Abstract: A dough forming apparatus comprising a lower support frame, a lower pressing platen coupled to the lower support frame, and an upper pressing platen assembly positioned above the lower pressing platen. The upper pressing platen assembly further comprises a backing structure, an upper backing platen coupled to the backing structure, and a pressing plate removably coupled to the upper backing platen by vacuum or electromagnetic means. Means for heating the pressing plate, and shims for adjusting the flatness of the pressing surface are provided. A conveyor supported by the lower support frame is positioned to pass between the lower pressing platen and the upper pressing platen assembly. A method of adjusting the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a trash compactor having a housing, with a floor and upper support holding a linear actuator with a plunger and plate to crush trash and garbage in a receptacle supported on the floor of the housing. An electric motor is used to operate the linear actuator, preferably a DC powered electric motor. Hydraulic pumps or pneumatic device may also be used to move the linear actuator. A control panel with PLC capability controls the motor and other devices. An upper door allows for depositing of trash while an opposite lower door allows for the removal and replacement of the trash receptacles.

Abstract: A latch incorporates an interlock for preventing opening of the access panel while it is determined that the flywheel is rotating. In this way the operator can only raise the hood or open one of the side doors to provide access to the workings of the baler when it is safe.

Abstract: A workpiece deforming press, including a safety device, comprises a press housing for housing therein a plurality of dies and punches arranged in a horizontal plane, wherein a press housing delimiting wall comprises a top horizontal guide bearing a sliding slide, wherein said sliding slide bears, through a linear actuator, a first overturning plane, supported by a fulcrum and adapted to be actuated by a linear actuator, and wherein said sliding slide further bears a second overturning plane supported by a fulcrum and adapted to be actuated by a cylinder-piston unit.

Abstract: A hydraulic press is provided that includes a frame having a base, an upper member positioned above the base and a pair of laterally spaced side members extending upwardly from the base to the upper member. The hydraulic press also includes a cross-member extending between the pair of side members, with the cross-member being configured to support a work piece and moveable along the side members.

Abstract: A mixing vessel contains a septum, dividing a first chamber from a second chamber. By relatively moving the septum with respect to the ends of the vessel, and flowing a fluid through the septum, the fluid is treated as it moves from the first chamber to the second chamber. The particular configuration of the septum allows for treatments such as mixing, reacting, heating, and cooling, as well as filtering of the fluid.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a tandem press shuttle area isolation gate system and its method of use. The system and method of the present invention allows workers to safely enter the shuttle areas between tandem presses concurrently with a die change, thereby facilitating a quicker changeover of a tandem press line and a reduction in downtime. The system and method of the present invention employs safety gates to isolate the work envelope of each press from the shuttle areas during a die change. In this manner, workers can safely operate in the shuttle areas without the risk of contacting moving dies or bolsters that are being transferred to or from the presses.

Abstract: Calender that includes at least one supporting bracket, and a roll stack having at least two rolls. At least one axial end of each of the at least two rolls are supported by the at least one supporting bracket. A connection arrangement includes a fluid connection coupled to at least one of the at least two rolls and a drive connection coupled to at least one of the at least two rolls, and a closed housing is arranged to enclose the connection arrangement. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A vertically retractable door system for a stamping press includes a pair of vertical mounting plates having generally vertical opposing door guide channels with inwardly curved lower portions. A door with windows extends between the plates and includes support blocks enclosing bushings supporting rollers within the guide channels. Spring biased locking pins extend through a pair of the bushings into selectable vertically spaced holes within the mounting plates, and a rotatable latch handle is supported by the door and is connected to the locking pins by a drum and cable system for retracting the pins. The mounting plates have removable blocks within recesses extending from the channels to facilitate easy removal of the door, and enclosed counterweights are connected by cables and pulleys to the door to facilitate manual movement of the door between an upper retracted position and a lower closed position sloping downwardly and inwardly towards the press.

Abstract: Roll grooving apparatus for rolling a circumferential groove in a pipe comprises a first support rotatably supporting a first grooving roll, a second support rotatably supporting a second grooving roll and being displaceable relative to the first support for displacing the second grooving roll toward and away from said first grooving roll, a stabilizer on the first support for stabilizing a pipe to be roll grooved, and first and second guards pivotally mounted on the second support for displacement therewith. The first guard engages the stabilizer, the second guard engages a pipe being roll grooved during a roll grooving operation and each guard is spring biased to engage the corresponding one of the stabilizer and a pipe being roll grooved. A member on the first support engages and displaces the second guard away from a pipe which has been roll grooved when the second support is displaced to move the second grooving roll away from the first grooving rolls.

Abstract: A reciprocating press for forming workpieces includes a tilting table that supports the workpiece and positions it with respect to the press tooling as the press closes, and then is pivoted upward into an inclined orientation as the press opens so that the finished workpiece falls down the table and is automatically discharged from the press. A preferred embodiment has a lifting arm attached to an upper reciprocating press member that carries an upper forming tool such as a punch. The lower end of the lifting arm engages the tilting table such that the table is pivoted about a horizontal axis in concert with the upward and downward movement of the reciprocating press member. The press preferably also includes a safety door that is automatically closed before the press fully closes and is opened again as the press opens such that operator access to the moving press parts is prevented by the door during a press cycle.

Abstract: A printed circuit board drilling machine, with a well-designed outer shape, providing excellent operability and maintainability, which sequentially makes a number of holes in at least one printed circuit board, placed on a table 22 moved in an XY plane, by using a drill driven by a spindle motor 27. The machine has openable/closable doors 20 and 21 which is separated into an upper door and a lower door in a front portion. The upper door 20 opens upward, while the lower door 21 opens downward. The upper door 20 comprises transparent material. Upon maintenance, the doors 20 and 21 are opened, and the table 22 is moved inwardly. Thus, the distance from the outside of the machine to the spindle motor 27 and its peripheral parts can be reduced, and maintenance can be easily performed with respect to the spindle motor 27 and its peripheral parts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fail-safe automatic sliding operation control apparatus for a press. The entrance and withdrawal behaviors of an operator's hand relative to danger zones (D, D.sub.N) on a bolster of the press are detected by an output generation configuration of two optical curtains. A signal for permitting a lowering operation of the slide is generated when the operator's hand is withdrawn from the danger zones (D, D.sub.N).