Abstract: In a method of inertia-testing movable machine components, a machine motor is powered to impart constant motion on various components. The power supply to the motor is then cut, causing the moving components of the machine to continue moving, due to inertia or angular momentum, until a resting state is achieved. The time required to reach a resting state is measured and recorded for comparison to predetermined data indicative of a normally operating machine. If the time required to achieve a resting state varies from the predetermined data by a substantial amount, it may be indicative of a damaged, worn or maladjusted component.

Abstract: In a cutter table for performing work operations on one or more layers of sheet-type work material a work material support surface is mounted to a frame having an elongated support mounted for movement thereon. A cutter head for carrying a reciprocating cutting blade is mounted to the support and movable relative thereto in response to commands issued from a programmable controller. Indicators in the form of an array of colored lights are also provided and illuminate in response to commands issued from the controller to alert an operator as to current machine conditions.

Abstract: In a machine and method for automatically cutting a length of sheet work material segment-by-segment to separate two dimensionally shaped pieces from it, registration between lines cut in adjacent segments is enhanced by the use of X and Y coordinate sensors carried by the X beam of the machine and having X and Y wheels respectively rotatably engaging the top surface of the work material to detect displacement changes between the X beam and the work material in the X and Y coordinate directions which detections are used to slave the advancement of the X beam to the advancement of the work material and to provide X and Y coordinate offset adjustments to the X and Y sets of control signals used to drive the cutter head in the X and Y coordinate directions during the cutting of the next segment of the work material.

Abstract: In an apparatus for spreading and cutting layups of sheet material pin mechanisms are distributed over the supporting surface of the table and include pins moveable between raised and lowered positions to enable selected portions of the supporting surface to be adapted, or not, to a spreading procedure involving the pinning of each layer as it is spread. The supporting surface is divided into sections and the pin mechanisms of each section are operated in unison by a control element located on the side wall of the table with each control element being aligned with its associated section of the table so as to be quickly and easily operable by an operator without the operator having to give great thought or attention to which pin mechanisms are operated by which switch. The pins passing through a layup being cut by the cutter are automatically lowered upon the cutter approaching the pins to avoid collision between the pins and the cutter.