Abstract: A printing apparatus, having a conveyer, a first conveyer path, a printer, a cutter assembly, and a controller, is provided. The cutter assembly cuts the printing medium into a first part located frontward and a second part located rearward in a first conveying direction. The controller controls the printer to print an image in the second part on one side of the printing medium, controls the conveyer to move the printing medium from the first conveyer path to a second conveyer path through a first switchback action and inverts the printing medium by conveying in a second conveying direction, controls the printer to print an image in the second part on the other side of the printing medium, and controls the cutter assembly to cut the printing medium into a first printing medium having the first part and a second printing medium having the second part.

Abstract: A cutting station for a tire building machine includes a cutting device and a feeding device for feeding a strip of rubber material into the cutting device. The cutting device includes a cutting table for supporting the strip of rubber material in a support plane (P) and a cutting element for cutting the strip of rubber material along a cutting line (C) that extends parallel to the support plane (P), wherein the support plane (P) extends at a support angle (B) with respect to a first vertical plane in a range of five to thirty degrees and wherein the feeding device (5) is arranged for feeding the strip of rubber material onto the cutting table in a downward feeding direction parallel to the support plane. Also provided is a tire building machine incorporating the cutting station and a cutting method.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting out noodle can prevent damage to scraping teeth of a scraper and prevent noodle threads from being caught at a fixing position of the scraper. The apparatus includes a housing, a first roller having a first receiving portion, a second roller having a second receiving portion, a first scraper secured at a first fixing position and having first scraping teeth inserted in the first receiving portion, a second scraper having second scraping teeth, a third scraper secured at a second secured position and having third scraping teeth, and a fourth scraper having fourth scraping teeth. The first and third scrapers include first and second transfer holes, respectively. The first fixing position is located more outwardly in a horizontally outward direction than a second tooth tip, and the third fixing position is located more outwardly in the horizontally outward direction than a fourth tooth tip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cutting head assembly (100) for a centrifugal cutting apparatus. The cutting head assembly (100) comprises a plurality of cutting stations (101) each provided with a cutting element (104, 204) for cutting or reducing food products. The cutting stations (101) being separately mounted adjacent one another on a rim structure (102, 202, 302, 402). The cutting head assembly (100) further comprising fixing elements (103, 203) for securing the cutting stations (101) to the rim structure (102, 202) and a first set of gap setting elements (105, 205, 305) arranged for adjusting the position of the rear edge of the cutting stations (101) with respect to the front edge of the cutting elements (104, 204) of adjacent cutting stations (101). The gap setting elements (105, 205, 305) being arranged for adjusting the position of the rear edge of the cutting stations (101) with respect to the rim structure (102, 202, 302, 402).

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an upper blade capable of moving up and down and a lower blade to cut a sheet bundle between the upper blade and the lower blade by downward movement of the upper blade. When the sheet bundle is cut by the downward movement of the upper blade, an assisting sheet is moved to a position below a blade edge of the upper blade such that cutting waste of the cut sheet bundle is dropped down without being adhered to the lower blade.

Abstract: A device for simultaneously stripping at least two cable ends surrounded by insulation material includes a cutting device having first and second cutters that are movable relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cable ends. The cutting edges of the first and second cutters are disposed substantially in the same plane and are movable towards each other such that the cutting edges simultaneously cut into the insulation material of the at least two cable ends. In addition, the cutting device and the cable ends are movable relative to each other in the longitudinal direction of the cable ends to simultaneously pull-off the cut insulation material from the at least two cable ends and thereby strip the at least two cable ends.

Abstract: A method for precision cutting of workpieces using a press which includes a press frame, in the press opening of which press frame a press ram, that works against a press table, is movably driven, wherein at least one of the press tools is formed as a cutting tool that includes a cutting punch, a downholder, a cutting die and a counter support. The cutting tool operates as a precision cutting tool. A lower tool part of the cutting tool includes a controlled retaining module that retains the counter support in a certain press ram position to enable ejecting the scrap.

Abstract: A sheet cutting device includes a stage including a placement surface on which a to-be-cut sheet is placed; a strip-shaped fixed blade that is provided in one end portion of the stage; a movable blade that works together with the fixed blade to cut the sheet placed on the placement surface of the stage gradually from one end portion of the sheet to a different one end portion; and a support section that is located between the one end of the fixed blade and the other end in such a way as to be closer to a vertically downward side than the fixed blade and be closer to a vertically upward side than a bottom surface of a waste box placed closer to the vertically downward side than the fixed blade, to temporarily support part of a remnant generated after cutting by the fixed and movable blades.

Abstract: A sheet lifting device is provided for lifting a sheet or web of material in a press. The device can include a base portion and a resilient, bendable arm extending from the base portion. The base portion can include a merge portion that connects the resilient, bendable arm to the rest of the base portion. A system is provided that includes the sheet lifting device mounted in a slot of a support frame, for example, in a blanking press. Methods of conveying a sheet or web of material using the system are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) which is suitable for producing a stripping tool. Said device comprises—a control unit (2), —a receiving portion (3) for a stripper plate (4), —a stripper flat-strip insertion device (5), and—a stripper pin insertion device (6).

Abstract: A piercing device (12), suitable for piercing the upper film (31) of a capsule (30) containing a material suitable for being used for preparation of a beverage, comprising a first end (14), a central body (15), and a second end (16), the first end (14) has an operating surface (18) provided with a plurality of piercing spikes (20,26) protruding from said operating surface, the device comprises furthermore disengagement means (28) on the operating surface, for disengaging the capsule once the upper film of the capsule has been pierced, thereby preventing a capsule from remaining attached to the device for piercing.

Abstract: It is intended to improve work efficiency by eliminating the work of attaching and removing push rods during installing and dismounting the a blade mount and also to reduce abrasion of the push rods for pushing punching scrap out of a punching blade. The first push rods 18 are inserted movably in the first through-holes 16 formed in the knife cylinder and the second push rods 36 are inserted movably in the second through-holes 34 formed in the blade mount to permit the second push rods 36 to be abutted on the first push rods 18. A scrap push lever 30 is mounted on the outer end of the second push rod 36 to push out the punching scrap a and an eccentric cylinder 14 is provided inside of the knife cylinder 10 to push the first push rod 18 outward when pushing out the punching scrap a. The stroke of the first push rod 18 is controlled so that the outer end 18a of the first push rod 18 does not project from the outer periphery 10a of the knife cylinder.

Abstract: A cutting device includes: a first guide portion that supports a sheet as a target to be cut; and a pair of cutting blades that cuts the sheet by performing a shearing operation on the sheet when the pair of cutting blades is in a state of pinching a cutting-target part of the sheet supported by the first guide portion from both sides thereof. The pair of cutting blades is configured of a fixed blade and a movable blade. The first guide portion supports the sheet in a manner in which the sheet is moved along a main transport surface that is so set as to pass through between the fixed blade and the movable blade when the fixed blade and the movable blade are not being engaged, and also supports the sheets so that the sheet can move from the main transport surface.

Abstract: An improved guillotine cutter for a printer is disclosed. The guillotine cutter includes a guillotine blade having a cutting motion that helps to urge the cut media from the exit chute of the frame. This reduces the likelihood of the cut media becoming pulled into the frame of the cutter, requiring that the user fish the cut media out. The guillotine cutter further provides a frame having integrated bearing surfaces for supporting many of the movable components of the cutter. This minimizes the complexity of the assembly of the cutter, reducing the number of parts (by elimination of separate bearings and other such additional components) and time required to assemble the cutter.

Abstract: A conveyor system for assembling and stacking sliced food products is provided. The conveyor system includes an assembly area, wherein groups of a predetermined quantity of sliced food products travel from a slicer on a conveyor and are deposited on discrete carrier sheets on a downstream conveyor. The assembly area is configured to delay advancement of the carrier sheets on the downstream conveyor until a group of the predetermined quantity is formed. The slicer is configured to calculate the number of slices in each group and determine whether a group is complete. A stacking area of the conveyor system includes a nose conveyor that extends and retracts to deposit each carrier sheet onto a pair of initial supports. The initial supports reciprocate away from each other in opposing directions to drop the carrier sheet onto a subsequent level, with the initial supports reciprocating each time a carrier sheet is deposited thereon.

Abstract: The invention concerns a raising apparatus for lifting sheets of material in tools, in particular punching and stripping tools, with a first spring element which possesses a first spring rate, and a second spring element which possesses a second spring rate.

Abstract: A method of making a modular textile system includes dividing a textile web having a length and a width into a plurality of tile areas including a first tile area, a second tile area, and a third tile area. The textile web includes a plurality of discrete design zones positioned along the width of the textile web. A first design zone includes a motif and a second design zone does not include the motif. The textile web is divided so that the first design zone is apportioned between the first tile area and the second tile area, and the second design zone is apportioned between the second tile area and the third tile area.

Abstract: A system for cutting, inking, and debossing sheet material located between a die and a cutting plate is provided. The system includes a die having a support defining an opening, a blade positioned adjacent to the support and defining a cutting edge, a debossing plate configured to cause one or more indentations in the sheet material and including a first side and a second side located substantially opposite the first side, the first side having a raised pattern defined thereon, and at least one pin configured to extend through the opening in the support and to move between a first position and a second position. When the at least one pin is in the first position, the debossing plate is supported by the support, and when the at least one pin is in the second position, the debossing plate is supported by the at least one pin.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting and cutting tubular cores (1) for supporting rolls of wound material comprising a loading station (80), comprising a rolling cradle consisting of two parallel and horizontal rollers (10 and 11), a star-shaped driven supplier (4), having, for example, four continuous protrusions (2) that allow to load tubular cores of different lengths. The rollers (10 and 11) of the rolling cradle are arranged along a longitudinal direction (16). The apparatus comprises a pusher (5) that acts against a rear end of the core (1), once it has been loaded on the rolling cradle (10, 11), in order to bring a front end of a loaded core in a connecting station (60) where it is present the rear end of a core portion to connect, loaded previously. The pusher (5) comprises an approaching element (9) with vertical idle rollers (7 and 8).

Abstract: A deflectable lifting device can be mounted to a support form, work surface or other member of a material conveyance system. According to embodiments, the deflectable lifting device can have a base that mounts into the support, and a bendable arm arranged in the pathway of a material conveyance system, such as a paper stripping or paper blanking work station. When a sheet or web of material travels over the deflectable lifting device, the bendable arm can bend and deflect downwards, but still contact the sheet or web with a gently humped or arcuate portion, providing a small margin of elevation or lift to the sheet or web. The sheet or web can therefore be elevated above edges, holes, or other obstructions in the pathway that could jam or snag the delivery of the material. The deflectable lifting device can comprise an arcuate portion or head over which the sheet or web can slide in a bearing fashion.

Abstract: A device for punching blanks out of a flat sheet, in particular packaging blanks consisting of cardboard or corrugated cardboard, using a punching tool that is mounted in a carrier plate and projects beyond the plate in the form of a blade or cutting line, in addition to profiled strips, consisting of a material of limited flexibility, which flank the tool. A rail-type profiled channel consisting of a rigid material is located on the carrier plate, running parallel to the punching tool on each side of the longitudinal faces of the latter and one cross-sectional area of the profiled strip is inserted into the profiled channel in a positive fit. In addition, at least one lateral face of the cross-section of the profiled strip has a protuberant base.

Abstract: A cavity for receiving insertion of a plunger is designed so that the plunger may be withdrawn without permitting creation of a suction force sufficient to remove from the cavity a workpiece that the plunger carried into the cavity.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an upper blade capable of moving up and down and a lower blade to cut a sheet bundle between the upper blade and the lower blade by downward movement of the upper blade. When the sheet bundle is cut by the downward movement of the upper blade, an assisting sheet is moved to a position below a blade edge of the upper blade such that cutting waste of the cut sheet bundle is dropped down without being adhered to the lower blade.

Abstract: A waste stripping unit in a packaging production machine (1), positioned downstream of a cutting unit (3) for cutting one or more flat substrates (4). The stripping unit includes a frame (16) supporting two rotary tools cooperating with one another (17, 18). At least one of the two tools (17, 18) is formed with a mandrel (27) and a removable sleeve (28), and the sleeve can be inserted on, fixed to and driven in rotation by the mandrel (27). One tool has protruding needles for the stripping and the other tool has a flexible strip cooperating with the needles.

Abstract: A deflectable lifting device can be mounted to a support form, work surface or other member of a material conveyance system. According to embodiments, the deflectable lifting device can have a base that mounts into the support, and a bendable arm arranged in the pathway of a material conveyance system, such as a paper stripping or paper blanking work station. When a sheet or web of material travels over the deflectable lifting device, the bendable arm can bend and deflect downwards, but still contact the sheet or web with a gently humped or arcuate portion, providing a small margin of elevation or lift to the sheet or web. The sheet or web can therefore be elevated above edges, holes, or other obstructions in the pathway that could jam or snag the delivery of the material. The deflectable lifting device can comprise an arcuate portion or head over which the sheet or web can slide in a bearing fashion.

Abstract: A gathering method for a keypad fabrication process, in which a key-top tree is placed into a punching die, the punching die is aligned, a receiving device is disposed under the punching die, an assembly jig is disposed on the receiving device and aligned using an x-y table for gathering a punched-out key-top, a punch disposed above the punching die using another x-y table for allowing the punching die to perform both punching the key-top tree and gathering the punched-out part onto the assembly jig. Each key-top on the key-top tree is punched out and gathered on the assembly jig by repeating the aforementioned steps. Accordingly, the key-tops can be punched out and arranged on the assembly jig with a different pitch from the key-top tree automatically, fast and correctly. A gathering apparatus for a keypad fabrication process is also provided.

Abstract: A punching apparatus for forming a series of slots in a board, comprising: an upper wheel and a lower wheel, wherein the upper wheel is opposed to the lower wheel, and further wherein: the upper wheel comprises a series of punches disposed on a frame of the upper wheel, wherein each punch comprises a shearing portion that extends from the frame, and which is configured in the shape of a slot; and the lower wheel comprises a series of mating dies, wherein each mating die of the series of mating dies comprises a cavity, wherein the shearing portion of a particular punch is gradually disposed within the cavity of a particular mating die of the series of mating dies as the upper wheel and the lower wheel move in relation to each other.

Abstract: A machine (1) for cutting a strand shaped food material, in particular meat or cheese into slices, comprising: a feed portion (2); a cutting device (3); and a conveying portion (4), wherein a food material strand (63) is moveable in feed direction (38) from the feed portion (2) through a feed device (37) towards the cutting device (3) including a rocker (6) pivoting about a first rotation axis (7) fixated at a housing, wherein a circular blade (10) is supported at the rocker and configured to be driven in rotation about a second rotation axis (9) and configured to cut successive slices from a front face of the food material strand (63), wherein the slices are transferable into the conveying portion (4) after being cut off from the food material strand (63), wherein the feed device (38) is substantially horizontal, and wherein a circular path (K) on which the second rotation axis (9) orbits is arranged completely outside of a maximum cross section.

Abstract: This device includes an upper die unit, a lower die unit disposed opposite to the upper die unit. One of the upper die unit and the lower die unit includes a main punch and the other die unit includes an ejector, a slider disposed so as to be movable in a direction crossing with a vertical direction and a biasing portion which is connected to the slider and biases the slider in a predetermined sliding direction S. A cam structure is disposed between the slider and the ejector, which converts a movement of the ejector in a direction opposite to a work ejecting direction E to a movement of the slider in a direction opposite to a predetermined sliding direction when the upper die unit and the lower die unit are closed, and which converts a movement of the slider in a predetermined sliding direction to a movement of the ejector in a work ejecting direction when the upper die unit and the lower die unit are opened by a predetermined amount from the closed state.

Abstract: A sheet punching device includes a first blade, a first die into which the first blade is fitted from a first surface of a sheet to form a punch hole in the sheet, a second blade, and a second die into which the second blade is fitted. The second blade is inserted into the punch hole formed by the first blade from a second surface of the sheet and fitted into the second die.

Abstract: The present invention provides assemblies and methods for selectively removing resin coatings from a radiation detector. A method includes positioning a cutting edge on a resin coating formed on a radiation detector. The method further includes positioning a bonding member on the resin coating, applying a force to the bonding member such that a portion of the resin coating is pulled away from the radiation detector, and cutting the resin coating so as to detach the portion of the resin coating pulled away from the detector, thereby selectively removing the portion of the resin coating from the radiation detector.

Abstract: A broadhead stripping apparatus for ejecting waste material in a die converting process and a method of making the same is described wherein the broadhead stripping apparatus includes a broadhead stripping mechanism comprising a housing, a housing cover, a retractable stripping blade and a biasing mechanism. The broadhead stripping apparatus can be slidably mounted along a die press mount and the broadhead stripping mechanism can be fixedly of slidably mounted to the broadhead stripping apparatus allowing for fine tune adjustment for of the broadhead stripping apparatus or broadhead stripping mechanism in operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating long, unwound items like fiber, fiber strands, yarn, etc. into short lengths. The apparatus has a backup roll, a blade roll, an idler roll, and a new-strand starting mechanism. The improvements include a guide roll for the items spaced from and located upstream of the apparatus and a movable, two-part idler roll on the apparatus for increasing the width of a separating portion of the backup roll.

Abstract: A one-piece stripper retainer for plastic cup shaped strippers with a universal snap-in design that can be used with both older style and newer style punch retainers. The stripper retainer incorporates an anti-rotation heel with a snug fit around a portion of the punch retainer body and clamps to the punch itself. In a second version, the stripper retainer also clamps to the punch itself but lacks the heel. In a third version, the stripper retainer bolts to the punch retainer with a separate threaded screw. In all three versions, the plastic stripper is locked in place by the snap-in feature without any additional clamping force.

Abstract: A method and system for separating long unwound items like fiber, fiber strands, yarn, etc. into short lengths. The system has a backup roll, a blade roll, an idler roll, a new-strand starting mechanism and a set of pull rolls. The improvements include a second starting roll spaced from a first starting roll as part of the new-strand starting mechanism and a guide aid for the pull rolls.

Abstract: A method and system for separating long unwound items like fiber, fiber strands, yarn, etc. into short lengths. The system has a backup roll, a blade roll, an idler roll, a new-strand starting mechanism and a set of pull rolls. The improvements include a second starting roll spaced from a first starting roll as part of the new-strand starting mechanism and a guide aid for the pull rolls.

Abstract: A stripping device for stripping a waste piece from a sheet of material, which includes a stripping member with a connecting portion, a supporting finger located on one side of the connecting portion, and a stripping finger located on another side of the connecting portion. The supporting finger has one end connected to a frame and is movable about its end with respect to the frame. The stripping finger has a stripping end portion, which is biased away from the supporting finger and contacts the waste piece at an angle. The supporting finger is deflected away from the waste piece and the stripping end portion is moved further away from the supporting finger and against the waste piece to strip it from the sheet.

Abstract: Knife arrangement for a granulator for granulating plastic ropes with two draw-in rollers and a cutting rotor (9) cooperating with a counter-knife (2), and a striper (3) facing one of the draw-in rollers (11), whereby counter-knife (2) and striper (3) are mounted on a common support, whereby the striper (3) is arranged adjustably for adjustment of the distance between the striper (3) and the draw-in roller (11), and whereby the striper (3) has a support surface (6) for feeding the plastic ropes (12) to the counter-knife (2) and the cutting rotor (9), and is provided on one side with a striper edge (18) projecting towards the draw-in roller (11), and on its other side with an end edge (7) projecting towards the counter-knife (2), whereby the support (1) has a support surface (4) facing the striper (3), on which the striper (3) rests with a counter surface (5) adapted to the support surface (4), whereby support surface (6) and counter surface (5) approach each other towards the counter-knife (2) in a wedge-shap

Abstract: System for stacking blanks produced, particularly in a progressive die process, has one or more stacking mandrels which can be lifted and/or lowered in a stacking channel. The stacking mandrel/mandrels has/have a stacking mandrel top part and a stacking mandrel bottom part. At least one metal sheet holder is arranged in the area of the stacking mandrel top part. The stacking bottom part has a rotatable construction.

Abstract: An improved rotary die cutting apparatus and method for removing scrap material from work pieces such as paperboard blanks. One of the dies of a pair of rotary cutting dies is provided with gripper elements that extend over at least a portion of the area of the die corresponding to the areas over which the scrap portions are generated. The gripper elements grip, without piercing completely through, the scrap portions generated by the cutting operation of the dies. A stripping knife extends across the die carrying the scrap portions at a height above the gripper elements that provides clearance between the gripper elements and the stripping knife but contacts the scrap portions retained on the gripper elements.

Abstract: System for stacking blanks produced, particularly in a progressive die process, has one or more stacking mandrels which can be lifted and/or lowered in a stacking channel. The stacking mandrel/mandrels has/have a stacking mandrel top part and a stacking mandrel bottom part. At least one metal sheet holder is arranged in the area of the stacking mandrel top part. The stacking bottom part has a rotatable construction.

Abstract: A slicing apparatus for dividing a compression-molded article of laminae is provided with a dividing knife that reciprocates within a horizontal plane, and the dividing knife has a cutting edge in the shape of a V directed toward the compression-molded article, and cuts into the compression-molded article while holding the article from both sides.

Abstract: Device and method for dividing media in assembly machines, comprising a pneumatic linear guide unit with fitted stroke limiting units, the media being movable on a support in a first direction. A carriage has a linear movement in a direction which runs transversely with respect to the first direction. A holder is attached to the carriage and a knife is attached to the holder by way of a rotatable shaft. Constructional elements convert linear movement of the carriage into a rotational movement of the knife, wherein the knife cuts transversely through the media while the tape is firmly held on the support.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for advancing and cutting tube blanks into desired lengths and ejecting the unusable piece of tubing remaining after all of the usable cuts have been made. The machine for cutting the tubes of the present invention is preferably a standard supported shear type cutting machine and the ejection of the tube is accomplished via a pusher that is mounted for reciprocation on a carriage such that when the last piece of usable tubing has been cut from the tube blank the pusher may be activated to eject the tubing from the cutting machine.

Abstract: A scrap cutting assembly for use in a reciprocating press in which a cutter is carried on a ram which reciprocates with respect to a fixed base to form and cut material passing through the press includes an exit plate mounted on the press base adjacent the material exit point and a shutter spring and backing spring attached to the exit plate. The exit plate has a tapered bottom surface which tapers upwardly toward the ram and the shutter spring and backing spring are attached to and lie along the bottom tapered surface with one end of the shutter spring extending beyond the end of the exit plate and slightly above the top surface thereof so as to support the material as it is fed through the press. The shutter spring is depressed by the cutter as the ram and cutter descend to sever the material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cutting apparatus for cutting out at least one strip from a roll with rolled up sheet like material. The apparatus is equipped with finger means which lift out a suitable distance from the roll the layer from which the strip will be cut out. A cutting tool means is placed near each finger means in order to cut through the material. Each cutting tool means is a motordriven, rotating blade driven with a peripheral speed which is considerably higher than the speed with which the cutting apparatus is moved along the roll, or an oscillating knife or the like. During the cutting out operation the cut out strip is rolled up on a rotating roll core means with a torque-adapted rotation. A strip-tensioning arrangement distributes the tensile forces from the rotating roll core means to the strip at the middle of the width of the strip and is placed at the middle of the width of the strip between the cutting tool means and the roll core means.

Abstract: A scrap cutting assembly for use in a reciprocating press in which a cutter is carried on a ram which reciprocates with respect to a fixed base to form and cut material passing through the press includes an exit plate mounted on the press base adjacent the material exit point and a shutter spring and backing spring attached to the exit plate. The exit plate has a tapered bottom surface which tapers upwardly toward the ram and the shutter spring and backing spring are attached to and lie along the bottom tapered surface with one end of the shutter spring extending beyond the end of the exit plate and slightly above the top surface thereof so as to support the material as it is fed through the press. The shutter spring is depressed by the cutter as the ram and cutter descend to sever the material.

Abstract: Described is a process and an apparatus (10) for the production of thin sections which are cut off a specimen (16), by the use of a cutting blade (20) of a microtome (12), and then transferred to a liquid bath (40). In order to prevent undesired compression of thin sections (98) during the cutting operation, the thin sections (98) are transfer from the cutting blade (20) to the liquid bath (40) by flowing fluid from the cutting blade (20) to the liquid bath, wherein the liquid bath is disposed at a spacing from the cutting blade by a flow passage. The flowing fluid is selectively guided, by a change-over switching device (56), to the liquid bath (40) or to a waste container (52) so that good thin sections (98) are separated from unsatisfactory thin sections (98).

Abstract: A shear die is axially divided into a pair of die portions 18,19 between which a holding cavity 22 is formed, wherein the holding cavity has a diameter that is less than that of material "a" so that when one of the die portions is forced against the other die portion under a biasing effect of a spring 25, the material will be firmly held in the die cavity ensuring that the material can be cut to a predetermined volume and present a smooth cut surface, and the cutter arbor 4 is provided with a releasing member 34 adapted to release the one die portion 19 from the effect of the spring 25 as the cutter arbor 4 is retracted to facilitate additional material being moved into the die cavity for a subsequent cutting operation.

Abstract: A dough-processing system for dividing a dough sheet into multiple separate portions and transporting each portion in a predetermined direction. A rotary cutter, having a multiplicity of cutting dies affixed thereon, divides the dough sheet. The cutting dies have an exterior peripheral cutting edge for cutting the linear dough sheet into two or more linear portions for further processing on standard conveyor systems and an interior peripheral cutting edge for cutting an interior portion from the snack-piece dough. The rotary cutter includes an internal helical auger rigidly affixed to an external cylindrical mandrill having first and second ends and having a multiplicity of cutting dies affixed thereon. The rotary cutter has an ever-increasing diameter funnel path for transporting the interior cut portion of the snack-piece dough into the interior of the rotary cutter and thereupon the helical auger transports it out to the side of the rotary cutter.