Abstract: A rotary punching apparatus for punching openings in a moving web workpiece the openings having a predetermined length along the longitudinal axis of the web and having a pair of die assemblies located on opposite sides of the path of the web and a drive for rotating the assemblies, a leading die mounted on one assembly, and being moveable for generally radially so as to punch a die opening through the web, a mating die recess punched in the other of the assemblies; and, a trailing die adjacent to the leading die, being located to punch the web at a point adjacent the punched die opening so as to punch a second die opening in the web, the first die opening and the trailing die opening together defining a continuous opening having a predetermined length along the web. Also disclosed is a method of rotary punching by use of such apparatus.

Abstract: A roller die apparatus for supporting pairs of roller dies in predetermined clearances for processing a web workpiece, and for varying the clearances between the dies to accommodate variations in the thickness of a web workpiece and having first and second roller dies rotatably mounted on respective roller die bearings, one of the first and second roller dies being moveable both upwardly and downwardly transversely to its axis of rotation, and being moveable axially along its axis of rotation, thereby achieving adjusting of the die clearance between the first and second roller dies in two planes. The two adjustments take place simultaneously so as to cause an adjustment movement in a diagonal direction, as between one die and the other in each pair.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a movable sheet of web material onto predetermined lengths including a pair of upper and lower cutoff rolls and a retractable cutoff blade. A slide mechanism is utilized to move in a direction transverse to the movement of the sheet of web material to selectively engage and disengage the cutoff blade.

Abstract: A rotary forming apparatus (10) having a pair of lower and upper die carrier units (14, 16) each of which is rotatable on opposite sides of a workpiece (W), and having a plurality of die supports (22, 24) swingably mounted on each of the die carriers, and supporting upper and lower dies (82, 80), and having die support guide roller pairs (66, 68) mounted together on a common axis side by side on each the die supports and located adjacent to the leading or trailing edge of the respective die support, and a guide plate (56) alongside one end of each die carrier, and, guide grooves (58, 60, 62, 64) formed in each guide plate for receiving the pairs of die support guide rollers (66, 68), the grooves being formed so as to define inner and outer guide surfaces (74, 76), with one of the die guide rollers engaging one of the inner and outer surfaces and the other of the die guide rollers engaging the other of the inner and outer guide surfaces. Also disclosed is a method of rotary forming using such apparatus.

Abstract: A roller die apparatus for supporting pairs of roller dies in predetermined clearances for processing a web workpiece, and for varying the clearances between the dies to accommodate variations in the thickness of a web workpiece and having first and second roller dies rotatably mounted on respective roller die bearings, one of the first and second roller dies being moveable upwardly and downwardly transversely to its axis of rotation, and one of the first and second roller dies being moveable axially along its axis of rotation, thereby achieving adjusting of the die clearance between the first and second roller dies in two planes.