Abstract: A microtome includes a suction system that is integral with a knife carrier, which opposes the rolling up of tissue sections upon themselves and ensures evacuation of waste sections immediately after their appearance in the region of the sectioning blade of the knife carrier. The knife carrier has a suction cavity that is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the sectioning blade and is connected to a source of vacuum or reduced pressure. A cover is pivotably mounted on the body of the knife carrier. The cover has a u-shaped cross section, opened downwards, and profiled to cover the suction cavity and partially cover the sectioning blade. The cover defines a narrow free space in a form of a channel extending parallel to the upper face of the body of the knife carrier to guide a flow of suctioning air exerted on the sections. A valve has a closed position and an opened position for regulating the flow of suctioning air through the narrow free space.

Abstract: Punching-nibbling press, in particular for sheet metal or the like includes at least one punch or stamp mounted coincident with a coaxial die or mold. The punch can be moved in the direction of the die, executing a punching-nibbling stroke towards the die and against a workpiece interposed between the die and the punch, and a stroke of withdrawal from the die and from the workpiece. The punching-nibbling press is provided with vacuum chambers for screening, suppressing or removing noise generated by the press. The vacuum chambers surround the punch and the die. The vacuum chamber which surrounds the punch is in the form of a hood which adapts to the position of the punch during its stroke and always remains active during the latter.

Abstract: A machine and method of using same for cutting soft sheet material, such as textile fabric, which includes a cutting table having a support surface with openings distributed thereover. An endless conveyor of relatively high air permeability overlays and is movable relative to the support surface for moving sheet material. An endless micro-porous support belt having a relatively low air permeability overlays the conveyor for corresponding movement therewith. A vacuum source is connected to the cutting table and cooperates with the micro-porous support belt to retain the sheet material thereon in a relatively fixed position during transporting and cutting thereof and to retain the micro-porous support belt in engagement with the conveyor for uniform movement therewith. A cutting tool is supported on a cutting table for cutting the sheet material. The cutting tool has a washer positioned adjacent the cutting wheel to limit the penetration of the cutting wheel in the micro-porous support belt.

Abstract: A duct insulation board grooving apparatus cuts a plurality of parallel grooves into duct boards with a plurality of rotary saw blades which are spaced on 1.57 inch or 3.14 inch centers. The saw blades have peripheral teeth which project outwardly on both sides of the saw blades to form grooves in a first major surface of a duct board which are wider than the saw blades. The grooves have sidewalls which extend perpendicular to the first major surface of the duct board and have a depth from 70% to 90% of the thickness of the duct board. The first major surface is typically coated and a second major surface of the duct board normally has a facing adhered thereto. After the duct board is grooved, the duct board can be curved to conform to the curvature of a tubular metal shell, with the parallel grooves of the duct board extending parallel to the axis of curvature, and placed in the tubular metal shell as a liner to form an insulated air duct.

Abstract: The saw trimmer is used for trimming lumber pieces. The saw trimmer comprises a conveyor for longitudinally moving lumber pieces across the saw trimmer. The lumber pieces are transversely disposed on the conveyor with reference to the longitudinal direction. A plurality of adjacent drop saw assemblies are located above the conveyor. Each drop saw assembly comprises a circular saw blade parallel to the longitudinal direction, a corresponding hydraulic motor and an actuated positioning system for selectively raising and lowering the saw blade. Each lumber piece is held during the trimming thereof by a retaining assembly comprising a plurality of spaced-apart and parallel elongated rails positioned above the conveyor and extending longitudinally. These rails engage the upper surface of the lumber pieces. A plurality of rolls are positioned under a corresponding rail with an upper edge emerging above the conveyor and are driven into rotation. These rolls engage the bottom surface of the lumber pieces.

Abstract: A perforator has a rotary drum. A plurality of die sets are arranged at regular intervals around a peripheral surface of the drum and circulates along with the peripheral surface. Each of the die sets has a pair of die and punch. The die is secured to a die holder which is mounted to the peripheral surface, and the punch is secured to a punch holder which is linearly movable in a direction perpendicular to the peripheral surface between a punch position where the punch is fitted in the die and a retracted position where the punch is retracted away from the die. The sheet material is brought into contact with the peripheral surface within a predetermined range, and conveyed on the peripheral surface in the same direction at the same speed as the die sets. An annular punch drive cam disposed surrounding the peripheral surface drives the punch holder to move between the punch position and the retracted position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for removing sawdust from the kerf of a workpiece. The system includes a nozzle for directing fluid at a predetermined pressure in the kerf of a workpiece, a pressure source for providing fluid at a predetermined pressure to the nozzle, a vacuum source for suctioning sawdust from the kerf of the workpiece, a support member for removably supporting the nozzle adjacent a saw blade of a multiple head band saw, and means for adjusting the position of the nozzle relative to the workpiece and the saw blade. The nozzle includes first and second ends. The first end is adapted to be positioned in substantially the same horizontal plane as the saw blade. The first end is further suitably sized and shaped to direct air at a predetermined pressure into the kerf of a workpiece. Preferably, the vacuum source is operated at the same time the nozzle directs air under pressure into the kerf.

Abstract: The invention relates to a suction device for holding a stack of sheet material on a cutting table (A) of an automatic cutting machine. The suction device comprises a turbine (4) provided with a suction air inlet circuit (41) level with the cutting zone to establish suction for the purpose of holding the stack on the table, and with an air exhaust circuit (40), the turbine being driven by an electric motor (5) having a fan (15) and an air outlet duct (50), the electric drive motor (5) may vary its speed of rotation to adjust the amount of suction.

Abstract: A machine simultaneously cuts a paper web into sheets and adjacent strips. A substantially stationary knife having a blade extending substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the web cooperates with knives on a knife-supporting cylinder. The cylinder is mounted for powered rotation about an axis, and has a substantially circular peripheral surface and at least one chord face formed in the peripheral surface. First and second movable blades are mounted to the chord face. The cylinder is solid and the movable knives enhance the bending resistance of the cylinder. The knife edges of the movable knives are circumferentially spaced from each other in the direction of rotation of the cylinder about its axis.

Abstract: A quick change cassette hole punch unit for punching business forms allows the punch cylinder to be changed in a simple and effective manner. The cassette includes a frame having side members and a top member, and an anvil cylinder mounted on an anvil shaft for rotation about an axis stationary with respect to the frame, and a drive gear also mounted on the anvil shaft. A punch cylinder shaft is mounted on bearing assemblies for reciprocal movement with respect to the frame side members upon rotation of a screw shaft associated with each bearing assembly. The punch cylinder shaft can be disconnected from one of the bearing assemblies, slit with respect to the bearing assemblies to expose a free end, and the punch cylinder mounted on the punch cylinder shaft moved off the free end and replaced. All associated drive gear for the punch cylinder shaft is also replaced at the same time.

Abstract: A dust collector, with a funnel assembly mounted on a flexible arm and provided with a vacuum assist, provides a sutiable apparatus to remove residue caused by a machining practice applied to a work piece.

Abstract: A sheet metal working apparatus having a supply mechanism adapted to supply an elongated and flat strip of sheet metal stock to an inlet of a punch press and along a longitudinal axis of the strip. An intermittently operable drive device is provided for effecting an intermittent movement of the strip of sheet metal stock relative to a punch press. A set of tools are provided on the punch press as well as a second intermittent drive device for effecting a metal working engagement of the tools with the sheet metal stock during intervals of time between the movement of the sheet metal stock to produce a continuous strip of a finished sheet metal fin stock.

Abstract: The invention is a workbench consisting of a top working surface containing a rows and columns of holes that allow dust and chips to fall and be drawn through where they land in a plenum below the surface. The top surface and the plenum are supported by a rectangular frame that includes four legs and a shelf between the plenum and the bottom of the legs. The shelf supports a doorless cabinet that includes areas for storing tools and supplies. The plenum slopes to a point containing an off center aperture which is connected through an adapter to a vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner has a bifurcated input manifold with gate valves which allows the user to select between applying the vacuum to the plenum or applying the vacuum to a hose containing a vacuum cleaning tool where waste not entering the surface apertures will be removed from the top work surface.

Abstract: A process for cutting a moving strip to form a series of plates, such as battery plates, includes the initial step of transporting the strip past a rotary divider including a cutter having radial blades configured to cut the strip into the plates. The cutter further has a set of blades for cutting individual pieces from the strip, which pieces are not part of the plates. As the cutter blades cut the strip to form the plates and pieces, a vacuum system applies suction to draw the pieces cut from the strip inwardly into the cutter through holes in the cutter, and then out of the cutter. The holes are each located adjacent each one of the corresponding blades and are shaped and positioned to permit the cut-away piece to pass through. In a preferred embodiment, the vacuum system includes a pair of vacuum manifolds that apply suction at opposite ends of the cylindrical cutter. An apparatus for carrying out the foregoing process accordingly includes a rotary divider as described above provided with a vacuum system.

Abstract: A cut waste discharging device for a circular saw blade of an electric power circular saw machine, which includes: a safety cover for covering an upper portion of the circular saw blade; a lower guard which is angularly movable into the safety cover in accordance with development of a cutting operation of a workpiece with the circular saw blade; and a partition wall provided along an inner peripheral wall of the safety cover so as not to interfere with the lower guard, thereby defining a passage of cut waste with the outer wall of the partition wall and the inner peripheral wall of the safety cover. With such an arrangement, the passage between the outer wall of the partition and the inner wall of the safety cover causes the cut waste, generated in the waste generating portion, to be led to a predetermined discharge place. Accordingly, the waste would not be splash within the safety cover and would not be splashed out of the predetermined discharge place.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting blank stacks (14) surrounded by a band (15). During the transport of the blank stacks (14) in the direction of their longitudinal extension, the band (15) surrounding the blank stack (14) in the transverse direction is severed on the underside (bottom wall 19) by a stationary severing knife (35). The blank stack (14), together with the severed band (15), is conveyed further to a point above a magazine shaft (13, 13a). Here, the band (15) is held by suckers (39) and is sucked off via a lateral suction channel (40).

Abstract: An apparatus for trimming folded multi-sheet printed products along the bloom edge and along each of the opposite side edges of each product. The apparatus comprises a first cellular wheel (2) which is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis and which receives the products in upwardly open cells and trims their bloom edges. A second cellular wheel (4) is mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis and receives the products from the first wheel in radially open cells and trims the products along their opposite side edges. The second cellular wheel (4) is divided, in a plane (40) perpendicular to its rotational axis, into two cellular wheel halves (4', 4"), which are mounted on respective bearing elements (32). The two bearing elements (32) can be adjusted relative to each other along the central axis (5).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display device, in which predetermined portions of two glass plates bonded to each other with a sealing member interposed therebetween and constituting the display device, can be cut without turning over the bonded two glass plates and without breaking necessary portions thereof. In the method of manufacturing the liquid crystal display device, first, an upper one of the bonded two glass plates is half cut from its upper surface with a blade, and unnecessary portions of the upper glass plate are removed by the use of a vacuum suction head. Thereafter, predetermined portions of exposed portions of a lower one of the bonded two glass plates are fully cut with the blade. In accordance with it, it is not necessary to turn over the the bonded two glass plates-to cut it into a plurality of units, and, therefore, a cutting process can be performed automatically.

Abstract: A chip removing apparatus for a machine tool by which strong spiral air flows are produced in a dust collection cover to compulsorily move chips upwardly into a chip sucking passage to remove the chips efficiently. The chip sucking passage is defined between a housing of a working head and a motor accommodated in the housing, and a tool chuck is connected to a rotary shaft of the motor. The dust collection cover is mounted at a lower portion of an outer periphery of the housing and surrounds the tool chuck with a dust collection space left therebetween. The chip sucking passage in communication at a lower portion thereof with an upper portion of the dust collection space, and is connected at an upper portion thereof to a suction duct.

Abstract: A web (14) of material such as photographic film is supplied continuously from a stock roll (16) into an infeed vacuum box (24) from which the web passes into an intermittently operated perforator apparatus (30) through which the web is drawn intermittently by a high performance vacuum drum (32) which feeds the web into an outfeed vacuum box (34) from which the web passes continuously to a rewind stock roll (44) or to other intermittently operated processing apparatus. Various patterns of widely spaced perforations and leader/trailer sections may be provided in the stationary web, which moves at high web speeds and accelerations between operations of the perforator apparatus.

Abstract: A cutting machine for cutting a workpiece is disclosed, which comprises a feed conveyor for feeding the workpiece, a position matching unit for effecting position matching of the workpiece fed on the feed conveyer, position matching correcting unit for checking and calculating the deviation of the workpiece, cutting means for cutting the workpiece fed on the feed conveyer according to the deviation calculated by the position matching correcting unit, a pick-up unit for picking up cut parts from the cutting means by a suction system, a discharging conveyer for feeding parts picked up by the pick-up unit, and interlock control means for interlock controlling the individual components.

Abstract: A method for perforating foil includes cutting out subsequent series of perforations with heated bushes, grasping the cut-out discs and removing these discs from the foil from which they have been cut out. A device for carrying out this method utilizes first and second cylinders which are rotated relative to each other with a first one of the cylinders being provided with heated, perforating bushes that are received with holes provided in the second cylinder. Concentric with the holes provided in the second cylinder are nipples. A vacuum source is connected to the nipples such that the nipples can grasp the cut-out discs and then a compressed source is connected to the nipples for easy removal of the discs from the device.

Abstract: A chop saw comprising a base table (1, 3), a pivot block (11) attached to the base table (3), a pivot member (21) mounted on the pivot block (11) for relative motion therebetween and a saw blade (15) mounted on the pivot member (21) for movement towards and away from the base table (1, 3) to cut a workpiece positioned on the base table (1, 3), wherein a dust extraction passage (74, 75, 76) for enabling a suction apparatus to extract dust from the base table (1, 3) passes through the pivot block (11) and the pivot member (21). Such an arrangement is neat and compact, and yet provides an efficient dust removal facility.

Abstract: A bread slicing guide appliance that supports and holds bread loaves of varying sizes while providing guidance and alignment to the slicing knife as well as collection and retention of the bread crumb debris as it is created during slicing. Debris collection and retention is accomplished by virtue of the open matrix design of the support grid, the filter screen and the downward flow of air created by the aspiration fan and electric motor mounted in the base housing. In addition the base housing shell may be unlatched from the base and pivoted upward and away, allowing easy cleaning of the base housing. When the device is not in use a novel approach for compact storage is incorporated in the fold-down design.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing uniform sheets from paper panels having a cutter roller which has, at its circumference, at least one pair of blades which interact with a stationary counter blade. Each blade is individually adjustable and is fastened to a mounting surface of a prismatic recess wherein the mounting surface extends parallel to the rotation axis of the cutter roller. Each blade is adjustable by way of a feeding member which acts perpendicularly on the blade for radial adjustment of the blade.

Abstract: An improved disc-shaped knife rotary cutter which has a reduced size and is not complicated in structure as a whole, and which require a knife only on the upper side of a traveling sheet. The knife can be used over a long period and paper powder produced as a result of cutting of a sheet by the knife can be removed by a suction box extending over a full width of the sheet. The improved rotary cutter performs cutting by moving a knife edge portion of a rotating disc-shaped knife into a surface of a sheet being successively fed. On the underside of the traveling sheet, a brush consisting of rod-shaped brush elements is fixed on a backing table over the entire region in the lateral widthwise direction of the sheet. A knife edge of the knife is disposed close to a front end portion of the backing table and upon transfer of the knife in the lateral widthwise direction of the sheet the knife is raised to be disengaged from the brush and the sheet and then it is transferred and set in position.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed for cutting a workpiece made of styrofoam or like material. The machine includes a frame having a generally planar base adapted to support the workpiece. A rotary cutter is supported above the workpiece and is rotatably driven about an axis perpendicular to the base of the frame. The rotary cutter is mounted to a carriage which is moveable on a slide in a first direction parallel to the base of the frame. The slide, in turn, is movably mounted to the frame in a second direction which is also parallel to the plane of the base but perpendicular to the first direction. The rotary cutter is also movably mounted to the carriage in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the base so that the cutter is moveable along all three or orthogonal axes. The cutter includes a plurality of radial bores which are fluidly connected with an axial bore in the cutter.

Abstract: In a method of cutting and recovering a bundling body D or wrap for a bundle of articles, a bundling body sucking opening 42 is arranged in the vicinity of an article transferring position and so positioned as to maintain a constant distance to the side portion of an articles B in the condition where holding of the articles by the holding plates is released.

Abstract: A protective hood for wood cutting machines covers a cutting tool which is fastened to a spindle, projects vertically from a machine table, and is situated under the protective hood which is arranged on the machine table. The protective hood has two side walls which are connected with one another by a rear wall, a cover, and a vertically adjustable front protective shield which can be clamped at the front edge of the cover by locking screws. At least the lower edge of the protective shield, preferably the entire protective shield, can be adjusted upward vertically against the force of pressure springs. The protective shield is supported so as to be displaceable in two guide strips which are fastened at the front edge of the cover of the protective hood. The protective shield which is constructed in this way always exerts a contact pressure on the workpiece with its lower edge.

Abstract: A device for the controlled removal of pieces of waste material is provided. The device has a non-rotatable cylinder shaft having an outer surface; a cylinder jacket having an inner surface and an outer surface and having at least one through-hole extending between the inner surface and the outer surface of the cylinder jacket, the cylinder jacket rotatable around the cylinder shaft; and sealing strips between the outer surface of the cylinder shaft and the inner surface of the cylinder jacket. The outer surface of the cylinder shaft, the inner surface of the cylinder jacket and the sealing means define a pressure chamber and a vacuum chamber, so that upon rotation of the cylinder jacket around the cylinder sleeve the at through-holes alternately connect with the pressure chamber and the vacuum chamber. The waste pieces are created when a pair of knives disposed on the outer surface of the cylinder jacket cut a moving web.

Abstract: In a device for splicing two thin film web portions comprising a roll supplying a web of film material, a roll for winding a web of film material and a splicing table adapted to be subject to sub-atmospheric pressure and having a first groove therein defining a cutting line and a reel for applying a splicing tape to unite said first and second webs of film, the splicing table includes a second groove that is parallel to the first groove, both grooves being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the webs of film, the vacuum table being thus split into three regions each individually adapted to be put under sub-atmospheric pressure, the device being useful for highly accurate splicing of webs of ultra-thin film material.

Abstract: A ceramic green sheet for making a laminated ceramic capacitor is formed on an upper surface of a carrier film and carried onto a surface plate while maintaining adhesion between the carrier film and the ceramic green sheet. Thereafter a cutting line having a closed outline is defined in the ceramic green sheet, and a cut sheet enclosed by the cutting line is removed from the green sheet by a pickup apparatus having a punching edge at its periphery and provided with a suction head at a portion of the pickup apparatus enclosed by the punching edge.

Abstract: Apparatus for mechanically removing circumferentially complete labels from cylindrical external surfaces of successive containers, such as bottles, which are transported in upright or horizontal position past a removing station has a mechanical or pneumatic device which withdraws a portion of the label from the external surface of a container at the removing station. This establishes a clearance for a distancing element at the leading end of a knife which is moved axially of the external surface at the removing station to sever the label from one marginal portion all the way to the other marginal portion of the label. The thus split labels are attracted by an evacuating conveyor as soon as the respective containers advance beyond the removing station.

Abstract: In this apparatus, a ceramic green sheet which may be formed with internal electrodes for forming laminated ceramic capacitors, is first punched out by a punch. After this punching operation, the punched-out ceramic green sheet held by the punch is conveyed to a transfer head by the punch and then conveyed to a stacking block by the transfer head. With these steps repeated, a plurality of punched-out ceramic green sheets are stacked on the stacking block. Each time a punched-out ceramic green sheet is stacked on the stacking block, a hot iron is applied to the uppermost one of the punched-out ceramic green sheets so as to pressure-weld it to the underlying punched-out ceramic green sheet.

Abstract: A dust collection bag 1 for a power tool comprises a box-like container 10 which is separable into two parts 11, 12 along a plane of the box-like container and the interfitting portions 13, 14 of the two parts are rigid. One part 11 which is suitably a rigid plastics moulding has means 15 for connecting the container to the power tool outlet and the other part 12 has at least part of its wall surface formed of filter material 12a. The parts 11, 12 may be hinged together 16 and have connection means 17, 18 for releasably connecting them to close the container (FIG. 1).

Abstract: The production of packaging material for expanded polystyrene (EPS) includes randomly placing a piece of EPS of any size or shape across a first grid of wires, cutting the EPS into strips by heating the wires, allowing the strips to fall to a second grid of wires, and cutting the EPS strips by heating the second set of wires.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting mat board, and more specifically for cutting apertures including non-linear boundaries in mat board. The preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention includes an automatically controlled ultrasonic cutting tool for cutting apertures having bevelled boundaries according to a predetermined pattern. The preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention includes stacking first and second mat boards and cutting through said first board into but not through said second, removing said first board, and cutting the same aperture in the same location in said second mat board which has been stacked on a third, uncut mat board.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are disclosed for removal of a stripe of soft reflective material of uniform width from the surface of a mirror by using a blade having a large included angle to inhibit curling of the blade during the cutting operation which could result in damage to the glass substrate of the mirror. The cutting blade is maintained at a low blade angle with respect to the mirror surface to produce minimal chipping along the cut edge and to minimize the force exerted on the coating normal to the glass surface which could deform the flat mirror. The mirror is mounted in a cutting mechanism containing a movable carriage on which the blade is mounted to provide very accurate straightness of the travel of the blade along the mirror.

Abstract: A radial arm saw guard with operational interlock and adjustable outfeed user barrier is disclosed. The radial saw includes a motor driven saw blade that is mounted on a yoke depending from a supporting arm that overhangs a worktable. The motor driven saw blade is movable relative to a worktable mounted fence in order to enable the motor driven saw blade to be operated for rip cutting of workpieces longitudinally relative to the fence and for cross cutting transverse relative to the fence. A blade guard is mounted in fixed position relative to the yoke for covering at least approximately an upper half of the motor driven saw blade. An adjustable outfeed user barrier is mounted to the upper blade guard for operation between an upper disengaged position exposing the motor driven saw blade and a lower engaged position covering an outfeed end of the motor driven saw blade to protect a user during rip cutting.

Abstract: A sheet cutting apparatus comprising a sheet feeding table, a cutting table and a take-up table. A blower draws air from the cutting table through filters and also blows air to each of the sheet feeding tables and sheet take-up tables. Sensors are provided to detect air pressure and if a difference in air pressure of a specific level is detected an alarm is sounded. The blower is reversible so that air can be blown through the filters and switching means is provided to switch the reversed air away from the cutting table. Thus, the filters can be cleaned after a certain amount of dust, etc., has been collected.

Abstract: A sheet cutting apparatus comprising a sheet feeding table, a cutting table and a sheet take-up table. Air lines, filters in the lines and air pumps draw air from the cutting table to collect any dust, etc. The air passes through filters, then to the blowers and from the blowers air is directed outwardly to the sheet feeding table and take-up table which lifts the material from the table. First and second pressure sensors are provided to detect the pressure to the blower and when a pressure difference exceeds a specific level an alarm is sounded to provide a warning. Then the filters can be cleaned.

Abstract: A a lid for sealing a container. The lid adheres to the container by no more than a vacuum formed within the container. The lid is formed of a substantially circular panel having a flanged perimeter and a concave depression on an upper side of the circular panel. A pressure release hole extends through the concave depression of the circular panel and sanitary varnish is disposed on a lower side of the circular panel. A first adhesive material is applied to the lower side of the lid by fusion to the sanitary varnish to form a thin film over the release hole, and a second adhesive material is disposed in the concave depression on the upper side of the lid to form a removable seal. The second adhesive material has the same properties as the first adhesive material.

Abstract: A vacuum system for removal of debris in the form of shavings, particles, or the like has been developed for use inside of a cryostat to evacuate and collect such material as it is generated during specimen preparation using a microtome, also inside of the cryostat. The system includes a vacuum assembly unit containing a vacuum collection nozzle having a suction duct. The cold assembly unit is moveably positioned adjacent to the microtome knife so that debris is suctioned away and removed concurrent with or immediately after its production during cryotomy, and is captured in a cold primary filter. The frozen debris does not melt, but remains rigid while it freeze-dries and is trapped on the filter as cold air flows over and through it, thereby maintaining the collected waste material in a very porous state.

Abstract: There is disclosed an interlock between a wood working tool and a dust control system in which a standard pressure switch, which can be activated by negative or positive pressure, is located in the dust collector duct which extends to the wood working tool. The switch is electrically connected to the magnetic starter for the wood working tool. The pressure switch responses to a sensed condition of subatmospheric pressure in the dust collector duct to provide power to the woodworking tool, thus insuring that the dust collector system must be functioning to permit operation of the wood working tool. When the dust collector duct becomes blocked or the dust collector fails to function for any reason, the pressure in the duct rises, automatically activating the interlock and interrupting the power supply to the woodworking tool.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for removing slugs from punch presses. A vacuum system is provided for the die portion of a punch press used to punch the upper flange of a beam. The vacuum system carries the slugs to a remote deposit location. A collection pan is provided for collecting slugs form a lower flange punch press and from a web punch press. A vacuum removal system carries the collected slugs from the pan to the remote deposit location.

Abstract: An apparatus for decurling food material, such as slices severed from a food material supply , while the slices are being moved toward a transfer member includes a constriction positioned in close proximity to the slicing station and in general alignment therewith. The constriction is defined by opposing upper and lower surfaces; the upper surface is a stationary surface while the lower surface is a moving surface. The lower moving surface utilizes a plurality of flexible bands rotating around two driven rollers, which are disposed proximate to the food material supply. The bands which form the lower moving surface are driven at a speed equal to or greater than the speed at which the slicer operates.

Abstract: A punching apparatus used for high speed punching of holes in a workpiece, such as a ceramic green sheet, for use as a printed-circuit board. Upper and lower die blocks, stationary relative to each other, are provided, with punch pins fixed in two dimensions by multiple guides. A fluid passage is provided within the lower die block for providing gaseous lubrication and cleaning of the punch pin while in operation.

Abstract: The corners of stacked sheet material, for example overlay material being employed in the formation of book covers, are simultaneously removed by a cutting appliance having plural knives. Stacks of the sheets of overlay material are delivered to the cutting appliance by carriers which move along a continuous path and, after the cutting operation, the carriers deliver the sheet material to the feed station of a downstream processing machine.

Abstract: A gap cutting sheeter having controls to adjust the cutting position of the first and second flying shears relative to each other to set the gap size to a particular printed sheet. The downstream flying shear can be set up to cut the leading edge or the following edge of while the web is moving. When cutting the leading edge, a flexible flipper is provided just ahead of the flying shear to contact and push successive cut chips toward a vacuum chip removal system. Alternating vacuum removes the chips, and pulsing positive air pressure against the underside of a leading, trimmed edge guides it over the chip removal vacuum chamber to the downstream conveyor. A knockdown vane is provided just after the flying shear to press the leading edge of a cut signature against the downstream deck plate to prevent wrinkling of the cut signatures.

Abstract: An assembly for use in combination with sewing machines for purposes of removing portions of stitchable material around which a buttonhole or other desirable design is sewn by the sewing machine. In one embodiment, the assembly is a kit which includes a support assembly, a material removal device positioned within the support assembly, and a driver connected to the material removal device to supply the necessary forces to remove portions of material. The kit assembly may be attached to a sewing machine without requiring any substantial modification thereof and, if properly positioned, will not interfere with sewing operations and the components associated therewith. The kit assembly may also be removed or disabled to allow the sewing machine to perform functions other than sewing buttonholes. In another embodiment, a portion disposal system is utilized to carry away and preferably contain the removed portions of material.