Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically severing individual towels from a length of material comprising a plurality of terry towels. The method includes the steps of measuring slightly less than the supposed length of a towel, then activating a sensor that detects the edge of a cutting space by the change in thickness of the material. The sensor causes feeding of the material to stop with a cut-line at a cutting blade. The first edge of the material is held while a second sensor located the same edge at the opposite side of the material, and the cutting blade is moved with the sensor. The material is stretched to straighten the cut-line, and the cutting blade is caused to cut the material. The apparatus includes feed rolls to move the material, and an encoder measures the length. A roller at one edge of the material detects the change in thickness at one edge, and similar rollers detect the change in thickness at the opposite edge.

Abstract: Edge trimming apparatus and method for trimming off wavy edges of strip material, e.g. metal strip, wherein rotary trimming knives for each edge of the strip are movable transversely relative to the advancing strip. The knives are pivotally supported about vertical axis and can have their transverse spacing adjusted, the support blocks preferably being transversely slidable in guides which are mounted on a carriage which itself is transversely movable relative to the advancing strip. Edge sensors are located adjacent edge regions of the strip and signals from the sensors are passed to a device, for example a hydraulic jack, for moving the carriage transversely.

Abstract: An arrangement in sawing machines or like processing machines for the forward feeding and infeeding of work pieces, such as logs in particular, to the machine, comprising a stationary saw table which extends parallel to the desired feed line for the workpiece, at least up to the sawing machine, and at least two, individually drivable, endless feed chains which extend in vertical planes parallel with the feed line beneath the saw table. Each of the feed chains is provided with at least one dogging means which moves in a groove in the saw table. The groove is parallel with the feed line and common to all dogging means. The dogging means projects up out of the groove, above the surface of the saw table, in a manner to enable the dogging means to act on the rear end surface of a work piece resting on the saw table, for feeding said workpiece up to and into the sawing machine.

Abstract: A system and method for shearing pieces from bars, characterized by the normal positioning of a bar zone heating element such as an induction heating coil at one or a multiple of piece lengths in front of the bar shear. A bar feed incrementally longitudinally advances a bar one piece length at timed intervals through the heating coil to the bar shear, whereby localized areas or zones of the bar are heated at one piece length intervals. The heat received from the heating coil at each zone soaks into the bar to raise its core temperature as each zone is advanced from the heating coil toward the bar shear. After each incremental advance of the bar, a piece is sheared from the end of the bar at the then presented heated zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the accurate volumetric subdivision of conveyed bar-shaped material such as bar steel or billets, using measurements of the bar's cross-sectional area.

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: An arrangement for controlling the advancing device of a machine for repetitive operations, especially for controlling the advancing speed of a slide carrying a cutting device of a cutting machine for cutting an elongated workpiece, such as a profile emanating at a predetermined speed from an extrusion press, a straightening machine or the like, into sections of uniform length.

Abstract: High-speed spooling machines for yarn or thread are subject to the difficulty that, if the yarn or thread should break between a yarn cleaning, that is, size sensing and cutting apparatus and the takeup spool, stray remnant filamentary pieces may occur due to operation of the cutter apparatus since the thread size sensing apparatus may provide an erroneous "cut" signal upon absence of any thread in the sensing field. To prevent such operation, a thread sensing element is interposed in the path of the thread being spooled which, upon break of thread, will provide a "no tension" signal which will be below a predetermined threshold level. This signal is then used to inhibit operation of the cutter, regardless of the output of the thread size sensing element.

Abstract: A bar end dropper for forging machines or the like is disclosed which automatically operates to reject blanks cut from the end of the piece of stock which are of unsatisfactory length and to adjust the feed when necessary to ensure that the ends of pieces of stock being fed into the machine are a sufficient distance from the shear plane of the cutter to ensure a clean cutting operation. As sequential pieces of stock are fed to the machine, they are positioned in the measuring position and the measuring carriage moves in to position a sensor a distance from the shear plane determined by the length of the stock. This automatically positions the sensor.

Abstract: A paper sheeter for cutting two or more webs simultaneously into sheets has a rotary knife to make the cuts in desired register with marks (e.g. watermarks) carried by the web. A sensor is provided for detecting the marks on each web and a further sensor monitors the knife rotation; signals from the several sensors are fed to a control unit in which the signals from each mark sensor are compared with signals from the knife sensor to produce feed control signals for the respective web. These control signals may be applied to brakes associated with the web supply reels to vary the tension in each web; alternatively one web may be controlled by using the control signals to vary the speed ratio between the knife and pull rolls feeding the webs to the knife.

Abstract: A cantilevered transverse arm is mounted for movement along both a longitudinal and transverse axis. The outer end of the arm is adapted to be disposed over a metal slab to be cut and carries a tool assembly which is adjustable thereon. A guiding assembly is fixedly mounted to the arm and includes a pair of longitudinally spaced guide rollers positioned so that the cutting tool is disposed in a transverse plane extending between the rollers. Each roller is individually shiftable into and out of engagement with the slab edge. Initially, the leading roller is advanced toward the slab edge, while the trailing roller is retracted. The rollers are then moved toward the slab edge until the leading roller engages the said edge ahead of the slab corner. As the entire device moves longitudinally along the slab, the leading roller is retracted while the trailing roller moves into engagement with the slab edge. Deformed slab corners are thereby bypassed by the tool guidance system.

Abstract: A photographic print cutting and sorting apparatus cuts photographic prints from a continuous roll of processed photographic print paper and sorts the individual prints into good, remake and reject prints. The print sorter includes a main conveyor line or chute for good prints, a first branch conveyor line or chute for remake prints, and a second branch conveyor line or chute for reject prints. First and second diverters are provided for diverting the remake and reject prints into the first and second branch conveyor lines. The operation of the diverters is based upon remake and reject indicia marked on photographic prints and sensed by an indicia sensor. A print sensor located near the discharge ends of the main conveyor line and the first and second branch conveyor lines provides a signal when a trailing edge of a print passes the print sensor. A control circuit receives signals from the indicia sensor and the print sensor and controls the operation of the cutter and the first and second diverters.

Abstract: A method for cross-cutting trees, where a trunk to be cross-cut is advanced relative to a lopping means for cutting off branches on the trunk. A signal representing the lopping force required is generated and is combined with a signal representing advanced length of the trunk, so that a knot signal representing the presence of knots on the stem is obtained. Said knot signal is used for automatic control of the cutting of the trunk as a function of the presence of knots on the trunk. There is also provided an equipment for performing the method.

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: A device for automatically and simultaneously making two parallel straight cuts of predetermined length in a mat comprising a transporting means, a pair of cutting means, a single driving means for said cutting means and a pair of signalling means for activating said driving means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of cutting off sections of a grating web of any desired length by means of shears. In the event there occurs a gap between the cross-bars of a welding machine, wherein the occurrence of the gap is established by a computer, so as to enable the introduction of the cutting blades of the shears into the mesh of the grating web, the grating web is cut in response to a signal from the computer.

Abstract: Apparatus and control circuitry used in a copy machine for providing copy paper cut to length in accordance with an original sheet sensed by two switches in the path of travel of the original. A first feed roller is rotated via a clutch upon energization of a solenoid for the cluch when the leading edge of the original is sensed by the first switch with the clutch disengaged upon deenergization of the solenoid when the leading edge of the original reaches the second switch to provide limited movement of the leading edge of the copy paper from a solenoid operated cutter to a second feed roller. The second feed roller continues to pull copy paper from the roll until the cutter is operated by energization of its solenoid upon passage of the trailing edge of the original past the first switch. The cutter solenoid is deenergized when the trailing edge passes the second switch.

Abstract: A wire cutting machine for consecutively severing predetermined wire lengths from a continuously fed wire of indefinite length, comprises a wire cutting device and a wire discharge device arranged downstream (as viewed in the direction of wire feed) of the wire cutting device. Th wire discharge device has a wire channel, the walls of which define an elongated channel space which is oriented in the direction of wire feed and within which the wire is advanced. In the channel wall a plurality of openings are provided which are arranged in the longitudinal direction at predetermined distances from one another. A wire length detecting arrangement is operatively connectible with the channel space through any selected one of the openings.

Abstract: A portable sawmill system comprising at least three wheeled, independently movable modules is disclosed. The modules are independently maneuverable to a land site having a ready source of logs to be processed and are arranged in a preselected geometrical configuration adjacent one another and the source of logs. A log from the source is received on the first module and debarked. The debarked log is moved axially and transversely off the first module and onto a second module. A plurality of saw means are carried by the second module to form boards from a log being processed. A third module is located at the output side of the second module and is adapted to receive and further process the boards formed on the second module.

Abstract: A sawing apparatus for sawing long lengths of material into shorter pieces having a predetermined length and discarding spoiled and short end pieces comprises a saw movable across a saw table formed in two parts which can be tilted independently of each other to tip sawn material into a receptacle. The downstream part has a nose piece projecting just beyond the saw to support the leading end of a length to be sawn. The apparatus also comprises exit and entry tables and a number of sensors for respectively detecting the leading and trailing ends of the lengths of material and for automatically initiating sequences of operations of releasable clamps for clamping the lengths of material, traversing movements of the saw, and the tiltable table parts.

Abstract: A stamping or nibbling machine, comprises a workpiece support or means for engaging the workpiece at a spaced location from a punch which reciprocates upwardly and downwardly in respect to a die in order to effect the stamping or nibbling of the workpiece. The support is mounted on a transverse bar which is pivotable about a transverse guide and the guide is carried on a carriage which is pivotable about a longitudinal guide. The workpiece is fed by holding the bar and the carriage against pivotal movement and driving them in the respective longitudinal direction when the punch is lifted off the workpiece. The rate of this feed may be controlled in timed relationship to the movement of the punch so that the feed takes place when the punch is off the workpiece and in a speed of feed which is determined in accordance with the torque acting on the transverse bar and the carriage when they are released for pivotal movement and sensed by associated torque meters.

Abstract: An apparatus for squaring or trimming the edges of the elastomeric (uncured) cover of an industrial belt. An edge sensor is disposed to track each of the edges of a bare or uncovered carcass foward of the calender nip in which the cover is applied. Rotating trim blades for trimming excess gum from the respective edges of the covered belt are moved laterally proportionally to the algebraic sum of the deviations of the edges of the carcass from their respective ideal lines. Thus, an adequate but not excessive amount of the cover gum is provided to cover the respective edges of the carcass of the belt. The respective edge sensors are hydraulically connected with the trim blades for synchronized movement so as to maintain the described thickness of cover gum outwardly from the edges of the carcass.

Abstract: In an automatic machine for cutting zippers from a common zipper tape, feed rollers are positioned to direct the common tape to the cutter. The sliders on the tape are detected by a photoelectric detector upstream of the feed rollers, in order to develop a signal of determined duration for enabling a bottom stop detector positioned upstream of the slide detector. A delay device is provided to actuate the cutter a determined time following detection of a bottom stop by the stop detector.

Abstract: A transfer machine for cutting rolled sheet metal comprises a sheet loading arrangement, a feed mechanism for moving a sheet to the blades of guillotine shears, an arrangement for sorting and stacking cut-off blanks, and a program control system. The sheet loading arrangement comprises a receiving table which is fixedly mounted and located on the axis of the transfer machine, and a four-member linkwork with a sheet grip. The linkwork is constructed so as to provide for transferring a sheet from a stack onto the table of the feed mechanism along the axis of the machine, the sheet remaining parallel to the table of the feed mechanism during the transfer. Fitted on the table of the feed mechanism is a sensor responsive to the passage of the rearward sheet edge. This sensor provides for measuring the dimensions of blanks from the rearward sheet edge on the reverse stroke of the feed mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting elongate members of arbitrary length, for example, cants or boards, into shorter sections of predetermined like or unlike lengths, so that each material length is utilized to the maximum with the least possible waste, is provided with a plurality of abutments which may be guided in and out of the direction of travel of the material to determine the length of the different shorter sections. The material to be cut is measured longitudinally while it is advanced towards the cutting element by means of an automatic measuring device which transmits pulses via a programming device which determines the lengths into which various material lengths are to be cut in order to give the least possible waste. The programming device controls the abutments which determine the length of feed of the material in the direction towards the cutting element.

Abstract: Each customer order has the form of an image band segment comprised of one or more image sections bearing respective images. The customer order image band segments together form an elongated image band. The image band is provided with order marks of different types, each image section of one customer order being provided with an order mark of one type, and each image section of the next customer order being provided with an order mark of another type, so that the order mark type changes from one customer order to the next on the image band. The changes of order mark type are detected using a detecting arrangement which is operative for generating control signals in dependence upon such detection. The operation of an order-sorting arrangement is controlled by applying the control signals thereto.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for a hot forging machine which is supplied with lengths of stock. The system provides automatic rejection of workpieces cut from the rearward end of one length of stock and the forward end of a subsequent length of stock. The system includes a sensor which laterally deflects the rearward end of a length of stock as such rearward end approaches a control point to produce a signal to reset the system. As the forward end of the subsequent length of stock passes the control point, a second signal is generated to actuate the stock movement measuring system. Stock movement is measured by a measuring roller which engages and is turned by the stock as it moves toward the cutter. The rotation of the measuring roller drives a pulse generator which supplies a signal to a counter.

Abstract: Apparatus for slitting large metal sheets of substantial length and width is provided. The apparatus includes a slitting machine of the throatless type guided on a track to provide precise slitting of the sheet. The apparatus includes a long hold-down clamp mounted adjacent the slitter and the track. A supporting table is located on the side of the hold-down clamp opposite the slitter and the track and is provided with measuring heads which enable the sheet which is to be slit to first be cut to a precise, given length. Two measuring heads are provided, one of which causes the sheet to slow down and the second which actuates a shear. A lower supporting table is located on the side of the slitter opposite the clamp and both tables are provided with gauge heads for accurately positioning the sheet prior to being clamped and slit. Preferably, a double slit is made along the desired line to substantially avoid distortion of the metal sheet along the slit.

Abstract: Apparatus for subdividing webs of photographic paper into discrete prints has a detector which scans marks applied to the web for the purpose of arresting the drive for the web at the exact moment when the central portion of a frame line between two successive images on the web is in register with the knives. The signals which are furnished by the detector can be used to arrest the drive only within a short interval of time which begins shortly or immediately before a mark reaches the detector. This prevents the detector from arresting the drive in response to detection of a flaw or a particle of foreign matter whose effect upon the detector is similar to that of a mark.

Abstract: Retarding markings are provided alongside a linear pattern to be cut out by an automatic device guided by a photoelectric scanner. The markings are disposed a short distance ahead of the changes in direction of the pattern line, which is greater than the resultant decelerating path of the advance motors from the original faster advance speed to the resultant slower advance speed. A timing circuit initiates the change in advance speed after the retarding mark is detected and a second timing circuit changes the overhang of the line-scanning photocells from an initial greater magnitude to the lesser required magnitude correspond to the slower advance speed. Acceleration marks may also be provided after directional changes in the pattern to accelerate the advance speed back to the original advance speed after the changes in directions are accomplished.