Abstract: A blade assembly includes a support frame, a cutting blade, a motor to drive the cutting blade, a support shaft operatively coupled to the support frame to permit pivotal movement of the support frame, and an actuator operatively coupled to the support frame to reciprocally move the slicing assembly between an extended position and a retracted position. When the slicing assembly is in the extended position, a plane of the cutting blade is substantially co-planar with a cutting plane of the food product, and the cutting blade slices the food product. Conversely, when the slicing assembly is in the retracted position, the plane of the cutting blade is disposed at a predetermined angle away from the cutting plane of the food product, and the cutting blade does not contact the food product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microtome (10) including a sample holder (12) a cutting unit (16), and a drive unit (22) capable of producing a relative movement between the sample holder (12) and the cutting unit (16) for cutting the sample. In addition, the microtome (10) has a handwheel (32) and an encoder (38). A control unit (40) controls the drive unit (22) as a function of the rotational movement of the handwheel (32) detected by the encoder (38) and in such a way that, in a first operating mode, the relative movement produced between the sample holder (12) and the cutting element (16) by the drive unit (22) when the handwheel (32) is rotated through a full revolution has a maximum first stroke length and that, in a second operating mode, the relative movement has a preset second stroke length shorter than the maximum first stroke length.

Abstract: In order to improve a saw device with a feed axis for a workpiece to be sawed, with a first saw unit to saw the workpiece in a first sawing plane extending transversely to the feed axis and with a second saw unit to saw the workpiece in a second sawing plane extending transversely to the feed axis, with a central device region arranged between the sawing planes, with a front device region arranged in front of the first sawing plane, viewed in a feed direction, and with a rear device region arranged behind the second sawing plane, viewed in the feed direction, in such a way that as high a cutting efficiency as possible can be achieved, it is proposed that the saw device comprises at least two transport mechanisms arranged in different device regions to transport different workpiece portions along the feed axis.

Abstract: A press punching apparatus makes many holes at the same time and changes an arrangement of the holes without changing a punch block and a die block. A punching mold is provided with a plurality of punches having different lengths. A travel distance of the mold is adjusted so that a first part of the punches penetrates a work piece to be punched in a first stroke. Then, the travel distance of the mold is changed so that the work piece is punched by a second part of the punches other than the first part of the punches in a second stroke.

Abstract: An apparatus for slicing food products having a cutting knife which is driven in a rotary manner. The cutting plane of the knife extends perpendicular to the product support surface of a product supply device.

Abstract: A guard means for machines such as pressbrakes, guillotines, stamping machines and the like, in the case of which a first machine part performs working movements toward a second machine part. At least one photoelectric detector, more especially a laser photoelectric detector, has its light beam extending perpendicularly to the direction of working movement and is able to be so positioned between the two machine parts at one thereof that its light beam is at a safety distance from such machine part, such safety distance being able to be set by means of a guard means arranged adjustably on this one machine part, such guard means bearing the at least one photoelectric detector. A halting means is adapted to arrest the working movement on interruption of the light beam and a switching off means serves for switching off the halting means directly prior to interruption of the light beam.

Abstract: A press punching apparatus makes many holes at the same time and changes an arrangement of the holes without changing a punch block and a die block. A punching mold is provided with a plurality of punches having different lengths. A travel distance of the mold is adjusted so that a first part of the punches penetrates a work piece to be punched in a first stroke. Then, the travel distance of the mold is changed so that the work piece is punched by a second part of the punches other than the first part of the punches in a second stroke.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting and matching parts in a layup of material includes a cutting tool for cutting the parts and a camera for detecting and analyzing match points located on the individual parts that need to be matched to other parts. The apparatus also includes a computer having instructions for optimizing a process for matching various parts in the layup resulting in an increase of effective usable area of the cutter table and in increased efficiency in use of material in the layup. The computer includes instructions to direct the camera to process match points that are disposed within a tool offset, defined as a distance between the cutting tool and the camera, prior to advancing the layup to a take-off end of the cutter table.

Abstract: A system and method for making at least one cut in a catheter, guide wire or other elongate cylindrical object having a lengthwise axis, comprising a securing means for repeatedly releasing and then holding the elongate object in a position suitable for cutting it at an angle or transversely relative to its lengthwise axis, a manipulating means for moving the elongate object so that it can be disposed in the position suitable for cutting when it is released by the securing means, and a cutting means for forming the at least one precision cut in the elongate object to any desired depth. The securing means preferably comprises a rotatable collet clamp, and the manipulating means preferably comprises a pinch roller assembly for advancing and holding the elongate object.

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: Known are cutting devices for cutting food products with a base plate, an orbital-driven circular knife, a product feed unit and a counterknife. The invention proposes a height- adjustable distance of the circular knife to the counterknife along the cutting plane, and a stationary counterknife.

Abstract: An auxiliary punching device is disclosed, which is attachable to a machine for punching holes at one given location into a stack of sheets of given size, in order to punch other holes at another given location in the same stack at the very same time as the holes are punched at the one location. This auxiliary punching device comprises an auxiliary die and an auxiliary punching tool that are attachable to the main die and punching tool of the punching machine to work in unison therewith. Both of the structural elements are very easy to adjust to fit any required positioning or configuration for the second row of holes to be punched, whatever be the size of the stack of sheets fed to the machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for cutting photographic film into individual negatives and placing the cut negatives into envelopes. The invention utilizes a permeable conveyor and vacuum fan arrangement to transport the negatives after they are severed by the cutting mechanism. A pair of opposed fan assemblies located on either side of continuous feed envelopes serve to open an individual envelope. The opened envelope is located in close proximity to the conveyor. In this configuration, an individual negative, retained by suction against the permeable conveyor, can be delivered to the opened envelope extending off the edge of the conveyor track and entering the open envelope. A burst of air may be used to ensure the individual negative's placement into the envelope. A computer coordinates and controls various functions of operations, including transportation movement of the negative and envelopes and printing.

Abstract: A control mechanism for a record media cutting blade has a carriage for moving the cutting blade from a home position to a record media cutting position. The carriage has a photosensor secured thereto and is operably associated with a first reflecting member at the home position of the carriage and with a second reflecting member at the record media cutting position of the carriage. The second reflecting member is operably associated with the photosensor for partial cut or for full cut of the record media by the cutting blade. The movement of the carriage is controlled by the output of the photosensor to a comparator, to a converter and to a central processing unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for serially imprinting and cutting a tape such as an award ribbon includes a pneumatically actuated, heated imprinter and sequentially operated, pneumatically actuated cutter and trimmer. A stepping motor provides incremental movement of the ribbon and a ratchet drive mechanism coupled to the imprinter provides advancement of the foil or printing tape. The entire operation of the apparatus is under the control of a microprocessor which accepts information from the operator regarding ribbon length, imprint position and quantity and sequentially activates the various elements of the imprinting apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for withdrawing a continuous band of multi-article skin packages from a skin packing machine includes a clamping device for periodically grasping the band and stepwise withdrawing it from the skin packing machine in a direction of band feed; a first cutter for severing the band parallel to the direction of band feed; and a second cutter for severing the band transversely to the direction of band feed. The two cutters can divide each multi-article skin package into smaller, single-article packages. The apparatus further has a punch for providing hanger holes in the packages simultaneously with the severing operation of the second cutter; a sled carrying the clamping device, the second cutter and the punch back and forth parallel to the direction of band feed. A control intermittently and simultaneously actuates the second cutter and the punch at predeterminable locations when the sled travels against the direction of band feed.