Abstract: A vacuum plate which may be used in a system in which sheet material articles are handled by a vacuum plate. The vacuum plate comprises a first wall, a plurality of bores in the first wall, and at least one air outlet for connection to a source of vacuum pressure for applying a vacuum pressure to the bores. The first wall provides, in use, a vacuum lifting surface for pulling and holding the sheet material article to the vacuum surface when vacuum pressure is applied to the bores. Each bore comprises a flared opening terminating at the vacuum surface for admitting air pulled through the bore by the applied vacuum pressure, and opposite this opening, an exit for the air pulled through the bore, this exit being surrounded by a rim that extends above a surrounding surface of the second side of the first wall.

Abstract: An automated sheet material cutting and handling system for producing sheet material articles having a planar shape comprises a cutting surface with a suction hold-down, a suction lifting apparatus, a robotic actuation system for moving the suction lifting apparatus, and a control system for controlling the operation of the cutting device and the suction lifting apparatus. The suction lifting apparatus comprises a suction lifting head including a suction lifting portion comprising a suction lifting plate for applying suction through a plurality of holes in the plate. The control system is configured to operate the cutting device to make at least one cut through the planiform blanks. A resiliently compressible template is adhered to the suction lifting plate. Also, methods.

Abstract: A vacuum lifter apparatus for lifting sheet material articles comprises an upper chassis, a modular lower suction plate supported beneath the chassis, a controller and a source of vacuum air pressure, the suction plate comprising a suction lifting surface for providing vacuum lifting pressure to said articles. The modular suction plate has plural side-by-side modules, each module providing a different portion of the suction lifting surface and having one or more air outlets, outlets of one module separate from outlets of other modules and in fluid communication with the corresponding portion of the suction lifting surface and not with different portions of the suction lifting surface. The chassis comprises at least one air outlet connected to said source of vacuum air pressure, and a plurality of separate air flow channels through the chassis. Each air flow channel has an associated air flow valve and a valve actuator.

Abstract: A vacuum lifter apparatus for lifting sheet material articles, comprises an upper chassis joined to a substantially planar lower suction plate and an airflow suction system for conveying vacuum air pressure to the suction plate. The suction plate comprises a plurality of suction plate modules, each comprising a housing with a substantially hollow interior and each of the housings being located laterally adjacent at least one other of the housings. Each of the housings comprises a lower plate, an upper plate and at least one side plate, each housing being affixed to the laterally adjacent housing along a seam between adjoining pairs of side plates. The upper plates each comprise at least one opening and the lower plates are each perforated with a plurality of orifices through which, in use, air is drawn along airflow paths through the interior and out of the opening by the airflow suction system.

Abstract: A vacuum plate lifting system for lifting sheet material articles, comprises a vacuum lifter apparatus for lifting sheet material articles, a lifter actuation system configured to lift and/or move the vacuum lifter apparatus during use and a control system, the control system being configured to control the lifter actuation system during said movement. The vacuum lifter apparatus comprises: a substantially horizontal suction plate; an airflow suction system for conveying vacuum air pressure to said perforated suction lifting surface; at least one mount for connection of the suction plate to at least one actuator of the lifter actuation system for lifting and/or moving the suction plate during use. At least one elongate bar is movably mounted along an edge of the suction plate. A bar actuation system is configured to drive movement of said bar between a raised orientation and a lowered orientation.

Abstract: A vacuum lifter apparatus for lifting sheet material articles, comprises an upper chassis joined to a substantially planar lower suction plate and an airflow suction system for conveying vacuum air pressure to the suction plate. The suction plate comprises a lower side and an upper side, the upper side of the suction plate being affixed to the chassis, and the suction plate lower side providing a downwardly oriented and substantially planar suction lifting surface for making contact with the upper surface of said articles, said suction lifting surface comprising a plurality of laterally adjacent portions, each of said portions comprising a plurality of orifices through which, in use, air is drawn along airflow paths by the airflow suction system to provide a suction lifting pressure.

Abstract: A vacuum plate lifting system for lifting sheet material articles comprises a vacuum lifter apparatus for lifting sheet material articles, a lifter actuation system configured to lift and/or move the vacuum lifter apparatus during use and a control system, the control system being configured to control the lifter actuation system during said movement. The vacuum lifter apparatus comprises: a substantially horizontal suction plate comprising a perforated suction lifting surface, said surface being downwardly oriented for making contact with an upper surface of said articles to be lifted, an airflow suction system for conveying vacuum air pressure to said perforated suction lifting surface; and at least one mount for connection of the suction plate to at least one actuator of the lifter actuation system for lifting and/or moving the suction plate during use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum plate (10) which may be used in a vacuum plate sheet material handling system (1) in which sheet material articles (4) are handled by the vacuum plate, for example by being lifted, held down, moved or deposited by the vacuum plate. The vacuum plate (10) comprises a first wall (22), a plurality of bores (24) in the first wall extending between opposite first and second sides (18, 57) of the first wall, and at least one air outlet (25) for connection to a source of vacuum pressure (16) for applying a vacuum pressure to the bores from the second side (57) of the first wall. The first wall (22) provides, in use, a vacuum lifting surface (20) for pulling and holding the sheet material article (4) to the vacuum surface when vacuum pressure is applied to the bores.

Abstract: An automated sheet material cutting and handling system for producing sheet material articles having a planar shape comprises a cutting surface with a suction hold-down, a suction lifting apparatus, a robotic actuation system for moving the suction lifting apparatus, and a control system for controlling the operation of the cutting device and the suction lifting apparatus. The suction lifting apparatus comprises a suction lifting head including a suction lifting portion comprising a suction lifting plate for applying suction through a plurality of holes in the plate. The control system is configured to operate the cutting device to make at least one cut through the planiform blanks. A resiliently compressible template is adhered to the suction lifting plate. Also, methods.

Abstract: A vacuum lifter apparatus for lifting sheet material articles, comprises an upper chassis joined to a substantially planar lower suction plate and an airflow suction system for conveying vacuum air pressure to the suction plate. The suction plate comprises a lower side and an upper side, the upper side of the suction plate being affixed to the chassis, and the suction plate lower side providing a downwardly oriented and substantially planar suction lifting surface for making contact with the upper surface of said articles, said suction lifting surface comprising a plurality of laterally adjacent portions, each of said portions comprising a plurality of orifices through which, in use, air is drawn along airflow paths by the airflow suction system to provide a suction lifting pressure.

Abstract: A vacuum plate lifting system for lifting sheet material articles, comprises a vacuum lifter apparatus for lifting sheet material articles, a lifter actuation system configured to lift and/or move the vacuum lifter apparatus during use and a control system, the control system being configured to control the lifter actuation system during said movement. The vacuum lifter apparatus comprises: a substantially horizontal suction plate; an airflow suction system for conveying vacuum air pressure to said perforated suction lifting surface; at least one mount for connection of the suction plate to at least one actuator of the lifter actuation system for lifting and/or moving the suction plate during use. At least one elongate bar is movably mounted along an edge of the suction plate. A bar actuation system is configured to drive movement of said bar between a raised orientation and a lowered orientation.

Abstract: A vacuum lifter apparatus for lifting sheet material articles comprises an upper chassis, a modular lower suction plate supported beneath the chassis, a controller and a source of vacuum air pressure, the suction plate comprising a suction lifting surface for providing vacuum lifting pressure to said articles. The modular suction plate has plural side-by-side modules, each module providing a different portion of the suction lifting surface and having one or more air outlets, outlets of one module separate from outlets of other modules and in fluid communication with the corresponding portion of the suction lifting surface and not with different portions of the suction lifting surface. The chassis comprises at least one air outlet connected to said source of vacuum air pressure, and a plurality of separate air flow channels through the chassis. Each air flow channel has an associated air flow valve and a valve actuator.

Abstract: A vacuum lifter apparatus for lifting sheet material articles, comprises an upper chassis joined to a substantially planar lower suction plate and an airflow suction system for conveying vacuum air pressure to the suction plate. The suction plate comprises a plurality of suction plate modules, each comprising a housing with a substantially hollow interior and each of said housings being located laterally adjacent at least one other of said housings. Each of said housings comprises a lower plate, an upper plate and at least one side plate, each housing being affixed to said laterally adjacent housing along a seam between adjoining pairs of side plates. The upper plates each comprise at least one opening and said lower plates are each perforated with a plurality of orifices through which, in use, air is drawn along airflow paths through said interior and out of said opening by the airflow suction system.

Abstract: A rope handling device for handling a length of rope comprises a receiving part and a manipulating member, in which the manipulating member has an elongate portion, the elongate portion having opposite ends, and at least one of these ends an engagement portion. The receiving part has a rope mounting portion, attachable to a part of a rope to be manipulated, and a receptacle for engaging with the engagement portion. The receiving part when engaged with the engagement portion at one of the ends of the elongate portion permits a user of the device to hold the manipulating member at an opposite end of the elongate member in order to handle a rope attached to the rope mounting portion. The rope handling apparatus further comprises a rope guide for self-aligning the manipulating member with a rope prior to engagement of the engagement portion with the receptacle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for handling a length of rope using a hand-held device, when the length of rope is at a distance from the user of the apparatus. A rope handling device comprises a receiving means and a manipulating member, in which the manipulating member has an elongate portion, the elongate portion having opposite ends, and at least one of said ends an engagement portion; the receiving means has a rope mounting portion, attachable to a part of a rope to be manipulated, and a receptacle for engaging with the engagement portion; wherein the receiving means when engaged with the engagement portion at one of said ends of the elongate portion permits a user of the device to hold the manipulating member at an opposite end of the elongate member in order to handle a rope attached to the rope mounting portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a punch (30) and punch assembly (2) for use in a tool (1) for joining ductile materials, such as metal sheets (7,8), in a lance joint or a clinch joint. The punch (30) has a punch body (31) formed around a punch axis (5). Two punch tips (34,34?) extend in opposite directions from the punch body (31) along the punch axis (5). The punch body has one or more load engagement features (41,41?) by which a punch force for joining the ductile materials (7,8) is imparted to the punch body (31).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a joiner for lance joining ductile materials, such as metal sheets, and in particular to a joiner including a die assembly and a punch assembly. The die assembly includes a die anvil and an anvil surface. There are at least two die blades around the anvil, the blades extending in a longitudinal direction, generally above and below opposite sides of the anvil surface to form a die aperture for the punch. Each blade is arranged to move away from the anvil to open up the aperture when ductile material is forced in the longitudinal direction into the aperture and against the anvil by the punch. Each blade has a cutting edge above the anvil facing towards the die aperture for cutting through the ductile material to make a lance joint when the material is forced into the aperture. The assembly also has at least one biasing means by which the blades are biased towards the anvil to constrict the aperture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a joiner (1) for lance joining ductile materials, such as metal sheets (7, 8), and in particular to a joiner including a die assembly (4) and a punch assembly (2). The die assembly (4) includes a die anvil (44) and an anvil surface (46). There are at least two die blades (56, 57) around the anvil (44), the blades extending in a longitudinal direction (10), generally above and below opposite sides (29) of the anvil surface (46) to form a die aperture (66) for the punch (2). Each blade (56, 57) is arranged to move away from the anvil (44) to openup the aperture (66) when ductile material (7, 8) is forced in the longitudinal direction (10) into the aperture (66) and against the anvil (44) by the punch (2). Each blade (56, 57) has a cutting edge (63, 64) above the anvil (44) facing towards the die aperture (66) for cutting through the ductile material (7, 8) to make a lance joint when the material is forced into the aperture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a clinch joiner (1) for clinch joining ductile layers of material (7,8), such as metal sheets, and in particular to and a joiner including a die (4) and a punch (2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a punch (30) and punch assembly (2) for use in a tool (1) for joining ductile materials, such as metal sheets (7,8), in a lance joint or a clinch joint. The punch (30) has a punch body (31) formed around a punch axis (5). Two punch tips (34,34′) extend in opposite directions from the punch body (31) along the punch axis (5). The punch body has one or more load engagement features (41,41′) by which a punch force for joining the ductile materials (7,8) is imparted to the punch body (31).