Abstract: Automatic cutting of pieces of material for obtaining a cut portion having a predetermined weight is performed by an apparatus and process in which the pieces to be cut are first weighed and then cut to obtain a portion having a predetermined weight. The pieces to be cut are transported on adjacent parallel conveyors adapted to travel in the same direction at substantially the same speed, a portion of each piece being transported on each conveyor. At least one of the conveyors includes at least one load-bearing platform, each load-bearing platform being associated with a weighing machine for performing, at least once, weighing of at least a portion of each piece to be cut at least once.

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: Method and apparatus for cutting off selected length panels from an indefinte length strip of fabric with minimum waste, the fabric being comprised as superposed longitudinal and transverse elongate elements, wherein the transverse elements may deviate from strict perpendicularity to the length direction of the strip, e.g., be skewed or bowed. A support defines a path along which the strip of fabric and its longitudinal elements are to extend. A cutter unit is actuable for cutting elements of the strip to cut off a panel from the strip. A transverse moving unit relatively moves the cutter means and strip in a direction transverse to the length of the strip to cut the full width of the strip and thereby separate a panel therefrom. A longitudinal moving unit is actuable for relatively moving the cutter and strip in a direction longitudinal of the strip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tapered peeling of veneer to form a curved veneer and clipping the curved veneer into discreet sheets by adjusting the angular relationship of the clipping knife to the axis of rotation of the bolt being peeled thereby to clip the veneer along lines substantially radial to the curvature of the veneer adjacent to the point of clipping.In the preferred arrangement two clippers are used in series and their angular relationship adjusted relative to the axis of rotation of the bolt to produce a veneer sheet with substantially parallel sides and to remove a substantially triangular piece between adjacent clipped sheets.

Abstract: A control system is established wherein, when there is a flow of continuous web material (2), an identification phase is provided by increasing the torque signal to a pull roll motor (13) until slippage between the pull roll (12) and continuous web is created at a breakaway torque point, the value of which is measurable. The pull roll motor is then caused to be driven by a signal which creates a motor torque output which is of a value less than the breakaway torque point. Thus, no slippage can occur. As the motor is driven at the lower torque value, a calibration phase is entered wherein an encoder output of the pull roll is properly equated with that of a measuring wheel (9), this phase occuring at a time when there can be no slip between the web-roll interface. The identification-calibration process can be repeated as often as desired.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the cutting of dressed lumber to achieve the optimum valve of cut pieces based upon the specific structural and surface defect characteristics of each board, as well as upon historical demand, business inventory and market factors. The invention includes the use of a Modulous of Elasticity test and photo-electric surface scanners in order to determine these specific structural and surface defect characteristics.

Abstract: A method of measuring camber in a sheet of metallic material comprises the steps of displacing the sheet between fixed guides in a plane perpendicular to the width of the sheet such that a point on a center of the sheet travels a predetermined distance, measuring the length of the sheet adjacent a first longitudinal edge thereof which moves past a datum line when the sheet is displaced the predetermined distance and generating a signal having a value A proportional to the length, measuring a length of the sheet adjacent to a second, opposite longitudinal edge which moves past the datum line when the sheet is displaced the predetermined distance and generating a signal having a value B proportional to the second edge length, and calculating camber at the first edge, expressed as a radius of curvature R.sub.C of the sheet, by the equation: ##EQU1## where W equals the width of the sheet.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus for cutting a tying member of a bale of raw material by a cutting blade movable at a high speed against the tying member of the bale comprises a cutting blade with a cutting element having a length which is equal to a small fraction of the width of the bound surface of the bale substantially parallel to the length of the cutting blade and a cutter carriage device on which the cutting blade is mounted by which the cutting blade is movable toward the bale with a speed which is at least 3 m/sec on impact on the tying member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for severing a moving thin strip material across the width of the strip by providing a thin rigid cutting element and urging the cutting element to move rapidly across the path of travel of the strip material in a plane transverse to the plane of the strip material. The strip material is contacted about one side edge and the cutting wire continues to rapidly move across the strip width from a first edge to a second edge to sever the moving strip. The method and apparatus are useful for severing strip material being produced at up to 4000 feet per minute and is not dependent upon the gauge or ductility of the material.

Abstract: An elongated sheet of web material has a longitudinal row of feeding holes in each side edge portion and a plurality of binary codes longitudinally spaced along one side edge portion; and an associated web handling and working machine has sprockets which cooperate with the feeding holes to feed the web, a tool or other instrument for working on the web and a device for reading the codes as the web is fed through the machine. Each code comprises a group of data bits and provides such information as the remaining length of web available to be worked upon, the type of instrument suitable to work on the web, and whether the instrument should be rotated to maintain it tangent to its path of travel over the web.

Abstract: A bar material gathering control system wherein the frequency of use of cutting bites can be automatically made uniform over the cutting face whereby the cutting blade can be used efficiently.

Abstract: A system for spreading and severing material utilizing a roller movable over a lower substrate and carrying with it a loop of material for spreading without tension. One or two plies are spread as a function of roller travel prior to severing from a source. If two plies are spread, severing of the loop occurs at the roller by an element movable with the roller. A second severing element is located at one end of the substrate to separate material from the source. A top platen carries a removable substrate having thereon multiple patterns. The patterns are defined by a resistance wire having thermal expansion joints and carried by stand-off insulators mounted on the removable substrate. When the wires are brought into contact with the material on the lower substrate, severing occurs. Multiple cycles of spreading and severing may occur prior to removal of the lower substrate.

Abstract: An automatic dough cutter that is preferably for use in a mall type cookie store and includes pneumatically operated moving parts. The dough cutter is contained within a single housing that includes a vessel wherein the dough is deposited and is acted upon by a piston traveling therein to extrude that dough through a nozzle, the invention including an oscillating knife that is operated to swing a blade at set intervals through that extruded dough column cutting end sections therefrom. All of which components including covers, a chute, the knife blade, piston, vessel, dough conveying pipe and nozzle that contact the dough are removable for cleaning so as to limit a possibility of bacteria growth and contamination.

Abstract: A system for controlling a bar cutter in a steel bar line comprising a rolling length predicting circuit for calculating, on the basis of a scale loss coefficient, a predicted rolling length of a rolling bar material conveyed to the steel bar line, a flying shear cut instructing circuit responsive to the predicted length for determining a cutting length and for operating a flying shear to cut the rolling bar material in accordance therewith, a rolling length measuring circuit for determining an actual rolling length from the cut bar material, and a scale loss coefficient determining circuit for determining the scale loss coefficient based on the actual rolling length so as to correct the predicted rolling length and thereby reduce a cutting error.

Abstract: Rapid cut-off apparatus for high speed moving yarn whereupon any excessive force exerted upon the yarn causes the apparatus to be triggered into a yarn cut-off operation with the apparatus being accelerated to the speed of the moving yarn upon frictional engagement of the cut-off blade of the apparatus with the yarn.

Abstract: To change reels (11, 12) of packaging material in or on packaging machines, a front region of a connecting sheet (13) is held ready in an exact relative position in a common conveyor track (18). When the end of a run-off sheet (10) is reached, an end piece of the latter is severed, so that the run-off end and the front end of the sheets of material (10, 13) can be conveyed (further) in an exact position to one another.

Abstract: An apparatus for punching of an angular steel profile comprises a feed conveyor and a discharge conveyor for the angular steel profile, a rigid frame portion, two punch carriages and at least one punch carriage positioning motor for moving the punch carriages mounted on the frame portion and a servomechanism for positioning at least one of the punch carriages according to the tolerances, particularly the angular tolerances, of the angular steel profile to be worked. The servomechanism for positioning the punch carriage has a compressively loaded roller sensor contacting on a reference surface of the angular steel profile and a signaling member operated by the roller sensor. The feed conveyor, the discharge conveyor and the punches are equipped for feeding and working a vertically oriented V-shaped angular steel profile.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus cuts a plate such as a corrugated cardboard or a steel plate into a predetermined size with a knife cylinder and includes a knife cylinder driver for controlling rotation speed of the knife cylinders by motors.

Abstract: A mechanical method for splitting the breastbone of hog carcasses comprises the steps of determining, by means of a sensor device, the length of the carcass by determining the distance between a datum plane and the snout of the carcass. The cutting of the carcass is then initiated, by means of a remote controlled cutting hit point on the carcass that is located at a distance from the datum plane that is a function of the length of the carcass. The length of the cut from the hit point to a cut termination point on the carcass is controlled as a function of the length of the carcass as determined by the position of its snout. The breast splitter comprises a snout height sensor for determining the length of the suspended carcass by determining the distance between the datum plane and its snout. A detector is provided for detecting the positioning of the selected suspended carcass at a control point along the path of the overhead conveyor. A robotic cutter is provided.

Abstract: A high-throughput, high-end-product-recovery log-bucking system featuring continuous log travel. The system includes a flying-saw, log-bucking mechanism in combination with an upstream scanner which is capable of producing data related to a log's "sweep." A computer which is interposed the bucking mechanism and the scanner makes a decision at least partially based on log-sweep data, as developed by the scanner, to determine the optimum bucking position(s) along a log's length to obtain the maximum recovery of usable end-product.

Abstract: A bobbin separating unit, includes at least two first and second serially connected bobbin separating devices, the second bobbin separating device having a given upper level, the first bobbin separating device including a feeding device being controllable by the second bobbin separating device, the feeding device being movable from a bobbin receiving position to bobbin feeding positions disposed above the given upper level, and the feeding device including a feed location in the form of a vibratory conveyor.

Abstract: A controller for cutting sheet material so that inferior or incomplete sheet material is eliminated is characterized by the provision of means for detecting a length of sheet passing through a rotary cutter which continuously cuts the sheet material, means for calculating a length of sheet moving until the sheet is cut after a shear is started, and means for controlling the start timing of the shear so that a cut portion of sheet cut first by the shear coincides with a cut portion of sheet cut by the rotary cutter.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus for heated stock in the form of metallic bars of finite length, includes a transport device for moving the bars back and forth in longitudinal direction of the bars along a transport path, a heating device upstream of the transport device along the transport path, a cutting device downstream of the transport device along the transport path for cutting the bars to a given bar section length at a cutting position, a stop downstream of the cutting device along the transport path for limiting movement of the bars, a clamping device disposed between the cutting device and the stop along the transport path for holding bars of at least a given minimum remnant length in the cutting position, a device in vicinity of the cutting device for carrying away cut bar sections and end remnants of bars out of the cutting position, a repulsion device in vicinity of the cutting device for moving the bar remnants into the heating device after cutting, a sensor disposed along the transport path for sensing pres

Abstract: There are provided an improved product consisting of an elongated non-metallic sheet having a metal embedded therein or attached thereon over the entire length thereof and method and apparatus for producing the same. In particular, the product having the metal forming a wire arranged in a zigzag fashion may preferably used for covering and protecting joints of steel pipes in oil pipeline or cables. In the improved product, the sheet is trimmed on each of the longitudinal sides along a line a predetermined lateral distance outwardly or inwardly from the outline of the periphery of the corresponding side of the metal. In a case of the wire in a zigzag fashion, the wire has turning ends and the outline connects neighboring turning ends.

Abstract: Bobbin separating unit, including a first charging device, a second charging device downstream of the first charging device in flow direction of the bobbins, a first separating device, and a second separating device downstream of the first separating device, and a device for controlling the bobbin delivery rate of the first charging and separating devices in dependence on the bobbin content of the second charging and separating devices.

Abstract: A work table for use with a chain saw comprises a flat-topped work surface having a slot defined therein through part of which an elongate member of a pivotal carrier unit extends uprightly and is movable longitudinally therein. The member has in vertical spaced relation to extend from the same side thereof, parallel to and above and below the remaining part of the slot respectively a chain saw guard and a chain saw mounting bracket. The outer end of a stationary link arrangement is to engage around the throttle of a chain saw. With a chain saw fitted with its cutter bar extending upwards through the slot parallel to the member and clamped in mounting bracket, the throttle ready to be engaged and chain saw energized, movement of a workpiece to be cut against the chain saw mill move the pivotal unit with the chain saw about its pivot to cause the throttle to be depressed to activate the blade of the cutter bar.

Abstract: An automatic meat log cutter for cutting continuous extrusions of minced meat to logs of preselected length comprises a photocell located at a preselected distance from the discharge end of the extruder for sensing the arrival of the front end of the extrusion and in response thereto for triggering the operation of a solenoid-actuated air-cylinder for driving a music wire cutter transversely through the extrusion at a point immediately in front of the extruder and for simultaneously speeding up the travel speed of the conveyor to create a spaced distance between the rearward end of the log and the front end of the extrusion. For successive logs, the cutting stroke is alternately downward and upward.

Abstract: Metering apparatus includes a casing defining spaced first and second chambers and respective first and second piston members sealingly slidable by applied fluid pressure in the chambers. Support member coupled to and moveable with the second piston members projects from the casing to receive a load to be metered. Located within the first piston member is a third chamber in which a plunger is sealingly slidable. The second and third chambers are in communication whereby respective opposed transverse faces of the second piston members and the plunger are engageable to determine a limit position for the second piston means in the second chamber. In a preferred application, the metering apparatus is incorporated in a block forming machine, for example a cheese block forming machine, in which the load support platform is positioned within an upright housing to receive a column of a solid medium confined within the housing.

Abstract: A workpiece such as a steel profile to be perforated at predetermined distances from a longitudinal reference surface thereof is moved past a plurality of perforating tools, such as punching or drill presses, mounted on a main slide and associated with respective sensors carried on an ancillary slide, the two slides being provided with a rack-and-pinion coupling working into a position detector. Each sensor comprises two sensing heads movable, upon selective activation prior to operation of the corresponding tool, transversely to the workpiece path with a slight relative offset; the ancillary slide is displaced until the reference surface is detected by one--but not both--sensing heads whereupon a corrective motion is imparted to the main slide under the control of the position detector.

Abstract: A slitter-scorer apparatus comprises upper and lower slitter-scorer units which are disposed in one above the other relationship and are vertically movable respectively. The apparatus can immediately change slitting and scoring operations along the flowing direction of long and flat materials, which are fed continuously, without any reduction of the flowing speed of the materials, and the operations can be performed on the materials which flow along an approximately straight line, while the total length of the slitter-scorer apparatus is shortened to the upmost.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the length of wire blanks in a wire cutting machine is disclosed, the machine including feed apparatus for feeding wire stock into the cutting machine, stop apparatus for engaging one end of the wire stock at a predetermined length in the cutting machine, and cutting apparatus for cutting wire blanks from the wire stock. When the leading end of the wire stock engages the stop apparatus with a predetermined pressure, the blank is at a proper length to be cut. The pressure causes the stop apparatus to expand radially. Strain gauges mounted about the stop apparatus detect the expansion by generating an electrical signal when connected in a bridge circuit. The strain gauges detect an over feed situation when the stop apparatus expands beyond a predetermined point. Similarly, an under feed situation is detected when little or no expansion of the stop apparatus is sensed.

Abstract: A photographic processing apparatus for severing an advancing strip into successive segments and for mechanically segregating the segments in conjunction therewith includes a strip feed for advancing the strip in a lengthwise direction and a guide for guiding the strip past a cutting station in a predetermined path of advance. A cutting blade is mounted at the cutting station and is operable to sever from the strip the segments thereof that have passed the cutting station. The blade has a home position wherein it permits passage of the strip along the path of advance before severance and is movable through a cutting stroke from the home position and back into the home position. The blade has a deflecting position wherein it permits passage of the strip beyond the cutting station while deflecting the strip from the path of advance. A blade actuator is provided to move the blade into and from the home position and deflecting position and through the cutting stroke in timed relation to strip advancement.

Abstract: An automated machine is disclosed which accepts a whole log, cuts it into predetermined lengths, splits each length in half and conveys the split log to a stacking location. A single person can operate the machine.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a combination log cutter, splitter and bundler for reducing in size logs, preferably to a fireplace length. In addition disclosed herein is a portable device which in one operation saws the wood to an appropriate length, splits the wood, and then bundles it.

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 comprises an apparatus for automatically removing fat from a meat carcass. A sensing station includes a row of needle probes which can be inserted into the carcass and which produce an electric signal at a fat/lean interface. The position of this interface relative to a support is recorded for each probe in a memory unit, and the carcass is then passed to a cutting section where it is drawn over a knife blade. The height of the knife blade is adjustable by a servo-motor controlled from the memory unit, and as the carcass is pulled over the knife, information from the memory unit is progressively released to adjust the knife so that the cut through the carcass follows the previously-sensed fat line.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automatic apparatus for machining panels or similar articles and, particularly, for drilling and milling them in accordance with the "Folding" system. With this apparatus, the panel to be machined is carried by conveyor means, in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis, towards drilling and milling devices placed one after the other, the latter being able to mill the panel transversely with respect to the direction in which it moves forward. The operation of the drilling and milling devices takes place contemporaneously in unison, controlled by a feeler device located after the milling devices, which is able to perceive the presence of milling in the panel and to consequently cause the panel to halt and to be in the exact position necessary for the aforementioned drilling and milling devices.

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 method for producing coated strip by continuously applying a film of the coating to the moving strip comprises trimming at least one edge of the film before it makes contact with the strip by a stationary or moving cutter which is responsive to the position of the adjacent strip edge. Both edges of the strip may be trimmed by separate cutters which can be coupled so as to be simultaneously responsive to the position of one edge of the strip only. Alternatively the cutters may operate independently on both edges of the film, with each cutter being responsive to the respective strip edge. The cutter or cutters may be secured to a pivoted arm which carries a shoe arranged to engage the corresponding strip edge so that the cutter moves in unison with this edge.

Abstract: A method of controlling the cutting feed speed of a saw frame of a band-sawing machine or a similar machine, whereby the change of cutting resistance to the saw blade is detected by sensing the change of load on the back of the saw blade or the change of pressure of an oil pressure cylinder supporting the saw frame and by transforming such change into a voltage change or amperage change by means of a piezo-electric element, the flow rate of a flow control valve provided at the pressure oil discharge circuit of the oil pressure cylinder being controlled by said detected voltage or the like and thereby the cutting feed speed being changed in response to the change of cutting resistance so as to maintain the cutting resistance to the saw frame at an optimum value.

Abstract: A length sensing photocell has its output connected to the input of a Scht trigger control circuit which alternately actuates solenoid pneumatic valves which in turn cause a cylinder operated single strand shuttle cutter to repetitively cut extruded lengths of grain propellants to a substantially uniform length independent of their rate of extrusion.

Abstract: A cable safety apparatus for use in a cable feeding system, comprising a pulley rotatably mounted on a frame, the pulley supporting the cable in a manner to provide a back pressure thereon. A locking member is slidably connected to the frame with a spring interposed therebetween, and the apparatus is suspended to a non-moving support structure by attaching the support end of the locking member to an external structure. The locking member and spring form a spring assembly that has locking engagement with a pivotable cutter blade that is biased to be in cutting engagement with the cable when the spring assembly is moved into clearing relationship with the cutter blade.