Abstract: The coordinate slides of a computer controlled punching and nibbling machine are coupled by resilient elements with respective nuts engaging screws driven by motors controlled by computer programming. The resilient coupling between the slides and the respective nuts permits the motors to run and thereby drive the nuts during periods when the slides are held stationary by engagement of the punching and nibbling tool with a workpiece mounted on the upper slide. As soon as the tool is disengaged from the workpiece, the workpiece is quickly moved to the next position by energy stored in the resilient elements. A sensor between each of the slides and the respective nut senses the displacement of the nut relative to the slide and transmits this information to the computer.

Abstract: An attachment for circular saws that supports a workpiece for movement past the saw blade. The attachment includes a saw-top plate that is adapted to cover and slide over the saw table surface of the circular saw. A guide on the saw-top plate fits within a groove on the saw table to allow longitudinal translational movement of the attachment. The saw-top plate may be supported on bearing rollers mounted to the saw table. A cut-off guide and a workpiece stop are provided on the saw-top plate that serve to position the workpiece relative to the saw blade. A hold-down device, operating also as a blade guard, is used to hold the workpiece secure on the saw-top plate as it is moved past the blade.

Abstract: Clamp for pressing a workpiece to a miter square and advancing the workpiece through a saw or the like. The clamp comprises two spanning arms and two other arms pivotally joined in a four-sided structure such that, if the arms comprise two pairs of equal length arms, the clamp comprises a parallelogram. One of the short arms is upstanding and pivotally mounted to the miter square. An opposite arm has secured thereto a foot for engaging the workpiece and a handle for pressing the foot against the workpiece through lever action while simultaneously pushing the workpiece toward the saw.

Abstract: A plurality of frozen fish columns having a rectangular cross section are contained in a corresponding number of transversely aligned and laterally spaced tubes constituting a magazine. The lower ends of the columns rest on pushers which are slidable on a number of plastic anvils or blocks comprising part of a vertically adjustable table assembly. A single-edge blade is advanced and retracted at a 30.degree. angle through the lower ends of the frozen columns to sever portions therefrom having a thickness determined by the vertical adjustment of the table assembly. Pushers, which are synchronized with the blade movement, shove the severed portions from the cutting station beneath the lower ends of the tubes onto a conveyor. By controlling the speed of the conveyor the various severed portions, while still uniformly oriented, are transferred in an appropriately spaced end-to-end relationship to another location for processing.

Abstract: A machine for cutting an elongated paper roll to be cut into a plurality of smaller rolls includes parallel cutting blades and a roll transporting unit with a feedpath inclined relative to the cutting edge of each blade so that the blades penetrate and progressively cut a roll as it is advanced through the feedpath.

Abstract: A continuous cold cut slicing system utilizing a slicing machine having a conveyor which feeds a loaf into engagement with a series of drums located on each side of the slicing machine channel; the drums are driven by a variable speed motor with the rotation of the drums providing a feed mechanism of the product to the slicing blade. A gripper assembly is provided which rides on a guide shaft adjacent the channel with the movement of the gripper in the channel constantly being monitored by an encoder and clutch arrangement connected thereto. As the gripper approaches the knife, the encoder and clutch arrangement provide for a drag on the gripper thereby controlling the feed of the product compensating for pull on the knife. Also, since the encoder and clutch arrangement are constantly monitoring the position of the gripper the exact location of the tail end of the loaf being sliced is readily determinable so that a profile compensation control system may be effectively incorporated into the system.

Abstract: A continuous cold cut slicing system utilizing a slicing machine having a conveyor which feeds a loaf into engagement with a series of drums located on each side of the slicing machine channel; said drums are driven by a variable speed motor with the rotation of the drums providing a feed mechanism of the product to the slicing blade. A gripper assembly is provided which rides on guide shafts adjacent said channel with the movement of the gripper in the channel constantly being monitored by an encoder connected thereto and positive drive is supplied to the gripper towards the blade by a clutch means in conjunction with a rack and pinion arrangement. The positive drive may be synchronized with the feed of the drums. As the gripper approaches the knife, the drag may be placed on the gripper thereby compensating for pull of the blade.

Abstract: A plurality of frozen fish columns having a rectangular cross section are contained in a corresponding number of transversely aligned and laterally spaced tubes constituting a magazine. The lower ends of the columns rest on pushers which are slidable on a number of plastic anvils or blocks comprising part of a vertically adjustable table assembly. A single-edge blade is advanced and retracted at a 30.degree. angle through the lower ends of the frozen columns to sever portions therefrom having a thickness determined by the vertical adjustment of the table assembly. Pushers, which are synchronized with the blade movement, shove the severed portions from the cutting station beneath the lower ends of the tubes onto a conveyor. By controlling the speed of the conveyor the various severed portions, while still uniformly oriented, are transferred in an appropriately spaced end-to-end relationship to another location for processing.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting and notching beams to predetermined specification comprising spaced parallel loading and discharge stations for receiving and discharging beams to be treated, transfer jaws operable to seize a beam at the receiving station and move it therefrom to the discharge station in a direction at right angles to its length, operating instrumentalities for performing one or more cutting operations on the beams at different places longitudinally thereof, trolleys supporting the operating instrumentalities intermediate the loading and discharge station at a level above the path of travel of the beams from the loading station to the discharge station such that the transfer jaws move the beams into engagement with all of the operating instrumentalities as they move the beams from the loading station to the discharge station and drive means for effecting reciprocation of the transfer jaws and operating instrumentalities.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting cigar wrappers with a selected profile from a natural tobacco leaf, the apparatus comprises a vacuum supporting structure on a leaf receiving member. An arrangement is provided for selecting a cut position on the leaf and oriented with respect to the leaf receiving member and a cutting platen is provided including a leaf supporting surface and an arrangement for creating a vacuum on the surface to support a leaf. The platen is positioned in a known leaf receiving location and a transfer means is provided for transferring the leaf from the leaf receiving member to the leaf supporting surface of the cutting platen. The cutter having the desired profile is provided for cutting the profile from the leaf. The platen is then shifted from its leaf receiving position to a leaf cutting position with the support surface of the platen spaced from the wrapper cutter.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering ties after unmolding from a first location to a trimming station which includes a conveyor operative between the first location and the trimming station, a gantry having a pair of arms for grasping the ends of the tie, lifting the tie from the first location, rotating the tie and delivering it to said conveyor.

Abstract: A device for transferring a leaf-like material, such as tobacco leaves, and for cutting out pieces, such as wrappers for cigars, from said material. A drum is employed to remove the leaf-like material from a conveyor and to support the same during the cutting operation. The cutting device comprises a support with cutting members secured thereto, and the drum and support are moved relative to each other in such a manner that the drum presses the leaves into contact with the cutting members.

Abstract: A cutting machine for subdividing material lengths comprises a roller table establishing a transport path along which the material is directed to a cutting zone. A cutting head assembly has a cutting blade for cutting material located at the cutting zone. A front vise assembly is fixed adjacent to the cutting zone with first and second jaws arranged in opposed mutually spaced relationship on opposite sides of the transport path. A first jaw operating mechanism is provided for adjusting the spacing of the first and second jaws between an open position permitting movement therebetween of the material and a closed position clamping the material therebetween. A rear vise assembly is mounted on a carriage underlying the roller table. The carriage is movable in opposite directions parallel to the transport path. The rear vise assembly has third and fourth jaws also arranged in opposed mutually spaced relationship on opposite sides of the transport path.

Abstract: In a jig for feeding a work piece into the cutter of a table rotary cutting tool and having a through-slot extending into the base plate of the jig from one edge thereof, a combination guard and work clamp comprising two parallel plates pivotally attached to the jig and operable to swing downwardly on opposite sides of the through-slot to clamp a work piece and to enclose the cutter as the work is advanced into the cutter.

Abstract: A scrag saw mill provided with a pair of dogging carriages each carrying a pair of dogs located at opposite sides of the log to be sawed. The dogs are operated by thrust rods from hydraulic cylinders to force the dogs into clamping positions on opposite sides of the log. Means are provided for causing either of said cylinders to exert a predominant force on the log to jog it into place and to equalize the forces to clamp it in place. The log is driven through the mill by an independently driven dog and the carriages are released from the log before they reach the saws. The carriages are returned to predetermine positions as the log proceeds through the final stages of its sawing process.

Abstract: A band saw having a generally vertically oriented saw blade carrying frame mounted to a movable carriage is disclosed. The carriage is mounted in a horizontally extending guideway in the saw base by an arm which is cantilevered from the back side of the vertical saw frame for support and guided motion of the saw from a relatively debris free portion of the saw base. Additionally, the band saw includes a work piece supporting bar feed table having a movable vise which is stabilized against backward tilting and a roller support assembly constructed so as to accommodate load concentrations from heavy, bent bar stock. Finally, an improved band saw blade guiding assembly is disclosed.

Abstract: A relatively light, portable saw mill arrangement provided with a pair of axially mounted saw blades. A specially designed narrow log carriage runs on a track placed beneath the axial plane of the saw blades, and passes entirely between the axially mounted saw blades so that, after the final pass lumber of the order of 4".times.4" is all that remains on the carriage. A hydraulic dogging arrangement holds the log in place on the carriage during the sawing operation.

Abstract: A cutter for the armor of a BX cable or the like wherein the cable to be cut is held firmly in a cable guide by a manually actuated cable clamp, the clamped cable being movable into armor-cutting engagement with a fixed power driven circular saw, and means for fine adjustment of the cable, clamp and saw being provided.

Abstract: A workpiece is shifted forwardly and rearwardly beneath a punch and a transversely spaced cutting torch by a work table formed with a comparatively wide fore-and-aft extending throat for accommodating a die and a duct which underlie the punch and the torch, respectively. The throat is partially filled by platforms which normally support the overlying portions of the workpiece to reduce deflection thereof but which are adapted to be automatically moved out of the way of the rear of the table when the table is shifted forwardly.

Abstract: A workpiece supporting apparatus provides precise linear movement of an irregularly edged workpiece past the high speed cutting member of a power tool to produce a trimmed straight edge on the workpiece. A spacer, havng an enlongated keying member mating with a precision miter groove of the power tool, includes a precision miter groove oriented parallel to the miter groove of the tool and closer to the high speed cutting member. Securing means maintains the spacer rigidly but removably fixed to the power tool. The supporting apparatus includes an elongated keying member cooperating with the precision miter groove or guide member of the spacer to guide the workpiece past the cutting member. The elongated keying member has first and second workpiece engaging assemblies which may be adjustably positioned along the axis of the elongated keying member to accommodate various length workpieces.

Abstract: A veneer edging jig for a table saw having a flat table with a vertical circular saw blade projecting upwardly through a slot thereof, and a groove parallel to the plane of the saw blade, the jig consisting of elongated upper and lower clamp plates adapted to grip a stack of veneer sheets therebetween with edges of the sheets to be trimmed projecting beyond a matching pair of longitudinal edges of the plates, and a rib carried by the lower plate and engageable in the table groove so that the plates may be moved over the table with its matching edges flush with the saw blade, and the projecting portions of the veneer sheets are accurately cut away.

Abstract: A workpiece supporting apparatus provides precise linear movement of an irregularly edged workpiece past the high speed cutting member of a power tool to produce a trimmed straight edge on the workpiece. The supporting apparatus includes an elongated keying member cooperating with a precision miter groove or guide member of the power tool to guide the workpiece past the cutting member. The elongated keying member has first and second workpiece engaging assemblies which may be adjustably positioned along the axis of the elongated keying member to accommodate various length workpieces. Each of the workpiece engaging assemblies includes conical point members mounted upon spindles for engaging an end of the workpiece and for providing rigid support therefor. As the workpiece supporting apparatus is manually moved past the cutting member, the precision miter groove precisely guides the elongated keying member so that a straight, precise cut is produced on the irregularly edged workpiece.

Abstract: A finger jointing machine in which timber is fed on a horizontal support table and is clamped against this table and against a vertical guide fence adjacent the table. The timber is clamped with the rear end of one piece of timber spaced from the front end of a second piece of timber at a defined spacing.A cutting and gluing unit is movable vertically through the space and carries two rotatable cutters, rotatable about horizontal axes, each cutter having axially spaced teeth, the teeth of one cutter being axially spaced from those of the other by half the spacing between the teeth. The cutters are caused to rotate in opposite directions so that the teeth of one cutter engaging the rear end of the one piece of timber and the teeth of the other cutter engaging the front end of the other piece of timber are both moving upwardly as the cutting and gluing unit is caused to move upwardly.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting wrapper for cigars from a ribbon, comprising a frame including a guide for a conveyor, a conveyor belt parallel to said guide passed over rollers in the frame, a blade cooperating with cutter means and corresponding with the contour of a wrapper, a conveyor movable over the guide and being at some distance above the conveyor belt and parallel thereto, a support means for a roller of tobacco ribbon, a suction head spaced a little from the conveyor belt, which is located directly behind the support means for the roller of tobacco ribbon, outside the track of travel of the conveyor, means for moving the conveyor over the guide and pneumatic means connected to the drive of the conveyor to govern the control functions of the apparatus.

Abstract: A workpiece is shifted forwardly and rearwardly beneath a punch and a transversely spaced cutting torch by a work table formed with a comparatively wide fore-and-aft extending throat for accommodating a die and a duct which underlie the punch and the torch, respectively. The throat is partially filled by platforms which normally support the overlying portions of the workpiece to reduce deflection thereof but which are adapted to be automatically moved out of the way of the rear of the table when the table is shifted forwardly.

Abstract: A cutter for the armor of a BX cable or the like wherein the cable to be cut is held firmly in a cable guide by a manually actuated cable clamp, the clamped cable being movable into armor-cutting engagement with a fixed power driven circular saw.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting off and beveling the ends of wood web components for trusses. A length of lumber is guided longitudinally into the machine against a stop and clamped near its lead end, following which the clamped portion is cut off to component length, the stop retracted, and the clamped portion automatically moved laterally to pass its ends across a pair of two-way beveling saws. The beveled clamped portion is then returned to starting position where it is automatically unclamped and then manually pushed longitudinally past the retracted stop to be engaged by an ejection device which discharges the component from the machine and automatically extends the stop into the path of the next component.

Abstract: Sheet slitting apparatus which includes a plurality of belt members each having a clamp to receive the leading edge of a sheet to be slit. The clamps are urged downwardly by the action of guide members arranged in the belt path to grip the sheet securely during the slitting operation. The clamps are released after slitting is completed.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for pulling webs of random lengths from respective cartridges. Each web has an end portion which protrudes from its respective cartridge. The cartridges are advanced by an endless belt cartridge conveyor in a first direction while the web end portions are sandwiched between a pair of endless belt conveyors and advanced in a second direction at an acute angle with respect to the first direction. Due to such divergent advancement of the cartridges and the web end portions, the webs are pulled from the cartridges. A cutting wheel is provided to cut the web after being pulled from the cartridges.

Abstract: A film severing method and apparatus is provided in which a film having first and second edges is engaged by film holding devices and the film is severed in a transverse path between such holding devices while the film is held on either side thereby, such severing including:Cutting the film at the first edge by moving a severing device into the film at a position spaced from the first edge and thereafter moving it in a first direction toward and through such first edge to form a partial cut andCompleting the severing of the film by moving another severing device in a second direction into the partial cut and thereafter through the film toward and through the second edge whereby to sever the film.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting through a pile of sheets with a revolving blade is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a relatively slowly rotatable disk-knife having a circular cutting edge and reciprocable between a cutting position and a rest position. A conveying system is provided for holding and supplying the pile of sheets to the disk-knife and carries, on a sliding carriage, a counter-knife for the disk-knife and a pair of confronting clamping members for releasably clamping the pile of sheets during the cutting operation. A common drive is provided which is synchronously interconnected with the conveying and cutting elements of the apparatus.

Abstract: A trimmer for a lumber package. The trimmer comprises a reciprocating, retaining carriage to receive the lumber package. A first track. Means reciprocate the retaining carriage along the first track from a loading position through a second position. Cutting means on each side of the track at the second position trim the lumber package. Compressor means are reciprocable at the loading position to compress a lumber package in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first track. Releasable retaining means hold the lumber package in a predetermined, fixed position on the retaining carriage as it moves from the loading position through the second position and is trimmed.

Abstract: A high speed automatic cold cut feeding, slicing and weighing system which is completely electrical in operation and control to provide cleanliness in operation, high speed, simplified control of all functions of the machine, and extreme accuracy in weight during high speed operation. In the system the rate of feed of the meat feeder is synchronized with the speed of rotation of the slicing blade shaft thereby automatically adjusting the speed of the slicing knife to maintain constant scaling rate.

Abstract: A side feeding shearing apparatus is provided with an upper frame having a side opening to allow sheets to be swung between the shear punch and die to position the sheet for feeding past the shear punch. The shear punch is positioned below the sheet supporting surface of the shearing apparatus and is raised for shearing the sheets. Sheets are delivered to the shearing apparatus by a transfer mechanism that includes a base secured to an adjacent N.C. punch press. An arm which clamps the sheet is pivotally mounted on the base and the arm is accurately aligned on the base by a shot pin and corresponding aperture. Movement of the sheet through the shearing apparatus is provided by the sheet positioning means of the N.C. punch press.

Abstract: An iron piece shearing machine which comprises in combination an iron strip supply source from which at least one continuous length of iron web or strip is payed out, a pair of upper and lower feed rollers positioned midway of the passage of said iron strip extending from said supply source and having a nip defined therebetween, a pair of upper and lower spaced stationary blades positioned downstream of said feed rollers in the passage of the iron strip and having an iron strip guide clearance defined therebetween, and a high speed rotary shearing cutter assembly positioned adjacent to the distal ends of said stationary blades to shear small pieces having a small square cross-section area off the remaining portion of said iron strip in cooperation with the stationary blades.