Abstract: An I-beam section traveling from the apparatus in which it is fabricated is cut on the fly by a die set or shear which is moved with the I-beam. The cut is effected by a stepped blade having a leading cutting edge and a trailing cutting edge, the latter being in the same plane but laterally offset from the former. The cut proceeds at a 45.degree. angle to the plane of the web and flanges. The leading edge enters the I-beam at the middle of the web and cuts the remainder of the web and the lower flange. The trailing blade edge engages the margin of the upper flange and cuts through this flange and the remainder of the web. The cutting blade is mounted on a reciprocable upper shoe and the I-beam is fed through structure mounted on the lower shoe which has an opening for the I-beam to pass with considerable clearance. Inserts mounted on the lower shoe underlie the web and flanges of the I-beam to support the beam during the cut.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for cutting tow by supplying the two with a pair of rolls to form a package next to cutting edges inside a rotating ring of blades. A pressure roll forces the tow against the cutting edges which form a surface of rotation preferably at an angle of 5.degree. to 85.degree. to the axis of rotation of the circle of blades.

Abstract: A ledger for a rod-making machine, especially a cigarette or filter making machine, comprises two rotary members arranged to rotate at the same speed about parallel axes and a connecting member which is pivotally connected to both of the rotary members and carries a rod support which supports the rod during each cutting stroke.

Abstract: A ledger for use in a continuous rod cigarette making machine, or a similar machine, comprising a rod support to support the continuous rod during cutting, characterised by a rotary member which is arranged to rotate about a fixed axis, a first planetary gear which carries or is connected to the rod support and is rotatable relative to the rotary member about an axis which is parallel to the fixed axis and is spaced from the fixed axis by an adjustable distance, the first planetary gear being maintained in a fixed orientation at least partly by the action of a second planetary gear which is mounted rotatably on the rotary member and meshes with a drive gear which is arranged to rotate about the fixed axis at a speed different from that of the rotary member.