Abstract: A method for automatically cutting a workpiece comprising the steps of moving a workpiece along its longitudinal axis, positioning a cutting blade by rotating the blade about a vertical axis, positioning the cutting blade by rotating about a bevel axis, and vertically moving the blade into cutting contact with the workpiece, thereby stab cutting the workpiece and creating a bevel cut. The method may also comprises moving the blade along a transverse axis. Further steps may include moving the cutting blade along a transverse axis simultaneous to moving the workpiece along it longitudinal axis, thereby creating a scarf cut.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a high-quality polycrystalline semiconductor ingot with excellent crystallographic properties are disclosed. The interior of an airtight vessel is kept in an inert atmosphere for semiconductors. A raw semiconductor material is charged in a crucible, and the raw semiconductor material is heated by an induction heating coil so as to be melted. Then the bottom of the crucible is deprived of heat for causing the raw semiconductor material to solidify, thereby producing a polycrystalline semiconductor. The semiconductor crystal grows in one direction from the bottom to the top of the crucible while the heat emission is changed in accordance with a predetermined relationship for keeping the solidification rate of the raw semiconductor material constant.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a method and for cutting an intermediate article of manufacture, the intermediate article of manufacture being a cord reinforced elastomeric laminate. The laminate when cut to length, becomes a carcass for a pneumatic tire. The laminate is cut by a cutting element at angles .theta. greater than 60.degree. relative to a normal plane (NP) perpendicular to a cord reinforced ply of the laminate and parallel to the cords to thereby create large substantially flat planar splice surfaces without significant deformation or precuring of the unvulcanized elastomeric materials. To facilitate this cut, the relative position of the cutting element and the ply is changed to an angle .beta., .beta. being less than .theta.. The ply is cut a short distance, at the angle .beta., to position the cutting element between two parallel cords. Then the cutting element is reoriented to the angle .theta. to complete the cut.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a method and for cutting an intermediate article of manufacture, the intermediate article of manufacture being a cord reinforced elastomeric laminate. The laminate, when cut to length, becoming a carcass for a pneumatic tire. The laminate is cut by a cutting element at angles .theta. greater than 60.degree. relative to a normal plane (NP) perpendicular to a cord reinforced ply of the laminate and parallel to the cords to thereby create large substantially flat planar splice surfaces without significant deformation or precuring of the unvulcanized elastomeric materials. To facilitate this cut, the relative position of the cutting element and the ply is changed to an angle .beta., .beta. being less than .theta.. The ply is cut a short distance, at the angle .beta., to position the cutting element between two parallel cords. Then the cutting element is reoriented to the angle .theta. to complete the cut.

Abstract: Apparatus for longitudinally and transversely trimming articles moldingly formed on plastic sheet which is brought by means of a pair of clamp chains between longitudinally movable pointed tip knives and longitudinally extended holder members as well as transversely movable pointed tip knives and transversely extended holder member respectively held in retracted position and then trimmed by moving said knives and holder members to forwarded position and by moving said knives. Said sheet is formed in advance with transversely and longitudinally extended ridges so that said moving knives cannot sever the sheet at said ridges, whereby trimmed articles fall down by gravity and waste portion kept in one piece is brought out by said clamp chains to be collected.

Abstract: A layup of sheet material clamped to a conveyor by a conveyor loading apparatus is pulled by and onto the conveyor from an adjacent supply table. The loading apparatus includes a clamping carriage assembly straddling the conveyor and supported for free rolling movement relative to the conveyor. Fluid motors mounted on the clamping carriage move a clamping bar from a released position into clamping engagement with the layup to clamp it between the conveyor surface and the clamping bar and couple the clamping carriage to the conveyor to move with the conveyor. A flexible hose wound on a pay-off reel mounted on the clamping carriage and spring biased toward wound position supplies pressure fluid to the fluid motors and biases the clamping carriage toward a retracted position near the supply table end of the conveyor when the clamping bar is in its released position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a machine for accurately cutting documents from a web of transparent material carrying one or more opaque documents, which machine comprises a punch-type cutter which is mounted for pivotal and lateral movement and capable of automatic positioning for accurately cutting a well-defined portion of the web so as to provide series of individual documents of predetermined size. The machine is provided with a first detector for detecting the arrival of an opaque document on the web at the cutting zone, a control responsive to the detector for arresting the movement of the web, other detectors for determining the relative lateral and angular position of the document on the web with respect to the cutter and a control responsive to the other detectors for displacing the cuttering laterally and angularly to bring the same into a predetermined position with respect to the document.

Abstract: A feeder mechanism for feeding a sheet of metal to be blanked in a zigzag fashion in cooperation with a sheet of metal feeder mechanism of a press. A reversible D.C. motor is employed for reciprocating the sheet of metal in a direction at right angles to the sheet of metal feed direction of the press. The forward and reverse rotation and its cycle of the D.C. motor are controlled by a controller in synchronism with the feeding speed of the sheet of metal. The rotational motion of the D.C. motor is translated into a linear reciprocating motion of a die set by a rack and pinion mechanism. The rack is connected to the die set and is reciprocated in a direction at right angles to the sheet of metal feed direction of the press.

Abstract: A vertically fed strip of material is cut into segments of selected lengths by a movable cutting knife cooperating with a fixed knife in which both of the knives are mounted in a frame for rotation between first and second cutting positions. When the knives are in the first cutting position, a segment is cut from the strip of material at a first angle other than orthogonal to the feed path. Rotation of the frame positions the cutting plane of the knives at a second angle to the first angle and other than orthogonal to the feed path to cut the segment, which is held prior to being cut at the first angle, to produce a pointed end.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting patterns from successive contiguous segments of an elongated layup of sheet material has a zoned vacuum table which includes an endless bristle mat conveyor, for shifting a layup along the table to position a segment of the layup in the cutting zone of the table and for holding the layup segment in the cutting zone, and a carriage assembly, which moves a cutting mechanism relative to the table and in cutting engagement with the segment to cut patterns from the segment in response to signals from a programmable controller. A rotary encoder mounted on the carriage assembly has a pinion which engages a rack carried by the conveyor to detect movement of the carriage assembly relative to the conveyor when the carriage assembly returns to its starting position after completing its cutting cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus for withdrawing a continuous band of multi-article skin packages from a skin packing machine includes a clamping device for periodically grasping the band and stepwise withdrawing it from the skin packing machine in a direction of band feed; a first cutter for severing the band parallel to the direction of band feed; and a second cutter for severing the band transversely to the direction of band feed. The two cutters can divide each multi-article skin package into smaller, single-article packages. The apparatus further has a punch for providing hanger holes in the packages simultaneously with the severing operation of the second cutter; a sled carrying the clamping device, the second cutter and the punch back and forth parallel to the direction of band feed. A control intermittently and simultaneously actuates the second cutter and the punch at predeterminable locations when the sled travels against the direction of band feed.

Abstract: A blanking machine for blanking holes in a sheet of metal in a zigzag fashion comprising a bolster, a pair of rails, fixedly secured to the bolster extending in a direction right angles to the feeding direction of the sheet of metal to be blanked, a lower die set slidably mounted on the rails, a die fixedly secured to the lower die set, an upper die set having a punch mounted thereon opposite the die, the upper and the lower die sets being coupled together, a hydraulic cylinder having a plurality of pressure chambers formed therein, a transmission mechanism connected to a piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder, and a connecting rod for connecting the transmission mechanism to the upper or lower die set.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed and claimed herein for cutting logs into predetermined lengths with primary use in a hardwood veneer plant. A log conveyor is provided, preferably in two sections, with a cutting station located therebetween. The cutting station is equipped with a pivotally operated chain saw or circular saw which cuts the logs as desired. A log clamp means is provided immediately adjacent the cutting station to engage the log on two sides, preferably top and bottom, with the diameter of the log being irrelevant within wide ranges. When a log is first clamped, the cutting saw passes to square off the forward end of same. Located downstream of the cutting station are a plurality of individually operated log stops that are located in the path of travel of the log moving along the conveyor. A particular stop, depending upon the length of log cut desired, is actuated to move into the path of log travel.