Abstract: A rip fence for a table saw includes a frame having a front portion and a rear portion. A front clamping lever is pivotably supported in the front portion of the frame for movement between a clamped and an unclamped position. A handle is pivotably supported in the front portion of the frame for movement between a locked and an unlocked position. The handle includes a lever portion that engages the front clamping lever and moves the front clamping lever from the unclamped to the clamped position when the handle is moved from the unlocked position toward the locked position. A rear clamping lever is attached to the rear portion of the frame and movable between a clamped and unclamped position. When the front clamping lever is moved to clamped position by the lever portion of the handle, continued movement of the handle to locked position results in the handle pulling the rear clamping lever from the unclamped to the clamped position.

Abstract: A knife holder device for a microtome having a blade guard constituted as a pivotable bow, wherein, in a protective position, the blade guard is disposed on the side of the knife facing away from the sample at a distance such that access to the cutting edge is not possible. The blade guard can be positioned in three different defined positions and is provided with elements that have the following effects depending on the position: in the upper, protective position, simultaneous fixing of the position of the knife holder in the guideway; in the central, knife-holder-sliding position, accessibility to the knife holder with simultaneous release of the position fixture of the knife holder in the guideway; and in the lower, knife-changing position, free accessibility to the knife holder with simultaneous fixture of the position of the knife holder in the guideway.

Abstract: A food product slicer includes a carriage assembly is mounted to the base for reciprocal movement back and forth past a cutting edge of a knife. An adjustable gauge plate provides variable slice thickness for food product carried by the carriage assembly. During automatic slicing, when the gauge plate is moved from the open position to the closed position, a slicer controller automatically shuts down the carriage drive in a controlled manner that causes the carriage to stop at its most forward position.

Abstract: A food product slicer includes a base, a knife mounted for rotation relative to the base and a carriage mounted to the base for reciprocal movement back and forth past a cutting edge of the knife. The carriage includes a food product tray and an associated slide rod with a food product pusher mounted on the slide rod. The slide rod is removably attached to the tray to facilitate simple removal of the product pusher.

Abstract: A food product slicer includes a carriage assembly is mounted to the base for reciprocal movement back and forth past a cutting edge of a knife. An adjustable gauge plate provides variable slice thickness for food product carried by the carriage assembly. During automatic slicing, when the gauge plate is moved from the open position to the closed position, a slicer controller automatically shuts down the carriage drive in a controlled manner that causes the carriage to stop at its most forward position.

Abstract: A food slicing machine is provided which is particularly suitable for slicing food products such as bacon, cheese or cooked meats. The machine has a slicing blade (1), and advancing apparatus (5, 6) operable to engage one end (13) of a food product (4) to be sliced and, on an advancing stroke, push the food product towards the slicing blade for slicing of the other end of the product. The machine includes a sensor (1) operative to produce a sensing signal representative of the position of said one end (13) of the product prior to engagement thereof by the advancing apparatus, and control circuitry for controlling the extent of a return stroke by the advancing apparatus in dependence upon the sensing signal.

Abstract: An apparatus cuts rail ends for cabinet doors. Infeed and outfeed carriages are reciprocally movable along spaced apart tracks, and a transverse carriage is reciprocally moveable between the tracks. An arbor between the tracks supports and rotates a cutter. Clamps on the carriages selectively clamp a workpiece, so a workpiece clamped to the infeed carriage is carried past the arbor to cut an end of the workpiece, transferred to the transverse carriage, carried a desired distance towards the outfeed carriage, clamped to the outfeed carriage, carried past the arbor again to cut a second end of the workpiece, and released.

Abstract: A microtome for producing thin sections for microscopy is suggested that has a high level of automation and can be operated ergonomically. The microtome has a sectioning knife, a specimen holder, a first and a second motor unit operating the knife, a control system and an operating unit comprising a first and a second operating element. The first operating element controls the relative displacement between the sectioning knife and specimen holder, while the second operating element adjusts the advance rate of the displacement. The first operating element is a rotating ring and the second element is a rotary knob, concentrically within the rotating ring.

Abstract: A knife holder for a microtome has a plate arranged pivotably on its base member, which, in its functional position, covers the cutting edge of the knife and is spaced apart from the cutting plane towards the side of the knife holder remote from the specimen. The plate is also spaced apart from the knife holder on the side of the cutting edge of the knife. The plate precludes gripping of the cutting edge of the knife and a pivoting mechanism for the plate is coupled to a switch. When the plate is pivoted out of the functional position, the motor drive of the cutting movement is locked, or a brake precludes any movement of the knife slide or specimen slide. The plate preferably consists of a transparent material to permit observation of section removal in the functional position.

Abstract: An apparatus cuts rail ends for cabinet doors. Infeed and outfeed carriages are reciprocally movable along spaced apart tracks, and a transverse carriage is reciprocally moveable between the tracks. An arbor between the tracks supports and rotates a cutter. Clamps on the carriages selectively clamp a workpiece, so a workpiece clamped to the infeed carriage is carried past the arbor to cut an end of the workpiece, transferred to the transverse carriage, carried a desired distance towards the outfeed carriage, clamped to the outfeed carriage, carried past the arbor again to cut a second end of the workpiece, and released.

Abstract: Meat slicing machine, comprising a belt blade (5) conceived to follow a straight cutting line (50) for the meat to be sliced, characterised in that it comprises a support surface (9) parallel to the cutting line (50) and set at a distance from the line at right angles to the support surface (9) itself; a container (11) for the meat to be sliced, having an exit opening (12) facing the said support surface (9) on the side of the cutting line (50); Pushing devices (13) associated with said container (11), conceived to push the meat down towards said exit opening (12); and a moving mechanism (19, 22) conceived to translate the container (11) in a parallel manner to the support surface (9) with a backward and forward motion from one side of the cutting line (50) to the other.

Abstract: A microtome for generating thin sections of a specimen is suggested, comprising: a sectioning knife with a knife edge coming into engagement with the specimen during generation of the thin sections along a sectioning plane, an advance unit that generates at an angle to the sectioning plane between two thin sections an advance that defines the thickness of the thin section, a linear motor having a linear stator and a linear rotor, the linear motor generating a linear relative motion between the knife edge and the specimen in order to create the thin section, wherein the linear stator generates a traveling magnetic field that drives the linear rotor, and a control unit for controlling the linear motor for performing a relative back-and-forth motion along a predetermined displacement traveling path and for controlling the advance unit between two thin sections.

Abstract: A microtome system has a cryomicrotome with a sectioning device in which is provided a preparation holder and a knife edge that are guided past one another inside a working space during a sectioning operation, in order to produce thin sections of a preparation retained in the preparation holder. A micromanipulator is operable outside the working space. With the micromanipulator, a tool for retention of a specimen support is positioned proximate the knife edge during a sectioning operation in order to receive the sections that are produced, preferably for substantially stationary retention of the specimen support.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing histological sections by means of a microtome are suggested. A histological section of predefined thickness is produced with a microtome from a block comprising a tissue sample. A carrier material is applied with an application apparatus onto the block prior to before production of the histological section. To ensure that the histological sections do not roll up, and to enable improved downline processing of the histological sections as compared with a carrier material embodied in the form of an endless strip and that the carrier material is cut out prior to application to a size and/or a shape that corresponds substantially to the cross-sectional area of the block; and that the cut-out carrier material is then applied onto the block. The suggested apparatus is designed to apply the carrier material onto a histological section to be prepared by a microtome.

Abstract: A microtome for producing thin sections for microscopy is suggested that has a high level of automation and can be operated ergonomically. The microtome has a sectioning knife, a specimen holder, a first and a second motor unit operating the knife, a control system and an operating unit comprising a first and a second operating element. The first operating element controls the relative displacement between the sectioning knife and specimen holder, while the second operating element adjusts the advance rate of the displacement. The first operating element is a rotating ring and the second element is a rotary knob, concentrically within the rotating ring.

Abstract: A food product slicer includes a base and a knife mounted for rotation relative to the base. A carriage assembly is mounted to the base for reciprocal movement back and forth past a cutting edge of the knife. An adjustable gauge plate (70) is mounted for movement between a closed position that prevents slicing and multiple open positions that permit slicing at respective thicknesses. A handle (74) is mounted to the base for changing the gauge plate position. The handle is connected to move a cam member (128) internal of the base. The cam member is operatively connected to move the gauge plate through a cam follower (132, 134). A gauge plate adjustment system for setting an orientation of the gauge plate relative to the knife when the gauge plate is in the closed position includes structure for holding the handle, cam member and cam follower in respective, set positions while the orientation of the gauge plate relative to the knife is set.

Abstract: A holder provided with an oscillatory movable ultramicrotome cutter which is arranged on a cutter holder and oscillatory movable by means of a piezo-electric element. The cutter is supported by the piezo-electric element. The holder can be easily produced with high dimensional accuracy. It makes it possible to oscillate the cutter blade at a high frequency.

Abstract: In a process for cutting sections from a probe for microscopic analysis, an ultramicrotome device is used having a blade with a cutting edge, the cutting edge extending at least approximately in a first direction. The process includes the steps of: vibrating the blade in the first direction; and moving the blade relative to the probe to be cut in a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction. This eliminates, or at least strongly reduces, compression of the cut sections.

Abstract: The invention is a device for peeling one or more individual layers of a multilayer shim. In detail the device includes a platform having a surface with a recess. A mechanism is mounted in the recess for mounting the shim and a moving the shim upward such that a portion of the shim is above the surface. A blade assembly is rotatably mounted to the platform, which is rotatable in a plane parallel to the surface. The blade assembly includes a cutting blade mounted thereon, such that said blade is in slidable contact with the surface and movable over the recess. Thus shim can be raised by the mechanism and the portion of the shim requiring removal can be raised above the surface and the blade assembly thereafter can be rotated causing the cutting blade to shear off the portion of the shim above the surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microtome (1) having functional regions to be operated manually, in particular a sample holder (2), a cutting device (3), a section removal system (4), and a section collection pan (5). A microtome (1) is described in which the particularly firm contact or adhesion of sectioning waste fragments and, in particular, of thin sections can be at least largely avoided. For this purpose, the microtome (1) according to the present invention is characterized in that the components of the microtome (1) that can be brought into contact with paraffin sections are embodied in electrically conductive fashion.

Abstract: A device 1 and a method for trimming samples 38 are disclosed. The device 1 encompasses a knife holder 9 and a sample holder 7, the knife holder 9 carrying at least one trimming knife 36. A first motor 60 and a second motor 61 are provided, which move the knife holder 9 in an X-Y plane. Also provided is a control unit 15 that controls the motion of the knife holder 9. The first and the second motor 60, 61 are each equipped with a measurement means 62, 63 that measures the position of the knife holder 9 in the X direction (X) and Y direction (Y).

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting food product so that the product is properly oriented and stabilized before and throughout the cutting operation to produce a sliced product of uniform thickness, even if the delivered food product varies in shape and size, such as when both round and elongate potatoes are used to produce potato chips. The apparatus includes a cutting device and housing thereabove-that defines a passage with an opening in proximity to the cutting device, such that food product is delivered to the cutting device in a substantially vertical direction. To improve the stability of round product during the cutting operation, the housing has an upper portion and a flared lower portion immediately below the upper portion so that at least a portion of the opening of the passage is defined by the flared region and has a larger radius of curvature than the upper portion.

Abstract: An automatic microtome is disclosed which comprises a base, a knife-holder mounted on the base for supporting a microtome knife, a specimen holder mounted for longitudinal movement relative to the base towards and away from the knife-holder and also mounted for transverse movement relative to the knife holder for displacing a specimen held by the specimen holder relative to a knife mounted in the knife holder for cutting sections from such specimen. The knife holder is mounted directly on the base without provision for adjustment of the position of the knife holder on the base such as to vary the location of the knife edge in relation to said edge, and the specimen holder is designed to provide enhanced stability over a wide range of longitudinal positions the specimen holder.

Abstract: A feed grip for being coupled to a slide rod of a slicer including a gripping plate having a front surface and rear surface, the front surface being shaped to grip a food product, the gripping plate including an attachment portion extending generally outwardly from the rear surface. The feed grip further includes a handle having an opening shaped to releasably receive the attachment portion therein, and a feed arm including a pair of annulus, a first one of the annulus being shaped to be generally located between the handle and the gripping plate, a second one of the annulus being shaped to receive the slide rod of the slicer therethrough.

Abstract: A food slicer for automatic operation having a staged dynamic brake for bringing the slicer carriage to rest at a predetermined location in a smooth manner. A sensor or system of sensors are utilized to detect the slicer carriage location. The sensor output is fed through a microprocessor which controls a dynamic brake which in turn acts upon the slicer carriage. The brake acts upon the carriage in two or more stages, so as to bring the carriage to rest in a smooth manner. The invention may also operate to as to bring the carriage to rest in a predetermined location.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for a plate processing at inclined C-frame presses for an automatic cutting of tin-can covers and lids of tin cans and the like from sheet-metal plates with a piston plunger of a press moving up and down, where the sheet-metal plate is led step-by-step past under the piston plunger of the press. The apparatus includes a u-shape-formed frame 1. The longitudinal traverses 2 are in each case connected through a c-shaped bracing 3 to a C-shaped press frame 4.

Abstract: A food slicer for automatic operation having a staged dynamic brake for bringing the slicer carriage to rest at a predetermined location in a smooth manner. A sensor or system of sensors are utilized to detect the slicer carriage location. The sensor output is fed through a microprocessor which controls a dynamic brake which in turn acts upon the slicer carriage. The brake acts upon the carriage in two or more stages, so as to bring the carriage to rest in a smooth manner. The invention can also operate to as to bring the carriage to rest in a predetermined location.

Abstract: A microtome particularly suitable for sectioning specimen to be observed on a transmission type electron microscope. Mounted on top of and located to one side of a machine base (2) are an X-Y axis stage and a tilting stage (4) which in turn supports thereon a cutter holder block (5) with a cutting knife (6). Located to the other side of the machine base (2) is a micro-feed mechanism (7) which supports thereon a specimen holder support arm (12) with specimen (14) and a Z-axis stage (11). The micro-feed mechanism (7) has first and second linear motor stages (8) and (9) to be displaced inversely in intersecting directions crossed each other with a predetermined intersection angle (28) across Y-axis. As the first and second linear motor stages (8) and (9) are displaced at the intersection angle (20) with each other, the specimen (14) is displaced over a small distance of nanometrically fine level in the direction of X-axis, thereby permitting to produce an ultra-thin specimen piece.

Abstract: A slicing machine in which the clamping device for pressing the product on the slicing machine carriage toward the stop plate is provided with a device for inactivating the blade motor and the drive for the stop plate so that, when the clamping device is in its upper inoperative position, the blade motor is deactivated and the stop plate is brought into the plane of the blade or forwardly thereof to prevent injury to an operator.

Abstract: A method and a machine for producing plate components (1) from a sheet of metal (2) which is moved through a press (13) for at least a first cutting operation to be performed to separate the plate components from the sheet of metal and a second cutting operation to separate scrap (27), said press being open with a space (32) allowing free insertion of the metal sheet. According to the invention the metal sheet is displaced by means of a feeding device (11) between the metal working operations, following a predetermined coordinate pattern and being machined in consecutive y-sections (24, 26) each y-section (24) being fully machined in x-direction before the immediately following y-section (26) is brought into position for machining, the metal sheet being machined within surface areas (33), each of which has a length in x-direction of at most 30 cm, and is larger than the plate component so that a peripheral, unbroken scrap portion (27) remains after the first cutting operation.

Abstract: A microtome (2) with a sample holder (51) for a sample (22) to be thinly sectioned and with a knife holder (12) for a cutting knife (10) is described, wherein the sample holder (51), for performing a cutting movement (arrow 54) relative to the knife holder (12), can be driven in a first spatial direction (arrows 54, 56) by means of a first drive device (53), and for performing a coarse adjustment and a section thickness adjusting movement in a second spatial direction (arrow 24) perpendicular to the first spatial direction (54, 56) by means of an electrical second drive device (50). In the vicinity of the cutting knife (10), for defined delimitation of the coarse adjustment movement of the sample holder (51) in the second spatial direction, a delimiting device (20) is provided, which is connected over control means (44), preferably an electronic control, with the electrical second drive device (50).

Abstract: A cold meat slicer having a housing, a rotating circular cutter blade, a carriage for the product to be cut for reciprocating movement relative to the cutter blade and adapted to be driven either manually or by a motor. The optionally selectable manual or motor-driven operation is provided by two parallel rocker arms, a drive arm and a driven arm adapted to be selectively coupled and mounted on a common swivel axis, the drive arm being connected to a drive motor and the driven arm coupled to the carriage guide. The rocker arms execute their movements exclusively in planes parallel to each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting tissue sections from an organic tissue specimen to generate multiple tissue ribbons having any desired section sequencing. A three-dimensional microtome which allows relative movement between the tissue specimen and the cutting blade in three dimensions is used to generate the tissue ribbons. Preferably, the three-dimensional microtome also includes an advanceable cutting blade capable of being conveniently advanced in the direction along its length to provide a fresh cutting edge to the cutting area of the microtome.

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 chop cutting apparatus comprises a cutting blade; a loin holding device mounted for reciprocal translation in a direction parallel to the plain of the cutting blade; a pusher for urging a loin along the loin holding device into the plate of the cutting blade; an abutment member on the opposite side of the cutting blade and against which the loin is urged; and a scraping device positioned to clean the chops cut from the loin. The scraping device comprises a plurality of resilient wiping fingers which extend in a direction substantially in a plane parallel to the plane of the cutting blade and angled relative to the discharge direction of the cut chops, with means for urging the cut chop into contact with said fingers so that they bear against a surface of the chop thereby cleaning it of fat, grease and other residue.

Abstract: An apparatus for precision linear positioning of material along a frame, having carrier means for carrying the material juxtaposed above the frame, means for linearly moving the carrier means along the frame having a plurality of pneumatic cylinders each having an extendable and rectractable piston, the cylinders connected to each other in a series and including a first end pneumatic cylinder attached to the frame and a last end pneumatic cylinder attached to the carrier means, such that the carrier means is moved by the amount of the cumulative extension and retraction of the pistons, stopping means associated with each the pneumatic cylinder for limiting the extension of each the piston, and means for providing a controllable amount of air to each pneumatic cylinder to selectively control extension and retraction of each piston.

Abstract: A sawmill carriage capable of reciprocating on rails towards and away from a saw is provided with more than one bunk having an upper surface capable of supporting a log, and a knee mounted on each bunk, capable of gripping a log and moving across the bunk in a direction normal to the direction of reciprocation of said carriage. An improvement comprises cylindrical slides securely attached to the bunk beneath the upper surface thereof, parallel to the direction of travel of the knee and capable of supporting same. Complimentary bushings are securely attached to the knee, and cooperate with the slides.

Abstract: A microtome has a specimen holder which executes a vertical up and down movement relative to a cutting knife and which has a guide mechanism in which a sleeve is arranged so as to be horizontally displaceable. The sleeve is provided at its front end with a specimen clamping mechanism and in its interior with a micrometer nut which is secured against axial displacement and through which extends a micrometer spindle mounted on the guide mechanism. The micrometer nut has on its outer face a toothed ring which is connected operatively to a pinion connected to an electric motor. When the electric motor is activated the sleeve is displaced in the guide mechanism. The micrometer spindle extends, on the side opposite the specimen clamping mechanism, through the guide mechanism as a stub end on which is located a mechanical cutting-thickness advance mechanism.

Abstract: During the parallel splitting up of workpiece panels, in particular, consisting of laminated, compressed wood, it is usually not possible to prevent one of the two panel sections resulting after completion of the last separating cut, more particularly, that which was clamped in the feeding device, from warping on account of material tensions, thereby rendering it useless. In order to avoid this, it is proposed that the trimmed edge of the last remaining panel section facing away from the cutting plane be released prior to the final feeding procedure to be carried out, that it be clamped again immediately thereafter, that a further trimming cut be made on the panel section, and that this panel section then be fixed following the final feeding procedure and trimmed anew. In this process, the last resulting panel section is relieved of tension before being finally trimmed along its two longitudinal sides. This ensures that the trimmed edges subsequently produced thereon are exactly parallel to one another.

Abstract: A foodstuff such as a sausage is sliced in a predetermined slicing direction into a succession of slices each having a respective width measured parallel to the slice direction. This succession of slices is then deposited on a support in a plurality of rows with the slices in each row offset from one another by a predetermined first distance and the rows offset from each other by a predetermined second distance. The width of the slices is continuously measured as they are cut and at least one of the distances is automatically varied in dependence on the measured width to produce a uniformly overlapping array of slices. In addition the machine can calculate the weight of a given slice by combining the width with the slice thickness and the slice density, and this weight can be divided into a desired weight to determine how many slices at the predetermined size are needed to make up the desired weight. A signal can indicate then when this weight is reached.

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: The present invention relates to a food feed chute apparatus adapted for mounting upon a rotary cutting machine and comprises a base adapted to be mounted to the cutting machine, a tube having first and second ends being attached to the base at a location proximate the first end of the tube, the tube having a cross-sectional shape generally similar to the cross-sectional shape of the food products to be fed therethrough, but having cross-sectional dimensions about 1% to about 5% greater than the cross-sectional dimensions of the food products, and a weighted pusher disposable within the tube adapted for pushing the food products toward the first end of the tube. Preferably, the pusher is pivotably attached to the tube proximate the second end of the tube.

Abstract: A microtome, in particular an ultramicrotome, has a drive-control system by which the movement of the specimen arm, relative to the knife, is subdivided into a comparatively slow cutting movement and a more rapid return movement. The drive-control system gradually decelerates the specimen arm at the transition, from the comparatively rapid return movement to the slower cutting movement, so that a jerk, which would generate mechanical vibrations in the drive system, is avoided and the specimen arm is smoothly decelerated from the comparatively high speed to the lower speed.

Abstract: The microtome has a specimen slide moved periodically by a drive shaft, and a blade bracket comprising a blade slide and a blade holder. A threaded spindle serves to advance the blade bracket and thus the blade. The blade is retracted from the specimen after each cutting process, independently of the advance of the blade slide. For this purpose, the blade holder is merely tilted slightly by being raised around an axis, which forms an acute angle with the cutting edge of the blade. The blade holder is raised by a lever arrangement, coupled through a shaft and a pivot bearing with the drive shaft of the specimen slide.

Abstract: A safety device for a meat slicer includes a guide bar attached to a holding plate and a lock pin which is pressed by the guide bar. The lock pin and the guide bar are slidably fitted in a first blind hole formed in a guide block. A double latching mechanism, comprising a lock bar and an actuator, is engaged with the lock pin for controlling a switch which controls a driving circuit for the slicer, and the switch is actuated by the actuator.

Abstract: A slicing and measuring apparatus for sausage and the like has a table which supports the foodstuff to be sliced and is displaceable back and forth adjacent a blade which is continuously rotated by an electric motor. The motor speed or current consumption is monitored to ascertain when the blade engages the foodstuff being sliced, and similarly the position of the table is monitored by means of a potentiometer. Thus it is possible to determine the diameter of the slice being produced, to square it and multiply it by an appropriate .pi. containing factor and by the known thickness of the slice to determine the volume thereof. Thereafter this volume is mulitplied by the density of the foodstuff to determine the weight of the slice and the weight of successive slices can be added to determine the total weight sliced.

Abstract: An installation (10) for handling a workpiece W.sub.1 including a first station (12) for loading a workpiece, a second station (14) for working on the workpiece, a third station (16) for unloading the workpiece, and a conveyor (18), extending in a closed loop about the first and second stations, for transporting the workpiece from the first to the second station. The conveyor is a track of the type used on earthmoving equipment such as tractors, and whose tension is adjustable by a hydraulic cylinder arrangement (26-32) to lower part of the conveyor into a water tank (50) at the second station for plasma-arc cutting the workpiece. The third station is adjacent the second station and has two additional conveyors (66, 68) for receiving a cut workpiece, depending on the size of such cut workpiece. A cleaning apparatus (60-64) supplies jets of water onto the closed loop conveyor to clean the latter of slag.

Abstract: A jig for bandsaws (typically meat cutting bandsaws) is described. The jig comprises a main frame (10) which is adapted by rollers (18,20) to be received in the guides normally fitted to a bandsaw to receive and guide a sliding table thereon; a sub-frame (26) movable relative to the main frame in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement dictated by the rollers (18,20); a spring (48) for returning the sub-frame to a rest position on the main frame; a magazine (32) mounted on the sub-frame (26), having a thrust member (76) slidable therealong to enable a slab of meat to be pushed forwardly along the magazine into a position in which its leading end overhangs the end of the magazine and is ready to be severed by a bandsaw blade (82). The thrust member (76) is slidable parallel to the direction of movement of the sub-frame (26) relative to the main frame (10).