Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a stretch-wrapping machine with self-adjusting pinch rollers configured to reorient themselves to compensate for misalignment relative to their respective pre-stretch rollers. This ensures the pinch rollers press the entire width of the film against their respective pre-stretch rollers as the film is drawn through the rollers.

Abstract: Monitoring continuous repetitive web sheet defects to determine the causes of such defects by creating unique diagnostic patterns associated with selected components of a web-making machine and employing pattern recognition techniques to analyze and classify web-sheet dynamic and deterministic defect patterns, and identify their root causes. Corrective actions can be effected thereby enhancing machine run-time to minimize late deliveries and improves overall product quality. The technique which is integrated with quality control system can be applied to the manufacturer of paper, packaging, rubber sheets, plastic film, metal foil, and the like.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved bandsaw process control and throughput, in which a sawblade of a bandsaw contacts a bottom sawguide mounted in a bottom guide holder, the bottom guide holder frame having a “flexural member” that transmits forces on the sawguide to a force transducer associated with the flexural member. Workpiece-related forces include deflection forces, both lateral and torsional, and saw resistance forces on the bottom sawguide. An object of the invention is to establish a true cut condition when pre-straining the sawblade and a process control loop whereby the true cut condition is restored in near real time while cutting a workpiece. The combination of a force sensing guide holder and a process control loop synergically improves target lumber size control and maximizes log value, while also increasing throughput by reducing both overfeed and underfeed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the simultaneous multiple track cutting of several food products, in which the products are cut by means of a common cutting apparatus, in particular a high performance slicer, which has at least one cutting blade which rotates about a blade axis in a cutting plane and/or revolves about a central axis in a planetary motion manner and to which the products are supplied in multiple tracks, and in which blank cuts are carried out in at least a passive track and/or in which the supply of the respective product is suspended at least at times, while the respective product is sliced in at least one other active track.

Abstract: A method for operating a shearing tool that includes: operating a first switch to control a drive unit to drive a blade of a blade set; and operating a second switch to cause the drive unit to operate in an anti-binding mode in which a direction of an input to the drive unit is alternated at least twice. A shearing tool is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cutting system with a cutting machine for cutting sheet-like, stacked material and with an alignment device, which can be manually manipulated, for manually laterally aligning the material on a flat surface of the alignment device, wherein the alignment device can be placed on a table of the cutting machine, which table serves to receive the material, wherein the cutting machine has an electrical machine controller for functions of the cutting machine. In the case of a cutting system of this kind, it is provided, according to the invention, that the alignment device has electrical components, and the electrical machine controller of the cutting machine can be actuated by means of the alignment device. A cutting system of this kind makes it significantly easier to use the cutting machine, in particular in respect of operability and ergonomic working.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting a window covering comprises saw for cutting the window blind. A clamp assembly moves the window covering relative to the saw. A controller moves the clamp assembly to automatically position the window covering relative to the saw. The saw is moved into engagement with the window covering to cut the window covering.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for cutting a strand to a length with regard to a weight and to the use of such device in a method for producing a medicament dosage form of at least one piece composed of at least one medicament and at least one additive, the medicament and the additive being mixed and extruded from a die as a strand and the strand being cut into pieces of precise weight using the device.

Abstract: A tablet splitting apparatus capable of reducing fluctuations in weight of split tablet pieces even with simple advanceable-retractable blades is provided. A holding mechanism holds a tablet to be split at a cutting position. In reducing the gap between a pair of opposed blades, which are advanced and retracted with respect to the cutting position, to cut the tablet, the holding mechanism continuously holds the tablet until the tablet is caught between the pair of opposed blades of a cutting mechanism. After the tablet is caught between the pair of opposed blades, the holding mechanism release the tablet and only the pair of opposed blades hold the tablet. The opposed blades are caused to cut into the tablet after the holding mechanism releases the tablet, preventing a crack caused in the tablet ahead of the opposed blades from being curved or increased.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method for cutting a food product into slices for producing portions by taking into account the target weight thereof. Information about a remainder of the food product to be sliced is used to control corresponding actuators for a successive food product to be sliced.

Abstract: A sample sectioning device includes a cutting mechanism, a sample holder, a drive system, and a surface orientation sensor. The sample holder is operable to hold a sample. The cutting mechanism is operable to cut sections from the sample. The drive system is coupled with the sample holder. The drive system is operable to drive movement between the sample held by the sample holder and the cutting mechanism. The surface orientation sensor is operable to sense an orientation of a surface of the sample held by the sample holder.

Abstract: Processing of a cant may include determining a rotational orientation about a longitudinal axis of the cant that optimizes a recovery from the cant from subsequent sawing operations. Such may include optimizing a width of a board that will be produced dependent on the particular rotational longitudinal orientation. Such may include determining a surface area of a board which would be produced, a thickness of a board that would be produced, and/or a volume of a board that would be produced. Such may include accounting for any premium associated with various width categories in which a board that would be produced would fit. Such may account for any premium associated with grade or quality of a board that would be produced. A corresponding signal may provide information to a human operator and/or automated machinery to orient the cant in an optimized orientation.

Abstract: A cutting equipment for continuous paper strips having images arranged in sequence along multiple rows comprising a longitudinal cutting mechanism for separating the rows from the strips and a transversal cutting mechanism for separating image sheets from the rows and in which the image sheets have different longitudinal dimensions and possibility of random variations between row and row, The equipment further comprises individual feeding mechanisms for feeding, in an independent way, the rows with respect to the transversal cutting mechanism; a buffer device, of compensation for the different feeds of the rows, and an electronic control unit for actuating the feeding mechanisms and the transversal cutting mechanism so as to present the trailing edges of said image sheets in alignment for a simultaneous cutting by the transversal cutting mechanism and extracting one or more images from the cutting mechanism, after its actuation, as preparation of collecting.

Abstract: There is disclosed relates to a food processing apparatus with a scanner with a scanning unit for determining properties of a food product, in particular a food bar, with at least two substantially parallel separately drivable conveyor tracks for supplying the food products to the scanner, and with a control unit for controlling the drive of the conveyor tracks. According to the disclosure, the control unit is adapted to separately control the drive of the conveyor tracks to convey at least one food product of a first conveyor track and at least one food product of a further conveyor track sequentially through a scanning area of the scanner. The disclosure further relates to a method for scanning food products.

Abstract: The label producing device includes: a cutting device for cutting the elongated label base material for each label; a first feeding device disposed upstream of the cutting device with respect to the conveying direction of the label base material; a second feeding device disposed further upstream of the first feeding device; a mark sensor for detecting reference marks of each label on the label base material between the first feeding device and the second feeding device; and a control device for controlling the respective operations of the cutting device, the first feeding device and the second feeding device on the basis of a detection signal from the marker sensor. The control device separately controls each of the operations of a first feeding motor and a second feeding motor such that a first roller pair and a second roller pair rotate synchronously.

Abstract: An automated paper handling system for sending print media through a printer comprising a scan module for scanning print media and producing raw data regarding characteristics of the print media. The paper handling system also has a controller comprising a memory and a processor for receiving and processing the raw data to produce an information set. One or more connection ports connect the controller to a group of equipment, the group may comprise a printer, a paper detector, a cutting system, or an alignment system.

Abstract: A tablet splitting apparatus capable of reducing fluctuations in weight of split tablet pieces even with simple advanceable-retractable blades is provided. A holding mechanism holds a tablet to be split at a cutting position. In reducing the gap between a pair of opposed blades, which are advanced and retracted with respect to the cutting position, to cut the tablet, the holding mechanism continuously holds the tablet until the tablet is caught between the pair of opposed blades of a cutting mechanism. After the tablet is caught between the pair of opposed blades, the holding mechanism release the tablet and only the pair of opposed blades hold the tablet. The opposed blades are caused to cut into the tablet after the holding mechanism releases the tablet, preventing a crack caused in the tablet ahead of the opposed blades from being curved or increased.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a cathode ray tube comprises a support means for supporting the screen of the cathode ray tube, first and second sensors for determining the external dimensions of the screen, first and second spaced diamond cutting means, and displacement means for moving the support means relative to the diamond cutting means.

Abstract: An electrode plate die-cutting apparatus of the present invention includes an original plate support portion 3 that supports an original plate of an electrode plate on a support surface 35, a driving portion that drives a cutting blade, which is arranged with a blade edge facing the original plate support portion 3, to move forward or backward, and a pressure adjusting portion 7 that suctions the original plate on the support surface 35 when the cutting blade is moving toward the original plate support portion 3 by the driving portion. For example, the pressure adjusting portion 7 includes a pipe 71, a first branch pipe 72, a first valve 75, and a decompressing portion 74. The vicinity of the support surface 35 is suctioned, and thus the electrode plate is adsorbed onto and fixed to the support surface 35 through a through hole 94 disposed in a sheet 90.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting a window covering comprises a saw for cutting the window blind. An assembly is provided for moving the window covering on the support surface relative to the saw such that the window covering is positioned to be cut by the saw. A sensor is used to automatically determine a center of the window covering by detecting a predetermined portion of the window covering such as a mark on the window covering or an edge of the window covering.

Abstract: A method for controlling a conveyance speed of a sheet comprises the steps of: setting a reference rotation angle; rotationally driving a drive motor (8) and a rotary cutter (15); detecting a marker (2a) of a backsheet (2); detecting a rotation angle of a rotary blade of a cutting member when the marker (2a) is detected; ascertaining an angular difference between the detected rotation angle and the reference rotation angle; and controlling rotational driving of the drive motor (8) to reduce the angular difference.

Abstract: Sliced specimens can be automatically and continuously prepared and burdens of an operator can be reduced while accuracy required for the sliced specimen is maintained. The sliced specimen is prepared by relatively moving a specimen block transfer section and a cutter, and when a slicing operation to adjust the height position of the specimen block is continuously performed so that the cutting surface of the specimen block is located at a sliceable position, the cutter is moved so that a contacting area of a blade edge of the cutter that firstly contacts the specimen block after the height position adjustment is sequentially changed, every time previously set number of times of slicing operation is completed. Thereafter, the height position of the blade edge of the cutter after the change is measured by a detector, and based on the measurement information of the detector, the sliceable position is corrected and the slicing operation is resumed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dough feeding system and methods corresponding thereto. In some embodiments, the dough feeding system includes a cutting subsystem, an alignment subsystem, a belt assembly, a conveyor, and/or combinations thereof. The alignment system can be provided with a movable platform for aligning a dough ribbon into the cutting subsystem. The cutting subsystem can be provided with a frame securable to the belt assembly, a drive roller for feeding dough, and a knife blade for cutting the dough. The belt assembly can include a flat-belt, and the conveyor can include a dough folding platform with rough edges. Electronic controller(s) are provided for (i) synchronizing the drive roller with the knife blade, (ii) synchronizing the drive roller with a position of the dough folding platform, and/or (iii) adjusting the movable platform to compensate for drift of the dough ribbon.

Abstract: Sliced specimens can be automatically and continuously prepared and burdens of an operator can be reduced while accuracy required for the sliced specimen is maintained. The sliced specimen is prepared by relatively moving a specimen block transfer section and a cutter, and when a slicing operation to adjust the height position of the specimen block is continuously performed so that the cutting surface of the specimen block is located at a sliceable position, the cutter is moved so that a contacting area of a blade edge of the cutter that firstly contacts the specimen block after the height position adjustment is sequentially changed, every time previously set number of times of slicing operation is completed. Thereafter, the height position of the blade edge of the cutter after the change is measured by a detector, and based on the measurement information of the detector, the sliceable position is corrected and the slicing operation is resumed.

Abstract: A post-processing apparatus includes a second sheet conveying portion that conveys a paper sheet, a movement portion that displaces in a displacement direction that is different from the conveying direction of the paper sheet in the second conveying portion, a sheet edge detection portion that is disposed on the movement portion and detects the position of the paper sheet, a punching processing portion that is disposed on the movement portion, and that executes a punching process at a predetermined position on the paper sheet based on the position of the paper sheet detected by the sheet edge detection portion, and a post-processing control portion that controls the second sheet conveying portion to stop the conveying of the paper sheet when the sheet edge detection portion detects that the paper sheet is positioned on an abnormal conveying path that diverges from a normal conveying path within a conveying path region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing prepackaged medication packages includes an apparatus having a body with an internal cavity and an opening. A central processing unit operably communicates with an actuator within the cavity to regulate and monitor the dispensation of the packages, while the actuator operably communicates with a feed mechanism within the cavity to dispense the packages.

Abstract: A machine tool, in particular a circular table saw, having a tool holding fixture, in particular for a disk-shaped, rotary-drivable tool, and a protective device. The protective device may be provided for the purpose of guiding the tool into a safety position, and from the safety position into at least one working position.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically mounting substrates with medical and/or pharmaceutical and/or food-supplementing products, including at least one magazine to store blister strips rolled up on rolls or the like, each magazine having at least one holding position for the rolls, a delivery device to unroll the blister strips and deliver the unrolled blister strips to a supply position for the products provided by each roll in the magazine to be mounted, a separating device for separating product-filled blister sections from the blister strip, and a mounting head to receive, rotate and dispense the separated blister sections with the products sealed therein, the mounting head controlled by a control system to transport the separated blister sections from the supply position to a mounting position over the substrate.

Abstract: A light source is used to illuminate a sawn portion of a piece of wood and exposed surfaces of the saw blade on both sides of the sawn portion. The sawn portion and the exposed surfaces of the saw blade are then imaged substantially concurrently using a single image generator. At least one geometric characteristic of the sawn portion and at least one geometric characteristic of the saw blade are determined based on the imaging.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a conveying motor for conveying a sheet along a conveying path, a skew detecting unit configured to detect a quantity of skew of the conveyed sheet, a hole punching section arranged downstream from the skew detecting unit, an attitude control unit configured to carry out skew correction by changing tilt angle of the hole punching section in accordance with the quantity of skew, a detecting unit configured to detect the forward edge and the rear edge of the sheet conveyed into the hole punching section, and a control unit configured to control the conveying motor to control the conveying speed of the sheet. During a period from when the detecting unit detects the forward edge of the sheet until the detecting unit detects the rear edge, the sheet is decelerated from a first conveying speed to a second conveying speed.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus comprises a first conveyer roller pair and a second conveyer roller pair arranged sequentially from the upstream side to the downstream side along a sheet conveyance route of a sheet of paper along with a punching unit disposed between the first and second conveyer roller pairs. The punching unit includes a hole cutting blade that is capable of retractably projecting the hole cutting blade relative to the sheet conveyance route so as to control the position of the hole cutting blade of the punching unit according to the condition of the sheet of paper being conveyed. The apparatus further comprises a control unit adapted to cause the hole cutting blade to project across the sheet conveyance route before the leading end of the sheet of paper being conveyed gets to the punching unit so as to make the leading end of the sheet of paper abut the hole cutting blade and correct the skew, if any, of the sheet of paper.

Abstract: A case cutter apparatus for cutting a container has a conveyor for moving the container in a single direction, a measuring device measuring a length, a width, and a height of the container, a controller for controlling the apparatus and for receiving information from the measuring device, and a first cutting assembly and a second cutting assembly positioned along the conveyor. The first cutting assembly includes an indexing assembly holding the container in a predetermined position during cutting, a carriage moveable in a cutting direction transverse to the direction of the conveyor, and two cutting blades attached to the carriage. The second cutting assembly includes two belts each having a cleat thereon for pushing the container through the second cutting assembly in the direction of the conveyor, and two cutting blades.

Abstract: Web processing method and apparatus (30, 300) is provided for high speed, extremely accurate die cutting or lamination operations. Processing station (32,300) includes a vacuum hold down plate (32,308) which receives and holds an image bearing incremental segment of the web. In feed and out feed tension on the web is released while a segment of the web is held by the hold down plate. The hold down plate with a segment of the web thereon is selectively shifted about X, Y, and ? axes as required to bring the image on the web segment into alignment with a web processing component at the processing station.

Abstract: A portioning system (10) includes a scanner (16) for scanning a passing poultry breast (14). A cutting device (18), a slicing device (20) and/or other equipment may be used to portion, trim, or otherwise process the poultry breast under the control of a computer (22). The computer also utilizes the information from the scanner to determine position and the angular orientation of the poultry breast relative to a reference line by determining directional lines corresponding to physical attributes of the poultry breast. One directional line is related to the principal axis of the poultry breast, determined from the axis of least inertia of the poultry breast when analyzing the regions of the poultry breast above a selected elevation of the poultry breast.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cutting tools, in particular, to control systems for cutters such as vegetation cutters, especially hedge cutters or trimmers (10). Hedge cutters (10) frequently suffer in use from a problem of blocked cutting blades when they encounter a twig or branch whose size or density exceeds the capacity of the blades. We describe a vegetation cutting apparatus (10) having a plurality of cutting blades (11,12), at least one of which blades (11,12) is drivable by means of an electric motor. At least one driven blade (11,12) is movable between two predefined points of maximum travel. The apparatus (10) comprises a control means which causes a change of direction in the movement of the at least one movable blade at a point intermediate the points of maximum travel in response to an event sensed by the control means.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a series of medicine packets discharged from an automatic medicine packaging machine into individual doses to automatically load the cut medicine packets on a loading device is disclosed. The apparatus includes a feeding device for feeding the series of medicine packets from the upper side of a main body to a stepped part at the other side of the main body, a cutting device for cutting the series of medicine packets by one medicine packet at the stepped part, a loading device for loading the medicine packets, cut by the cutting device and dropped to the stepped part, by a predetermined number, and a controller including a position sensor for detecting a position of the hole in the medicine packet and controlling the feeding device and the cutting device based on the position information of the hole of the medicine packets inputted from the position sensor.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus and method for guiding a plank towards cutting tools for curve sawing of the plank. The apparatus comprises a first guide and drive mechanism mounted on a platform for receiving, guiding and driving the plank along a path. The first mechanism comprises two first elements arranged opposite relative to the path. The apparatus comprises a second guide and drive mechanism mounted on the platform for guiding and driving the plank from the first mechanism along the path on the support surface up to the cutting tools. The second mechanism comprises two second elements arranged opposite relative to the path while being parallel to the path. The elements of the mechanisms located on the same side of the path are connected through a pivot pin. The apparatus further comprises displacing means for parallel and equidistant displacement relative to the path of the elements of the mechanisms.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a series of medicine packets discharged from an automatic medicine packaging machine into individual doses to automatically load the cut medicine packets on a loading device is disclosed. The apparatus includes a feeding device for feeding the series of medicine packets from the upper side of a main body to a stepped part at the other side of the main body, a cutting device for cutting the series of medicine packets by one medicine packet at the stepped part, a loading device for loading the medicine packets, cut by the cutting device and dropped to the stepped part, by a predetermined number, and a controller including a position sensor for detecting a position of the hole in the medicine packet and controlling the feeding device and the cutting device based on the position information of the hole of the medicine packets inputted from the position sensor.

Abstract: A portioning system (10) includes a scanner (16) for scanning a passing poultry breast (14). A cutting device (18), a slicing device (20) and/or other equipment may be used to portion, trim, or otherwise process the poultry breast under the control of a computer (22). The computer also utilizes the information from the scanner to determine position and the angular orientation of the poultry breast relative to a reference line by determining directional lines corresponding to physical attributes of the poultry breast. One directional line is related to the principal axis of the poultry breast, determined from the axis of least inertia of the poultry breast. Other directional lines may correspond to the locations of notches, projections, linear depressions, or other physical anatomical features of the poultry breast.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the slicing of food products such as ham, sausage, cheese and the like, in which a product to be sliced is fed in a conveying direction to a cutting knife, in particular a rotatingly driven cutting knife, and slices are cut off the product by means of the cutting knife, and wherein both the outer shape of the product and the inner structure of the product are determined and taken into account in the product feed.

Abstract: Processing a work piece by first scanning the work piece. The work piece is modeled to determine its outer perimeter and/or how the work piece could be divided into portions of specific areas and perimeters based on desired portion sizes of desired areas and perimeters. The modeled work piece and/or the modeled portions are compared with the one or more desired perimeter configurations. The deviation of the modeled outer perimeter size of the work piece and/or portions from the desired perimeter configuration(s) is calculated. Based on such calculations, one or more steps in processing the work piece and/or portions therefrom is carried out. Such one or more steps may include modeling the work piece again, using different modeling criteria or options, if the calculated deviation is outside an acceptable range.

Abstract: A cryostat (1) having a sealable housing (2) is described, the housing (2) enclosing a coolable cryostat chamber (3). For cooling the cryostat chamber (3), a refrigeration device (4), a control system (5) and a power supply (6) are provided. For cutting frozen samples, a microtome is arranged in the cryostat chamber (3). A temperature-controllable heating plate (7) is integrated into the housing (2) of the cryostat (1), outside the cryostat chamber (3).

Abstract: A device for separating disc-shaped bodies from an original body includes a separating device, a feeding device, an optical recognition device for determining the front face contour of the original body and lamps for illuminating the surroundings of the cutting surface. The recognition device detects the front face using the contrast between the surroundings of the front face and the original body in relation to the determined front face. The lamps are mounted in a tunnel and arranged in a planar manner along the longitudinal direction of the original body. The method includes the steps of guiding the source body in a tunnel, mounting a plurality of lamps in a planar fashion along the longitudinal direction of the source body in the tunnel, and illuminating the source body and the environment of the face of the source body with the plurality of lamps.

Abstract: A sheet finisher includes means for cutting a non-folded edge of at least one folded sheet. Means are used for setting a cutting position in accordance with a preselected length of the at least one folded sheet in a direction of sheet conveyance and a sensed length of the at least one folded sheet in the direction of sheet conveyance. An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus having means for forming a toner image on a sheet in accordance with image data, and the sheet finisher.

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying, tracking and handling lumber to be cut-in-two includes a scanner and optimizer to scan the length of a board and to compare the scanned board to predetermined criteria so as to identify a board which, optimally, would be cut into two pieces along its length. An identification device applies a detectable indicator to the board. A transfer transfers in a downstream direction, the board from the scanner to the identification device, and from the identification device to a lug-loader loading device adjacent and immediately upstream of a lug loader. A detector cooperates with the lug-loader loading device so as to detect the detectable indicator on the board and to delay the loading of the lug loader following loading of the board into a lug space so that an immediately subsequent lug space behind and upstream of the board is left empty so as to receive a portion of the board cut from the board once the board is cut-in-two in a downstream trimmer or other sawing device.

Abstract: In a web cutter where a blade is used to cut a continuous paper web into sheets, a tractor is used to move the web past the blade for cutting. The tractor operates in a start-and-stop cycle so that the web is temporarily stopped to allow the blade to lower and shear the web. The tractor accelerates in the next cycle to move another length of paper downstream from the blade. A high-speed cutter requires high acceleration of the tractor. This acceleration force causes the web to whip up uncontrollably, causing the web to break or wrinkle. To reduce the web breakage, a moving mechanism positioned upstream from the tractor and operate a second motion cycle is used to move the web toward the tractor such that a loop of paper is formed upstream of the tractor, thereby reducing the whipping action of the web.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically trimming and cutting images on support sheets, which comprises two cutting devices (1, 2) arranged upstream and downstream, respectively, a conveying device (3) which is suitable for conveying to the second cutting device (2) the sheet portions cut by the first cutting device (1) and comprises one or more conveyor belts (12) tight between a pair of rollers (13), at least one being mechanically connected to a motor (14), a plurality of sensors (16, 17, 18) suitable for detecting the presence of a sheet portion on the conveyor belts (12), as well as one or more conveying rollers (25) suitable for taking a sheet portion placed on the conveyor belts (12) and conveying it to the second cutting device (2).

Abstract: A process for providing feedforward control to control the feed rate of an elastic material. The process involves measuring the distance between registration marks on the elastic material prior to cut-off. These measurements are compared to a target cut length. The feed rate of a feed roll is adjusted, based on the target cut length and the distance between the registration marks, to maintain the cut length of the elastic material at the target cut length.

Abstract: An active measurement and control system for a material cutting apparatus. The apparatus comprises a cutting tool which may be pivoted for cutting a workpiece in a cutting area at a selectable angle. The cutting area defines a datum plane, and a feed table with a shuttle vise is used to move the workpiece toward the cutting area. A controller controls the feed distance of the shuttle vise and the cutting angle of the tool in response to a signal from a sensor used for sensing a transverse dimension of the workpiece relative to the datum plane. In this way, the feed distance and cutting angle are adjusted to compensate for variations in the transverse dimension. This transverse dimension can include a displacement from the datum plane of a distal and/or proximate surface of the workpiece. A method of cutting a workpiece is also disclosed.

Abstract: In preferred embodiments the invention includes a transverse board conveyor, a board extrusion portion, a marking station, a sawing portion, and a plurality of board feeding portions, all of which are controlled by a process controller. In such preferred embodiments, a bunk feeder and magazines feed boards serially onto the transverse board conveyor and are conveyed in a direction transverse to the length of the boards. The boards are individually deposited into an elongate receiver of a board extrusion portion to be conveyed longitudinally. A carriage in the receiver transports the boards past an end detection station, past a marking station, and to a sawing station. The marking station prints desired indicia at selected positions on the board such as by an ink jet printer without physical contact of the printing mechanism with the board and while the board is moving.