Abstract: A specimen slicing guide is provided for assisting in slicing a specimen taken from a human or an animal. The specimen slicing guide includes a base extending in a direction having a horizontal component. A plurality of needles extend from the base with gaps provided between the needles in the extension direction of the base. The needles extend at least substantially parallel to each other and at least substantially perpendicular to the horizontal component of base. A needle spacer has a plurality of holes and the plurality of needles are respectively disposed in the plurality of holes. The needle spacer is configured to press against the specimen and to move relative to the base.

Abstract: A slicing apparatus and a weighing and classifying conveyor combination with cleanup position wherein, the elevated food article feed mechanism can be collapsed to a maintenance position, the weighing and classifying conveyor is oriented at a distance from the slicing apparatus and the slicing head cover is automatically lifted to an open cleanup position. The machine has laser intrusion detectors that are used to shut down systems when an unwanted intrusion by a person or object is detected.

Abstract: Machine tools for processing plate-like workpieces by punching include a punching tool including a punch and a punching die, a drive unit for moving the punch and the punching die relative to each other along a stroke axis for cutting a workpiece part free from a plate-like workpiece, a hold-down device that is movable along the stroke axis and that includes a stripper that contacts an upper surface of the plate-like workpiece while the plate-like workpiece is punched through by the punch, a detection device for detecting a reference position of the hold-down device along the stroke axis, wherein the stripper contacts the upper surface of the workpiece at the reference position, and a numerical control unit for positioning the stripper at a particular distance from the reference position such that a workpiece part that has been cut off can be moved away from a processing region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for positioning a cutting knife of a microtome or ultramicrotome equipped with motors for moving the cutting knife. The method may include determining/defining at least two segments of the cutting knife according to a division of the previously defined width of the cutting knife, selecting a segment of the cutting knife, and positioning the cutting knife in an operational position by motorized movement of the cutting knife, the selected segment of the cutting knife being positioned to cut the specimen.

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 food dough cutting method and cutting device thereof capable of forming conveyed food dough strips that have nearly identical weight per unit time when dividing band shaped food dough into multiple food dough strips in the conveyance direction, and is further capable of performing the same number of cuts for each food dough strip when cutting each food dough strip along the width direction into food dough pieces having a specified weight are provided. The conveyed food dough is aligned to a position that is displaced by just an alignment displacement amount with respect to a reference position that is based on the installation position of cutting members. The alignment displacement amount is calculated based on the ratio of the width dimension of the food dough and the lengths of food dough pieces that are cut from food dough strips on both sides.

Abstract: The present invention has a harp with four arms forming a parallelogram. The four arms are pivotally connected at their respective ends. Wires are secured between the side arms of the harp with holders. The harp is securely received within a channel of the machine. As such, the harp lies in a plane that is parallel to the front of the product being sliced at all times. The harp is angularly adjustable, such that the top and bottom of the harp can selectably converge or diverge as the harp tilts. The wires remain parallel during the divergence and convergence of the top and bottom of the harp. An actuator is provided for effecting the tilting of the harp. Two vertical bars can be provided for supporting the wires and minimizing deflection of the wires along their respective lengths.

Abstract: Provided is a cutting board apparatus comprising a catch pan and a cutting platform. The catch pan includes a substantially planar upper surface enclosed by a retaining member. The catch pan further includes a base member on an underside of the catch pan stabilizing the catch pan against cutting forces. The cutting platform includes a substantially planar cutting surface elevated from the catch pan by a support member extending away from the face of the planar cutting surface, wherein the cutting platform is positioned on the catch pan to form a discard channel between the catch pan retaining member and the cutting surface's outer boundary, and further, wherein the cutting platform and the catch pan are rotatably attached to each other about an axis. Also provided is a corresponding method of cutting an item utilizing a cutting board apparatus.

Abstract: A device for cutting flat strips of desired width from relatively elongate material is described. Methods of using the strip cutting device are also described. Embodiments of the strip cutting device are adapted to readily cleave a leg from L-shaped material to produce flat strips. Some embodiments are adapted to precisely and accurately cleave flat strips of material to produce narrower flat strips.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention includes an automated method of removing a stockinette from meat having an end, sides, and a length. The stockinette enveloped meat is conveyed in a first direction as the stockinette is cut proximate the end of the meat with a first knife. The stockinette enveloped meat is then conveyed in a second direction as the stockinette is cut proximate the sides of the meat with a second knife and a third knife. The cuts made by the second knife and the third knife intersect with the cut made by the first knife. The cuts in the stockinette create a flap in the stockinette between the cuts. The flap is engaged and peeled away from the meat, and the meat is removed from the stockinette.

Abstract: A module for automatic scrap wire isolating and removal is used in systems such as wire insulation lines for extricating scrap wires while minimally interfering with the mechanized wire insulation process. One such module includes a knife assembly with a knife, a scrap tray with a tilt plate for catching the scrap wire below the knife assembly, an accumulator with curved hooks oriented for catching and accumulating, one at a time, the wire and the scrap wire and rotatable for letting go, one at a time, of the wire and scrap wire, so as to allow the knife to completely separate the scrap wire from the wire. A lifting linkage in this module is operatively engaged with the tilt plate tilting it at an angle sufficient for the isolated scrap wire to slide off, whereby the scrap wire is removed.

Abstract: A method for use with a power saw having a frame with a first blade rotatably mounted thereon, the first blade having a cutting edge with a maximum first thickness. A light source is mounted on the frame. An opaque barrier has a first slot with a first width. The opaque barrier is positioned in alignment with the light source such that light from the light source passes through the first slot and shines on the first blade so as to produce a shadow of the first blade. The method includes exchanging the first blade with a second blade, the second blade having a maximum second thickness. The opaque barrier is adjusted such that the first slot is replaced with a second slot having a second width, the second width of the second slot being greater than or smaller than the first width of the first slot.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for producing an endless flexible seamed belt using a punch and die is disclosed. The punch and die have patterned edges in the form of a puzzle cut pattern with extremely small nodes and kerfs. The cutting tolerances of the patterned edges make it necessary to fix the punch with respect to the die so that there is no misalignment of the punch and die between cutting operations. This is accomplished by resiliently fixing the punch to the die, rather than having the punch attached to the force generating assembly as in normal punch and die assemblies. Belt material is positioned between a stock gap between the punch and die and the force generating assembly is activated to provide the cutting force. Once the belt material is cut, the cutting force is removed and the force generating assembly returns to its retracted position. There are two cutting edges on the punch and die so that a first end of one belt and a second end of another belt are formed in a single cutting operation.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for producing an endless flexible seamed belt using templates is disclosed. A first form of the template is a mask template with a template aperture in the form of a puzzle cut pattern to be used in combination with an excimer laser. The template is placed between the excimer laser source and the belt material to be cut. As the excimer laser traverses the width of the belt, the laser forms a puzzle cut pattern on the belt. A second form of the template is a punch and die having patterned edges in the form of a puzzle cut pattern with extremely small nodes and kerfs. The cutting tolerances of the patterned edges make it necessary to fix the punch with respect to the die so that there is no misalignment of the punch and die between cutting operations. This is accomplished by resiliently fixing the punch to the die, rather than having the punch attached to the force generating assembly as in normal punch and die assemblies.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for cutting up an element used in the construction of a nuclear installation for dismantling. The element is placed on a support and pushed toward a shearing tool having a blade pitch angle of 30.degree.. As the element is pushed, the blade performs a first shearing operation. Then a releasing stop controlled by a jack releases the element from the blade. Operation continues until the element is cut up.

Abstract: A device for feeding and discharging a work in an automatic hollow-pipe cutting apparatus comprises: a cutter device for cutting a hollow pipe; a cam lever driving mechanism for sending the hollow pipe to the cutter device; a fixed chuck device disposed near the cutter device; a movable chuck device disposed away from the cutter device; a movable die core disposed inside the cutter device and inside the hollow pipe; another cam lever driving mechanism for moving the movable chuck device; a stopper and ejector fitted to the fixed die core; whereby when the hollow pipe is fed to the cutter device, the fixed chuck device grasps and release the hollow pipe and the movable chuck device also grasps and release the hollow pipe but at timing different from grasping and releasing by the fixed chuck means and the feeding of the hollow pipe into the cutter device is performed by movement of the movable chuck device by means of the other cam lever driving mechanism, and after the hollow pipe is cut, during lowering of a

Abstract: A blade type wood splitter is described including a blade guarding housing that is movable along with the blade to engage a wood block prior to contact of the block by the cutting edge of the blade. The housing rests against the wood block as the blade is driven through and later is retracted with the blade following the splitting operation. The housing includes a peripheral wood engaging edge that substantially circumscribes the cutting edge of the blade and is normally spaced therefrom toward the platform on which the wood blocks are received. This edge may first engage the wood block as the blade is moved toward splitting contact with the block. The edge may therefore provide ample warning to an operator who has inadvertently placed fingers in the path of the blade by contacting the fingers before the blade descends to cause injury.

Abstract: A stamping machine tool having working parts in the form of one or several matrices and one or several stamps, and a blank-holder guiding the stamp(s) in its(their) displacements and securing in position against this or these matrices during the working stroke, a sheet metal piece subjected to a form shaping operation and wherein there is provided between the matrices and the stamp(s) a blank-holder that performs at least one normal working stroke and two withdrawal strokes, at will, namely a normal withdrawal stroke and an intervention withdrawal stroke which allow a dismantling of the working parts of the tool while on the machine.