Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for slicing broccoli and the like into relatively uniform spears suitable for packing and freezing by grasping the stem end of the broccoli in clamping jaws with the main portion of the broccoli head depending vertically, moving a plurality of slicing knives upwardly to slice through said main portion, and severing the stem portion from the sliced portion to provide spears of similar size and shape. The heads of broccoli move along a feed conveyor and erecting means to a transfer station where their stem ends are grasped by clamping jaws carried on a rotary turntable in vertical alignment with a slicing knife assembly reciprocable vertically in response to the rotation of the turntable. A rotary knife severs the stem ends from the spears which drop onto a discharge conveyor. All of the described actions occur as the broccoli moves at a constant uniform speed through the slicing machine.

Abstract: A straight edge ripping guide for use in removing one curved and uneven edge of a board having two uneven edges. The double uneven edge board is assembled to the ripping guide that has longitudinally adjustable projections to contact the high points of the uneven edge opposite to the uneven edge that is to be first cut. With the leading end of the board engaging a laterally-extending push stop of the guide, the board and guide are pushed together along the table saw fence to straighten and square the uneven side edge. Pin points are provided on the push stop and one of the projections to hold the board against lateral and upward displacement from the guide. The high point projections are adjustably retained in a continuous dovetail groove. There are main and extension guide pieces that are detachably connected together by elongated square-section blocks fitted into the end of the square hollow openings running through the guide pieces.

Abstract: A slicing machine includes a rotatable blade (1) and a feeding device (4, 5) for feeding blocks of product (46) towards the blade (1). The feeding device comprises opposed driven endless track assemblies (4, 5) having their adjacent faces arranged to be driven in the same direction. One of the opposed track assemblies (4) is formed by a number of separate side-by-side endless tracks (6, 7, 8, 9) which are pivotally connected to a common support (20). The number of separate tracks (6, 7, 8, 9) have a ganged drive and pneumatic rams (22) which, in use, urge the downstream ends of the tracks independently towards the block of product (46) so that the separate tracks pivot independently and hold a block of product (46) the thickness of which is not uniform in the transverse direction. The support (20) supports the upstream ends of the endless tracks (6, 7, 8, 9) and is slideably mounted for movement in a direction parallel to the plane of the blade (1).

Abstract: A woodworking apparatus includes a conventional table saw having a table and a projecting circular saw blade. A stock moving apparatus is associated with the saw table to move a piece of stock material into engagement with the saw blade. The stock moving apparatus includes a pair of longitudinal support members with a forward and rearward plate extending therebetween. The stock material is removably and selectively rotatably mounted between the forward and rearward plates. A guide is provided on the saw table to guide the stock moving apparatus in a straight line across the saw table. A pattern apparatus is provided to impart a particular shape in the stock material when the stock material is passed over the saw blade. The pattern apparatus includes a pair of spaced apart profile boards upon which the stock moving apparatus is supported during its passage over the saw table.

Abstract: A process for the edge-planing of the longitudinal and frontal edges of workpiece plates. A workpiece plate is advanced to a plate saw and at least one longitudinal edge is planed. The workpiece plate is then rotated and at least one frontal edge is planed by the plate saw. The workpiece plate is then rotated, aligned, and advanced toward the plate saw for sectioning.

Abstract: A punch press machine for piercing a so-called green sheet made from a ceramic compound formed as a thin tape utilized for IC substrate and the like after sintering for solidification. The green sheet is adhered to a liner, such as a plastic tape, and has a core portion. The punch press machine is capable of piercing the green sheet together with the liner, without peeling of the tape liner from the core portion of green sheet. The machine consists of a punch press section, a work piece feeding section and a drive mechanism to move the work piece feeding section or the punch press section under mechanical automation, thus facilitating the piercing work with high productivity and quality.

Abstract: A saw mechanism for logs convolutely wound on cores and method wherein the upstream end of the log has its core supported on a support member attached to a log-advancing pusher, the chain carrying the pushers being equipped with stripper plates immediately downstream of the pushers to strip trim annuli from the pusher support members incident to arcuate movement of the stripper plate around the chain tail sprocket.

Abstract: A slicing apparatus is disclosed which slices a cylindrical ingot into disc-shaped wafers by a rotating blade. The slicing apparatus includes an ingot support device which is used to contact support the ingot at a position opposed to the position of the ingot to be sliced by the blade. Therefore, a rection force which is produced in the ingot slicing can be supported by the ingot support device, thereby eliminating any ill effects on the hold surface of the ingot.

Abstract: An arrangement for the discharge of goods (50) from a package band (24) of flexible plastic material comprises a discharge board (60). The package band is provided with pockets (16) placed following one another and is moved along the discharge board so as to place the pockets in positions where a discharging device (71) moves a pusher roll (74) towards a receiving table (82). The pusher roll rests against the outer wall (11b) of the package band and pushes the goods (50) out of pockets (16) of the package band. A retaining device (64) is situated inside a tunnel (18) of the package band and holds the same in place while the pusher roll discharges the goods to the receiving table (82).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding preform wire into a preform dispenser, cutting a piece of preform, transferring the preform to a location over an integrated circuit ceramic package, and placing the preform in the package prior to placing and attaching a die in the ceramic package.

Abstract: A circular cutting machine is described which is characterised in that a product supply carriage, into which the guide for the material to be cut, the feed device and means for holding the material to be cut are integrated, can be switched over between an operating position and a retracted position by means of an actuating unit, thus permitting the product to be guided right-up to the immediate vicinity of the cutting knife. A change-over between the operating position and the retracted position can also be obtained by corresponding displacement of the cutting plane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a band saw machine having the capability to produce finished piece parts by employing a rotatable collet and an index vise to rotate and longitudinally position the piece part, a band saw blade positioned in a blade twist assembly capable of making straight, angular, and arcuate cuts on the work piece, and a motor means to move the saw blade perpendicular to the work piece, all under the direction of a pre-programmed computer control.

Abstract: A wood processor is disclosed for cutting a log into a series of shorter lengths and subsequently splitting the shorter lengths into individual pieces of firewood or the like. The processor includes a carriage for receiving the log. Clamps engage the log from both sides to secure it in the carriage which advances the log into contact with a plurality of parallel rotating saws. After the carriage is retracted a pusher rod moves the cut log pieces along an axis onto a plurality of cradle members, one cradle supporting each log section. The cradle members are tilted to dump the log sections alternately onto opposite sides of the axis of log movement. The logs dumped from the cradles are fed to a plurality of individual hydraulically operated log splitters.

Abstract: A punch apparatus for punching holes in thin sheet material including a frame, a punch element mounted on the frame for rectilinear movement, which further includes a planar element of conductive material mounted on the punch element, a coil on the frame mounted adjacent to the planar element, a carriage for supporting and positioning the sheet in the path of the punch element, leads connected to a source of electric current to energize the coil, a mechanical arrangement to rebound the punch element, and a programmable apparatus to selectively move the carriage and energize the coil to thereby produce a punched hole pattern in the sheet.

Abstract: A device for shifting packs (P) of panels along the workpiece support table (L) of a sawing machine. The top surface of a stack of panels (P') comprises a pair of levers (1, 2) hingedly mounted on a motorized carriage (C). The first lower lever (1) frontally contacts the side of the pack (P) by its forward end defining a vertical pushing front (13) and has a lower jaw (17) acting on the underside of the edge of the pack (P), while a second, upper lever (2) forms, with its forward end (20, 21), the upper jaw acting on the top side of the edge of the pack (P). The second lever is actuated for gripping the edge of the pack between the two jaws (17, 20, 21).

Abstract: A slicing apparatus particularly suitable for slicing livers. A plurality of adjacently spaced apart blades are mounted within a drum rotatable about the blades. The blades are disposed toward one side of the drum in close proximity to the peripheral wall thereof to form a cutting zone. Pockets are provided in the peripheral wall of the drum, the pockets being formed with gaps which align with the blades. As the drum and the pockets rotate through the cutting zone, the blades pass through the pockets and slice livers therein. The cutting zone is positioned in a lower quadrant of the drum and, with respect to the drum's rotational direction, immediately before lower dead-center thereof. Thus as a pocket enters the cutting zone it is being inverted and on exiting the cutting zone a pocket has been completely inverted. On exiting the cutting zone the sliced contents are deposited into a tray provided on a packaging tray conveyor positioned adjacently beneath the drum.

Abstract: A gripper mechanism having at least two vacuum grippers which are horizontally displaceable and fixable along a cross strut of the gripper mechanism. The gripper mechanism is vertically movable up and down and includes a blow pipe which extends over the width of the cross strut and from which an air stream is expelled. The air stream presses the photoresist-free reverse side of the photoresist film to be held and transported against the vacuum grippers. As soon as the vacuum grippers are subjected to a vacuum, the photoresist film is held and transported downwardly. On the upper side of the blow pipe are arranged stop screws which come into contact upon elevation of the gripper mechanism with the underside of vertically displaceable fastening elements, to which a cutting bar with a cutting groove is fastened. Upon elevation of the gripper mechanism, the cutting bar is taken up with it, the photoresist film being raised by the taper of the cutting bar from the suction plate which is under a vacuum.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining control over the orientation and position of the trailing end of a slab of bacon as the trailing end passes through a continuous bacon slicer, which apparatus and method involve depending from a linkage supported about multiple centers a controlled-rotation grip having backward-facing teeth, to serve to permit the grip to be maintained next to the slicing plane of the slicer even as the position of the lockable rotatable grip is vertically adjusted to accommodate bacon slabs of various thicknesses.

Abstract: Horizontal fuel element bundle shears have a stepped blade and a horizontal agazine for accommodating an undismantled uclear reactor fuel element which is to be cut up. In the fuel element bundle shears, the nuclear reactor fuel element, for the cutting operation to be performed, is pushed with a stepwise movement through a magazine opening in front of which the stepped blade is displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fuel element. Each portion of the stepped blade has a cutting edge. In order to achieve a lower rate of wear of the stepped blade while at the same time obtaining a good cut and a low cutting force, the stepped blade has two cutting edges which are separated from each other by a step, thereby forming two blade portions which are in superposed relationship with each other.

Abstract: A sawing machine having rollers which laterally guide a log and feed it upon a transporting chain between and under rollers to sawblades of the saw machine, such as circular saws or a band saw. Above the log there in a staying chain which stays the log by means of staying spikes acting on the log's surface. The feed chain below the log carries supporting members which support the log at a plurality of points and maintain its unchanged position relative to the sawblades, and are particularly useful for sawing crooked logs to avoid uneven and unaesthetic saw cuts.

Abstract: An end-dogging log carriage system has two narrow, carriage sections, supportably guided on an elongated track, interconnected by a drive cable and a clamping cable. Both cables are wrapped around a spooling drum mounted on one of the carriage sections in such a way so that rotation of the spooling drum simultaneously changes the operative length of both clamping and drive cables thereby moving one carriage section with respect to the other to adjust the length of the log carriage and clamp a log therebetween. The tension in the cable system acting at the cable attachment points on each carriage section provides therein a preinduced countermoment in opposition to the dogging moment occurring when a log is dogged. The carriage sections are laterally biased against a single sidemounted guide rail spaced from the supporting track and discontinuous proximate the saws by a preloaded torque shaft mounted on each carriage section.

Abstract: A machine for operating on sheet stock workpieces having stock grippers mounted on a work positioning carriage for moving the sheet stock workpiece along first and second relatively transverse paths in the plane of the stock to position the workpiece at predetermined positions relative to the machine tools. Work grippers are mounted on the work positioning carriage for adjustment relative to the carriage when the work grippers are released and the work grippers are automatically clamped against movement relative to the carriage when the work grippers are actuated to grip the stock.

Abstract: A first and a second leading member are disposed in opposite relation with one another and are supported for movement in a direction axially of a cutting apparatus. A first and a second cutter are supported for movement integral with the respective leading members and are disposed in opposite relation with one another and at locations downstreams of the leading members in a direction transversely of the apparatus and closer to the bulb to be cut than the leading member in the direction axially of the apparatus. The leading members move toward one another and the respective cutters are rotatably driven by motors. The leading members are adapted to abut against the bulb, to be displaced away from one another by the bulb so as to cause the cutters to assume their desired positions for a cutting operation.

Abstract: An automatic sheet metal machining center has a frame, a work table attached immobile to it, a first carriage movable with regard to the frame, a second carriage attached to the first carriage and movable in a direction perpendicular to the path of the first carriage, and a stop pin in the frame. The stop pin is immobile in the directions of the paths of the carriages and is movable to upper and lower positions in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the work table. The position of a work piece, after having been placed on the work table, is determined in relation to the direction of the path of the second carriage, which has clamps for grasping the workpiece. The clamps are movable in the direction of the path of the second carriage and lockable thereto. According to a preprepared program, the respective positions of the clamps, with regard to the second carriage for grasping the workpiece, are automatically recognized and locked onto the second carriage with the aid of the stop pin.

Abstract: A punching method and apparatus for forming through holes by punching in a ceramic green sheet for use as a material of a laminated substrate. Not only the positioning of the work but also the driving of the upper die set are conducted by of servomotors with the speed and timing of operation of the servomotors being controlled in accordance with a prestored program in a microcomputer, so as to attain a high speed and efficiency of operation. In addition, a hole clearing operation is conducted immediately after the punching so that the chip remaining in the punched through hole, if any, is forced out from the through hole by the same punch used in the punching operation.

Abstract: Between a plurality of side-by-side punches and an operating slide having reciprocating motion is arranged a selective motion transmission device which consists of two pluralities of toothed couplings in mutually opposed positions. The toothed couplings of a first plurality are made integral with the punches while the others follow the reciprocating motion of the slide but are shiftable transversally to it between a neutral position and a working position. In the latter position the teeth of the opposed couplings are mutually aligned and thus allow transmission of the reciprocating motion of the slide to the corresponding punches.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for high-speed and accurate cutting of cards from sheets, printed with an array of card layouts, moving along a unidirectional path. The apparatus includes rollers for initial accurate sheet feeding, a plurality of pairs of rotation members having common tangent points which serve to simultaneously advance a sheet in indexing motions and slit it along its leading edge, and a transverse cutting bar which cuts rows of cards across the slits. Each pair of rotation members includes a unidirectional driving anvil roller and an idling slitter disk. Continuous driving mechanism operates the apparatus. The apparatus for initial sheet feeding includes rollers feed sheets seriatim from a first leading-edge position to a second leading-edge position, hold them there until engaged by subsequent sheet-handling members, release them upon such engagement, and hold the next sheet in ready position while the released sheet is drawn past.

Abstract: A slide table comprising a table top slidably mounted on a pair of guide rails and having a plurality of recesses in the top surface of the table top to receive dowel pins that serve as a fence. Clamps for holding work pieces may be screwed into tee-nuts that are fixed in the table top. Slide collars are provided on the bottom of the table top, which collars partially encircle the guide rails and allows for lengthwise sliding movement of the table top on the guide rails while severely restricting vertical and lateral movement of the table top relative to the guide rails. The guide rails are attachable to the base of a radial arm power saw, and the ends of the guide rails are supported on adjustable height legs. Work pieces are positioned against the fence pins and tightly clamped to the table top. An operator feeds work to a saw by pushing or pulling on handles that are attached to the table top.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for closing up the grooves in the tops of the front and rear tables of a machine for sawing materials in sheets, these grooves being perpendicular to the sawing-line. This closing device is characterized by the fact that it comprises, for each groove (9), an obturator (13) activated by means of propulsion (20, 21, 34) and subjected to a vertical course to fit into the groove (9) of the table (5, 6).

Abstract: A sheet or plate metal machining tool featuring a clamp for gripping the edge of the metal sheet and recognizing the said clamp is in a position to be struck by the tool's machining section. Upon such recognition, the clamp is capable of releasing the sheet and rotating out of the way of the machine tools.

Abstract: A machine for slicing slabs of cheese, sausage or the like comprises a feeding mechanism which supports the slab, feeds it intermittently at an inclination to the horizontal and includes a slab-supporting conveyor belt and gripping claws for holding the back of the slab. The conveyor belt runs over freely rotatable direction-changing rollers and on both sides of the conveyor belt parallel to the upper run thereof and displaceable above same the gripping claws are secured on parallel shafts which are provided with pivoting drives and are mounted in support members to be projectable above the upper run and retractable therefrom. The support members are provided with drives for stepwise advance with fast forward and reverse gears. A mechanism for catching the slices is disposed below the front end of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A compound angle disk cutting apparatus (11) comprises a stock feed and orienting mechanism (13) for feeding and orienting stock to be cut, a cut piece handling mechanism (15) for manipulating a workpiece cut from the stock, a cutting member (19) and a cutting member positioning mechanism (17). The various components of the apparatus (11) are configured such that any engagement of the cutting member (19) with a workpiece has a common center point of cut (21). The point of cut (21) is defined as the point of coincidence for the center of rotation of the stock workpiece, the center of vertical pivot of the cutting member (19), the center of horizontal pivot of the cutting member (19), the vertical-tiltable travel of the cutting member (19) as well as the transverse-rotatable travel of the cutting member (19).

Abstract: A cutting device for sheets as well as booklets with at least one revolving blade and a conveyer device. The conveyer device with which the material to be cut is transported by the cutting knife of the cutting device, and has at least one endless conveyer element which presses onto the material. This is pressed against the material by a pressure device that is spring loaded and rests against it. This pressure device consists of individual pressure pieces, arranged in a row in the running direction of the conveyer element, each of which is spring loaded independently from the others and mobile in the direction of stress. By the independent spring responsive mobility of each individual pressure piece, the contour of the conveyer element adapts automatically to the possibly irregular contour of the material to be transported. A lateral guide device avoids shifting crosswise to the running direction under the influence of crosswise forces during the cutting process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for feeding elongated products, especially food products having generally square cross-sections. Included is a transporting assembly that has a surface for receiving the products and moving them in a direction generally transverse to their longitudinal axes. An escapement assembly is provided near the downstream end of the transporting assembly in order to move the products one at a time to a product feed assembly. Typically, the product feed assembly pushes the product to a slicing device to thereby provide stacks of sliced product.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for positioning a large, flexible workpiece relative to a high speed reciprocating tool. The apparatus comprises a frame and associated workpiece supports which move in a first direction. A workpiece holding assembly mounted to the frame moves the workpiece over the workpiece supports in a second direction transverse to the first direction of movement. The supports engage channels of a tool bed associated with the operative tool and are preferably beveled so as to prevent interference with the moving workpiece.

Abstract: A layup of sheet material clamped to a conveyor by a conveyor loading apparatus is pulled by and onto the conveyor from an adjacent supply table. The loading apparatus includes a clamping carriage assembly straddling the conveyor and supported for free rolling movement relative to the conveyor. Fluid motors mounted on the clamping carriage move a clamping bar from a released position into clamping engagement with the layup to clamp it between the conveyor surface and the clamping bar and couple the clamping carriage to the conveyor to move with the conveyor. A flexible hose wound on a pay-off reel mounted on the clamping carriage and spring biased toward wound position supplies pressure fluid to the fluid motors and biases the clamping carriage toward a retracted position near the supply table end of the conveyor when the clamping bar is in its released position.

Abstract: In a press comprising upper and lower turntables for carrying respective sets of upper and lower press tools, each upper press tool is movable to an operating position in which said press tool is adapted to be coupled to a ram. To ensure a free access of the workpiece to the press tools adjacent to the lower press tools, each lower press tool is mounted in the lower turntable to be individually vertically displaceable relative thereto. Only the lower press tool which is in operating position is supported in the frame and the other lower press tools are lowered.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a punch press having a frame having an overhead beam and base portion, a vertically movable ram mounted at a front end of the overhead beam, a tool holder having upper and lower arms and being disposed on the base portion of the frame with a gap between the tool holder and the overhead beam, a plurality of upper punching tools disposed at a front end of the upper arm of the tool holder, a plurality of lower tools corresponding to the upper tools and disposed at a front end of the lower tool holder, a striker mounted on the ram so as to hit each of the upper punching tools and a workpiece feeding and positioning device disposed on the tool holder. The elements of the invention are arranged such that vibration and shocks occurring during the operation of the ram are not transmitted to the workpiece feeding and positioning device, and the punching tools.

Abstract: A punch press (20) having a worktable (40) for supporting a worksheet (21), a two axis positioning mechanism for positioning the worksheet under a punching head (34) and universal grippers (44, 46) supported on the worksheet positioning mechanism which can grip either the end or sides of a worksheet (21). The two axis positioning mechanism is formed from a carriage (42) which is movable along the worktable (40) and a cross slide (41) which is mounted from and movable across the carriage (42) to provide the two axis sheet positioning. The grippers (44, 46) are mounted from a T-slot (130) formed in the cross slide (41) and can be moved to different positions to accommodate various sheet sizes. Aligning pins (140, 142, 143, 144) which can be used for aligning worksheets are provided. Aligning pins (140, 142, 143, 144) during operation are retracted beneath the worktable (40).

Abstract: A movable trolley is positioned on a track and includes a platform. A bale of fibrous material is positioned on the platform and backed in position by an adjustable backing plate. Holding straps retain the bale in position on the platform as the trolley is moved past a cutting member to cut off the damaged end of the bale.

Abstract: Lead cutting machine for cutting the leads of components mounted on printed circuit boards, this machine including a conveyor mechanism for the boards and a rotating cutting knife fixed on a carriage which is slidably mounted in a horizontal plane and under the path of the boards and which is coupled with the piston of a pneumatically controlled pressurized air cylinder.

Abstract: The shell halves are separated from the web portion of the wafer sheet by means of a sawing operation, effected parallel to the plane of the sheet. When two halves cut out in such way are assembled to form a shell enclosing a filling, the sawn areas mate each other so that they are hidden from sight. This invention has application to the manufacture of candy of the type having a shell and a filling.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for slicing elongated products, such as sausages. A pair of product engaging members are driven simultaneously in opposite directions so that one member can feed the product to a slicer while the other member is returning to the start position. A magazine may be provided for storing a supply of products and automatically discharging the product in timed relationship with the product engaging members. In addition, the product engaging members may have tines for gripping the product during feeding to the slicer and for releasing the waste end of the product during the return stroke.

Abstract: Disclosed is a traversing microtome having a base (10) and a movable carriage (13). A blade holder (12) with a blade (16) is mounted on the base (10), and an object holder (14) is mounted on the carriage (13). To carry out the cutting process, the carriage (13), together with the object holder (14) and the object (15), is moved against the stationary blade (16). Between the guide rails (18,18') of the base (10) and the carriage (13) a bearing gap (30) with a width of a few microns is created by means of air bearing elements (21,21'), and consequently only a minimal force is required to move the slide (13). Between the air bearing elements (21,21'), magnets (22,22') are arranged so that their attracting forces act against the air pressure of the air bearing elements. In this manner, the force needed to arrest the motion of the carriage (13) at any given location of the guide rails (18,18') is extremely low. The carriage (13) cannot be moved when the supply of air is interrupted.

Abstract: Apparatus for trimming and slicing stem-type vegetables such as broccoli and the like. The apparatus is specifically adapted to slice the stem-type vegetable stalk into longitudinal sections and includes a pair of mutually opposed resilient close spaced surfaces on opposite sides of a first plane. Each of the surfaces is divided into two closely spaced parts on opposite sides of the second plane normal to the first plane. The resilient surface parts may comprise polyurethane foam surfaces on conveyor belts or conveyor pulleys which are moved synchronously with respect to each other in order to carry the vegetable stalk along a given path. A knife is mounted in the path of movement of the vegetable stalk with its knife edge forming its leading edge with respect to the vegetable stalk in order to slice it longitudinally. The knife may have two or more blades and the vegetable stalk is preferably gripped by the resilient surfaces throughout its length during the cutting process.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for sawing a piece of timber and particularly for edging a board. The piece of timber is brought to pass in its longitudinal direction through a measuring station and further, maintaining its position, to a sawing machine. The optimum width and sawing direction are determined by the measuring data obtained by means of measuring gates collected in the memory of a computer. The computer controls the sawing blades. The blades of the sawing machine are turned to take the desired sawing direction and are moved at an even speed in lateral direction during the sawing process. The apparatus comprises a conveyor for transferring the log of timber, a plurality of gates for measuring the optimum width and direction, a computer for collecting the data. The computer controls the blades so that during sawing, the sawing lines coincide with the edge lines of the calculated optimum board. The sawing machine is mounted on vibration dampers which act as springs.

Abstract: A single narrow track frame having guideways for a push chain and a holdback chain extends between a pair of vertical saws for cutting slabs or boards off opposite sides of a log or cant. The track frame is under the log. The push chain has upstanding push dogs and the holdback chain has upstanding holdback dogs to grip the ends of the logs, all the dogs being formed as links in the chains.

Abstract: A table saw guide apparatus includes a generally flat guide plate adapted to overlie the tabletop of a table saw, and an upstanding stop device is disposed adjacent to, and space laterally by a short distance from the saw blade. A projection is disposed on the underside of the plate and is adapted to fit securely within a tabletop groove for ficing the plate on the tabletop. A substantially flat workpiece carrier is disposed on, and in overlying relationship, with the upper surface of the plate. The carrier has an edge adapted to engage the stop device for slidable engagement therewith. The upper surface of the workpiece carrier is flush with the top edge surface of the stop device to permit the workpiece to rest on top of both the top edge surface device and the upper surface of the carrier. A gauge device is mounted removably in the upper surface of the carrier for engaging the workpiece and for helping position it angularly relative to the saw blade.

Abstract: Automatic loading device for automatically positioning of panels of sheet metal or the like and to transfer the panels to a feeding device of a machine tool, preferably a cutting press. The cutting press cuts a plurality of blanks out of the panel along a given pattern which is stored in a program. The program is controlling the cutting press and the feed device in synchronism in order to provide the blanks, e.g. lids for cans within minimum production time. The time when the loading device is working overlaps the production time for the preceeding panel, i.e. the aligning of the panel in the loading device took place when the preceeding panel is cut. As soon as the feeding device returns to the zero position the loading device transfers the next panel to the feeding device, the panel maintaining its precise aligned position. The feeding device starts to a new feed cycle.

Abstract: Apparatus and a related method for its operation, for removing a cover from a microcircuit package without significant damage to the package or contamination of its contents. The apparatus includes a work table on which the package to be opened is placed, a clamping assembly for removably securing the package to the work table, and a cutter blade positioned in an operative relationship with the clamped package. Also included are adjustment controls to allow for adjustment for the width, length and depth of the cut, and control circuitry for effecting movement of the work table in a cutting stroke with respect to the cutter blade, to cut along an edge of the cover, and for automatically reversing the table movement to return it to its starting position. A vacuum system is employed to remove and contain metal fragments and thereby minimize contamination of the package.