Abstract: Limit switch for the positioning of cutting machines in a machine for the cutting of plastic and/or paper materials in strips of predetermined width, this cutting unit being slidable on supporting beams, which device includes a source (31) of a ray of light (50) parallel to the supporting beam (24) of the cutting units (12); a tappet (33) of this ray of light; a rotating L-shaped plate (36) hinged in (40) to one side of the base of each cutting unit (12) and maintained in parallel position to said ray of light (50) by a spring (42); an actuating plate (38) fixed in adjustable position to the other side of each cutting unit, in opposite position and aligned with said rotating L-shaped plate (36); and an electronic station driven by the interception of said ray of light (50).

Abstract: Hydraulic sawing cycle control system for an undercut swing saw. Hydromotor 5 with crankshaft 7 fitted thereon without play drives the sawing lever arm 2 via a connecting rod 3. One revolution of the hydromotor corresponds to one saw cut. The hydromotor 5 is thereby controlled via a proportional valve. The path of movement of the sawing cycle can advantageously be regulated.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for sidewise shifting and positioning of a tool in a slotting station situated within a machine used for processing sheet-like workpieces. The station includes a creasing tool, a counter tool, which are mounted on a first pair of vertical, arranged horizontally extending shafts, a slotting tool and counterpart, both fitted on a second pair of shafts arranged downstream of the first pair, a master plate being held in the transfer direction of the workpiece by two crosswise shafts, one of which is for guiding and the other is for shifting the master plate on the guiding shift, the plate having an arrangement for gripping each of the upper tools of the pairs of tools, which arrangement includes an arrangement for laterally shifting the arrangement for one of the two tools relative to the master plate while holding the tool simultaneously fully parallel to the master plate.

Abstract: A shear mechanism is controlled by ultrasonically calipering the bar stock and adjusting the length of sheared bar stock to assure a uniform volume of metal bar stock in the sheared product. A plurality of ultrasonic transducers are carried in a common frame and centered on the bar stock using the same ultrasonic calipers.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a method an an apparatus for cutting a sheet member embedded with wires for use in tire, having the following characteristics. That is, a wire-embedded member is cut with a rotatable cutter at the middle of the member in a width-wise direction thereof while applying a pushing force, effected by a high pressure, on the cutter. The cutter is shiftably and rotatably mounted on a frame so as to be movable in a shifting direction while rotating. The cutter movement may also deviate in a direction orthogonal to the shifting direction thereof. The completion of the cutting at the middle of the member is detected by an electrical connection between the cutter and a support member, which connection is confirmed by a confirmation control mechanism. The cutter is shifted by a pushing mechanism from the middle to one side edge of the sheet member under a pushing force, effected by a pressure lower than that of the high pressure, so as to carry out a first half of a cutting operation.

Abstract: A slicing machine of this invention includes a blade having a cutting edge for slicing a silicon ingot, a tension disk for rotatably supporting the blade, a drive motor for rotating the blade, a deformation detection mechanism for detecting a deformation amount of the blade, and a control unit responsive to the measured deformation for correcting the relative position between the support base and the blade. A control method of the slicing machine is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for maintaining the cutting conditions constant at a rotary punch by bringing the rotary punch to a constant, predetermined temperature and maintaining the rotary punch at that temperature. Tempering elements are included in the rotary punch so as to maintain constant and set the spacing of the cylindrical envelope described by the cutting edge or edges from the opposing tool.

Abstract: A servicer is described for supplying two cut-to-length strips of sidewall simultaneously to a tire building drum without handling by the tire builder, thereby eliminating any stretching of the sidewalls or distortion of the shape of the sidewalls which can happen when the sidewalls are physically handled by the tire builder. The servicer employs twin cassettes which contain two spools of spirally wound sidewall which is separated by a comparatively rigid, U-shaped protective liner.The servicer has an indexing table for moving twin cassettes from a standby position to a let-off position to a take-up position and, lastly, to a removal position where the cassette is removed for rewinding with new material.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for scaling, sorting, processing, cutting-up and the like of elongate timber items with two substantially parallel, longitudinal surfaces achieved by processing, during longitudinal feed of the item, including determination of a given lateral position and/or form of the item at at least one position along the item, e.g., a cross-section or cross-sectional element, with the aid of sensing means. The method determination takes place with the aid of touch-free distance-sensing means with predetermined measuring directions, fixed and discrete, for determining distances to at least two measuring points on the surface of the timber item, said measuring points being substantially in a cross-section or cross-sectional element of the timber item and on either side of a reference line across the cross-section or cross-sectional element.

Abstract: A method of cutting off recording paper on a facsimile apparatus is disclosed in which the recording paper wound as a roll is sequentially fed through the apparatus so that the paper is cut off by a cutter after the recording on each sheet area of the paper is performed. The method comprises a stop in which the torque of an electric motor is transmitted to a platen roller through a gear train so that the recording on the (n+1) th-sheet area of the recording paper is performed continuously after the recording on the nth-sheet area of the paper; a step in which when the boundary between the nth-sheet area and the (n+1)th-sheet area has reached the cutoff position, the recording on the (n+1)th-sheet area is temporarily stopped and the backlash of the gear train is compensated for by rotating the motor backward; a step in which the recording paper is cut off by the cutter; and a step in which the backlash of the gear train is compensated for again by rotating the motor forward.

Abstract: A saw apparatus comprises an operatable saw blade and a holding arm for gripping an object to be sawed, plus means for moving the saw blade and holding arm together to cause the saw blade to engage the object for sawing under controlled-pressure conditions. The saw blade is carried by strain gauge means, the strain gauge means being part of electronic means for sensing the load of the operatable saw blade on the strain gauge means. Thus, pressure of the object for sawing against the top of the saw blade causes an increase in the load sensed by the strain gauge. The electronic signal generated thereby may be used in a feedback system to control the pressure of the workpiece against the saw blade.

Abstract: A stock feed and cutter system for forging machines and the like in which stationary grippers and linearly movable grippers alternately grip rod or wire stock. The movable grippers reciprocate toward and away from the stationary grippers and operate to feed the stock without slippage a precise distance into a cutter. A stock gage is therefore not required and an optimum cutter structure can be provided even for very short workpieces. After each feed operation, the cutter shears a workpiece from the end of the stock, which is subsequently formed to a desired shape. A running adjustment is provided for the reciprocating grippers so that the machine operator can adjust the length of the workpiece produced while the machine is running. A short blank detector independently measures the length of stock being fed and is connected to cause rejection of such short blank. The grippers operate without slippage and, in cooperation with the cutter, produce very uniform workpieces.

Abstract: A rod cut-off in a cigarette making machine includes a cutting device 32 having a first drive 34, a ledger 10 for supporting the rod during cutting and having a second drive 22, separate from the first drive, a device for synchronizing (prefereably electronically) the first and second drives during normal operation, and a device 40 for mechanically displacing the ledger or cutting device (preferably the former) from the normal position in which it co-operates with the other member to perform rod cutting, the displacement being arranged to occur while the machine is being accelerated from start; that is, during the time while the two drives are being brough into synchronization.

Abstract: A band-sawing machine is provided opposite to the intended workpiece location with a movable work unit comprising the saw-band and its drive mechanism. The rate of travel of said movable work unit is reduced by a hydraulic circuit provided with a device for regulating the rate of flow. In addition, the hydraulic circuit includes a valve which is capable of limiting or even of interrupting the flow of fluid. The operation of the valve is controlled by a means responsive to an increase in the resistance set up in opposition to the driving tension of the saw-band. The arrangement is such that an increase in said resistance produces a limitation of the flow rate within the hydraulic braking circuit and consequently a reduction in the rate of travel of the movable work unit.

Abstract: Band saw apparatus is disclosed which includes cutting enhancement apparatus formed for tilting of the cutting stretch of the band saw blade to vary the force per unit area of the cutting edge of the blade on the workpiece. The cutting enhancement apparatus which tilts the blade at both guide assemblies is shown. The saw carriage is movably mounted to the remainder of the saw to be substantially free to rebound or move away from the workpiece during tilting of the blade to avoid digging in or shearing off of the blade teeth and to permit close spacing of the blade guides next to the workpiece. The saw includes a feed control system having both an orifice control circuit and a support force control circuit. A method is disclosed which is comprised of using the support force circuit to vary the rate of cutting during the cut to prevent overloading of the blade and/or stalling of the machine. Sensors feedback signals which adjust the support force circuit to control feeding.

Abstract: A manual stock stop is diclosed including a track assembly and a sliding stop assembly. A cable-activated electromechanical position transducer sends an electrical signal corresponding to the position of a stop bar mounted on the top assembly to a monitor/control unit which displays the position of the stop bar. A fine adjustment mechanism in the stop assembly allows for precise positioning of the stop bar. An automatic stock stop is also disclosed including a track and sliding carriage assembly. A motorized screw mechanism mounted on the track moves a carriage a limited distance along the track. The ends of flippers mounted on the carriage can be extended beyond an edge of the carriage to actually stop the stock. A guide and a device for performing a machine operation on the stock may also be mounted on the track. A computer control unit activates and coordinates the various functions of the stock stop.

Abstract: Described is a method for measuring and correcting the plunger adjustment in high-speed stroke presses. The plungers are used for cutting, punching, bending and/or embossing semi-finished goods or the like with high tolerance requirements. The plunger must be readjusted in accordance with the number of strokes per minute and the plunging depth of the plunger is measured. This is carried out using a detector head being provided with a plurality of induction loops, which is guided with the plunger stroke along a permanent magnetic strip, whose longitudinal extension is subdivided into alternating North/South poles. The induced voltage development is scanned through cosine and sine functions of the induction coils for any predetermined travel unit, and the amplitudes of the two functions are measured and evaluated at the turnover point.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for cutting off selected length panels from an indefinte length strip of fabric with minimum waste, the fabric being comprised as superposed longitudinal and transverse elongate elements, wherein the transverse elements may deviate from strict perpendicularity to the length direction of the strip, e.g., be skewed or bowed. A support defines a path along which the strip of fabric and its longitudinal elements are to extend. A cutter unit is actuable for cutting elements of the strip to cut off a panel from the strip. A transverse moving unit relatively moves the cutter means and strip in a direction transverse to the length of the strip to cut the full width of the strip and thereby separate a panel therefrom. A longitudinal moving unit is actuable for relatively moving the cutter and strip in a direction longitudinal of the strip.

Abstract: A process a plate workpiece with high precision at high speed, the plate processing machine comprises a workpiece side surface positioning device (SPD) provided with magnet rollers (MR); a workpiece trimming device (TD) provided with a tool actuating switch (SW); and a workpiece positioning device (PD) provided with an optical sensor (SE). The magnet rollers guide a workpiece forward in magnetic rotatable contact engagement with the side surface of the workpiece. The tool actuating switch is actuated before the workpiece is located at a trimming position for automatic trimming operation. The optical sensor generates a feed speed deceleration signal so that a fed workpiece will not apply shock to the stop member of the positioning device by adjusting the sensor position relative to the stop surface according to the workpiece length to be cut.

Abstract: An improved punch assembly (10) for a punch press comprises a main piston (13) driving a punching tool (11) and an auxiliary piston (17) which can be selectively enabled to cooperate with the main pisto1 (13) in a high force, slow speed mode or disabled to allow the main pisto1 (13) to operate alone in a low force high speed mode. The punch assembly (10) also comprises a pressure transducer (41) and position transducer (25) whose respective outputs are connected to a microprocessor controller for the punch assembly. Operation of the punch press is microprocessor controlled to reduce noise and punch cycle time. A stripper assembly (42-48) is also provided and operates in conjunction with the punching tool (11) under microprocessor control to facilitate tool stripping. The stripper assembly (42-48) can also be used for automatic measuring of work sheet thickness.

Abstract: A bag forming apparatus passes a hemmed web through a rotating edge notcher and related units to form a taped hem in the web which is passed through an intermittently operated bag making machine. A web supply unit includes a web take-up unit to maintain a constant tension in the continuously moving web to the bag making machine. The web notches are phased with the bag making machine to locate the notches centrally of each bag. During starting and stopping, the web take-up unit changes the web length moving through the notching unit at normal full web speed operation and the web length variations are minimal. A programmable notch controller actuates a stepper motor to rotate the notcher. The controller responds to a control signal to form a notch. A programmable switch is coupled to the bag making machine to generate a first control signal for each bag cycle and is phased with the full web speed to locate the notch centrally of the bag.

Abstract: A device for measuring forces and avoiding overloads on platen presses includes a detection unit connected with a processing unit by a connection block. The processing unit includes an amplifying unit coupled with a calculation unit which is connected to a memory unit joined with a control unit for stopping the main motor of the platen press. The processing unit also is connected with a display unit which provides scale members for displaying the measured forces.

Abstract: A control system is established wherein, when there is a flow of continuous web material (2), an identification phase is provided by increasing the torque signal to a pull roll motor (13) until slippage between the pull roll (12) and continuous web is created at a breakaway torque point, the value of which is measurable. The pull roll motor is then caused to be driven by a signal which creates a motor torque output which is of a value less than the breakaway torque point. Thus, no slippage can occur. As the motor is driven at the lower torque value, a calibration phase is entered wherein an encoder output of the pull roll is properly equated with that of a measuring wheel (9), this phase occuring at a time when there can be no slip between the web-roll interface. The identification-calibration process can be repeated as often as desired.

Abstract: A cutting arrangement for the cutting to shape of a web-shaped material, such as paper webs (2) in printing presses. The arrangement consists of a cutting element (8) and a backing element (3) over which the paper web runs, in conjunction with which one edge of the cutting element (8) is brought intermittently into contact with the paper web for the purpose of cutting through the paper web in its longitudinal sense. The cutting element (8) is so arranged as to change its position intermittently in relation to the paper web (2) between a first, advanced position in which the cutting element (8) uses its edge to cut through the paper web as it passes over the backing element and a second, withdrawn position in relation to the paper web in which the cutting element is not in contact with the paper web. The intermittent movements of the arm between the first and the second position are controlled by a control unit (12) depending on the advance of the paper web (2).

Abstract: A method of measuring camber in a sheet of metallic material comprises the steps of displacing the sheet between fixed guides in a plane perpendicular to the width of the sheet such that a point on a center of the sheet travels a predetermined distance, measuring the length of the sheet adjacent a first longitudinal edge thereof which moves past a datum line when the sheet is displaced the predetermined distance and generating a signal having a value A proportional to the length, measuring a length of the sheet adjacent to a second, opposite longitudinal edge which moves past the datum line when the sheet is displaced the predetermined distance and generating a signal having a value B proportional to the second edge length, and calculating camber at the first edge, expressed as a radius of curvature R.sub.C of the sheet, by the equation: ##EQU1## where W equals the width of the sheet.

Abstract: A method of minimizing scrap loss in making a drawn container in a multi-die set cupping or end shell press which includes monitoring the sheet for defects before entering the press. The monitor is adapted to detect a defect, send a signal to a control when such defect is detected, and the control thereafter interrupts the operation of the punch of at least the die set in line with the defect when the portion of the sheet having the defect therein enters the die set and suspends such operation until the defect passes through the die set.

Abstract: Band saw apparatus is disclosed which includes a drive assembly formed for support and guided movement of a saw blade for cutting of a workpiece, an endless band saw blade mounted to the drive assembly, and reciprocation apparatus formed for reciprocation of the blade toward and away away from the workpiece to enable see-sawing of the blade and variation of the force per unit area of the cutting edge of the blade on the workpiece while maintaining the same total force on the blade. To enhance toward and efficiency of cutting the blade drive assembly is mounted to the remainder of the saw to be substantially free to rebound or move away from the workpiece during reciprocation to avoid digging in or shearing off of the blade teeth and to permit close spacing of the blade guides next to the workpiece. The saw includes a control circuit for controlling the rate of movement of the saw arm away from and toward the workpiece to enable timing of saw arm rebound to blade displacement.

Abstract: A guillotine type cutting machine wherein the length of cuts to be made in stacks of sheets determines the force with which a hold-down device bears upon a stack in the course of the cutting operation to prevent stray movements of the sheets. The force varies as a function of the length of the contemplated cuts and is regulated in such a way that the pressure of the hold-down device per unit area of a larger or smaller stack containing identical numbers and types of sheets is the same.

Abstract: A hydraulically powered treelength log sawing apparatus has a log support lined with teeth opposing the outwardly-directed sawing force generated by its driveshaft-pivoted chainsaw. The chainsaw is driven by a hydraulic motor whose fluid exhaust flows through a conduit to an adjustable restriction which creates a backpressure in the fluid in the conduit. The magnitude of the backpressure is directly related to the speed of the motor and the saw, and the backpressure is directed to a hydraulic cylinder which forces the chainsaw into sawing engagement with logs on the support, thereby prevent stalling of the saw and in general causing the saw speed and engagement force respectively to be self-compensating and requiring no attention from the operator during sawing.

Abstract: A conveyorized machine that operates to automatically advance objects of generally the same shape and weight, particularly breasts of turkey, to a scale platform which is retractable below the conveyor and elevatable above the conveyor. On the scale platform the object is automatically positioned to a desired location relative to a vertically running band saw blade. In one mode of the machine the desired location will result in the object being sawed or severed into two portions of equal weight. In another mode the desired location will result in the object being sawed or severed into one portion of a predetermined weight and a second portion being the remainder of the object. After the object has been positioned in the desired position on the scale platform, the platform retracts or lowers below the level of the conveyor and the object is then conveyed past the band saw blade and the resulting two severed portions are conveyed to the discharge end of the machine.

Abstract: A method of controlling a cutting machine to cut workpieces according to the machinability of the workpieces includes the steps of providing a plurality of predetermined constant voltage outputs, each constant voltage output corresponding to a predetermined cutting speed for the cutting machine, selecting one of a plurality of constant voltage outputs in response to a desired workpiece material to be cut by the machine, and driving the cutting tool at a predetermined cutting speed corresponding to the desired material to be cut in response to the selected constant voltage output.

Abstract: Slicing device for breads, having a plurality of endless slicer bands which extend substantially parallel to each other and which are passed over drums. At least one of the drums is automatically adjustable and acts as a tensioning means for maintianing a substantially constant tension in the slicer bands. The adjustable drum is supported by cylinder-plunger assemblies one at each side of said drum. The cylinder-plunger assemblies are operable independently of each other. The supports of both drums are connected to each other by a bracket which is mounted to a stationary frame on one side of the respective drum. Both brackets extend in between both parts of the slicer bands.

Abstract: A flange of a structural shape is cut by a saw apparatus with a rotary metal saw which has a specified number of sawteeth. The structural steel shape lies on a table or roller bed, clamped onto a stationary piece of equipment with a vise, within range of the metal saw. The metal saw is operated at a specified number of r.p.m. and is driven toward the projected sawcut at a specified feed speed. The speed of the cut is determined by the number of r.p.m., the number of sawteeth and the radius of the metal saw. During the sawing process the structural flange is subjected to a forced elastic deflection and is impacted by the thus required restoring force and movements of the sawteeth. These movements are determined by the tooth succession time which, in turn, depends on the number of sawteeth and the number of r.p.m. The oscillation time of the oscillation of the structural flange, which was activated by the elastic deflection, is ascertained. The metal saw is then operated at a number of r.p.m.

Abstract: A band saw machine is provided with a fixed and movable blade guide arm which are set apart by a distance which is proportional to the width of workpiece to be cut. A detector mounted on one of the guide arms senses the lateral deviation of the saw blade during cutting and a control circuit outputs a termination signal to shut down the machine when the deviation is larger than a desired maximum value. When a workpiece of a different width is to be cut the guide arms are reset apart by a distance proportional to the width of the new workpiece and a detector is provided which senses the change of distance between the guide arms and outputs a signal to a revising circuit. The revising circuit then revises the maximum value of deviation to be allowed based on the change of distance between the guide arms.

Abstract: Successive watermarks on a running web of coherent paper sheets are monitored by a scanner which generates defect signals in response to detection of watermarks outside of selected portions of the respective sheets, and the cross cutter which severs the web to form discrete sheets is then adjusted to separate the respective sheets from the next-following sheets with a delay or prematurely so that the sheets bearing the improperly positioned watermarks are too short or too long. Such defective sheets are segregated from satisfactory sheets downstream of the cross cutter in properly delayed response to generation of defect signals by the scanner.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus cuts a plate such as a corrugated cardboard or a steel plate into a predetermined size with a knife cylinder and includes a knife cylinder driver for controlling rotation speed of the knife cylinders by motors.

Abstract: A slitting machine of the type having a pair of spaced, parallel arbors and at least one pair of mating rotary knives, each arbor carrying one mate of each pair of rotary knives, each rotary knife being positioned in a desired axial relationship with its mate on the other arbor, this desired relationship being maintained by manual or automatic control of the relative positions of the arbors by rotatably mounting at least one end of at least one arbor in a slideable sleeve which may be cam driven in both axial directions. Axial backlash is reduced by maintaining the arbors in compression with a spring loaded tailstock.

Abstract: An apparatus for discriminating a machining state from a non-machining state in a machine tool wherein a workpiece is machined with a cutting tool or grinder, comprising plural vibration sensors including at least one acoustic-emission sensor, which detect vibrations of different frequency bands, respectively, which are produced during machining of the workpiece by the tool. A discriminating device judges that the workpiece is being machined by the tool when levels of output signals generated from at least two of the vibration sensors are higher than respective predetermined threshold levels, and judges that the workpiece is not being machined by the tool when the level of an output signal generated from less than two of the vibration sensors is higher than a predetermined threshold level. Also disclosed is a method for discrimination between the machining and non-machining states.

Abstract: The slicing machine has a mounting table carrying the workpiece to be sliced by the cutting blade. The mounting table is supported on an elastically deformable measuring plate of which the deformation is measured by a measuring transducer in a position as near as possible to the plane of the cutting blade wherein the cutting force is acting. The measuring transducer has very high sensitivity in order to detect deformations in the order of fractions of a .mu.m and is thus able to properly detect the value of the cutting force. The measuring system is spaced from the cutting blade and workpiece and does not hinder manipulation and accurate fine adjustment of the workpiece. On the other hand the accuracy of the measurement does not depend on the manner in which the workpiece is mounted. Preferably deflection of the cutting blade from its plane under the influence of the cutting force is also detected and an optimum control and supervision of the cutting process may be effected based on both measurements.

Abstract: A position sensing transducer senses the lateral movement of the saw blade resulting from variable operating conditions. These sensed values are displayed on instrumentation for use by the saw machine operator, and are also used to automatically control work feed rates and/or rim speed of the saw blade. These automatica corrections and/or compensations maintain lateral movement of the saw blade within established limits. Optimized work feed rates and superior cutting accuracy result from this precise automatic control.

Abstract: A lawn mower for a reel type lawn mower, and including mechanism for urging the bedknife cutting edge toward the reel and for positioning the bedknife cutting edge in the direction away from the reel, if desired. The cutting edge can be positioned either with a clearance or with no clearance, relative to the reel. The adjustment is automatic and consistently the same each time it is made.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for automatically controlling the position of a plurality of slitters for slitting a moving web. A slitter blade and a slitter band are secured respectively to a first and second housing members such that the slitter band cooperates with the slitter blade for slitting the web between the slitter blade and the band. An electronic control is connected to a first and second motor for selectively positioning the blade and band adjacent to each other. The electronic control includes a first and second control module secured to a first and second motor respectively. A digital control computer is connected to the modules for selectively controlling movement of the modules by sending the modules to a designated location using a predetermined number of stepping increments.

Abstract: Wooden logs are chipped by alternating forward feed of the log towards a cutting device, to obtain cutting and retracting the log from the cutting device, either as instigated manually or when the cutter speed drops below a predetermined value.

Abstract: A band saw machine which comprises a generally elongated frame structure including an endless band saw trained between and adapted to travel over a pair of spaced guide wheels and having cutting and return reaches therebetween, a positioning mechanism for fixedly supporting a stock to be cut, and a rocking mechanism including a pair of spaced reciprocating drives for rocking the endless band saw through a predetermined angle in the opposite directions generally about the stock to be cut, with the opposite ends of the frame structure alternately upwardly and downwardly shifted. The frame structure is supported for movement relative to the positioning mechanism between inoperative and cutting positions in a direction generally perpendicular to the stock. The rocking mechanism is operable at least during the cutting operation performed by the cutting reach of the endless band saw.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of clamping tube-like members on a clamping support, for cutting off portions of the tube-like members are provided. Clamping forces are applied to the tubes alternately in horizontal and vertical directions in such a way that the clamping forces generated are higher than clamping forces which are applied only in a horizontal direction, without however causing permanent deformation of the tube-like members. The apparatus comprises a horizontal clamping mechanism and a vertically displaceable clamping member. A measuring device is associated with the horizontal clamping mechanism and the vertically displaceable clamping member, for measuring the geometrical deformation of the tube-like members which occurs during a clamping operation. The measuring device produces a signal to stop the clamping operation before the degree of deformation of the tube-like members reaches an inadmissible value.

Abstract: A method for detecting the cutting resistance of a workpiece to a bandsaw blade comprises the steps of: magnifying movement of the bandsaw blade by a magnifying device in a direction normal to a running direction of the bandsaw blade; detecting the movement of the bandsaw blade by a sensor in the direction normal to the running direction of the bandsaw blade; and adjusting a force exerted by a feed speed of the bandsaw blade during a cutting operation in immediate response to momentary changes in the cutting resistance of the workpiece to the bandsaw blade. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The current that drives the motor for a slicing blade is continuously monitored to detect when it rises above a threshold level. This threshold level is related to the resistance to the rotation of the blade that is presented by a product being sliced. When this current rises above the threshold level, the slicing operation is momentarily interrupted. The threshold level is adjustable in accordance with the number of slices that is desired to be trimmed. While the slicing operation is interrupted, the first few irregular slices from the leading edge of the product can be carried away from the location of the slicing blade. Then slicing can resume with the first slice in the first full draft being a full slice.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a machine for accurately cutting documents from a web of transparent material carrying one or more opaque documents, which machine comprises a punch-type cutter which is mounted for pivotal and lateral movement and capable of automatic positioning for accurately cutting a well-defined portion of the web so as to provide series of individual documents of predetermined size. The machine is provided with a first detector for detecting the arrival of an opaque document on the web at the cutting zone, a control responsive to the detector for arresting the movement of the web, other detectors for determining the relative lateral and angular position of the document on the web with respect to the cutter and a control responsive to the other detectors for displacing the cuttering laterally and angularly to bring the same into a predetermined position with respect to the document.

Abstract: A material forming machine comprising a forming tool driven by a forming tool motor, a workpiece, a feed drive motor, a sensor, and a reference signal, wherein said sensor varies the speed of the feed drive motor by responding to variations of the speed of the forming tool's motion, and wherein the reference signal remains constant. Said machine performs sawing, shaping, milling, drilling, hammering, shearing, chiseling, and cutting on irregularly shaped workpieces, having variations in density.

Abstract: A method and a device for dividing a whole or half a tobacco leaf into usable portions, for example, binders or wrappers, in which the tobacco leaf is spread on two or more contour knives, the cutting edges of which are pressed across the material of the tobacco leaf, wherein the punched-out tobacco leaf portions are lifted out of the contour knives, and deposited on a carrier by means of a suction box conveyor; the leaf portions are subsequently scanned by a scanning apparatus having an electronic processing and control circuitry, controlling pick-up means to pick-up the approved leaf portions from said carrier and to carry them into a bobbin.