Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for removing slugs from punch presses. A vacuum system is provided for the die portion of a punch press used to punch the upper flange of a beam. The vacuum system carries the slugs to a remote deposit location. A collection pan is provided for collecting slugs form a lower flange punch press and from a web punch press. A vacuum removal system carries the collected slugs from the pan to the remote deposit location.

Abstract: A semi automated hole punch translates a punch and die assembly across the end of an H beam or the like to punch each of a plurality of holes in accordance with an interchangeable template. The punch and die assembly travel across the H beam in response to operation of a power source until a manually operated pivotable arm supporting a pin is brought into engagement with a hole in a template. Upon engagement, the translatory movement of the punch and die assembly ceases and an operator can actuate the punch. Upon lifting the handle to disengage the pin, translatory movement of the punch and die assembly will continue until the pin becomes engaged with a succeeding hole in the template.

Abstract: A combined sawing and drilling machine for structural steel shapes such as I beams has a circular saw unit and the drilling unit mounted on a common plate or on respective plates on a common foundation adjacent one another so that the clamping screw for replacement of the blade is actuated through a window or opening in the plate carrying the drill units, thereby allowing the drilling unit and the saw to be disposeed closer together when the roller conveyor is equipped with only one position-measuring unit and thereby reducing cut-off waste.

Abstract: A semi-automated beam cutting machine simultaneously cuts with two torches the flanges of the beam in a presettable plane in each of two axis. The web of the beam is cut with a further torch in response to a template, to obtain two rat holes and the inset web edge. Independent angular reorientation in a third plane of each of the flange cutting torches accommodates for lack of perpendicularity between each flange and the web to obtain a true edge and a constant width angle cut. The ends of two beams formed from a single beam can be cut in a single operation with appropriate adjustments to the machine. A method for performing various end cuts of a beam is disclosed.