Abstract: In a method for the manufacture of padding material from inherently rigid flat material, such as cardboard packaging or the like, the flat material is cut into parallel strip sections, which in the vicinity of connecting areas spaced in the longitudinal direction of the strips remain partly interconnected. Between the connecting areas the strip sections are so deformed perpendicular to the flat material extension that transversely adjacent strip sections are bent in opposite directions. A manufacturing apparatus is constructed in the manner of a document shredder with a cutting mechanism having cooperating cutting rollers, which have circumferential grooves, which during the passage of the flat material at regular intervals lead to an interruption of the cut.

Abstract: In an electrically powered machine subject to occasional blockage, the speed, power consumption, torque and/or rate of deceleration are displayed by successive illumination of light-emitting diodes in a row. Predetermined limit values for these parameters alone or summed with one another are defined and optical couplers are positioned at corresponding locations on the row to detect parameters reaching the limits. Detection causes initiation of disconnection, braking, reversal or other means for alleviating the stoppage.