Abstract: An apparatus and method for trimming a contoured non-round workpiece includes a torch for flame treating or trimming the workpiece by impinging a flame on the workpiece, a holding member for supporting the workpiece, the holding member being rotatably mounted relative to the torch, and a control member for cooperating the holding member with the torch so that the torch follows the contour of the workpiece when the holding member is rotated relative to the torch. The control member generates an electronic image of the workpiece and guides the torch along the contour of the workpiece in accordance with the image.

Abstract: An improved method of automatic sawing employs a programmable automatic saw and a remotely located computer which provides additional control for the saw or a group of saws. The saw is equipped with a programmable controller that is capable of storing a series of jobs. The programmable controller allows an operator to run one saw job while contemporaneously programming another saw job. A third person, such an engineer or supervisor, may be programming an additional job or ranges of jobs for the saw while the operator is running and programming other jobs. The improved system provides control for a group of saws thereby assisting in the distribution of work flow, enabling efficient use of materials and improving inventory controls.

Abstract: A punch press having automated punching programs executed by a hydraulic cylinder operating a punch ram, in which a pump used to generate hydraulic pressure for a ram cylinder is adjusted to an output corresponding to a calculation of the minimum pump pressure required to completely execute the program. The workpiece material and tool characteristic data is contained in data storage tables and utilized in calculating the minimum pressure required.

Abstract: A roll or strip feed system for inserting flat stock to the operative position of a machine tool consisting of an automatic material lift apparatus working in conjunction with a centralizing guide to feed flat stock intermittently into an entry guide roller which pushes strip stock to an operative machine position, and thereafter, pulls the remnant strip by means of exit rollers to a discard position. The roller assemblies are pneumatically controlled as to tension and driven electrically as the total operation is under control of a pre-programmed controller.

Abstract: A saw apparatus for automatically sawing pieces of material at various predetermined lengths and angles includes a power saw mechanism, a rotatable saw mechanism mounting structure, a motor for rotating the mounting structure, a translational power saw moving mechanism, powered anchoring mechanisms for anchoring the pieces of material during sawing, a mechanism for longitudinally positioning the pieces of material relative to the power saw mechanism for cutting at desired lengths, a power supply and power supply connecting mechanism for delivering power to the mechanism for longitudinally positioning the pieces, to the powered anchoring mechanism, to the power saw mechanism, to the motor for rotating the mounting structure, and to the translational power saw moving mechanism, switches for controlling the flow of power through the connecting mechanism, a computer and program for the computer for operating the switches so that at least one piece of material is longitudinally positioned by the mechanism for long

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting fabrics and the like includes a workbench on which the fabric is placed, a first movable carriage freely movable in one direction along one side of the work bench, and a second movable carriage mounted on the first carriage which is freely movable in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the first carriage. A cutter including a heated tip, is mounted on the second carriage, and the heated tip is displaceable into contact with a fabric for cutting a desired mark or pattern out of the fabric. The apparatus additionally includes an absorbent member for cleaning the heated tip after a cutting operation. The apparatus permits an automatic and efficient cutting operation for marks and can be manufactured economically.

Abstract: A universal coil cutter for reclaiming dynamo electric machines. Specifically to cut-off the end turns of the coils of stators, rotors or armatures. The coil cutter consisting of a direct drive cutter(16), spindle and motor(15) and motor driven carriages for the x-axis(22) and the y-axis(12). The above are controlled with a joystick(10) and operate in a third plane on the z-axis(21). The table (17) is used to support the stators which are being reclaimed. Adjacent to the table(17) is a carriage with base(25) and journal (27) and rotor drive motor (23). Attached thereto a rotor drive pulley(24). The rotor belt tensioner(26) takes up slack in the drive belt which loops over and around the rotor and the drive pulley(24).

Abstract: A method for machining a hold-down pressure shoe that conforms to a preselected pattern on a workpiece for firmly maintaining the workpiece against a surface of a machine so that the workpiece may be moved adjacent a rotating cutterhead without elevating it from the surface, comprising the steps of: programming a computer to control a cutting means for shaping the preselected pattern; and operating the cutting means to cut the hold-down pressure shoe into a shape which corresponds with the preselected pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting fabrics and the like includes a workbench on which the fabric is placed, a first movable carriage freely movable in one direction along one side of the work bench, and a second movable carriage mounted on the first carriage which is freely movable in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the first carriage. A cutting means, including a heated tip, is swingably mounted on the second carriage, and the heated tip is swingable into contact with the fabric for cutting a desired mark or pattern out of the fabric. The apparatus additionally includes an absorbent member for cleaning the heated tip after a cutting operation. The apparatus permits an automatic and efficient cutting operation for marks and can be manufactured economically.

Abstract: An apparatus for allowing a craftsman to make uniform cuts in building material. The apparatus includes a hand-held electrically operated circular saw as well as a slide for guiding the building material in a first direction. First and second members are used for guiding the circular saw in a second direction. The craftsman is thereby able to repeatedly make uniform cuts in building material by manually sliding the building material on the slide and then moving one of the members in the second direction so as to cause the circular saw to cut the building material.

Abstract: A device which trims off the perforated margin strips of printer paper and cuts the paper transversely to separate it into individual pages. The paper which discharges from the printer is drawn around a tension bar and is applied to a toothed belt driven by feed wheels. Cutter wheels act against a grooved roller to cut along the tear lines of the margin strips. A photocell based counting system counts the perforations which pass the photocell to indicate each time the paper is advanced to position one of the transverse fold lines at a cutting station. Then, the paper is stopped and a cutter wire is pulled through the fold line to separate the leading page from the rest of the paper sheet. Each time a new sheet of paper is loaded, a special control circuit assures that the initial advance of the sheet stops with the leading edge of the paper at the cutting station.

Abstract: A saw guide for use with a hand power saw comprising in combination a guiding platform with two generally planar edges which underlie or form two guiding edges for guiding the shoe plate of a hand power saw across a workpiece to make cuts at various angles, and two workpiece guide bars; one guide bar is generally stationary, engaging the end surface of a workpiece to initially align the guide; the other guide bar is slideable, engaging the opposite end surface of a workpiece. The sliding guide bar is releasably clamped in position. Both guide bars work in unison to hold the saw guide in relation to both workpiece edges, allowing the saw guide to slide along the top surface of a workpiece, but not swivel out of position. Two kerf gauges are slideably interlocked at both ends of the stationary guide bar. These gauges measure a cut line along both the top surface and edge surface of a workpiece. These gauges are easily swapped or replaced for use with different power saws, blades or blade tilts.

Abstract: A power management circuit for operating a magnetic repulsion punch comprising a storage capacitor arranged to be connected in parallel with an inductive load serving as an operating coil of the magnetic repulsion punch, a means for selectively and temporarily coupling the inductive load to the storage capacitor for forming a resonant circuit, and a means for charging the storage capacitor after each operation.

Abstract: A method for changing the direction of a cutting edge of a cutting plotter in order to align the cutting edge in the direction in which the initial portion of the desired cut will be made, prior to beginning a cut in the effective plotting area of a sheet mounted on a recording surface. By preliminarily aligning the cutting edge along the cutting direction, the cut can be made accurately along, for example, a straight line from the starting point of the cut. The method is performed with a cutting blade with a main edge directed diagonally upwardly from a cutting point, the cutting blade being rotatably supported in a holder for rotation around its axial center. The edge of the cutter can be aligned in a certain direction by first pressing the blade against a non-used portion of the sheet and moving the cutter therealong in a predetermined direction to cause rotation of the main edge of the cutter in the holder to align it in a first predetermined direction.

Abstract: A machine that includes: A transportation system is disclosed for transporting panels such as wood panels between two cutting stations which cut the panels along different axes. The transportation system includes, between the cutting stations, a work surface of parallel bars. The work surface further includes three portions disposed at different levels while maintaining the bars in a parallel and aligned fashion such that a slide, also including parallel bars, may pass horizontally between the three portions. The slide operates vertically as well as horizontally to pick up the panels for transport among the three work surface portions, whose different heights permit a number of different stages of operation for the slide.

Abstract: This invention provides a shearing apparatus for shearing, between a spiral cutter and a lower blade, tip ends of numerous piles formed on a foundation of a pile fabic. The shearing apparatus has a construction for producing fine design patterns, and comprises a plurality of elements each including a thin main body vertically movably mounted in a slit defined in an element block, and a thick head formed integral with the thin main body for pressing the foundation toward the spiral cutter. The thick heads of the elements are arranged close to one another without gaps in between over an entire axial length of the spiral cutter. Each of the elements further includes a leg formed integral with a lower portion of the thin main body to be offset from legs of adjacent elements. A cylinder mounting block disposed below the element block has piston rods of air cylinders arranged in positions opposed to the respective legs.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing workpieces, comprises a fixing deck, which has a supporting surface and is provided with fixing device, and a numerically controlled tool unit, which is movable over the supporting surface. In order to effect a reliable fixing of the workpieces by a simple and effective method, the fixing device comprises at least one holding-down unit, which includes a holding-down carriage, which is movable over the supporting surface, and a power-operable holding-down finger, which is operable at selectable locations, and that the carriage moving device and finger actuating device are adapted to be controlled in dependence on the control of the tool unit.

Abstract: A system for automatically positioning a plurality of tool-holding carriages along an elongate guide member utilizes a single drive member to move all of the carriages simultaneously. The carriages each have clutches for selectively engaging or disengaging the drive member so that the carriages can be moved relative to each other by the drive member, and can be moved simultaneously in opposite directions along the guide member if desired. The drive member is capable of moving each carriage throughout its respective maximum range of movement with a continuous motion, without any reversal of the drive member or any disengagement of the respective carriage from the drive member. Each carriage has an electrically-powered position sensor capable of transmitting different discrete signals for different positions of the carriage so that it provides absolute indications of position rather than indications which are relative to some reference position.

Abstract: A system for automatically positioning a plurality of tool-holding carriages along an elongate guide member utilizes a single drive member to move all of the carriages simultaneously. The carriages each have clutches for selectively engaging or disengaging the drive member so that the carriages can be moved relative to each other by the drive member, and can be moved simultaneously in opposite directions along the guide member if desired. The drive member is capable of moving each carriage throughout its respective maximum range of movement with a continuous motion, without any reversal of the drive member or any disengagement of the respective carriage from the drive member. Each carriage has an electrically-powered position sensor capable of transmitting different discrete signals for different positions of the carriage so that it provides absolute indications of position rather than indications which are relative to some reference position.

Abstract: A food-slicing guide device for guiding a knife in slicing portions of food comprises a platform and a bail. A pair of opposing slots spaced along the lateral edges of the platform are adapted to align the bail either perpendicularly to the platform while using the device as a food-slicing guide, or longitudinally with the platform when storing or transporting the device. The slots are adapted to permit either side or either end of the platform to be used for slicing purposes, thereby permitting the abrasion caused by contact between a slicing utensil and the platform to be distributed at various times at different areas, thus reducing the abrasion effects and extending the useful life of the device. The bail is constructed of resilient material and the interacting corners of the slots are eased whereby the bail readily snaps into slicing position. For storage, the bail pivotally rotates to a resting position in a pair of V-shaped grooves along the edges of the platform.

Abstract: A cutting and punching apparatus for sheet material, designed to be movably mounted on an automatic cutting machine, having a cutting tool and a punching tool, wherein said apparatus comprises means for vibrating said cutting tool, means for vertically displacing said cutting tool, means for rotating said cutting tool, means for sharpening said cutting tool, means for vertically displacing said punching tool, means for rotating said machine tool, and a supporting base on which are grouped in a compact manner all said means, which means being operable both simultaneously and independently of each other.

Abstract: In a notching machine having two set collars for mounting the upper and lower knives of a blade assembly a common turning of the same around a vertical axis of rotation is controlled by an electric motor driven angular drive adjustment mechanism that includes a shaft brake mechanism for braking a pivot member of the two set collars in each of two angularly different turning positions that are counted by a pulse generator which is referenced to a rotational zero reference position. A program control unit controls two successive working strokes of a ram in such two angularly different turning positions.

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: The Crownmaster is a tool used as a guide, with a hand held circular power saw, in the cutting of crown moulding, for inside and outside corners. Specifically, the Crownmaster allows the user to simultaneously make the angle cut and the bevel cut in crown moulding.

Abstract: A device for storing and slicing foodstuff in the shape of an elongated bar has an elongated housing and a carrier assembly having an elongated and flat base member being slidably receivable within the housing. A cutting utensil housing is mounted on the top wall of the housing and defining an elongated cavity with an aperture. The carrier assembly includes a cover member perpendicularly mounted at one of said ends for cooperatively closing its opening and the apertures of the cutting utensils cavity when the carrier assembly is completely housed within the housing. A plurality of upwardly mounted post members along the lateral edges of the flat base member, by opposing pairs, so that a separation is maintained between adjoining post members to allow a cutting utensil through for cutting the slices form the bar. When the device is being opened, the cutting device is pulled out simultaneously by virtue of an inwardly extending hook member mounted on the cover of the carrier assembly.

Abstract: An automatic cutting device for trimming off the parts (15) of an intermediate sheet (6) of plastics material which extend beyond a laminated pane (2) during manufacture. The device comprises a cutting head (1) provided with a blade (10) carried by a blade holder (23) which is heated by induction; means (11, 16) which hold the parts of the sheets of plastics material to be cut in a position at least substantially perpendicular to the plane containing the cutting edge of the blade (10); and means (9) causing relative displacement of the cutting head (1) along the edge of the pane (2).

Abstract: A hydraulic splitter for cutting proofed dough pieces carried on a conveyor to form a chevron shaped pattern on the dough pieces. A manifold having multiple nozzles is movable along a guide rail by a timing belt driven by a stepping motor. The stepping motor is controlled by a computerized system in conjunction with a pan velocity sensor and a pan position sensor for initiating a cycle of operation and controlling movement of the manifold transversely of the conveyor. One of a plurality of stored programs is selected for controlling the shape of the pattern formed on the dough piece.

Abstract: A punch apparatus for punching hole patterns in thin sheet material. The apparatus includes a housing having a liquid-cooled cavity therein; a coil mounted in the liquid-cooled cavity; a driver disk made of a highly conductive material mounted in the liquid-cooled cavity, the driver disk mounted adjacent to the coil; a driver button located outside of the liquid-cooled cavity but in communication with the driver disk; and a punch element for perforating thin sheet material aligned with the driver button. Finally, the apparatus includes an electrical source for energizing the coil with a pulse of electrical energy for generating flux linking the driver disk and the coil to repel the driver disk from the coil, thereby translating the driver button and the punch element, causing the punch element to perforate a thin sheet of material.

Abstract: A display incorporating light-emitting diodes, comprising a reflector which is formed in a holder. A light-emitting diode is mounted in the holder and projects into the reflector through an opening. The light-emitting doide is attached in the opening with the diode walls snugly abutting against the edges of the opening. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing the display comprising light-emitting diodes and an installation to perform the method. Each diode is provided with two connections protected by the holder. The holder consists of surface-treated sheet metal, preferably anodized aluminium. The reflector is bowl-shaped and semispherical. Owing to the reflector a bundle of aligned beams of light is emitted from the light-emitting diode.

Abstract: A punch press has a ram assembly with a lower portion which is rotatable and reciprocatable about a vertical axis and, a die holder which is rotatable about the same axis. A gear mechanism is coupled between a drive motor and the lower portion of the ram assembly and the die holder to effect simultaneous rotation thereof, which effects reorientation of the tooling relative to the X and Y axes of the punch press. In this fashion, rotation of the tooling will enable a single set of tooling to effect cutouts of different orientation in a workpiece relative to the X and Y axes, and movement of the sheet material along the X and Y axes together with such rotation of the tooling enables complex configurations to be nibbled or cutout with a limited number of sets of tools.

Abstract: A method of automatic sawing employs an automatic sawing machine having an automatic workpiece shuttle, shuttle and stationary vises, an automatic saw blade feed, one or more incremental motion encoders and a programmable microcomputer. The microcomputer is capable of storing a series of sawing jobs. Each job has a number of sawing steps. Each step in turn defines a sawed workpiece length and (in an embodiment employing a saw blade tilting mechanism) a sawing angle, both of which parameters may be different from those of other steps. The microcomputer receives signals from the motion encoders to determine shuttle and (in a tilt embodiment) tilt position and uses these positions to control shuttle, (in the tilt embodiment) tilt, and vise operation. The microcomputer also corrects each workpiece length with a saw kerf and pivot point correction factor, both modified for sawing angle.

Abstract: A cutting head for cutting spread sheet material and using a vertically reciprocating knife achieves a light-weight, low cost, low maintenance and high stroking speed design through a unique combination and arrangement of parts wherein the knife drive motor is isolated from rotation with the knife about the theta axis without using a conventional swivel mechanism. The knife has a leaf spring portion directly connected to the eccentric member, fatigue failure of the leaf spring portion of the blade is inhibited by antivibration stops and by a varying cross-section, a simple sharpener mechanism sharpens the blade on either one or both side faces, and a roller guide restrains the lower portion of the blade to the vertical axis with minimum frictional loss.

Abstract: A tissue slicing device is provided comprising of stationary floor, side wall and back wall; a movable L-shaped side wall, a sliding-removable front wall; a telescopically adjusted and movable cross bar stationed between and atop the said walls and floor, respectively, whose movement is governed by a millimetrically regulated apparatus, and an L-shaped cover moving above and aside said holder and its stationary side wall, respectively, whose movement is governed by a millimetrically regulated apparatus. A fixed gap is situated between the said two side wall and front wall, on top of which the said L-shaped cover is guided to form a slit of a desirable size, consistent with the thickness of the tissue slice to be prepared, through and along which an excising knife is passed.

Abstract: A saw guide and marking template for marking and cutting pin and tail face cuts required in making dovetail joints. A central template having end faces that provide angled saw guides is clamped to the edge of the board to be worked. The angled saw guides can be repositioned by either rotating them about the end of its central template or inverting the entire device.

Abstract: A cutting guide is disclosed for guiding a saw for a mitre cut, particularly at 45.degree., through a piece of coving. The guide provides a guide faces for sliding engagement by a saw or other cutter. The coving is typically placed on a bench with the intermediate rear surface of the coving flat on the bench. The guide is placed on top of the coving with notches or other engaging means locating the guide on the coving and a cut is made with the saw in contact with either face.

Abstract: A saw guide and marking template for marking and cutting pin and tail face cuts required in making dovetail joints. A central template having end faces that provide angled saw guides is clamped to the edge of the board to be worked. The angled saw guides can be repositioned by either rotating them about the end of its central template or inverting the entire device.

Abstract: A jig for cutting pins and tails in the edges of boards for use in forming a dovetail joint between the boards. The jig has a rectangular base with a first leg attached along one elongated edge and extending at a right angle to one surface of the base and a second leg attached along the opposite elongated edge and extending at a right angle to the other surface of the base. The first leg has a plurality of angled saw guide kerfs and a plurality of angled saw guide kerfs located in the base are connected with the saw guide kerfs in the first leg for cutting tails. The second leg has a plurality of angled saw guide kerfs and a plurality of angled saw guide kerfs located in the base are connected with the saw guide kerfs in the second leg for cutting pins. Adjustment screws may extend through the first leg to adjust the tolerance between the pins and the tails.

Abstract: A measuring device for measuring a length of picture frame material which device includes a plurality of elongated stepped surfaces at least two of which are substantially parallel and offset relative to each other. At least two reference marks are provided to allow determination of the cutting length of the inside or rabbet side edge of the framing material.

Abstract: A hand saw guide comprising a member having two right angled related surfaces so that where one surface is in face to face contact with a component to be sawn the other surface is perpendicular to the component. The other surface having incorporated therein a magnet that creates a magnetic field to hold the blade of a saw against said other surface. The saw can thus be operated to cut the component while held in guided relationship with the other surface.

Abstract: A miter box and frame doweling drill jig apparatus utilizes a miter box having the two side walls thereof chamfered at a 45 degree angle relative to the base portion thereof. A plate having a plurality of drill fit aligning holes is removeably affixed at various locations on the chamfered ends of the side walls. A mitered work piece clamped to either side wall may be drilled, utilizing a drill bit aligned in selected holes thereby permitting work pieces to be easily assembled into a picture frame employing dowels therefor.

Abstract: A food-slicing device having a food supporting cradle formed of a pair of vertically upstanding lateral wall members and an intermediate web section therebetween, the wall members diverging upwardly and outwardly from the web section, and an anvil tray or platform section extending forwardly of the leading edges of the lateral wall members and web section to receive sliced food material produced upon cutting the food in a plane closely adjacent the leading edges of the wall members and web section.

Abstract: A bread slicer that can be used by a person with normal sight but especially designed to be readily used by a blind person. Adjustable means is provided for advancing the loaf of bread, or other object to be sliced, the same measured distance toward a cutting knife each time a slice is cut so that the slices will be of uniform thickness. Equally spaced apart notches are associated with the loaf advancing means so that a blind person can feel these notches and can move the loaf one notch at a time to obtain slices of the same thickness. The sides of the loaf are gripped during the cutting operation. A pair of guides for the cutting knife are magnetized for supporting the knife when not used.

Abstract: Location apparatus for making saw cuts in workpieces has a saw guide and support means for a workpiece to set a side face of the workpiece at predetermined positions to the saw guide. In various forms of the apparatus, said positions are angularly adjustable in horizontal and/or vertical planes. Means are also described for setting the workpiece to a predetermined location transversely of the sawing plane defined by said saw guide.

Abstract: The sawing guide consists of a guide plate, a press plate, two swivel bolt assemblies, and a plurality of pitch blocks. The press plate and guide plate are positioned on either side of an object to be cut and are secured together by the two swivel bolt assemblies which extend along either side of the object. Pitch blocks are then inserted between the object and the guide plate to vary the attitude of the guide plate.