Abstract: A control apparatus which increases a hit rate, stabilizes a punch process, and makes use of a small motor. Such control apparatus is applicable to a punch drive apparatus that drives a punch tool by a servomotor via a ram and a toggle system. Such a structural arrangement includes a memory that memorizes a ram speed curve line from when the servomotor starts rotating to when the ram achieves a fixed speed; another memory that memorizes a surface height position of a sheet metal; and calculating device that calculates the lowest height of the ram at the aforementioned fixed speed when the punch tool reaches the surface of the sheet metal, and then sets a raised stand-by position of the ram. Such raised stand-by position is set in a ram shaft control device having the servo-controller.

Abstract: An automatically controlled cutting machine for cutting multiple layers of fabric sheet material spread out on a cutting table, the cutting machine including a cutting tool which is rotatable about a Z-axis and which includes a cutting knife mounted on a cutting head and a guiding device for guiding the cutting knife. One end of the knife is mounted in the cutting head so as to be freely rotatable around the Z-axis. The guiding device is arranged adjacent to the remaining free end of the knife and comprises a socket rigidly connected to the cutting head, and a support which is freely and rotatably mounted in the socket around a vertical axis located in front and adjacent to the cutting edge of the knife, and parallel and spaced a predetermined distance from the Z-axis. The support has a slot surrounding the flanks of the knife.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus for measuring the thickness of slices taken from biological tissue samples by a microtome. The apparatus integrates a digital micrometer, a drive motor, sensing and control circuitry, and a mounting plate, and is designed to be attached to the top of a Krumdieck or similarly designed microtome for measuring the thickness of slices produced. The apparatus is designed so that the spindle of the micrometer is positioned in vertical alignment with the tissue well and plunger of the microtome. The user initiates downward movement of the spindle by depressing a down switch and control circuitry actuates the drive motor to advance the spindle of the micrometer down toward the top of the plunger until the bottom surface of the spindle contacts the plunger. The bottom surface of the spindle is electrically connected to a power source, and the plunger is electrically connected to the control circuitry.

Abstract: An apparatus for slitting a stack of folded corrugated paperboard boxes utilizes a thin slitting blade mounted for continuous movement through a slitting station and defining a vertical slitting plane. A stack supporting table straddles the slitting blade support a stack of boxes in a stand-by position above the blade. Adjustable upstream and downstream squaring devices are operative to square and center the stack in the cutting plane and a vertically reciprocable ram operates to move the stack and the supporting table downwardly past the blade against a table biasing force to slit the stack into two half-size stacks. The squaring device is operable to re-square the slit half-size stacks prior to conveyance out of the slitting station. The slitting run of the continuous blade operates in a rigid blade holder which is adjustable to compensate for blade wear and to maintain the cutting edge of the blade in a fixed plane.

Abstract: The apparatus for cutting semi-rigid sheets one by one, in particular corrugated cardboard sheets, comprises a cutting tool fixed on a tool-carrier plate, a backing cylinder, at least one independent motor having electronic servo-control and rotatable in either direction driving the tool-carrier plate in its reciprocating motion, and device for monitoring rotation of the backing cylinder and connected to a controlling electronic circuit provided with an input for receiving operating parameters including at least the length l of the cutting tool. The electronic circuit is programmed so that the amplitude of the reciprocating motion is a function of the parameter l and so that the linear speed of the tool-carrier plate is constantly equal to the peripheral linear speed of the backing cylinder so long as the cutting tool is in contact with said backing cylinder.

Abstract: To enhance printed products, lamination is to be carried out by of a controllable pair of laminating rollers, rather than by the conventional method of calender rolling. To do this, the film is applied with relatively low contact-pressure roller pressure in a floating manner. The film can be fed to the laminating rollers without tension by means of a controllable applicator mechanism with a film tension regulating device. The processing rate and sheet length, for example, can be entered by computer so as to control the sequence of the feeder output and also the sequence of a wet cutting device via a suitable incremental-value transmitter from the main drive. Accordingly, processing rates of 60 to 100 meters per minute can easily be set. The quality remains good even at the highest speeds.

Abstract: A method for sequencing the exiting of a cut tape segment from a tape roll feeding, cutting and ejecting apparatus of a mailing machine having a tape roll drive and cut tape segment ejection device and in which a cut tape segment from the tape roll is ejected in an opposite direction from the feeding direction of the feeding of tape of the tape roll drive as it feeds the tape for printing includes the steps of feeding the tape in the feeding direction for a first predetermined time period for extending a predetermined length of tape, further feeding the tape in the feeding direction to create a trail edge margin to assure that the tape is not cut shorter than a minimum length, printing on the tape; then feeding the tape in the opposite direction until one of a first and second conditions occurs, the first condition being the sensing of a leading edge of the tape by a sensor and the second condition being feeding the tape in the opposite direction beyond a second predetermined time period, then at times when t

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cutting apparatus which includes a cutter. A pair of sensors is used to detect a lead edge of an image located on a receiver sheet. In response to the sensors the cutter and the lead edge of the image are aligned. The receiving sheet is transported in a direction essentially perpendicular to the cutter. The cutter cuts the receiving sheet adjacent and parallel to the lead and trail edges of the image. A cut lead edge of the receiving sheet is edge registered. A third sensor detects edges of the image perpendicular to the cut lead edge of the image. A second cutter, responsive to the third sensor, cuts the receiving sheet adjacent edges of the image perpendicular to the cut lead edge of the image.

Abstract: In a desk-top cutting machine, a magnet 24 and a magnetic pickup 22 are attached to a motor shaft 12. A control circuit 28 is provided for controlling a TRIAC 23 in response to the signal from the detection means. Further, a dynamic braking coil 25 which serves as braking means for a motor 11 when power supply to the motor 11 is stopped is provided in the motor 11. The dynamic braking coil 25 stops within a time during which no slip is produced between the motor shaft 12 and endless belt 18 and between the cutting blade shaft 10 and endless belt 18. In this way, the rpm and torque of the motor are controlled from motor starting to cutting and motor stopping.

Abstract: An edge trimmer system in accordance with the present invention includes a conveyor system, a cutting assembly, and a pair of starter punches. The cutting assembly includes a pair of side trimmers each with a cutting device which trims one of the elongated edges of a raw strip of steel to produce a parent steel strip and two scrap steel strips.

Abstract: In a process for cutting the cover foil of a laminated foil material, the sound field scanned by the cutting contact of the cutting edge is evaluated for controlling the depth of penetration of the cutting edge maximally up to the plane separating the cover foil from the carrier foil of the foil material.

Abstract: An automatic saw is provided having a rotatable saw blade for cutting through a workpiece which is carried on a movable arm, which permits the workpiece to be moved into engagement with the saw blade. The saw blade is mounted on a first shaft while the workpiece and arm are mounted on a second, rotary shaft. Typically, a load cell is carried on the second shaft to sense torsional stress created by the pressure of the saw against the workpiece. This torsional stress is a direct measurement of the pressure of the saw against the load cell, and may be used in a feedback system for automatic adjustment of the sawing conditions. Also, it is preferred for the second shaft to be longitudinally movable in an automatic manner by means of a threaded, rotary arrangement for longitudinally advancing and retracting the second shaft between predetermined positions. A rotary encoder may be used to monitor the rotary position of the second shaft and arm.

Abstract: Method for setting the cutting register on a cross-cutting device positioned downline of a web-fed printing press, the position of the cut edges being variable as a function of the position of the printed image on a moving web, includes scanning with a first scanning device located directly after a last printing unit of the web-fed printing press a printed image on a moving web, generating and feeding signals regarding the printed image to a control device, generating signals with an angle sensor connected to web-guiding cylinders of the web-fed printing press, and associating the angle-sensor signals with the printed-image signals in a region between two printed images and storing the signals in the control device, generating signals regarding the printed image with a second scanning device directly before a cross-cutting device in the region between the two printed images, directing the scanning device, as viewed in a transverse direction of the web, at the same line as the first scanning device, periodical

Abstract: Pressure sensing transducer 140 monitors pressure transients in the liquid in accelerator tube 110 of a hydraulic cutting system induced by food product impinging upon, being cut by, and passing through cutter blade assembly 80. The occurrence of above-normal pressure transients indicates the presence of a system blockage caused by failure of food product to pass cleanly through the cutter blade assembly, and is used as a control signal to activate stepping motor 170 to rotate cylinder assembly 12. Cylinder assembly 12 contains a plurality of barrel assemblies holding cutter blade assemblies 80 and is rotated to index clean barrel assemblies into the hydraulic cutter system pressurized fluid flow path, either upon the detection of a system blockage, or in a timed automatic replacement sequence.

Abstract: A machine has a cutter for performing a cutting operation on a series of workpieces. The cutter is moved toward the workpiece to perform the cutting operation, and a control regulates the amount of such movement to an infeed distance for effecting a predetermined depth of cut. The control is adjusted in response to temperature changes which result in machine growth/shrinkage in order to vary the infeed distance as required to maintain the depth of cut constant despite the machine growth/shrinkage.

Abstract: A machine and method for adjustment of the tooling of a forming machine while continuously operating such machine. The adjusting device being located in a movable or stationary machine part, such as the upper tool part. A measuring device for measuring the cutting and forming result, the measuring signals of which are used to set an actuator which actuates the adjusting device is included. The adjusting device can be actuated by a servo-motor fixed with respect to a stationary machine part. The output shaft of the servo-motor can be coupled with the adjusting device via a transmission arranged on the movable machine part, the driving-sided part of the transmission being arranged on the output shaft of the servo-motor to be slidably displaceable in the direction of movement of the movable machine part and rotatable with the motor output shaft.

Abstract: A thread sawing device comprising a frame carrying thread guide cylinders and having a thread trained about the thread guide cylinders. A support is provided for a part to be sawed, and the thread and support are movable toward and away from each other to saw the part supported by the support. The relative position of the cylinders and the part to be sawed is detected, and responsive to that detection, the temperature of a portion of the device is changed so as to cause that portion to undergo thermal expansion or contraction, so as to maintain the desired relative position constant in a direction transverse to the direction in which the thread and the support move toward and away from each other to saw the part to be sawed. The portion of the device whose temperature is changed is one of the cylinders, or the support.

Abstract: The shredding device for paper web according to the present invention is equipped with a receiving drum, the peripheral surface thereof being formed as a suction surface, a drum shaft which is arranged in parallel to the receiving drum, a bladed drum which is mounted on the drum shaft, a pair of free rollers which are rotatably mounted via bearings on the drum shaft at both sides of the bladed drum and which have a larger diameters than the bladed drum, a pair of rocking arms which are free to rock and which support both ends of the drum shaft, a pair of air cylinders which urge these rocking arms toward the receiving drum, and a control system which increases the air pressure of the air cylinders according to the thermal expansion of the free rollers and displaces the axes of the free rollers with respect to the axis of the drum shaft through the bearings.

Abstract: A work sheet cutting apparatus for cutting a work sheet, including a cutting member for cutting the work sheet, a support member on which the work sheet is to be received when the cutting member is cutting through the work sheet, an actuating device for displacing the cutting member along a predetermined path between an operative position of the cutting member where the cutting member is received by the support member and a retracted position of the cutting member spaced away from the operative position, and a detecting device for continuously detecting the displacement of the cutting member within a predetermined range included in the predetermined path, and generating continuous signals representing that the cutting member is displacing within the predetermined range.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, an apparatus and sheets of materials for producing marked security threads as are used to increase the protection of documents and papers of value against forgery. The inventive method is for processing, in particular cutting, security threads out of sheets of material in register, the sheets of material being fed to the processing units in exact alignment. The feed principal is based onguiding the sheet of material on at least one edge of the sheet,determining the position relative to one of the edges of the sheet,producing a signal from the determination of position, andpositioning the feeding device relative to the processing unit so that the sheet of material runs into the latter in a predetermined position.

Abstract: An instrument for forming nanometric features on surfaces of materials having a motor driven support for moving a workpiece on an X-Y-Z axis, a scribing tool of nanometric proportion engagable with the workpiece and a laser system for sensing movement. The tool is mounted on piezoelectric actuating means and the entire system is under the control of a programmed computer processing unit.

Abstract: A method for controlling punch press noise in which the noise level produced is monitored by a detector and the press ram velocity is modified in real time to keep the noise level within preset limits. A time weighted average noise level is also controlled by varying the ram velocity for punching operations over a period of operation to maintain a projected time weighted average within a preset limit.

Abstract: A slicing machine for slicing an ingot using a rotary blade that maintains the inner peripheral cutting edge of the blade in a highly rigid state. The slicing machine slices the ingot into thin pieces by use of an inner peripheral cutting edge of a doughnut-shaped rotary blade in which an axial force is applied to the blade prior to slicing in order to displace the blade in an axial direction. The inner peripheral cutting edge of the blade is kept rigid and the ingot is sliced accurately. The displacement of the blade is stored and controlled by a control unit.

Abstract: A sheet cutting apparatus is provided for cutting sheets from one or more media supply rolls. A rotary cutter bar cooperates with a stationary bar to sever the media as it is fed between the two bars. The rotary cutter bar is driven by a motor whose output is monitored by a speed control circuit. During a cut cycle, the motor speed may decrease with an increasing load caused, for example, by a thicker weight media being cut. Uncorrected, the motor speed would decrease, causing a deviation in the straightness of the cut. The speed control circuit senses the changes from the normal speed of the motor during the cutting cycle and generates a feedback signal to the motor to raise the speed to the operation level.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for selecting a target rate of board treatment by a woodworking tool, measuring the difference between the actual rate of board treatment by the woodworking tool and the selected target rate, calculating the tool speed required to reduce the difference between the target rate and the actual rate to zero, and then periodically adjusting the tool speed of the woodworking tool based on the calculated speed required to reduce the difference to zero.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, an apparatus and sheets of materials for producing marked security threads as are used to increase the protection of documents and parers of value against forgery. The inventive method is for processing, in particular cutting, security threads out of sheets of material in register, the sheets of material being fed to the processing units in exact alignment. The feed principal is based on guiding the sheet of material on at least one edge of the sheet, determining the position relative to one of the edges of the sheet, producing a signal form the determination of position, and positioning the feeding device relative to the processing unit so that the sheet of material runs into the latter in a predetermined position.

Abstract: During, for example, package production, printed sheets are carried by gripper bars through a cutting station of a machine. Front waste strips are removed from the printed sheets and are carried to an ejection device, but before reaching the ejection device, a camera and flash scanning unit scans the area of the front waste strip which has been marked with color registration marks and also includes at least a portion of a cut edge. An image processing unit compares this sample image to a reference image to conduct a quality check on the precision of the printing and cutting registration.

Abstract: A distinctive apparatus and method for selectively providing predetermined segments of web material comprises a supplying mechanism for providing the web material. A first sensing mechanism detects a reference marker on the web material to generate at least one reference marker datum which is associated with a selected web segment. A separating mechanism includes a sensor mechanism for providing at least one separation datum, and divides the web material along a separation region during a production of the web segment. A phase regulating mechanism controls a relative phasing between the reference marker detected by the first sensing mechanism and the dividing by the separating mechanism. The phasing is conducted with respect to a set reference value.

Abstract: A device automatically applies an object (7) to a cutting edge (11) of a knife 10), and automatically makes an initial cut in the object (7), in microtomes, especially ultramicrotomes. Force sensors (27,28), length sensors (29) or other sensors, an elecrotronic control unit (25) and an encoder (22) coupled to a drive device register forces (k,-k) connected with the separation of sections by the knife edge (11) or variations in the system triggered by these forces. Subsequently, via the electronic control unit (25), a transition from a rapid speed or rate of feed to a lower cutting speed or a lesser rate of feed for making an initial cut is automatically performed. A visual and/or acoustic signal informs the user of this change. Signals (S.sub.1, S.sub.2) from the sensors (27-29) serve for automatic adjustment of the position of two switch-over points (U.sub.1, U.sub.2) from the rapid return speed (V.sub.R) to the slower cutting movement (V.sub.

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: An apparatus for cutting pleated paper, and especially for filtration media for the automotive industry. Two tooth roller chains in parallel are supported above a support plate upon which pleated paper is placed. There is an opening in the plate through which the teeth of two sprockets supported beneath the plate may extend to mesh with the teeth of the corresponding roller chain. The teeth on both the chain and the sprocket are the same height as the pleated paper and when driven by an electric motor pulls the paper through the device separating each pleat. One pleat at a time is pushed through a slit in the table top at which point the pleat knuckle is sheared off by pneumatic operated cutter blade. A fiberoptics infrared scanner is used to monitor the amount of pleated material available. The number of pleats cut on any one run is controlled.

Abstract: A collision avoidance system for program controlled punch presses which position the ram at a low "hover" height during work piece movement in which a switch is located to be tripped by inward movement of the workpiece gripper carriage to a degree in which a punch-gripper collision is possible, with the ram elevated to a safe height whenever the switch has been tripped.

Abstract: A slicing method includes slicing an ingot by a rotary blade while the inner peripheral cutting edge of the blade is kept in a highly rigid state. A slicing machine slices the ingot into thin pieces by use of an inner peripheral cutting edge of a doughnut-shaped rotary blade, where an axial force is applied to the blade prior to slicing in order to displace the blade in an axial direction. The inner peripheral cutting edge of the blade is kept rigid and the ingot is sliced accurately. The displacement of the blade is stored and controlled by a control unit.

Abstract: A component (22; 23; 122) is positioned on or formed as part of a plate (20) which is supported by a bearing (14) and which is supported at the position of the component (22; 23; 122) to be positioned by a support (8). The positioning is carried out by a die (10) which together with the support is controlled by a control system, comprising one or more reference signal sources, comparators (24, 30) and amplifiers (25, 31) , in such a way that the component (22; 23; 122) is accurately positioned relative to reference plane (26) relative to the plate. When the desired position of the component is reached, it is ensured that no elastic deformation are present in the plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the reduction of paper waste in a web fed printing machine utilizes one or more cutting mark reading heads and a strip cutting register device to vary the path of travel of a stack of part web strips in accordance with deviations in tension of the part web strips from a nominal value. Elongation or reduction of the length of the path of strip travel is used to properly register the strip stacks with respect to a strip cross-cutting device.

Abstract: A machine for cutting lengths of strip or tube from a moving length of strip or tube includes a carriage reciprocable in the direction of movement of the strip and mounting a cutter mechanism operable to sever the strip. The carriage is driven by a motor through a crank mechanism having a rotary input member. The motor speed is controlled so that during a substantial portion of one revolution of the input member the motor speed is constant and during the remaining portion of the one revolution the motor speed is controlled so that the linear speed of the carriage corresponds to that of the strip to be cut. During the latter period the motor speed is controlled in accordance with a plurality of secant values contained in a map.

Abstract: A device for slitting a metallic foil which is continuously fed along a path comprising a support base having an elongated guide formed therein, the guide defining a generally linear guide path, and the support base being positionable adjacent the foil path and a blade holder dimensioned to be received within the guide and be movable along the guide path, the blade holder dimensioned to hold a cutting blade having a linear cutting surface wherein the linear cutting surface is oriented generally parallel to the guide path; and a reversible drive member secured to the base operable to reciprocally move the blade holder along the guide path at a controllable rate of speed.

Abstract: A punch press, which is controllable by a control apparatus according to a design characteristic curve for the depth of immersion as function of the number of strokes, is provided with a control input, by means of which a correcting value can be inputted. The punch press operates then at a new point of operation. At a change of the number of strokes, the control apparatus computes with the correcting value and the present design characteristic curve a new design characteristic curve. Such punch press allows the production of punched and embossed products at a higher precision within the entire range of number of strokes.

Abstract: The limiting of the movement of the stroke of the ram is made by at least one fixed abutment. At least one fixed abutment includes a feeler, which determines the elastic deformation of the respective abutment which is generated by the striking force of the ram. The outgoing signals of the respective sensor are led to a control unit for the adjusting of the height position of the ram. This adjusting of the height position of the ram proceeds via an adjusting motor followed by a gear train. By means of the fixed abutments the position of the lower dead point of the ram relative to the punching tool lower part may be adjusted in accordance with the prevailing conditions. Conclusively, it is also possible to exactly set the depth of immersion of the punching tool upper part with its dies in the punching tool lower part, which thus can amount also to 0 or even less.

Abstract: A cutting machine for cutting a flat workpiece comprises a cutting table having a working surface for supporting the flat workpiece, a support movable parallel to the working surface, and a cutting unit mounted on the support above the working surface, the cutting unit comprising a cutting knife vertically adjustable relative to the working surface to regulate the cutting depth of the knife, a vertically displaceable carriage for the cutting knife for vertically adjusting the knife, a cutting knife holder rotatable about a vertical axis for orienting the knife in a desired direction, and drives actuatable for displacing the carriage, rotating the holder and moving the support in response to a programmable control.

Abstract: A radial arm saw assembly (10) includes a fixed position support (12) and a power saw (22) mounted on the support (12) for reciprocating movement relative thereto. The saw (22) includes a blade (28) and a drive mechanism for powering movement of the blade (28) which forces the power saw (22) towards the user (30) thereof at a predetermined speed when controlled by the user (30). A brake mechanism (38,38',38") locks movement of the saw (22) towards the user (30) when the saw (22) moves faster than the predetermined speed.

Abstract: The thickness of slices cut by an automatic slicing machine is controlled to produce a draft of slices having a predetermined weight. Desired thickness is determined in accordance with the cross-sectional density of the food product being sliced, which is obtained from the weight and thickness of the most recently cut slice or slices. This information is combined with a desired weight for each of the remaining slices to be cut in the draft to control the rate of advance of the food product into a continuously rotating knife so as to obtain the proper thickness.

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: 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: A system for preventing the collision of two cutting tools in a computer-controlled cutting unit in which the two cutting tools may at times be moved toward each other. This system determines the actual position of each cutting tool during the cutting process. The distance between the two cutting tools is determined and is compared with a previously specified tolerated separation by means of a comparator in the computer. As soon as the tolerated separation has been reached, the system shuts off the cutting unit. In addition, an electrical safety circuit prevents the cutting unit from starting up again automatically after an automatic shutdown.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method for adjusting the knife clearance in sheet cutters. In a sheet cutter, the web material is cut by means of a cutter drum (1) rotated by drive mechanism (4) and provided with cutting knives (2), and a counter knife (5) disposed in a knife support (6) and positioned at knife clearance distance from the moving cutting knives (2). In the method according to the invention, the cutting forces acting on the cutting knives of the sheet cutters, or their effect on the structure of the sheet cutter during its operation, are measured, and the information from the measurement is used as a command variable for the knife clearance. The command variable can be determined in several different ways, and according to one embodiment of the invention, it is determined by measuring the vibration level of the structure of the sheet cutter due to the cutting forces. The invention is also related to an apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A web cutting position control system capable of cutting a web having a print pattern thereon in such a manner as to match the print pattern without limiting the mounting position of a synchronizing mark detecting means for detecting synchronizing marks on the web is disclosed. A counter for counting the rotational pulses, for example, of a cutting cylinder for cutting the web is provided so as to compare the pulse count at the time of synchronizing mark detection with the reference value representing a value at the moment when the web and the cutting cylinder are in normal relative positions, and to control the relative positions of the web and the cutting cylinder to the normal relative positions by controlling the movement of a compensating roller until the two values become equal to each other.

Abstract: A lineal output measurement circuit adapted for use with product cutting apparatus, primarily with wood cutting apparatus of the type which have a plurality of simultaneously operable cutting elements. This product cutting apparatus is thereby capable of cutting product stock, such as ripping of a wood member simultaneously into individual wood section strips with a plurality of saw blades positioned to cut the individual strips. The apparatus generally includes some form of input mechanism for programming the cutting mechanism to produce the individual sections of product, that is, to produce the desired amount of the selected widths of product. The measurement circuit of the present invention utilizes program electrical signals from the apparatus which provide a program input representative of the different sizes of product sections to be produced, along with a port circuit and a processing means.

Abstract: The thickness of slices cut by an automatic slicing machine is controlled to produce a draft of slices having a predetermined weight. Desired thickness is determined in accordance with the cross-sectional density of the food product being sliced, which is obtained from the weight and thickness of the most recently cut slice or slices. This information is combined with a desired weight for each of the remaining slices to be cut in the draft to control the rate of advance of the food product into a continuously rotating knife so as to obtain the proper thickness.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting a die, particularly a rigid cutting die, on a die cylinder includes having a bubble along a seal on the die to bridge any gaps between the die and the die cylinder when the die is initially positioned on the die cylinder. This bubble seal enables a vacuum to be applied between the initially positioned die and the die cylinder to pull the die down against and into conformity with the surface of the die cylinder, at the same time flattening the bubble seal. A key at a trailing edge of the die locates in an axial keyway in the die cylinder to circumferentially position the die; a bolt is then inserted at a leading edge of the die to establish axial location. During operation the die is held in position by the vacuum. Beam sensors and light reflectors may be incorporated to sense when a wrong die is present and shut down the apparatus.