Abstract: The indexing self-aligning hardware tool can join components and includes a first tool section including a die carrier, one or more dies coupled to the die carrier, and a first locator coupled to the die carrier. The indexing self-aligning hardware tool also includes a second tool section having a support body, one or more blankholders coupled to the support body, one or more punches movably disposed inside the blankholders, and a second locator coupled to the support body. The first locator and the second locator are configured to mate with a product feature locator of a component to align the first tool section relative to the second tool section.

Abstract: The method includes a step of aligning and laminating enlarged iron core pieces including iron core pieces and dummy piece parts and forming a composite laminated iron core integrally including a dummy laminated part with the dummy piece parts laminated and a laminated iron core, a step of placing and positioning the composite laminated iron core on a jig and removing the dummy laminated part, and a step of mutually bonding the laminated iron core body with the dummy laminated part removed to form the laminated iron core.

Abstract: The incomplete compound die cut along the circumference of the precision blanking is performed with a specially shaped cutting edge of cutting punch (11) and/or the die plate (5) in such a way that the precision blanking (1) remains initially connected by a material bonding to at leas one partial connecting part on the material strip (2), either on the upper or lower plane at a level relative to the material strip. It is then moved together with the material strip in the running direction of the strip to a subsequent removal stage (ejector), in which the precision blanking and the material strip are separated from each other perpendicular to the running direction of the material strip towards the bottom by breaking out the connecting part without a vertical shear force component and without being pressed back, wherein the removed precision blanking (1) is discharged through a discharge chute (9) in the die plate.

Abstract: A fire hose coupling comprises a substantially annular body having a first end adapted to connect to a fire hose and a second end having male threads, the annular body having a central bore. The coupling includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart lugs extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of the first end of the body. The coupling further includes a protective shoulder extending radially outwardly from the body between the male threads and the lugs, the protective shoulder having an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the male threads to thereby protect the male threads.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus includes a blade relatively movable with respect to a media to cut the media along a cutting line. The blade is so constructed to pre-cut the media along the cutting line to leave non-cutting portions and to cut the non-cutting portions after pre-cutting the media.

Abstract: A flexible stabilization device for connecting at least two bone anchoring devices which are attached to vertebrae of the spinal column includes a flexible rod made of an elastomer material. The rod has a surface in which at least one recess is provided which is generated by separation of a portion of said elastomer material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a jerky food product. The method comprises: (a) preparing a raw meat to obtain a moldable meat dough; (b) contacting at least a portion of the meat dough with a jerky mold apparatus having a pre-determined geometric configuration, wherein a plurality of sectors are spatially separated and defined by supported partitions arranged in a pre-determined pattern; (c) causing at least one of the partitions of the jerky mold to impale the meat dough to dispose portions of the meat dough into at least one of the sectors, thus separating the meat dough into a plurality of meat segments having a size and shape corresponding to that of the sectors; (d) removing the meat segments from the jerky mold; and (e) treating the meat segments to produce a plurality of jerky pieces.

Abstract: In a method in which a cut line is formed on one surface of a planar glass material, and the cut line is allowed to extend in the thickness direction of the glass material, thereby cutting a glass substrate from the glass material, the cut line is selectively formed on a surface having relatively small surface waviness out of two opposing surfaces of the glass material. In the case of a glass material formed into a planar shape on a molten metal, the surface which has come into contact with the molten metal is selected as the surface having relatively small surface waviness. When a disk-shaped glass substrate is cut from the glass material, cutting is performed under conditions where either one of the thickness and the radius of the glass material and the maximum height of surface waviness of the glass material satisfy a predetermined relationship.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a stator core is disclosed. The method includes advancing a blank at each of a plurality of press cycles to form a segment at each of the press cycles and shaping the segments. Shaping the segments further includes activating a tooth punch, activating a mounting-ear punch, and activating an joint punch. The method also includes separating the segments from the blank.

Abstract: A method for installing an auxiliary ring around a shaft. The method comprises providing an auxiliary ring comprising a plurality of ring elements, wherein each ring element includes at least one radial joint. Each ring element is installed around the shaft and positioned such that the radial joint of at least one of the ring elements is rotationally offset from the radial joint of each adjacent ring element. The plurality of ring elements are then secured to each other by adhesive, welding, or a fastener. Each ring element may include an aperture wherein the aperture of each ring element is aligned with the aperture of each adjacent ring element.

Abstract: A metal can blank having a shape surrounded by n external tangents, n partial arcs or partial lines, and 2n linear or arc-shaped connect lines is used to produce a metal can. Each external tangent is a line shorter than one side of a regular n-gon circumscribed about a circle, with the midpoint being a point of contact between each of the n sides of the regular n-gon and the circle. Each partial arc is a part of the circle positioned between the adjacent external tangents in the circumferential direction of the circle. Each partial line is a line connecting both ends of the partial arc. Each connect line is a line connecting one end of the external tangent with the most adjacent end of the partial arc or partial line. The material yields, productivity, etc. of such metal cans are significantly improved, and high quality metal cans can be obtained.

Abstract: This is a method to create 3-dimensional images from a 2-dimensional image. This Method utilizes various pieces of paper produced within the process and a method of attachment all together with layering and spacing in 3-dimensions to create a final piece of artwork which is 3-dimensional. Among other uses the end product of this method can be used as a free standing work of art which can be matted and framed and placed either hanging or attached to a wall or other surface or placed on an easel or other tripod mechanism for free standing on a table or floor or other surface.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of and an apparatus for producing at least one window opening (7) in an elongate paper substrate (1) which is virtually subdivided into paper sheet portions transversely with respect to its longitudinal axis. The method includes the following steps: a) the paper substrate (1) is provided with at least one water mark (2) per paper sheet portion; b) the position of at least one water mark (2) on the paper substrate (1) is detected by means of at least one sensor unit (3); and c) the paper substrate (1) is now fed to a unit for producing openings in the paper substrate (1), which unit is actuated in such a way that at least one window opening (7) is produced per paper sheet portion in the paper substrate (1) on the basis of the position of the at least one water mark (2), that is detected by the at least one sensor unit (3).

Abstract: A method is provided for cutting beaded fabric that includes a bead attached to cloth-like material. According to one embodiment, a continuous length of the beaded fabric is fed through a guide into a die-cutting press and is die-cut via a soft anvil die while the material is retained in the guide. A guide is also provided for retaining the beaded fabric during die-cutting operations. Pre-cut beaded fabric is also provided that is easily separated into tie-downs. A continuous cutting method is also provided for forming individual tie-downs from a combination of fabric and plastic material used to form a bead on the fabric. The continuous cutting method may include die-cutting beaded fabric, placing a mark on a bead of the beaded fabric, and severing the bead at the mark.

Abstract: In a process for forming a linking element for a push belt for a continuously variable transmission, material is displaced from a central portion of the linking element during a blanking process, which central portion is substantially centrally located in the horizontal transverse direction. A blanking member which is applied during the blanking process, comprises a shaping surface which abuts against a front surface or a back surface of the linking element under the influence of pressure during the blanking process. The blanking member is provided with a relatively elevated central portion, which serves to displace material from the central portion of the linking element during the blanking process.

Abstract: A method of producing a laminated iron core by punching and laminating rotor and stator core pieces. The rotor core pieces are punched from a metal sheet and laminated. Magnetic pole teeth are roughly punched in the metal sheet with the rotor core pieces removed. Each of a plurality of magnetic pole teeth are pressed at plural different portions to form thin parts so as to develop the plurality of magnetic pole teeth toward the punched side of the rotor core piece. Thereafter, the stator core piece is punched to form front tips on the magnetic pole teeth defining an internal form on the stator core piece. An external form of the stator core piece is punched. The punched stator core pieces are laminated in succession.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for machining platelike workpieces in a striated manner, whereby, in work steps, the material plate is machined by a controlled linear unit in a striated manner and always in the same X-axis direction. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out said method.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a guide which transports a recording medium and a roller which holds the recording medium in place to pull the recording medium through an imaging plane defined by a surface of the roller. A device forms an image onto the recording medium at the imaging plane. The roller is a vacuum roller that uses a vacuum produced at the imaging plane to hold the recording medium in place during transport and imaging.

Abstract: Core laminations for laminated cores of rotors and stators are partially made of partial ring segments that are at least partially stamped out of a central part produced as a remainder in a piece of sheet metal when manufacturing annular core laminations.

Abstract: A device for cutting out an article from a long tape and adhering the article to an adhesive tape comprising: a cutting roll having blade molds on the roll surface for cutting out an article by holding and pressing a long tape between the roll and an adhering roll; the adhering roll having anvils of which shapes correspond to those of the mold blades of the cutting roll and cylinders each having a shaft capable of piston action having suction mouth protrudable from the roll surface wherein the cylinder is disposed in each anvil shape; and a transfer device for an adhesive tape to which the articles are adhered, wherein the shaft is contained in the cylinder before sucking the article and when reaching predetermined position on the adhesive tape to which the article is adhered the cylinder adheres the article to the adhesive tape in protruding state while sucking the article.

Abstract: A rotary die-cutting machine and a method of cutting die-blanks in which the blanks (B) are passed between a die-cylinder (10) and an anvil (12), wherein a static charge is developed on the anvil (12) so that trim (15) removed from the blank adheres to, and is carried away from the nip, by the anvil (12).

Abstract: A metal sheet having a pair of thin portions on respective marginal edges thereof which are joined to a remaining portion of the metal sheet via respective corners is centered by positioning the center between the corners as the center of the metal sheet. Then, elements are blanked out of the metal sheet. The elements remain joined to the metal sheet by respective connectors which are formed in the respective thin portions of the metal sheet, the bodies having respective lower edges formed in the respective thin portions of the metal sheet. The elements are separated from the metal sheet by cutting off the connectors along the lower edges of the bodies.

Abstract: A method for reliable, safe removal of an electrical or electronic component or device mounted on a fragile or brittle circuit board substrate having opposed planar upper and lower surfaces, e.g., for performing testing such as failure analysis, comprises sequential steps of cutting the substrate transversely through its thickness to separate therefrom a segment comprising a first portion including the component or device and a second, adjoining portion; cutting the separated segment longitudinally along a plane parallel to the upper surface, the cutting extending beneath the entirety of the first portion; and cutting the substrate of the separated segment transversely through its thickness to separate the first portion including the component or device from the second portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a plurality of friction plates obtained by adhering friction members to substantially annular core plates, comprising the steps of simultaneously stamping a plurality of coaxial core plates having different diameters with remaining joint portions therebetween, simultaneously stamping a plurality of substantially annular and coaxial friction members having different diameters corresponding to the core plates and with remaining joint portions therebetween to permit adhesion to the core plates, and stamping the joint portions of the friction members and the core plates when or after the friction members are adhered to the core plates.

Abstract: In an apparatus for manufacturing filmstrips having a variable length and a variable number of perforations from a long strip of continuous film, a die set device is provided with a plurality of punch holders aligned adjacent to one another in a film transporting direction. At least one of the punch holders are selectively actuated to make a designated number of equally spaced perforations at a time. A film length adjusting device is provided for adjusting the length of the continuous film extending between the die set device and a cutter in accordance with a unit length which is determined for each variable length of the filmstrip, such that the cutter and the punch holder or punch holders are actuated in synchronism with each other while the continuous film stops after each transport by the unit length. A pair of feed rollers are disposed between the cutter and a suction drum for transporting the film toward the cutter. The feed rollers have diameters less than that of the suction drum.

Abstract: Cast metal parts are created for use in making machinery. When these parts are formed, unwanted material remains in the openings of the parts. This material, called flash, must be removed. In the method of the present invention, the cast parts are placed on a platen of a trim press that has multi-part punches attached thereto that are configured to self-align with the openings in the cast part and operative to evenly remove the flash. The invention also relates to a punch that initially breaks through the flash with a stationary punch that removes a majority of the flash inside the opening of the cast part. Next, a moving or self-centering punch self-aligns to the opening in the cast part and operates to remove the remaining flash. The inventive punch may also include a mounting base for attachment of the multi-part punches to the plate or platen of the press.

Abstract: A precut die apparatus arranged and adapted for use in a thermoform-trimming method and system to produce plastic molded articles, and to the method and system in which the apparatus is employed. The precut apparatus is positioned, in the method and system, between the form press and the trim station. The precut apparatus is arranged to precut, in a desired and selected manner, the thermoformed sheet material containing thermoformed articles therein, about the periphery of the thermoformed articles. The precut provides for a bridged and joining area of the sheet material to allow for slight movement and adjusting of the molded articles for precise alignment in the punch and die trim step of the thermoforming and trimming operation.

Abstract: An enclosure panel for covering the access opening in an equipment compartment includes a main panel body which is constructed and arranged so as to attach directly to the equipment compartment in such a way as to substantially cover the access opening. The main panel body defines a plurality of oblong slots which are arranged into a plurality of side-by-side columns wherein each column is configured with a substantially uniform herringbone pattern. The herringbone pattern provides a unique and preferred compromise between a uniform pattern of oblong slots arranged in columns and rows and a uniform pattern of circular openings arranged in staggered rows and columns. By use of the uniform herringbone pattern the open area for preferred cooling air flow is achieved while at the same time maintaining the structural strength and integrity of the enclosure panel.

Abstract: A blank-figure constructing method for sheet metal work, wherein a cutting passage planned to sequentially cut a plurality of desired blanks from a sheet material is determined, utilizing a multiple figure composed of the figures of the plurality of blanks to be obtained, in the multiple figure of which the adjacent line segments of the single blank figures are combined. This method is that if the multiple figure has an even number of, four or more odd vertices at each of which an odd number of internal and external line segments of the multiple figure meet, an auxiliary line is drawn outside the multiple figure, connecting any two of the odd vertices on the outline of the multiple figure to make the total number of odd vertices be two or zero so that the cutting passage, which passes through all the internal, external line segments and auxiliary line of the multiple figure, can be determined.

Abstract: A method of making a bird repellant structure includes the steps of punching into a continuous base strip a plurality of diagonal slots, cutting into the continuous base strip at least one finger extending from each of the diagonal slots such that a leading end of each finger is formed by a portion of the diagonal edge of each respective slot, and thereafter, punching a plurality of repellant arms into the continuous base strip. The repellant arms extend longitudinally from each diagonal slot such that a leading end of each repellant arm is formed by the diagonal edge of each diagonal slot and includes the fingers cut therein.

Abstract: In a method for making splice indicating holes through photographic paper, a long strip of photographic paper web is conveyed in its longitudinal direction and is slit into a plurality of narrow webs, a tail end of the photographic paper web is spliced to a leading end of a new photographic paper web, and a plurality of splice indicating holes are made through the new photographic paper web at positions, which are spaced a predetermined distance from the splice of the new photographic paper web, the predetermined distance being taken in the longitudinal direction of the new photographic paper web, and which coincide with center parts of narrow webs into which the new photographic paper web will later be slit.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene sucker rod guide, which includes the steps of providing a cylidnrical bar of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene having a selected length, drilling a lonitudinal bore in the bar using a parabolic bit, tapering the ends of the bar and cutting a tapered slot in the bar for mounting the bar on a sucker rod.

Abstract: A method for cutting blanks from webs of material, including some extra-long blanks which are longer than the cutting table. The extra-long blanks are only partially cut out in a first cutting step. Then, after further advance of the web onto the cutting table, the extra-long blanks are separated completely from the web.

Abstract: In a progressive die for punch press operations in which a strip of material is fed into the press and sequential operations are conducted on the strip including the separation of parts from the strip. The die is provided with a construction which forms an integral carrier tab between the parts to be separated. In the embodiment ilustrated, the operation is the manufacture of rotor and stator laminations for a dynamoelectric machine. The strip of material is fed into the press in which the die is mounted, and the respective rotor and stator laminations are formed in a series of workstations within the die. The improvement in the die construction is a punch station for substantially but not completely separating the rotor lamination from the strip. Thereafter, additional operations are constructed on the strip, the rotor lamination being completely separated at a subsequent workstation.

Abstract: A method of cutting blanks from an elastic paper comprises the following steps: removing a single elastic paper web of indefinite length from a mother roll; longitudinally cutting the single web, as it runs off the mother roll, into a plurality of paper panels; guiding the running paper panels in pairs into a superposed, face-to-face relationship to form at least one running superposed paper panel pair; guiding the running paper panel pair between cooperating cutting rollers of a rotary cutter and cutting the blanks from the running paper panel pair by the cutting rollers alternatingly from opposite sides of the paper panel pair while countersupporting the paper panel pair by the momentarily non-cutting cutting roller.

Abstract: The invention involves moving a strip of electroluminescent material past a shear in successive increments each equal to the length of a lamp outline to be cut from the strip. The shear is actuated after each incremental advance to cut a blank having a first dimension equal to the desired length of the lamp outline and a second dimension equal to the strip width, which is a multiple of the desired width of the lamp outline. The blank is then advanced past a punch and die in successive increments equal to the width of the lamp outline to be cut. The punch is actuated after each incremental advance to cut across or transverse to the second dimension to form lamp outlines having the desired length and width. The punch and die are configured to simultaneously cut a straight side of a lamp outline advanced past the punch and a straight side having a projecting electrical tab of an adjacent lamp outline behind the punch.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing oblong wooden articles to be used for the manufacture of coherent pairs of chopsticks includes punching or cutting the articles out of veneer sheets along outer straight lines resulting in outer surfaces (6 and 7) being formed. These surfaces are preferably inclining slightly towards one another and extend over the entire length of the articles. The articles are simultaneously provided with a cut along the plane of symmetry between the inclining surfaces (6 and 7), which results in a short uncut portion at the thickest end (9). This cut (8) along the plane of symmetry extends only partially through the articles in the transverse direction thereof, whereby a bridge-creating portion (10) is present between the parts (2 and 3) of the articles. This bridge-creating portion (10) is optionally automatically removed at a succeeding processing involving a bevelling (11-18) of the parts of the article.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for cutting blind slats, including a conveying device for sequentially conveying a slat material and a cutting device turned on and off in synchronism with the conveyance of the slat material so as to form slats of a desired length, wherein the improvement is characterized by comprising: an input device having means for entering the length of a slat; a control device for converting the output signal of the input device to pulse signals corresponding to the slat length entered and outputting them; and a motor rotated on the basis of the pulse signals output from the control device so as to convey the slat material by predetermined lengths.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a liner for a magnetic disk which is formed of non-woven fabric and has a predetermined width, a predetermined length, a central opening and contoured four corners comprising steps of supplying a plurality of non-woven fabric strips, each having a width substantially equal to the width of the liner to be formed, in a stacked state, stamping out openings in the stacked non-woven fabrics, cutting the portion of the stacked non-woven fabrics corresponding to the contoured four corners of the liners to be formed, simultaneously with the stamping of the openings, subsequently separating the non-woven fabric strips and cutting the leading edge portion of the non-woven fabric strips into the predetermined length.

Abstract: Method for cutting food materials having predetermined depths defined by a proximal surface and a remote surface, into a desired, continuous, closed configuration. A food material is selected having a predetermined depth. The desired configuration is cut into the food material by inserting therein at the proximal surface blade means having a cutting edge defining at least the exterior outline of the desired, continuous, closed configuration, while maintaining the cutting edge of the inserted blade means spaced from the remote end of the food material. The blade means is then removed from the food material while leaving the cut configuration substantially intact in the food material. Removal from the food material of the desired cut configuration when the blade means is removed is prevented by avoiding excessive compression of the food material when the blade means is inserted in the food material.

Abstract: A polymer tube is inserted into a passageway in a guide block and a polymer support rod is inserted into the tube. Pluralities of tubular punches are simultaneously driven from different radial positions through the wall of the tube and into the support rod to form holes in the tube.

Abstract: A strip of tape is cut at intervals into precise cut lengths equal in length to that of a desired label of non-rectangular shape. The cut lengths of tape are positioned in exact alignment with a punch of a punch cutting assembly for punching out the label and the punched label is separated from waste about the rim of the label for delivery free of the waste. The cut lengths are transferred to a transfer drum periphery and held momentarily under vacuum pressure which vacuum pressure is released to allow the cut lengths to shift circumferentially about the periphery of the transfer drum against a stop to accurately locate the cut lengths prior to further transfer to the punch cutting assembly.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a configured cut-out in a sheet of material by arranging a pair of dies to support a sheet of material therebetween, pushing a punch shaft through one die, then through the sheet of material and then through the other die, then retracting the punch shaft to effectuate initiation of a nibbling operation to produce a cut-out in the sheet of material to correspond to a cut-out in a template, which template is traced by a pilot finger during common motion of the template and the sheet of material.

Abstract: A forging (A) is received in a split ring (B) which provides peripheral support to a forging peripheral wall (14) and an upper peripheral flange (16). The forging and the split ring are supported by a nest member assembly (C) as a trimming assembly (D) moves longitudinally to trim the forging flange and a forging bore (10). A punch (74) with a hardened cutting edge (80) moves axially through the forging bore and interacts with a nesting assembly cutting edge (60) to trim the bore. Concurrently, a trim die (90) having a cutting edge (96) interacts with a split die cutting edge (36) trimming the upper flange. The split ring restrains a central portion of the forging from puffing peripherally outward in response to the punch being urged therethrough. The interaction of the trim die and the split ring inhibits the upper part of the forging adjacent the upper flange from being drawn in toward the forging bore by the interaction between the punch and forging.

Abstract: A rotary envelope machine blank cutter is provided with laterally adjustable, independent frame units for each meshing set of knife rolls for changing the depth of a side cut into a blank for envelope size and style production changes. The rotational and axial meshing of hard and soft knives respective to a single knife roll set is adjusted without disturbing the roll mount of either knife. Changes in envelope length or style are accommodated by the mechanical capacity to adjust the rotational cut timing between the knife roll sets of a two-set unit and also between respective cutting units of two or more two-set units. As in the case of lateral cut adjustments, knife roll mounts are undisturbed by rotational timing adjustments. Consequently, the machine may be quickly and accurately changed for production runs of any of several envelope style and several sizes respective to each style: all adjustments being made without disturbing the knife profile mesh of any knife set.

Abstract: A pair of continuously driven pull rolls of stock puller supported on a table having a longitudinal bed engage a web of the stock material to continuously unreel the stock material from a coil. The pull rolls are rotated by a drive shaft that is coupled to an input shaft of a feed roll unit. The input shaft is continuously rotated by a pulley-belt drive connection from a common power shaft. Continuous rotation of the input shaft is converted to intermittent rotation of a feed roll that intermittently advances the stock material to a stock material forming device, such as a material stamping or punching unit followed by a material cutting unit. The stamping and cutting units also include input shafts that are drivingly connected by pulleys and continuous belts to the common power shaft. The common power shaft is continuously rotated by a pulley-belt drive connection from an output shaft of a variable speed DC motor supported by the table.

Abstract: An arrangement for fabricating planar elements which may be stacked for producing predetermined surfaces and bodies. The planar elements have cross-sections corresponding to respective cross-sections of the surface to be constructed. The planar elements are formed by cutting them from plate-shaped material or sheet metal, and the cut-out elements are held to the parent sheet or plate material by tabs. The planar elements are cut successively from the sheet or plate-shaped material at spaced intervals. The cutting action is such as to leave the tabs for holding the planar elements in place. Registration holes are punched about the planar element, so that these may be readily stacked relative to each other, as required to form the surface to be constructed. Sprocket holes are also punched in the sheet material to advance the material along a processing path at which the various processing stations are located.

Abstract: A method of producing stereoscopic film from standard 35 mm film is described in which the standard 35 mm is longitudinally cut in half. Selected sprocket holes in each half are enlarged to provide a series of locating holes at regular intervals along the film. Each locating hole enables a corresponding pair of stereoscopic film frames on the film to be located in a viewing position. Also described is a viewer for viewing the stereoscopic films. The viewer incorporates a locating finger which engages each locating hole in turn to locate and hold the film steady while viewing. The viewer includes a reciprocating drive means for driving the film. The locating finger is withdrawn from a locating hole when the drive means performs its forward stroke and the forward stroke is limited when the finger engages the next hole. The finger remains engaged with the next locating hole during the return stroke of the drive means thereby preventing any inadvertant movement of the film during the return stroke.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting a piece of pre-shaped carpet to pattern. The apparatus includes a bottom support platen, a common support having depending therefrom, a top pressing platen and vertically-cutting blades. The bottom support platen and the top pressing platen are shaped to conform to the shape of the pre-shaped carpet. The common support is moved vertically down so that the top pressing platen exerts substantial pressure on the carpet, and the common support continues to move down so that the vertically-cutting blades cut the carpet. The common support then moves up, lifting the blades up, followed by the reduction and release of the pressure on the carpet.In a preferred embodiment of the method and apparatus, a peripheral support member and peripheral pressing member are provided to firmly hold the extreme edge of the carpet so that the section of the carpet to be cut is held taut during the cutting operation.

Abstract: To avoid the waste of die-cutting a plurality of circular blanks of identical diameter from rectangular sheet material, the material is formed into non-rectangular sheets of parallelogram trapezoid, or equilateral triangle configuration, which have a predetermined length and width substantially equal to a multiple of the diameter of the circles. The circular dies of a gang-die cutter are juxtaposed in a series of laterally extending rows in parallelism, longitudinally of the die cutter, the rows being at an angle of 60.degree. to the longitudinal edges of the sheets. The sheets and the die pattern thus both are of parallelogram trapezoid, or equilateral triangle, outline.