Abstract: This disclosure relates to a machine (1) for sealing containers (91) using a film (95). The machine (1) comprises a first jaw member (21), comprising a plurality of seats (20) for respective containers (91) to be sealed, and a second jaw member (22), facing towards the seats (20) of the first jaw member (21). The first jaw member (21) and the second jaw member (22) are movable one relative to the other between a first condition, in which the two jaw members (21, 22) are separated from each other by an interspace (23) suitable for receiving a film (95), and a second condition, in which the two jaw members (21, 22) are clamped together and, in use, press the film (95) against the containers (91) in the seats (20). The seats (20) are side by side one after another along a longitudinal line (200) extending between a first side (231) and a second side (232) of the interspace (23).

Abstract: A machine for producing parts made of composite material, the machine comprising a fiber-application head comprising an application roller, a guide system for guiding one or more fibers, in the form of a strip, towards said application roller, and at least one cutting system comprising a blade capable of being maneuvered by a cutting cylinder between a rest position and an active position for cutting a fiber, each cutting system comprising a counter-blade that is elastically held against the blade by the cutting edge thereof for cutting by shearing a fiber while the blade moves from the rest position thereof to the active position thereof.

Abstract: The trimmer includes: a pusher 2 that pushes the bound material 1; a pusher moving device that moves the pusher; a positioning part 111 that positions the bound material pushed by the pusher; an allowable position memory that memorizes an allowable position range relevant to the pusher; an allowable reaction force memory that memorizes an allowable reaction force range relevant to the pusher; and a determiner that determines whether a length of the bound material is normal or abnormal. The determiner determines that: the length L of the bound material is normal; or the length L of the bound material is abnormal.

Abstract: A slicing device includes a cutting blade, a support, an endless belt, and a gripper. The cutting blade separates slices from a front end of a food product. The endless belt conveys the food product in a direction of a cutting blade and/or presses the food product against the support. The gripper is arranged on the endless belt so that the gripper is conveyed in a direction of a rear end of the food product to grip the rear end of the food product. A position of the gripper is moveable in a direction of the support. The endless belt includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is arranged closer to the cutting blade than the second portion. The first portion is arranged generally parallel to the support, and the second portion is arranged at an angle relative to the first portion.

Abstract: A plate dividing-system includes a first advancing device for moving plate-shaped workpieces, the first advancing device having a first support and a plurality of first gripping mechanisms, the plate dividing-system having a second advancing device for moving plate-shaped workpieces, the second advancing device having a second support and at least a second gripping mechanism. In addition, the plate dividing-system features a feed area that extends transversely to the advancing device, in which feed area the workpieces to be moved are arranged. The second support is arranged laterally outside the feed area and is movable in the direction of feed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting a window covering comprises saw for cutting the window blind. A clamp assembly moves the window covering relative to the saw. A controller moves the clamp assembly to automatically position the window covering relative to the saw. The saw is moved into engagement with the window covering to cut the window covering.

Abstract: A mechanism and method is provided for controllably loading multiple food loaves into the slicing station of a continuous slicing machine. The parallel loaves that are engaged by a common loaf feed drive or side-by-side, independent loaf feed drives are engaged by the loaf feed drive or drives simultaneously such that the interface or seam between a preceding loaf and a trailing loaf in different loaf feed paths are located substantially at the same location during slicing of two side-by-side loaf streams. A clamp device is provided that clamps multiple food loaves when loaded to move along the parallel food loaf paths together, wherein the clamp device can be released once the multiple food loaves are simultaneously engaged by the loaf feed drive.

Abstract: A three-side trimmer according to the present invention comprises a bound material feed unit (2) for feeding the bound material (1) one by one; a rotating table unit (3) for receiving the bound material (1) from the bound material feed unit (2) at a predetermined position and rotating the bound material at every predetermined angle in such a manner that the bound material is arranged at three positions of a top edge cutting position, a front edge cutting position and a bottom edge cutting position; a trimming unit (4) arranged for movement in a direction close to or away from the rotating table unit (3) between two positions of a cutting position at which the trimming unit (4) becomes close to the rotating table unit (3) so as to cut a top edge section (1a), a bottom edge section (1b) and a front edge section (1c) of the bound material (1), respectively, and a standby position at which the trimming unit (4) is away from the rotating table unit (3); trimming unit guide means (5) arranged between the rotating t

Abstract: A method for the operation of a panel placement system for punching presses wherein a feed slide is moved between the punching die of the punching press and a transfer position located in front of the punching press. A first connection mechanism of the feed slide, in the transfer position, seizes a panel in the rear area to advance it stepwise through the punching press in response to the cycle of said punching press, wherein the panel is gripped exclusively from above in a rear edge area which is located between the rear edge and the surfaces to be punched out.

Abstract: A material moving device is beneficial for manufacturing. The material moving device has a tower assembly, a vertical trolley assembly adapted to travel up and down the tower assembly, a horizontal trolley assembly adapted to travel back and forth along the vertical trolley assembly, and a material pickup assembly connected to the horizontal trolley assembly. The trolleys are adapted to move the material pickup assembly relative to the tower assembly to thereby move materials for manufacturing on to and off of a work surface.

Abstract: A panel (2) turning device (1) applicable to a panel saw machine (4) comprises a panel (2) hold-down element (11) located in the vicinity of a lateral edge (5a) of the worktable (5) and acting on the panel (2) in such a way as to form a pivot (12) and an axis of rotation (R) in a defined area of the panel (2). The device (1) also comprises rubber wheels (15) built into the worktable (5), designed to enable the panel (2) to be turned about the pivot (12) and mobile between a rest position in which they are not in contact with the panel (2) and a working position in which they are in contact with the panel (2).

Abstract: A plate divider-system (10) comprises a first advancing device (20) for moving plate-shaped workpieces (18), said advancing device comprising a first support (26) and a variety of first gripping mechanisms (24) and of a second advancing device (28), which comprises a second support (30) and at least a second gripping mechanism (32). In addition, the plate divider-system features a feed area (28) that extends transversally to the advancing device (22), in which feed area the workpieces (18) to be moved can be arranged, and which manifests a first working width (40) diagonally to the advancing device (22), in which the first gripping mechanisms (24) are arranged, and a second working width (42), in which the second gripping mechanism (32) is arranged. The second support (30) is arranged laterally outside the feed area (38) and is movable in the direction of feed (22).

Abstract: The present invention is a pneumatic continuous feeder which, through an air-pressure motive power source, can continuously drive a fixing clip to move back and forth equidistantly and also a mobile clip at the top of the fixing clip, so that when the fixing clip arrives the return point, the material can be downwardly clipped or upwardly released for achieving a continuous feeding. The present invention not only can precisely adjust the moving distance of material in processing for continuously and accurately driving the material to the operation tool, but also can change the driving method for the material to be pull or push in response to the hardness degree of the material.

Abstract: A flat-bed sheet punching apparatus includes at least two flat-bed sheet punching machines each having at least one punching mechanism, wherein the at least two flat-bed sheet punching machines are arranged opposite to each other and with an attendant space therebetween such that the at least two flat-bed sheet punching machines can be attended from the attendant space between the at least two flat-bed sheet punching machines.

Abstract: A sheet punching and embossing machine for the processing of sheets includes several punching and/or embossing stations. Each of the punching and/or embossing stations includes one platen fixed to the frame and one movable platen. Furthermore, a transport device for transporting the sheets through the individual processing stations is provided. The movable platens are each actuated by separate drive units by a position governing circuit so that the stroke movement of the movable platen of each punching and/or embossing station can be individually adjusted.

Abstract: A loaf reload mechanism for a slicing machine that includes a loaf-loading position wherein during a loading operation a loaf is placed in the loaf-loading position to be engaged by a gripper and driven into a cutting plane. The loaf reload mechanism includes a loaf-staging position located over the loaf-loading position, the loaf-staging position having a lowering mechanism to position a loaf from the loaf-staging position to the loaf-loading position. The reload mechanism also includes a loaf-ready position located laterally adjacent to the loaf-staging position, and a sweep mechanism configured to laterally move a loaf from the loaf-ready position into the loaf-staging position.

Abstract: A cutting installation for a fabric web comprising an unwinding unit, a downstream dancer unit serving as a buffer, and a downstream cutting frame with a cutting unit disposed thereon. At least two gripper beams extending parallel to the cutting unit and guided along a lateral rail arrangement are displaceable across the longitudinal extension of the cutting frame, and each gripper beam on one side is carried by a first support tower which is displaceable along the rails, and on its opposite end is provided with a telescopically extendable extension piece. The extension piece can be docked with a second support tower arranged on the opposite side and traveling along. The support towers are adapted for adjusting the height of the respectively carried gripper beam, such that each gripper beam, as it moves along the cutting frame, can travel over the other gripper beam.

Abstract: A punching machine includes a body frame having a table to support a workpiece. First and second work movement positioning apparatuses are mounted at both sides to move and position the workpiece in a direction of axis X. A work head is mounted on the body frame and has a ram and a tool. The work head moves on the body frame in a direction of axis Y, which is perpendicular to axis X. The first and second work movement positioning apparatuses are arranged in series in the direction of axis X. The workpiece is clamped by the first positioning apparatus, moved in the direction of axis X, punched, clamped by the second positioning apparatus, unclamped by the first positioning apparatus, and moved further in the direction of axis X.

Abstract: The present invention provides a workpiece-transfer device that has functions for both loading and unloading workpieces, without requiring a workpiece-storage device to enable a function for replacing material and product workpieces with each other, and that requires only a simple configuration and low costs. A workpiece-transfer device loads a material workpiece W1 in a workpiece-machining device 1 and unloads a product workpiece W2 from the workpiece-machining device 1. A movement means with a rectangular coordinate system 30 is provided to move a traveling body 27 in a first direction along the direction in which the workpiece-machining device 1 and a workpiece-storage device 2 stand in a line (direction X) as well as in a second horizontal direction orthogonal to the first direction (direction Y). The traveling body 27 includes a gripping means 28 for gripping a material or product workpiece W1 and W2.

Abstract: A hydraulic cutting device for a raw aluminum material includes an input tract for transporting the raw aluminum material to a cutting seat to be cut by the incorporation of a movable cutting block and a fixed cutting block. A measuring device is provided to measure the length of the raw aluminum material being cut. After the raw aluminum material is cut, an output cylinder is activated to transport the cut raw aluminum material to an output tract which is driven by a motor via a chain.

Abstract: A method for optimizing yield from a slicing apparatus, includes scanning and weighing a carcass, slab or loaf upstream of a slicing head of the slicing apparatus. The carcass, slab or loaf weight is divided by a desired pre-selected portion weight to determine the number of slices to be made. A remainder portion is allocated to an intermediate position along the carcass, slab or loaf to be sliced from the carcass, slab or loaf before a butt end portion, gripped by a gripper of the slicing apparatus, reaches the slicing head. The butt end portion is pre-arranged to be the desired pre-selected portion weight or at least an acceptable pre-selected portion weight. The butt end portion can then be released by the gripper as a desired or acceptable weight portion.

Abstract: A gripper pulls a web off a supply downstream through upstream and downstream clamps. The upstream clamp is closed on the web and a piece is cut off its end. Then the gripper is moved back upstream to form the cut-off piece into a dependent loop while the lower part of the downstream clamp is held down and back out of the way so it does not contact the dependent loop. Once the gripper has moved upstream passed the lowered downstream clamp part, it is raised and advanced downstream to press the web against the upper downstream clamp part. Then both clamps are displaced transversely to move the web as a dependent loop transversely away.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for detaching a paper web 9 from a wire 4, where the pulp suspension is fed in between a wire 4 and a felt 5 by a headbox 2, the wire 4 and felt 5 are guided together over a forming roll 3, and are separated from one another after the web 9 has formed. It is especially characterised by the separation point 10 of wire 4 and felt 5 being located at a distance from the forming roll 3.

Abstract: A trimmer (1) is disclosed from trimming excess margins (M) along one, two or three edges of a perfect bound book (B) is disclosed. The trimmer has a shearing blade (15) movable in a shearing plane (SP) between an open and a closed position. The book is gripped by a book holder (35) proximate the spine (S) of the book and the book holder is vertically positioned such the shear blade will shear the book in a predetermined position along this first edge of the book. The book holder is then moved transversely with respect to the blade and the book is rotated 180° and the book holder is vertically positioned so that a predetermined amount of the margin along this second edge is trimmed from the book upon closing of the shear blade. The book is then moved transversely to a third position and the book is rotated 90° and the book holder is vertically positioned so that a predetermined amount of the margin along this third edge is trimmed from the book upon closing of the shear blade.

Abstract: A method to remove pieces (14) cut off from bar-shaped workpiece material (5) by a cutting machine (1) is provided as well as an apparatus to carry out this process, wherein the piece (14) of the material (5) to be cut lies on a machine table (7) during cutting behind the cutting plane (8) in the direction of feed (9) of the material (5), is gripped between gripping jaws (12, 13) from behind the cutting plane (8) only. At the end of the cut, the cut off piece (14) is moved away from the cutting plane (8) by the gripping jaws (12, 13) in the material feed direction (9) and is tilted about an axis perpendicular to the material feed direction (9) such that its most recently cut surface is essentially horizontal and directed downward and that the piece (14) is then discharged by the gripping jaws (12, 13) by an essentially vertical motion downward onto an offload table (21).

Abstract: A tool is provided that has a grasper adapted to selectively grasp a tearable medium, a conveyer adapted to selectively move the grasper along an axis to move the tearable medium against a tear-off edge to sever the tearable medium, and a controller adapted to transmit a first signal for instructing the conveyer to move the grasper and a second signal for instructing the grasper to grasp the tearable medium.

Abstract: A method for producing a profiled spine in a book having a first side defining a first plane, a second side defining a second plane and a spine. The method includes clamping the book using a first clamp element contacting the first side and the second clamp element contacting the second side and moving the first element with respect to the second element so as to skew the spine by moving at least one of the first side in the first plane and the second side in the second plane.

Abstract: A glass transporting and locating system for a glass cutting table with a bridge extending across the glass cutting table which is movable along the length of the glass cutting table. A glass workpiece feeding table is positioned adjacent the glass cutting table and adapted to support a glass workpiece to be fed to the glass cutting table. At least one vacuum chuck is carried by the bridge at a position which can overlap a glass workpiece supported on the glass workpiece feeding table when the bridge is at one end of the glass cutting table. The system includes a device for aligning the glass workpiece which is supported on the glass workpiece feeding table. The alignment device may include a retractable stop on the bridge or on the glass workpiece feeding table. The retractable stop on the bridge may also be used for advancing finished workpieces off of the glass cutting table. The glass workpiece transporting and locating system is adapted to be easily retrofitted to existing glass cutting tables.

Abstract: A method for cuffing suture, including: feeding the suture to a drawing axis for drawing and cutting thereof; heating the suture to stiffen a small length; gripping the suture and alternately drawing it along the drawing axis by first and second grippers; cutting the suture to provide uniform lengths; and providing a predetermined length of suture travel between the heating step and the cutting step, which is a discrete number, two or more, times the uniform length of suture being cut by the apparatus, to provide a discrete number, two or more, of apparatus cutting cycles between heating of the suture and cutting of the suture, whereby after heating of a small length of suture, the suture is cooled to allow setting and hardening of the suture material prior to cutting.

Abstract: A method for producing a profiled spine in a book having a first side defining a first plane, a second side defining a second plane and a spine. The method includes clamping the book using a first clamp element contacting the first side and the second clamp element contacting the second side and moving the first element with respect to the second element so as to skew the spine by moving at least one of the first side in the first plane and the second side in the second plane.

Abstract: Shears for cutting off sections from a material tape, especially a steel cord tape, pulled through by means of a material gripper of a gripping device, with a stationary lower knife and an upper knife, which can be moved relative to the lower knife, and a delivery belt, consisting of a plurality of parallel sectional belts, below the upper knife is disposed, an overarm, which laterally embraces the sectional belt of the delivery belt lying above it, being disposed, which supports the material tape during the cutting process and can be moved downward with the upper knife, the trailing end of the cut-off tape section being clamped and secured in position.

Abstract: In a device for the three-sided trimming of book blocks, adhesively bound or wire saddle-stitched paper covers and like printed products (1), the said device having separate cutting stations (22, 27), which are disposed one behind another in a direction of conveyance (F), for the front and head/foot trims, the said direction of conveyance (F) being orientated perpendicularly to the height of the block and perpendicularly to the front-trimming plane; having cutting tables (23, 28) on which the printed products (1) rest, at least partially, during trimming; having knives (25, 30) which are moved up and down and which operate against cutting strips (23a, 28a) fixed in the cutting tables (23, 28) or against lower knives; having pressing beams (24, 29) for pressing the printed products (1) against the cutting tables (23, 28); and having a transporting system (13) which connects at least the two cutting stations (22, 27) and clamps-in the printed products (1) in the process, there are provided a gripper (18) which

Abstract: A panel sawing machine comprises a horizontal table (5) on which a movable device (6) pushes a stack of panels (3a) in a forward direction (F) or reverse direction (F1) to feed a sawing device (or to a device for rotating the stack) which divides the panel up into two or more smaller boards. The pusher (6) is equipped with two or more pickup elements (16) that hold the rear edge of the stack in position during positioning and/or sawing operations. The pickup elements (16) are mounted on the movable device (6) in such a way that they can run in guides (15, 15a, 15b) in the following three directions, respectively: horizontal at right angles to, and horizontal parallel to, the forward direction (F) or the reverse direction (F1), and vertical.

Abstract: A top edge trimming cutter, a bottom edge trimming cutter and a front edge trimming cutter are arranged to have predetermined distances from one another so as not to cause mechanical interference. The top edge trimming cutter, a first table element, a first blade receiving plate and a first pressing plate pressing a bound material against the first table element are attached to a first frame element. The bottom edge trimming cutter, a second table element, a second blade receiving plate and a second pressing plate pressing the bound material against the second table element are attached to a second frame element. Relative movement of the first and second frame elements effects relative movement of the top edge trimming cutter and the bottom edge trimming cutter, relative movement of corresponding first and second blade receiving plates and relative movement of corresponding first and second pressing plates.

Abstract: A device for trimming multiple streams of printed products including a first trimming unit for trimming at least one side of a first stream of printed products, and a second trimming unit for trimming at least one side of a second stream of printed products, the first stream and the second stream having a similar direction. Also disclosed is a method for trimming multiple streams of printed products comprising moving a first stream of printed products in a first direction, trimming at least one side of the first stream, moving a second stream of printed products separate from the first stream in a direction similar to the first direction, and trimming at least one side of the second stream.

Abstract: A adjustable shuttle stop apparatus for use in controlling feeding of material to a machining operation on a machine tool, such as a band saw. The apparatus comprises a feed conveyor, a band saw adjacent to the feed conveyor, a shuttle vise movably disposed on the feed conveyor, and an adjustable stop on the feed conveyor for adjusting a distance between the stop and the shuttle vise and for stopping the shuttle vise at the cutting position. The adjustable stop compensates for undesired movement of the shuttle vise caused by clamping the workpiece such that the distance between the stop and the shuttle vise remains substantially constant. This allows for a consistent cut length of the workpiece on subsequent cutting cycles. Different embodiments of the adjustable stop are disclosed along with a method of use of the apparatus.

Abstract: A bale processor for cutting or dicing a bale or slab of unvulcanized rubber produces small cubes or blocks of a predetermined size and uniform shape for continuous feeding at a predetermined rate into a mixing machine or blender. A bale or slab of feedstock rubber is advanced incrementally along a slider platform and a segment is sliced from the leading end of the bale. After separation, the segment falls onto a receiving panel from which it is transferred by a vacuum pick-up head to a vacuum hold-down table. Multiple slices are then formed through the segment along the X-axis by circular cutting blades of an X-axis cutter head, thereby forming elongated segment strips. Next, multiple slices are formed through the segment strips in the Y-direction by a Y-axis cutter head which includes circular cutter blades that are extendable and retractable along the Y-axis.

Abstract: A feeding device for transporting a thin and sticky tape, particularly a cord tape, through a cutting device onto a conveyor belt for transporting the sections of cord tape away, with a pulling device with pliers, which take hold of the leading edge of the cord tape lying under the raised upper knife of the cutting device, in order to pull the cord tape by a distance, corresponding to the width of the cutting, from the unwinding roll through the cutting device over the conveyor belt, which transports the cutting away and preferably lies lower.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus can make a length of a remainder material of a work as short as possible and can use one work effectively. The cutting apparatus has a main stock vice mechanism holding a work to be cut at upstream side and downstream side of a cutting position for cutting the work by means of a saw blade, a work feeding stock vice mechanism holding the work toward the cutting position for feeding per a predetermined cutting length, and a work drawing mechanism active when a difference between a length of a remainder material of the work and a feed limit length of the remainder material by the work feeding stock vice mechanism becomes shorter than a preliminarily set cutting length of the work. The work drawing mechanism holds a tip end of the remainder material at a predetermined position on downstream side of the cutting position or on upstream side of the cutting position for drawing the remainder material to extend a predetermined length from the cutting position.

Abstract: A scraping bar is disposed between the positions corresponding to endless chains of a thin sheet material transferring member. A nipping mechanism is disposed behind the scraping bar in its travelling direction. A thin sheet material having been subjected to the punching step, which is nipped by the nipping mechanism, is pulled together with the scraping bar to carry out a transfer step. Disused portions of the thin sheet material remaining on a lower surface plate is pushed out by means of the other scraping bar subsequently passing between the upper and lower surface plates. It is possible to transfer the thin sheet material in a stable manner by the scraping bar, thus permitting to carry out a high-speed transfer step. There is no need for formation of uncut portions between portions to be punched into a prescribed shape and the remaining disused portions and the punched products after the separation of the disused portions has an excellent finishing condition.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting sheets from an elongated workpiece is operated by first closing a pair of grippers on a workpiece leading end in an upper station and then cutting off the leading end of the workpiece to leave a sheet held in the grippers. The grippers holding the sheet are then moved downward and in an output direction to align the sheet with an output plane and pass the sheet to an output conveyor. The grippers are at opened to release the cut-off sheet to the output conveyor for displacement of the sheet away in the output direction. Then the upper gripper is moved downstream in the output direction until it is out from underneath the input station and the lower gripper is moved oppositely upstream in the output direction until it is out from underneath the released sheet on the output conveyor. The upper gripper is moved upward to immediately above the upper plane and the lower gripper upward to immediately below the upper plane.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting an indefinite length suture to uniform lengths for subsequent threading and swaging to surgical needles includes a drawing tower having first and second guide members defining a drawing axis parallel thereto. First and second grippers are provided to grip the indefinite length suture and to alternately draw it along the drawing axis, with each gripper being mounted for reciprocal movement along a guide member. Each gripper alternately grips the suture and draws it a distance beyond the location of a cutter assembly while the other gripper reciprocates to a start position before the cutter assembly. A tipping assembly heats a predetermined small length of the suture to stiffen the suture thereat after subsequent cooling, in preparation for cutting the suture and inserting a stiffened lead cut end of the suture into an end of a needle for swaging thereto.

Abstract: A compound punching apparatus for providing a substrate having half of the perforations formed from one major surface of the substrate and the other half of the perforations formed from the opposite major surface. The arrangement of the punches create equal and opposite stress forces in the substrate that essentially cancel each other out to provide a product meeting exacting planarity requirements. The compound punching apparatus includes two diametrically opposed dies and punching tools, a feed system, a drive system and a frame.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for advancing and cutting tube blanks into desired lengths and ejecting the unusable piece of tubing remaining after all of the usable cuts have been made. The machine for cutting the tubes of the present invention is preferably a standard supported shear type cutting machine and the ejection of the tube is accomplished via a pusher that is mounted for reciprocation on a carriage such that when the last piece of usable tubing has been cut from the tube blank the pusher may be activated to eject the tubing from the cutting machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting an indefinite length suture strand to uniform lengths for subsequent threading and swaging to a surgical needle includes a drawing tower having at least one guide member defining a drawing axis parallel thereto. First and second gripping devices are provided to grip the indefinite length suture strand and draw it along the drawing axis; each gripping device mounted for reciprocal movement on at least one guide member. A retractable cutter for cutting the indefinite length suture strand is also provided for cutting the strand at a start position along the drawing axis. The indefinite length suture strand is fed to the drawing axis and drawn a predetermined distance beyond the location of the retractable cutter for positioning within a suture receiving opening formed in the surgical needle, while the second gripping device reciprocates to a start position along the drawing axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for advancing positions of a web material has a first transporter at which the pieces are separated from a web, a clamp which transfers the pieces to the plane of a second transporter and a second transporter operating in this plane in a direction orthogonal to the displacement direction of the first transporter. The second transporter has at least one conveyor at least part of which is movable toward and away from the clamp and toward which the clamp can be moved so that the pieces are transferred to the conveyor and can be displaced by the latter with no spacing between them or with only a limited spacing between them.

Abstract: A machine for punching sheet metal, and having a worktable beneath which are located two stores for storing blank and machined sheets. Over each store, the worktable has a respective opening, which is closed selectively by a respective movable closing device, which, in the closed position, defines a portion of the worktable. Over one of the two stores, a handling device is provided for partly lifting a blank sheet from the store and over the worktable; and, over the other of the two stores, a movable stop element is provided for retaining the machined sheet over the respective opening as the respective movable closing device is moved.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting an indefinite length suture to different lengths for subsequent threading and swaging to surgical needles includes a drawing tower having first and second guide members defining a drawing axis parallel thereto. First and second grippers are provided to grip the indefinite length suture and to alternately draw it along the drawing axis, with each gripper being mounted for reciprocal movement along a guide member. Each gripper alternately grips the suture and draws it a distance beyond the location of a cutter assembly while the other gripper reciprocates to a start position before the cutter assembly. A tipping assembly heats a predetermined small length of the suture to stiffen the suture thereat after subsequent cooling, in preparation for cutting the suture thereat and inserting a stiffened lead cut end of the suture into an end of a needle for swaging thereto.

Abstract: A workpiece moving machine comprising: an elongate frame with an endless belt mounted on the frame and extending between the ends of the frame. A plurality of trolleys are slidably mounted on the frame for movement along the frame. Each trolley has a clamp for selectively holding a workpiece to the trolley. A first clutch on each trolley selectively connects the trolley to one run of the belt to move the trolley along the frame in one direction and a second clutch on each trolley selectively connects the trolley to the other run of the belt to move the trolley along the frame in the opposite direction. A brake on each trolley selectively brakes the trolley to the frame to prevent its movement along the frame.

Abstract: A punching machine includes a body frame having a table to support a workpiece. First and second work movement positioning apparatuses are mounted at both sides to move and position the workpiece in a direction of axis X. A work head is mounted on the body frame and has a ram and a tool. The work head moves on the body frame in a direction of axis Y, which is perpendicular to axis X. The first and second work movement positioning apparatuses are arranged in series in the direction of axis X. The workpiece is clamped by the first positioning apparatus, moved in the direction of axis X, punched, clamped by the second positioning apparatus, unclamped by the first positioning apparatus, and moved further in the direction of axis X.