Abstract: A workpiece stack-up that includes at least a steel workpiece and an aluminum-based workpiece can be resistance spot welded by employing a multi-stage spot welding method in which the passage of electrical current is controlled to perform multiple stages of weld joint development. The multiple stages include: (1) a molten weld pool growth stage in which a molten weld pool is initiated and grown within the aluminum-based workpiece; (2) a molten weld pool solidification stage in which the molten weld pool is allowed to cool and solidify into a weld nugget that forms all or part of a weld joint; (3) a weld nugget re-melting stage in which at least a portion of the weld nugget is re-melted; and (4) a re-melted weld nugget solidification stage in which the re-melted portion of the weld nugget is allowed to cool and solidify.

Abstract: A method of resistance spot welding a steel workpiece and an aluminum or aluminum alloy workpiece together includes several steps. In one step a workpiece stack-up is provided. The workpiece stack-up includes a steel workpiece and an aluminum or aluminum alloy workpiece. Another step involves providing a first welding electrode that confronts the aluminum workpiece, and providing a second welding electrode that confronts the steel workpiece. The first welding electrode has an electrode body and an insert that functions to limit or eliminate heat flux into the electrode body. Other steps of the method involve bringing the first and second welding electrodes into contact with opposite sides of the workpiece stack-up and resistance spot welding the stack-up.

Abstract: Process for linear transparency friction stir welding of a flange of a stiffener onto at least one panel for an aircraft, wherein a weld bead is made along the flange of the stiffener and wherein the weld bead extends in cross-section from a first lateral edge to an opposite second lateral edge of the stiffener flange. System for the implementation of the above welding process, which includes three welding heads arranged as a triangle, each of which includes a rotating pin as well as a shoulder extending at the base of said rotating pin.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a liquid-cooled jacket, includes a preparation step which includes placing a sealing body on a stepped portion to allow a step side surface and a sealing-body side surface of the sealing body to butt each other, and a primary joining step which includes allowing a primary joining rotary tool to move once around the sealing body, while moving the rotary tool along a butted portion formed in the preparation step, to carry out friction stir welding. The primary joining step includes employing the primary joining rotary tool provided with a stirring pin having a length dimension greater than a thickness dimension of the sealing body, and carrying out friction stirring with only the stirring pin being brought into contact with a jacket body and the sealing body.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for laser cutting of human allograft tissue. One embodiment includes a laser canister having a housing fabricated with a sterilizable material. The housing defines an interior portion, an exterior portion, and a selectively operable opening into the interior portion. The selectively operable opening includes a hermetic seal to maintain a sterile environment from the exterior portion when the selectively operable opening is closed. The canister includes an infrared (IR) transmissive optical window disposed in the housing and configured to allow a laser beam to penetrate therethrough to the interior portion. The canister also includes an insert within the interior portion configured to support human allograft tissue in a sterile environment, the insert being removable from the housing to move the human allograft tissue into another sterile environment after the housing has been exposed to a non-sterile environment. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a mask includes forming a first hole in a base material using a laser, the first hole penetrating through the base material from a first surface to a second surface different than the first surface, and expanding the first hole using an etchant to form a second hole.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to welding and, more specifically, to welding wires for arc welding, such as Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) or Flux Core Arc Welding (FCAW). In one embodiment, a tubular welding wire includes a sheath and a core, and the core includes an organic stabilizer component. Further, the organic stabilizer component includes an organic sub-component configured to release hydrogen near a surface of a workpiece during welding, and includes a Group I metal, Group II metal, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A solder alloy may include a Sn—Cu hypereutectic area having Cu in the amount of up to 7.6 weight percent, from 0.006 to 0.5 weight percent of Al, Al2O3, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy brazing sheet having a good brazing property that prevents diffusion of molten filler material in a core material of the aluminum alloy brazing sheet during a brazing process and which has a superior corrosion resistance to an exhaust gas condensate water after the brazing process is disclosed. A method of manufacturing of the aluminum alloy brazing sheet also is disclosed. A high corrosion-resistant heat exchanger that employs the aluminum alloy brazing sheet also is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for the repair of a heater, or an electrostatic chuck, using a ceramic top layer joined with a hermetically sealed joint. The heater or electrostatic chuck may be machined down to remove a damaged top surface, and to allow for the joining of a new top surface. The new top pieces may be aluminum nitride and the pieces may be brazed with an aluminum alloy under controlled atmosphere. The joint material is adapted to later withstand both the environments within a process chamber during substrate processing, and the oxygenated atmosphere which may be seen within the shaft of a heater or electrostatic chuck.

Abstract: A method is provided for reconditioning a turbine blade. The turbine blade includes a blade airfoil which extends longitudinally and into the hollow inner space of which inserts can be inserted in the longitudinal direction of the blade for distribution and guiding cooling air which flows in the inner space. The inserts with a rib engage with sealing effect in a U-shaped sealing groove which is machined out on the inner wall of the blade airfoil and extend in the longitudinal direction of the blade. A damaged sealing groove is reconditioned by the sealing groove being removed from the inner wall of the blade airfoil, forming a slot, by an insertion strip, which is provided for sealing, being inserted into the slot, and by the insertion strip, which is seated in the slot, being connected in a materially bonding manner to the inner wall of the blade airfoil.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method are provided for an automated presentment assembly that sequentially feeds fasteners to an outlet and an escapement apparatus comprising a chuck that has a transport feature for selectively removing a fastener from the outlet and transporting the fastener to a tool station, the chuck being moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein at the first position the transport feature is operably aligned with the outlet and at the second position the transport feature is displaced both linearly and rotationally from the first position.

Abstract: Methods and means for reconfiguring an aircraft assembly plant that receives fuselages or fuselage sections via a public railroad system. In cases where the aircraft assembly plant comprises a first assembly line for installing (i.e., stuffing) equipment inside fuselages or fuselage sections and a second assembly line for installing equipment on exteriors of internally equipped fuselages or fuselage sections, both assembly lines being housed in the same building, the facility can be reconfigured by moving at least one fuselage stuffing operation of the first assembly line to an auxiliary building which overlies a railroad track connected to the public railroad system. The moved fuselage stuffing operations will be performed inside the auxiliary building while each fuselage or fuselage section is supported in an upright position on a respective railroad flat car.

Abstract: Coupling members and pipe machining apparatuses including coupling members are provided. In one aspect, a coupling member includes a shaft and an engagement member defining a cavity there through and including a projection. The shaft is at least partially positioned within the cavity and extends through the cavity, and the shaft is adapted to rotate relative to the engagement member. The coupling member also includes a plunger at least partially positioned within the cavity and moveable relative to the engagement member, and further includes a biasing member at least partially positioned within the cavity between the plunger and the engagement member.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a structure for reducing thermal displacement of a machine tool structure, and more particularly, to a structure for reducing thermal displacement of a machine tool structure capable of reducing thermal displacement of a structure in order to prevent processing precision from deteriorating due to deformation of a fixed structure by heat generated at a part where the fixed structure and a movable structure perform frictional motion together with each other. Accordingly, in order to resolve a technical problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a structure for reducing thermal displacement of a machine tool structure capable of preventing a structure from being deformed and distorted by reducing a temperature deviation over the entire structure by rapidly transferring heat to other parts when a temperature of a specific part of the structure is raised.

Abstract: A mist removal system includes an observation unit that observes a situation related to the mist concentration in a factory, a first mist countermeasure unit that reduces the mist concentration in a machine tool, a second mist countermeasure unit that reduces the mist concentration in the factory, and a control unit. The control unit controls observation by the observation unit and interlocking operation of the first mist countermeasure unit and the second mist countermeasure unit. Furthermore, the control unit determines the control details of interlocking operation of the first and second mist countermeasure units based on the observation results of the mist concentration obtained by the observation unit.

Abstract: A machine tool that can output an abnormal noise is provided. A machine tool includes: an input unit configured to receive an input of a setting for defining an operation mode of the machine tool; a storage unit configured to store sound generated during a normal operation of the machine tool and acquired in advance; a sound collection unit configured to collect sound in the machining area; a sound selection unit configured to extract a part of sound collected in the machining area in accordance with the setting input for outputting sound to the outside of the machine tool; and a sound output unit configured to output sound extracted by the sound selection unit to the outside of the machining area.

Abstract: A polishing apparatus capable of achieving a highly-precise polishing result is disclosed. The polishing apparatus includes an in-line film-thickness measuring device configured to measure a film thickness of the substrate in a stationary state, and an in-situ spectral film-thickness monitor having a film thickness sensor disposed in a polishing table, the in-situ spectral film-thickness monitor being configured to subtract an initial film thickness, measured by the in-situ spectral film-thickness monitor before polishing of the substrate, from an initial film thickness, measured by the in-line film-thickness measuring device before polishing of the substrate, to determine a correction value, add the correction value to a film thickness that is measured when the substrate is being polished to obtain a monitoring film thickness, and monitor a progress of polishing of the substrate based on the monitoring film thickness.

Abstract: A polishing device is provided to suppress deterioration in reproducibility of a polishing profile due to a variation or change with time of a shape of a retaining ring of a substrate holding member for each of retaining rings. The polishing device includes: a polishing head configured to press a substrate against a polishing pad and have a retainer ring surrounding the substrate pressed against the polishing pad; a measurement sensor configured to measure a surface shape of the retainer ring; and a controller configured to determine a polishing condition of the substrate based on the surface shape of the retainer ring measured by the measurement sensor.

Abstract: A polishing head includes a substrate carrier to suck and to pressurize a substrate, and a retainer ring secured under the substrate carrier, the retainer ring surrounding a circumference of the substrate and including a cooling channel therethrough to circulate a coolant fluid.

Abstract: A device and methods are provided for deep rolling. In one embodiment, a deep rolling tool for applying compressive stress with rolling elements includes a fork having a base section and a plurality of fork arms, each fork arm extends outwardly from the base section and the fork arms are separated from one another to form an opening. The deep rolling tool may also include rolling elements, wherein each rolling element is mounted at the distal end of a fork arm, and the rolling elements are configured to apply a compressive stress to articles received by the deep rolling tool.

Abstract: A deep hole drill head support pad whose edge chamfers are formed in a continuous grinding operation so that there are no discontinuities in the angled side surface leading up to the outer surface thereof. A method of manufacturing the support pad includes generating a virtual guide metric including a curved travel path for a grinding surface around a support pad blank, and a plurality of control surfaces intersecting with the curved path at separate locations along its length, each control surface defining an angle of orientation of the grinding surface. A CNC grinding machine can interpret the virtual guide metric to change the angle of orientation of a grinding surface relative to a support pad blank as it moves between adjacent control surfaces in a continuous manner.

Abstract: A system for removing material from a workpiece comprising: a mounted-point grinding tool configured to move from a first position to a second position traversing at least a portion of a slot in a workpiece and removing material from a surface of the workpiece; and a first nozzle configured to deliver coolant to the mounted-point grinding tool, wherein the first nozzle is configured to move with the mounted point grinding tool from the first position to the second position so that the distance between the first nozzle and the mounted-point grinding tool remains substantially unchanged. A second nozzle can be mounted on the opposite side of tool from first nozzle, with the second nozzle also configured to move with the grinding tool so that the distance between the first nozzle and the mounted-point grinding tool remains substantially unchanged during grinding.

Abstract: Provided is a grinding machine that does not require work for replacing an upper roller (12) and a lower roller (14) and that ensures interchangeability thereof, even when the outer diameter of a workpiece (W) and the inclination state of the generating line of the workpiece (W) are different. A headstock (7) of the grinding machine comprises an upper-roller device (13) on which the upper roller (12) is rotatably supported, and a lower-roller device (15) on which the lower roller (14) is rotatably supported. The upper-roller device (13) and the lower-roller device (15) are provided with vertical position adjustment mechanisms (22), (46), respectively, for modifying the height position related to the vertical direction thereof, and a turn angle adjustment mechanism (21) for modifying the inclination angles of the upper-roller device (13) and the lower-roller device (15) with respect to the horizontal direction of the center axes thereof.

Abstract: Methods of laser cutting polycrystalline diamond tables and polycrystalline diamond compacts are disclosed. Laser cutting of the polycrystalline diamond table provides an alternative to electrical-discharge machining (“EDM”), grinding with a diamond wheel, or lapping with a diamond wheel. Grinding or lapping with a diamond wheel is relatively slow and expensive, as diamond is used to remove a diamond material. EDM cutting of the polycrystalline diamond table is sometimes impractical or even impossible, particularly when the cobalt or other infiltrant or catalyst concentration within the polycrystalline diamond table is very low (e.g., in the case of a leached polycrystalline diamond table). As such, laser cutting provides a valuable alternative machining method that may be employed in various processes such as laser scribing, laser ablation, and laser lapping.

Abstract: A clamp apparatus includes a support body that projects in a sideways direction of a body, together with a clamp arm, which is disposed rotatably in facing relation to the support body. On the support body, a support member, which extends in a horizontal direction, is disposed detachably with respect to a coupling hole of the body, whereas a connecting body, which interconnects a pair of arm members, is disposed detachably on an end of the clamp arm. A clamp release mechanism, which releases a clamped state when the clamp arm is locked, is disposed in the body, and is configured to press a joint of a driving force transmission mechanism that is accommodated in the body toward the side of a drive unit.

Abstract: A ratchet wrench with tooth breakage resistance includes a body having a driving hole and a transmission hole intersecting with the driving hole. An inner periphery of the driving hole includes two adjoining portions on opposite sides of the transmission hole. An arcuate portion extends between the two adjoining portions. A separate tooth breakage preventing device is mounted in the arcuate portion and includes a contact face in contact with one of first and second outer toothed sections of either of two first pawls to prevent tooth breakage between a toothed portion of the driving hole and the one of the first and second outer toothed sections of either of the first pawls when the body is rotated to provide a ratcheting function for driving the fastener.

Abstract: A detachable and torque-adjustable cross wrench includes a primary bar and a torque-setting secondary bar, and an end of the primary bar is a socket insertion end and the other end of the primary bar is installed with an assistant turning handle provided for pivoting. A penetrating hole formed at a thickening middle section is provided for connecting the torque-setting secondary bar to form a cross wrench. The torque-setting secondary bar includes a plugging inner rod with a spacer ring slot, a force applying outer rod containing a torque-setting module, a handheld turning handle, an elastic pushing member, a torque-adjusting screw cap and a retaining ring. The torque-adjusting screw cap is provided for rotating and adjusting the torque-setting module to a predetermined torque value, so as to achieve an expected torque-setting.

Abstract: The invention relates to a torque wrench, which has a lever tube (3) having a handle (4) and has an indicating body (9) for indicating a set torque. The indicating body can be a scale housing or a scale sleeve. The handle (4) has a connecting piece (18), which points toward the indicating body (9) and which has a groove (19) on the outer periphery. Coupling segments directed toward the connecting piece (18) and having an abutment edge are provided on the indicating body (9). The handle (4) and the indicating body (9) are coupled by means of a locking ring (16). The locking ring (16) has blocking bodies for this purpose, which interact with the groove (19) on the connecting piece (18) and the abutment edges of the coupling segments in a locking manner. The torque wrench according to the invention is distinguished by the modular handle system thereof and enables economical production by means of structurally identical series together with simple assembly processes.

Abstract: A technique for making a handle vibration-proof while avoiding size increase is provided in an impact tool. The impact tool has a striking mechanism part for driving a tool bit in its axial direction, a motor for driving the striking mechanism part, a tool body housing the motor and striking mechanism part, an outer shell housing covering part of the tool body, a handle that is integrally formed with the outer shell housing and extends transversely to the axial direction, a first handle end portion formed on one extending end of the handle, a second handle end portion formed on the other extending end of the handle, a first elastic element that connects the first handle end portion and tool body for relative movement in the axial direction, and a second elastic element that connects the second handle end portion and tool body for relative movement in the axial direction.

Abstract: A tool holder for a power tool comprising: a body defining a passageway in which a shank of a cutting tool can be located; at least one axial locking element moveably mounted within the body and which is capable of being moved between and held in at least a first release position and a second locking position where it projects into the passageway where it is capable of engagingly a shank of a cutting tool when located within the passageway in order to axially restrict the movement of the shank in the passageway; and at least one axial guide moveably mounted within the body and which can be moved between and held in at least two positions, including one position where it projects into the passageway where it is capable of engagingly supporting a side of a shank of a cutting tool when located within the passageway.

Abstract: Disclosed are drill assembly attachments having a handle, a drill mount, and a throttle. The throttle is positioned with respect to the drill mount and the handle such that a first portion may be actuated by a user with a hand that is grasping the handle. The drill assembly attachment receives a power drill assembly such that the throttle adjustably engages a trigger of the drill assembly. The drill assembly attachment receives a rotatable device, such as an auger or other tool. Also disclosed is a method of using a power drill assembly and the drill assembly attachment.

Abstract: A telescoping handle device may include an outer housing which may be slidably coupled to a shaft. The outer housing may have an elongated side wall, and the side wall may terminate in a first end and a second end. A cavity may be formed within the side wall, and the cavity may include a key channel and a lock groove. The shaft may be movable within the cavity, and the shaft may have an upper end and a lower end. A shaft key may be coupled to the shaft, and the shaft key may be slidably engaged within the key channel so that the shaft key is slidable between the first end and the second end. The shaft key may be rotatable out of the key channel and into the lock groove to prevent the shaft key from being slidable between the first end and the second end.

Abstract: A method, automated workstation, and computer system for automatically adjusting a workpiece to suit a particular operator is provided. An operator can be identified by scanning an identification badge, using facial recognition, or voice recognition. A physiological profile for the identified operator is then retrieved. A work station holding a workpiece is then automatically adjusted to set the workpiece at a height and/or orientation that is ergonomically beneficial for the operator.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to prevent unnecessary driving stop of a stepping motor. A robot arm section includes a robot arm, a stepping motor 31a, a motor driver 31b, an encoder 31c and a step-out detection section 31e. The robot arm has a joint J1. The stepping motor generates power for operating the joint. The motor driver drives the stepping motor according to a target angle. The encoder outputs an encoder pulse every time a drive shaft of the stepping motor rotates by a predetermined angle. The step-out detection section detects a step-out of the stepping motor based on the target angle and a current angle of the stepping motor that is identified based on the encoder pulse. When the stepping motor does not recover from the step-out before a predetermined grace time elapses from a time at which the step-out is detected, the motor driver stops driving the stepping motor at the time point at which the grace time elapses.

Abstract: According to a method according to the invention for controlling at least one manipulator, in particular a robot, a plurality of control commands (P, B, F) are worked through, in that in a state machine (ZM) the respective command runs through an active state (-A), wherein in a state machine at least one control command runs through a preliminary state (-E) that is placed ahead of its active state and/or a post-operational state (-P) that is placed after its active state, and/or a plurality of control commands are processed at the same time.

Abstract: A robot includes a plurality of joints including a first joint and a second joint that rotates in a direction different from a rotation direction of the first joint, a plurality of arm members including a first arm member provided to be rotatable with respect to a base via the first joint, and a first angular velocity sensor provided in the first arm member or the first joint. A first inertial sensor is provided in the first arm member (or a portion that rotates together with the first arm member in the first joint). The plurality of joints are controlled on the basis of an output of the first inertial sensor.

Abstract: A method for operating and/or monitoring a machine, in particular, a multiple axis robot, includes determining whether an outer border of a first spatial area and an outer border of a second spatial area intersect each other, and detecting a penetration of the first spatial area by the second spatial area, in the event that the two outer borders intersect each other, wherein one of the two spatial areas is machine-fixed.

Abstract: A system and method of instructing a device is disclosed. The system includes a signal source for providing at least one visual signal where the at least one visual signal is substantially indicative of at least one activity to be performed by the device. A visual signal capturing element captures the at least one visual signal and communicates the at least one visual signal to the device where the device interprets the at least one visual signal and performs the activity autonomously and without requiring any additional signals or other information from the signal source.

Abstract: An end effector is disclosed for an articulated arm. The end effector includes a valve assembly including a plurality of supply channels, each supply channel including a supply conduit, a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the supply conduit, and a supply conduit plug. The supply conduit is in fluid communication with a vacuum source. During use, each supply conduit is either at vacuum such that the pressure within the supply conduit is substantially at a vacuum pressure, or is at a pressure that is substantially higher than vacuum pressure because the supply conduit plug has moved to block a portion of the supply conduit. The pressure sensor of each supply conduit provides a pressure sensor signal responsive to whether the pressure in the conduit is either substantially at vacuum or is at a pressure that is substantially higher than vacuum.

Abstract: The hairstyling scissors have a first scissor piece, a second scissor piece, and a pivot axis that connects the first and second scissor pieces, allowing those pieces to rotate mutually in an unimpeded fashion. The first scissor piece is a long narrow piece having a first blade section positioned ahead of the pivot axis, and a first handle section positioned on the gripping-side of the pivot axis with a first finger eyelet. The first handle section is bent over and beyond the pivot axis towards the first blade section. The second scissor piece is a long narrow piece having a second blade section positioned ahead of the pivot axis, and a second handle section positioned on the gripping-side of the pivot axis with a second finger eyelet. The second handle section is bent over and beyond the pivot axis into the side of the second blade section.

Abstract: A method for the cutting of hair, in particular for the cutting of human head hair, wherein a slice of hair is taken up and is guided by a hand, namely the guide hand, with the slice of hair being pinched between two fingers, namely the guide fingers of the guide hand, and wherein the slice of hair is cut along the guide fingers using a cutting device that is actuated by another hand, namely the cutting hand. The guide hand is moved continuously or step-wise after the taking up of the slice of hair and the cutting of the slice of hair takes place at least partially during the movement of the guide hand or, in the case of step-wise movement, during and/or between the movement steps.

Abstract: An adaptor for a shaving cartridge, where the adaptor is provided with at least one shaving aid, and wherein the adaptor is slidably mountable on a shaving cartridge having one or more shaving blades, each of shaving blades being provided with a cutting edge.

Abstract: A razor cartridge handle configured to be connected to first and second type razor cartridges, which first and second type razor cartridges are different from one another, is provided. The handle includes a cartridge end, a first assembly, a second assembly, an ejector, and a plunger. The first assembly is configured to connect the first type razor cartridge to a cartridge end of the handle. The second assembly is configured to connect the second type razor cartridge to the cartridge end of the handle. The razor cartridge ejector is operable to selectively eject both first type razor cartridges and second type razor cartridges. The plunger is normally biased to a position where a distal end of the plunger is in contact with the attached razor cartridge.

Abstract: The invention relates to a razor and a method for producing a razor. In order to provide an improved razor, a razor (1) has a handle (10) having a gripping part (11) and a head part (12) for receiving a blade head (20), and the blade head (20), said blade head being in the form of a bristle head and/or brush head with bristles (29), at least one of the bristles having a razor blade (21).

Abstract: A chipping-proof nonmetal inorganic solid-state material is characterized in that the inorganic solid-state material has, in at least a part of a surface thereof, a surface structure in which a network of recesses and protuberances surrounded by the recesses are formed, the protuberances have an average width of 5 nm to 50 nm, a physical property of the surface structure differs from the physical property of an interior of the inorganic solid-state material lying below the surface structure, and there is no solid-solid interface between the surface structure and the interior of the inorganic solid-state material.

Abstract: A circular cutting blade is configured for cutting meat when turned about a rotation axis in a predetermined cutting direction. The cutting blade has a peripheral blade edge defined between the first and second sides and a plurality of circumferentially disposed cutting knives. Each cutting knife includes first and second knife sides and an arcuate knife edge that constitutes a portion of the peripheral blade edge. Each knife edge is titled and rises, relative to the rotation axis, between a first blade-edge location corresponding to a minor blade radius and a second blade-edge location corresponding to a major blade radius such that, when the circular blade is rotating in the predetermined cutting direction and cutting a work piece, the work piece first encounters the first blade-edge location of each cutting knife before encountering the second blade-edge location of that cutting knife.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a dynamically directed workpiece positioning system may include a transport, a sensor positioned to detect a workpiece on the transport, a cutting member positioned along or downstream of the transport, and a computer system. The sensor may scan the workpiece as the workpiece is moved relative to the transport by a human operator or a positioning device. Based on the scan data, the computer system may generate commands to guide the human operator or positioning device in moving the workpiece to a desired position corresponding to a cut solution for the workpiece. Optionally, the computer system may cause the cutting member to be repositioned while the workpiece is being moved relative to the transport. Once the workpiece is in the desired position, the transport may be used to move the workpiece toward the cutting member. Corresponding methods and apparatuses are also disclosed.

Abstract: A power operated rotary knife including: a handle assembly, a head assembly and a vacuum attachment assembly. The handle assembly includes an elongated cylindrical handle housing defining a handle assembly longitudinal axis extending through a throughbore of the handle housing. The head assembly including a rotary knife blade having an intermediate driven gear, a blade housing supporting the knife blade for rotation and a frame having a lower section and an upper section. A lower section of the blade housing extending laterally from the lower section of the frame and an upper section of the blade housing extending laterally from the upper section of the frame and encircling an axially extending portion of the rotary knife blade adjacent the driven gear. The blade housing including a bearing assembly including a first bearing member disposed in the lower section and a second bearing member disposed in the upper section.

Abstract: Provided is a method for bucking a stem that utilizes the combination of moving sensor and a fixed sensor. The fixed sensor measures a location of a first end of the stem travelling on a conveyor to determine a travel distance the first end has moved past the fixed sensor. The movable sensor measures a location of a second end of the stem to determine a sensor distance between the fixed sensor and the movable sensor. The length of the stem is determined by adding the travel distance to the sensor distance.