Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a roll of material comprising an elongated blade having a distal end, a cutting guide attached to the elongated blade and positioned to direct the distal end of the elongated blade towards the roll of material, and a support position to hold the roll of material approximate to the elongated blade. A method for cutting a roll of material having an axis and a circumference is taught. The method comprises radially cutting the roll of material from the circumference to the axis by advancing the distal end of an elongated blade, then rotating the elongated blade relative the axis to cut the roll of material. Alternately, the method teaches rotating the roll of material relative to the axis to cut the roll of material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing trim from logs of sheet material. In some embodiments, the apparatus has a first axle defining a first axis, a second axle defining a second axis, a first guide assembly, a second guide assembly, a conveyor extending across the first and second axles and through the first and second guide assemblies so that the first guide assembly and the first axle define a first section of the conveyor, the second guide assembly and the second axle define a second section of the conveyor, and the first guide assembly and the second guide assembly define a third section of the conveyor below the second section. One or both of the first and second guide assemblies are preferably movable to discharge trim from the apparatus. In some embodiments, the conveyor includes first and second endless members.

Abstract: A process for forming small stacks from an initial stack of sheet material by cutting includes providing a single guillotine cutter machine which comprises a rear table part for receiving the material to be cut and a front table part for receiving the cut material, separating the initial stack into partial stacks by a plurality of cuts in a first direction perpendicular to a direction of feed thereof, and pushing back and rotating 90° at least a portion of the partial stacks from the front table part onto the rear table part for further cutting. The process also includes installing a first movable guide plate above the front table part, placing the partial stacks such that the partial stacks abut the guide plate, and cutting the partial stacks to produce small stacks.

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: Procedure for automatic removal of a piece of cheese 10, which is detached from a block of cheese 3 by a cut but is still stuck to the block, and a conveying device 1 feeds the block of cheese in a continuous motion to a detaching device 4 and the detaching device 4 has a removal device, which turns the piece of cheese 10 found on the front side of the block of cheese sideways, removes it in a separating motion and then feeds it into a discharge device 15.

Abstract: Pieces are cut out from a sheet material by means of an installation comprising a cutting-out table (12) receiving the sheet material (30) from a loading station (12), and an unloading station (16) for unloading cut-out pieces. A flexible sealing film (32) is brought onto the sheet material upstream from the cutting-out table, and it is applied by establishing suction at the surface of the cutting-out table. After cutting-out, at least the skeleton (32′) of the sealing film is separated at the downstream end of the cutting-out table in order to be recovered. The recovery is preformed by automatic winding-up outside the unloading station, it being possible to deposit fastenings on the sealing film so that they straddle the cutting-out lines, or else said recovery is performed by sucking up the fragments of sealing film by means of a rotary member bearing against the sheet material.

Abstract: A design is formed in a carpet secured to a table with a carriage controlled and moved over the table by a computer. A carver is mounted to the carriage and is computer-controlled to carve a design into the secured carpet. Also, a separator is mounted to the carriage and is computer-controlled to separate the carved carpet into a plurality of pieces. The secured carpet has a grain extending in a first particular direction, and carving in a second particular direction produces an actual result offset from an intended result by a quantified offset. The first direction and second directions are determined and a relationship therebetween is calculated. An offset associated with such relationship is then determined, and the determined offset is employed to position a carver during carving in the second direction. Thus, the employed offset produces an actual result that aligns with the intended result.

Abstract: A method to remove pieces (14) cut off from bar-shaped workpiece material (5) by a cutting machine (1) is provided as well as an apparatus to carry out this process, wherein the piece (14) of the material (5) to be cut lies on a machine table (7) during cutting behind the cutting plane (8) in the direction of feed (9) of the material (5), is gripped between gripping jaws (12, 13) from behind the cutting plane (8) only. At the end of the cut, the cut off piece (14) is moved away from the cutting plane (8) by the gripping jaws (12, 13) in the material feed direction (9) and is tilted about an axis perpendicular to the material feed direction (9) such that its most recently cut surface is essentially horizontal and directed downward and that the piece (14) is then discharged by the gripping jaws (12, 13) by means of an essentially vertical motion downward onto an offload table (21).

Abstract: An extraction apparatus for extracting or separating cut or partially cut pieces or parts from a cut sheet at an extraction station comprises: a sheet gripping and moving device for gripping and moving a cut or partially cut sheet through an extraction station; and an extraction roller at the extraction station positioned for movement transversely of a cut sheet and being constructed, arranged and operated to move transversely of the path of movement of the cut sheet when the leading edge scrap web of the cut sheet is adjacent the extraction roller to engage and deflect the scrap web of the cut sheet passing through the gripping and moving device away from the cut pieces or parts.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a cutter includes a cutter cylinder that has a cutter blade on a peripheral surface thereof. The cutter blade extends in a longitudinal direction. A rotary die cutter has a receiving cylinder on a peripheral surface thereof to receive the cutter blade. A sheet conveying device is provided for feeding a nonmetallic sheet between the cutter cylinder and the receiving cylinder of the rotary die cutter at a speed synchronous with that of the cutter blade. An inverting device is also provided for pulling back the sheet after the tip portion thereof is severed by action of the cutter cylinder and the rotary die cutter.

Abstract: A paper web is drawn into a printing and can be guided along a selected one of several paths. The paper web is weakened along a line of separation and is then held by a retaining system that can move the web in a conveying direction along a first path. The web is fed to a different conveying path and is separated ot torn along the line of separation. This line of separation or weakening is formed at an angle to the production direction.

Abstract: A method for reliable, safe removal of an electrical or electronic component or device mounted on a fragile or brittle circuit board substrate having opposed planar upper and lower surfaces, e.g., for performing testing such as failure analysis, comprises sequential steps of cutting the substrate transversely through its thickness to separate therefrom a segment comprising a first portion including the component or device and a second, adjoining portion; cutting the separated segment longitudinally along a plane parallel to the upper surface, the cutting extending beneath the entirety of the first portion; and cutting the substrate of the separated segment transversely through its thickness to separate the first portion including the component or device from the second portion.

Abstract: A method of converting a web of indefinite length into a plurality of web portions by slitting the web at a transverse point prior to processing the web portions into a plurality of use supply forms (such as rolls), wherein the plurality of web portions are separated by a two-stage process. A first stage of the process is a partial separation operation that almost entirely separates the web portions, but leaves the web portions connected, such as by a slitting operation that leaves a series of connected zones. The second stage includes the complete separation, such as by breaking of the connected zones. The complete separation of the web portions preferably occurs near the station at which the use supply forms are created, such as a winding station. Thus, the web portions, after substantial separation at the first stage can be handled (for example, guided and tensioned) as if the plurality of web portions were a full width web.

Abstract: A cold separation device for separating an elongate member (9) along its length, the device comprising a separation unit (12), comprising a driven blade (26). support means (1, 16, 18, 27, 28, 29, 30) to support the elongate member upstream and downstream and in the vicinity of the separation unit (12), and a feeder means (4) to feed the said elongate member towards and through the separation unit (12).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of forming a multi-layer pad of a non-woven fiber batt and a foam layer having conforming convoluted surfaces and to a multi-layer pad incorporating a non-woven fiber batt and foam layer. The process of forming a non-woven batt layer and a foam layer having conforming convoluted surfaces comprises transporting each layer along its longitudinal dimension while compressing each layer along its lateral dimension. Concomitantly with compression, each layer is cut transversely along its lateral dimension to separate each layer into an upper segment and a lower segment and to provide conforming convoluted surfaces on the segments of each layer, the convoluted surfaces comprised of upstanding projections and depressions.

Abstract: A splitting apparatus includes a splitter member with a plurality of blades, and a splitting guide configured to anchor articles so that an article to be split is anchored on a splitting guide when the splitter member is moved across the splitting guide. The apparatus includes a gate which is controlled by a gate controller that selectively opens and closes the discharge aperture positioned adjacent the splitting guide so that the split article can be discharged from the splitting guide. A staging platform is provided adjacent the splitting guide for aligning the articles to be split with the splitting guide and a staging advancer is provided to move articles from the staging platform to the splitting guide, and to discharge the split articles after splitting.

Abstract: An apparatus for advancing positions of a web material has a first transporter at which the pieces are separated from a web, a clamp which transfers the pieces to the plane of a second transporter and a second transporter operating in this plane in a direction orthogonal to the displacement direction of the first transporter. The second transporter has at least one conveyor at least part of which is movable toward and away from the clamp and toward which the clamp can be moved so that the pieces are transferred to the conveyor and can be displaced by the latter with no spacing between them or with only a limited spacing between them.

Abstract: For removing a polarizer from a liquid crystal display automatically, a device for removing a polarizer of liquid crystal display includes a holder, a separator, a first moving member, a damper and a second moving member. The holder fixes liquid crystal display. The separator separating an edge of a polarizer from the panel by inserting between the polarizer and the panel. The first moving member moves the separator. The clamping member holds the edge of the polarizer separated from the panel. The second moving member moves the first moving member and the separator together to separate the polarizer from the panel. The fixing member may include a vacuum adsorber, and it has an adsorption plate provided on the surface of which liquid crystal display is laid. The separator has a sharp edge to be easily inserted between the panel and the polarizer. The first moving member and the second moving member include a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, a servomotor and a ball screw system.

Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit has a housing and a label, which is wound about the housing in a belt-shape, and at least partially adhered to the housing. To remove the label from the housing, the label is cut in a predetermined cutting direction crosswise to a winding direction of the label. First and second cut ends are formed on the label. The first cut end is pushed open away from the housing. After this, the first cut end is pulled away from the housing, so that the label is peeled from the housing.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for sorting out short lengths in light-section finishing lines, including a cutting device, for example, a cold shear, which has a cutting plane, wherein the cutting device is followed by a driven roller conveyor with a length stop which can be removed preferably by being lifted and is adjustable to the desired length. The rolling stock resting against the length stop is held after cutting to length in the cutting device until the short lengths have been conveyed away by the driven roller conveyor after lifting the length stop.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing labels and for applying each of the labels to an end wall of a cigarette packet. The method includes separating the labels from a continuous web moving in a horizontal direction with the width of the web parallel to a vertical plane. Only one side of the web is provided with printed areas for a succession of the labels, and severance cuts are provided in the web to form the labels between the areas. Separation of the labels occurs at the cuts. After the labels are separated, they are continuously transported by a suction conveyor belt moving in a vertical plane substantially parallel to the vertical plane of the web. The labels are held separated from each other by negative pressure from the belt which acts on the printed side. Glue is applied to the print-free side of the labels on the belt by a phased and non-contact application of at least on row of successive glue spots extending along the longitudinal dimension of the label. Then the labels are applied to the packets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an array of individual business forms from a web allow two or more sets of forms from a single web to be formed and integrated in a final array, preferably an in seriatim array with a spacing between the individual forms. A web at least two sheets wide is moved in a first direction and slit to produce at least two web sections. The two web sections are redirected so that they move in different paths, such as by stationary curved surfaces that are vertically spaced from each other and disposed at different angles to the horizontal. Typically the web sections are redirected so that they are substantially vertically aligned with each other. Then the two web sections are cut into individual sheets and the individual sheets are redirected and combined into a single array of sheets with alternating sheets in the array from alternating web sections.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing and stacking sheets cut from a web of material, in which by longitudinal cutting, at least two web sections 7a, 7b of predetermined width are cut from the web of material 7, by transverse cutting, a predetermined number of sheets of material of desired length are cut from each of the web sections 7a, 7b, and the cut sheets are delivered to stackers which stack the cut sheets according to the different cut formats.

Abstract: An improved method and device for separating parts from the sheet metal carrier. In particular, a single sheet from a stack of sheets having parts micro-joined to the carrier sheet is transported to the nip of a pair of pinch rollers. The pinch rollers move down to engage the front edge of the sheet, the pinch rollers moving the sheet to the nip formed between a pair of main rollers. The main rollers then move together to the drive position and transport the sheet to a separation device on the opposite side of the main rollers. The main rollers drive the sheet material in a manner such that the top surface of the leading edge of the sheet metal is engaged below the forward tip of the separation device. The separation device is then moves downwardly so that the upper surface of the separation device assembly is level to the part pass line.

Abstract: A novel design and method of manufacturing confetti uses an interior cutout type die-cutting process. The resulting die cut confetti has unique and unusual aerodynamic features creating visually pleasing flight patterns.The predominant descent pattern of this new confetti is a hover action. The confetti rocks slightly back and forth during its descent but primarily remains parallel to the ground.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for dimensioning and manipulating a patterned material by selectively applying a vacuum and/or positive pressure to the patterned material.

Abstract: Point needles in a conveying cylinder of a rotary press are caused to follow a curve course which securely fastens a web to the cylinder while eliminating transport damage to the printed products as well as reducing paper waste. The needle tips of the point needles are moved along their path by the superimpositioning of two pivot movements, one of which is accomplished by a point holder arm and the second of which is accomplished by a rocker. The two cooperate to form a level four member swivel joint.

Abstract: A rotary knife apparatus for depositing filled pouches in preselected count stacks along a travelling product conveyor. The rotary knife apparatus includes a rotating disc valve intermediate negative and positive pressure sources on one side and a rotary knife hub on the other side. The rotating disc valve includes a plurality of arcuate slots and apertures which communicate with the negative and positive pressure sources and axial ports in the knife hub such that the knife hub holds and expels the filled pouches along defined segments of rotation of the knife hub. The rotating disc valve has a dynamically variable rotational speed relative to a rotational speed of the knife hub for changing a predetermined number of different angular drop-off points during a period of rotation of the knife hub to correspondingly change the preselected count of pouches in a stack.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing a portion of tape from a lined tape is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a carriage with an anvil, a tape advancer for advancing lined tape along the carriage to position and end portion of the tape adjacent to a working surface of the anvil, a rotatable cutter positioned adjacent to the anvil and an actuator for causing relative movement between the anvil and the cutter so that an end portion of the tape lays down on the anvil and an end portion of the tape is sheared from the lined tape, leaving the adjacent end portion of the liner intact. The apparatus may include a tape cutter and actuators for cutting the tabbed tape while it is applied to a part. A method for producing a lined tape with an integral liner release tab is also disclosed. Lined tape is supplied to a carriage including an anvil and a tape advancer which advances the tape so that an end portion extends over a working surface of the anvil.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for the removal of trimming strips located on point needles, it is intended to convey the trimming strips from a cylinder rotating at high rpm, in particular a blade cylinder of a scissors cut device, to a disposal device. This is achieved in an operation in which in that the speared trimming strips are completely pushed off the point needles by stripping fingers acting on them from beneath. The removed trimming strips are supplied to a disposal device.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing confetti includes stacking a plurality of sheets of lightweight material into a stack, placing an open ended gang die onto the stack, applying pressure to cut the stack into plurality of shaped stacks, and bursting each of the shaped stacks to separate the sheets from one another. The open ended gang die is formed by welding individual dies onto metal pull bars of a gang die.

Abstract: In the punching of a stack (7) of sheet-like articles, especially labels made from paper or paperboard, with a punching knife (4), a punching ram (3) which can be moved to the punching knife (4) and a counter-pressure plunger (5) which is guided through the punching knife (4), the punching knife (4) and the counter-pressure plunger (5) are arranged on the carriage (10) which can be moved towards and away from the punching ram (3). As a result, a receiving apparatus (26) which can be moved laterally towards and away from the punching area can remove the ready-punched stack (21) and at the same time a new stack (7) of precut sheets can be presented to the punching ram (3).

Abstract: Point needles in a collecting cylinder are driven in a two stage extension process to initially needle or pierce the leading edge of a product web being cut. Once the cut has been made, the needle tips are moved further radially outwardly from the cylinder to secure the cut edge. As the signatures are transferred to a folding cylinder, the needle points are retracted along a single stage retraction curve which is different from the path traveled during the two stage extension process.

Abstract: In a reproduction system with an output sheet stacking tray system and a slitter with selectable sheet slitting positions in which printed sheets being outputted by the reproduction system may be selectably slit (or not) in their sheet output direction into plural slit sheets of selectably variable sheet widths and stacked in the output tray sheet stacking system; a dual mode output sheet stacking tray system is selectably convertible between a single sheet stacking position mode and a plural slit sheet stacking surfaces mode, wherein in the plural slit sheet stacking surfaces mode the sheet stacking tray system provides plural opposingly transversely sloped sheet stacking surfaces with low friction to assist slit sheets slit from the same printed sheet to transversely slide laterally away from one another, wherein these opposingly sloped surfaces intersect substantially in line with the slitting position of the slitter in the process direction.

Abstract: A high speed food loaf slicing machine slices two food loaves simultaneously, using one cyclically driven knife blade; the slices are stacked or shingled in groups on a receiving conveyor located below the slicing station. Independent loaf feed drives are provided; slices cut from one loaf may be thicker than slices from the other. Each loaf feed drive includes two "short" conveyors each driven at a predetermined speed; the conveyor speeds may be different. In each machine cycle the receiving conveyor is moved down to accommodate an increasing number of slices; when a slicing cycle is completed, the receiving conveyor rapidly discharges the slice groups onto a deceleration conveyor and moves back up to start a new slicing operation. The loaf feed drives are reversed at the end of a slicing cycle, stopped, and then reversed again before the next slicing cycle.

Abstract: This invention pertains to cutting dies for cutting continuous strip elements from a continuous web of fibrous and/or polymeric material. An improved cutting die has an elevated stripping land between adjacent but spaced elongated cutting knives. The elevated stripping land obviates the trim element becoming lodged in the trim zone between the cutting knives, and thereby assists in stripping the trim element from the trim zone.

Abstract: A method for transferring rod sections from a flying shears to a cooling bed via a run-in table wherein electromagnetic coils are placed in hollow rollers at a downstream end of the run-in table to pull the leading ends of the rods onto the rollers and prevent bouncing of the rods whereafter braking force is applied to the trailing end of the rods before the rods are lifted by a lifting apron for transfer to the cooling bed. The rollers containing the electromagnetic coils are hollow and detachable to gain access to the interior of the rollers and the electromagnetic coils therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for stopping a roll set, quickly in a controlled fashion. Typically, such a roll set is comprised of a plurality of rolls which is launched from a slitter wherefrom it is rolled along a downward ramp to a conveyor. On the downward ramp, on the side of the conveyor opposite the ramp is a number of adjacent stop gages suited for being controlled to a home position and an operating position, respectively. For each roll, a required number of the stop gages located along the rolling path of the roll is selected to operate, while the rest of the stop gages are left in their home positions. In this fashion, each roll can be stopped individually even when the rolls move simultaneously and, moreover, the stopping force can be adjusted separately for each roll.

Abstract: In a method of separating a product G connected to a skeleton portion S of work W via a micro joint M, from the skeleton portion, the product is separated from the skeleton portion by striking the skeleton portion in the vicinity of the micro joint to cut off the micro joint from the skeleton. Further, the die pair used for the above-mentioned method comprises a punch 17A provided with a projecting portion 17T at an end thereof and movable up and down; and a die 19A arranged under the punch and formed of an elastic substance. In this method, it is possible to separate products from the skeleton portion of the work efficiently by breaking the micro joints without scratching the products and without generating noise. Further, the separating work of the products from the skeleton portion can be easily automated.

Abstract: An auto-splice device includes a cutting conveyer on which a sheet is cut to produce a fabric, a vacuum take-out unit for taking the fabric from the cutting conveyer onto a take-out conveyer, and a splice mechanism for splicing the fabric to another fabric on the take-out conveyer. A sheet end position measuring unit controls the location at which the fabric is held by the vacuum take-out unit.

Abstract: In a rolling and cutting method for an endless hot-rolled steel strip comprising continuous hot rolling and joining rough-rolled slabs to each other with a joint having a boundary between slabs, subjecting the joined rough-rolled strip continuously to hot finish rolling to obtain an endless hot-rolled steel strip with a joint having a boundary between strips, cutting the endless hot-rolled steel strip immediately before coiling, and coiling each cut strip into a coil, the endless hot-rolled steel strip being cut such that the boundary between two successive slabs or sheets is positioned on the radially outermost face of the coil; the target cut point is set relative to the boundary by applying the tracking error of the boundary and the cutting control error for ensuring that the target cut point is accurately positioned on the radially outermost surface of the coil; the strip is kept from breaking at the boundary when coiled, and the coil as a final product can be produced with minimum scrap.

Abstract: A method for producing a mini chip card out of a standard card having an embedded semiconductor chip uses a punching die with cutting edges defining the outer contour of the mini chip card. The punching die is adjusted relative to the standard card and with respect to contact surfaces of the embedded semiconductor chip so that the edges of the punching die are at a predetermined distance from the contact surfaces. The punching of the standard card is performed in this adjusted position so that the contact surfaces are in a reference position with respect to the outer contour of the mini chip card. The punching forms the mini chip card in the correct position in the standard card. The mini chip card may initially remain connected to the standard card by thin bars between the cards.

Abstract: An arrangement for removing an end-part from rapidly moving rolled material includes a cutting device (3) which functions to cut the moving rolled material, and a guide (4) which is located downstream of the cutting device. The guide has an active state, in which a forward end of rolled material (T) to be fed to the guide (4) in a first direction, is gripped and driven thereby and discharged therefrom in a second direction different from the first direction, and an inactive state, in which an end-part of rolled material (T) incoming in the first direction passes through the guide (4) without changing direction and without being gripped thereby. The arrangement also includes feed devices (5) which function to advance rolled material (T) in the second direction. This rolled material is discharged from the guide (4) in the second direction with the guide in its active state.

Abstract: An auto-splice device includes a cutting conveyer on which a sheet is cut to produce a fabric, a vacuum take-out unit for taking the fabric from the cutting conveyer onto a take-out conveyer, and a splice mechanism for splicing the fabric to another fabric on the take-out conveyer. A sheet end position measuring unit controls the location at which the fabric is held by the vacuum take-out unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating a first flexible lamina of predetermined thickness from a second lamina to which the first lamina is adhered along an edge (e.g., a pouch for use in an identification card). The apparatus includes a channel having a thickness not substantially greater than the combined thickness of the laminae, an impeller for impelling the laminae together through the channel and out of the outlet end, a cutter adjacent the outlet of the channel positioned to contact the edge at which the two laminae are adhered adjacent the line of adhesion between the laminae, thus separating the laminae, and a wedge adjacent the cutter so that as the first and second laminae are separated by the cutter and impelled past the wedge, the two laminae pass on opposed sides of the wedge, thereby increasing the separation between the laminae.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for cutting a wrapper on a cylindrical roll in which a blade has a pointed tip joined to an inclined edge extending outwardly and an opposite smooth surface, the blade being moved under the outer wrap of the wrapper but outward of the material of the roll and continuing to be moved along a predetermined path along the length of the roll, with the inclined edge cutting the outer wrapper. The blade is positioned perpendicular to the roll and circumferentially from the outer end of the wrapper. In a preferred embodiment a longitudinal bubble is formed in the outer wrap of the wrapper and the blade tears through the crown of this bubble. Also in the preferred embodiment, a gathering device is provided for removing and flattening the cut wrapper.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a first flexible lamina of predetermined thickness from a second lamina to which the first lamina is adhered along an edge (e.g., a pouch for use in an identification card) includes a channel having a thickness not substantially greater than the combined thickness of the laminae, an impeller for impelling the laminae together through the channel and out of the outlet end, a cutter adjacent the outlet of the channel positioned to contact the edge at which the two laminae are adhered adjacent the line of adhesion between the laminae, thus separating the laminae, and a wedge adjacent the cutter so that as the first and second laminae are separated by the cutter and impelled past the wedge, the two laminae pass on opposed sides of the wedge, thereby increasing the separation between the laminae.

Abstract: An automatic storage and stacking device for sheets of laminar material, such as corrugated cardboard or the like, comprises a transportation unit which removes the sheets of laminar material from a cutting group, overlaps them and conveys them towards a storage surface. The transportation unit comprises a plurality of conveyors in series which can be operated at varying speeds so as to allow separation of a first series of sheets from a successive second series of sheets; with one of said conveyors there is associated a retainer for holding the rear portion of the first sheet of said second series, which retainer comprises a gripper member able to perform an alternating movement along the conveyor with which the gripper member is associated.

Abstract: A method and system for assorting a number of small product pieces (G) cut off from a large work sheet (W) which is processed by a cutting machine (1) to form small product parts (G). The system includes a cutting-off device (71) for cutting off the small product parts (G) in turn from the large work sheet (W), transportation device (9) for transporting the small product pieces (G) cut off from the sheet (W) in a direction (X) and positioning the pieces (G) in desired places in the transportation device (9), and an assorting device (11) for collecting the pieces (G) at the desired places and positioning the pieces in predetermined places by every kind of the pieces (G).

Abstract: A machine for processing a workpiece is disclosed. Preferably, the machine includes a circular saw blade that may be positionable about multiple axes with respect to the workpiece. The machine is particularly suited for processing an elongated workpiece. The machine includes two gripping mechanisms and three vises that cooperate with one another to move an elongated workpiece into position, hold the workpiece while it is being processed, and remove the workpiece from the machine. The machine also includes a computer system that controls the orientation of the saw blade and the movements of the vises and gripping mechanisms.