Abstract: A sectioning apparatus (1) for sectioning frozen tissue specimens, the apparatus (1) comprising: a frame (2) comprising two opposing side walls (3a, 3b) extending in a longitudinal direction (L) of the apparatus (1); a blade unit (6) mounted between the side walls (3a, 3b) of the frame (2) in a transverse direction (T) of the apparatus (1); a clamping unit (7) integral with or fixed to each side wall (3a, 3b) of the frame (2) that is adapted to clamp one end of the blade unit (6); a specimen stage (8) for mounting a tissue specimen; a drive mechanism for providing relative movement between the specimen stage (8) and the blade unit (6) in use of the apparatus (1); wherein the clamping unit (7) has a dimension in the transverse direction (T) that is greater than a dimension of the side wall (3a,3b) of the frame (2) in the transverse direction (T).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a signal level conversion circuit for increasing the dynamic range of an Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC). A comparison and calculation unit compares the value of an input signal Vin and the value of a first reference signal Vref1 and compares the value of the input signal Vin and the value of a second reference signal Vref2, and calculates and outputs respective differences therebetween. A signal leveling circuit unit converts signal levels of the respective output signals of the comparison and calculation unit so that the output signals fall within the dynamic range of an ADC. The ADC digitizes the output signal Vo of the signal leveling circuit unit and the output signals Vack1 and Vack2 of the comparison and calculation unit.

Abstract: A reedmaking system is disclosed that includes a device for thickness sizing by sliding a cane segment along a guide surface past a cutting edge that is spaced apart from the guide surface a distance slightly greater than the thickness of a conventional finished reed. An adjacent length sizing tool on a common base member enables cutting to length with a blade spaced apart from a stop member a distance slightly greater than the length of a conventional finished reed. A separate hand held tapering tool includes a tapered bar on a handle for tapering by trimming to the taper of the bar as a rough reed blank is retained against the tapered bar with a single clamp member attached adjustably to the distal end of the tapered bar, while a duplicator mounted on a separate base member includes a cutting assembly with a follower that follows the shape of the pattern reed as a blade shaves the reed accordingly.

Abstract: A knife holder having two cylinders journaled for axial and rotatable movement are supported by two spaced-apart clamp blocks. The cylinders are axially and rotatably movable in the clamp blocks. Each cylinder has a continuous longitudinal slot of a cross-sectional shape generally complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the knife clamped therein. The axial movement of one cylinder relative to the other cylinder enables the length of knife edge that is exposed to be varied.

Abstract: A strip cutting device for wood or the like having a plurality of parallel slots of different depths with a cutter disposed above the slots and means for holding the cutter across a plurality of the slots and at an angle to said slots and intermediate the ends of the slots so that work slid along a selected slot will be severed by the cutter and the work will be guided both in its approach to the cutter and after it has passed the cutter for discharge. There will be holding means for the cutter on either side of each of the slots and also on either side of the cutter to maintain the cutter fixedly in place.

Abstract: A machine for cutting grooves in workpieces, particularly in sheet form, having at least one fixed cutter, support means for supporting the workpiece against the cutter and means for moving the workpiece relative to the cutter and support means. The cutter has a cutting edge defining the shape of groove to be cut and is arranged to slice through the workpiece to produce a groove leaving a constant thickness of material between the bottom of the groove and the other side of the workpiece. The forces tending to lift the workpiece from its support due to the action on the cutter of material removed thereby are overcome and a resultant force operating to press the workpiece on to its support is produced by arranging, either singly or in combination, thatA. the cutter has a cutting edge substantially contained in a plane which extends forwardly in the direction of relative movement of the cutter and upwardly of the surface of the workpiece,B.