Abstract: A microtome comprises a support assembly; an actuator, mounted to the support assembly; a pair of oscillating flexure assemblies, held by the support assembly and each of which being located on one side of the actuator and oscillated by the actuator; and a blade assembly, mounted to each of the oscillating flexure assemblies so as to move in a direction same as the oscillating flexure assemblies.

Abstract: A thermally conductive sheet has cut surfaces with low surface roughness and hence shows reduced thermal resistance at the interfaces, and high thermal conductivity in the thickness direction. Thus, the thermally conductive sheet can be interposed between any of various heat sources and a radiation member. The process for producing the thermally conductive sheet includes at least: an extrusion molding step in which a thermally conductive composition containing a polymer, an anisotropic thermally conductive filler, and a filler is extruded with an extruder to thereby mold an extrusion-molded product in which the anisotropic thermally conductive filler has been oriented along the extrusion direction; a curing step in which the extrusion-molded product is cured to obtain a cured object; and a slicing step in which the cured object is sliced into a given thickness with an ultrasonic cutter in the direction perpendicular to the extrusion direction.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument including an ultrasonically actuated blade or end effector having a treatment portion. The blade can define a central axis and at least one axis which is transverse to the central axis, wherein the transverse axis can lie within a plane which is perpendicular, or normal, to the longitudinal axis and can define a cross-section of the treatment portion. Such a cross-section can include a central portion and a step extending from the central portion, wherein the central portion can comprise a width, and wherein the step can comprise a cutting edge. In at least one embodiment, the cutting edge can be defined by first and second surfaces which define an angle therebetween. In various embodiments, the position of the cutting edge and/or the angle between the cutting edge surfaces can be selected in order to balance the blade with respect to the transverse axis.

Abstract: To cut a backed ply material with an ultrasonic blade, an anvil is utilized to provide support. The backed ply material travels in a first direction, the ultrasonic blade includes a tip, and the ultrasonic blade is operable to travel along a path. This path is oriented in a transverse manner relative to the first direction. The anvil includes a rigid base for securing the anvil to a cutting assembly and a surface coinciding with the path. The surface is secured to the base. The anvil further includes a groove disposed upon the surface. This groove is in cooperative alignment with the tip.

Abstract: A cutting system includes a cutting assembly and an anvil. The cutting assembly includes an ultrasonic cutting tool having a stylus with a tip and an actuator to move the tip along a path. The path is oriented in a transverse manner relative to movement of a backed ply material. The anvil includes a rigid base for securing the anvil to the cutting assembly and a surface coinciding with the path. The system is configured to drive the tip into the surface and draw the tip along the path to generate a groove disposed upon the surface. The groove being in cooperative alignment with the tip.

Abstract: A method of operating an ultrasonic handpiece by pulsing the power supplied to the handpiece and varying the type of vibration during the power pulse.

Abstract: To generate a bevel in an uncured composite layup, an edge of part cut through the composite layup is performed at about 90° relative to the composite layup and a bevel cut is performed on the edge of part.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument including an ultrasonically actuated blade or end effector having a treatment portion. The blade can define a central axis and at least one axis which is transverse to the central axis, wherein the transverse axis can lie within a plane which is perpendicular, or normal, to the longitudinal axis and can define a cross-section of the treatment portion. Such a cross-section can include a central portion and a step extending from the central portion, wherein the central portion can comprise a width, and wherein the step can comprise a cutting edge. In at least one embodiment, the cutting edge can be defined by first and second surfaces which define an angle therebetween. In various embodiments, the position of the cutting edge and/or the angle between the cutting edge surfaces can be selected in order to balance the blade with respect to the transverse axis.

Abstract: A cutting machine is configured for cutting an injection molded original product. The injection molded original product has a component and stub bar connected to the component. The cutting machine includes a base portion, a supporting arm attached to the base portion, and a cutting device coupled to the supporting arm. The cutting device includes an electrothermal cutting line for cutting the component off the stub bar.

Abstract: A cutting device includes a substrate, a supporting arm mounted on the substrate, a driving component supported by the supporting arm, and a cutting member. The cutting member includes a connection member and a cutting wire. The connection member includes an attachment portion connected to the driving component and a securing portion. The cutting wire is positioned on the securing portion.

Abstract: To generate a bevel in an uncured composite layup, an edge of part cut through the composite layup is performed at about 90° relative to the composite layup and a bevel cut is performed on the edge of part.

Abstract: A cutting tool assembly is provided for removing flash portions and gates from a molded article. The cutting tool assembly includes a holder device including an upper plate, a cylindrical collar, and a bearing disposed between the upper plate and the cylindrical collar to allow movement of the cylindrical collar relative to the upper plate. The cutting tool assembly further includes a cutting member fixedly secured to the cylindrical collar wherein movement of the cylindrical collar relative to the upper plate provides the cutting member with degrees of rotational freedom to float relative to the molded article during trimming of the flash portions and gates.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus includes a blade mount supporting a first ultrasonic transducer for imparting ultrasonic vibrations to a cutting blade. The blade mount includes an annular flange having a grip surface on an outer circumferential side surface thereof for gripping the cutting blade, a first ultrasonic transducer housing portion for housing the first ultrasonic transducer, and a hollow cylindrical mount boss having a fitting hole fitting over the spindle. The annular flange has a plurality of through holes defined therein between the first ultrasonic transducer housing portion and the mount boss. A blade grip flange has a fitting hole fitted over the mount boss, a grip surface on an outer circumferential side surface thereof for gripping the cutting blade, a second ultrasonic transducer housing portion for housing a second ultrasonic transducer, and a plurality of through holes defined therein between the second ultrasonic transducer housing portion and the fitting hole.

Abstract: A cutting tool (20) capable of cutting or grooving an article with high accuracy independent of the thickness of a cutting disk blade used has a cutting disk blade (22) having a through-hole (21) at its center, an annular rigid plate (23) coaxially fixed to each face of the cutting blade (22), and an annular ultrasonic oscillator (24) having a smaller outer diameter than the rigid plate (23) which is coaxially fixed to an outer face of each rigid plate (23) or to the cutting blade (22) in contact with an inner circumferential edge of each rigid plate (23).

Abstract: A method of an apparatus for cutting segments (10) to desired lengths from a strip (1) of elastomeric tire components having at least one cord reinforced component involves the step of impacting one cord (22) as the cut is being made and lifting the cord (22) to avoid cutting cords (22) while directing the cutting path along the lifted cord(22). The article resulting from the method has a plurality of cords (22) adjacent a flat cut splicing surface (8) suitable for lap splicing.

Abstract: The invention provides a cutting method and a cutting apparatus that cuts without chipping a composite material consisting of laminated layers of crystal material and amorphous material, in which the amorphous material is cut with an ultrasonically vibrated cutting blade and the crystal material is cut with a cutting blade that does not ultrasonically vibrate. With such a method and apparatus, the crystal material portion and the amorphous material portion of the composite material can be cut cleanly without chipping.

Abstract: The micro titer plates, especially for micro reaction systems used in biotechnology, each have an array of special microstructures, which typically include micro cups and micro channels with different cross-sections. These microstructures are introduced into a preferably borosilicate glass wafer (18) by ultrasonic machining. Individual rectangular micro titer plates (19?) made from borosilicate glass for biotechnology are produced by cutting the structured glass wafer into individual micro titer plates. Particularly arrays of from 10 to 100 of these microstructures are formed in a 6-inch borosilicate glass wafer, in order to facilitate subsequent cutting of the wafer to economically manufacture a corresponding number of these micro titer plates (19?).

Abstract: An optical recording medium-manufacturing apparatus which is capable of reducing wear of a cut-forming blade section used for forming a cut in a resin layer, without increasing the component costs of the apparatus. An ultrasonic horn includes a hollow-cylindrical cut-forming blade section for being pushed into a resin layer formed on one side of a disk-shaped substrate, thereby forming a circular cut in the resin layer. A control section controls motion of the ultrasonic horn caused by a moving mechanism. The control section causes the ultrasonic horn to be pushed in to the resin layer while causing ultrasonic vibration thereof to thereby form the cut, and while maintaining a state of ultrasonic vibration of the abutment section and a pushed-in state of the cut-forming blade section, causes the punching blade section to be pushed into the disk-shaped substrate, to form the central hole.

Abstract: An optical recording medium-manufacturing apparatus which is capable of reducing wear of a cut-forming blade section used for forming a cut in a resin layer, without increasing the component costs of the apparatus. An ultrasonic horn includes a hollow-cylindrical cut-forming blade section for being pushed into a resin layer formed on one side of a disk-shaped substrate, thereby forming a circular cut in the resin layer. A control section controls motion of the ultrasonic horn caused by a moving mechanism. The control section causes the ultrasonic horn to be pushed in to the resin layer while causing ultrasonic vibration thereof to thereby form the cut, and while maintaining a state of ultrasonic vibration of the abutment section and a pushed-in state of the cut-forming blade section, causes the punching blade section to be pushed into the disk-shaped substrate, to form the central hole.

Abstract: A method of an apparatus for cutting segments (10) to desired lengths from a strip (1) of elastomeric tire components having at least one cord reinforced component involves the step of impacting one cord (22) as the cut is being made and lifting the cord (22) to avoid cutting cords (22) while directing the cutting path along the lifted cord(22). The article resulting from the method has a plurality of cords (22) adjacent a flat cut splicing surface (8) suitable for lap splicing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting separate portions of a food product and inserting dividers between adjacent portions, in which a cutting blade is ultrasonically energized during a first cutting movement, the blade is withdrawn while a divider sheet is inserted between the blade and the food item, and then the blade is driven in a second cutting movement to fold the divider sheet and to insert the thus-folded divider sheet into the cut between the two now separate portions of the food item. A particular feature of the invention is a camming mechanism to provide precise support for and folding of the divider sheet.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for cutting a specimen with a blade that moves forward with oscillation. The apparatus is free from vertical wobbling of the blade even after a long period of use, so that the cutting is carried out without killing cells present in the specimen. The blade is attached to a movable body that is coupled to a base with a resilient coupler. The base is provided with a driving electromagnet, and the movable body is provided with a permanent magnet. Thus, the movable body oscillates by supplying a control signal to the driving electromagnet.

Abstract: This fiber chopper overcomes the disadvantages of the previous cutting rollers for chopping continuous filaments. The apparatus includes a means for feeding continuous fibers to a vibrating cutting blade. The vibrating blades engage the continuous fiber and chops them into discrete fiber lengths. A vibrating head vibrates the cutting blades through a vibrating table.

Abstract: An ultrasonic cutting system including: an ultrasonic vibrating device having an operative face; a block horn having a responsive face connected to the operative face of the ultrasonic vibrating device and an operative face and being provided with at least one normal tuning slot having a width of about 4 mm to about 6 mm traversing the block between its operative and responsive faces; a plurality of cutting blades mounted on the operative face of the block horn so as to be vibrated therewith, the blades lying in a plane containing the longitudinal axis of vibrations such that the block horn is also provided with at least one thin tuning and damping slot having a width of about 0.1 mm to about 2.5 mm traversing the block horn between its operative and responsive faces. Also included are methods of ultrasonic cutting using such cutting systems.

Abstract: This fiber chopper overcomes the disadvantages of the previous cutting rollers for chopping continuous filaments. The apparatus includes a means for feeding continuous fibers to a vibrating cutting blade. The vibrating blades engage the continuous fiber and chops them into discrete fiber lengths. A vibrating head vibrates the cutting blades through a vibrating table.

Abstract: A method for ultrasound treatment of at least one fabric. The fabric is passed through a working gap between a sonotrode connected with an ultrasound vibration unit and a counter-tool, and is exposed to an ultrasound effect in the working gap. The fabric or fabrics to be treated are subjected to pretreatment in a device before passing through the working gap.

Abstract: A method of an apparatus for cutting segments (10) to desired lengths from a strip (1) of elastomeric tire components having at least one cord reinforced component involves the step of impacting one cord (22) as the cut is being made and lifting the cord (22) to avoid cutting cords (22) while directing the cutting path along the lifted cord(22). The article resulting from the method has a plurality of cords (22) adjacent a flat cut splicing surface (8) suitable for lap splicing.

Abstract: The invention provides for the manufacture of food products. In one preferred form, methods and apparatus are provided for cutting individual confectionery products from a slab or strip of product material into a product with a particular silhouette. In another form, the invention provides methods and apparatus for both cutting and forming individual confectionery products from strips or ropes. The process can be used for simply forming products from pre-cut segments or other blanks of confectionery material, including imparting a relatively precise texture, finish or detail to such products. The products may, but need not, be subsequently enrobed in chocolate or another coating. In still other embodiments, the confectionery material may comprise grains of a puffed cereal. In some instances, a matrix of plasticizable material holds the grains together and the confectionery material may also include, in addition to the puffed cereal, candied fruit bits, dry fruits, nuts, or the like.

Abstract: A scribe device comprises a body (10). A holder (20) is supported by the body (10) such that the holder (20) can slightly slide in a direction of a slide axis (Lb) which intersects a surface of a workpiece (100). Retaining portions (15, 21) spaced apart in a direction of the slide axis (Lb) are formed on the body (10) and the holder (20), respectively. A vibratory actuator (40) is sandwiched between the retainer portion of the body and the retainer portion of the holder. The holder (20) holds an abutment member (30). The holder is biased by a biasing member (23) such that said retaining portion of the holder is pressed against the vibratory actuator. The vibratory actuator renders the vibrations in the direction of the slide axis to the holder. The abutment member transmits the vibrations from the holder to the workpiece. That is, the abutment member (30) is subjected to a static force and a vibration energy and pressed against the workpiece (100).

Abstract: An ultrasonic seam welding apparatus for seam welding at least two sheetlike work pieces piled one above the other by imparting ultrasonic osculation is expressed through the ultrasonic binding and cutting quill assembly. The ultrasound seaming and cutting apparatus comprises a receptive resonant horn or wheel for receiving a rotating anvil wheel and a cutting surface thereon. An apparatus and receiving component having overlapping surfaces and welding the components together with the use of ultrasound. An ultrasound emitter and wheel receives the high frequency current and converts it into mechanical ultrasonic vibrations having the same frequency.

Abstract: An ultrasonic vibration cutting method comprising mounting and fixing a part to be cut on a mounting table, moving down an ultrasonic vibration rotation unit, stopping the downward movement of the ultrasonic vibration rotation unit when the cutting blade of the ultrasonic vibration rotation unit reaches a position for cutting the part, moving the ultrasonic vibration rotation unit linearly for cutting, and turning and vibrating the cutting blade with ultrasonic waves to cut the part.

Abstract: The invention provides for the manufacture of food products. In one preferred form, methods and apparatus are provided for cutting individual confectionery products from a slab or strip of product material into a product with a particular silhouette. In another form, the invention provides methods and apparatus for both cutting and forming individual confectionery products from strips or ropes. The process can be used for simply forming products from pre-cut segments or other blanks of confectionery material, including imparting a relatively precise texture, finish or detail to such products. The products may, but need not, be subsequently enrobed in chocolate or another coating. In still other embodiments, the confectionery material may comprise grains of a puffed cereal. In some instances, a matrix of plasticizable material holds the grains together and the confectionery material may also include, in addition to the puffed cereal, candied fruit bits, dry fruits, nuts, or the like.

Abstract: A continuous paper web is severed transversely in between the transportation cycles at the paper's maximum allowable rate of feed. The transverse cutter device has a stationary bottom blade 6 and a driven upper blade 5 fixed to or integral with a permanent magnet 7a, and a linear motor is used as the drive for the upper blade. The motor stator 7c is fastened to a carrier 4, and the driven blade undergoes reciprocating or vibratory strokes within a stator slot.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a trimming station for sheet like articles comprising a first conveyor assembly (2) conveying sheet material (3) in a first orientation (4) having a first trimming section (16) with vibrating trimming elements (19, 20). Further, a sheet material reorienting section (23) is provided for the sheet material (3). Reoriented sheet material articles (3) are conveyed in a second orientation (25) to a second conveyor assembly (24) having a second trimming section (33) with trimming elements (34, 35).

Abstract: A disk-shaped cutter extending in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of a resonator is detachably installed on the resonator which is molded substantially cylindrical with a fastening unit.

Abstract: Soft part cutting and mounting methods and soft part cutting and mounting apparatuses are capable of cutting and mounting without human intervention by using an automatic soft part apparatus. The apparatus which uses a sheet material continuously formed from a release sheet having at least a release layer on a surface and including continuously formed tack paper and a soft member having an adhesive layer temporarily adhered to the release layer to finally adhere to an article, and cuts the soft member with the adhesive layer into a predetermined shape. The sheet material is continuously intermittently fed by a sheet material convey unit so as to stop at a cutting position.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasound cutting device comprising an ultrasound generator having a given natural frequency, coupled to a cutting tool. The cutting tool is a disk that is driven in rotation, and the ultrasound generator is coupled to a central region of the disk by a coupling means, said central region being disposed on an amplitude antinode of the ultrasound vibration produced by the ultrasound generator.

Abstract: An ultrasonic apparatus and method for cutting a non-planar workpiece. The apparatus includes an anvil having a non-planar surface for closely engaging an underside of the workpiece. An ultrasonic horn has a non-planar cutting surface closely receiving a topside of the workpiece, wherein the cutting surface and the support surface have complementary non-planar shapes. The ultrasonic horn resonates at a predetermined frequency effect cutting of the workpiece. If the workpiece has a heat fusible component, the workpiece can also be seamed.

Abstract: Transverse cuts are made in a web using a cutter/anvil combination which is subjected to high frequency vibration, preferable ultrasound. In one arrangement, particularly for cutting tea bag webs, a rotary cutter drum (4) cooperates with an ultrasonically-vibrated anvil 12. The web may be simultaneously sealed and cut by means of a modified drum (202) having sealer/cutter elements (208, 210). In other arrangements, particularly for cutting cork paper on a machine for assembling filter cigarettes, the paper is severed on a drum (106, 122, 192, 350) cooperating with an ultrasonically-vibrated anvil (110, 194, 312) or directly on an ultrasonically-vibrated drum (144, 160, 170, 180).

Abstract: A method of forming apertures generally greater than about 0.05 square millimeters in a thin sheet material. The thin sheet material includes a first side and a second side at least one side of the thin sheet material is substantially coated with an adhesive. The method comprises the steps of (a) placing the adhesive-coated thin sheet material on a patterned anvil having a pattern of raised areas wherein the height of the raised areas is equal to or less than the thickness of the thin sheet material and the adhesive; and (b) subjecting the thin sheet material to a sufficient amount of sonic vibrations to aperture the thin sheet material and the adhesive; and whereby the thin sheet material and the adhesive is apertured in a pattern generally the same as the pattern of raised areas on the patterned anvil.

Abstract: The cutting apparatus includes an ultrasound cutting element associated with a drive mechanism which enables the rate of advance of the cutting element through the product being cut to be varied selectively and locally. The preferred application is for cutting layered food products.

Abstract: An ultrasonic apparatus and method for cutting a non-planar workpiece. The apparatus includes an anvil having a non-planar surface for closely engaging an underside of the workpiece. An ultrasonic horn has a non-planar cutting surface closely receiving a topside of the workpiece, wherein the cutting surface and the support surface have complementary non-planar shapes. The ultrasonic horn resonates at a predetermined frequency effect cutting of the workpiece. If the workpiece has a heat fusible component, the workpiece can also be seamed.

Abstract: An ultrasonically vibrating and mechanically reciprocating elongate cutting ember provided with individual ultrasonic transducers at opposite ends thereof, the transducers being each connected to amplitude amplifiers and to a common ultrasonic generator connected to controls responsive to the reciprocating movement of the cutting member.

Abstract: An ultrasonic cutting device includes an ultrasonic vibrating device which, in operation, generates ultrasonic vibrations in a longitudinal direction. At least one solid horn, whose length is a multiple of half-wavelengths, is connected to and extends away from the vibrating device, in the longitudinal direction of the ultrasonic vibrations. A plurality of tubular spacer horns, each having vibrating end faces and a length of substantially one half-wavelength, are arranged end to end about and along the solid horn. At least one cutting blade is connected to the solid horn, between the vibrating end faces of a pair of adjacent tubular spacer horns. The blade is positioned in a plane extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of vibrations. A clamping device for pressingly retaining the tubular spacer horns along the solid horn is positioned at the end of the solid horn, away from the vibrating means.

Abstract: A method of forming apertures generally greater than about 0.05 square millimeters in a thin sheet material. The thin sheet material includes a first side and a second side at least one side of the thin sheet material is substantially coated with an adhesive. The method comprises the steps of (a) placing the adhesive-coated thin sheet material on a patterned anvil having a pattern of raised areas wherein the height of the raised areas is equal to or less than the thickness of the thin sheet material and the adhesive; and (b) subjecting the thin sheet material to a sufficient amount of sonic vibrations to aperture the thin sheet material and the adhesive; and whereby the thin sheet material and the adhesive is apertured in a pattern generally the same as the pattern of raised areas on the patterned anvil.

Abstract: This invention pertains to methods for processing workpieces, including effecting changes in the workpieces by applying ultrasonic energy to the workpieces using novel apparatus and steps for applying the ultrasonic energy to the workpieces. Specifically, an ultrasonic horn and anvil are used to apply ultrasonic energy in a limited amount, to effect change such as cutting in one layer of a workpiece without effecting a corresponding change in the other layers of the workpiece, although some change in the other layers may be tolerated and/or desired. A rotary horn and anvil are taught, with a protuberance on either the horn or the anvil. In use, the horn and anvil preferably rotate cooperatively in close proximity to each other at a nip, and apply pressure and corresponding ultrasonic energy to the workpiece only when the protuberance rotates into the nip, even though ultrasonic energy may be applied uniformly to the ultrasonic horn throughout the rotation of the protuberance.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a spread of generally thin, pliable material from a roll thereof onto a table includes a cradle for holding the roll of the material which is selectively operable to rotate the roll of material for feeding a web of material generally forwardly from the roll. An endless conveyor including a series of flights spaced at intervals therealong with openings between the flights is driven for forward travel, and the web from the roll of the material is received on and carried forward by a flight in the upper reach of the conveyor. A knife is operable to cut the web to separate a first sheet of material from the roll of material. The first sheet of material is thereafter held from forward movement with the supporting flight by grippers selectively operable for gripping the first sheet of material on the supporting flight in the upper reach of the conveyor. Thus, the supporting flight slides out from under the first sheet of material with the first sheet falling onto the table.

Abstract: An ultrasonic cutting device includes a transducer, an ultrasonic horn and a cutting blade. The transducer generates ultrasonic vibrations in a direction having a longitudinal axis, and the ultrasonic horn has a nodal point and at least three projections extending, respectively, to vibrating faces equidistantly away from and symmetrically about the nodal point, one of the vibrating faces being connected to the transducer so that, in operation, the ultrasonic horn is vibrated. The cutting blade is connected to one of the vibrating faces of the ultrasonic horn which is not connected to the transducer and is positioned in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of vibrations so that, in operation, the blade is vibrated.