Abstract: In a cutting apparatus for cutting a printed metal sheet (1) into a number of individual sheet metal blanks (A1-A6, B1-B6, C1-C6), a conveyor-path switch (9) for removing blanks with defective printing from the conveyor path is provided for separating each blank chosen at the blank discharge point. The conveyor-path switches are selectively activated by a control unit (6). This enables individual blanks to be discarded, thus reducing machine down time and waste of material due to sheets with defective printing.

Abstract: A food slicer for automatic operation having a staged dynamic brake for bringing the slicer carriage to rest at a predetermined location in a smooth manner. A sensor or system of sensors are utilized to detect the slicer carriage location. The sensor output is fed through a microprocessor which controls a dynamic brake which in turn acts upon the slicer carriage. The brake acts upon the carriage in two or more stages, so as to bring the carriage to rest in a smooth manner. The invention may also operate to as to bring the carriage to rest in a predetermined location.

Abstract: Previous methods of bucksawing logs slow the throughput of a sawmill in that the conveyor line is stopped while a given log is bucksawed to length. The present invention provides an apparatus for bucksawing a log which improves the throughput speed by a) advancing the log endwise along an infeed conveyor; b) raising the log above the level of said infeed conveyor while advancing the log; c) measuring the advance of the log while raised; d) stopping the log at the desired length; e) sawing the log to produce a forward log segment; and f) advancing the forward log segment onto an outfeed conveyor while advancing the remaining log segments.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for cutting circuit board panels utilizing an in-line cutting mechanism. As the panel is transported into the cutting mechanism, adjustable rails are moved into position to properly guide the panel into the cutting head. The actual cutting operation is performed by transporting the panel between an upper cutting disk blade and a lower cutting disk blade. The distance between these two blades is adjustable and permits precision cutting of the panel with minimal stress to the circuit board and its components.

Abstract: A method of position-based integrated motion controlled curve sawing includes the steps of: transporting a curved workpiece in a downstream direction on a transfer, and monitoring position of the workpiece on the transfer, scanning the workpiece through an upstream scanner to measure workpiece profiles in spaced apart array, along a surface of the workpiece and communicating the workpiece profiles to a digital processor, computing by the digital processor, a high order polynomial smoothing curve fitted to the array of workpiece profiles of the curved workpiece, and adjusting the smoothing curve for cutting machine constraints of downstream motion controlled cutting devices to generate an adjusted curve generating unique position cams unique to the workpiece from the adjusted curve for optimized cutting by the cutting devices along a tool path corresponding to the position cams, sequencing the transfer and the workpiece with the cutting devices, and sequencing the unique position cams corresponding to the work

Abstract: The apparatus for cutting sheet material includes a table in which the sheet material is rolled onto by a unrolling cradle. A re-rolling cradle at a respective side of the table rolls the cut material. An arrangement on the cradles ensures an even roll when unrolling and re-rolling. The re-rolling cradle has a pivotal adjustment about a vertical axis for receiving the material. A measuring arrangement on the apparatus measures the length of sheet to cut at a desired length. The measuring arrangement is automatically calibrated using spaced detectors.

Abstract: A photographic material feeder apparatus includes a paper conveyor for conveying cut papers to an exposure station and a plurality of paper magazines arranged in a cluster around a loading end of the conveyor. Each magazine accommodates therein a respective paper roll having a width corresponding to a respective size of a film image to be printed, and each magazine has a respective paper supply opening directed at the loading end of the conveyor. A plurality of paper feeders, one each positioned adjacent the opening of a respective the magazine, is operable to feed therefrom a strip of paper from the respective paper roll towards the loading end of the conveyor. A plurality of paper cutters, one each positioned adjacent a respective paper feeder, is operable to cut the strip of paper fed thereby from the respective magazine to a given length to produce a desired size of cut paper to be fed to the loading end of the conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for severing fiber bale ties and removing cut ties from a fiber bale includes a tie cutter for severing a metal tie surrounding the bale at a bale location; and a first metal sensor for responding to a presence of a metal tie around the bale. The first metal sensor is situated ahead of the tie cutter, whereby the first metal sensor passes by the bale tie prior to being severed by the tie cutter. There is further provided a second metal sensor for responding to a presence of a metal tie in engagement with the bale. The second metal sensor is situated after the tie cutter, whereby the second metal sensor trails the tie cutter relative to the fiber bale. The apparatus further has a device for displacing the bale and the first and second metal sensors relative to one another.

Abstract: A rotary punching device for punching a hole on a sheet includes: a first rotary shaft having an outer peripheral surface; a punch mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the first rotary shaft; a second rotary shaft arranged in parallel with the first rotary shaft, the second rotary shaft having an outer peripheral surface; a die mounted on the outer peripheral surface of second rotary shaft; a motor connected to the first and second rotary shafts to synchronously drive the first and second rotary shafts such that the punch and the die are engaged with each other within a predetermined rotational angle range; a sheet feeding mechanism for feeding the sheet into between the first and second rotary shafts at a constant sheet feeding speed to punch the sheet by the punch and the die; and controller for controlling the rotation speed of the motor referring to the sheet feeding speed.

Abstract: A method of position-based integrated motion controlled curve sawing includes the steps of: transporting a curved workpiece in a downstream direction on a transfer, and monitoring position of the workpiece on the transfer, scanning the workpiece through an upstream scanner to measure workpiece profiles in spaced apart array, along a surface of the workpiece and communicating the workpiece profiles to a digital processor, computing by the digital processor, a high order polynomial smoothing curve fitted to the array of workpiece profiles of the curved workpiece, and adjusting the smoothing curve for cutting machine constraints of downstream motion controlled cutting devices to generate an adjusted curve generating unique position cams unique to the workpiece from the adjusted curve for optimized cutting by the cutting devices along a tool path corresponding to the position cams, sequencing the transfer and the workpiece with the cutting devices, and sequencing the unique position cams corresponding to the work

Abstract: A pair of numerically controlled feed devices are successively operated, with the second feed device taking over from the first feed device when two or more punching steps have been performed. A trailing row of punching tools performs the first punching step with respect to a fresh plate at the same time when a leading row of tools performs the last punching step with respect to the preceding plate. There are provided sensors to determine plate length and/or angularity of the late edges in order to enable a numerical control to compute correction data for correcting the feeding of the plate whereby punching through the trailing and leading edges of the lates is avoided.

Abstract: A transporting apparatus transports tubing in a forward direction. A tubing cutter is disposed along the transporting apparatus, and is activated at predetermined time intervals to cut a source of tubing into cut tubing portions as the source of tubing is being transported past the tubing cutter along the transporting apparatus. A first sensor is disposed along the transporting apparatus for detecting the leading edge of the cut tubing portion as the cut tubing portion passes by the first sensor on the transporting apparatus. A second sensor detects the leading edge of the cut tubing portion at a subsequent time. A length determiner determines the length of the cut tubing portion, based upon a first amount of time between two activations of the tubing cutter that were used to cut the front and rear portions of the cut tubing portions. The length determiner also measures a second amount of time between detections of the leading edge of the cut tubing portion by the first sensor and by the second sensor.

Abstract: A food slicer for automatic operation having a staged dynamic brake for bringing the slicer carriage to rest at a predetermined location in a smooth manner. A sensor or system of sensors are utilized to detect the slicer carriage location. The sensor output is fed through a microprocessor which controls a dynamic brake which in turn acts upon the slicer carriage. The brake acts upon the carriage in two or more stages, so as to bring the carriage to rest in a smooth manner. The invention can also operate to as to bring the carriage to rest in a predetermined location.

Abstract: A cutting device of packing apparatus includes at least three cutting blades arranged around the packing material expanding cylinder in a substantially equally-spaced manner. The cutting blades are rotatable about their own rotational axes in a synchronous manner for cutting off the continuous packing material along a circumferential slit formed on the cylinder. This simplifies the overall structure by eliminating a mechanism to move the blades around the cylinder. By using a number of blades rotatable in synchronization with each other, the time period for a single blade in contact engagement with the packing material to be cut off is substantially reduced and the efficiency of the cutting operation is enhanced. Due to the enhanced efficiency, the delay of time in the alternation of the feeding operation and cutting operation is lowered down.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for positioning an elongate cant for the infeed of the cant into an edging device capable of longitudinally cutting the cant to remove the wane edges thereof. The apparatus generally comprises: a frame structure; a conveying module for transversely conveying the cant along a substantially straight path; a scanning module located along the path for optically scanning the morphology of the cant and providing morphology data; a computer module linked to the scanning means for analyzing the morphology data and calculating a longitudinal preferred infeed line for said cant; and a positioning means located further along the path for transversely positioning the cant to a colinear relationship with the preferred infeed line for said cant. More specifically, the positioning means comprises a plurality of spaced apart, releasable, pinching members.

Abstract: An infeed system that orients a log for a processing unit. A flight conveyor, a log turner and a sharp chain are in an overlapping arraignment. The flight conveyor conveys a log past a scanner which inputs scan data into a computer which determines the profile and orientation on the flight conveyor. The computer determines the desired orientation of the log for the processing unit. The log turner is arranged to rotate and skew the log to the desired orientation. The log is then transferred to the sharp chain conveyor. The overlapping arrangement of the flight conveyor, log turner and sharp chain maintains full control of the log at all times. The sharp chain conveys the log past a second scanner which inputs the scan data to the computer to determine the actual orientation of the log on the sharp chain. The infeed system may also be provided with a shift and lift mechanism for further controlling the log position relative to the processing unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for selectively cutting sheets of paper of variable length from a paper supply having a continuous web moving from an upstream location to a downstream location through a pair of pinch rollers and along a predetermined path to a rotary cutter. A controller controls the rotation of the rotary cutter. First and second sensors sense the angular positions of the rotary cutter and pinch rollers, respectively, to provide respective input signals to the controller indicative thereof. A format selector, controlled by an operator, provides a third input signal to the controller indicative of the speed and format for cutting individual sheets from the web. The controller is responsive to the first, second and third signals so that the rotary cutter cuts the sheets to the desired length and the pinch rollers feed the web at a desired speed.

Abstract: Previous methods of bucksawing logs slow the throughput of a sawmill in that the conveyor line is stopped while a given log is bucksawed to length. The present invention provides a method for bucksawing a log which improves the throughput speed, comprising the steps of a) advancing the log endwise along an infeed conveyor; b) raising the log above the level of said infeed conveyor while advancing the log; c) measuring the advance of the log while raised; d) stopping the log at the desired length; e) sawing the log to produce a forward log segment; and f) lowering the forward log segment onto an outfeed conveyor while advancing the remaining log segments. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pair of numerically controlled feed devices are successively operated, with the second feed device taking over from the first feed device when two or more punching steps have been performed. A trailing row of punching tools performs the first punching step with respect to a fresh plate at the same time when a leading row of tools performs the last punching step with respect to the preceding plate. There are provided sensors to determine plate length and/or angularity of the plate edges in order to enable a numerical control to compute correction data for correcting the feeding of the plate whereby punching through the trailing and leading edges of the plates is avoided.

Abstract: A positioning device having a transmitter mounted on a carriage which is movable along a secondary axis. A linear detection array is provided to scan a profile of an object mounted on the carriage. The detection array has a plurality of sensors which are arrayed in a direction which is parallel to the secondary axis. A directing device serves to direct a signal emitted from the transmitter to a corresponding one of the sensors which is in opposition to the transmitter. Position of the carriage, along the secondary axis, can be determined based on the on/off status of the sensors.

Abstract: A microtome (2) with a sample holder (51) for a sample (22) to be thinly sectioned and with a knife holder (12) for a cutting knife (10) is described, wherein the sample holder (51), for performing a cutting movement (arrow 54) relative to the knife holder (12), can be driven in a first spatial direction (arrows 54, 56) by means of a first drive device (53), and for performing a coarse adjustment and a section thickness adjusting movement in a second spatial direction (arrow 24) perpendicular to the first spatial direction (54, 56) by means of an electrical second drive device (50). In the vicinity of the cutting knife (10), for defined delimitation of the coarse adjustment movement of the sample holder (51) in the second spatial direction, a delimiting device (20) is provided, which is connected over control means (44), preferably an electronic control, with the electrical second drive device (50).

Abstract: An arrangement for optimizing the unproductive motions of a holdfast-beam in a machine that cuts sheets of material that are stacked on a bench. A hydraulic beam descends onto the stack of sheets to hold them fast before they are cut, and rises again after the sheets have been cut. A definite distance between the holdfast-beam and the material that has been cut is determined while the beam rises off the sheets of material. The rise of the holdfast-beam is terminated when a definite distance is determined.

Abstract: An arrangement for cutting stacked sheets of material resting on a bench. A hydraulically actuated holdfast beam descends onto the material to be cut, and the cutter travels perpendicular to the surface of the bench adjacent to the holdfast beam. A sensor operates during the cutting in conjunction with a circuit that controls the holdfast beam, and emits a signal to reduce the beam's holdfast force. The sensor is mounted below the holdfast beam and outside its effective surface that comes into contact with the material being cut. The distance between the sensor and the effective surface of the holdfast beam equals the distance between a lower edge of the holdfast beam and an upper edge of the stacked material that is being cut.

Abstract: A method for optimizing the cutting of sheets of material that are stacked on a bench in a cutting machine. Before cutting the sheets, a beam descends to hold the sheets fast while guillotine blade descends and cuts the sheets. After the sheets have been cut, the blade and beam are lifted, with the lower edge of the beam following the sharp edge of the blade. A definite distance between the blade and the top of the stack is determined while the blade rises after cutting the sheets. The rise of the blade is terminated at the upper end of that distance, which is determined by a pick-up mounted stationary on the holdfast beam. This pick-up detects the position of the rising blade in relation to the holdfast beam.

Abstract: A meat slicing machine has a frame having an inclined support surface with upper and lower ends. A slicing element is on the frame adjacent the lower end of the support surface. A weighing element on the frame is operationally connected to the support surface for weighing an elongated slab supported thereon. A measuring mechanism is provided on the frame for measuring the length of the slab before it is sliced. Stops are on the frame for stopping the slab of meat at the time it is weighed and the length is measured. Laser elements are provided on the frame for measuring the lateral width and the upper surface of the slab of meat as it is moved from the point of being weighed towards the slicing element. A computer is operatively connected to the weight and length measuring mechanism. The computer has a storage bank including known historical data on slabs of meat having known weights, lengths and density factors.

Abstract: According to the invention, the cutting station also comprises, on the one hand, detection means capable of individually determining the length of the stem of each mushroom and, on the other hand, control means capable of adjusting the relative position of the cutting device and of the mushroom stem as a function of the length of stem determined by the said detection means.

Abstract: A portable tool (41) for determining diameters and lengths along fallen trees (stems). The tool (41) includes callipers (2,3) for measuring diameters at positions along the stem and a tape measure (5) for measuring distance along the stem. In use, spinning lasers (57) are used to set up datum planes (51) either vertically beside the stem or horizontally above the stem. The tool (41) is also provided with a laser sensor (13) so that distance may be determined from the stem to the datum (51) to enable the curvature of the log to be determined. Each of the measuring devices on the tool (41) provide a visual display of their measurements and encoders (9,26) provide an electronic signal representative of the measurements to a computer (19) on the tool (41).

Abstract: Method for setting the cutting register on a cross-cutting device positioned downline of a web-fed printing press, the position of the cut edges being variable as a function of the position of the printed image on a moving web, includes scanning with a first scanning device located directly after a last printing unit of the web-fed printing press a printed image on a moving web, generating and feeding signals regarding the printed image to a control device, generating signals with an angle sensor connected to web-guiding cylinders of the web-fed printing press, and associating the angle-sensor signals with the printed-image signals in a region between two printed images and storing the signals in the control device, generating signals regarding the printed image with a second scanning device directly before a cross-cutting device in the region between the two printed images, directing the scanning device, as viewed in a transverse direction of the web, at the same line as the first scanning device, periodical

Abstract: An apparatus for processing chopped fibers from essentially continuous tows, each consisting of individual strands, comprises selectively feeding at least two tows to a venturi pump and associated cutter mechanism where the tows are cut or chopped into relatively short lengths to form chopped fibers. The apparatus includes sensors for monitoring the movement of each of the tows to the pump and cutter mechanism, and a controller which adjusts the feed rate of the tows and the rate of operation of the cutter mechanism in the event movement of one of the tows varies from a predetermined feed rate.

Abstract: A hosiery trimming apparatus for trimming and removing loose yarn ends from articles of hosiery which comprises a frame carrying a bidirectional conveyor on which is received single or pairs of hosiery articles having loose yarn ends. The articles are moved in a first preselected direction until that direction is changed by a sensing means detecting the conveyed hosiery. The hosiery articles then move in the reverse direction until they engage a second sensing means which initiates a hosiery article clamping device and a conveyor pivoting means to move the conveyor and carried hosiery articles into engagement with a trimming device supported by the frame. The trimming device trims the loose yarn ends from the hosiery articles, and the conveyor is then returned to its original position and moves the carried hosiery articles in the original direction and off to a remote location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting tubing in which uncut tubing is fed over punches connected to an arbor extending the length of a machine from a cutting head. The cutting head includes dies operative with the punches to cut the tubing into tubing pieces. Lengths of tubing are received by a carriage and cut into the tubing pieces. The carriage is capable of detecting the leading edge of the tubing and the trailing edge of the tubing. The lengths of tubing and tubing pieces have a unidirectional material flow to the end of the apparatus.

Abstract: Elongated wood blanks are fed on a table toward a machining tool such as a planar. The leading end of each blank is engaged by a driven input roller at the upstream side of the tool and advanced by the input roller into engagement with the tool and past the tool. A driven advance roller downstream of the tool then engages each input end to draw the blank past the tool for machining the length of the blank. As soon as the leading end of a finger engages the advance roller, the input roller pressure on the blank is relieved and, when the trailing end of the blank passes the advance roller, the input roller is repositioned to engage the leading end of the next blank.

Abstract: A precision cutting process machine aligns a workpiece to be subjected to a precision cutting process by a continuously rotating cutting tool relative to the cutting tool, and cuts the work into a predetermined pattern so as to form fine grooves at a predetermined pitch by a continuous cutting processes. The machine includes a main body base portion and an up-and-down moving table driven in the up-and-down direction with respect to the main body base portion.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for cutting oversized vegetable products or the like, such as potatoes in the course of producing french fry strips, to obtain a controlled product length distribution. The system includes a conveyor for transporting the products in single file to a length sensor station for detecting the length of each product, and then to a cutting station for cutting each overlong product at one of a plurality of different positions as a function of the detected product length. Such length-responsive cutting provides significant control over the distribution of product lengths, while minimizing or eliminating the presence of products which are too long or short.

Abstract: A pallet-cutting machine for selectively removing individual components of a load-bearing pallet.

Abstract: The invention is a cutting machine and its method of operation. The machine contains a vise, a feed mechanism for positioning a workpiece toward the cutting position, a mechanism for detecting the front end of the workpiece, a mechanism for detecting the transfer distance of the front end of the workpiece, a machanism acting in conjunction with the last two referenced mechanisms to reduce the feed speed of the workpiece, a mechanism to control the feed velocity of the workpiece, a mechanism to contact the first end of the workpiece, and a mechanism to halt the speed of the workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for the slicing of bacon bellies or the like in a manner such that each draft of bacon is of the same weight, irrespective of the topography and density of the belly from which the draft is sliced. A dimensioner assembly has a plurality of pivotally mounted fingers having one end which engages the belly and another end which is a cam surface for transmitting movement of the fingers to a receptor such as an electromicrometer. The finges engage the top, bottom and both longitudinal sides of the belly, and the data thus collected are then transformed into a topography schematic which is particular for each specific belly passing through the dimensioner assembly. These topography data and data concerning the make-up of the particular belly are used for controlling movement of feed into a bacon slicer. Included is a feed assembly which positively and precisely feeds the belly into the slicer.

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.

Abstract: A log harvesting system is disclosed in which the log is graded automatically in the field by ultrasonic testing of the log. Pulses of utlrasonic waves are transmitted into the log to detect internal defects within the log by measuring changes in the transient time of the ultrasonic wave pulses through at least a portion of the log. A computer is used to determine the grade of the log and produce a grade output signal from transient time data and signals related to the length and diameter of the log. The log is marked with a different colored paint to indicate its grade by an automatic marking device in response to the receipt of the grade output signal. Ultrasonic testing apparatus may be added to a tree harvesting head with a saw for felling the tree and cutting the log to the proper length and delimber knives for removing limbs, in order to test the log for defects as the log is conveyed through such head.

Abstract: An method and an apparatus for high speed cutting, a predetermined repetitive pattern in a continuous moving web of material. The web is supported and displaced in a flat plane, and a sensor is utilized to detect the lateral position of the web on this plane. At least one cutting element, herein a high pressure water jet, is displaceably supported for movement on two transverse axes in a horizontal plane adjacent a face of the web and generates a cutting beam to cut a predetermined repetitive pattern through the web. The cutting element is secure to a guide member which is displaced in the horizontal plane adjacent the web, and its displacement and rate of speed are controlled by a control device.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for cutting drawings from a web that has emerged from a computer controlled graphics plotter. The apparatus includes a support for holding the spool of paper from the plotter and a drive means for pulling the paper through the apparatus. Photocells serve as sensors for detecting the presence of the four borders of each drawing. In response to signals generated by the photocells, the transverse borders are cut by a rotary scissor during pauses in the advance of the web. The side or "longitudinal" borders of each drawing are cut by a pair of knives that pierce the paper and cut the borders as the web is being advanced through the apparatus.

Abstract: A shear mechanism is controlled by ultrasonically calipering the bar stock and adjusting the length of sheared bar stock to assure a uniform volume of metal bar stock in the sheared product. A plurality of ultrasonic transducers are carried in a common frame and centered on the bar stock using the same ultrasonic calipers.

Abstract: A system (and method) for providing a label for deposit on a product from a composite that includes the label, as one of a plurality of labels, on a backing. A transporter moves the composite translationally and accurately in a direction, e.g., the X-direction herein. The system ascertains the exact X-direction location of a particular label on the composite to permit the transporting to be achieved accurately translationally. A two-dimensional cutter serves to cut the label from the composite while leaving the backing intact, the cutter being operable to effect cutting of the label in two dimensions, e.g., across or orthogonal to the direction of movement of the backing and parallel to the direction of movement of the backing. There is provided a mechanism to control cutting from the composite to permit variation in the length of the label in the parallel direction, thereby controlling the length of the label in the parallel direction, despite fixed dimensions of the cutter roller.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically deheading wrapped newsprint rolls consists of a framework positioned above a pair of rotatable rollers adapted to support and rotate the newsprint roll. Two carriages are slidably supported on the framework above the newsprint roll. Each carriage is independently movable axially relative to one of the opposite end faces of the roll, is provided with an annular locating member engageable with that end face, and has a radially movable cutter adapted to sever the head wrapping covering that end face as the newsprint roll is rotated by the supporting rollers. The annular locating member is mounted obliquely relative to the newsprint roll axis to compensate for deformation of the newsprint roll end face.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for scaling, sorting, processing, cutting-up and the like of elongate timber items with two substantially parallel, longitudinal surfaces achieved by processing, during longitudinal feed of the item, including determination of a given lateral position and/or form of the item at at least one position along the item, e.g., a cross-section or cross-sectional element, with the aid of sensing means. The method determination takes place with the aid of touch-free distance-sensing means with predetermined measuring directions, fixed and discrete, for determining distances to at least two measuring points on the surface of the timber item, said measuring points being substantially in a cross-section or cross-sectional element of the timber item and on either side of a reference line across the cross-section or cross-sectional element.

Abstract: A control system for a web cutting line has a cutter for cutting a web of indeterminate length advanced along a web cutting line into sheets, and an end cutting shear for severing that part of the web that extends along the web cutting line from the major or upstream part of the web that has not yet reach the cutting line. A first defect sensor is disposed near the end cutting shear for detecting surface defects in the web, and a second defect sensor is disposed near the first-mentioned cutter for detecting a defective part of the web that includes a surface defect. The number of acceptable sheets that is expected to be obtainable from that part of the web that extends along the cutting line is estimated, based on the distribution of surface defects detected by the first defect sensor, and the number of acceptable sheets already cut off from the web is added to this estimated number.

Abstract: A system of optimizing the volume of boards that may be cut from a log provides for one surface of a cant to be cut with a curved or straight surface. This takes into account curved, tapered or straight logs. The system comprises a scanner positioned to scan the log and determine an optimum cut surface profile, a cutting head positioned to cut the top surface of the log, the cutting head having relative vertical movement to the top surface, a conveyor to convey the log passed the scanner and the cutting head, and a controller to control the relative movement of the cutting head in accordance with the signal from the scanner to produce the predetermined optimum cut surface profile for the top surface of the log.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing metal billets from bars (5) and to an installation comprising a heating furnace (2), means (10) for advancing the bars (5, 51) one behind the other along a straight path through the furnace (2), and hot shears (3) defining a shearing plane (Q) placed after the exit of the furnace (2).

Abstract: A continuous form and cutform feeding unit for a printer. The feeding unit permits feeding a continuous form and cutforms utilizing a cutform feeding arrangement and a continuous form tractor feed. In order to permit either type of form to be fed to a main body of a printer, through a single form feeding passage, a cutform feeding passage and a continuous form feeding passage are provided upstream of the single form feeding passage. In the continuous form feeding passage, a continuous form cutting apparatus is operable to cut a continuous form in response to a signal such as for the beginning of the feeding of cutforms.

Abstract: A controller for a head rig edger saw for sawing the edges of a board that is cut from a log by a head saw includes a detector for determining the surface contour of the log to be sawed, along a line displaced from the face of the log; a computer device for selecting an edger saw line through the log from the surface contour to produce a board satisfying predetermined criteria; and an edger saw controller connected to the computing device for providing control signals to the edger for causing the saw to cut the board along the selected line.