Abstract: The specification discloses an extrusion billet quenching system which directs a continuous circular curtain of water onto a billet to be quenched. The water delivery system is a spray ring defining a continuous opening about its entire circumference. The opening is defined by a pair of plates. Push and pull screws enable the width of the opening to be carefully adjusted. A reciprocating billet pusher assembly includes opposite cantilevered heads for pushing billets through the ring in either of two opposite directions.

Abstract: The specification discloses an extrusion billet quenching system which directs a continuous circular curtain of water onto a billet to be quenched. The water delivery system is a spray ring defining a continuous opening about its entire circumference. The opening is defined by a pair of plates. Push and pull screws enable the width of the opening to be carefully adjusted. A reciprocating billet pusher assembly includes opposite cantilevered heads for pushing billets through the ring in either of two opposite directions.

Abstract: An extrusion pulling apparatus wherein an extrusion puller is guided from above and below for movement along an extrusion line from an extrusion press. The upper guide comprises a T-shaped beam with rollers mounted on the puller for rolling along vertical surfaces of the beam. The lower guide is formed from a multi-face beam, for example, a hexagonal beam, wherein rollers mounted on the puller roll on guide face surfaces which have an included angle between them of about 60.degree.. The upper and lower guides can be reversed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing an extruded profile shape from an extrusion press efficiently and economically during an extrusion operation. A first and second extrusion puller are mounted on suitable guide for movement along an extrusion line. One of the extrusion pullers receives and grips a profile shape as it is extruded from an extrusion press, and this puller exerts a pulling force on the profile shape. The first puller can pass off the profile shape to the second puller as the profile shape is extruded, thereafter the second puller would grip and pull the profile shape and the first puller would release its grip. When it is desired, or necessary to remove the profile shape from the extrusion press, the puller which is not gripping the shape grips the profile shape and a shear within the press shears off a butt portion of the billet. Then, both pullers, in tandem, apply a pulling force on the profile shape away from the extrusion press. The profile shape is stripped from the die.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conditioning an aluminum billet for extrusion from an extrusion press. The billet is first heated above the solutionizing temperature for the MgSi phases in the aluminum matrix, then the billet is cooled below the solutionizing temperature to an adequate hot working temperature. Preferably, a temperature gradient is created along the length of the billet wherein one end of the billet is at or above the hot working temperature and the other end of the billet is cooled to a temperature below the hot working temperature. Thereafter, the billet is placed into the extrusion die, the hot end adjacent the die and the cool end adjacent the ram of the extrusion press. The billet is then extruded producing an extruded product with uniform properties along the length of the product with minimal defects such as tearing or hot shorting.

Abstract: An extrusion pulling apparatus including an extrusion run-out table and an extrusion puller which is mounted for reciprocal movement along the run-out table. The extrusion puller has an upper jaw mounted for vertical reciprocal movement between clamping and release positions on a support frame and a lower jaw mounted for reciprocal lateral movement between clamping and release positions also on the support frame. The lower jaw is also mounted for vertical movement with respect to the support frame. A stripper finger is mounted on the puller adjacent the upper and lower jaws when the jaws are in the clamping position and is movable laterally to push extrusions toward a cooling table when the lower jaw moves in an opposite direction to strip the extrusions from the lower jaw and to push one end of the extrusions from the extrusion line.

Abstract: The specification discloses an optimizing saw including a scanner unit having devices for measuring both the width and length of boards passing through the station whereby board feet can be calculated. More specifically, the width measuring device includes a reference plane and a reciprocating ram opposite the reference plane which engages a board therebetween to measure board width. The optimizing saw further includes a board conveying apparatus having a multi-speed hydraulic motor drive for smoothly and precisely transporting boards through the optimizing saw. Optimal saw cut locations for each board, control of the width-measuring device, calculation of board feet processed, pinch roll actuation, conveyor acceleration, conveyor deceleration, and status of current production against a predetermined bill of materials are all controlled by a single microprocessor.

Abstract: An in-feed conveyor brings individual pieces of lumber to an examining area, where a carriage is movably mounted relative to the conveyor for movement along the piece of stock. A control on the carriage is triggered whenever the carriage is positioned in predetermined alignment with defects in the stock, including undesirable end portions as well as structural or quality defects intermediate the ends of the piece. Triggering such control sends an input to a computer, which controls the cutting of the stock by a saw located downstream from the examining station, by which the defects are cut out of the piece of stock. The computer completely controls the incremental movement of the piece of stock at the saw, automatically stopping the stock and causing the same to be cut, not only to remove defects, but also to produce an optimum yield of different pieces cut from the good stock between the defects.