Abstract: A pallet for supporting strip material on which encapsulated circuit devices of the ball-grid array type are supported is delivered to a first cutter assembly. Rotary hardened steel cutter discs having radially extended cutting teeth separate the circuit devices as the cutter assembly is traversed to move the cutter blades in paths extended transversely of the strip material between adjacent circuit devices. Thereafter, the pallet is moved to a second cutter station at which a second cutter assembly trims strip material along paths extending transversely of the first paths. Pallet positioning means for precise positioning of pallets carrying the strip material include elevators having resilient supports which allow for limited lateral motion of the pallets as they are moved into positions of alignment with the cutter assemblies.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and a method for transferring and forming parts in a press (20). The press (20) has a plurality of longitudinally dispose workstations (W). A parts transfer system (22) has a grasping unit (69) for releasably grasping or holding matrices (M) of workpieces (WP) and is mounted upon a translation base (68) which is movable between workstations (W). The press (20) simultaneously stamps and forms at least a pair of matrices (M) of workpieces (WP) in a single stroke of the press (20) and the parts transfer system (22) grasps and transfers the matrices (M) of workpieces (WP) between workstations (W). Each matrix has at least two longitudinal spaced columns and two laterally spaced rows of workpieces (WP). Preferably, the grasping unit (69) include matrices of gear boxes (110), interconnected by connecting rods (198), which pivotally support arms (140) and finger assemblies (146) which releasably grasp the workpieces (WP) .

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and a method for transferring and forming parts in a press (20). The press (20) has a plurality of longitudinally disposed workstations (W). A parts transfer system (22) has a grasping unit (69) for releasably grasping or holding matrices (M) of workpieces (WP) and is mounted upon a translation base (68) which is movable between workstations (W). The press (20) simultaneously stamps and forms at least a pair of matrices (M) of workpieces (WP) in a single stroke of the press (20) and the parts transfer system (22) grasps and transfers the matrices (M) of workpieces (WP) between workstations (W). Each matrix has at least two longitudinal spaced columns and two laterally spaced rows of workpieces (WP). Preferably, the grasping unit (69) include matrices of gear boxes (110), interconnected by connecting rods (198), which pivotally support arms (140) and finger assemblies (146) which releasably grasp the workpieces (WP).

Abstract: A loaf of offal having a temperature no higher than -10.degree. C. is sliced to obtain slices having a thickness of between 6 cm and 15 cm and the slices then are passed through a microwave tunnel oven to heat-temper the slices to a temperature of from -5.degree. C. to -9.degree. C. The tempered slices then are size-reduced to chips and ten to cubes. Alternatively, the loaf is size-reduced to chips which are tempered as above and then, the heat-tempered chips are size-reduced to cubes. The units for slicing and size-reduction and the microwave tunnel oven are connected by conveyors.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing letters, numerical characters and symbols in response to electronic data transmitted from a host machine onto both surfaces of a sheet of paper or film. Rollers move the sheet material along a path toward an outlet, a first printer prints on one of the surfaces of the sheet material within the path, and a second printer prints on the other surface of the sheet material within the path at a position nearer to the outlet than the first printer. A position detector detects the position of the sheet material within the path, and a controller concurrently and independently processes at least parts of the printing operations by the first and second printers based on the position detected by the position detector.

Abstract: A machine for slicing a food product in the three dimensions in a single continuous cycle to produce an end product having a determined size and shape. The machine incorporates a first slicing station for slicing a determined length of a first slice off the food product by a first pair of synchronously driven and counter rotating cut off knives and a second slicing station to slice the first slice in two dimensions by a set of gang knives and a second pair of synchronously driven and counter rotating cut off knives to produce a cube of a determined size and shape. The machine has a conveyor system for conveying the food product on a continuous basis through the machine. The rotation of the cut off knives are variable and are set in conjunction with the feed rate of the conveyor system to establish the desired dimensions of the end product.

Abstract: A machine for slicing a food product in the three dimensions in a single continuous cycle to produce an end product having a determined size and shape. The machine incorporates a first slicing station for slicing a determined length of a first slice off the food product by a first cutoff knife and a second slicing station to slice the first slice in two dimensions by a set of gang knives and a second cut off knife to produce a cube of a determined size and shape. The machine has a conveyor system for conveying the food product on a continuous basis through the machine. The rotation of the cut off knives are variable to establish the desired dimensions of the end product. The first slice is transferred on the conveyor of the second slicing station in a manner to accommodate slicing the first slice in the other two dimensions by the second slicing station.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and a method for transferring and forming parts in a press (20). The press (20) has a plurality of longitudinally disposed workstations (W). A parts transfer system (22) has a grasping unit (69) for releasably grasping or holding matrices (M) of workpieces (WP) and is mounted upon a translation base (68) which is movable between workstations (W). The press (20) simultaneously stamps and forms at least a pair of matrices (M) of workpieces (WP) in a single stroke of the press (20) and the parts transfer system (22) grasps and transfers the matrices (M) of workpieces (WP) between workstations (W). Each matrix has at least two longitudinal spaced columns and two laterally spaced rows of workpieces (WP). Preferably, the grasping unit (69) include matrices of gear boxes (110), interconnected by connecting rods (198), which pivotally support arms (140) and finger assemblies (146) which releasably grasp the workpieces (WP).

Abstract: Apparatus for cross cutting and/or perforating of a web. The apparatus performs two consecutive partial cuts and, provides for positive guidance of a partially cut web. This is accomplished by first and second cutting blade rollers, arranged with one common counter cylinder and guided by groups of belts passing through breaks in the blades. The breaks of the two blades are laterally offset relative to each other, and the belts are pressed against the counter cylinder to convey the web. This eliminates the need for one counter cylinder and one pair of pull rollers, it decreases the danger of web tear and eliminates the web stretching and the accompanying offset of the two partial cuts.

Abstract: A station (10) for cutting sheets of wood (13), and in particular for cutting packages of sheets, includes a first device (12) for positioning a package of sheets under a first cutter (15) so as to separate parts of the package sequentially. A further device (14) takes the cut part and sends it to a second cutter (17) for sequentially cutting the part along a second direction so as to obtain another division in subparts sequentially and selectively conveyed outside the station. Electronic controls are used to manage operation of the cutters and the positioning and taking devices for performing the cuts in accordance with a previously set grid of cuts.

Abstract: To trim a plurality of printed products, which may have different thicknesses, first and second cutting assemblies are provided, each cutting assembly having a cutting knife (98, 59) and a cutting counter element (115, 65). The printed products are held in receivers formed of a fixed jaw and a movable jaw, resiliently clamping the printed products between the jaws, the knives being moved across the printed products and against the counter elements. The printed prroducts are supplied to the first cutting assembly by a pair of toothed or ribbed belt (20) from a storage cassette (1). The length dimension to be cut is determined by a stop rail (39) and the width dimension is determined by the spacing of two lateral knives of the second cutting assembly. A transfer apparatus transfers the printed products from the first to the second cutting assembly, from which they can then be removed. The knives are moved in a guide way formed by guide rails on which sliders operate.

Abstract: Sheet cutting apparatus for severing a rapidly-moving web, such as printed paper, into cut sheets in two stages. In the first stage, spaced cuts are made along a transverse cutting line of the web. The web is trained between belts which support the cut portions of the web, and the uncut portions of the web are severed to separate sheets. The sheets are conveyed out of the cutting station and into further apparatus. Preferably, the belts for supporting the web during the second cutting operation are trained around the knife and anvil rolls which make the cuts. The purpose of the belts is to prevent the leading edge of the web or a cut sheet from being projected forward of its support, thus tending to become dog-eared or misfed. The cuts made at the first and second cutting stations can be arranged in various patterns to remedy mis-timing of the respective cutting stations.

Abstract: A machine for cutting generally oblong, compressed bales of dried hay or forage for livestock, comprises an inlet chute for receiving compressed bales in end-to-end alignment and moving them forwardly into a sawing section. The latter has side walls, a floor for supporting a bale as it moves through the sawing section and a horizontal top member parallel with and spaced above the floor. A plurality of circular saws are spaced apart on a pair of upper and lower shafts, each saw on one said shaft being vertically aligned with a saw on the other shaft. The saw shafts are connected by a pulley and driven by a rotary power source. A hydraulic pump connected to one of the saw shafts is utilized to drive hydraulic motors for moving bales through the sawing section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a product of predetermined shape from a vegetable, in which a cylindrical core is cut from the vegetable by forcing the vegetable against an annular cutting edge of a tube and cutting the product from the core by advancing a pair of opposed rotatable cutting elements into apertures in the side of the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for severing envelope edges in continuous fashion comprises a plurality of devices for severing an envelope edge and a conveyor mechanism for carrying envelopes past the plurality of severing devices, and for rotating the envelopes to present envelope edges to the plurality of severing devices in orientations which permit the edge-severing of each presented envelope edge. Also a severing device for use in connection with the severing apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for automatically preparing one or more stacks of sheets, each stack having at least two substantially straight edges that meet to define a corner and, specifically, where preparing constitutes corner rounding, notching, hole punching or edge marking the stack.

Abstract: This invention is a machine and method (10) for cutting large blocks (12) of material, such as cheese, in which a block (12) is pushed in the same direction through successive cutting stations (34,66), the block (12) being rotated between two successive cutting stations (34,66). The machine may have a number of piston and cylinder assemblies (24,32,48,54,68) arranged for pushing the block of cheese through the successive cutting stations, for rotating the block of cheese as described above and for raising and lowering the block of cheese relative to the cutting stations. The machine and method (10) speeds up the cutting process by allowing the simultaneous cutting of two blocks of material.

Abstract: A machine for cutting a generally oblong, compressed bale of hay or forage into a plurality of elongated sub-sections, is disclosed. The machine has an inlet for moving compressed bales into an adjoining sawing section and through a passageway having a first and second series of saws arranged transversely for progressively cutting the bale at a series of vertical and horizontal planes to form the hay sub-sections. The cut sub-sections are caused to fall on a conveyor belt which dispenses them from the end of an outlet chute. The sawing of the bale minimizes leaf and fibre damage, and the cut subsections of hay readily break apart to make them easily consumable by livestock.

Abstract: A blind trimmer includes a machine frame and an immovable as well as a movable trimming mechanisms respectively mounted on two longitudinal sides of the frame. Each trimming mechanism includes a plate, a saw, a cylindrical milling blade, and a clamping device having a slide piece which is slidable on the plate and spacedly mounts thereon two jaw members clamping therebetween a respective end portion of a collapsed blind so that the respective end portion will be trimmed by the saw when the slide piece is slid on the plate to let the respective end portion pass through the saw.

Abstract: A plate subdividing and sorting machine includes a variegated subdividing device which subdivides the respective plate blank into final products arranged in the thus subdivided plate blank in respective longitudinal and transverse strips. The subdivided plate blank is shifted onto a stripping-off tray with which there is associated a stripping arrangement which strips the respective longitudinal strips off of the stripping-off tray and onto distributing roller conveyors which distributes the final products of the respective longitudinal strips in a sorted manner in accordance with their sizes to a plurality of adjacently arranged supply roller conveyors. The stripping arrangement includes a stripping blade which is movable, for the reduction of the cycle time, together with the remainder of the stripping arrangement, to at least two of the distribution roller conveyors that are arranged at a distance next to one another to deposit the longitudinal strips thereon.

Abstract: An arrangement for removing and separating into pieces wrapping wire (3) encircling a bale (2) or like package in individual, closed loops includes a first wire clipping device (6) for severing the wire in each separate loop at a location (29), to form a wire length; a second wire clipping device (14, 16, 17) for dividing the wire length into smaller pieces; and feed means (10, 12'16, 18) for advancing the wire length to the second wire clipping device. The latter device (14, 16, 17) comprises at least one cutting bit (16) projecting radially outwards from a motor-driven rotor (14) and whose cutting edge generates a cylindrical surface, and further comprises a stationary counter cutting bit (17). The feed means includes a part-cylindrical guide surface (18) which co-operates with the cutting edge to advance a wire length introduced between the guide surface and the rotor (14) to the counter cutting bit.

Abstract: Apparatus for stacking flat articles which in an intermediate portion are formed with locating holes and preferably consist of double bags having opening-defining edges disposed adjacent to their center line. The bags are fed by a wicketer and deposited in a stacking station on an endless stack conveyor and meedled onto raised upstanding stacking pins to form stacks. The stacking pins are operated to be lowered to release the needled stack which then advances to a succeeding severing station provided with a heated knife, which severs the stacks along a center line extending in the direction of stack travel. Additional conveyor belts are provided for retaining the separated stacks on the stack conveyor.

Abstract: A portable timber mill comprising a main superstructure (3) and a platform mounted on the superstructure being comprised of at least one detachable bench (15) on which cutting and sorting operations are performed. Each bench has infeed means (9), cutting means (16) conveyor means (17), sorting and separation means (70, 71) whereby timber can be processed according to a time ordered processing sequence along a predetermined route on the said at least one bench until a predetermined size of timber is achieved. The superstructure is configured in the form of a transportable trailer.

Abstract: An angle shear for cutting a sheet metal plate in two directions shear comprises a feed table, associated therewith longitudinal and transverse cutting blades guide means, and a rotary device arranged above the feed table. Longitudinal feeding means can be retracted from the work position to a position beneath the table level and are arranged in a transverse row. Transverse feeding means can be arranged at the table level and forms a longitudinal row. Both the longitudinal and transverse feeding means cooperate with side stops, which are arranged and distributed within a plane extending in longitudinal and transverse direction. The angle shear provides for automatic feeding of sheets and stacking at several stations.

Abstract: A Multi-Purpose Conveyor System particularly designed for efficiently handling different types of dough products which conveyor system includes a plurality of coordinated and synchronized conveyor mechanisms, constructed and arranged to eliminate the necessity for manual handling of the dough during the cutting of the dough onto individual pieces, and assembling the desired number of pieces into a product carrier and delivering the product carrier to a transport conveyor system for final processing.

Abstract: An improved rotary cutting apparatus is provided for cutting vegetables, particularly such as potatoes, into a distribution of strip sizes not exceeding a predetermined length limit. The apparatus comprises a conventional rotary impeller having peripheral blades for carrying potatoes into cutting relation with a slicing knife on an impeller housing for dividing the potatoes into slices followed by subsequent cutting into strips by strips knives on an adjacent cross-cut spindle. The impeller further includes an axially centered divider ring defining a pair of annular chambers for potato passage outwardly to the slicing knife, wherein longer potatoes are required to orient with their longitudinal axes extending generally radially with respect to the impeller, and generally perpendicular to the slicing knife, to limit the maximum length of the cut slices and the resultant cut strips.

Abstract: In a method and assembly for trimming a stack of veneer sheets, both lengthwise and transverse cutting lines are determined in advance by means of a director light projecting a line. The position data of the determined line are processed by a computer to control the feed to a cutting plane. Alternatively, the cutting lines are marked. The stack is firmly clamped between conveyor belts of a mechanism by which, after the first lengthwise trimming, the stack is turned upside down, after the same procedure for determining the cutting line, fed to the cutting plane. The transverse trimming is effected in similar fashion.

Abstract: A bobbin separating unit, includes at least two first and second serially connected bobbin separating devices, the second bobbin separating device having a given upper level, the first bobbin separating device including a feeding device being controllable by the second bobbin separating device, the feeding device being movable from a bobbin receiving position to bobbin feeding positions disposed above the given upper level, and the feeding device including a feed location in the form of a vibratory conveyor.

Abstract: Bobbin separating unit, including a first charging device, a second charging device downstream of the first charging device in flow direction of the bobbins, a first separating device, and a second separating device downstream of the first separating device, and a device for controlling the bobbin delivery rate of the first charging and separating devices in dependence on the bobbin content of the second charging and separating devices.

Abstract: Apparatus for trimming the lateral marginal portions of successive stacks of sheets of multiple unit width and for subdividing the trimmed stacks into stacks of unit width has an advancing unit which moves the stacks stepwise in a direction at right angles to their width, a trimming station where the marginal portions of successive stacks are trimmed, and two or more severing stations which are disposed one after the other, as considered in the direction of advancement of the stacks, and at each of which the width of the stacks is reduced by one unit width as a result of separation of discrete stacks of unit width therefrom. The stacks at the severing stations are moved sideways by the width of a stack of unit width prior to a separating step. The mechanisms at the severing stations employ knives which are aligned with one another, as considered in the direction of advancement of stacks, and are accessible at the outer sides of the respective severing stations.

Abstract: Installation for the sawing of wafers of semiconductor material encompassing an alignment station (1), a sawing station (9), and a cleaning station (7). A handling device, provided to convey the wafers from one station to another, while ensuring a perfect positioning under the disc (11) of the saw, encompasses at least two supporting platforms (2, 13), of a mobile table (14) and a transfer angle-iron (15). Platforms (2) and (13) are provided to retain a wafer by suction, whether the platforms are carried by fixed support (6) or by mobile table (14).

Abstract: A method and system are provided for slicing raw, whole potatoes into sticks or strips; sorting the sticks with photoelectric scanners, separating out sticks having black or discolored spots thereon, snipping the ends of the separated sticks and sorting the separated sticks after snipping.

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.

Abstract: Disclosed is a machine for manufacturing wood stakes from boards, preferably from lengths of 2.times.4's or 2.times.6's. The machine is adjustable to provide stakes of virtually any length. The machine consists of two stations, the first station comprising a reciprocally movable carriage for holding a plurality of boards, a saw or other cutting means which cuts on a plane parallel to the direction of travel of the carriage, an endless conveyor to receive the slice of wood cut from at least one board thereon as the carriage passes the saw, another endless conveyor engagable with the carriage for moving the carriage in a reciprocating manner, and a second station comprising a second saw which is mounted to cut transversely to the direction of travel of the slice of board, and means to present the slice of wood to the second saw in order to bisect same.

Abstract: A lead wire cutter which comprises an automatic conveyor mechanism for print circuit boards which conveys said print circuit boards one by one from one end to the other and a cutter mechanism placed in the path of conveying said print circuit boards and provided with a rotatable blade which faces lead wires of parts soldered to and extending beyond said print circuit boards. This lead wire cutter is used for quickly and automatically removing lead wires in the portion extending beyond the opposite side of print circuit boards.

Abstract: An apparatus for trimming electrical component leads depending from a circuit board includes a plurality of cutters mounted on and spaced along a cutter mounting member supported on a frame supporting a drive motor operatively connected to the cutters for rotating same to trim electrical component leads depending from a circuit board as same is moved along a path structure supported by the frame and above the cutters. The drive motor and cutters are arranged in a pattern so that lead trimming occurs in a minimum area, length, or distance along the path 1. The cutters are adjustable vertically so that the cutters trim the leads at a predetermined spacing from a lower surface of the circuit board.

Abstract: A potato processing apparatus which comprises a rotatable potato receiving means having a number of receptacles into which potatoes to be processed are rotated. At least one potato processing station is provided adjacent the receiving means and has potato compressing, cutting and removing means. Rotation of the receiving means is synchronized with operation of the processing station or stations such that with a potato rotated on a receptacle the compressing means operate to firmly lodge said potato within the receptacle following which the cutting means are engaged with the potato so as to cut it into a substantially spherical shape. The removing means then operate to remove the substantially spherical shaped potato from the receptacle. There is also provided potato handling apparatus which cooperates with the processing station or stations to lodge potatoes in successive receptacles as they enter the respective processing station.

Abstract: The invention relates to automatic lines for cross cutting of coiled strips and is used to best advantage for cross cutting of coiled strips into plates intended for the manufacture of transformers.The automatic line of this invention comprises guillotine shears which are pivoted in the horizontal plane and intended to cut plates off a strip; non-pivoted guillotine shears intended to cut off sharp angles of said plates, said non-pivoted shears being mounted on a slider which is movable along the automatic line's axis in order to fix the non-pivoted shears at a desired distance from the pivoted shears in order to simultaneously cut off sharp angles and cut out plates; and a strip feeding mechanism being provided with only one pair of rollers driven by means of a reduction gear driven by a step electrohydraulic drive which feeds the strip, as well as accelerates, brakes and, if necessary, reverses the strip's motion to ensure a prescribed plate length.

Abstract: A device and a process for the progressive dividing of carpet webs or the like into square sample pieces of any desirable dimensions with chamfered edges.

Abstract: A woodworking machine capable of simultaneously making a number of cuts through stock material and shaping opposed edges simultaneously to form a plurality of pieces finished on all sides. The woodworking machine includes feeding means capable of feeding stock material into and through a cutting zone, first and second arbors disposed in the cutting zone to either side of the feed path of the stock material, each of the arbors being provided with a plurality of saws and shapers aligned with corresponding saws and shapers on the other arbor to saw individual pieces from the stock material and to shape opposed edges. The feed means is driven by a reversible variable speed hydraulic motor and is capable of feeding the stock through the cutting zone at varying speeds. An improved dust collection apparatus is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A three-knife sheet trimmer is so constructed as to separate the drive for the knives (one front knife and two side knives) from the drive for the clamps which hold the sheets (e.g., the sheets of a book) stationary while being trimmed. The knives at the stations are operated out of phase, and the moving masses are therefore balanced compared to the previous form of these trimmers where all knives move in the same direction at the same time. Separating the drives also enables a book to be sooner advanced from the first knife station to the second knife station. This being so, there is a greater allowance of time in which to make the transfer, and hence there is no need to rush the book.

Abstract: A printed circuit board support as such board is moved through processing operations and including a defined path having guide ways receiving side portions of a carrier for a board being processed and a plurality of fibrous members such as rotatable brushes with the bristles of a stiffness engaging the board to support same at a desired level during processing such as cutting of depending leads to a final length.

Abstract: Battery grid plate castings are trimmed in a two-step operation. Each plate moves flat along a horizontal or inclined path against a first stop bar. One of two trim blades on a reciprocating upper die block then shears flashing from the leading end of the plate during a downward stroke of the die. Then the stop bar raises during the upward stroke of the die, and the plate moves forwardly against a second stop. Upon the next downward die stroke the second trim blade shears flashing from the trailing edge of the plate. During the next upward stroke, the fully trimmed plate moves forwardly onto a stacking device. As the leading end of one plate is trimmed at the first trim station, the trailing end of a preceding plate is trimmed at the second trim station. The second stop is easily moved to different stop positions along the path of travel of the plates to change the distance between such stop and the second trim blade and thereby enable trimming plates of different lengths without changing dies.