Abstract: A control circuit for an electromagnetic cutting apparatus includes auxiliary power impulse systems and auxiliary condensers for accelerating an already moving plunger of the cutting apparatus. The basic control circuit includes photoelectric sensors for sensing the leading and trailing edges of components. The sensors are part of an electronic circuit for rapidly charging a coil surrounding a core on the plunger for driving a blade downwardly to cut the tape. Condensers in the electronic circuit are normally charged and, in response to signals from the photoelectric sensors, instantaneously discharge into the coil to actuate the plunger. The auxiliary power impulse systems and auxiliary condensers are controlled by timers for discharging the auxiliary condensers into the coil a short time after the condensers of the basic circuit and while the plunger is moving to accelerate the latter.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus for cutting a strip of tape connected to a shoe upper component and extending beyond the edges thereof includes a blade for cutting the tape and presser feet for tensioning the tape during cutting. The blade and presser feet are independently actuated by plungers, which are slidable in a casing mounted on the sewing machine used to sew the tape onto the upper component. The plungers are provided with magnetic cores, and separate coils around the cores are energized in response to signals from photosensors in the work surface of the sewing machine to effect tensioning of the tape, followed by cutting at the edge of the upper component. Springs in the casing around the plungers return the plungers to a rest position, and the tape tensioning and cutting operations are repeated at each component edge.

Abstract: A discharge and cutting apparatus for attachment to the trailing end of a tandem sewing machine, which is used to sew footwear components and apply tape to the seam, includes a frame having a base plate contiguous with the work surface of the sewing machine for receiving the footwear components interconnected by the continuous strip of tape, a pair of opposed pressure rollers for drawing the components and tape from the sewing machine, a smaller pressure roller driven in synchronism with the first pressure rollers for maintaining the components and tape under tension, a cutting device including an electromagnetically operated blade for chopping the tape at the leading and trailing edges of the components, and a second pair of opposed small pressure rollers for receiving the components and tape from the cutting operation and discharging the components and tape from the apparatus.