Abstract: An automatic disc handling system and method for retrieving and positioning information carrying discs between a storage position to a position of use is described. A displaceable robot having a pair of robotic arms is controlled by a computer connected to a robot controller and instructed to move to discrete positions, either in front of storage racks where a plurality of superposed sliding trays containing one or more discs are stored, or to a plurality of playback units disposed at a position of use to move selected ones of the disc to and from these positions as requested by a person accessing the discs from a remote station. The robot is provided with a tray engaging element to move the tray in and out of its storage position, and the robotic arms of the robot are each provided with a picker mechanism to engage and remove the discs from the trays or the playback units and transport them to effect a function as dictated by the computer and the robot controller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a machine for fraying woven fabrics, comprising a table adapted to receive the fabric; a drive device adapted to advance the fabric over the table; an engaging device with reciprocating vertical displacement adapted to pass the yarns of the fabric which are parallel to the direction of advance, through an opening in the table; a cutting tool disposed beneath the table to cut the yarns having passed through said opening, so as to obtain a drawn fabric having only yarns perpendicular to the direction of advance; and a fraying knife disposed above the table and behind the engaging device, with respect to the direction of advance, to cut the yarns of the drawn fabric and fray the fabric.