Abstract: The invention relates to a method for laser-cutting sheet steel (1), wherein a sheet steel (1) is gradually inserted in a defined position into the cutting area (2) of a laser cutter in a direction of advance V in order to machine it. The sheet steel (1) is machined by laser cutting in a machinable area corresponding to the length of the cutting area (2), in the entire machinable area or only in a section thereof. The machined part (8) and the non-machined part (8) of the sheet steel may also only overlap in some sections (10). An automatic discharge device is also provided. The manufactured parts and the remaining grid are likewise cut from the sheet steel (1) by laser cutting. The method can be repeated in several machining steps until the sheet steel (1) is completely machined, the results of the preceding machining step being taken into consideration for the subsequent machining step. The invention allows to optimally utilize the sheet steel (1) even when using smaller laser cutters.

Abstract: A sheet metal follower for a bending press that has a bottom fixed table carrying a bending matrix on its top face. The follower is of the type comprising in particular pivot means for pivoting the follower table about a pivot shaft, and means suitable for moving the follower table in horizontal displacement relative to its support structure and perpendicularly to the pivot shaft, the active length of the pivot means being variable between a fixed hinge on the support structure and a moving hinge on the follower table, and the moving hinge being suitable for sliding along said table in a direction perpendicular to the pivot shaft of said table.

Abstract: For handling thin panes of glass or similar work pieces and products in conveyance systems, machining installations, and the like, by means of pneumatic forces, a device is proposed that is characterized by two plates (1, 2) with flat surfaces on at least one side, arranged parallel to each other at a distance (D) sufficient to hold the pane of glass (3) without contact, where the plates (1, 2) have a multitude of gas passages (4), and all the gas passages (4) of a plate (1, 2) can each be connected to a gas delivery device through one or more ducts, etc. to generate an excess pressure or a vacuum, and where at least some of the gas passages (4) are arranged in pairs opposite each other.

Abstract: A metal sheet is supported and transported in relation to a punching and/or shearing station, by supporting the sheet on upwardly projecting flexible bristles, the tips of which define a supporting plane. The bristles have their bases embedded in strips that are removably jammed in grooves defined in a stationary base structure. A conveyor, arranged beside the supporting plane includes a driven, endless belt. The belt has transversally extending bristle bars mounted to it so that, in its carrying run, its upwardly projecting bristles have tips which are effectively coplanar with the stationary supporting surface.

Abstract: A feed lever and a lateral stop with individual guide members spaced apart and arranged in slot-shaped grooves of the metal feed table supported so that they can be raised and lowered on a support. The guide members are each equipped with a guide body possessing a lateral stop in the form of a roller. These rollers come up against the edge to be guided of the sheet metal plate. A guide and clamping device is located alongside of each roller. The apparatus allows sheet metal plates to be accommodated, spaced apart from one another in several stacks, these sheet metal plates being cut at different locations on the cutting knife.

Abstract: In a method and assembly for trimming a stack of veneer sheets, both lengthwise and transverse cutting lines are determined in advance by means of a director light projecting a line. The position data of the determined line are processed by a computer to control the feed to a cutting plane. Alternatively, the cutting lines are marked. The stack is firmly clamped between conveyor belts of a mechanism by which, after the first lengthwise trimming, the stack is turned upside down, after the same procedure for determining the cutting line, fed to the cutting plane. The transverse trimming is effected in similar fashion.

Abstract: A front feed system that includes powered rollers for feeding sheet metal into the front of a shear. In one embodiment, the system uses ball transfer apparatus for facilitating feeding the sheet metal at various angles to the shear blade as desired by the operator. The transfer apparatus may then be lowered to rest the oriented sheet metal on the rollers for delivery to the shear. In a second embodiment, a turntable is positioned proximate the shear to further facilitate final orientation of the sheet material to be sheared. In a third embodiment, the sheet metal is automatically forced against a squaring arm on the shear to assure cuts perpendicular to the edge of the sheet metal, whether the sheet is positioned on the ball transfer apparatus or on the rollers through inclination of portions of the conveyor and/or the ball transfer apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for aligning large planar workpieces on a feed table wherein a plurality of pivoted arms are provided which are biased to a raised pivotal position to engage the edge of a workpiece, with the arms being urged to a lowered pivotal position by the weight of a workpiece resting thereon so that lateral movement of a plurality of the arms which may be arranged in rows will enable one of the arms of a row to engage the edge of a workpiece while in its raised pivotal position thereby to effect positioning or alignment of the workpiece.

Abstract: A pallet positioning apparatus including a bed having guide members mounted thereon which define a pallet transfer path. A pallet traveling along the guide members includes a positioning pin on the lower surface of the pallet. A positioning lever rotatably mounted on the bed includes a roller and a member having a base surface opposite the roller mounted at an end of the positioning lever. The lever is biased to engage the pallet positioning pin for positioning the pallet on the guide members. The positioning lever is rotatable for releasing the pallet positioning pin. A clamping device clamps the pallet in position after the positioning pin has been engaged to fix the pallet in position.

Abstract: A machine tool is illustrated having a workpiece support table on which a workpiece is moved by an automatically controlled workpiece gripper movable in the X and Y directions. Movement of the gripper in at least the X direction is controlled in reference to a base line which is set within the automatic control in response to abutment of the workpiece edge against a table supported stop, the stop being movable against a spring from a rest position through a first or base line set in position in response to abutment by the moving edge of the workpiece carried by the gripper. Movement of the stop through the first position automatically sets the base line within the automatic control.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding elongate workpieces intermittently sideways one by one to successively located machining and parts-assembling stations includes a pair of parallel spaced feed rods supported on a transfer table and extending in a direction in which the workpieces are transferred. Each of the feed rods has a plurality of workpiece holders spaced therealong at an interval that corresponds to a distance at which the processing stations are spaced. The feed rods are movable axially back and forth by a drive mechanism for a stroke corresponding to the above-mentioned interval. The feed rods are supported at their ends in bearing units and rotatable by gearing in the bearing units between a first position in which the workpiece holders hold the workpieces at a retracted position of the feed rods and a second position in which the workpiece holders release the workpieces at an advanced position of the feed rods.

Abstract: Apparatus for high-speed production of sets of accurately and identically sized insulated wire leads having wire terminals at the lead ends comprises: a feed mechanism including counter-reciprocating wire feed clamps for repeatedly drawing a plurality of separate strands of insulated wire simultaneously from a plurality of wire reels; a mechanism for simultaneously straightening and arranging the strands as they are drawn therethrough in parallel spaced apart relationship in a common generally horizontal plane; a severing mechanism for repeatedly severing sets of wire segments of predetermined length simultaneously from the strands; conveyor clamps for releasably gripping successive sets of wire segments received from the feed clamps; conveyor means for advancing the conveyor clamps so that the ends of the wire segments in the sets pass through processing mechanisms, and conveyor clamp actuator mechanisms for causing the conveyor clamps to initially grip sets of wire segments for conveyance and to subsequentl