Abstract: A method for controlling a sawing machine with a sawing tool, which is driven by an electrical sawing tool drive with a first frequency converter, and with a sawing feed device for moving the driven sawing tool at a feed rate in relation to a workpiece to be sawn, and also to such a sawing machine. The feed rate is changed over from an idling feed rate to a working feed rate when the sawing tool engages in the workpiece. A value of a physical variable which corresponds to the torque transferred from the sawing tool drive to the sawing tool or from which a change in this torque can be calculated is determined here at the first frequency converter. The changeover from the idling feed rate to the working feed rate takes place in dependence on the value of this physical variable.

Abstract: A hole punch unit has a punching section, a longitudinal registering mechanism, and a transverse registering mechanism. The registering mechanisms incline the punching section in accordance with a skew of a sheet. The punching section thus corrected in position punches the sheet. The punching section is corrected in position, at both the leading edge of the sheet and the trailing edge thereof, thus increasing the precision of positioning the punching section and shortening the time required to position the punching section.

Abstract: A hands-free paper product dispenser has three separate IR emitter and sensor circuits, two controlling the length and/or number of sheets of paper cut and dispensed, and the third used both to safety interlock the cutter mechanism and to control retention of each cut sheet by the dispenser until removed from the dispenser by a user. Novel mechanical means are employed to both hold the paper during cutting and assure a straight and unfrayed cut.

Abstract: Micro-cutting machines for forming cuts in catheters, guidewires, and similar products, are disclosed, including a micro-cutting machine that can directly control the dimensions of the resultant beams being cut into products, and that can capture images of each cut for feedback control and accuracy verification.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting fruit. The apparatus includes a frame, at least first and second cutting stations, at least one receptacle in which the fruit is received that includes a plurality of extensions protruding outwardly from an outer circumference thereof, and a conveyor that conveys the receptacle from the first cutting station to the second cutting station. The frame includes a kicker. In use, the object is cut along its vertical axis at the first station, the receptacle is then rotated about its vertical axis as a result of one of the extensions contacting the kicker, and the object is cut at the second station.

Abstract: Micro-cutting machines for forming cuts in catheters, guidewires, and similar products, are disclosed, including a micro-cutting machine that can directly control the dimensions of the resultant beams being cut into products, and that can capture images of each cut for feedback control and accuracy verification.

Abstract: A hole punch unit has a punching section, a longitudinal registering mechanism, and a transverse registering mechanism. The registering mechanisms incline the punching section in accordance with a skew of a sheet. The punching section thus corrected in position punches the sheet. The punching section is corrected in position, at both the leading edge of the sheet and the trailing edge thereof, thus increasing the precision of positioning the punching section and shortening the time required to position the punching section.

Abstract: A method for automatically cutting a workpiece comprising the steps of moving a workpiece along its longitudinal axis, positioning a cutting blade by rotating the blade about a vertical axis, positioning the cutting blade by rotating about a bevel axis, and vertically moving the blade into cutting contact with the workpiece, thereby stab cutting the workpiece and creating a bevel cut. The method may also comprises moving the blade along a transverse axis. Further steps may include moving the cutting blade along a transverse axis simultaneous to moving the workpiece along it longitudinal axis, thereby creating a scarf cut.

Abstract: An efficient and safe device designed to perform the difficult task of opening tightly fitting Shrink Wrap plastic packaging material and security tape around a product or product case, particularly that used for the distribution of CD-ROM'S, DVD'S, videogames, and videotapes. The device quickly cuts a clean slit opening in the Shrink Wrap and security tape along the inserted edge of the packaged product. The cutting element of the device can be in the form of a wire or blade, and function via heating, mechanical cutting action, and/or ultrasonic vibration. A multiple-capacity alignment channel guides various shaped products into proper cutting position. Sensors may activate the cutting/slitting action, with adequate heat, vibration, and/or mechanical cutting being applied for a time period sufficiently long, or until sufficient temperature is reached, to cut through the Shrink Wrap material and security tape without damaging the underlying product or product case.

Abstract: To maintain high productivity and performing high-grade processes while minimizing deviation of a sheet process position in a direction at a right angle to a sheet conveying direction whatever types of sheets are to be processed, timing for starting detection of an end position of each of the sheets is controlled so as to execute the detection of the end position of each of the sheets at a vicinity of a sheet processing position on the sheet at which a sheet process is executed.

Abstract: A hands-free paper product dispenser has two separate IR emitter and sensor circuits, one to feed paper product through the dispenser and the other to cut it, each interlocked to prevent one from running while the other is in operation. The length of paper dispensed is under complete control of the user. Paper is clamped above and below the cut to assure a clean cut, clamped gently to avoid tearing by wet hands, and released completely after product is taken from the machine to avoid sticking of product to machine surfaces. Dynamic electric braking is used in the circuitry to reduce noise and impact wear on dispenser parts.

Abstract: To maintain high productivity and performing high-grade processes while minimizing deviation of a sheet process position in a direction at a right angle to a sheet conveying direction whatever types of sheets are to be processed, timing for starting detection of an end position of each of the sheets is controlled so as to execute the detection of the end position of each of the sheets at a vicinity of a sheet processing position on the sheet at which a sheet process is executed.

Abstract: An automatic device for cutting paper and other graphic and photographic substrates in reels or single sheets through optical reflection recognition of complex marks includes at least a pair of rollers (2) for feeding the substrate, a motor (3) for driving said pair of rollers (2), a pair of optical sensors (4, 4′) suitable to detect said marks and their angle with respect to the cutting line defined by a cutting assembly (7), a motor (5) for the relative alignment so as to cancel said angle, a motor (9) for driving the mobile blade of said cutting assembly (7), and a microprocessor suitable to process the signals from said optical sensors for controlling said motors (3, 5, 9).

Abstract: A system configured for forming precision cuts in an elongate object comprising a base member and a movable member carried by the base member and movable toward and away from the elongate member, and a cutting blade carried by the movable member; and a clamping device coupled to the base member, and configured to engage the elongate object while the cutting blade makes an incision therein; and a contact detection system configured for detecting contact between the cutting blade and the elongate object.

Abstract: A workpiece shift apparatus includes a bottom plate (10), a middle plate (40), and a top plate (70). A first pushing plate (26) is slidably attached on the bottom plate. The first pushing plate includes cutouts (30) in one edge thereof, and arcuate steps (32) on an opposite edge thereof. A first pushing means is installed on the bottom plate, and includes a handspike (19). The handspike sequentially engages in the cutouts to move the first pushing plate in a first direction. The steps thereby push the combined middle plate and top plate in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A second pushing plate (56) similar to the first pushing plate, and a second pushing means similar to the first pushing means are attached on the middle plate for pushing the top plate in the first direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a place where a saw may be performed. An oscillating laser beam is provided to a target according to a user preference. The user selects at least one characteristic of the oscillating laser beam in order to identify the target in an outdoor environment. The selected at least one characteristic is then provided to a motor which executes the oscillating.

Abstract: An automatic iron core air gap cutting apparatus includes an electronic control box and a transmission system to receive signals and control from the electronic control box for receiving finished iron cores to perform air gaps cutting operations. The completed iron cores with the air gaps formed thereon are pushed to an exit chute for packaging, thereby completing the automatic iron core fabrication process.

Abstract: A micro-machining system configured for cutting an elongate object, including a clamp configured to enable repeatedly releasing and then holding the elongate object in a position suitable for cutting the elongate object transversely relative to its lengthwise axis, and a manipulating means, which can include a pinch roller feed configured to advance the elongate element and to rotate it about a lengthwise axis of the elongate object, thereby moving the elongate object so that it can be disposed in the position suitable for cutting, and a cutter configured for forming the at least one precision cut in the elongate object to a desired depth, under the control of a controller.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device of the present invention includes a cutter capable of being moved back and forth by hand between two reference positions outside of a sheet conveyance range. When the cutter is held in a halt at a position other than the reference positions, the sheet feeding device returns a sheet toward the upstream side by a preselected amount and then returns the cutter to one of the reference positions. Even when the cutter moved by hand for the replacement or the replenishment of a sheet is left in the sheet conveyance range, the cutter is prevented from again cutting the leading edge of the sheet when returning to the reference position. This protects the leading edge of the sheet from defective cutting.

Abstract: The invention relates to a punch machine for punching a panel in which the position of each hole to be made is identified by a mark. The machine comprises a structure for receiving said panel, said structure presenting X and Y directions; means for holding said panel relative to the structure; at least four punch blocks secured to a support, each punch block having at least one punch carrier tool and at least one matrix carrier assembly; means for displacing each punch block separately in the X and Y directions and in rotation; optical means for comparing the position of each punch block with said mark; and means for separately controlling the displacement means in response to position error information.

Abstract: Web or sheet-fed segment processing apparatus (30, 300) is provided for high speed, extremely accurate operations such as die cutting or lamination. The apparatus (30, 300) includes a processing station (32, 300) adapted to receive a segment (38) forming a part of a continuous web (100, 102) or as a discrete sheet. The station (32, 300) includes a vacuum hold-down plate (142, 306) for holding initially fed segments (38); the hold-down plate (32,308) is shiftable as necessary along orthogonal X-Y axes in the plane of the segment (38), and/or &thgr; rotation about a rotational axis transverse to the segment plane, such movement being effected by a series of aligned, translatable eccentric drive units (178-182,346-350) coupled with plate (142,306). Preferably, the segments (38) carry positioning fiducials (44) and which are compared with fixed reference indicia (250, 252) in the station (32, 300).

Abstract: A tape end trimming apparatus for appropriately cutting and shaping the ends of plural tapes of different widths without wasting the tape and without requiring replacement of the cutting blade is provided. The tape end trimming apparatus comprises cutting for trimming the corners of the end member of a tape. A guide member comprises tape insertion path for guiding an inserted tape to the cutting apparatus. An end position regulator regulates the insertion position of the tape end. The cutting apparatus comprises cutting blade for cutting the end corners at the sides of tape with the position of one side thereof regulated by one tape side position regulator and the position of the end thereof regulated by end position regulator, and the position of the other side thereof regulated by the other tape side position regulator and the position of the end thereof regulated by end position regulator.

Abstract: A composer clipper apparatus that includes a composer for producing a composed ribbon of veneer from veneer pieces disposed edge-to-edge. A conveyor system transports the ribbon of veneer downstream from the composer. The ribbon of veneer is cut into sheets of predetermined length at a clipping station downstream from the composer. A sensor sensing a cut lead edge in the ribbon of veneer, and a coordinated tracking device, controls operation of the clipping station.

Abstract: A pair of numerically controlled feed devices are successively operated, with the second feed device taking over from the first feed device when two or more punching steps have been performed. A trailing row of punching tools performs the first punching step with respect to a fresh plate at the same time when a leading row of tools performs the last punching step with respect to the preceding plate. There are provided sensors to determine plate length and/or angularity of the late edges in order to enable a numerical control to compute correction data for correcting the feeding of the plate whereby punching through the trailing and leading edges of the lates is avoided.

Abstract: A pair of numerically controlled feed devices are successively operated, with the second feed device taking over from the first feed device when two or more punching steps have been performed. A trailing row of punching tools performs the first punching step with respect to a fresh plate at the same time when a leading row of tools performs the last punching step with respect to the preceding plate. There are provided sensors to determine plate length and/or angularity of the plate edges in order to enable a numerical control to compute correction data for correcting the feeding of the plate whereby punching through the trailing and leading edges of the plates is avoided.

Abstract: A card cutting machine is disclosed herein, which includes a feeder and a cutting unit. A sheet with a mark affixed to an end thereof is conveyed from the feeder to the cutting unit, where it is cut into a desired card size. The machine further includes a mark reading device mounted in a sheet passage between the feeder and the cutting unit for detecting the mark affixed on the sheet, whereby only desired sheets are passed through the cutting unit.

Abstract: An electrophotographic apparatus of this invention includes a stacking section for cut sheet; a stacking section for fanfold paper; a feed section for supplying printing paper which is cut sheet or fanfold paper from one of the stacking sections via one of different supplying paths; an exposure unit for forming an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive drum; a developing unit for developing the latent image into a toner image; a belt conveyer for conveying the printing paper received from the feed section along common feeding path, a transferring unit for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum onto the printing paper; a fixing unit for fixing the transferred toner image on the printing paper; an ejecting section for receiving the printed printing paper from the belt conveyer; and a cutting device for cutting apart the printed fanfold paper at the perforation line thereof.

Abstract: A tape printing device for printing characters on an elongated tape-like print medium and for cutting the print medium at a desired leading and trailing cutoff end positions. The device includes a tape feed mechanism for feeding an elongated tape-like print medium, printing means for printing the tape-like print medium, and tape cutting means positioned downstream of the printing means with respect to a tape feeding direction for cutting the tape-like print medium. The tape cutting means provdes a predetermined tape cutoff execution position at which the tape-like print medium is subjected to cutting.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically deheading wrapped newsprint rolls consists of a framework positioned above a pair of rotatable rollers adapted to support and rotate the newsprint roll. Two carriages are slidably supported on the framework above the newsprint roll. Each carriage is independently movable axially relative to one of the opposite end faces of the roll, is provided with an annular locating member engageable with that end face, and has a radially movable cutter adapted to sever the head wrapping covering that end face as the newsprint roll is rotated by the supporting rollers. The annular locating member is mounted obliquely relative to the newsprint roll axis to compensate for deformation of the newsprint roll end face.

Abstract: A continuous form and cutform feeding unit for a printer. The feeding unit permits feeding a continuous form and cutforms utilizing a cutform feeding arrangement and a continuous form tractor feed. In order to permit either type of form to be fed to a main body of a printer, through a single form feeding passage, a cutform feeding passage and a continuous form feeding passage are provided upstream of the single form feeding passage. In the continuous form feeding passage, a continuous form cutting apparatus is operable to cut a continuous form in response to a signal such as for the beginning of the feeding of cutforms.

Abstract: The label dispenser comprises a cutter (11) for cutting a label from a continuous tape (1), with first and second means (10, 12) disposed on either side of said cutter for holding and for driving said tape. The dispenser further includes cells (25, 26) for detecting tape advance relative to the cutter in order to place the tape in an initial position at a desired label length from said cutter, together with ejector means (30) for ejecting a label cut from said tape, said ejector means causing said label to advance at a higher speed than the tape advance speed. A franking machine fitted with the detector includes a detector for detecting the position of a lever which controls the printing of an optional slogan on the label, and the length label selected in said dispenser is controlled as a function of the detected position of said slogan conrolling lever.

Abstract: A continuous tag feeding and cutting apparatus for cutting a continuous tag strip into proper length tags. A first feeding mechanism feeds the strip of tags past the cutting mechanism to a second feeding mechanism, and a sensor halts the first feeding mechanism each time a sufficient length of the tag strip has been fed past the cutting mechanism. The cutting mechanism includes a rotary blade which is driven through one rotation cycle each time a length of tag strip is fed therepast by the first feeding mechanism. A second feeding mechanism located past the cutting mechansim is engaged with the tag strip for feeding a tag cut from the strip during one rotation of the blade to storage after the tag has been cut from the strip. The second feeding mechanism includes a driving roller which is driven to rotate along with the rotary blade and includes a driven roller which is engageable with the driving roller to engage the tag strip.

Abstract: Prior to the forming of bar material, without creating internal stresses, on transverse transport presses, bars are sub-divided into sections of equal volume, the end-pieces of each bar having to be discarded before further processing. To provide for the automatic and material-saving discarding of the end pieces, two light barriers are installed in the feed zone of the bars, the distance (a) between these light barriers being newly stored in a microprocessor as each bar is fed in, and this distance being converted, by calculation, to three further distances (b, c, d). By reference to these data, the microprocessor controls the discarding operation, with one, or at the most two, section lengths being discarded per bar, according to whether the interface between two successive bars is located in the central region of the section length in question, or in one of its two end-regions.

Abstract: A pair of interlocked slide fastener stringers having a plurality of sliders respectively on their longitudinally spaced chains of coupling elements fed over a guide table as the sliders are sensed one at a time by a feeler lever pivotally mounted on the guide table. A stop lever pivotable with respect to the guide table has a stop finger that projects into one of element-free spaces between the chains in response to the pivotal movement of the feeler lever due to engagement thereof with the slider. The stop finger, while not actuated, is withdrawn out of the way, and thus does not interfere with the sliders moving with the slide fastener stringers.

Abstract: An automatic photographic paper cutter cuts photographic prints from a strip of photographic paper which bears cut indicia indicating the locations of desired paper cuts. An indicia sensor is positioned in fixed relationship with respect to the paper cutter knife assembly at a distance less than the shortest length of print to be cut. The paper cutter derives and stores a feed-after-sense signal, which represents the length the paper strip must be fed after a cut indicium is sensed in order for the strip to be cut at the desired cut location represented by that cut indicium. During automatic operation of the paper cutter, the photographic paper strip is advanced until a cut indicium is sensed, is advanced by an additional distance determined by the feed-after-sense signal, is stopped, and is cut at the desired cut location.

Abstract: An automatic photographic paper cutter cuts photographic prints from a strip of photographic paper which bears cut marks indicating the locations of desired paper cuts. An automatic paper feed control allows a predetermined number of cut marks to be missing without halting the operation of the paper cutter. A total feed length for the last previous paper feed-and-cut cycle in which cut marks were sensed at both ends of the cycle is stored and continuously updated with each paper feed-and-cut cycle. If a cut mark is not sensed within a predetermined length or "window", the automatic paper feed control causes the paper to be driven the stored total feed length, stopped, and cut.

Abstract: A tape printing device for printing characters on an elongated tape-like print medium and for cutting the print medium at a desired leading and trailing cutoff end positions. The device includes a tape feed mechanism for feeding an elongated tape-like print medium, printing means for printing the tape-like print medium, and tape cutting means positioned downstream of the printing means with respect to a tape feeding direction for cutting the tape-like print medium. The tape cutting means provides a predetermined tape cutoff execution position at which the tape-like print medium is subjected to cutting.

Abstract: An electrophotographic apparatus of this invention includes a stacking section for cut sheet; a stacking section for fanfold paper; a feed section for supplying printing paper which is cut sheet or fanfold paper from one of the stacking sections via one of different supplying paths; an exposure unit for forming an electrostatic latent image on a photosesitive drum; a developing unit for developing the latent image into a toner image; a belt conveyer for conveying the printing paper received from the feed section along common feeding path, a transferring unit for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum onto the printing paper; a fixing unit for fixing the transferred toner image on the printing paper; an ejecting section for receiving the printed printing paper from the belt conveyer; and a cutting device for cutting apart the printed fanfold paper at the perforation line thereof.