Abstract: Method and Apparatus for fabricating a spacer frame for use in an insulating glass unit. One of a multiple number of possible spacer frame materials is chosen for the spacer frame. An elongated strip of the material is moved to a notching station where notches are formed at corner locations. The character of the notches is adjusted based on the selection of the metal strip material and more particularly to achieve bending of the material in an repeatable, straightforward manner. Better control over the notching process is also achieved by exhaust flow control of a double acting cylinder. A positioning spacer achieve very accurate side to side positioning of a die and anvil to precisely notch and deform the metal strip. Downstream from the notching station the metal strip is bent into a channel shaped elongated frame member having side walls. Further downstream a leading strip of channel shaped material is severed or separated from succeeding material still passing through the notching and bending station.

Abstract: A tile saw includes a base, a frame assembly disposed on the base, a first rail disposed on the frame assembly, the first rail having a longitudinal axis. A table is slidingly disposed on the first rail and a support assembly is disposed on the base. A saw assembly is supported by the support assembly and includes a motor, and a cutting wheel driven by the motor. The saw assembly is pivotable about a bevel axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis between two pivoted positions and is lockable in at least one of the two pivoted positions. The bevel axis is not coplanar with the upper surface.

Abstract: A slide circular saw comprises a base, a saw blade rotatably driven by a motor, and a main body including the saw blade. The slide circular saw is configured to be capable of automatically changing a cutting depth between in a vertical cut and a bevel cut operations. A chamfered part where a lower limit position setting bolt abuts in a vertical cut operation and a peripheral surface part where the lower limit position abuts in a bevel cut operation are provided at a rod of the slide circular saw. The peripheral surface part has a lower limit position of the saw blade being higher than that of the chamfered part. Position of the rod can be switched between a first position where the chamfered part abuts the lower limit position setting bolt when the main body is in a vertical cut position and a second position where the peripheral surface part abuts the lower limit position setting bolt when the main body is in a bevel cut position.

Abstract: A slide type miter saw capable of easily switching operation mode between groove forming mode and ordinary cutting mode without generation of fluffs and cracks at an upper surface of a workpiece. A circular-saw unit supporting a circular saw blade has a first stopper bolt abuttable on a stopper receiver on a support unit for determining the lowermost position of the circular saw blade. The circular-saw unit also has a second stopper bolt for forming a groove of a desired depth in the workpiece. The second stopper bolt is movable with respect to the first stopper bolt. The stopper receives supports a pivot member or a plate. The pivot member or the plate is abuttable on the second stopper bolt in accordance with a moved position of the second stopper bolt for regulating a depth of a groove.

Abstract: A method of driving part ejector pins at a high cycle rate by a reversible servo motor rotating a crank unidirectionally to advance a pin mounting structure from a retracted position to an advanced eject position, and back to the retracted position, and reversing the motor to repeat the cycle with only a single motor reversal.

Abstract: A gang punch tool assembly and method is provided for punching holes in a plurality of greensheets which are processed sequentially through the assembly. The punch mechanism is a gang punch cooperating with a corresponding die and the greensheet is automatically fed to the gang punch and die, the greensheet punched and then the punched greensheet removed from the punch area and another greensheet positioned for punching. Operation of the gang punch apparatus is efficient and effective and has a high greensheet throughput. A preferred gang punch uses a pressurizable air chamber for controlling punching of the greensheet without damage to the greensheets or gang punch mechanism.

Abstract: A gang punch tool assembly and method is provided for punching holes in a plurality of greensheets which are processed sequentially through the assembly. The punch mechanism is a gang punch cooperating with a corresponding die and the greensheet is automatically fed to the gang punch and die, the greensheet punched and then the punched greensheet removed from the punch area and another greensheet positioned for punching. Operation of the gang punch apparatus is efficient and effective and has a high greensheet throughput. A preferred gang punch uses a pressurizable air chamber for controlling punching of the greensheet without damage to the greensheets or gang punch mechanism.

Abstract: A gang punch tool assembly and method is provided for punching holes in a plurality of greensheets which are processed sequentially through the assembly. The punch mechanism is a gang punch cooperating with a corresponding die and the greensheet is automatically fed to the gang punch and die, the greensheet punched and then the punched greensheet removed from the punch area and another greensheet positioned for punching. Operation of the gang punch apparatus is efficient and effective and has a high greensheet throughput. A preferred gang punch uses a pressurizable air chamber for controlling punching of the greensheet without damage to the greensheets or gang punch mechanism.

Abstract: A thermoforming press in which the shut height of upper and lower platens is adjustable by a keyed connection between a press frame top assembly and each of four posts of the frame established by pieces which are movable and which also act as cams to raise or lower the frame top assembly, moving the upper platen therewith to vary the shut height. The movable pieces are moved in unison by a drive motor to insure uniform movement of the frame top assembly. The platens are driven by rotary crank plates, which are in turn driven by rotary output shafts of right angle drives. Pairs of rollers engage the perimeter of each crank plate on one side to resist bending loads on each shaft.

Abstract: Manually and electrically powered die cutting machines for making paper cutouts with replaceable dies. A generally cubicle platen cutting head preferably mounted on a supporting cabinet comprises a rigid, supporting base with a pair of outwardly projecting, parallel side plates that surround a pair of spaced apart platens. A stationary platen is fixed between the sides. A movable platen is laterally suspended between the sides away from the fixed platen, defining a die-receptive compartment therebetween. A die selected to produce the desired shape, and the paper to be cut, are inserted within the die-receptive compartment in sandwiched relation before platen compression. The movable platen is suspended by pins projecting laterally away from its edges that engage suitable follower slots defined in the side plates. A crankshaft assembly pivots an elongated, roller-equipped crankshaft to displace the movable platen for cutting.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for bringing a cutting die into engagement with a workpiece such as leather, the apparatus includes first and second plates secured to C-shaped frame members and a platen for supporting the workpiece that is movable relative to the second plate upon inflation of a bladder secured to the periphery of the second plate upon actuation of first and second valves connected between a source of pressurized air and the bladder.

Abstract: A cutting depth setting device is provided for a saw machine which includes a base portion having a positioning block protruding therefrom, a drive arm pivotally engaged with the base portion about a pivot axle, a protruding block projecting from the drive arm and located above the positioning block, a threaded hole vertically defined through the protruding block, a circular saw blade rotatably mounted on the drive arm to pivot therewith for cutting a workpiece, a working platform mounted beneath the saw blade for holding the workpiece, the cutting depth setting device including an adjusting bolt threadedly extending through the threaded hole of the protruding block to be displaced vertically relative to the protruding block, a head fixedly mounted on an upperside of the adjusting bolt for rotating the adjusting bolt, a pointer pivotally engaged on an underside of the adjusting bolt to move vertically therewith, a first panel movably mounted on the drive arm and having a flat surface which is located adjacent

Abstract: An electromagnetically-driven punch press having adjustable anti-skid supports for the ball bearings and ball cages of the ball-bearing bushings which carry the movable tool for preventing downward skidding of these balls and their cages when the moving tool punches down against the work material. Adjustable resilient cushioning arrests tool travel for minimizing "tool whip" and tool wear at the end of the work stroke.

Abstract: A pivotable support (11) is mounted on the drive shaft of a main sawblade (2). Located at the bottom end of the support (11) is a preslitting sawblade (22) whose drive pinion (14) can be driven via a toothed belt (18) by a drive pinion (9) sitting on the drive shaft of the main sawblade. The support (11) is held by a tension spring (19) against an adjustable stop (21) provided on the housing (1). The device can also be attached subsequently to existing vertical board saws and ensures an absolutely clean cut even on plastic-coated chipboards and when using sawblades of inferior quality.

Abstract: An electromagnetically-driven punch press has an electromagnetic drive thrust motor comprising a fan-cooled solenoid winding and movable armature mounted in elevated location for isolating the magnetic circuit from the tooling to avoid tool magnetization and isolating winding heat from tooling for stabilizing tool dimensions. Stroke length, "open" height and "shut" height are conveniently adjustable; and tool performance is optimized by adjusting armature-thrust versus travel. Four-way access to tooling enables convenient material feeding and handling, including multi-direction or multi-layer feed. Scrap pieces are freely downwardly ejected. Multiple electromagnetic drives are mountable side-by-side at the same elevation, or they are stackable at multiple levels for increased power or for tailoring force-versus-distance relative to materials being worked. Materials-handling and/or tool-handling robots or pneumatic actuators can be installed on an elevated platform.

Abstract: A cutter head having a reciprocating knife has a base frame movable relative to a support carriage between a raised non-cutting position and a lowered cutting position with the base frame and the support carriage cooperating with one another to limit the movement of the base frame to define raised and lowered positions. A variable lowering stop mechanism is interposed between said base frame and said carriage to adjustably lower the cutting depth of the knife relative to said support carriage in response to a decrease in knife length at its tip resulting from sharpening. The variable lowering stop mechanism may be activated by a controller which counts the number of sharpenings occurring during a cutting operation.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electromechanically operable apparatus for severing strip, such as a paper tape or plastic film tape, which is dispensed by a power-operated dispenser. A swingable cutter blade is connected to a crank, which is operated by a gear train via an eccentric drive and a connecting rod, which is provided with a cam track cooperating with the crank. In dependence on the condition of the cam track and the sense of rotation of a motor for driving the gear train the extent of the angular movement imparted to the swingable cutter blade can be selected for the making of a complete cut or a partial cut through the strip.

Abstract: A panel saw apparatus for cutting a straight line in a planar surface such as a boiler tube panel includes a guide rail arranged to be secured to the panel surface in a predetermined position and a cutting assembly mounted on the rail for movement along the rail. The cutting assembly includes a carriage mounted on the rail for movement along the rail, a brake for holding the carriage in a desired position relative to the guide rail during cutting operations, a cutting tool and tool housing pivotally mounted on the carriage and arranged to pivot toward the panel surface to enable a cutting tool covered by the housing to serially plunge cut a straight line in the surface, and a securing means for holding the cutting tool in various positions of rotation relative to the carriage. The brake is arranged to be automatically actuated and released by pivotal movement of the tool housing towards and away from its cutting position.

Abstract: A device for producing perforations in a flexible rack. With mechanical drive systems a "rack" is a linear element used with a rotary element whereby linear and rotary motions are displaced. The flexible rack processed by this invention consists of a tape having a cross-sectional curvature. It is thin, rigidly straight, resilient and used for "interconverting" (mutually converting or equally displacing) linear and rotary motions. A method is taught for perforating a rack along its length. Perforations are produced whil the rack is bent radially and flattened laterally corresponding to a position with which the rack will be used when "interconverting linear and rotary motions.

Abstract: A cutting device comprising a support roller (8) freely rotatable in both directions to absorb the pressure of cutting, and a carrier (9) movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the support roller (8) on which is fastened a cutting tool (26,27) which can be brought into contact with the roll of material to be cut and present on the support roller (8). The improvement comprises lowering of the cutting tool (26,27) into an operating position, and raising from the operating position, by turning of an eccentric element (14,34) coupled with a pivotable arm (17) holding the cutting tool (26,27). The cutting tool (26,27) is suspended on the arm (17) and thereby limited in regard to its raising and lowering movement. A leaf spring (21) fixed on the arm (17) is braced on the upper end (28) of the cutting tool (26,27) to exert a penetrating force on the cutting tool (26,27) when the arm (17)is lowered.

Abstract: The device for positioning the blade cutting edge and intermittently lowering the blade cutting edge includes: a fixed structure comprising two chambers and a central moving rod; two pistons with stems, the pistons moving within the chambers. One of the pistons is opposed by a spring. The blade carrier is hinged at the end of the moving rod and is fixed to the piston stem opposed by the spring and slides along the stem of the other piston. Pressurized fluid is introduced into the chambers by a line provided with a first valve. A second valve intermittently varies the pressure applied to the piston opposed by the spring.

Abstract: To eliminate defects such as burr, rollover, sags, scar, etc. from cut-off surfaces of a workpiece in a turret punch press, for instance, a novel height-different punch formed with a lower front edge, an upper rear edge, and an intermediate edge extending between the two edges is used for the punch press. While feeding the workpiece on a horizontal plane in a predetermined direction, the punch is struck by a striker at a first stroke so that the lower front edge thereof cuts off the workpiece partially in cooperation with a die; at the succeeding strokes so that the intermediate edge thereof cuts off the workpiece mincingly and curls refuse within a recess of the die; and at the last stroke so that the upper rear edge thereof cuts curled refuse away from the workpiece to complete a multistroke punching operation.

Abstract: A self-equalizing device for performing mechanical operations such as piercing and punching wherein the piston means forming the work ram is internally mounted within the proximal portion of a yoke body, the yoke body being in turn mounted for sliding or rolling displacement on a stationary base. A knock out slot for a pin type punch is provided in the external portion of the piston ram. Single and multiple action devices are disclosed.

Abstract: A balancing device for a press of the type in which a slide moves up and down with respect to a bolster, the balancing device having an upward urging device mounted on the press and engageable with the slide to urge the slide upwardly when the die height clearance is adjusted and to be disengageable from the slide when the slide is moving up and down during operation of the press.

Abstract: A postage meter system having a rotary printing drum for printing fixed data is disclosed. Disposed entirely within the drum is an internal print head for printing variable data. The rotary drum contains an opening therein through which the internally located print head prints variable data on a mailpiece. The print head reciprocates between a printing position and a non-printing position. The reciprocation of the print head between these positions is synchronized with and controlled automatically by the position of the rotary drum during its cycle of rotation. The print head operates to print on a mailpiece only when the opening in the drum is between the print head and the mailpiece. The print head may be an impact matrix print head which together with an associated inked ribbon is placed adjacent the mailpiece in a printing position only during the printing portion of the drum's cycle.

Abstract: A force is applied to a tool, such as a strip steel knife, a counter-holder or the like, through a linear pneumatic drive including a pressure expandable hose closed at its ends which expands in a given direction. The hose, a reaction plate and a force output plate extend in parallel to each other and through at least one modular reaction bail form a modular drive unit. Force transmission lever means extending at an angle to said given direction are operatively interposed between the force output plate and the tool for applying the force in a plane extending at an angle or in parallel to said given direction, whereby the compactness and versatility of a cutting apparatus employing such modular drive units is enhanced.

Abstract: A mat cutting device has a planar base for supporting a mat to be cut, the base having a pair of supports, each at opposite sides thereof with a guide rod mounted therebetween and having a longitudinal axis parallel to the base. An elongated cutting head having a blade at one end thereof is mounted at the other end opposite the blade on the guide rod, the cutting head being longitudinally displaceable therealong and pivotable about the rod axis, the cutting head being engageable with a movable stop mounted on one of the supports and being axially adjustable for stopping the cutting head at a predetermined distance from the support and for keeping the cutting head with the blade thereof tilted upwardly for allowing insertion and removal of the mat therebeneath.

Abstract: A force may be applied to any point along a line which may be straight or curved in a plane or in space. For this purpose a force applicator is used which includes a pressure expandable hose section closed at its ends, a reaction member against which the hose rests, and a pressure transmitting plate moving in response to an expansion of the hose. These three elements are held in an operative position relative to one another by a modular frame section which also holds a guide member and a reset element for restoring the hose section to a starting position when no pressure is applied inside the hose. A piston rod extends through the guide member and is operatively connected to the pressure transmitting plate. The modular frame section, the guide member and preferably also the reset element form a modular unit.

Abstract: A label cut-off machine for removing a label sewn to a workpiece. The machine includes a label chamber sized to received the label through an access slot in one wall of that chamber. The access slot is defined by a reciprocable cutter bar and an anvil, the cutter bar and anvil presenting abutment faces which cooperate with the workpiece to allow positioning of the label's stitch line closely adjacent the cutter bar's cutting edge when the label is inserted into the label chamber. Operation of the cutter bar is controlled by the machine's operator. A vacuum source connected with the label chamber establishes a continuous vacuum in the chamber, the vacuum source cooperating to draw the label initially into the chamber through the access slot and to aid in locating the label stitch line initially adjacent the cutter bar's cutting edge, and the vacuum source also cooperating to remove the label from the label chamber after it has been cut off from the workpiece by the cutter bar.

Abstract: In a shearing machine to be used in bow-type continuous casting plants for separating continuously cast strands, such as slabs or billets, two cutters are arranged in a carrying construction. One lower cutter of the machine is movable towards and away from an upper cutter fixed in the carrying construction during the cutting procedure. The upper cutter can be shifted by means of a toggle linkage adjustment device, out of a working position immediately above the surface of the pieces to be cut, into a pulled-back position farther removed from the surface of the pieces to be cut, and vice versa.

Abstract: A device for positioning the backward stroke end of a shearing blade for use in a bolt forming header comprises a shearing slide reciprocably mounted within a box-shaped frame and having a shearing blade attached to the leading end thereof and a first abutment member fixedly secured to the rear end thereof, said abutment member having an inclined face formed in the rearmost end thereof, a stopper member movably mounted on the rear end portion of said frame and having an inclined face formed in the portion thereof opposite to the inclined face of said abutment member, and an adjusting mechanism mounted on said frame for moving said stopper member in the direction perpendicular to that of reciprocation of said shearing slide, thereby adjusting the backward stroke end of said shearing blade.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a press having a crown member and a base member with support and tiedown means for maintaining the crown member at an operative predetermined work station relative to the base member, and operative press ram means operating between the crown and base means in direct or offset loading position on a workpiece, characterized in that the support and tiedown means comprises hollow columns characterized by greater resistance to the bending forces induced by offset loading than support and tiedown means comprised of solid columns composed of the same kind and amount of material as the hollow columns. These columns furthermore may comprise pressure fluid-actuated cylinders having cooperating pistons and piston rods.

Abstract: A mat cutting device having a cutter carriage with tracks to guide the carriage in two right-angularly related directions with stops on the tracks to limit the movement of the carriage and removable attachments for the stops primary to change the limits that the stops would otherwise provide without moving the stops.

Abstract: A wedge actuated cutting and/or forming tool comprises a frame including spaced guide portions. A fixed platen is mounted on the frame and a movable platen is mounted on the guide portions of the frame for reciprocation toward and away from the fixed platen. A wedge is supported for lateral reciprocation with respect to a backup and thereby effects reciprocation of the movable platen. The wedge is driven by a hydraulic cylinder and switch means are provided for regulating both the separation between the movable platen and the fixed platen at the closest point and the total stroke of the movable platen. The frame further includes a hydraulic reservoir which receives a substantial quantity of hydraulic fluid. By this means the structure of the reservoir and the hydraulic fluid therein tend to stabalize the tool and dampen vibrations caused by the operation thereof.

Abstract: A wedge actuated cutting and/or forming tool comprises a frame including spaced guide portions. A fixed platen is mounted on the frame and a movable platen is mounted on the guide portions of the frame for reciprocation toward and away from the fixed platen. A wedge is supported for lateral reciprocation with respect to a backup and thereby effects reciprocation of the movable platen. The wedge is driven by a hydraulic cylinder and switch means are provided for regulating both the separation between the movable platen and the fixed platen at the closest point and the total stroke of the movable platen. The frame further includes a hydraulic reservoir which receives a substantial quantity of hydraulic fluid. By this means the structure of the reservoir and the hydraulic fluid therein tend to stabilize the tool and dampen vibrations caused by the operation thereof.

Abstract: A self-equalizing device for performing mechanical operations such as piercing and punching wherein the piston means forming the work ram is internally mounted within the proximal portion of a yoke body, the yoke body being in turn mounted for sliding or rolling displacement on a stationary base. A knock out slot for a pin type punch is provided in the external portion of the piston ram. Single and multiple action devices are disclosed.

Abstract: To eliminate defects such as burr, rollover, sags, scar, etc. from cut-off surfaces of a workpiece in a turret punch press, for instance, a novel height-different punch formed with a lower front edge, an upper rear edge, and an intermediate edge extending between the two edges is used for the punch press. While feeding the workpiece on a horizontal plane in a predetermined direction, the punch is struck by a striker at a first stroke so that the lower front edge thereof cuts off the workpiece partially in cooperation with a die; at the succeeding strokes so that the intermediate edge thereof cuts off the workpiece mincingly and curls refuse within a recess of the die; and at the last stroke so that the upper rear edge thereof cuts curled refuse away from the workpiece to complete a multistroke punching operation.