Abstract: The invention relates to methods and machine tools for processing workpieces, in which a workpiece and one or more processing tools are moved relative to each other with a positioning movement, an outward-stroke movement, and a return-stroke movement. In the positioning movement, the workpiece and the processing tool are positioned relative to each other in a positioning direction, in a return-stroke movement the workpiece and the processing tool are moved relative to each other and away from each other in a return-stroke direction transverse to the positioning direction, and in the outward-stroke movement the workpiece and the processing tool are moved relative to each other and towards each other in an outward-stroke direction transverse to the positioning direction. The return-stroke movement and the outward-stroke movement are executed during the positioning movement.

Abstract: A device and method for cutting labels from a strip of heat meltable material comprises a frame, a die plate mounted for resilient movement on the frame and a punch mounted for movement toward and away from the die plate. The punch carries a cutting edge which cooperates with a die surface of the die plate to cut a label. A reciprocating device includes a spring loaded plunger which moves the die plate with its cutting edge into contact with the die surface of the die plate. The die plate is spring mounted to the frame so that excess movement of the punch toward the die plate is absorbed by the springs of the die plate. Any additional excess movement is absorbed by the spring loaded plunger. The die plate may also be provided with a hole conforming substantially to the outer contour of the label. The edge follows the contour of the hole but it is dimensioned slightly larger than the hole so that a margin of die surface remains around the hole against which the cutting edge operates.

Abstract: A module for selectively deploying a reciprocable tool, such as a hole punch, which is reciprocated by a press. The module includes a housing which is attached to the ram of the press. The housing retains a reciprocable tool within a bore for movement between an extended position and a retracted position. The reciprocable tool is connected to the housing by means of a telescopic linkage comprising a cone clutch having resilient fingers that selectively grip a pin. The housing includes a conical surface which engages beveled portions of the resilient fingers holding them in a closed position. A spring biases the cone clutch to its closed or gripping position unless air pressure is supplied to an air chamber which counteracts the biasing force of the spring to open the resilient fingers. When the resilient fingers are open, a shifting means comprising a spring, or alternatively a solenoid, is effective to shift the pin between an extended position and a retracted position within the cone clutch.

Abstract: The drum drive in a rotary shear includes a pair of driving and driven surge gears and a coupling of which the driving and driven companion members are drivingly connected with the driven surge gear and with one of the drums. The shear is adjustable for varying the length of stock cut on each revolution of the drums, and such adjustment also requires shear synchronization with the fed stock which is accomplished by disconnecting the coupling members and angularly adjusting the surge gears relative to the drums. The coupling of featured lock type has companion members with cylindrical surfaces which are normally in such an interference fit with each other as safely to transmit without slippage torque in excess of the maximum required for stock-cutting operation of the shear, yet these coupling members are disconnectible for shear synchronization by applying pressurized fluid to their cylindrical interface.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus for an electrostatic copying machine includes a fixed blade having a straight cutting edge, a rotary shaft mounted for rotation on the frame of the machine, and a rotary fixed to an carried by the rotary shaft, the rotary blade having a spirally curved cutting edge. A wrap spring clutch is capable of transmitting rotation of a continually rotating gear to the rotary shaft and rotary blade. The wrap spring clutch is prevented from operation by a control cog of a double cog member. An inclinable member operates the double cog member to release the wrap spring clutch to enable rotation of the rotary shaft and rotary blade. The double cog member has a rotation lock cog which stops the wrap spring clutch after a predetermined rotation of the rotary shaft and rotary blade.

Abstract: A dispenser for cards which are withdrawn by customers at the entrance of a parking lot has a housing for a supply of coherent cards which are transported seriatim by advancing rolls toward an outlet opening for withdrawal by customers. On its way toward the outlet opening, each card is provided with legible information by a matrix printer which can apply such information in response to a signal from a computer while the card is in motion. The thus imprinted card then advances between the matrix and the perforating tool of a punching apparatus which applies one or more holes while the card is in motion. The matrix and the tool are mounted on a plate which is secured to a fixed bracket by a first parallel motion mechanism so that it can move in and counter to the direction of movement of the card between the tool and the martrix. The plate is pivotable about a fixed axis by an oscillating crank gear so that the tool moves along an arcuate path to which the adjacent card is tangential.

Abstract: An automatic punch for paper or the like includes a plurality of punch heads that are driven as cam followers into a punching position by a cam shaft mounted for rotation about an axis transverse to the movement of the heads. Energy for the punching action is stored in a rapidly rotating flywheel. The energy is quickly transmitted to the cam shaft through a fast-acting single-turn wrap spring clutch mounted co-axially with the cam shaft and the flywheel. The clutch is simply activated by a mechanical escapement which provides positive engagement and release of the clutch in a single turn of the cam shaft. A small, inexpensive electric motor brings the flywheel to speed through a simple pulley and belt drive. The motor also provides the torque to bring the flywheel back to speed after each punch.

Abstract: A press-head comprising a plurality of punches and stripping members, wherein at least one of the punches may be directly connected to the head of the press for the machining operation, while the other punches and the stripping members abut via an elastic means on said head so that, on either side of the active punch in the process of machining, when the head is descending, at least one punch is used as stripping member selectively with a stripping member or a punch used as stripping member.

Abstract: A machine tool comprising a frame, a plunger mounted on the frame for carrying a work engaging tool, a way in said plunger for receiving a reciprocating ram, a punch block, a linkage for selectively inserting said punch block between the ram and the plunger so as to cause the ram to drive said plunger toward a work support, a bolt mechanism carried by said ram for selective operative engagement with said plunger to pull said plunger away from said work support only after said plunger has been driven toward said work support by said ram, camming surfaces on said plunger and said bolt for selectively disengaging said bolt from said plunger upon subsequent movement of said ram toward the work support, and a single stroke mechanism in said linkage to automatically withdraw said punch block after the driving of the plunger toward the work support whereby subsequent continued reciprocation of said ram will not drive said plunger unless said linkage is again actuated.