Abstract: A method and machine for cutting precise sized mults from billets of a nickel based alloy, which involves rotating each billet by means of a chuck while the billet is supported on rollers coaxially in the chuck; providing a track parallel to the billet axis and a carrier movable along the track, on which carrier is disposed a rotatable saw movable toward and from the axis of the billet to effect cutting, the location of the saw cut being determined by a computer programmed to control a servo motor acting on a screw coupled to the carrier by nut means, the computer being provided not only with basic information as to the density and stated diameter of the billet, but with information as to variations in such diameter, detected by sensor means provided on the carrier in proximity with the saw, and transmitted to the computer.

Abstract: A device for sticking adhesive tape to thin articles, such as semiconductor wafers, and trimming excess portions of said tape from the thin articles. A plurality of sticking rollers apply adhesive tape from a roll to each thin article, the tape having an adhesive side oriented towards an upper surface of the article and a width greater than a width of the article. A suction stage receives and holds each of the thin articles with the adhesive tape stuck thereto by said sticking rollers while a tape cutter trims the excess portion of the tape from along peripheral edge portions of the article. A tape peeling device then peels off the trimmed excess portions of the tape from the thin article, whereupon the thin article is conveyed back to a cassette.

Abstract: In a laminating apparatus wherein a predetermined length of a film cut from a continuous web is laminated onto a substrate having positioning holes, a method for forming alignment or indexing holes in the film which correspond with the positioning holes in the substrate includes detecting the position of the positioning holes, establishing the location on the film where the alignment holes are to be formed, and punching the holes in the film. The apparatus includes a hole-forming device positioned to move along the film transfer path, the operation of the device being regulated by a sensor for detecting the position of the positioning holes, a control device for setting the position of the hole-forming device relative to the film in response to the sensor signal, and a mechanism for displacing the hole-forming device to the proper location for forming the alignment holes.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for cutting off selected length panels from an indefinte length strip of fabric with minimum waste, the fabric being comprised as superposed longitudinal and transverse elongate elements, wherein the transverse elements may deviate from strict perpendicularity to the length direction of the strip, e.g., be skewed or bowed. A support defines a path along which the strip of fabric and its longitudinal elements are to extend. A cutter unit is actuable for cutting elements of the strip to cut off a panel from the strip. A transverse moving unit relatively moves the cutter means and strip in a direction transverse to the length of the strip to cut the full width of the strip and thereby separate a panel therefrom. A longitudinal moving unit is actuable for relatively moving the cutter and strip in a direction longitudinal of the strip.

Abstract: A ribbon cutting apparatus which solves the problems of lateral shifting, stretching and shrinking of a printed web of material by providing a plurality of blade carrying blocks each of which may be independently positioned with respect to a travelling web. Each blade carrying block supports between 2 and 9 circular blades. Each of the blades in turn is connected to a small pneumatic cylinder which presses the blades against a platen roller so as to crush cut the web of material passing through. An electric eye detects the location of a registration line that is located substantially near the center of the web. The blade carrying blocks are normally located symmetrically on opposite sides of the registration line. If the web is out of registration the take-off roll is driven horizontally to compensate for the mis-positioning. Each of the blade carrying blocks is independently positionable by a manual adjustment mechanism, such as a wheel connected through a gearing mechanism to each blade carrying blocks.

Abstract: A control system is established wherein, when there is a flow of continuous web material (2), an identification phase is provided by increasing the torque signal to a pull roll motor (13) until slippage between the pull roll (12) and continuous web is created at a breakaway torque point, the value of which is measurable. The pull roll motor is then caused to be driven by a signal which creates a motor torque output which is of a value less than the breakaway torque point. Thus, no slippage can occur. As the motor is driven at the lower torque value, a calibration phase is entered wherein an encoder output of the pull roll is properly equated with that of a measuring wheel (9), this phase occuring at a time when there can be no slip between the web-roll interface. The identification-calibration process can be repeated as often as desired.

Abstract: A system for clipping veneer, peeled with curved side edges one longer than the other, into discrete full and partial panels each defined by a longer and shorter curved side edge and a leading and trailing edge, wherein the angle of the clipping knife to the direction of travel of the veneer is adjusted during passage of the peeled veneer to clip the veneer into full panels having their leading and trailing edges substantially parallel and partial panels each having its trailing edge at an acute angle to its leading edge and flowing from its shorter curve side to its longer curve side to tend to equalize the accumulated lengths of the curved side edges of the peeled veneer.

Abstract: A multipurpose web rotary module comprising a die cylinder and an interchangeable anvil cylinder assembly located above said die cylinder, said anvil cylinder assembly being interchangeable so several diverse functions can be performed, namely, die cutting, perforating, embossing, scoring.

Abstract: A continuous strip which is laminated onto plates arranged at a distance from one another and which is composed of a dry resist laminate is introduced into a separating device 1 extending over the width of a strip 20. A drive cylinder 2 is arranged by means of pillars 3 above a carriage 31. The drive cylinder 2 guides the mounting 11, in which a cross-cutting device 10 is fastened, transversely over the strip 20. The cross-cutting device 10 comprises two knife-holders with knives parallel to one another, which are movable apart from one another and together and which, during the transverse movement, sever the strip 20 in a double cut along the trailing edge 29 and the leading edge 30 of two adjacent plates 4 and 5.

Abstract: A positioning device is disposed along a conveyor path of long towel cloth pulled out by a pull-out device. The positioning device stops the movement of the towel cloth while locking the boundary between a flat fabric section and a subsequent piled fabric section of the towel cloth. A cutting device is disposed downstream relative to the positioning device in the direction of movement of the towel cloth, and a size measuring device is disposed on the opposite upstream side. The positioning device and the cutting device are relatively movable to be spaced from and approached by each other. When the towel cloth is pulled out by the pull-out device, the length of the flat fabric section of the towel cloth is measured by the size measuring device. Based on the measured value, the spacing between the positioning device and the cutting device is adjusted to be equal to a half of the measured value.

Abstract: In a laminating apparatus wherein a predetermined length of a film is laminated onto a substrate having positioning holes, a method for forming alignment or indexing holes in a film which corresponds with the positioning holes in the substrate includes detecting the position of the positioning holes, establishing the location on the film where the alignment holes are to be formed, and punching the holes in the film.

Abstract: A rotary cutting assembly for cutting sheets of veneer as they are moving on a conveyor belt is provided. The rotary cutting assembly (10) includes at least one rotary blade assembly (12), a conveyor belt (20) for conveying material and acting as a cutting surface, a flexible flat platen (40) positioned under the inner surface (36) of the conveyor belt (20) in vertical alignment with the rotary blade assembly (12), and a backup roller (26) positioned above the rotary blade assembly (12). The rotary blade assembly (12) includes an elongated blade holder (64) with opposed sides (66 and 68) that taper outwardly to define opposed edges (70 and 72) having longitudinal channels (74 and 76). A clamping assembly (62) that includes a grooved clamp (84) and a tapered bar (86) securely clamps a blade (18) within each of the channels (74 and 76).

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing the location of a structural member on which a working operation is to be performed. The apparatus includes a probe that is connected to a rack and is mounted for movement between an inoperative position and an operative position, where the probe will be in engagement with the structural member. The rack is carried by a piston which is slideable within a cylinder and by introducing fluid pressure into one end of the cylinder, the rack will be extended to thereby move the probe from the inoperative to the operative position. Engaged with the rack is a pinion and linear movement of the rack will rotate the pinion and rotation of the pinion acts through a resolver to generate a signal indicating the precise position of the structural member.

Abstract: An edging apparatus edges a wood board to achieve a desired rounding effect under a rounding rule of the lumber industry. A positioning apparatus positions and holds two edging saws, and the positions of the saws are initially controlled by an operator who selects initial cut positions. Input data, including board length and thickness parameters and the initial cut positions are generated by input devices and a computer is responsive to the input data for computing the best cut positions of the saws. In making this computation, the computer takes into consideration the rounding rule and, according to predetermined criteria, the computer selects best cut positions that will produce an edged board whose measurement exceeds a whole board foot measurement by a desired fraction of a board foot. Adjustment input may be provided to adjust the size of the desired fraction of the board foot.

Abstract: A device for trimming two opposite edges of veneer to provide parallel edges uses optical apparatus to scan the edges and determine the maximum width to which the veneer can be trimmed. The veneer is scanned at an inlet table upstream in the feed direction from a trimming apparatus in which previously checked veneer is cut to the determined width. The width to be cut is stored in a controlled device. When the trimming apparatus completes the cutting of the previously checked veneer, the control device sets the trimming apparatus for the width of the veneer to be cut and the veneer is moved from the inlet table to the trimming apparatus and is cut.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing registration holes in a sheet-like workpiece that is provided with registration marks.

Abstract: An apparatus for punching of an angular steel profile comprises a feed conveyor and a discharge conveyor for the angular steel profile, a rigid frame portion, two punch carriages and at least one punch carriage positioning motor for moving the punch carriages mounted on the frame portion and a servomechanism for positioning at least one of the punch carriages according to the tolerances, particularly the angular tolerances, of the angular steel profile to be worked. The servomechanism for positioning the punch carriage has a compressively loaded roller sensor contacting on a reference surface of the angular steel profile and a signaling member operated by the roller sensor. The feed conveyor, the discharge conveyor and the punches are equipped for feeding and working a vertically oriented V-shaped angular steel profile.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shearing machine comprising of upper and lower blades with a non-contact detection means for measuring the thickness of a work piece. The machine also has a control means for adjusting the clearance between the upper and lower blades of the shearing machine to a value matching the plate thickness.

Abstract: A device is provided to automatically adjust the horizontal space between movable and fixed knives of a metal cutting shear. Bellcranks are mounted on opposite sides of the shear frame with first arms in contact with the outboard vertical sides of the movable knife holder and with second arms positioned beneath the opposite outboard ends of the shear hold down clamp. Followers on the hold down clamp make contact with the second arms as the hold down clamp is lowered into clamping engagement with the top surface of a metal strip or plate to be sheared. The followers shift the second arms downwardly causing the first arms to shift the movable knife horizontally toward the fixed knife. The respective lengths of the first and second arms are selected to cause the horizontal shift of the movable knife to be a predetermined fraction of the vertical movement of the second arms to provide the correct clearance between knives for the determined thickness of the strip about to be sheared.

Abstract: A process for continuous cutting of a pile fabric web, having at least one comparatively narrow loopless or napless zone running lengthwise thereon between napped or looped surfaces, lengthwise in the exact center of one of the loopless or napless zones. The fabric web is fed lengthwise along a transport path to the motorized cutting device. The position of the cutting device transverse to the feed direction of the fabric is adjusted automatically so that the loopless and napless zone is cut lengthwise along its exact center by coupling the device with a sensor shoe or slider which senses, e.g. by direct contact, the edges of the pile adjoining this zone.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for automatically producing a fabric with aligned nap zone and napless zone includes a conveyor along which the fabric is transported in such a manner that its nap zone is located at one side of a press pad and the napless zone is located under and at the other side of the press pad. A clamping device can be lowered on the napless zone to pull the latter transversely to the conveying direction of the fabric so that the edge of the nap zone is forced towards the press pad and to be aligned parallel thereto. Through cutting the napless zone in conveying direction after the nap zone is urged to lie against the press pad parallel to the edge of the nap zone an exact alignment of the napless zone to the nap zone is achieved.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for producing uniform pieces of meat or other product when cut or sawn from a non-uniform thickness lump. A band saw or the like is adjustable in position to produce different depths of cut piece under the control of signals produced by a control unit. The control employs a keypad for entering numerically the target weight for the cut pieces and an assumed density value for the product. A display unit displays the numerical values entered. A weighing device checks the weight of each cut piece (or batch multiple cut pieces) to produce the actual weight (or average weight) of the cut piece(s) and the control unit compares the actual or average value with the expected value of weight and adjusts the density value if required. The area of the end face of the product is measured by sampling the height of the end face of the product as it passes a sensor.

Abstract: The web leading edge of a paper roll for a rotary press or the like is held and prevented from raveling by three or more pieces of strong adhesive tape during handling and loading onto a paper feed machine of the printing press. On the paper feed machine, perforated tear lines are formed across the tape pieces by a device comprising a rotary perforating wheel, a mechanism for moving the wheel from one end to the other of the roll and also moving it against and away from all of the tape pieces, and a tape detecting device and a controller for automatically operating the mechanism. The tape pieces can then be easily torn to release the web leading edge immediately prior to web splicing.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting slaughtered poultry into individual pieces including a keel cutting station for severing a front breast section from the carcass. The station includes a first cutter for cutting a rear portion of the keel and a second, reciprocating cutter for effecting a second cut that intersects a cut made by the first cutter such that the keel is completely severed from the carcass. The movement of the second cutter is coordinated with the movement of a carcass supporting module so that the reciprocating knife remains substantially vertically aligned with the carcass supporting module during the cutting sequence. A size sensor is provided for adjusting the relative position of the reciprocating knife with the module to compensate for changes in bird size. A pair of interconnected actuators provide a three step adjustment for the reciprocating knife. An intermediate conveyor is provided for receiving the severed keel and transferring it to a primary conveyor.

Abstract: A slitter for steel belt including rotary blades for slitting a belt material including steel cords and topping rubber. The rotary blades include an upper blade and a lower blade having their circumferential portions slightly overlapped and in contact with each other. Sandwiching delivery members for delivering the belt material to the blades is installed either at both sides or one side of the rotary blades in the delivery direction of the belt material so that the belt material is slit in a sandwiched condition. The sandwiching members as well as the rotary blades may be automatically adjusted in position in the transverse direction of the belt material. A freely suspended curved portion of the belt material formed between a delivering device and the slitter may be so controlled as to keep the suspended amount constant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a punch press having upper and lower punching tools to punch a workpiece, a workpiece positioning device to move and position the workpiece, a lower tool support member on which the lower punching tool is detachably mounted, and a slide base on which the tool support member is slidably mounted. The boundary surfaces between the tool support member and the slide base are inclined to allow the lower tool to be obliquely lowered away from the workpiece positioning device.

Abstract: A die cutting press for processing web material is disclosed which is operable to provide very precise alignment of a reciprocable die cutting unit with each succesive area of the web to be die cut. In operation, the web is incrementally advanced toward the work station of the press until the area next to be die cut is substantially but not exactly in the die cut position thereof. The web feed is then placed in a creep mode to advance the web until an optical sensor determines the presence of transverse alignment indicium on one side of the web. Mechanism is thereupon actuated to rotate the die unit as required to bring the die assembly into alignment with related indicium on the opposite side of the web while effecting shifting of the web longitudinally thereof in a direction of travel as necessary to maintain die registration with the first sensed web indicium.

Abstract: A machine for cutting one or more V-belts from a band of several V-belts and including a base on which are journalled parallel, powered rolls driven as by a hand crank. A frame above the base adjustably supports a carriage positionable transversely of a V-belt band. Wheels of the carriage urge the V-belt into roll engagement to enable the V-belt band to be driven past a carriage supported knife body to sever a web between two V-belts. Preparatory to belt cutting, the frame is positionable upwardly from the machine base about a horizontal axis. The carriage knife body may automatically move transversely of the V-belt band to center a knife blade between adjacent V-belts.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting out an edge portion of a coating sheet wherein a plurality of cords arranged at substantially equal intervals and in parallel with each other and conveyed along a predetermined path are integrally coated with rubber or the like in such a manner that the cord portions are expanded, to a predetermined length from the most externally positioned cord portion of the coating sheet in transversal direction thereof is disclosed.

Abstract: Upon upper and lower cutting tools, in a slitting machine, cutting along the opposite edges of a web being adjusted transversely to the web, a corresponding suction nozzle, for taking up the cut-off edge of the web, is correspondingly adjusted transversely to ensure that it takes up the cut-off edge, by a respective drive unit. For ensuring entry of the leading end of a cut-off edge strip into the nozzle, a respective finger is swung down in advance of the leading end.

Abstract: In apparatus for cutting a web of flexible material, upper and lower cutters are mounted on a swivel arm movable by a control means which determines the position of the cut. The control means includes a pneumatic cylinder and piston pivoted to a control arm linked to or integral with the swivel arm and of a much shorter effective length than the swivel arm. The cutting action is initiated by inter-engagement between the swivel arm and a stop edge of the web.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a machine for accurately cutting documents from a web of transparent material carrying one or more opaque documents, which machine comprises a punch-type cutter which is mounted for pivotal and lateral movement and capable of automatic positioning for accurately cutting a well-defined portion of the web so as to provide series of individual documents of predetermined size. The machine is provided with a first detector for detecting the arrival of an opaque document on the web at the cutting zone, a control responsive to the detector for arresting the movement of the web, other detectors for determining the relative lateral and angular position of the document on the web with respect to the cutter and a control responsive to the other detectors for displacing the cuttering laterally and angularly to bring the same into a predetermined position with respect to the document.

Abstract: A rotary cut-off blade is mounted on a motor shaft and is moved axially with the motor into contact with the outer surface of a printed circuit board having an inner surface engaging a vertical side wall or plate of a suction box supported for horizontal reciprocating movement. The printed circuit board supports electronic components which project into the suction box, and soldered lead wires project outwardly through holes within the board. The blade is retracted by a predetermined minute distance and then rotated by the motor while the printed circuit board is moved horizontally past the blade with the suction box to shear the projecting lead wires at the predetermined distance from the outer surface of the board and independently of the thickness of the board.

Abstract: A shearing machine is disclosed comprising a detector for detecting the thickness of a workpiece placed on a work table, a clearance adjusting mechanism for moving at least one of the upper and lower blades towards and away from the other to adjust the clearance therebetween, a shear angle adjusting mechanism for adjusting the inclination of the blades with respect to each other, and a controlling system for controlling the adjustment of both of the adjusting mechanisms according to the thickness of the workpiece detected by the detecting means.

Abstract: A core slabber for removing paper from the cores of fiberboard rolls where the cores are to be reused comprising a horizontal core support, a clamp plate on the core support, a camshaft internally of the core support to move a pin outwardly radially from said core support to move said clamp outwardly to engage the interior of the core. Tracks parallel to the axis of said core support carry a cutting blade on a blade carrier. A mechanism for moving said cutting blade accurately into engagement with selected depths of outer layers of paper on the core in order to cut the paper several layers at each pass in order to remove the paper and prepare the core for reuse. A sensor is also provided to limit the movement of the blade toward the core and also to limit and reverse the traverse of the blade parallel to the axis of the core.

Abstract: A flat reducing and sawing installation for processing tapering logs includes a reducing section and a sawing section through which logs pass in sequence. The reducing section includes two reducing disks which can each be moved outwards by respective positioning devices. The sawing section includes at least two laterally movable saw blades. The position of the reducing disks is controlled by an electronic evaluation and control unit on the basis of profile data fed in about the log, which indicates that at least one of the disks is about to grind sufficient material from one side of the log to form a plank of a minimum acceptable thickness, length and width. Under these circumstances, the control unit moves the appropriate reducing disk outwardly by at least the minimum acceptable thickness to allow the outermost saw of the sawing section to saw off the resulting plank.

Abstract: A method and device for slitting or edge trimming strip material on a process line are described in which trimming knives 2 mounted on a base 3 which is pivotally mounted on a sub-base 4, trim the edges of strip 14. The lateral position of the strip is sensed by sensors 10 and the position of the strip relative to center line of the process line is determined by a computer (not shown) which controls the lateral movement of the sub-base 4 by a hydraulic jack 9 so as to keep the strip and trimmer in alignment. The speed V of the strip is sensed and the speed V.sub.T of the trimmer is sensed by a transducer 12. The base 3 and thus each pair of knives 2 is pivoted about a pivot 11 on the sub-base 4 so that the angle .alpha. the knives make with the center line of the process, tends to equal tan .sup.31 1 (V.sub.T/V).

Abstract: An automatically-controlled system for ripcutting a cant into a plurality of boards includes the conveyor for advancing the cant transversely along a substantially straight path. Optical scanning stations along the path determine the shape of the usable board area which is fed to a control system. The control system, in turn, directs a mechanism which orients the cant on a sawing table. The cant is held in a fixed position on this table while a plurality of overhead saws make a series of parallel cuts on the board. The wane edges fall away and the resulting cut boards are transferred to an outfeed conveyor.

Abstract: A machine for punching or pressing sheet material comprises a support base, a stationary machine member and a machine member which is rectilinearly displaceable relative thereto for the working movement. At least one such member is fitted with a tool and in order to produce the working movement, a wedge is displaceable transversely to the direction of the said movement in a reciprocatory manner by means of a drive provided between the base support, or a member connected thereto, and the displaceable machine member, or a member connected thereto. The load transmitting surfaces on the wedge and the load transmitting surfaces facing the same on the adjacent support base and displaceable member are formed by hardened body-surfaces.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for sawing a piece of timber and particularly for edging a board. The piece of timber is brought to pass in its longitudinal direction through a measuring station and further, maintaining its position, to a sawing machine. The optimum width and sawing direction are determined by the measuring data obtained by means of measuring gates collected in the memory of a computer. The computer controls the sawing blades. The blades of the sawing machine are turned to take the desired sawing direction and are moved at an even speed in lateral direction during the sawing process. The apparatus comprises a conveyor for transferring the log of timber, a plurality of gates for measuring the optimum width and direction, a computer for collecting the data. The computer controls the blades so that during sawing, the sawing lines coincide with the edge lines of the calculated optimum board. The sawing machine is mounted on vibration dampers which act as springs.

Abstract: An electromagnetic system is provided for accurately sensing and remotely controlling a tool-to-workpiece spatial relationship. A typical application of the system may include a saw being sensor controlled through the process of removing a reinforced concrete covering from and about an underwater pipe or other metallic object that must be protected.

Abstract: A workpiece such as a steel profile to be perforated at predetermined distances from a longitudinal reference surface thereof is moved past a plurality of perforating tools, such as punching or drill presses, mounted on a main slide and associated with respective sensors carried on an ancillary slide, the two slides being provided with a rack-and-pinion coupling working into a position detector. Each sensor comprises two sensing heads movable, upon selective activation prior to operation of the corresponding tool, transversely to the workpiece path with a slight relative offset; the ancillary slide is displaced until the reference surface is detected by one--but not both--sensing heads whereupon a corrective motion is imparted to the main slide under the control of the position detector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically severing individual towels from a length of material comprising a plurality of terry towels. The method includes the steps of measuring slightly less than the supposed length of a towel, then activating a sensor that detects the edge of a cutting space by the change in thickness of the material. The sensor causes feeding of the material to stop with a cut-line at a cutting blade. The first edge of the material is held while a second sensor located the same edge at the opposite side of the material, and the cutting blade is moved with the sensor. The material is stretched to straighten the cut-line, and the cutting blade is caused to cut the material. The apparatus includes feed rolls to move the material, and an encoder measures the length. A roller at one edge of the material detects the change in thickness at one edge, and similar rollers detect the change in thickness at the opposite edge.

Abstract: Edge trimming apparatus and method for trimming off wavy edges of strip material, e.g. metal strip, wherein rotary trimming knives for each edge of the strip are movable transversely relative to the advancing strip. The knives are pivotally supported about vertical axis and can have their transverse spacing adjusted, the support blocks preferably being transversely slidable in guides which are mounted on a carriage which itself is transversely movable relative to the advancing strip. Edge sensors are located adjacent edge regions of the strip and signals from the sensors are passed to a device, for example a hydraulic jack, for moving the carriage transversely.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously forming containers, filling the containers with material and packing the containers containing material includes a heating device for heating a bottom sheet of thermoplastic resin supplied intermittently thereto, a forming device for forming container portions from the heated bottom sheet while keeping the latter continuous, a filling device for filling said container portions with material, a sealing device for sealingly covering the container portions with a cover sheet bearing pitch marks corresponding to symbol marks printed thereon, a punching device for removing the sealed containers from the continuous bottom material sheet, and is characterized by that a mark reading device is disposed at a position separated from the sealing device by a distance equal to a distance between the forming device and the sealing device, that a device is associated with at least one of the sealing device and the punching device for forwardly or reversely moving at least one of the sealing devi

Abstract: A sawmill serving to cut logs into lengths which will allow for maximum use of the wood has a support for the log to be sawn. A number of saws are arranged alongside the supported log for individual lateral movement longitudinally of the log. Associated with the support is a locating device for determining the position of the log end relative to a reference datum line extending across the support. An electronic scanner surveys the log as it is delivered to the support and obtains log profile data which is fed to a computer. The computer has a memory in which is stored desirable cutting data as related to the reference datum line and the log profile data. A signal is sent by the computer to each of the saws whereupon the saws take up positions which will result in the log being cut into optimum random lengths.

Abstract: Apparatus for making holes in arm sections of structural components which employs a vertically movable sensor and indicator device for aligning a perforating device for making a hole in a section of the structural component. The sensor and indicating device provides for precise alignment of the perforating device and includes a gauge and index device attached to the perforating device.

Abstract: A cantilevered transverse arm is mounted for movement along both a longitudinal and transverse axis. The outer end of the arm is adapted to be disposed over a metal slab to be cut and carries a tool assembly which is adjustable thereon. A guiding assembly is fixedly mounted to the arm and includes a pair of longitudinally spaced guide rollers positioned so that the cutting tool is disposed in a transverse plane extending between the rollers. Each roller is individually shiftable into and out of engagement with the slab edge. Initially, the leading roller is advanced toward the slab edge, while the trailing roller is retracted. The rollers are then moved toward the slab edge until the leading roller engages the said edge ahead of the slab corner. As the entire device moves longitudinally along the slab, the leading roller is retracted while the trailing roller moves into engagement with the slab edge. Deformed slab corners are thereby bypassed by the tool guidance system.

Abstract: A device for automatically taking off elements drawn or formed on pieces carried by a moving support and for displacing and depositing the taken off elements on a take-up conveyor, wherein said device comprises at least one arm mounted to rotate on a shaft located between the support for the elements to be taken off and the take-up conveyor on which the taken off elements must be deposited, said arm bearing a taking off member, in principle a suction disc, mounted so as to be able to be oriented and displaced with respect to said shaft, means for driving said shaft in rotation, means for orienting and displacing the taking off member with respect to said shaft and means for controlling these latter drive means provided and arranged to ensure, in synchronism with the movements of the piece support and of the conveyor taking up the taken off elements, the taking off of all the elements formed on each piece and the deposit thereof in parallel and regular arrangement on said take-up conveyor.

Abstract: A cauliflower coring apparatus and method in which cauliflower heads are fed one-by-one into a housing by a conveyor having bowls for receiving the heads, each bowl having a number of spikes on which the heads are impaled. A shiftable beam in the housing carries a first rotary cutter and a vertically adjustable hold-down ring for engaging a head to keep it from moving out of its bowl as the first cutter rotates and removes the culls from the head by a coring effect. After its culls have been removed, the head is engaged and cut by a second rotary cutter which disintegrates the head and separates it into curds. The culls and curds drop into respective first and second chutes and onto first and second conveyors for movement away from the housing.