Abstract: A rotary die cutter for cutting sheet material has a drive mechanism which reduces the shock applied between the work piece and the die. Including a drive train for the die cutting rollers which permits slippage. The drive train can have a tension belt system which allows slippage when excessive force is required at the die so that the shock on the prime mover and drive train is minimized.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for cutting segments from a continuously moving stock piece are disclosed wherein a cut-off press is accelerated to exceed the speed of the stock piece and to substantially eliminate a pushing force by the stock against a positive engagement means. The force of acceleration is reduced and controlled to maintain a minimum bias in the direction of the stock movement by the positive engagement means when the cut-off press attains a velocity equivalent to the moving stock piece. The stock piece is severed into accurate length segments during reciprocal movement cycles of the cut-off press. Back pressure on the stock piece is substantially eliminated by establishing a positive pulling engagement between the cut-off press and the stock piece when moving in the same direction during the reciprocal movement cycles.

Abstract: A wire cutting machine for consecutively severing predetermined wire lengths from a continuously fed wire of indefinite length, comprises a wire cutting device and a wire discharge device arranged downstream (as viewed in the direction of wire feed) of the wire cutting device. Th wire discharge device has a wire channel, the walls of which define an elongated channel space which is oriented in the direction of wire feed and within which the wire is advanced. In the channel wall a plurality of openings are provided which are arranged in the longitudinal direction at predetermined distances from one another. A wire length detecting arrangement is operatively connectible with the channel space through any selected one of the openings.

Abstract: The present specification describes and claims a device for severing a strip which interconnects items conveyed one behind the other and spaced apart from each other. The device is particularly suited to cutting the binding strip for the spine of books, blocks etc. The device comprises a knife mechanically coupled to a follower device which, in use, follows the profile of the individual items. The follower device maintains the knife in a position ready to cut and when the follower device drops down a gap between adjacent items, the movement of the knife activates control means to operate a knife power drive, the knife then cutting the strip and following a working cycle back to a ready position wherein the follower device can engage a subsequent item.