Abstract: A bundle builder and lifter assembly has a pair of parallel cross beams, and an actuator assembly for actuating the builder and lifter assembly. A pair of lift arms are moved along the parallel cross beams and each has a vertical portion and a horizontal portion forming a finger. The lift arms are also raised and lowered. A conveyor roller assembly is positioned above the lift arms and cross beams, where stacks of material are moved on the rollers of the conveyor assembly. The stacks of material are placed in a stack by the lift arms forming a bundle, which is then removed from the conveyor roller assembly.

Abstract: A stretcher has two head housings, and a removable pressure block/clamp assembly which is located in the housings and positioned via hydraulic cylinders. The hydraulic cylinders raise the pressure block assembly, and the gripper hydraulic cylinders lower the pressure block assembly onto a removal fixture which moves into and out of the head housing.

Abstract: A slitting machine for threading scrap material includes first and second arbors; rotary knives disposed on each of the first and second arbors; and a pair of notching modules positioned on opposite ends of the first and second arbors. The notching modules each has a pair of shear knives for making multiple cuts in a strip of material passing through the slitting machine forming notches to enable threading of material to scrap chutes from the slitting machine.

Abstract: A traction tensioning device which has one or more upper chain assemblies driven by an upper sprocket pulley and one or more lower chain assemblies driven by a lower sprocket pulley. Each of the upper and lower chain assemblies has a plurality of pads mounted to the chain assemblies. The upper chain assembly is mounted to a movable platen. The lower chain assembly is mounted to a fixed platen. The upper chain assembly and the movable platen are raised and lowered with respect to the lower chain assembly thereby creating a tension on a strip of material passing between the upper and lower chain assemblies.

Abstract: A slitting machine for threading scrap material includes first and second arbors; rotary knives disposed on each of the first and second arbors; and a pair of notching modules positioned on opposite ends of the first and second arbors. The notching modules each has a pair of shear knives for making multiple cuts in a strip of material passing through the slitting machine forming notches to enable threading of material to scrap chutes from the slitting machine.

Abstract: A slitting machine for threading scrap material has first and second arbors. A first set of rotary knives are disposed on each of the first and second arbors having a first diameter. A second set of rotary knives are disposed on each of the first and second arbors having a second diameter. The second diameter is smaller than the first diameter. As the arbor gap is closed, the first set of rotary knives cut edge trim and when the arbor gap is further closed, the second set of rotary knives cut mutts from the strip.

Abstract: A breaker roll apparatus assembly for minimizing coil breaks in strips has a frame, a center roll extending from a rail mounted to the frame and actuated by a hydraulic cylinder, and a plurality of side rolls positioned on opposite sides of the center roll. The plurality of rolls extend from rails mounted to the frame and are also actuated by hydraulic cylinders. A coil mounting member uncoils a coil of strip through the assembly into contact with the center roll and at least one of the side rolls. Each of the rolls can be raised and lowered to accommodate various diameters and widths of coil.

Abstract: A roller leveler for leveling strips of metal has a frame, a bank of upper and lower work rolls journalled in the frame via a housing positioned toward an exit portion of the leveler. A bank of upper and lower back-up rolls is in contact with the upper and lower work rolls to support the work rolls. The bank of upper and lower back-up rolls mounted to the frame via back-up housings. A second bank of upper and lower work rolls is positioned near an entry portion of the leveler. The first bank of upper and lower rolls has rolls of different diameter than the second bank of upper and lower work rolls. A roll or rolls can be mounted in an eccentric fashion that is achieved by permanent or adjustable positioning of offset of the work roll with respect to adjacent rolls or by providing a work roll that is larger in diameter than its adjacent rolls.

Abstract: A stretching device has a housing, a first clamping member attached to a first portion of the housing, a second clamping member attached to a second portion of the housing, a first insert mounted to the first clamping member, and a second insert mounted to the second clamping member. The first insert and the second insert protect workpieces to be clamped and gripped therebetween. The inserts are releasably mounted to gripping surfaces of the clamping members.

Abstract: A breaker roll apparatus assembly for minimizing coil breaks in strips has a frame, a center roll extending from a rail mounted to the frame and actuated by a hydraulic cylinder, and a plurality of side rolls positioned on opposite sides of the center roll. The plurality of rolls extend from rails mounted to the frame and are also actuated by hydraulic cylinders. A coil mounting member uncoils a coil of strip through the assembly into contact with the center roll and at least one of the side rolls. Each of the rolls can be raised and lowered to accommodate various diameters and widths of coil.

Abstract: A dunnage inserter system has one or more storage containers for storage of a plurality of dunnage pieces. A trolley and lift assembly travels horizontally along a longitudinal axis of an overhead beam. A dunnage holder is mounted to the trolley and lift assembly and moves horizontally along the overhead beam and moves vertically via a lift assembly. The dunnage holder can lift and hold one or more dunnage pieces for installation onto a metal sheet in the metal sheet container.

Abstract: A stretching device has a housing; a first clamping member attached to a first portion of the housing; a second clamping member attached to a second portion of the housing; wherein the first clamping member has a movable pivot member such that an angle of contact between the first clamping member and a workpiece to be gripped remains constant regardless of the workpiece's thickness. A stretcher assembly has a first stretcher having a first housing having a first clamping member and a second clamping member opposed to each other; and a second stretcher having a second housing having a third clamping member and a fourth clamping member opposed to each other; and a workpiece support member interposed between the first stretcher and the second stretcher, wherein the first and third clamping members each includes a movable pivot joint such that an angle of contact of the first and third members with a workpiece to be gripped remains constant regardless of a thickness of the workpiece.

Abstract: A roller leveler for leveling strips of metal has a frame, a bank of upper and lower work rolls journalled in the frame via a housing positioned toward an exit portion of the leveler. A bank of upper and lower back-up rolls is in contact with the upper and lower work rolls to support the work rolls. The bank of upper and lower back-up rolls mounted to the frame via back-up housings. A second bank of upper and lower work rolls is positioned near an entry portion of the leveler. The first bank of upper and lower rolls has rolls of different diameter than the second bank of upper and lower work rolls. A roll or rolls can be mounted in an eccentric fashion that is achieved by permanent or adjustable positioning of offset of the work roll with respect to adjacent rolls or by providing a work roll that is larger in diameter than its adjacent rolls.

Abstract: A stretching device has a housing, a first clamping member attached to a first portion of the housing, a second clamping member attached to a second portion of the housing, a first insert mounted to the first clamping member, and a second insert mounted to the second clamping member. The first insert and the second insert protect workpieces to be clamped and gripped therebetween. The inserts are releasably mounted to gripping surfaces of the clamping members.

Abstract: An edge milling cutter assembly for cutting opposite edges of a workpiece, has a first cutting assembly; a second cutting assembly positioned a predetermined distance from the first cutting assembly; a first guide roll assembly positioned in front of the first cutting assembly; a second guide wall assembly positioned in front of the second cutting assembly; wherein the first guide roll assembly and the second guide roll assembly are movable in relation to each other in equal distances; and a mechanism which engages the first guide roll assembly and the second guide roll assembly to facilitate equal movement of each of the guide rolls in such a manner that the first and second cutting assemblies cut equal amounts of material from opposite edges of the workpiece.

Abstract: A dual arbor chopper that is configured such that the knife blades of the chopper do not require shims after being sharpened. The arbors utilize a blade attachment recess that is oriented in an opposite direction as existing arbors used in choppers, in combination with a clamping block to provide support against the cutting force against the blade. An attachment fastener is provided to attach the clamping block and the knife blade to the arbor through an aperture provided in the clamping block and the knife blade. The cutting edge is positioned in the same location in the new and sharpened condition, thus eliminating the need for shims.

Abstract: A dunnage inserter system has one or more storage containers for storage of a plurality of dunnage pieces. An overhead beam extends from the storage racks to a metal sheet storage container. A trolley and lift assembly is slidably mounted to the overhead beam assembly to travel horizontally along a longitudinal axis of the overhead beam. A dunnage holder is mounted to the trolley and lift assembly. The dunnage holder moves horizontally along the overhead beam and moves vertically via the lift assembly. The dunnage holder can lift and hold one or more dunnage pieces for installation onto a metal sheet in the metal sheet container. A dunnage inserter system has a container storing a plurality of dunnage pieces. The container has an ejector chamber formed at a bottom of the container. An opening formed in the chamber for ejecting a dunnage piece from the container. A slide mechanism pushes a dunnage piece out of the ejector chamber through the opening of the ejection chamber.

Abstract: A flattening device for flattening a metal workpiece includes a frame; a first tightening assembly at a first end of the frame; a second tightening assembly at a second end of the frame; a series of work rollers interposed between the first tightening assembly and the second tightening assembly, wherein the work rollers include a first upper roller and a second upper roller, and a third, lower roller offset and interposed between the first and second upper rollers; wherein the upper and lower rollers accommodate bends in the workpiece of up to five yield stresses.

Abstract: A dual arbor chopper that is configured such that the knife blades of the chopper do not require shims after being sharpened. The arbors utilize a blade attachment recess that is oriented in an opposite direction as existing arbors used in choppers, in combination with a clamping block to provide support against the cutting force against the blade. An attachment fastener is provided to attach the clamping block and the knife blade to the arbor through an aperture provided in the clamping block and the knife blade. The cutting edge is positioned in the same location in the new and sharpened condition, thus eliminating the need for shims.

Abstract: A roller leveler having a frame; a first bank of upper and lower work rolls journalled in the frame via a work roll journal housing; and a bank of back-up rolls in contact with the work rolls to support the work rolls. The work rolls perform leveling on a work product passing through a gap formed between upper and lower work rolls. The back-up rolls are mounted to the roller leveler frame via a back-up housing. The back-up rolls are movable to allow the first bank of work rolls to be removed and a second bank of work rolls to be installed wherein the second bank of work rolls includes work rolls of a different diameter than the first bank of work rolls.