Abstract: An alignment tool is disclosed for connection to a work component and for use in aligning the work component with a work piece to establish a repeatable set up for cutting or routing of the work piece, and wherein the alignment tool provides for parallel and square alignment of the work component relative to first and second edges of the work piece that are perpendicular to each other. Use of the parallel and square alignment tool aligns the work component for an operation parallel to the second edge of the work piece and the operation may be conveniently repeated on further work pieces without need to measure and mark the work pieces. Optional use of first and second parallel and square alignment tools along opposed second and third edges of a work piece that are perpendicular to a first edge provides for greater accuracy for operations having a greater length.

Abstract: A machine for accurately cutting tiles, blocks of concrete, clay, blocks of stone and stone materials, wood and wooden materials is described. It may include a support stand which at its top supports a removable bed structure. The bed includes a motor-driven cutting disc recessed-mounted axially along pillow blocks such that a substantial portion of the cutting disc is projected above the bed surface and its mode of rotation is about a fixed centralized axis. Trolley track rails situated on distal ends of both long sides of the bed allow for lateral movement of the trolley above the bed surface to facilitate the cutting operation. During operation the object secured safely on the trolley which is manually moved towards the cutting disc while a perforated shower head sprays water onto the work piece. Water is filtered and recycled back to the shower via the bin situated below the cutting disc and then to the recycle and filter unit.

Abstract: A microtome is described, having a cassette changing apparatus that comprises a stationary guide bar. The latter guides a second slider that is a guide for the first slider. The first and the second slider are coupled to one another in such a way that a movement of the second slider along the stationary guide bar operates a movement of the first slider along with the second slider and additionally relative to the second slider.

Abstract: A splitting knife adjustment structure used in a table saw for adjusting alignment of a splitting knife with the cutting direction of the saw blade of the table saw is disclosed to include a mounting plate member, an adjustment member movably supported on the mounting plate member to hold a splitting knife, and fastening rods inserted through elongated slots of the adjustment member and the mounting plate member and fastened up with a fixation plate to lock the adjustment member to the mounting plate member so as to fix the position of the splitting knife.

Abstract: A log processing machine and associate method employs one or more log guides to make joinery cuts in a processed log which has at opposed edges of the processed log the raw log's natural external contour. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each log guide includes a straight edge and is attached to the processed log to create an artificial straight edge for guiding the processed log through the joinery machine. Prior to attachment, centerlines are marked on the log guide and the processed log, and the centerlines are aligned when the log guide is attached to the processed log. The processed log, with the log guide attached, is then moved through the machine with the aid of computer control while the straight edge of the log guide follows a fence. In this manner, the position of the processed log and its centerline are always known so that the computer can make the programmed joinery cuts with high precision.

Abstract: The workpiece or pack of printed circuit boards is fitted to a clamping fixture carried by the table and is machined by a machining head; the head and the table being movable with respect to each other along two coordinate X, Y axes. The aligning method includes the steps of providing the pack with two locating holes; fitting the pack to the fixture; determining the distances between the real positions of the holes and two reference positions; and moving the pack on the fixture to eliminate the distances. The aligning device has an optoelectronic sensor carried by the head to determine the real position of each hole; and a number of motors controlled on the basis of the real position of each hole to move a locating member for locating a first pin on the pack, and to move one bar of a pair of bars for clamping the other pin on the pack.

Abstract: A board straight-lining tool to be used in conjunction with a conventional circular blade table saw for the purpose of cutting a new straight and square edge longitudinal through a board. A board requiring this new edge is placed on a base of the board straight-liner, wherein a series of toggle clamps with pressure collapsing tips are toggled closed. This secures the straight-liner to the board. A separate detachable guard support is secured to the table saw with the circular blade protruding vertically through the guard support or the blade may protrude to the fence side of the guard support. The guard support keeps the board on the same plane as the table saw table and also adds a safety feature to aid in preventing the straight-liner from coming into contact with the circular blade during the cutting operation. The board is guided past the circular saw blade while keeping the straight-liner against the table saw fence.

Abstract: A cutting device for cutting sheet material having an elongated work table disposed on a base support. The work table if for supporting the sheet material to be cut and includes a first and second portion, and a center portion, with the center portion rigidly secured to the base support and positioned between the first and second portions. A first saw is operably associated with the center portion and the base support. The first and second end portions are movable relative to the center portion, such that the sheet material disposed on the work table is movable relative to the first saw thereby permitting the cutting of the sheet material. A guide for positioning the sheet material relative to the work table is positioned along the first and second end portions. A clamp is mounted to the first end portion of the work table for holding down the sheet material on the work table during cutting, the clamp has an engaged and a disengaged position relative to the sheet material.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting slices from a foodstuff has a support, a blade on the support extending perpendicular to and rotatable about an axis, and a table adapted to support the foodstuff to be sliced. The table is reciprocated transversely of the axis past the blade and the foodstuff is synchronously periodically shifted on the table axially toward the blade. A guide rail extends transversely of the axis immediately adjacent the blade and carries a holding arm engageable with the foodstuff on the table and displaceable along the rail in a forward direction to press the foodstuff against the table and in an opposite reverse direction. Interengaging formations on the rail and arm prevent movement of the arm in the reverse direction on the guide rail, and a drive including an electric motor connected to the arm displaces same on the rail in the forward direction and disengages the formations and displaces the arm on the rail in the reverse direction.

Abstract: A workpiece-holding fixture for use with a table saw to cut straight, parallel or tapered sides on a workpiece. The fixture comprises a channel-shaped body having clamps for removably securing a workpiece in the body, a shield supported by the body for overlying the saw blade, and retainers cooperable with the table saw fence for preventing interference between the fixture and the saw blade. A guide is provided for use in supporting successive workpieces to enable them to be uniformly tapered.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for handling multi-board panels in order to liberate therefrom individual circuit boards which may or may not have been prepopulated with the electrical components. Each panel is supported above a receiving tray on a top shuttle and transported from a load/unload station to a routing station at which tabs or webs which retain the circuit boards in the panel are removed. Removal of the boards is facilitated by X-positioning of the panel and Y-positioning of the router according to a programmable controller. The tray receives liberated boards from the top shuttle which is then cycled back to the load/unload station for unloading scrap, acquiring another tray, and reloading the shuttle with another multi-board panel. During subsequent translation of the loaded top shuttle to the routing station, a bottom shuttle transfers the first tray and liberated circuit boards to the load/unload station for unloading thereof.

Abstract: When assembling a magnetic disk cartridge, a liner material strip having a plurality of circular openings arranged in a row at predetermined intervals is fed intermittently in the direction of the row of the openings and cut to predetermined lengths in synchronization with the intermittent feed to predetermined lengths, whereby liners each having a circular opening is formed. A locator pin which is smaller in diameter than the opening and has an arcuate locating side wall portion the radius of curvature of which is substantially equal to that of the opening is inserted into the frontmost one of the openings with the locating side wall portion opposed to the front edge of the frontmost one of the openings when the liner material strip is stopped.

Abstract: A gripper mechanism having at least two vacuum grippers which are horizontally displaceable and fixable along a cross strut of the gripper mechanism. The gripper mechanism is vertically movable up and down and includes a blow pipe which extends over the width of the cross strut and from which an air stream is expelled. The air stream presses the photoresist-free reverse side of the photoresist film to be held and transported against the vacuum grippers. As soon as the vacuum grippers are subjected to a vacuum, the photoresist film is held and transported downwardly. On the upper side of the blow pipe are arranged stop screws which come into contact upon elevation of the gripper mechanism with the underside of vertically displaceable fastening elements, to which a cutting bar with a cutting groove is fastened. Upon elevation of the gripper mechanism, the cutting bar is taken up with it, the photoresist film being raised by the taper of the cutting bar from the suction plate which is under a vacuum.

Abstract: The instant invention is particularly directed to a method and apparatus for automated handling of panels comprising a plurality of interconnected substrates in order to control and separate the circuit boards in a continuous processing line. One embodiment incorporates two shearing stations and a rotary transfer device therebetween in order to transfer a panel portion from the first station to the second station while controlling and rotating the panel for subsequent feed to the second station such that the panel portion is cut on a line of the substrate which is perpendicular to the original line of cut of the substrate. Throughout the handling of the panels and panel portions, sensing, gripping, and indexed feeding of the panels and panel portions are under the control of a programmable computer.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for duplicative notching of the serration edge on a key blank according to the serration edge of an existing key serving as a templet. An axially movable key edge notching punch is controlled by the templet for punching a notch in the serration edge of the key blank corresponding to a notch in the serration edge of the templet when the punch is driven toward the key blank. The key blank and the templet key may be supported in a cassette which is indexible relative to the punch. The cassette and the notching mechanism are especially advantageous for notching the serration edges of key blanks carried by wallet size plastic cards.

Abstract: A feed lever and a lateral stop with individual guide members spaced apart and arranged in slot-shaped grooves of the metal feed table supported so that they can be raised and lowered on a support. The guide members are each equipped with a guide body possessing a lateral stop in the form of a roller. These rollers come up against the edge to be guided of the sheet metal plate. A guide and clamping device is located alongside of each roller. The apparatus allows sheet metal plates to be accommodated, spaced apart from one another in several stacks, these sheet metal plates being cut at different locations on the cutting knife.

Abstract: A slide table comprising a table top slidably mounted on a pair of guide rails and having a plurality of recesses in the top surface of the table top to receive dowel pins that serve as a fence. Clamps for holding work pieces may be screwed into tee-nuts that are fixed in the table top. Slide collars are provided on the bottom of the table top, which collars partially encircle the guide rails and allows for lengthwise sliding movement of the table top on the guide rails while severely restricting vertical and lateral movement of the table top relative to the guide rails. The guide rails are attachable to the base of a radial arm power saw, and the ends of the guide rails are supported on adjustable height legs. Work pieces are positioned against the fence pins and tightly clamped to the table top. An operator feeds work to a saw by pushing or pulling on handles that are attached to the table top.

Abstract: A machine and method wherein a pusher advances a piece of meat to be sliced across the plane of a slicing blade against a backstop. The blade removes a slice from the piece. The difference between the slice weight and a preselected reference weight is used to adjust the separation of the backstop from the plane of the slicing member and hence the thickness of the next slice to be cut from the piece so as to tend to closely conform the weight of the next slice to the reference weight. Clamps hold the piece during slicing but release to allow the pusher to again advance the piece for production of the next slice. The pusher is actuable for ejecting a residual butt portion of the piece to enable loading of a new piece.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for holding and advancing the stock to be sliced on a cold meat slicing machine. At the free end of a base mounted pivotably on the carriage for the stock to be sliced and slidably displaceable transversely to the direction of displacement of the carriage, there is likewise pivotably mounted a gripper with at least two fingers protruding from its pivot axis, and one curved, pointed needle protruding from each finger. The gripper furthermore comprises a manual lever by means of which the curved needles may be pressed into the stock to be sliced.

Abstract: A movable trolley is positioned on a track and includes a platform. A bale of fibrous material is positioned on the platform and backed in position by an adjustable backing plate. Holding straps retain the bale in position on the platform as the trolley is moved past a cutting member to cut off the damaged end of the bale.

Abstract: A plastic tubing cutting device, to be used in the field or shop, and which severs in a clean way such tubing. A mandible having a channel in which the tubing seats is pivoted by means of a handle, the tubing engaging a severing blade in an upward pivotal motion for the mandible. The mandible is pivotally mounted on a vertical member of an inverted L-shaped frame which also includes a horizontally-disposed stabilizing element. The blade is secured between the vertical member and stabilizing element. The inverted L-shaped frame is secured to a rigid frame and extends forwardly thereof, the rigid frame including laterally extending balancing members for the device. Additional features of a locking means for the device when not in use, of a safety shield for the body and eyes against flying plastic fragments, and trough and guide for tubing seated in the channel, are provided.

Abstract: An attachment for circular saws that supports a workpiece for movement past the saw blade. The attachment includes a saw-top plate that is adapted to cover and slide over the saw table surface of the circular saw. A guide on the saw-top plate fits within a groove on the saw table to allow longitudinal translational movement of the attachment. The saw-top plate may be supported on bearing rollers mounted to the saw table. A cut-off guide and a workpiece stop are provided on the saw-top plate that serve to position the workpiece relative to the saw blade. A hold-down device, operating also as a blade guard, is used to hold the workpiece secure on the saw-top plate as it is moved past the blade.

Abstract: A laminated plate-like workpiece of the type wherein the outer layers extend laterally beyond the edge faces of a median layer is trimmed in an apparatus wherein a reciprocable carriage supports several elongated abutment members which can enter between the outer layers of a workpiece to move into contact with an edge face of the concealed median layer. The workpiece is thereupon coupled to the carriage by several pairs of jaws and the carriage is moved to one or more preselected positions in each of which a different portion of the workpiece is located in the cutting plane of a rotary circular saw.

Abstract: A shake resaw feed system is used with a band saw for lengthwise sawing of tapered wood shingles from shake blanks or slabs. The feed system includes an endless chain conveyor having flights or push paddles spaced equidistantly apart along the chain for pushing each slab longitudinally toward the blade of the band saw. Along the conveyor are guides including a fence on one side of the conveyor and flexible fingers on the other side of the conveyor for urging the slabs against the fence as they proceed along the conveyor. The fence is automatically shifted laterally during sawing of the slab to produce a tapered cut through the slab. The system also includes apparatus for sensing the thickness of the slabs and for automatically repositioning the fence laterally to equalize the thickness of the shingles cut from the slab.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting a tube of semi-rigid material at a predetermined point to make possible separate removal of the contents of the tube on either side of the cutting point comprises a flat blade and jaws which together define a longitudinal channel suitable for receiving and gripping the tube for the greater part of its periphery. The jaws are provided with a slit which intersects the channel transversely over the whole of its cross-sectional periphery. Additionally means for relatively moving the blade and jaws are provided so that the blade penetrates the slit and its cutting edge passes transversely through the channel, thus cutting the tube, until the blade covers the section of the channel level with the slit, and provides a seal to both parts of the tube after cutting.

Abstract: In a jig for feeding a work piece into the cutter of a table rotary cutting tool and having a through-slot extending into the base plate of the jig from one edge thereof, a combination guard and work clamp comprising two parallel plates pivotally attached to the jig and operable to swing downwardly on opposite sides of the through-slot to clamp a work piece and to enclose the cutter as the work is advanced into the cutter.

Abstract: Method and machine for manufacturing grids from lead-based metal for use in storage batteries of the type wherein a casting is first performed of grid blanks the periphery of which is irregular and the size greater than that of the grid to be obtained, these blanks being thereafter cut out in an automatic press. In view to increase the rate of output of the press and to improve the quality of the grids, the press is supplied sequentially from a continuous grid-blank feeding conveyor and at least one final lateral centering of the grid blank is performed in the press by the combined action of two pusher members tapping on each side of the grid blank in a transverse direction passing substantially from the center of mass of the grid blank.

Abstract: This mitering device comprises: a unit composed of a slotted panel slidably mountable on a saw table for longitudinally-guided stock-mitering and return movements and a pair of panel-mounted left and right abutments cooperatively presenting front edges which converge forwardly at 45.degree. toward the panel slot and at 90.degree. toward each other and which terminate adjacent the panel slot; and length-measuring stop means including means calibrating the front edge of the right abutment from a zero reference point, where a projection of the front edge intersects the saw plane, and a mitered stop member mounted for adjustment along the right abutment to a selected calibrated position wherein its miter mates with the mitered right end of the stock to set the length of the perimetric surface of the rabbet to a precisely measured value approximating a given mat length plus a desired tolerance.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming serrated edges in wooden panels for interengagement with abutting panels in a wooden I-beam assembly comprises opposed sets of broaches operable for cutting a toothed serration pattern cleanly and accurately in opposed edges of a stack of up to 40 such panels simultaneously. The panels are loaded in infeed means of the apparatus which transports the stack into position for broaching. The stack of panels is aligned laterally by lateral stack alignment means upon placement of the panels in the infeed means. Longitudinal stack alignment means aligns the stack longitudinally when it is transported by the infeed means to a position for broaching. During broaching the stack is supported on opposed anvils in a manner for forming the serrations symmetrically with respect to each end of the stack, hold down means clamps the stack on the anvils, and actuation means drives the broaches downwardly.

Abstract: Presented is a precision power saw assembly which includes a saw table manufactured to exceedingly close tolerances and on which a circular saw blade and its driving apparatus is suspended. The saw blade is mounted for horizontal translation from one end of the saw table to the other together with its driving motor. A stop plate adjustable to close tolerances is mounted on the top of the saw table and provides an abutment against which the edge of a workpiece may abut. Additionally, a multiplicity of fluid operated clamps are provided to clamp the workpiece in proper position and retain it in such position during the entire cutting operation.