Abstract: A food slicer for slicing a food product is provided. The slicer may have an adjustable surface and a stationary surface with a blade interposed therebetween. The food product may be sliced with a specific thickness via the blade by traversing the food product from the adjustable surface to the stationary surface. A trailing edge of the adjustable surface and an edge of the blade may define a gap distance which determines a slicing thickness of the food product. A cam may contact an underside of the adjustable surface to set the gap distance. The gap distance may be reset by rotating the cam. More particularly, the cam may have a plurality of cam surfaces. Each of the cam surfaces may have a different distance to a rotating axis of the cam. The gap distance may be changed by rotating the cam such that a different cam surface contacts the adjustable surface's underside.

Abstract: An automated drill bit sharpening and verification system employing one or more electronic optical assemblies for gathering orientation data of a drill bit to be sharpened. The drill bit is rotated and aligned to a grinding assembly based on the orientation data. The orientation data of the drill bit may be gathered by illuminating a cutting tip of the drill bit with an illumination ring. Additionally, the orientation data of the drill bit may be gathered by capturing two views (e.g., orthogonal views or front and side views) of the cutting tip of the drill bit.

Abstract: A peeler apparatus is provided having an ergonomic handle and a blade that can be rotated relative to the handle to accommodate different peeling styles. The blade can be rotated in order to position the blade in a variety of positions relative to the handle. Such positions include perpendicular, parallel left, parallel right, 45 degree left, and 45 degree right positions. Variations of the peeler can be provided which enable rotations of 180 degrees, 360 degrees, and/or other angles as desired. A user-operable knob cooperatively engaged with a yoke permits the yoke and a blade secured to the yoke to rotate relative to the handle in response to rotation of the knob. A peeler having a blade fixed at approximately 45 degrees relative to the handle is also provided.

Abstract: A completely automated apparatus for verifying the identity and geometry of drill bits, re-sharpening the cutting tip of a drill bit and re-positioning a locating ring upon the shank portion of the drill bit subsequent to the re-sharpening of the cutting tip thereof. The apparatus comprises a housing having a pair of cassette trays, a pair of grinding assemblies, a pair of optical assemblies, a pair of primary cleaning assemblies, a pair of secondary cleaning assemblies, a pair of inversion assemblies, a pair of workhead assemblies, a bumping assembly, and a loader assembly attached thereto. The workhead and loader assemblies are used to transport drill bits between the cassette trays and other assemblies in a selected sequence which is controlled and coordinated by a programmable control device. The control device is electrically interfaced to each of the assemblies and allows the cutting tip re-sharpening and locating ring re-positioning processes to be conducted simultaneously on at least two drill bits.

Abstract: A completely automated apparatus for verifying the identity and geometry of drill bits, re-sharpening the cutting tip of a drill bit and re-positioning a locating ring upon the shank portion of the drill bit subsequent to the re-sharpening of the cutting tip thereof. The apparatus comprises a housing having a pair of cassette trays, a pair of grinding assemblies, a pair of optical assemblies, a pair of primary cleaning assemblies, a pair of secondary cleaning assemblies, a pair of inversion assemblies, a pair of workhead assemblies, a bumping assembly, and a loader assembly attached thereto. The workhead and loader assemblies are used to transport drill bits between the cassette trays and other assemblies in a selected sequence which is controlled and coordinated by a programmable control device. The control device is electrically interfaced to each of the assemblies and allows the cutting tip re-sharpening and locating ring re-positioning processes to be conducted simultaneously on at least two drill bits.

Abstract: A composite drill bit comprising a shank member having a bore disposed therein and an insert which is disposed within the bore such that a portion of the insert protrudes from the shank member. The insert is rigidly secured within the bore of the shank member through the use of an ambient cure adhesive.

Abstract: A completely automated apparatus for verifying the identity and geometry of drill bits, re-sharpening the cutting tip of a drill bit and re-positioning a locating ring upon the shank portion of the drill bit subsequent to the re-sharpening of the cutting tip thereof. The apparatus comprises a housing having a pair of cassette trays, a pair of grinding assemblies, a pair of optical assemblies, a pair of primary cleaning assemblies, a pair of secondary cleaning assemblies, a pair of inversion assemblies, a pair of workhead assemblies, a bumping assembly, and a loader assembly attached thereto. The workhead and loader assemblies are used to transport drill bits between the cassette trays and other assemblies in a selected sequence which is controlled and coordinated by a programmable control device. The control device is electrically interfaced to each of the assemblies and allows the cutting tip re-sharpening and locating ring repositioning processes to be conducted simultaneously on at least two drill bits.

Abstract: A composite drill bit comprising a shank member having a bore disposed therein and an insert which is disposed within the bore such that a portion of the insert protrudes from the shank member. The insert is rigidly secured within the bore of the shank member through the use of an ambient cure adhesive.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automated loading of a drilling machine package having a plurality of drill bit receiving openings arranged in a known configuration with verified precision drill bits from a drill bit container is disclosed. The apparatus includes an automated transfer machine which is connected to a control device, a package frame, a container receiving member, and a diameter sensing device. While not necessarily connected to the automated transfer machine, the package frame and the container receiving member are located at positions which are accessible by the automated transfer machine. Further, the diameter sensing device is operably associated with the automated transfer machine. The method of operation includes the control device recalling data specific to a particular job. A drill bit container is placed on the container receiving member.