Abstract: A circular saw has one or more louvers in the housing which direct air exiting the housing toward a work piece, together with openings in other components of the saw located between the louvers and the work piece so that sawdust and other debris that is produced during operation of the saw will be blown out of the way and will not interfere with the line of sight of the user.

Abstract: A cutting tool that maintains a compact-sized main body without affecting the usability as well as the dust collecting operation is provided. In a dust cover mounted on a blade case, a dust collection route divided from a saw blade is formed, and an outlet is provided at the rear side of the blade case in the cutting direction. Moreover, the blade case includes a peripheral surface in which an inlet and an auxiliary inlet are provided for guiding air generated by the rotation of the saw blade into the dust collection route from the front side in the cutting direction. Further, a guiding route where a part of cooling air for the motor is introduced into the dust collection route by means of a duct is provided, whereby the cooling air as well as air guided from the inlet is introduced into the dust collection route.

Abstract: A tile saw includes a base, a frame assembly disposed on the base, a first rail disposed on the frame assembly, the first rail having a longitudinal axis, a table slidingly disposed on the first rail, a support assembly disposed on the base, a saw assembly supported by the support assembly, the saw assembly including a motor, a cutting wheel driven by the motor, the saw assembly being pivotable about a horizontal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a switch electrically connected to the motor and disposed on the support assembly so that, when the motor assembly is pivoted about the horizontal axis, the switch remains stationary.

Abstract: A tile saw includes a base, a frame assembly disposed on the base, a first rail disposed on the frame assembly, the first rail having a longitudinal axis, a table slidingly disposed on the first rail, a support assembly disposed on the base, a saw assembly supported by the support assembly, the saw assembly including a motor, a cutting wheel driven by the motor, the saw assembly being pivotable about a horizontal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a switch electrically connected to the motor and disposed on the support assembly so that, when the motor assembly is pivoted about the horizontal axis, the switch remains stationary.

Abstract: A decurl apparatus includes a heating device to heat an image recording carrier web at a constant temperature, which exceeds the glass transition temperature of a support for a constant time period; and a cooling device for subsequent cooling of the image recording carrier web to a temperature equal to or lower than the glass transition temperature, while the image recording carrier web maintains a predetermined shape. The heating device includes an induction-heated heating roller and holding rollers arranged at arbitrary angular positions with respect to the outer circumference of the heating roller. As a result, the image recording carrier web is reliably decurled by a simple construction without being influenced by a transfer velocity or the like.

Abstract: A knife-like die for cutting a thermoformed plastic article from a sheet of thermoformable plastic. The die includes a die build up plate that is mounted to a first platen and a striker plate that is mounted to a second platen. The die further includes a die board having a knife element mounted thereto. A heating element heats the knife to a temperature that allows for easy cutting of the thermoformable plastic. The die board also includes a die travel stop which prevents the die from being forced into the striker plate thus damaging the knife element and a die location pilot that engages a feature on the sheet of thermoformable plastic to align the article with the die.

Abstract: A spindle motor as a heating element and a spindle head having a spindle that is driven by the spindle motor are coupled to each other by a cooling flange. The cooling flange is provided with a cooling passage, the cross-sectional area of which gradually increases with distance from its gas inlet toward its gas outlet. When a high-pressure gas is injected into the cooling passage through the gas inlet, it is adiabatically expanded and cooled by the cooling passage having the gradually increasing cross-sectional area. Thus, the cooling flange restrains heat generated from the spindle motor from being transmitted to the spindle head.

Abstract: A work cutting apparatus comprises a bed. The bed has an upper surface provided with a column including a rail slidably mounted with a slider. The slider has a front surface mounted with a supporting portion supporting two end portions of a rotating shaft. The rotating shaft is mounted with a plurality of cutting blade blocks. Each of the cutting blade blocks includes a plurality of cutting blades and a thicker cutting blade at each end of the cutting blade block. A table provided with a recess having a V-shaped section is disposed on the bed right beneath the cutting blade blocks. A plurality of works are disposed in the recess, each fixed by a fixing member. The cutting blades lowered while rotating, thereby cutting the works. During this operation, coolant is discharged from a plurality of supplying ports of a coolant supplying portion as well as from a supplying port of a coolant supplying path.

Abstract: The band saw self cooling roller guide is defined by a main cylindrical roller body having a front portion of reduced diameter forming a collar for mounting coaxially around a shaft, and a flange extending from the rear portion thereof forming a shoulder. The thin rear edge of the band saw blade or ribbon abuts the flange which aids in aligning the blade, and the flat surface of the blade rests upon a plurality of grooves formed around the peripheral surface of the main roller body. A plurality of apertures such as louvered holes are formed in the face of the body and extend through the flange to funnel air their the rotating roller body cooling the roller, aligning the blade, and extending the wear thereof.

Abstract: A slicing machine, comprising a frame with which a supporting surface for a product to be sliced is slidingly associated, a support for a rotating blade being rigidly coupled to the surface, at least one element for heating the product to be sliced being provided proximate to the blade.

Abstract: A film is made of an elastic material. The film is stretched in at least one direction in parallel to a surface of the film. Then, through-holes are punched in the film be means of needles, in a state the film is stretched. After the punching is completed, the stretching is terminated, so that the film recovers its original shape.

Abstract: A slicing machine, comprising a frame with which a supporting surface for a product to be sliced is slidingly associated, a support for a rotating blade being rigidly coupled to the surface, at least one element for heating the product to be sliced being provided proximate to the blade.

Abstract: A system for automatically producing formed parts from feedstock using two successive adiabatic processing stations, a first station performing adiabatic cut-off of blanks from the feedstock, and the second station performing adiabatic forming of the blanks into the formed parts. The first station operates cooperatively with a feedstock feeder assembly which feeds feedstock to the first station and also charges blanks produced at the first station into a transfer capsule of a transferer assembly. The first and second stations cooperatively operate with the blank transferer assembly which transfers in the transfer capsule blanks from the first to the second station. The second station includes means for positioning blanks relative to a forming cavity before blanks are adiabatically shaped to conform to the forming cavity and also means for ejecting formed parts from tooling that defines the forming cavity. The system includes automation means that synchronizes and sequences subassembly operations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for oxygen cutting pieces of steel, in which a cutter member (5) is positioned above a top face of the piece to be cut, and trimmer and spray members (10, 11) are positioned beneath the piece to be cut, said members being carried by a support blade which passes through the cut slot. According to the invention, at least one pressurized fluid (22) is projected directly into the cut slot (1.3) and into the portion thereof that lies between the cutting front and the blade-shaped support of the cutter and spray members, said jet forming a barrier protecting said blade-shaped support against particle projections during forward advance of the support along the cut slot (1.3). This eliminates the risk of forward advance of the blade-shaped support in the cut slot encountering any obstacles, thereby making it possible to implement cutting speeds that are very high.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for cutting a plastic optical fiber having a cladding layer. The method includes a plurality of cutting steps for performing rough cutting under a rough cutting condition and finish cutting under a controlled cutting condition. With this method, since a load applied to an optical fiber upon cutting is reduced, degradation of transmission characteristics of the optical fiber after cutting can be reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a material having prevalently two-dimensional extension into appropriately shaped portions, in particular for cutting a fabric or the like into shaped portions for the manufacture of clothing items or other items, comprising a support frame (12), means (22) for supporting said material (16), means for supporting cutting means (20). Said cutting means (20) are movable, relative to said material (16) according to trajectories suited for effecting longitudinal, transverse, or otherwise oriented cuts into said material (16).

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cutting wood or other materials by separating the material along a line of controlled failure through the application of mechanical force in combination with laser light to break molecular bonds holding the material together along the line of controlled failure. A preferred embodiment of the cutting apparatus is a generally broad wedge-shaped blade having planar lower and upper surfaces which converge toward each other to terminate along a leading edge. The blade is generally hollow with a cavity for passing optical fibers carrying laser light to a transparent window attached to the leading edge of the blade. Laser light passes through the window and is directed to a line of controlled failure in the material being cut to break the molecular bonds and locally weaken the material.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method of manufacturing a perforated roller cover and includes placing a roller cover having a core portion and an application medium on a support member, positioning a perforating station having a perforating device near the support member, exposing the core portion, moving the perforating device from a non-piercing position to a piercing position to pierce the core in a first location and a second location and removing the roller cover from the support member.

Abstract: The vertical blade saw assembly for ceramic and masonry materials is designed to provide an assembly that allows the user to make cuts of any shape to ceramic tiles and masonry materials in order to permit the installation of precision cuts for a particular setting. The assembly has an electric drive motor that is protected from the coolant used to keep the blade from overheating. The assembly has a plurality of parallel arms that are connected and permit the oscillating motion of the arms. The vertical blade is connected to the arms which place the blade in motion. The assembly has a base unit to provide support for the assembly. A coolant tray is positioned around the base unit. A water pump and accompanying tubing is used to circulate the coolant to the blade. Several cutting blades are also disclosed.

Abstract: A portable bandsaw mill for sawing logs which has an elevated horizontal rail extending between first and second end frames, a carriage component mounted on the rail and means slidably movable therealong, a drive motor and a saw blade assembly mounted on opposite sides of the horizontally extending rail to substantially counterbalance each other, and a log support extending between the first and second end frames, the log support being inclined. The above arrangement permits a very light compact sawmill which may be easily transported and set up at different sites.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of trimming a thermoformed film comprising the following steps. A Thermoplastic flexible film is placed within a frame. The film and frame are heated sufficiently to make the film pliable. The film and frame are moved to a position adjacent a forming mandrel. The forming mandrel is moved against the film and causes the film to conform to the shape of the mandrel. After the film has fully conformed to the shape of the mandrel, the mandrel and film are moved to a trimming station. Knives on the trimming station contact and cut the film. It is also desirable that the knives be mounted on actuators to move them from extended to retracted positions. A plurality of knives are used to trim around a three-dimensional article.

Abstract: Apparatus for the continuous, chipless separation of individual, identical pieces from a solid round workpiece, includes at least two cutting rollers, cooperating with one another, for separating and rolling the workpiece. Each of the cutting rollers is defined by a separating portion and has a coil, with the height of the coil of one cutting roller being equal or slightly greater than the radius of the workpiece in the separating portion, and with the coil of the other cutting roller so configured as to eliminate a collision in the separating portion with the coil of the one cutting roller.

Abstract: A slicing machine that deposits foodstuff slices in a stack atop a support in a stacking station has a sheet-interposing device provided with a supply roll of sheet material and a feed roller for feeding a leading end of the sheet material in a direction to the stacking station. a guide between the station and the roller imparts to the sheet leading end an upwardly concave U-shape to stiffen the sheet leading end so it projects horizontally stiffly from the guide above the station. A cutter movable between the guide and the station cuts off the sheet leading end so that the cut-off end drops down in the station.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting an indefinite length suture to different lengths for subsequent threading and swaging to surgical needles includes a drawing tower having first and second guide members defining a drawing axis parallel thereto. First and second grippers are provided to grip the indefinite length suture and to alternately draw it along the drawing axis, with each gripper being mounted for reciprocal movement along a guide member. Each gripper alternately grips the suture and draws it a distance beyond the location of a cutter assembly while the other gripper reciprocates to a start position before the cutter assembly. A tipping assembly heats a predetermined small length of the suture to stiffen the suture thereat after subsequent cooling, in preparation for cutting the suture thereat and inserting a stiffened lead cut end of the suture into an end of a needle for swaging thereto.

Abstract: An insulated slag collection bed for a laser-equipped machine tool. The bed substantially insulates the machine tool base from thermal damage due to the laser beam of the machine tool. Typically the laser beam in a machine tool will have significant energy density in planes below the workpiece, and in some conditions the energy density will be sufficient to damage the machine base. The present invention protects the machine base by providing a slag collection bed which serves as a shield to absorb remnant laser energy which would otherwise strike the machine base. The shield is thermally insulated from the machine base so as to protect the machine base from the temperature rise in the shield resulting from absorbing the remnant laser energy. If, over time the shield is damaged or worn, means are provided for ready replacement of both the shield and the insulation.

Abstract: A device for separating a meltable wide strip (10) using fusion cutters (21) which cut the strips (10′) during longitudinal movement of said wide strip by melting the strip material. In order to smooth rough melted edges of strips (10′) a finishing device is used. A conveyor device is used to transport the wide strip and keeps at least the section (40) to be processed of the strip (10′) which is located in the finishing zone, under longitudinal stress. To simplify the design of the device, the finishing device is provided with deviation points (71, 70, 72) in the section (40) to be processed. The deviation points are fixed and include an open slit (25) through which the section (40) to be processed passes. The expansion of the processing section (40) is twisted by virtue of the deviating members (23, 33). The longitudinal stress is therefore exerted in such a way that the upper and lower side of the strips (10′) are automatically pressed against the deviating members (23, 33).

Abstract: A microwave device and corresponding method for cutting, and especially drilling into, a solid body of non-conductive material employ a microwave source which provides microwave radiation, typically through a waveguide, to a concentrator. The concentrator is configured to concentrate the microwave radiation onto a small region of solid body, thereby generating sufficient heat in that region to liquefy a volume of the material to form a hole. The device and method may be used to perform various drilling, cutting, nailing, joining and welding operations on a wide range of dielectric materials including ceramics, concrete and stone.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting a surgical suture at a first and second different location along its length. The apparatus having a first and a second cutting die with channels for receiving at least a portion of the cross-section of the surgical suture at each location. Each of the first and second cutting dies respectively is provided with an opposing cutting die to further restraint the suture. A blade is also provided at each cutting location for cutting the suture at a point adjacent to the respective cutting dies when the suture is restrained between the sets of dies.

Abstract: Inside-out cutter apparatus for cutting fiber tow into predetermined lengths including rotatable cylindrical member defining an axially extending passageway for receiving fiber tow therethrough and an outlet opening on periphery of cylindrical member through which fiber tow emerges onto work surface formed around periphery, work surface including at least one guide shoulder and a base surface bordering along length of guide shoulder with guide shoulder and base surface angled to position fiber tow on work surface at acute angle to axis of rotation and away from alignment with direct circumferential path leading from outlet opening, and an array of knives extending around work surface with cutting edges facing toward and spaced from work surface; and method of cutting fiber tow inside-out into predetermined lengths including steps of rotating circumferential work surface around an axis, feeding fiber tow within work surface through opening in periphery of work surface onto work surface, positioning fiber tow a

Abstract: A mounting beam removal equipment has a cassette for holding a plurality of stacked wafers in such a manner that mounting beams of the wafers are trued up in the same direction, a brush composed of a plurality of disks which are inclined at a predetermined angle and secured to a vertical shaft along an axis of the vertical shaft at regular intervals, the brush facing a side of the mounting beams of the wafers held in said cassette. Furthermore, a rotation driving device is provided for rotating the brush about the axis of said vertical shaft, a first moving device is provided for moving the brush horizontally along the side of the mounting beams, and a second moving device is provided for moving the brush horizontally in a direction perpendicular to the side of the mounting beams.

Abstract: An apparatus for trimming sharp edges from a non-round workpiece having a contour includes a member for trimming the workpiece by impinging a stream of heated gaseous medium on the workpiece; a member for holding the workpiece, the member for holding being rotatably mounted relative to the member for trimming relative to the member for holding; and a cam for guiding the member for trimming, the cam cooperating the member for holding with the member for trimming so that the member for trimming follows the contour of the workpiece when the member for holding is rotated relative to the member for trimming.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a cut end of a surgical suture tip. The apparatus including a first and second cutting dies with a channel for receiving a suture. Mechanical actuators are provided to moving the cutting dies from an open to a closed position. The cutting dies are adapted to trap and compressing the suture. A cutting blade is provided for cutting the surgical suture tip adjacent to the first and second cutting dies when the cutting dies are closed.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously lubricating operating circular and band saw blades with solid or semisolid lubricant. The lubricant contacts both sides of the blade by use of opposing lubricant tube ends and further said apparatus has a single loading cylinder with automated lubricant feeding circuitry in addition to expendable lubricant feeding tube ends which are advanced after damage caused by blade breakage.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting a surgical suture at a first and second different location along its length. The apparatus having a first and a second cutting die with channels for receiving at least a portion of the cross-section of the surgical suture at each location. Each of the first and second cutting dies respectively is provided with an opposing cutting die to further restraint the suture. A blade is also provided at each cutting location for cutting the suture at a point adjacent to the respective cutting dies when the suture is restrained between the sets of dies.

Abstract: A housing for a microtome which is capable of being employed in a cryostat. The microtome housing includes a waterproof microtome chamber having an elongate slot formed in the wall thereof through which an object holding device extends. The elongate slot has a seal disposed about its periphery and the slot is covered by a coverplate which is provided adjacent to the seal. The coverplate is rotatable about the axis of a pin which is provided on the interior of the chamber wall. The chamber further includes magnets which are arranged on the wall of the chamber adjacent to the elongate slot such that the magnets retain the coverplate over the elongate slot. This arrangement allows the object holding device to be easily inserted into and removed from the chamber, while at the same time maintaining substantially moisture free conditions within the chamber.

Abstract: A method for removal of asbestos floor tile comprising the following steps: lowering the temperature of a selected tile section and the adhesive material between said tile(s) and the juxtaposed subflooring; maintaining the temperature reducing agent for a period of time sufficient to cause said adhesive material/layer to substantially lose its bonding properties; removing the de-bonded asbestos tile from the subflooring and disposing according to Governmental regulations. A manually transportable housing dimensioned for receiving therewithin a quantity or block of dry ice. The housing having a bottom section defining an opening for being aligned with a selected asbestos floor tile(s). A blower means mounted to said housing for directing an air stream over said dry ice and downwardly through said opening unto said tile(s).

Abstract: A portable rotary saw includes a cooling fan fastened to the output shaft of a motor and a plurality of ports provided downstream of the fan in a blade case defining a blade chamber. The ports allow the cooling air delivered by the fan to blow further downstream in the housing of the portable rotary saw. The portable rotary saw further includes a cover plate provided in front of the ports for separating a pathway of a wind caused by a rotating saw blade and for directing the cooling air out of the blade chamber without disturbing the wind caused by the rotating saw blade.

Abstract: In a machine (1) for the treatment or processing of foodstuffs, e.g. the slicing of sausage, the incidence of contamination by germs in the casing (3) of the machine (1) is reduced by the provision of a heater arranged to heat the casing (3) and/or air contained within it to an elevated temperature. Most preferably, the heater comprises means (32,14) for heating and circulating air in the casing (3) and means (9) for directly heating the casing (3) itself.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing thermal deformation of a machine tool has a feed unit which heats a heat transfer fluid and pumps it out to a heat exchanging portion. The heat exchanging portion has at least one heat exchanging unit capable of being expanded and shrunk in accordance with the heat transfer fluid therein. The heat exchanging unit is arranged in a prescribed portion of a machine tool. The portion of the machine tool is heated by the heat exchanging unit arranged therein, whereby thermal distribution of the machine tool is equalized and heat deformation thereof is suppressed. The heat transfer fluid passed through the heat exchanging unit is recovered by a discharging portion and fed back to the feed unit. The heat exchanging unit is maintained in an expanded state by controlling the flow rate of the fluid passing therethrough by a flow control valve, so that heat exchanging operation can be carried out effectively.

Abstract: An apparatus including a supply source for a long composite which includes a long carrier film and a green ceramic layer continuously formed thereon along its longitudinal direction, a printing station, a drying station and a punching station. A conductor film is printed on the green ceramic layer with conductive paste in the printing station, the printed conductor film is dried in the drying station, and the green ceramic layer provided with the conductor film is punched while being registered with the conductor film and separated from the carrier film in the punching station, whereby a ceramic green sheet for a laminated ceramic electronic component is extracted.

Abstract: A thread sawing device comprising a frame carrying thread guide cylinders and having a thread trained about the thread guide cylinders. A support is provided for a part to be sawed, and the thread and support are movable toward and away from each other to saw the part supported by the support. The relative position of the cylinders and the part to be sawed is detected, and responsive to that detection, the temperature of a portion of the device is changed so as to cause that portion to undergo thermal expansion or contraction, so as to maintain the desired relative position constant in a direction transverse to the direction in which the thread and the support move toward and away from each other to saw the part to be sawed. The portion of the device whose temperature is changed is one of the cylinders, or the support.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for cutting a workpiece made of a polymer. The apparatus combines a cutting tool operable to perform a feed movement along a desired line of cut relative to a portion of the workpiece to be cut, the cutting tool includes a cutter blade subjected to ultrasonic vibration as it cuts the portion of the workpiece, with a thermal control arranged to maintain the portion of the workpiece at a pre-selected temperature.

Abstract: A microtome, or an ultramicrotome having the specimen arm operating through an opening in the cryo chamber wall in a manner substantially free of the mechanical influence of a conventional seal is disclosed. An elongated slot permits movement of the specimen arm while minimizing the clearance between the sides of the arm and chamber wall reduces loss. Inner and outer baffles can be used to further reduce loss.

Abstract: A method for removal of asbestos floor tile comprising the following steps: lowering the temperature of a selected tile section and the adhesive material between said tile(s) and the juxtaposed subflooring; maintaining the temperature reducing agent for a period of time sufficient to cause said adhesive material/layer to substantially lose its bonding properties; removing the de-bonded asbestos tile from the subflooring and disposing according to Governmental regulations.A manually transportable housing dimensioned for receiving therewithin a quantity or block of dry ice. Said housing having a bottom section defining an opening for being aligned with a selected asbestos floor tile(s). Blower means mounted to said housing for directing an air stream over said dry ice and downwardly through said opening unto said tile(s).

Abstract: A first tool assembly includes a punch holder assembly and a circuit board clamp and a second tool assembly includes a die for receiving punches held and driven by the punch holder assembly. A circuit board has holes formed by the punches and is clamped by the clamp to the die. The circuit board and die are aligned to the punch assembly by an alignment pin secured to the punch assembly operated independently of the operation of the punch assembly. The punch assembly and the clamp are independently controlled by actuators with a convex distortion of the punch assembly and clamp during punching to provide an improved clamping and punching action.

Abstract: A method for bonding, cutting and printing sheets of polymeric material is provided which comprises the steps of: (a) forming first, second and third patterns of an infrared-absorbing material on one of the sheets, the first pattern corresponding to the locations at which the sheets are to be bonded together, the second pattern corresponding to the locations at which the sheets are to be cut, and the third pattern corresponding to the locations at which the sheets are to be printed; (b) contacting the sheets with one another; (c) exposing the contacted sheets to infrared energy; (d) applying pressure to the sheets; and (e) cooling the sheets. The amount of infrared energy to which the sheets are exposed and the distribution of the infrared-absorbing material are chosen so that 1) the sheets bond to one another in the areas of the first pattern, 2) the sheets are cut in the areas of the second pattern, and 3) the sheets are neither bonded nor cut in the areas of the third pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting at least one end of a surgical suture is described. The apparatus comprises a first pair of feed rollers which advance the surgical suture through a hole (or opening) in a cutting assembly. The first pair of feed rollers is driven by a stepper motor. A second pair of friction rollers take up the slack (i.e., provide tension) to the surgical suture beyond the cutting assembly. The second pair of friction rollers is driven by an electric or stepper motor. The cutting assembly comprises an anvil plate in which the hole is positioned, and a razor blade which is placed in a movable bracket against the anvil plate. The cutting edge of the razor blade is driven by a spring across the hole and cuts the surgical suture. The spring is activated (and can be reactivated for repetitive steps) by an electric motor.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for shearing to length steel bars coming from a rolling mill in which the rolled product is continuously fed to the first of a plurality of stepped collecting chambers, of a braking/distributing apparatus which brakes and distributes the sheared bars and in phase to the stepped chambers by shearing to length a first bar and introducing the leading end of a second bar, following the first bar, to a second collection chamber; shearing to length said second bar and, by means of the shifting of said collection chambers, discharging said first, braked bar onto conveyor means.

Abstract: A vinyl tile spacing gauge and cutter for the measuring and scoring of an edge floor tile, such device having a heated plate surface on which the tile is positioned and a pair of extendable measuring arms adapted to extend from the base of the device from the edge of a central flooring tile to an adjacent wall to determine the dimensions to cut the tile and a scoring arm positioned above the heated surface slideably adjustable to cut the tile at a selected position, such heated surface having a measurement grid delineated thereon for the positioning of a tile in relation thereto and in relation to the dimensions obtained from the measuring arms.

Abstract: Metal billets are cut from heated logs emerging from a furnace by a shearing system controlled by information detected as the logs emerge from the furnace. Detection in this position eliminates the variations inherently present in the length of the logs resulting from temperature gradients within the furnace, and from a length of time the logs are subject to these gradients. The advancing end of an isolated log is sensed by an electric eye, and the interface between one log and the following log is detected by an eddy current device. The data from these sensing devices is supplied to a computer, which controls the shearing operation so that billets can be cut with a minimum of waste. The billets can be of two segments, and the equipment establishes cutting operations that produce the combined billet length, regardless of the position of the interface between the logs.