Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a fixing apparatus that includes a threaded adaptor, an arbor having a flange portion and a shaft portion, and a draw cylinder disposed such that rotation of the threaded adaptor moves the draw cylinder in axially upward and downward directions. A collet can be disposed around a periphery of the arbor so as to be coaxial with the draw cylinder, such that movement of the draw cylinder in the axially downward direction causes the draw cylinder to contact the collet and thereby cause the collet to also move in the axially downward direction. The collet can include axially extending channels that define fingers therebetween and interior coaxial surfaces that are configured to communicate with exterior coaxial surfaces of the arbor such that axially downward movement of the collet moves the fingers in a radially outward direction to thereby increase an exterior diameter of the collet.

Abstract: A rotary knife fixture for cutting vegetable products such as raw potatoes into spiral shapes. The knife fixture includes a ring-shaped blade holder driven rotatably within a hydraulic product flow path. The blade holder includes at least one cutting blade, wherein the blade is twisted from a generally longitudinally aligned center axis outwardly in opposite circumferential directions with a sharpened leading edge set at a desired pitch angle. By controlling the pitch angle of the blade in relation to the blade rotational speed and velocity at which the potato travels along the hydraulic flow path, the resultant spiral cut shape is selected. By using multiple cutting blades at known axially spaced positions and selecting the angular position of each cutting blade in succession, the number of spiral shapes cut from each potato is selected. The blades can have a nontextured straight-cut edge, or a textured crinkle-cut edge, or a combination.

Abstract: Parts with high surface finish are removed from tools of a fine blanking press with accuracy and at high speed. The press has high opening and shutting speeds achieved by a direct drive having high acceleration power, a high turning moment, and small construction dimensions. A cross slide is movable transverse to a working direction of tool parts and is fixed at a frame of the direct drive. The direct drive includes a drive shaft which changes turning direction based on the stroke of a ram that is pivotally connected to the cross slide via an arm, a bracket, and a rapid-action coupling. Rotating motion is converted into a linear motion, which reverses between a rear stop position and a front stop position of the cross slide in a working area.

Abstract: A catalyst-testing apparatus includes a heater, a U-shaped reactor, a gas flow controller, a liquid flow controller, two pressure gauges, a separator and a chromatograph. In use, under control of the gas flow controller, natural gas and air are directed to the U-shaped reactor. Under control of the liquid flow controller, pure water is directed to the U-shaped reactor. The pure water travels down the wall of the U-shaped reactor. The pure water is heated and turned into steam in a front section of the U-shaped reactor. Together with the natural gas and the air, the steam is directed to a catalyst zone in the U-shaped reactor for reaction. With the chromatograph, volumes and compositions of resultant gases are analyzed. Thus, the stability of the performance of the catalyst is tested, and the performance of the catalyst for producing hydrogen by is revealed.

Abstract: A punching device includes: a base including a die part that has a top wall; an abutting member connected to the base; a punch supported on the base, movable relative to the die part and the abutting member between upper and lower positions; and an ejecting unit supported on the base and including a non-compressible ejecting element disposed above and adjacent to the top wall of the die part. The punch is movable relative to the ejecting unit at least during movement of the punch from a middle position to the lower position. The ejecting unit abuts against the abutting member at least when the punch is disposed at the upper position.

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: A punching tool for green sheets or similar sheet-like work-pieces having a support plate with punched holes (7), and a holding-down plate disposed above the support plate and containing stripper openings (24). Operative portions (23) of dies (8) extend through the stripper openings (24) and are guided therein. The operative portions (23) are formed in graduated form with a punching portion (26) of reduced diameter. Each punching portion (26) has a length that is less than the length of the stripper opening (24), and is located entirely in the stripper opening (24) when the die (8) is at its top dead center. A part (25) of the operative portion (23) protrudes into the stripper opening (24) to guide the die (8). The punching portion (26) is only approximately as long as required for the punching stroke of the die (8). The slight length of the punching portion (26) makes possible an especially slender punching portion, and thus the creation of especially small punched holes.

Abstract: For examining a metal sheet processing operation, a method includes scanning a detection beam along a processed metal sheet by causing a relative movement between the detection beam and the processed metal sheet, during the scanning, determining a position of an edge of the metal sheet hole by monitoring the detection beam, determining, from the determined hole edge position, a geometric configuration of the metal sheet hole, performing a comparison of the determined geometric configuration of the metal sheet hole with a corresponding desired hole configuration; and then sending a signal indicating information about the metal sheet processing operation, based upon the comparison.

Abstract: For examining a metal sheet processing operation, a method includes scanning a detection beam along a processed metal sheet by causing a relative movement between the detection beam and the processed metal sheet, during the scanning, determining a position of an edge of the metal sheet hole by monitoring the detection beam, determining, from the determined hole edge position, a geometric configuration of the metal sheet hole, performing a comparison of the determined geometric configuration of the metal sheet hole with a corresponding desired hole configuration; and then sending a signal indicating information about the metal sheet processing operation, based upon the comparison.

Abstract: An apparatus for precisely cutting lengths of strip material includes a supply of strip material, a feed mechanism for conveying the strip material from the supply and a reciprocating cutter mounted downstream of the feed mechanism. An adjustable stop is movably mounted adjacent the cutter for engaging an end of the strip material and setting a precise length of the strip material being cut. An adjustment mechanism is coupled to the stop for moving the stop relative to the cutter along a longitudinal axis of the length of the strip material being cut.

Abstract: A die block assembly of the present invention includes an upper die (20), an unloading plate (40), a plurality of springs (60), and a plurality of spacer blocks (80). A plurality of receiving holes (30) is defined in the upper die, for receiving the springs. A plurality of rams (34) depends from the upper die, for stamping a workpiece (95). The unloading plate is movably connected under the upper die, and defines a plurality of through holes (42) for accommodating the corresponding rams therein. Each spacer block is a stepped cylinder which includes a base (82) and a protrusion (84) extending upwardly from the base. Each spring abuts the base of the corresponding spacer blocker. A height of each base is slightly greater than a maximize clearance between the upper die and the unloading plate. The spacer blocks prevent spring fragments produced in the stamping process from entering the clearance.

Abstract: A turret assembly for receiving and holding lengths of re-cut tubing cut or sheared from a longer-length workpiece by a re-cut device. The turret assembly includes a motor, a plate and a plurality of accumulator members. The accumulator members are supported by the plate in essentially parallel, spaced-apart relationship to receive a predetermined quantity of lengths of re-cut tubing from the re-cut device. The plate is rotated by the motor. A stripping device having a stripping collar and a linear actuator can strip tubing from the accumulator members. A stacking element can collect stripped tubing from the accumulator members and stack tubing in a container.

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: 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: A progressively feeding and machining apparatus has a die for placing a sheet material thereon, the die having a machining pattern for machining the sheet material, an upper punch base or a machining head movable toward and away from the die and having a plurality of punches for machining the sheet material in coaction with the die in a predetermined number of machining cycles according to the machining pattern, a feed mechanism for moving the die, with the sheet material placed thereon, and the punches relatively to each other to align a machining position on the sheet material with the punches each time the sheet material is machined by the die and the punches, a suction chamber communicating with the machining pattern, and a closure mechanism for isolating a machined region of the machining pattern from the suction chamber to maintain the suction chamber under a vacuum when the suction chamber is evacuated.

Abstract: A press die set includes a hollow cylindrical guide bush mounted on a punch holder, a cylindrical retainer received within the guide bush, and a columnar guide post vertically mounted on a die holder and received within the retainer. First right angle grooves are formed on the outer surface of the guide post parallel to a longitudinal axis of the guide post. First planar surfaces are formed on an outer surface of the guide post parallel to the longitudinal axis of the guide post and perpendicular to a radius of the guide post. Second right angle grooves are formed on the inner surface of the guide bush parallel to a longitudinal axis of the guide bush. Second planar surfaces are formed on the inner surface of the guide bush parallel to the longitudinal axis of the guide bush and perpendicular to a radius of the guide bush. Cross roller bearings are positioned between the first and second right angle grooves, and plain roller bearings are positioned between the first and second planar surfaces.

Abstract: At a cut end portion of a belt-like member is formed a jointing surface, which is inclined at a small angle with respect to the surface of the belt-like member, simultaneously with cutting. A belt-like member (32) on a conveyor belt (6) is pinched under a pressure by an upper die (29) and a lower die (33) heated respectively by heaters (30) and (34), thereby it is subjected to plastic deformation and cut, and also jointing inclined surfaces are formed at the cut end portions. A die holding member (24) for holding the upper die is reciprocated in the vertical direction, by an action of a rotary shaft (11) having an eccentric cam (18). A separating member (38) which is moved vertically by another cam (40) operates as delayed with respect to the movement of the upper die, and when the upper die leaves the belt-like member, it presses the belt-like member to insure separation of the die.

Abstract: A multi spindle automatic lathe comprising a single motor (20) for rotating a plurality of spindles (55) which are freely rotatably supported on a spindle carrier (52) which is in turn supported on a headstock (51) for an indexing rotation so as to prevent a mutual spatial interference occuring between said motor (20) and an elongated member (W) during the processing of such elongated member (W), wherein said spindle carrier (52) has its rotary shaft arranged so as to be a common axis with the output shaft (21) of said motor (20), and wherein the lathe further comprises a means (56), (57) for transmitting the rotary output power of said motor (20) to each of said plurality of spindles, and through-holes (37) defined in the stator portion (29) of said motor (20) so as to be on a common axis with central holes of said plurality of spindles (55).

Abstract: A punch press having a die formed with a diehole and mounted on a die holder and a punch set provided with a punch mounted on a punch holder for performing a punching process on a workpiece in cooperation with the die. The punch set is formed with a fluid discharge orifice for discharging a fluid into the diehole, and the punch is formed with a communication orifice communicating with the fluid discharge orifice. A ram for striking the punch is formed with a fluid supply orifice for freely communicating with the communicating orifice. A connecting pipe connects the fluid supply orifice with a fluid source; a shut-off valve is provided for opening or shutting of the connecting pipe, with a stroke position detector for detecting the stroke of the ram. A shut-off valve control is provided for controlling the opening or shutting of the shut-off valve according to the values detected by the stroke position detector.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting stacks of sheets has a first cutting machine which subdivides large piles of overlapping sheets into elongated strip-shaped stacks. The stacks are accumulated on a platform which is moved into a second cutting machine wherein a selected number of stacks is pushed by a feeding device across the cutting plane of a guillotine type knife before the knife descends to separate smaller stacks which come to rest on a plate or enter a gap formed in response to retraction of the plate so that the severed portions of the stacks can be advanced to a processing machine. The stacks which are about to be severed are pushed by a biasing device against a stop which extends at right angles to the cutting plane in the second machine, and each such stack is further pushed by an aligning device so that it abuts the feeding device. This ensures that the stacks are properly oriented prior to severing by the knife in the second machine.

Abstract: A punch press having a self-adjusting stripper member is disclosed whereby stripping of the press punching tool from a workpiece is automatically effected attendant to effecting a return stroke of the press actuator. The construction includes a press frame upon which is mounted a double-acting fluid actuator, with the actuator being mounted for limited relative movement with respect to the frame. A piston rod of the actuator carries a punching tool for effecting punching of a workpiece. Notably, a stripper member is operatively connected to the housing of the actuator for movement therewith with respect to the press frame, with the stripper normally positioned to provide a large running clearance relative to the workpiece.

Abstract: A waste stripping unit is disposed downstream from a die cutter for cutting a sheet of paperboard into a product and waste and includes an upper roller having a male die corresponding to the waste of the sheet and a lower roller having a female die which cooperates with the male die on the upper roller to separate the waste from the product during passage of the sheet between the rotating upper and lower rollers.