Abstract: Apparatus for cutting lumber to random or specified clear lengths by removal of sections containing defects and by making single end or intermediate cuts, includes infeed means for transporting a piece of lumber, locating means for locating the piece of lumber longitudinally in the apparatus, a fixed saw for cutting the piece of lumber at a first position, and a sliding saw selectively positionable longitudinally with respect to the fixed saw for cutting the piece of lumber at a second position which is located a spaced distance from the first position co-extensive with the extent of the defect. The fixed saw also is configured for operation independently of the sliding saw for making the single cuts.Saw positioning means positions the sliding saw longitudinally, based on commands from a computer for removal of the defect with the minimum removal of clear lumber.

Abstract: Cross welds in metal tube moving continuously along a path are removed by means of a method which includes the sequential steps of generating signals representative of predetermined linear movements of the tube, detecting the presence of cross welds in the tube and, on detecting the presence of such cross welds, passing signals to a counter device which is operable after receiving a predetermined number of these signals to actuate a cutting device which removes the cross weld from the tube.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the repetitive bar pattern of plaid material is sampled along the length of the goods by means of light reflected therefrom and auto- and cross-correlation functions of groups of said signals are computed so as to define the pattern of the transverse bars of the plaid. This measured pattern is used within a computer-controlled system for cutting the component pieces of clothing items so as to compensate for nonuniformities or distortions in the bar pattern of the material.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved apparatus for automatically cutting belt loops and removing splices from a loop string material. The apparatus has an input portion for directing loop string material into the apparatus and storing a quantity of the material with a dancer roller. The loop string leaves the input portion and is transported by first and second driven rollers. A splice sensor engages the string between the first and second spaced driven rollers. The splice sensor includes a foot with a reflective surface thereon and a transducer positioned to direct a light beam down to the reflective surface and sense the reflected light beam. The foot is positioned such that a splice moving with the loop string will cover the reflective surface and break the light beam, thereby allowing the apparatus to sense the presence of the splice. A measuring transducer is connected to one of the driven rollers and measures the amount of loop string advanced thereby.

Abstract: A web advancement and cutting method and mechanism are provided for a web which is divided into unique segments or frames each incorporating a sensing indicium and in which a plurality of frames is advanced through a cutting mechanism and cut from the web for each cycle of operation. In each cycle of operation, a digital stepper motor drive and counter combination advances the web a predetermined number of counts, generally equivalent to moving all but one of the said plurality of frames to be advanced beyond the cutting plane of a cutting mechanism, and then further advancing without stopping the web until an optical sensor senses the indicium on the last frame to be advanced through the cutting mechanism. The stepper motor is stopped and said plurality of frames is then cut from the web. Means are also provided to reduce the power consumption of the stepper motor while the cutting mechanism is actuated.

Abstract: Continuously cast plastic strip has interspaced marks or defects with lengths of unmarked usable strip therebetween. To obtain a maximum possible yield of sheets from such strip, the lengths of the portions between the marks or defects are measured and cut into sheets of two or more different lengths, the cutting being such as to produce the maximum yield of sheets of either or all lengths, singly or in combination, which can be obtained from the length cut. This procedure reduces the loss or waste due to the marks or defects, to a minimum. A special system is provided for this practice and for cutting out the marks or defects between the unmarked strip portions free from defects, with a minimum of loss or waste. Other features are involved.

Abstract: In an automatic machine for cutting zippers from a common zipper tape, feed rollers are positioned to direct the common tape to the cutter. The sliders on the tape are detected by a photoelectric detector upstream of the feed rollers, in order to develop a signal of determined duration for enabling a bottom stop detector positioned upstream of the slide detector. A delay device is provided to actuate the cutter a determined time following detection of a bottom stop by the stop detector.

Abstract: An automated in-line mailing (AIM) system of the type comprising a continuous sheet web supply, a sheet cutter, a folder, a collector, and an envelope inserter is controlled by indicia on the sheet web. A control system includes a sensor for sequentially sensing the web indicia upstream of a cutting element and a particular arrangement of shift registers for storing signals representative of the indicia. The signals are shifted along the shift registers with movement of the web, and sheets cut therefrom, through the AIM system. The shift registers are sampled at various stages therealong to obtain signals for deactivating a web drive and activating insert stations. A clock signal for cutter and collector shift registers is provided by an endless tape which is normally used to control lengths of cuts by the sheet cutter.

Abstract: A method of severing a veneer sheet comprising feeding a veneer sheet, sensing an irregularity or a predetermined length of said veneer sheet and actuating, in accordance with the sensing of the irregularity or the predetermined length of the veneer sheet, a cutter member pivotally disposed and having an edge portion adapted to work on the side of the fed-in veneer sheet during the pivotal movement of the cutter member. Severing can be done without stopping feeding of a veneer sheet and the arrangement of said cutter member realizes dividing of a feed-out passage of the veneer sheet into two different directions.

Abstract: Selected lengths of a strip of material are cut either continuously in an automatic mode or each selected length is cut in a manual mode by manual activation of a switch. When the thickness of the strip of the material being cut exceeds a predetermined thickness or is less than a predetermined thickness, this difference is sensed so that this portion of the strip of the material is cut as soon as it ceases to exceed the predetermined thickness or be less than the predetermined thickness. In the automatic mode, automatic cutting may be stopped after this portion of different thickness has been cut either every time or every other time, and manual activation is required to start another automatic cutting.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved apparatus for automatically cutting belt loops and removing splices from a loop string material. The apparatus has an input portion for directing loop string material into the apparatus and storing a quantity of the material with a dancer roller. The loop string leaves the input portion and is transported by first and second driven rollers. A splice sensor engages the string between the first and second spaced driven rollers. The splice sensor includes a foot with a reflective surface thereon and a transducer positioned to direct a light beam down to the reflective surface and sense the reflected light beam. The foot is positioned such that a splice moving with the loop string will cover the reflective surface and break the light beam, thereby allowing the apparatus to sense the presence of the splice. A measuring transducer is connected to one of the driven rollers and measures the amount of loop string advanced thereby.

Abstract: This invention relates to the art of quality control, more particularly to the regulation of electronically operated quality control equipment such as yarn cleaners, or the like so that the quality control equipment may be selectively adjusted to eliminate faults of a given magnitude only when they occur over an undesired period.

Abstract: A device for severing a veneer sheet comprising a veneer sheet feeding means, a cutter member pivotally disposed on the feed-out side of said veneer sheet feeding means and having an edge portion adapted to work on the side of the fed-in veneer sheet during the pivotal movement of the cutter member, a means for sensing an irregularity or a predetermined length of said veneer sheet, a means for transmitting a signal in accordance with the sensing of the irregularity or the predetermined length of the veneer sheet and an actuator for actuating in response to said signal said cutter member to cut the veneer sheet in cooperation with a force by which the veneer sheet is fed. With such a device, severing can be done without stopping feeding of a veneer sheet and the arrangement of said cutter member dividing of a feed-out passage of the veneer sheet into two different directions.

Abstract: Each customer order has the form of an image band segment comprised of one or more image sections bearing respective images. The customer order image band segments together form an elongated image band. The image band is provided with order marks of different types, each image section of one customer order being provided with an order mark of one type, and each image section of the next customer order being provided with an order mark of another type, so that the order mark type changes from one customer order to the next on the image band. The changes of order mark type are detected using a detecting arrangement which is operative for generating control signals in dependence upon such detection. The operation of an order-sorting arrangement is controlled by applying the control signals thereto.

Abstract: A method for regulating the operation of yarn clearers having error correcting means such as yarn cutters, and sensing means providing an electrical signal representative of the controlled quality. The method comprises the steps of: feeding the signal from the sensing means to two independent electrical circuit channels each having separate threshold switch means, the threshold switch means of one circuit responsive to signals corresponding to yarn faults of given magnitude. The threshold switch means of the other circuit responds to signals corresponding to faults of given duration. Thereafter, an independent control signal is obtained from each of said channels for initiating the operation of the cutters when a limiting value selected for each of said two channels is exceeded.

Abstract: A series of shirt cuff pattern parts are placed in overlying relationship on a web of lining material and a conveyor belt engages the upper surfaces of the web of lining material and the pattern parts and holds the layers of material together as they are moved through a sewing machine. The overlying side edge of each of the pattern parts is folded down under an edge of the web of lining material, and the sewing machine sews through the folds. A predetermined range of lengths of the connected together series of partially completed shirt cuffs is continuously accumulated from the sewing machine, and are continually fed from the accumulation to a cutter, and are separated by cutting the web of lining material adjacent the trailing edge of a pattern part so that each partially completed shirt cuff is formed with a short length of the web of lining material protruding from the shirt cuff panel pattern part, and the pattern parts are stacked.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing a non-metallic web in which a fault is marked by means of a metal label, layers of the web are stacked on one another, the web is divided into pieces and the individual pieces, still in their stacks, are inspected by means of a metal detector. The invention is of particular value where the web is a textile material and the pieces after inspection are made up into garments.

Abstract: An apparatus for optimizing the yield of predetermined usable pieces from a workpiece such as a board of lumber or the like having randomly disposed defects designated on a plane surface thereof including means for scanning the workpiece to detect unusable defect containing areas on the plane surface, means for forming and storing a primary bit matrix corresponding to a pattern of scanned unusable defect containing areas, means for identifying predetermined combinable unusable defect containing areas and predetermined combinable unusable non-defect containing areas on the primary bit matrix, means for merging identified combinable unusable defect and non-defect containing areas to produce a list defining a pattern consisting of one or a combination of a group consisting of combined and uncombined unusable areas, defining usable areas, means for establishing and storing predetermined billing requirements, means for successively determining on the basis of the usable area information and the predetermined billi

Abstract: A camera film locating feed system for processing of film strips utilizing locating holes in the film that have or tend to undergo trailing edge damage due to mishandling of the camera when the film is being advanced from one frame setting to the next. In feeding such film in the processing device a selectable control means detects film positioning by reference to the leading edge of each locating hole with the film in one orientation in the processor, and by the lagging edge with the film inverted or oppositely oriented in the processor, and rejects false detection control signals from certain kinds of locating hole damage by the delaying action of a control means gate.

Abstract: An apparatus for optimizing the yield of predetermined usable pieces from a workpiece such as a board of lumber or the like having randomly disposed defects designated on a plane surface thereof including means for scanning the workpiece to detect unusable defect containing areas on the plane surface, means for forming and storing a primary bit matrix corresponding to a pattern of scanned unusable defect containing areas, means for identifying predetermined combinable unusable defect containing areas and predetermined combinable unusable non-defect containing areas on the primary bit matrix, means for merging identified combinable unusable defect and non-defect containing areas to produce a list defining a pattern consisting of one or a combination of a group consisting of combined and uncombined unusable areas, defining usable areas, means for establishing and storing predetermined billing requirements, means for successively determining on the basis of the usable area information and the predetermined billi