Abstract: A method and kit of materials for building a wall sculpture. The kit of materials includes all the necessary components to build a wall sculpture. The method utilizes the kit materials, starting with attachment of plastic tubing to a surface, such as a wall, to start the formation of a vine stem, then attaching the large copper wire to a surface, followed by the medium wire adjacent the plastic tubing to form a natural looking vine. Next, attach a solid plaster grape bunch or leaf appliqué to the wall near the vine. A stem is attached therebetween to connect the solid plaster grape or leaf bunch appliqué to the vine stem. The sculpture will cover any size surface and is adaptable to any specific situation, such as the exact shape or direction of where the vine “crawls” on the wall. It can be installed around a window, door, or picture frame, etc.

Abstract: A bristle cleaner station for a conveyorized sheet material cutting machine includes a plurality of air jets that direct pressurized air between downwardly extending bristles of a bristle bed to dislodge debris; and a vacuum chamber adjacent to the bristles to draw away the dislodged debris. The preferred embodiment uses air needles that extend into downward extending bristles to riffle or bend the bristles, making an enlarged space between them. The air needles direct pressurized air into the enlarged space to dislodge debris, and an upwardly open vacuum channel adjacent to the air needles and bristles collects the dislodged debris. A method to clean bristle beds is also disclosed whereby pressurized air is directed between the bristles and vacuum draws away dislodged debris.

Abstract: A bristle cleaner station for a conveyorized sheet material cutting machine includes a plurality of air jets that direct pressurized air between downwardly extending bristles of a bristle bed to dislodge debris; and a vacuum chamber adjacent to the bristles to draw away the dislodged debris. The preferred embodiment uses air needles that extend into downward extending bristles to riffle or bend the bristles, making an enlarged space between them. The air needles direct pressurized air into the enlarged space to dislodge debris, and an upwardly open vacuum channel adjacent to the air needles and bristles collects the dislodged debris. A method to clean bristle beds is also disclosed whereby pressurized air is directed between the bristles and vacuum draws away dislodged debris.

Abstract: A cutter system for cutting a single ply or multiple plies of limp material, or a lay, into a plurality of parts includes a cutter table for supporting the lay with a cutter head for cutting the lay into parts. The cutter system also includes a pair of overlay pinch mechanisms for preventing an overlay material, placed atop of the lay, from being displaced during transitioning of the lay from the cutter table onto a take-off table. Each overlay pinch mechanism includes a bracket for securing the overlay pinch mechanism onto the take-off table and a loaded clamp attaching onto the bracket. The clamp has an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, a wheel, pivotably secured to the clamp, engages the overlay material to prevent displacement thereof during transitioning of the lay from the cutter table onto the take-off table.

Abstract: A cutter system for cutting a single ply or multiple plies of limp material, or a lay, into a plurality of parts includes a cutter table for supporting the lay with a cutter head for cutting the lay into parts. The cutter system also includes a pair of overlay pinch mechanisms for preventing an overlay material, placed atop of the lay, from being displaced during transitioning of the lay from the cutter table onto a take-off table. Each overlay pinch mechanism includes a bracket for securing the overlay pinch mechanism onto the take-off table and a loaded clamp attaching onto the bracket. The clamp has an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, a wheel, pivotably secured to the damp, engages the overlay material to prevent displacement thereof during transitioning of the lay from the cutter table onto the take-off table.

Abstract: In an apparatus for minimizing vacuum losses from a permeable support surface having one or more layers of sheet-type work material positioned thereon, the support surface includes opposed lateral edge surfaces, each defining an upper and lower section. At least two upper seals are coupled to the frame, each engaging the upper section of one of the lateral edge surfaces and extending approximately the length of the support surface. At least two side seals are also provided and are coupled to the frame, each engaging the side section of one of the lateral edge surfaces and also extending approximately the length of the support surface. During operation of the apparatus, vacuum is drawn through the permeable support surface and causes the upper and side seals to be drawn and held against the lateral side sections, forming a seal there against.

Abstract: In a cutter table for performing work operations on one or more layers of sheet-type work material a work material support surface is mounted to a frame having an elongated support mounted for movement thereon. A cutter head for carrying a reciprocating cutting blade is mounted to the support and movable relative thereto in response to commands issued from a programmable controller. Indicators in the form of an array of colored lights are also provided and illuminate in response to commands issued from the controller to alert an operator as to current machine conditions.

Abstract: In an apparatus for retaining one or more layers of sheet type work material on a permeable support surface, at least two vacuum manifolds are positioned under the support surface, each defining at least one vacuum inlet for drawing vacuum therethrough. Proportional control valves are coupled to the manifolds for selectively controlling the location and intensity of the vacuum being drawn, such that work material positioned on the support surface is held thereto by the vacuum drawn through the inlets and the support surface. The intensity of the vacuum is selectively controlled by the valves to concentrate vacuum in the area along the work material where a work operation is being performed.

Abstract: In machinery panel and mounting system therefore, a shaped panel shell is provided that includes a finished outer surface, and an inner surface that defines an interior area. A reinforcing member defining at least one recess is positioned in the interior area and attached to the inner surface of the shaped panel shell. At least one bracket adapted to be mounted on a machine surface, includes a protrusion receivable within a recess defined by the reinforcing member to support the panel on the machine.

Abstract: In an assembly including preloaded bearings, a sleeve is provided and has an exterior surface and an externally threaded section adjacent to an end of the sleeve. At least two bearings, each having an inner bearing race, an outer bearing race, and a plurality of rolling elements positioned between the inner and outer bearing races, are slidably mounted on the exterior surface of the sleeve. The sleeve further includes a bore extending part-way into the sleeve adjacent to the externally threaded section, the bore defining inner interior surface. A bearing retainer is also provided and includes an internally threaded section engaged with the external threads of the sleeve for urging the inner bearing race of one of the bearings toward the inner bearing race of the other bearing, thereby preloading the bearings.

Abstract: An expert system containing a built-in application knowledge is used with a controllable cutting system to automatically seek an optimal feed rate during cutting in response to various of a number of possible changing system cutting parameters wherein a programmable controller defines and specifies a preset configuration file defining the specific cutting system control parameters for directing the operation of the cutting system in accordance with a contour defining a path be followed by a cutter carried by the cutting system and which cutter is moved in an X, Y and C coordinate space across the cutting surface of the cutting system. The X, Y and C axes motors are driven with a commanded current to move the cutter with a velocity defined in the configuration file.