Abstract: Apparatus, system and methods of using the apparatus and system to manipulate fiber(s) into a chopper, winder or other fiber(s) processing equipment. By using the apparatus the operator(s) are freed up for pressing duties that will increase productivity and also create a safer workplace. The apparatus supports and constrains slowly or rapidly running fiber(s) and moves through a sequence of movements that reposition the fiber(s) into a path that places the running fiber(s) in the proper location for processing in the chopper, winder or other processing equipment and also places the running fiber(s) into a desired groove or valley on a separator roll or guide.

Abstract: Apparatus, system and methods of using the apparatus and system to manipulate fiber(s) into a chopper, winder or other fiber(s) processing equipment. By using the apparatus the operator(s) are freed up for pressing duties that will increase productivity and also create a safer workplace. The apparatus supports and constrains slowly or rapidly running fiber(s) and moves through a sequence of movements that reposition the fiber(s) into a path that places the running fiber(s) in the proper location for processing in the chopper, winder or other processing equipment and also places the running fiber(s) into a desired groove or valley on a separator roll or guide.

Abstract: A chopper for chopping fibers or fiber strands having a back up roll and a blade roll containing blades that work against a peripheral surface of the back up roll and a method of using is disclosed. The chopper has a number of improved features for reducing the frequency of long fibers or long fiber strands and fuzz from getting into the chopped product. The chopper can have one or any combination of the improvements. The improvements include a strand guide located at least two feet up stream of the chopper, a first starting roll for starting a new strand that runs on a fluid bearing that can be adjusted to control the RPM of the first starting roll, a mount for a roll that runs against the peripheral surface of said back up roll, a strand guide insert for reducing fuzz generation and for preventing fuzz from getting into the product, and a deflector plate for catching and deflecting chopped strands thrown off the back up roll into a chopped strand product chute.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for chopping long unwound items like fiber, fiber strands, yarn, etc. The chopper has a backup roll, a blade roll and a biasing system for forcing the backup roll and the blade roll together at a desired force during set up and operation. The biasing system contains one or more sensors for sensing a biasing force at set up and during operation.

Abstract: An improved oscillator assembly that can be used on a chopper for chopping strands of fiber and other long or continuous it items into segments. The improved oscillating assembly moves the items back and forth across the surface of a working layer of the chopper while also rotating a guide roll for the item(s). The improved oscillating assembly uses separate motors to rotate the guide roll and to provide the oscillation and has reduced maintenance than prior art devices. The motor for moving the guide roll is a servo motor and is controlled with a programmable controller. The controller of the servo motor is programmed to provide dwell time at the reversing points.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for chopping long unwound items like fiber, fiber strands, yarn, etc. The chopper has a backup roll, a blade roll and a biasing system for forcing the backup roll and the blade roll together at a desired force during set up and operation. The biasing system contains one or more sensors for sensing a biasing force at set up and during operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for chopping long unwound items like fiber, fiber strands, yarn, etc. The chopper has a backup roll, a blade roll and a biasing system for forcing the backup roll and the blade roll together at a desired force during set up and operation. The biasing system contains a mechanism such as a slip clutch or a limited torque stepping motor for maintaining a substantially constant biasing force at set up and during operation while allowing the rolls to separate slightly to pass a temporary thicker feed without recoil that currently shortens blade and backup roll working layer life.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for chopping long unwound items like fiber, fiber strands, yarn, etc. having an idler roll for pressing the item(s) against a backup roll for pulling the item(s) into the chopper, the idler roll being an assembly allowing the idler roll to pivot around a pin inside the idler roll assembly to keep the surface of the idler roll in proper contact with the items being chopped.

Abstract: An improved oscillator assembly that can be used on a chopper for chopping strands of fiber and other long or continuous it items into segments. The improved oscillating assembly moves the items back and forth across the surface of a working layer of the chopper while also rotating a guide roll for the item(s). The improved oscillating assembly uses separate motors to rotate the guide roll and to provide the oscillation and has reduced maintenance than prior art devices. The motor for moving the guide roll is a servo motor and is controlled with a programmable controller. Th3 invention reduces maintenance and increases the uniformity of wear on the chopping blades or cutting roll blade. The controller of the servo motor is programmed to provide dwell time at the reversing points.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for chopping long unwound items like fiber, fiber strands, yarn, etc. The chopper has a backup roll, a blade roll and a biasing system for forcing the backup roll and the blade roll together at a desired force during set up and operation. The biasing system contains a mechanism such as a slip clutch or a limited torque stepping motor for maintaining a substantially constant biasing force at set up and during operation while allowing the rolls to separate slightly to pass a temporary thicker feed without recoil that currently shortens blade and backup roll working layer life.

Abstract: A chopper for chopping fibers or fiber strands having a back up roll and a blade roll containing blades that work against a peripheral surface of the back up roll and a method of using is disclosed. The chopper has a number of improved features for reducing the frequency of long fibers or long fiber strands and fuzz from getting into the chopped product. The chopper can have one or any combination of the improvements. The improvements include a strand guide located at least two feet up stream of the chopper, a first starting roll for starting a new strand that runs on a fluid bearing that can be adjusted to control the RPM of the first starting roll, a mount for a roll that runs against the peripheral surface of said back up roll, a strand guide insert for reducing fuzz generation and for preventing fuzz from getting into the product, and a deflector plate for catching and deflecting chopped strands thrown off the back up roll into a chopped strand product chute.

Abstract: A chopper for chopping fibers or fiber strands having a back up roll and a blade roll containing blades that work against a peripheral surface of the back up roll and a method of using is disclosed. The chopper has a number of improved features for reducing the frequency of long fibers or long fiber strands and fuzz from getting into the chopped product. The chopper can have one or any combination of the improvements. The improvements include a strand guide located at least two feet up stream of the chopper, a first starting roll for starting a new strand that runs on a fluid bearing that can be adjusted to control the RPM of the first starting roll, a mount for a roll that runs against the peripheral surface of said back up roll, a strand guide insert for reducing fuzz generation and for preventing fuzz from getting into the product, and a deflector plate for catching and deflecting chopped strands thrown off the back up roll into a chopped strand product chute.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for chopping long unwound items like fiber, fiber strands, yarn, etc. The chopper has a backup roll, a blade roll and a biasing system for forcing the backup roll and the blade roll together at a desired force during set up and operation. The biasing system contains a mechanism such as a slip clutch or a limited torque stepping motor for maintaining a substantially constant biasing force at set up and during operation while allowing the rolls to separate slightly to pass a temporary thicker feed without recoil that currently shortens blade and backup roll working layer life.

Abstract: A chopper for chopping items such as fibers, fiber strands, ribbon, etc. by passing the items continuously in a loose, unwound, condition through the nip of a blade roll and a backup roll having a working layer on its outer periphery. The chopper of the present invention uses one or more rolls that are radially expandable and retractable to replace the blade roll and/or the backup roll on the prior art choppers so that worn blades and/or a worn working layer can be more quickly and more easily replaced with a new or repaired working layer or blade holder containing sharp blades. The chopper of the present invention eliminates the need to carry large, heavy, awkward rolls through the fiber forming rooms or areas where the items are being chopped and also to transport such rolls back and forth to the location where they are being rebuilt.

Abstract: A chopper for chopping fibers or fiber strands having a back up roll and a blade roll containing blades that work against a peripheral surface of the back up roll and a method of using is disclosed. The chopper has a number of improved features for reducing the frequency of long fibers or long fiber strands and fuzz from getting into the chopped product. The chopper can have one or any combination of the improvements. The improvements include a strand guide located at least two feet up stream of the chopper, a first starting roll for starting a new strand that runs on a fluid bearing that can be adjusted to control the RPM of the first starting roll, a mount for a roll that runs against the peripheral surface of said back up roll, a strand guide insert for reducing fuzz generation and for preventing fuzz from getting into the product, and a deflector plate for catching and deflecting chopped strands thrown off the back up roll into a chopped strand product chute.

Abstract: A chopper for chopping fibers or fiber strands having a back up roll and a blade roll containing blades that work against a peripheral surface of the back up roll and a method of using is disclosed. The chopper has a number of improved features for reducing the frequency of long fibers or long fiber strands and fuzz from getting into the chopped product. The chopper can have one or any combination of the improvements. The improvements include a strand guide located at least two feet up stream of the chopper, a first starting roll for starting a new strand that runs on a fluid bearing that can be adjusted to control the RPM of the first starting roll, a mount for a roll that runs against the peripheral surface of said back up roll, a strand guide insert for reducing fuzz generation and for preventing fuzz from getting into the product, and a deflector plate for catching and deflecting chopped strands thrown off the back up roll into a chopped strand product chute.

Abstract: A chopper for chopping fibers or fiber strands having a back up roll and a blade roll containing blades that work against a peripheral surface of the back up roll and a method of using is disclosed. The chopper has a number of improved features for reducing the frequency of long fibers or long fiber strands and fuzz from getting into the chopped product. The chopper can have one or any combination of the improvements. The improvements include a strand guide located at least two feet up stream of the chopper, a first starting roll for starting a new strand that runs on a fluid bearing that can be adjusted to control the RPM of the first starting roll, a mount for a roll that runs against the peripheral surface of said back up roll, a strand guide insert for reducing fuzz generation and for preventing fuzz from getting into the product, and a deflector plate for catching and deflecting chopped strands thrown off the back up roll into a chopped strand product chute.

Abstract: A chopper for chopping fibers or fiber strands having a back up roll and a blade roll containing blades that work against a peripheral surface of the back up roll and a method of using is disclosed. The chopper has a number of improved features for reducing the frequency of long fibers or long fiber strands and fuzz from getting into the chopped product. The chopper can have one or any combination of the improvements. The improvements include a strand guide located at least two feet up stream of the chopper, a first starting roll for starting a new strand that runs on a fluid bearing that can be adjusted to control the RPM of the first starting roll, a mount for a roll that runs against the peripheral surface of said back up roll, a strand guide insert for reducing fuzz generation and for preventing fuzz from getting into the product, and a deflector plate for catching and deflecting chopped strands thrown off the back up roll into a chopped strand product chute.

Abstract: A chopper for chopping items such as fibers, fiber strands, ribbon, etc. by passing the items continuously in a loose, unwound, condition through the nip of a blade roll and a backup roll having a working layer on its outer periphery. The chopper of the present invention uses one or more rolls that are radially expandable and retractable to replace the blade roll and/or the backup roll on the prior art choppers so that worn blades and/or a worn working layer can be more quickly and more easily replaced with a new or repaired working layer or blade holder containing sharp blades. The chopper of the present invention eliminates the need to carry large, heavy, awkward rolls through the fiber forming rooms or areas where the items are being chopped and also to transport such rolls back and forth to the location where they are being rebuilt.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving and automatically moving a moving strand of fibers from a starting position to any one of a plurality of predetermined positions in a multi-grooved separator roll is disclosed. This apparatus is particularly in processes of making continuous fiber products from molten material and replaces a manual operation that presented safety problems.