mechanism being supported on linear tracks on the rails for selective linear motion along the rails substantially transverse to the X-axis. A drive is adapted to selectively position the rails and the pressing mechanism on the tracks.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus embodying the principles of the present invention includes first and second cutting torches which can be selectively operated, depending upon the nature and thickness of a workpiece which is being cut. The cutting apparatus includes a pivotally moveable torch mounting plate on which each of the first and second torches is mounted, with the mounting plate in turn being rotatably moveable about a vertical main axis of the apparatus. The present apparatus provides significant savings, in that two individual torches, such as an oxy-acetylene gas torch and a plasma torch, and can be mounted on the same mechanism for positioning to produce bevel and vertical cutting in materials having different thicknesses and/or cutting requirements at a significant savings in machine complexity.

Abstract: An adjustable stamp for stamping characters on a workpiece, including a base plate with a platen, a plurality of stamps each having a raised character on one side, a stamp holder, and a support securing the stamps to the holder in an array while allowing limited free motion of the stamps relative to each other in the stamping and retract directions. The support is mounted to the base plate for movement in a plane substantially perpendicular to the stamping direction to selectively position one of the stamps over the platen. The base plate and the workpiece may be pressed together, whereby the raised character of the one stamp is stamped into the workpiece by the platen pressing against the opposite side of the one stamp, with the free motion of the other stamps preventing their raised characters from being stamped into the workpiece.

Abstract: A machine for creating holes in a structural angle, including parallel plates including (1) an earth plate perpendicular to an axial direction and positionable at a fixed position relative to the structural angle, (2) a top plate mounting a workpiece tool, (3) a bottom plate spaced a fixed distance from the top plate, both plates being supported for axial movement relative to the earth plate, and (4) a support plate between the earth plate and the top plate and supported for axial movement relative to the earth plate. The support plate is biased toward the top plate and away from the earth plate. A first stop limits movement of the bottom plate toward the earth plate and a second stop limits movement of the support plate away from the earth plate. A drive selectively moves the support and bottom plates axially away from each other.

Abstract: A machine is provided for making holes in the legs of a structural angle oriented lengthwise along the X-axis of a mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z-axis coordinate system. The machine includes a first or main frame, a second frame moveable along the Y-axis relative to the first frame, and a carriage moveable along the Z-axis relative to the second frame. A punch is mounted on the second frame for punching a first hole in the first leg of the angle. A drill is mounted on the carriage for drilling a second hole in the second leg of the angle. The punch has a punch operating axis along which the punch moves longitudinally to punch the first hole and which is parallel to the Z-axis. The drill has a drill feed operation axis along which the drill moves longitudinally to drill the second hole and which is parallel to the Y-axis. The drill and the punch are oriented with the drill feed operation axis and the punch operation axis together defining a common plane.

Abstract: A system is provided for detecting or locating an edge of a workpiece in a processing path. The system includes a reflector which can be positioned at an elevation higher than the workpiece in the processing path. According to one aspect of the invention, the reflector can be mounted in a recess of a clamp which can be moved to engage the workpiece. The system also includes a light beam source and reflected light beam sensor located along one side of the processing path. According to another aspect of the invention, the light beam can be directed at an oblique angle through a corner of the processing path to the reflector. Interruption of the light beam changes the state of the sensor which indicates the location of the workpiece edge relative to the location of the light beam source along one axis of a mutually orthogonal three-axis coordinate system.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a tool relative to a workpiece, including a first carrier rotatable on a first axis and a second carrier carried by the first carrier and rotatable about a second axis defined by the first carrier. The second axis is in a parallel and offset eccentric relationship to the first axis. A tool holder is secured to the second carrier in an offset eccentric relationship to the second axis, and a drive mechanism selectively rotatably drives the first carrier about the first axis and the second carrier about the second axis to selectively position the tool holder. A tool secured in the tool holder may be moved along a selected path relative to a workpiece.

Abstract: A process is provided for minimizing waste during processing of a length of stock into one or more shorter usable segments, where in connection with the processing station upon which the length of stock is processed, the length of stock has a minimum handling length. The waste is minimized by mapping the remnant segment at a position other than the last segment at the trailing end of the length of stock. The last segment at a trailing end of the length of stock is alternatively defined as one of the usable segments having a length greater than the minimum handling length.

Abstract: A machining apparatus has a frame, a conveyor on the frame extending in a workpiece travel direction and adapted to support a flat workpiece, a tool mount displaceable on the frame transversely of the direction, a material-removing tool on the mount for machining the workpiece with generation of particles, and a drive roller engageable with an upper surface of the workpiece upstream of the tool for advancing the workpiece in the direction past the tools. A shield is provided above the conveyor extending transverse to the direction upstream of the tools and downstream of the drive roller. At least one actuator serves for pressing the shield against the workpiece between the tools and the drive roller during machining of the workpiece. Nozzles immediately adjacent the shield are connected to a supply of compressed gas for directing a gas current at the workpiece and blowing particles thereon downstream in the direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for cutting through flat stock with at least one cutting tool, such as a torch, drill, or the like. The stock is supported in a plane defined by X and Y axes of a mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z-axis coordinate system. The stock is supported for movement along the X-axis. At least one tool is supported over the flat stock for movement along the Z-axis and for movement along the Y-axis. The stock is moved along the X-axis. The tool is moved along the Y-axis. The tool is moved along the Z-axis toward the stock and is operated to cut the stock. If the tool is a cutting torch, the stock may be moved along the X-axis, and/or the cutting torch may be moved along the Y-axis, to define a desired cutting path.

Abstract: A unique system and process for controlling the stroke positions of tools on a multi-station metal working machine are disclosed. The system and process are suitable for use with a metal working machine which carries the tools on an arm pivoted by an actuator. In the preferred embodiment, the control system includes a control circuit which continuously senses the position of the arm by use of a pulse generator rotary encoder. The control system stores settable initial and final stroke positions for each of the tools. The actuator is controlled to move the arm and the tools carried thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for selectively shearing angle iron and flat stock. The apparatus has a frame defining a receiving station for separately receiving angle iron or flat stock. The receiving station includes a stationary shear blade assembly having two shearing edges extending from a vertex to define a generally 90.degree. angle inside corner. A first arm is pivotally mounted to the frame about a first pivot axis. A second arm is pivotally mounted to the first arm for pivoting movement about a second pivot axis. The second arm includes a movable shear blade assembly having two shearing edges directed outwardly to define a generally 90.degree. angle outside corner. An actuator is mounted on the frame for pivoting the first arm about the first pivot axis between open and closed positions. The second arm defines a guide way, and the frame has a guide member which is selectively positionable relative to the first axis for slidably engaging the guide way to pivot the second arm about the second pivot axis.