Abstract: An apparatus for cropping and inspecting the end of a coil of sheet metal has a cradle dimensioned and oriented to support the coil with its axis horizontal, a drive for rotating the coil on the cradle about a horizontal cradle axis, a stationary lower blade spaced horizontally from the cradle, and a roller-type conveyor extending horizontally from the cradle to the lower blade. An upper blade pivotal about a horizontal blade axis toward and away from the lower blade can be pivoted down against the lower blade to sever the sheet metal between the blades. An opening element pivotal about an opening axis toward and away from the coil on the cradle can move independently of the cutter blades so as to pivot between an inner position radially engaging the coil on the cradle and an outer position immediately adjacent the conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting the end off a metal strip wound as a coil having a diameter lying between a predetermined maximum diameter and a predetermined minimum diameter has a fixed support, a substantially horizontal support cradle for the coil on the support, a cutter on the support defining a vertically open gap spaced from the cradle for cutting the strip along a horizontal cutting plane as the strip passes down through the gap, and a guide on the support above and to one side of the gap between same and the cradle. An inner pivot arm is pivoted on the support about a horizontal inner axis and has an outer end on which is pivoted an outer pivot arm about a horizontal outer axis and having an outer end carrying a pusher, and an actuator connected between the arms and the support or frame for displacing this pusher horizontally and vertically above the plane of the cutter relative to the guide for urging the pusher against the strip at the guide at any of several vertically offset locations therealong.