Abstract: A stack of strips of feed stock are placed on an adjustable height table. The strips are positioned on the table by arms which align the stack to the centerline of punching dies in a punch press. A pneumatic actuated head uses vacuum cups to raise the end of the top strip and insert it into in-feed rolls. The drive means for the in-feed rolls also drive an encoder which signals roll movement as the rolls incrementally feed the stock into the punch press. Drive means for the feed stock switches to the out-feed rolls once the blanked out stock reaches those rolls, and when the end of the strip passes through the punch press, a control unit is signaled and a new strip is fed into the system.

Abstract: A protective arrangement for a drawing press which includes a detector arrangement for detecting at least one of a presence of a workpiece, a semi-finished workpiece, and a correct workpiece feed whereby the drawing press is immobilized or shut down in the event the detector arrangement detects a fault. The detector arrangement is adapted to detect contours of a workpiece which have been drawn by the drawing press and is disposed downstream of a drawing station of the drawing press.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the delivery of material from a spool or the like to a machine which is to perform some work upon the material and draws the material from the spool. The apparatus includes a shaft for accommodating and fixedly securing the spool thereon, apparatus for positioning the shaft at a predetermined location wherein the positioning apparatus also permits the free rotation of the shaft about the longitudinal axis thereof, apparatus for providing a pulsed electrical signal upon rotation of the shaft, the pulsed electrical signal device having an element thereof directly coupled to the shaft for rotation as a result of the rotation of the shaft, and apparatus for indicating the output of the pulsed electrical signal device wherein the apparatus which does work on the material can be shut off if the material being fed from the spool becomes tangled, snarled, or otherwise jammed or is consumed.

Abstract: A continuous feed stamping machine, press or the like, has a control system for automatically stopping the machine in the absence of material to be stamped. The control system includes a normally closed limit switch which is held open by the presence of material to be stamped. After each stamping operation, as the stamped product is released from the die area, the limit switch returns to its normally closed position. If the limit switch is not opened by the feed of more material, within a predetermined time interval, the machine is stopped. The time interval is related to the operating frequency of the machine such that in the absence of material the machine will be stopped before the machine is damaged. The control system, which may operate in either the astable (oscillating) or monostable (one-shot) mode, effects the charging of a capacitor when the limit switch closes, and the capacitor discharges when the limit switch opens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for detecting mis-strippings in a press having a ram and upper and lower tools for punching workpieces. The apparatus comprises an electric circuit which is closed when the ram and the upper tool are in contact with each other. A relay is provided in the electric circuit and is actuated when the ram and the upper tool are brought out of contact with each other when the ram is returning from a bottom dead-center position to a top dead-center position. Also, a contact in the relay is connected with a main circuit for driving the press.

Abstract: An auxiliary feeder apparatus for a punch press. The feeder picks up blank stock to be punched, transfers it to a work holding collet where the press punches a circular pattern of spaced holes or slots in the blank to form an electric motor lamination or the like. After punching, the feeder apparatus picks up the finished part and transfers it to a storage location while at the same time picking up and transferring a new blank to the collet for punching. The operation of the feeder apparatus is integrated with the operation of the punch press and is fully automatic. Controls in the feeder apparatus and press prevent the punch from operating when malfunctions, such as a part not properly positioned on the collet or two or more parts transferred to the collet, occur.

Abstract: An envelope opener comprising first, second and third shear stations for shearing three edges of an envelope in sequence one edge at a time. Each shear station sequentially aligns the envelope by contacting the edge to be sheared, shears the contacted edge, and then releases the envelope. A microcomputer monitors the advance of the envelope through and between the shear stations and causes the shear stations to cyclically align, shear and release the envelope. A peel back station downstream of the shear station peels back a panel of the envelope to expose the contents thereof. If an envelope is jammed at or between any of the stations, the microcomputer actuates a display to indicate a jam condition. The microcomputer also shuts off power to the opener to prevent damage to the envelope.

Abstract: A progressive die sensor of the disclosure for sensing an unaligned workpiece condition includes a housing having an upper mounting surface engaged with an upper punch holder during mounting. A depression in the mounting surface is located in a spaced relationship to a downwardly extending probe that moves relative to the housing to indicate an unaligned workpiece condition. A switch received within the depression includes an actuating plunger that is moved by a push rod in response to the probe movement to cause switch actuation for generating an electrical signal which indicates the occurrence of the unaligned workpiece condition. A switch cover is received within the depression to cover the switch. The housing depression preferably opens upwardly and the switch cover includes downwardly extending side portions that receive the switch therebetween intermediate opposite sides of the switch depression.

Abstract: A table-saw having dual guards, one being that for the saw to run the guard must always be in correct vertical and horizontal operating position covering the whirling saw blade, and the other being that the saw is automatically shut off after a waiting period in the event that the operator is not actually working at a sawing operation. There is a manual over-ride switch for hard-to-do jobs subject to the security of lock and key.

Abstract: A device for precluding improper operation of a stamping press including a control cylinder the piston of which is impinged on one side by a pressure medium and on the other side by a pressure medium having a variable constant pressure. Electrical switch elements are utilized to prevent the stamping operation from progressing unless preset conditions exist.

Abstract: Each customer order has the form of an image band segment comprised of one or more image sections bearing respective images. The customer order image band segments together form an elongated image band. The image band is provided with order marks of different types, each image section of one customer order being provided with an order mark of one type, and each image section of the next customer order being provided with an order mark of another type, so that the order mark type changes from one customer order to the next on the image band. The changes of order mark type are detected using a detecting arrangement which is operative for generating control signals in dependence upon such detection. The operation of an order-sorting arrangement is controlled by applying the control signals thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for protecting a press die and press frame from damage when stock has jammed therein. The apparatus includes a proximity sensor which senses metal entering the press, a proximity sensor to detect the stamped product, and a proximity sensor to detect the skeleton scrap metal left after the stamping. A press cycle detection sensor senses a cycle of the press and generates a timing pulse. Means for comparing signals generated by the proximity sensors is regulated by the timing pulse and includes a signal converter, a memory circuit, a signal comparator and a fault check operatively connected to one another. An output relay breaks the press circuit upon an appropriate signal.The process of protecting a press die includes sensing the input to determine if stock is present, generating an electrical impulse and storing the signal in a memory. The presence of the stamped product and the resultant scrap are noted and similar signals generated. The output signals are also fed to memories.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding objects to a transport mechanism and transport and delivery mechanisms for the objects, and, in particular, apparatus for feeding books to, transporting them through the cutting stations of and delivering them from a two-station, three-knife book trimmer. The feed mechanism includes a hopper for holding books, a prestripper for stripping a book from the hopper and moving it part way to the front knife cutting station and pushers, which continue to feed the book to the first cutting station, with means coordinating the prestrippers and pushers. The transport mechanism includes a plurality of displaceable, e.g. upper transport belts and a plurality of belts in opposition to the displaceable ones, e.g. lower transport belts, which clamp the book, respectively, from above and below. While clamping the book, the transport belts travel with it to the side knife cutting station, halt for side knife trimming, and then move the book beyond the second station to the delivery mechanism.