Abstract: Tublar workpieces are formed with perforations of desired size and/or shape by repeatedly piercing selected portions of the workpieces by needles, pins or analogous piercing tools. The tools can be stationary while the workpieces roll therealong, or the workpieces can rotate while coming into repeated engagement with one or more sets of orbiting tools. The frequency and the number of penetrations of tools into selected portions of the workpieces are selected with a view to heat the tools as a result of frictional engagement with the material of the workpieces, i.e., as a result of repeated penetration into and extraction from selected portions of a rotating or rotating and rolling and/or axially moving workpiece. This enhances the making of predictable perforations in tubular workpieces, especially workpieces which consist of a synthetic thermoplastic material, such as bobbins for the storage of textile yarns.

Abstract: An automatically controlled cutting machine includes a conveyor table having an endless conveyor belt for moving segments of limp sheet material onto the table for cutting. A cutting carriage and blade are mounted for controlled movement over the support surface of the table to cut pattern pieces from the limp sheet material positioned on the surface. A vacuum system holds the material in a compressed state on the surface during cutting, and a sealing carriage is coupled with the cutting carriage to spread an air-impermeable overlay which seals the material when cut. Before the conveyor belt moves the cut segment of the sheet material off of the table, the sealing carriage is uncoupled from the cutting carriage, and the overlay is wound onto a self-retracting roller on the sealing carriage. The carriage is simultaneously drawn by the overlay toward one end of the table where the carriage remains parked as the cut segment moves off the table.