Abstract: A method is disclosed for shearing an end section from a rod material by means of a cutting blade that is movable against a stationary blade, transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the rod material, during the shearing operation. The end section to be sheared is brought into contact on its end-face side with a longitudinal stop and is acted on, via the longitudinal stop, with a pressure force in the longitudinal direction of the rod material. The action of pressure force on the end section takes place during the shearing operation with a position-controlled longitudinal position of the longitudinal stop. It is thus possible to manage with a lower pressure force than with conventional force-controlled pressure force action, without the shearing quality of the separation faces at the end section being impaired.

Abstract: Gauge system, including methods and apparatus, for positioning workpieces according to entered and/or calculated target dimensions and processing the workpieces with a tool to generate products having the target dimensions.

Abstract: A trimmer to cut a backing on which an overlay is mounted. The trimmer includes cutting blades and a removable fence that has a stop. The fence is carried by a pair of risers that are capable of moving relative to the work surface. A rotatable lever arm is coupled to the risers by a linking cam rod. When the lever arm and linking cam rod are rotated in a first direction, the risers move upwardly from the work surface and the stop of the fence is lifted upwardly and off the work surface to create a gap that enables the backing to move past the fence to the cutting blades to be trimmed. When the lever arm and linking cam rod rotate in an opposite direction, the risers move downwardly toward the work surface, and the stop is lowered against the backing to prevent the overlay from moving to the cutting blades.

Abstract: This invention includes a system for cutting food products, such as potatoes, into proportional length pieces. In a one embodiment, the system includes a cutting assembly, sensors upstream of the cutting assembly and a programmable logic controller. The cutting assembly preferably includes a housing defining a passageway, at least two separately actuatable stops extendable into the passageway to provide an abutment to hold the food product in place, and at least two separately actuatable blades for slicing the food product into pieces. The controller cooperates with the sensors to determine the length of each food product and, based on a length determinative algorithm, selectively actuate one of the stops and at least one of the blades to determine how many times the food product will be sliced and location of the cut(s) relative to the leading end of the food product.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for slicing food products, and particularly soft, pliable food products susceptible to being deformed to the slicing process. The slicing apparatus includes a slicing wheel assembly and device for stabilizing the food product as it is being fed through the slicing wheel assembly. The slicing wheel assembly includes a hub, a rim circumscribing the hub so as to define an annular space therebetween, and arcuate blades extending between and removably attached to the hub and rim. The hub, rim, and blades lie in a cutting plane of the slicing wheel assembly. Each blade has an arcuate cutting edge on a convex portion thereof, with radially innermost and radially outermost extents of the blade that do not lie on the same radial of the slicing wheel assembly.

Abstract: This invention includes a system for cutting food products, such as potatoes, into proportional length pieces. In a one embodiment, the system includes a cutting assembly, sensors upstream of the cutting assembly and a programmable logic controller. The cutting assembly preferably includes a housing defining a passageway, at least two separately actuatable stops extendable into the passageway to provide an abutment to hold the food product in place, and at least two separately actuatable blades for slicing the food product into pieces. The controller cooperates with the sensors to determine the length of each food product and, based on a length determinative algorithm, selectively actuate one of the stops and at least one of the blades to determine how many times the food product will be sliced and location of the cut(s) relative to the leading end of the food product.

Abstract: This invention includes a system for cutting food products, such as potatoes, into proportional length pieces. In a one embodiment, the system includes a cutting assembly, sensors upstream of the cutting assembly and a programmable logic controller. The cutting assembly preferably includes a housing defining a passageway, at least two separately actuatable stops extendable into the passageway to provide an abutment to hold the food product in place, and at least two separately actuatable blades for slicing the food product into pieces. The controller cooperates with the sensors to determine the length of each food product and, based on a length determinative algorithm, selectively actuate one of the stops and at least one of the blades to determine how many times the food product will be sliced and location of the cut(s) relative to the leading end of the food product.

Abstract: This invention includes a system for cutting food products, such as potatoes, into proportional length pieces. In a one embodiment, the system includes a cutting assembly, sensors upstream of the cutting assembly and a programmable logic controller. The cutting assembly preferably includes a housing defining a passageway, at least two separately actuatable stops extendable into the passageway to provide an abutment to hold the food product in place, and at least two separately actuatable blades for slicing the food product into pieces. The controller cooperates with the sensors to determine the length of each food product and, based on a length determinative algorithm, selectively actuate one of the stops and at least one of the blades to determine how many times the food product will be sliced and location of the cut(s) relative to the leading end of the food product.

Abstract: A method and a device for cutting up bulky metal parts using a shearing assembly that includes a fixed lower jaw including a first cutting edge and an associated horizontal first bearing surface for the metal part, and an upper jaw that can be swiveled relative to the lower jaw and including a second cutting edge, the cutting edges forming a V-shape at the beginning of the cutting-up process. To facilitate easy positioning of the metal parts between the upper and lower jaws, it is proposed to position the metal part on a support that is composed of a first bearing surface of the lower jaw and a second bearing surface stretching laterally next to the first and in vertical projection under the upper jaw, and that the upper jaw is moved towards the lower jaw while at the same time adjusting the second bearing surface together with the upper jaw.

Abstract: A fence assembly of a cut-off machine includes a fence base fixed above a worktable of the cut-off machine, a fence plate supported on and movable along the fence base, having a downwardly extending bottom panel and a locking structure for controlling whether the fence plate is locked to the fence base. The locking structure includes a fastener defining a separation with a constant length from the fence base, a first block, a second block and a press member. The first block, the second block and the bottom panel are positioned in the constant separation. The bottom panel is disposed between the second block and the fence base. The contact surface between the first block and the second block slopes toward the direction of the separation. The first block is movable substantially perpendicularly to the direction of the separation. The press member selectively presses the first block.

Abstract: This invention includes a system for cutting food products, such as potatoes, into proportional length pieces. In a one embodiment, the system includes a cutting assembly, sensors upstream of the cutting assembly and a programmable logic controller. The cutting assembly preferably includes a housing defining a passageway, at least two separately actuatable stops extendable into the passageway to provide an abutment to hold the food product in place, and at least two separately actuatable blades for slicing the food product into pieces. The controller cooperates with the sensors to determine the length of each food product and, based on a length determinative algorithm, selectively actuate one of the stops and at least one of the blades to determine how many times the food product will be sliced and location of the cut(s) relative to the leading end of the food product.

Abstract: A mat cutter includes a squaring fixture including a locator bar positioned on the work surface by an adjustment element coupled to the locator bar, a driver coupled to the adjustment element, and an electronic control coupled to the driver controlling the power supplied to the driver to locate the locator bar at a desired location relative to a guide bar supporting a manually movable cutting element. Additional adjustment mechanisms are employed to position stops limiting the movement of the cutter element along the guide bar. The adjustment mechanisms for the locator bar and stops are separate from each other, but can be controlled by a common electronic control of intuitive design, and can be uncoupled for fully manual operation.

Abstract: A combination slicer and toaster which is particularly suitable for slicing and toasting bagels and other similar food items, which comprises in combination a slicing section and a toasting section, such that a bagel, or other similar food item, is inserted into an opening slot in one end of the slicing section, wherein said bagel or other food item is forced into intimate contact with a slicing means located within the slicing section by the downward action of a plunger means located in rotational contact with the opening slot. Upon passing through the slicing section, the bagel is simultaneously deposited in the toasting section of the device, where the now sliced food item is toasted and, upon completion of the toasting operation, is elevated through an exit slot in the other end of the device.

Abstract: A rectangular glass workpiece positioning system and method of use for a cutting table is disclosed. A conveyor transports a rectangular glass workpiece in a transporting direction. A stop mechanism is adapted to abut an edge of the glass workpiece which is positioned substantially perpendicular to the transporting direction of the conveyor. A movable edge sensor is adapted to sense an edge of the glass workpiece extending substantially parallel to the transporting direction with the movable edge sensor movable at least perpendicular to the transporting direction. A movable cutting head is provided for cutting the glass workpiece according to a predetermined pattern. The present invention additionally includes a method of retrofitting existing cutting tables.

Abstract: A cutting system for removing at least one section from a workpiece. The cutting system includes a frame that supports a first saw assembly for cutting at one end of the workpiece and a second assembly for cutting at the other end of the workpiece. The first saw assembly supports a stop having an up position (non-cutting position) or a down position (cutting position). For measurement purposes, the one end of the uncut workpiece is placed next to the stop in the non-cutting position and during the cutting operation the stop moves below the workpiece. The cutting system also includes a first clamp connected to the first saw assembly and a second clamp connected to the second saw assembly or the frame. The first and second clamps have either an opened position or closed position. The workpiece is secured when the first and second clamps are in the closed position. The closed position also enables the operation of the first and second saw assemblies.

Abstract: A cutting machine for cutting elongated, extruded plastic articles includes a cutter assembly composed of a pair of side-by-side, plate-like cutting die bushings having a transverse article opening formed therethrough configured and dimensioned to accommodate the passage and guidance of an elongated extruded plastic article therethrough, and a thin, generally planar cutting blade having a cutting edge. The blade is supportable for reciprocable movement between the cutting die bushings for movement between an operative position in which the blade moves across the article opening so as to cut an article disposed therein and an inoperative position in which the blade is displaced from the article opening. The blade is supported for reciprocable movement by at least one support finger disposed on each side of the blade which serves to prevent buckling of the blade.

Abstract: A stop assembly is used in combination with a machine that acts at a working station on a workpiece that is fed in a predetermined feed direction through the station. It has a base fixed to the machine adjacent the station and a support having a free end and movable on the base in the direction relative to the station and fixable in positions variably spaced in the direction from the station. A spring extending and incompressible in the direction has an outer end fixed to the free end of the support and an inner end lying between its outer end and the station. This spring is elastically deformable between its ends transverse to the direction. A stop element is fixed to the inner end of the spring and defines a stop surface turned toward and spaced from the station.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting meat blocks which includes a main blade to cut slices from a meat block and transverse blades to divide the slice into strips. The blades are mounted on a cutting unit which may be driven to reciprocate relative to a stationary meat block support. The latter includes a slice support structure that extends outwardly beneath the cutting unit in a comb-like configuration. The cutting unit carries a horizontally adjustable stop assembly having stop elements which fit and reciprocate within the gaps formed in the slice support. This configuration permits the smooth and stepless adjustment of the slice thickness without the necessity of disassembling any parts.

Abstract: A cylindrical body resembling a piece of pipe has the sharp edge of a utility-knife blade extending into the bore of the body to cut a longitudinal slit in the wall of a piece of plastic tubing that is pushed or pulled through the bore. A removable stop protruding into the bore momentarily stops the piece of tubing until another utility blade, connected to a guide and handle positioned at an angle across the cylindrical body, is pulled into the slitted end of the tubing to cut on a line that intersects the longitudinal slit. A pointed angular piece is thereby cut out and removed to leave in the end of the piece of tubing a notch with a surface slanting outward toward the end of the piece of tubing for functioning as an inclined plane to spread the tubing. A linkage connected between the angular guide and the stop removes the stop to permit completion of slitting. A handle with a triangular blade is also connected transversely to the cylindrical body for cutting the slitted tubing into lengths.

Abstract: An automatic sheet metal cutting machine has a continuous supply of metal strips in adjustable lengths, at will. A reciprocating cutter cuts laminations from the metal strip and a receiver receives the laminations. The receiver includes a swiveling plate movable through an angle .alpha. at will about a pin perpendicular to the direction motion of the laminations. The receiver is lowered and moved downstream relative to the direction of motion of the laminations received thereby.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing staples from paper, card and like sheet-form material is disclosed. The apparatus includes an anvil which deflects downwardly the leading end portion of a sheet inserted into the apparatus. A staple in the incoming sheet abuts against a tongue which causes the tongue to pivot rearwardly. The tongue is then moved towards the anvil to indent the paper adjacent the staple and orient the staple against the front face of the tongue. Next, the tongue is returned to a vertical position and the staple is pressed upwardly into a relieved portion of a rotary knife. The knife then slices off the top of the staple and removes the sliced off portion. Remaining portions of the staple are stripped from the paper as it is withdrawn from the apparatus.

Abstract: A plate-edge machining apparatus comprises a workbench for supporting a plate and a movable abutment for positioning the plate border to be machined in a machining position projecting beyond the workbench. The plate is retained by a movable plate holder. A tool carriage is reciprocably movable relative to a fixed sliding guide and carries two machining tools, each tool being associated with a relative edge of the plate border such that both of said edges can be machined.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a wheel-mounted frame on which engine driven hydraulic pumps are mounted to provide hydraulic power. Extending from the side of the frame is a live deck for transporting logs transverse to their length. A longitudinal conveyor receives the logs from the live deck and transports the logs to a retractable stop to establish the length of a firewood block. A saw adapted to transversely cut the log is arranged to be lowered to cut the block from the log. A guard encloses the saw and supports clamps that clamp the log on each side of the saw during cutting. The retractable stop is retracted from the log end as the guard clamps the log for cutting. Following cutting the cut block is directed to a centering device which centers the block relative to a hydraulic actuated ram and fixed splitter blades. The block is split when forced across the splitter blades by the ram. A kicker rejects log remnants to a reject conveyor. Unsuitable blocks are rejected to the reject conveyor.

Abstract: A stop mechanism for facilitating the cutting of an elongated workpiece into a large number of equally sized pieces with a radial arm saw. An elongated rail extends perpendicularly beneath the arm to serve as a guide for the workpiece as it is fed into the saw from the infeed side to the outfeed side of the table. An elongated infeed guide which is parallel to the rail spaces the workpiece from the rail as it is fed into the saw. A stop mechanism includes a housing which is secured to the outfeed side of the table and a plunger which moves toward the rail in an extended position and away from the rail to a retracted position. As the workpiece is guided toward the outfeed side of the table, the end of the workpiece contacts the extended plunger thereby terminating further infeed. The workpiece is then cut with the saw, and the plunger is momentarily retracted to allow additional infeed of the workpiece. The end of the workpiece for the next cut then abuts the extended plunger.

Abstract: A machine for cutting a rectangular mortise in either or both sides of a log intended for building construction, with means for determining accurately the spacing of each mortise from an adjacent end of the log and/or from an adjacent mortise, and the method of operating the machine to effect a plurality of spaced cuts.

Abstract: The device for the longitudinal trimming of a panel or stack of panels to be fed to a panel cutting machine comprises an elevating table onto which there is loaded a pile of panels. The elevating table is raised a predetermined distance so as to bring to the level of the panel support table of the cutting machine a stack of a predetermined number of panels. The stack of panels is transversely and longitudinally aligned, by means of transversal and lateral abutment or reference members, is then pushed a predetermined distance in the transverse direction and is then subjected to the action of a longitudinal trimming saw which cuts one or more strips from the side of the stack of panels. The thus reduced stack of panels is then fed to a crosscut saw on the panel support table to be subjected to transverse cutting and other panel sizing operations.

Abstract: A device to cut lengths of elongated metal elements, including a shear, an incoming belt for delivering the metal elements to the shear, an outgoing belt for delivering the metal elements from the shear after they are cut, a retractable stop, between the incoming and outgoing belt, for aligning the metal elements and establishing a reference point from which the length to be cut is measured, two motors, one to drive each belt, and a shaft between the motors to ensure that the motion of each belt is synchronous after the elongated metal elements reach the reference point.

Abstract: An improved stop mechanism for use with machinery wherein a workpiece is advanced through one or more tooling stations comprises an arm supported for limited pivotal movement about orthogonal axes. The arm is constrained for movement within a grooved block and mounted on a pin extending through coaxial conical bores formed in opposite sides of the arm. The arm is biased in a direction opposite to travel of the workpiece to a ready position in sliding contact with the workpiece until the forward end of the arm engages a predetermined notch or locating surface on the workpiece and pivotally moves therewith to a stop position. The rear end of the arm simultaneously actuates a valve, switch or other control device to initiate the desired operation on the workpiece. After completion of the desired operation, the arm is disengaged from the notch or locating surface to release the workpiece and returned to the ready position.

Abstract: A cut-off saw assembly for building logs wherein each log is positively advanced to a stop area comprising an array of power actuated stops at varying distances from a cut-off saw, the saw being actuated after the log has been stopped and clamped firmly to a table through which the saw blade is advanced and retracted.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed and claimed herein for cutting logs into predetermined lengths with primary use in a hardwood veneer plant. A log conveyor is provided, preferably in two sections, with a cutting station located therebetween. The cutting station is equipped with a pivotally operated chain saw or circular saw which cuts the logs as desired. A log clamp means is provided immediately adjacent the cutting station to engage the log on two sides, preferably top and bottom, with the diameter of the log being irrelevant within wide ranges. When a log is first clamped, the cutting saw passes to square off the forward end of same. Located downstream of the cutting station are a plurality of individually operated log stops that are located in the path of travel of the log moving along the conveyor. A particular stop, depending upon the length of log cut desired, is actuated to move into the path of log travel.

Abstract: An assembly for automatically feeding workpieces to and from a numerically controlled turret punch. A loader magazine having an adjustable volume for receiving a stack of workpieces is disposed on one side of a turret punch, and an unloader magazine having a similar adjustable volume for receiving a stack of workpieces is disposed on the opposite side of the turret punch. An ejector associated with a loader magazine ejects the top workpiece from the loader magazine to horizontally feed it into operative association with clamps of the turret punch. The turret punch clamps are moveable with respect to the punching tools, and the punching tools are moveable and operated to effect punching of the workpiece until it has a desired finished configuration.

Abstract: A holder and cutter assembly for food stuffs in stick form, the assembly comprising a chamber for receiving a food stuff in stick form, a carrier disposed in the chamber and adapted to move lengthwise of the chamber in abutting relationship with the food stuff, means for biasing the carrier toward an opening in the chamber, stop means outside the opening to permit a portion of the food stuff stick to be exposed outside the chamber in response to the biasing means, and cutter means disposed adjacent the opening and operable to cuttingly engage the exposed portion of the food stuff stick to sever the exposed portion from the remainder of the food stuff stick, the stop means being adapted to release the severed portion.

Abstract: A device for holding lumber to be cut including a conveyor system with an abutment plate and clamping arm to clamp the lumber against the plate. A saw is movable in a plane transverse to that of the conveyor to engage and cut the lumber at a side thereof opposite that engaged by the clamping arm.

Abstract: A punch press is provided with a side gage member for fixing the location of the workpiece in the X-axis preparatory to being clamped to moving means which position the workpiece in various positions with respect to the punching axis. The side gage member includes adjustment means for accurately setting the distance between its gaging surface and the centerline of the die.

Abstract: Battery grid plate castings are trimmed in a two-step operation. Each plate moves flat along a horizontal or inclined path against a first stop bar. One of two trim blades on a reciprocating upper die block then shears flashing from the leading end of the plate during a downward stroke of the die. Then the stop bar raises during the upward stroke of the die, and the plate moves forwardly against a second stop. Upon the next downward die stroke the second trim blade shears flashing from the trailing edge of the plate. During the next upward stroke, the fully trimmed plate moves forwardly onto a stacking device. As the leading end of one plate is trimmed at the first trim station, the trailing end of a preceding plate is trimmed at the second trim station. The second stop is easily moved to different stop positions along the path of travel of the plates to change the distance between such stop and the second trim blade and thereby enable trimming plates of different lengths without changing dies.