Including Means To Cause Nonrectilinear Tool Infeed Patents (Class 83/768)
  • Patent number: 11559356
    Abstract: Systems and methods for planning and performing image free implant revision surgery are discussed. For example, a method for generating a revision plan can include collecting pre-defined parameters characterizing a target bone, generating a 3D model, collecting a plurality of surface points, and generating a reshaped 3D model. Generating the 3D model of the target bone can be based on a first portion of the pre-defined parameters. Generating the reshaped 3D model can be done based on the plurality of surface points collected from a portion of the surface of the target bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Blue Belt Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Branislav Jaramaz, Alberto Gregori
  • Patent number: 6757582
    Abstract: A method and system for providing control that include providing a workpiece that includes a target shape, providing a cutting tool, providing a 3-D image associated with the workpiece, identifying the target shape within the workpiece image, providing a 3-D image associated with the cutting tool, registering the workpiece with the workpiece image, registering the cutting tool with the cutting tool image, tracking at least one of the workpiece and the cutting tool, transforming the tracking data based on image coordinates to determine a relationship between the workpiece and the cutting tool, and, based on the relationship, providing a control to the cutting tool. In one embodiment, the workpiece image can be represented as volume pixels (voxels) that can be classified and/or reclassified based on target shape, waste, and/or workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: Gabriel Brisson, Takeo Kanade, Anthony DiGioia, III, Branislav Jaramaz
  • Publication number: 20040016331
    Abstract: A slicing and conveying system forms a three or more flavor-combined draft. A first slicing machine slices a succession of first slices. A first output conveyor beneath the first slicing machine receives the first slices in a first draft. A second slicing machine slices a succession of second slices. A second output conveyor beneath the second slicing machine receives the second slices in a second draft. A pass-through conveyor transfers the first draft to the second output conveyor, wherein the second draft is added to the first draft to form a first combined draft. The first slicing machine also slices a succession of third slices in a third draft. An overlap conveyor receives the first combined draft and merges the first combined draft with the third draft on the overlap conveyor to form an elongated combined draft. A first optical sensor determines a length of the first draft. A second length sensor determines a length of the second draft. A third length sensor determines a length of the third draft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: Formax, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Wolcott, Glenn Sandberg
  • Patent number: 6622602
    Abstract: A device (1) is provided for slicing loaves and similar bakery products. The device includes a stationary frame (2) including a support (4, 5) for supporting the loaves or bakery products. A blade carrier (10) holds a plurality of thin elongate cutting blades (11) at spaced locations with respect to one another. Each blade includes a cutting edge (13) for cutting the loaves or bakery products. The device includes a blade carrier drive (51-56, 65-68) which provides for first and second movement of the blade carrier. A cleaning mechanism (70, 71) is provided for cleaning the cutting blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Rompa Patent Beheer B.V.
    Inventor: Jozef J. Th. Rompa
  • Publication number: 20020170409
    Abstract: A slicing apparatus for slicing a food item having a flat bottomed base for placement upon a work surface; a bifurcated outer annulus attached to the base and extending perpendicularly upward from the base, the annulus having an arcuate slot formed on the peripheral centerline of the annulus; the annulus further having a first pair of diametric opposed knife attachment points formed on the inner surface of the annulus; an inner annulus located within the outer annulus and rotatable thereat, the inner annulus further having a second pair of diametrically opposed knife attachment points and an attached handle extending radially outward passing through the peripheral slot of the outer annulus; a left cover and a right cover, each cover having a convex circular outer surface and a concave circular inner surface, the periphery of the respective inner surfaces sized to matingly abut with the respective sides of the outer annulus, the covers further being pivotally attached to the base; an upper and a lower knife, e
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Andre Marcel Emil Nel, David Snelgrove
  • Patent number: 6474210
    Abstract: A slicing apparatus for slicing a food item having a flat bottomed base for placement upon a work surface; a bifurcated outer annulus attached to the base and extending perpendicularly upward from the base, the annulus having an arcuate slot formed on the peripheral centerline of the annulus; the annulus further having a first pair of diametric opposed knife attachment points formed on the inner surface of the annulus; an inner annulus located within the outer annulus and rotatable thereat, the inner annulus further having a second pair of diametrically opposed knife attachment points and an attached handle extending radially outward passing through the peripheral slot of the outer annulus; a left cover and a right cover, each cover having a convex circular outer surface and a concave circular inner surface, the periphery of the respective inner surfaces sized to matingly abut with the respective sides of the outer annulus, the covers further being pivotally attached to the base; an upper and a lower knife, e
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Inventors: André Marcel Emil Nel, David Snelgrove
  • Patent number: 6431041
    Abstract: A device (1) is provided for slicing loaves and similar bakery products. The device includes a stationary frame (2) including a support (4,5) for supporting the loaves or bakery products. A blade carrier (10) holds a plurality of thin elongate cutting blades (11) at spaced locations with respect to one another. Each blade includes a cutting edge (13) for cutting the loaves or bakery products. The device includes a blade carrier drive (51-56, 65-68) which provides for first and second movement of the blade carrier. A cleaning mechanism (70,71) is provided for cleaning the cutting blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Rompa Patent Beheer B.V.
    Inventor: Jozef J. Th. Rompa
  • Patent number: 6119567
    Abstract: A method and preferred apparatus (10) to cut a preform material which is biodegradable and preferably dispersible in water, to produce a shaped article, is described. The cut is produced without producing harmful fumes or leaving a harmful residue and preferably without charring at the cut. Preferably, only small amounts of carbon dioxide and water are produced at the cut. Shaped articles which are in sheet or block form or which are for 2-D or 3-D shaped article formation can be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: KTM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Melvin S. Schindler, John F. Holland, Marcos Dantus
  • Patent number: 6112630
    Abstract: A cutter plotter for drawing a roll type cutting sheet and cutting it, prevents bad influences accompanied with increasing of drawing resistance when drawing the roll type cutting sheet from a rolled part. If a feeding amount of the cutting sheet by a cutting order to be executed is over an amount already fed at that time, the cutting sheet is further fed in a Y-direction prior to execution of the cutting order for compensating said over amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Graphtec Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Etsuji Miura
  • Patent number: 6101912
    Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a moving substrate includes a cutter nozzle connected to a movable support. A supplying mechanism provides a cutting fluid to the cutter nozzle at a pressure which provides for a fluid flow rate from the cutter nozzle which is sufficient to cut the substrate in a selected cut pattern. A designating mechanism identifies a plurality of selected article lengths along the substrate, and a transporting mechanism moves the substrate at a predetermined speed along the machine direction during the cutting of the substrate. An actuating servo moves the cutter nozzle along a selected cutting path, and a regulating mechanism controls the actuating servo by employing a selected, electronically stored data set. The data set is configured to move the actuating servo in a selected sequence, and the sequence has a predetermined correspondence with the movement of the substrate to thereby direct the cutter nozzle along the selected cutting path and provide the selected cut pattern on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Joseph Sanders, Mary Elizabeth Barker, Bruce Arthur Owen, Michael James Collom, John Harland Hise, Brian Lee Griebenow, Robert Duane Herberg
  • Patent number: 6098512
    Abstract: A fluid jet cutting system for simultaneously making multiple cuts in a continuously moving layered web of paper or nonwoven material. The fluid jet cutting system includes a controller which monitors the web speed through an encoder feedback signal, and controls the travel speed and angle based on parameters stored in the controller memory and feedback signals. The user can select a cut length and other cutting parameters through an input device to the controller. Nozzles are mounted to a drive system including an adjustment device which allows fast easy and accurate adjustment of cut length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Rockline Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Life, Steven P. Brown
  • Patent number: 6039098
    Abstract: A method of position-based integrated motion controlled curve sawing includes the steps of: transporting a curved workpiece in a downstream direction on a transfer, and monitoring position of the workpiece on the transfer, scanning the workpiece through an upstream scanner to measure workpiece profiles in spaced apart array, along a surface of the workpiece and communicating the workpiece profiles to a digital processor, computing by the digital processor, a high order polynomial smoothing curve fitted to the array of workpiece profiles of the curved workpiece, and adjusting the smoothing curve for cutting machine constraints of downstream motion controlled cutting devices to generate an adjusted curve generating unique position cams unique to the workpiece from the adjusted curve for optimized cutting by the cutting devices along a tool path corresponding to the position cams, sequencing the transfer and the workpiece with the cutting devices, and sequencing the unique position cams corresponding to the work
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Cae Electronics Ltd.
    Inventors: Joe B. Kennedy, Roland Davyduke, James G. Jackson, James B. Hannebauer, William R. Newnes, Brian Stroud, John Sergeant
  • Patent number: 6039097
    Abstract: A method of position-based integrated motion controlled curve sawing includes the steps of: transporting a curved workpiece in a downstream direction on a transfer, and monitoring position of the workpiece on the transfer, scanning the workpiece through an upstream scanner to measure workpiece profiles in spaced apart array, along a surface of the workpiece and communicating the workpiece profiles to a digital processor, computing by the digital processor, a high order polynomial smoothing curve fitted to the array of workpiece profiles of the curved workpiece, and adjusting the smoothing curve for cutting machine constraints of downstream motion controlled cutting devices to generate an adjusted curve generating unique position cams unique to the workpiece from the adjusted curve for optimized cutting by the cutting devices along a tool path corresponding to the position cams, sequencing the transfer and the workpiece with the cutting devices, and sequencing the unique position cams corresponding to the work
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: CAE Electronics Ltd.
    Inventors: Joe B. Kennedy, Roland Davyduke, James G. Jackson, James B. Hannebauer, William R. Newnes, Brian Stroud, John Sergeant
  • Patent number: 6032564
    Abstract: A saw carriage or module for manually, semiautomatically or automatically cutting stems typically supplied by a stem handling apparatus, which stem handling apparatus delivers full-sized, substantially tree-length stems to one or more of the saw carriages for cutting into logs, poles or other segments. During automatic operation of the module(s) stems are typically scanned by an optical device and the physical characteristics of the scanned stem are sent to a computer, which selects the cutting pattern and transfers this information to a programmable logic controller. The programmable logic controller typically orchestrates positioning of one or more linearly-adjustable saw carriages or modules and on-board carriage saw blades to optimize cutting of the stems into the segments. After the modules and saws are so positioned, each stem is sequentially transferred by the handling apparatus to the saw modules, where it is positioned, clamped and cut into multiple segments at the preselected optimum points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Inventor: William P. Bowlin
  • Patent number: 6006637
    Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a moving substrate includes a cutter nozzle connected to a movable support. A supplying mechanism provides a cutting fluid to the cutter nozzle at a pressure which provides for a fluid flow rate from the cutter nozzle which is sufficient to cut the substrate in a selected cut pattern. A designating mechanism identifies a plurality of selected article lengths along the substrate, and a transporting mechanism moves the substrate at a predetermined speed along the machine direction during the cutting of the substrate. An actuating servo moves the cutter nozzle along a selected cutting path, and a regulating mechanism controls the actuating servo by employing a selected, electronically stored data set. The data set is configured to move the actuating servo in a selected sequence, and the sequence has a predetermined correspondence with the movement of the substrate to thereby direct the cutter nozzle along the selected cutting path and provide the selected cut pattern on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Joseph Sanders, Mary Elizabeth Barker, Bruce Arthur Owen, Michael James Collom, John Harland Hise, Brian Lee Griebenow, Robert Duane Herberg
  • Patent number: 5884682
    Abstract: A method of position-based integrated motion controlled curve sawing includes the steps of: transporting a curved workpiece in a downstream direction on a transfer, and monitoring position of the workpiece on the transfer, scanning the workpiece through an upstream scanner to measure workpiece profiles in spaced apart array, along a surface of the workpiece and communicating the workpiece profiles to a digital processor, computing by the digital processor, a high order polynomial smoothing curve fitted to the array of workpiece profiles of the curved workpiece, and adjusting the smoothing curve for cutting machine constraints of downstream motion controlled cutting devices to generate an adjusted curve generating unique position cams unique to the workpiece from the adjusted curve for optimized cutting by the cutting devices along a tool path corresponding to the position cams, sequencing the transfer and the workpiece with the cutting devices, and sequencing the unique position cams corresponding to the work
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: CAE Newnes Ltd.
    Inventors: Joe B. Kennedy, Roland Davyduke, James G. Jackson, James B. Hannebauer, William R. Newnes, Brian Stroud, John Sergeant
  • Patent number: 5873392
    Abstract: A process for automated monitoring of faults occurring in textile webs. At least one marking is worked into the web under manufacture. The marking permits incremental measurement of the textile web and facilitates the determination of particular positions thereon. Web faults and other events are detected during manufacture and their positions stored electronically. Detected faults can then be efficiently located and examined using the electronically stored location coordinates and the marking. Since the marking is worked into the web, the location of the fault can be efficiently determined even at later stages in the manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Retech Aktiengesellschaft H. Von Arx
    Inventors: Urs Meyer, Roland Seidl, Werner Frischknecht, Markus Keusch, Daniel Wick
  • Patent number: 5862728
    Abstract: The cutting apparatus includes an ultrasound cutting element associated with a drive mechanism which enables the rate of advance of the cutting element through the product being cut to be varied selectively and locally. The preferred application is for cutting layered food products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Soremartec S.A.
    Inventor: Bruno Giamello
  • Patent number: 5850342
    Abstract: A machine tool control system is provided that is capable of detecting a one-sheet takeout failure. The system includes a workpiece takeout schedule which indicates the plate thickness and number of sheets to be taken out from a stack of workpieces for each product. A one-sheet takeout sensor is also provided to detect when a one-sheet takeout device fails to takeout or suck one-sheet from the pallet of workpieces. In addition, the system includes a restoration setting key which permits an operator to select one of a plurality of modes to continue control operation of a machine tool with a controller when a one-sheet takeout failure is detected. When information from the one-sheet takeout sensor indicates a one-sheet takeout failure, based on the set mode of the restoration setting key, the controller changes the measuring range, the accumulating place for the sucked workpiece, or skips the workpiece takeout schedule based on a detected plate thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Inventors: Kaoru Nakamura, Hitoshi Nakajima, Junichi Yoshinaga
  • Patent number: 5826472
    Abstract: A wire processing apparatus is provided with a prefeeder 120, a feeding unit 12 and an accumulator 110 therebetween. A detector is provided to determine if there is a cause for stopping the prefeeder 120. In response to such a detected cause, a controller stops the prefeeder 120 while simultaneously permitting the feeding unit 12 to draw a wire from the accumulator to permit continued operation of the wire processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Tamura, Yoshinori Yamashita
  • Patent number: 5806398
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining the quantity of sheets of material in a stack containing an unknown quantity. The method can be practiced with existing machines which perform various operations on the sheets of material while they are stacked in the machine. An apparatus is disclosed which includes a position sensor in electrical communication with a counter. The position sensor includes a pulse generator to accurately estimate the thickness of a single sheet of material and the height of the stack of material containing an unknown quantity of sheets. The counter includes a processor to perform mathematical calculations using the values measured by the pulse generator and a display for displaying the results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventors: Bradley Robert Emerson, Mahlon Taylor Hewitt
  • Patent number: 5806390
    Abstract: A method for cutting sheet material allows multiple layups of sheet material to be cut in side-by-side or stacked relationship on the cutting table of a computer controlled cutting machine. A different marker or array of pattern pieces can be cut from each of the stacked layups. Also, for certain layups, whether stacked or not, markers are located with reference to the centerline of the layup to insure that the pattern pieces of the marker are cut symmetrically or in alignment with ornamentation or designs in the material. An origin point is located at a known position with respect to the sides and ends of the marker. The origin point of the marker is then registered relative to the cutting table and the centerline of the layup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Gerber Garment Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Pomerleau, Joseph R. Vivirito, Ivan Markowitz
  • Patent number: 5785102
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for positioning an elongate cant for the infeed of the cant into an edging device capable of longitudinally cutting the cant to remove the wane edges thereof. The apparatus generally comprises: a frame structure; a conveying module for transversely conveying the cant along a substantially straight path; a scanning module located along the path for optically scanning the morphology of the cant and providing morphology data; a computer module linked to the scanning means for analyzing the morphology data and calculating a longitudinal preferred infeed line for said cant; and a positioning means located further along the path for transversely positioning the cant to a colinear relationship with the preferred infeed line for said cant. More specifically, the positioning means comprises a plurality of spaced apart, releasable, pinching members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Industries P.H.L. Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald Hamel
  • Patent number: 5727433
    Abstract: A method for cutting sheet material allows multiple layups of sheet material to be cut in side-by-side or stacked relationship on the cutting table of a computer controlled cutting machine. A different marker or array of pattern pieces can be cut from each of the stacked layups. Also, for certain layups, whether stacked or not, markers are located with reference to the centerline of the layup to insure that the pattern pieces of the marker are cut symmetrically or in alignment with ornamentation or designs in the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Gerber Garment Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Pomerleau, Joseph R. Vivirito, Ivan Markowitz
  • Patent number: 5690009
    Abstract: A roll sheet cutter mechanism for an image forming apparatus is provided which is adapted to cut a roll sheet 4 paid out of a feed reel 51 between a rotary blade 82 and a stationary blade 81. When the leading edge of the transported roll sheet 4 passes over the rotary blade 82 located at a guiding position, the rotary blade 82 guides the leading edge of the roll sheet 4 in a transportation direction. The rotary blade 82 returns to a cutting stand-by position before the tail edge portion of the roll sheet 4 passes over the rotary blade 82. Therefore, the occurrence of jam of the roll sheet due to the curling thereof can assuredly be prevented. Further, time loss can be eliminated because the rotary blade is adapted to return to the cutting stand-by position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Mita Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Nakao, Katsuhiro Yoshiuchi, Keizo Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5640752
    Abstract: A controlled adjustable method for forming and stacking laminations that are used in an electro-magnetic device such as a motor or transformer is disclosed. The method steps provide the incremental forming of a predetermined number of laminations from magnetically conductive material with each lamination having at least one coil winding segment of predetermined incrementally varying width. Each coil winding segment is formed by the movement of variable electrically adjustable mechanical forming elements such as punching or stamping dies or laser devices relative to magnetically conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Inventor: Robert E. Steiner
  • Patent number: 5595101
    Abstract: In a method for making splice indicating holes through photographic paper, a long strip of photographic paper web is conveyed in its longitudinal direction and is slit into a plurality of narrow webs, a tail end of the photographic paper web is spliced to a leading end of a new photographic paper web, and a plurality of splice indicating holes are made through the new photographic paper web at positions, which are spaced a predetermined distance from the splice of the new photographic paper web, the predetermined distance being taken in the longitudinal direction of the new photographic paper web, and which coincide with center parts of narrow webs into which the new photographic paper web will later be slit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Yoshimatsu, Shinichi Fujii, Shigeru Okitsu
  • Patent number: 5544558
    Abstract: A positioning device having a transmitter mounted on a carriage which is movable along a secondary axis. A linear detection array is provided to scan a profile of an object mounted on the carriage. The detection array has a plurality of sensors which are arrayed in a direction which is parallel to the secondary axis. A directing device serves to direct a signal emitted from the transmitter to a corresponding one of the sensors which is in opposition to the transmitter. Position of the carriage, along the secondary axis, can be determined based on the on/off status of the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Silvatech Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Hughes
  • Patent number: 5531530
    Abstract: In a printer comprising a printing means for performing printing on a continuous paper in response to a print data and a cutter unit for cutting the continuous paper in the paper width direction upon completion of printing, a printed paper needs to be sorted out easily and clearly depending on jobs. To meet the demand, the printer is provided with a rotary blade and a fixed blade which cut the continuous paper in the paper width direction which crosses perpendicularly to the paper feed direction and it is further provided with a carriage for holding the rotary blade so as to be movable in the paper width direction. The carriage has a shading piece. Sensors are disposed at the position corresponding to the position where the cutting amount of the paper in the paper width direction is set to be smaller than the entire paper width. When the sensors detect the shading piece, the rotary blade stops moving to thereby stop the cutting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignees: Nitto Denko Corp., Tohoku Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Kuramoto, Seiji Fujioka, Nobuhiko Nii, Kimio Watanabe, Yutaka Shibata, Isamu Suzuki, Daisuke Saito, Hideaki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 5512808
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Harry R. Clark, Jr., Gerald W. Iseler, Brian S. Ahern
  • Patent number: 5450333
    Abstract: A cutting machine for cutting a workpiece is disclosed, which comprises a feed conveyor for feeding the workpiece, a position matching unit for effecting position matching of the workpiece fed on the feed conveyer, position matching correcting unit for checking and calculating the deviation of the workpiece, cutting means for cutting the workpiece fed on the feed conveyer according to the deviation calculated by the position matching correcting unit, a pick-up unit for picking up cut parts from the cutting means by a suction system, a discharging conveyer for feeding parts picked up by the pick-up unit, and interlock control means for interlock controlling the individual components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Minami, Hideyuki Ohkubo, Hitoshi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 5421802
    Abstract: The present invention features a high-speed registration system for the manufacture of plastic bags. The system has a registration apparatus that senses the leading and trailing edge of each sinusoidally-shaped tie pattern from a continuous web. Each sinusoidally-shaped tie is associated with an individual bag entity and, therefore, represents a midway point for each bag to be cut from the continuous web. The leading and trailing edge of each sinusoidally-shaped tie, therefore, is used to determine the center line of each bag. A plurality of center line determinations are averaged upstream of the sizing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: First Brands Corporation
    Inventors: Harry A. Landeck, Alan F. Savicki
  • Patent number: 5388488
    Abstract: A system for cutting windows or openings in mats used in framing works of art. The system involves the use of a variably positionable head to which a cutting blade is attached for cutting a beveled edge in the mat. A longitudinal drive means, transverse drive means, and orthogonal drive form a combined positioning device capable of moving the head in any direction. A rotational drive means may also form part of the combined positioning device for rotating and adjusting the position of the blade. A linear variable displacement transducer is coupled to the head and operatively coupled to the orthogonal drive to maintain the head a constant distance away from the mat so the blade cuts a continuously smooth beveled edge in the mat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Arago Robotics Incorporated
    Inventors: Verne Geidl, George Delgado, David Hudspeth, Randall Berry
  • Patent number: 5351591
    Abstract: A fret-saw machine comprises a base unit having a table on which a workpiece to be cut is placed, a frame member disposed in the base unit and secured to the table, an arm member having one end portion secured to the frame member and another end portion disposed above the table, a blade holder assembly having first and second slide holder units and first and second blade holder units, the first slide holder unit and the first blade holder units being disposed in the base unit and secured to the frame member and the second slide holder unit and the second blade holder unit being secured to another end portion of the arm member, blade supported at its both ends by the first and second blade holder units and a drive unit supported in the base unit by the frame member and connected to the first slide holder unit to drive the blade. The blade holder unit has a blade nipping member for firmly nipping the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Ryobi Limited
    Inventors: Kouichi Miyamoto, Shoji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5349730
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling blinds includes a punching and cutting station, an outfeed station and a lacing stating having a plurality of lacing towers. A guide cable extends between adjacent lacing towers for guiding transported slats. A pivoted backstop at a downstream end of the lacing station yieldingly arrests the motion of incoming slats. The outfeed station of the apparatus includes a continuously driven outfeed drive roller and an opposed pinch roller which may be selectively urged against the drive roller so as to drive a slat out of the outfeed station. Each lacing tower of the apparatus includes a spring-biased spreader which provides longitudinal tension to a tape ladder while preventing longitudinal stringers of the ladder from converging upon each other. The method of the present invention includes operating the apparatus to automatically learn the selected length and arrangement of the blind and to subsequently automatically manufacture a blind to those specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Richard N. Anderson, Dan Hurt, Dave Burtnett, Jay Gaskins, Jim Wall
  • Patent number: 5333111
    Abstract: A garment cutting system adapted for use with fabrics having a stripe or plaid design is characterized by computer assisted design matching that allows for either manual or automatic matching both between a garment marker to the fabric layup and between sequenced garment segment patterns. The present system employs data reduction techniques to reduce processing time and includes apparatus for optimizing image stability, focus and illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Gerber Garment Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig L. Chaiken, John A. Fecteau
  • Patent number: 5327625
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, United States of America
    Inventors: Harry R. Clark, Jr., Gerald W. Iseler, Brian S. Ahern
  • Patent number: 5267168
    Abstract: A slicing machines includes a control system having a camera (6) which views a cut face (5) of a product being sliced. Image data from the camera (6) is processed to determined a parameter characteristic of the cut face (5). The step of processing the image data includes classifying the image data by comparison with an intensity threshold which is varied automatically in accordance with the populations of data in the different classes. A control signal is generated to control the operation of the slicing machine in accordance with the determined parameter.In a preferred example, the determined parameter depends on the linear density of the cut face and the control signal varies the thickness of the slices in order to produce a slice having a desired weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Thurne Engineering Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter Antonissen, Hugh M. Arthur
  • Patent number: 5251142
    Abstract: A mechanism for providing computerized control of both a rip and a crosscut fence for a table saw is disclosed. The device is adapted to utilize the output of an optimization program to accurately and economically permit the user to cut sheet stock. A personal computer is utilized to determine an optimum cutting pattern in a preselected series of patterns for a preselected inventory of finished pieces. The computer arranges the finished pieces on the inventory of sheets and displays graphically the intended output to the user. The user selects the cuts in the provided sequence and the personal computer through the use of mechanical interfaces accurately positions the fences of the table saw for each successive cut. The mechanism may also allow manual entry of selected cuts by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Digital Cutting Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Fred C. Cramer
  • Patent number: 5245899
    Abstract: A crosscutting device for webs of material, particularly textile webs includes a web feed with a web buffer arranged on a common frame with the cutting station, a cutting station with a rotating disk cutter, driven transport nippers and a tray for stacking the cut material, the rotating disk cutter being automatically moved back and forth across the web by means of a disengageable belt in one of the operating modes and in a second operating mode the disk cutter being movable manually across the web and at the same time also in the running direction of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Carl Schmale GMBH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Peter Rohe
  • Patent number: 5243888
    Abstract: A pivoting carriage and saw which is characterized in a preferred embodiment by a carriage capable of receiving curved logs and pivotally mounted on a linear-operated trolley for engaging the logs with a pivoting band saw and cutting a selected non-linear path through the curved logs. In a most preferred embodiment the band saw is pivotally mounted adjacent to the trolley carriage and log and a computerized control system is coupled to fluid-operated cylinders mounted on log-adjusting knees on the carriage and on other fluid-operated cylinders provided on the carriage itself and on the band saw and used to select and control desired cutting paths through the logs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Inventor: William P. Bowlin
  • Patent number: 5226334
    Abstract: Articles of meat or fish are transported on three successively positioned conveyor belts wherein at least a part of the first conveyor belt forms a load-bearing platform of a weighing machine. A cutting device is positioned for cutting the transported articles into portions between the second and third successive conveyor belts. The cutting device is actuated by a computer which is preprogrammed with a predetermined cut portion weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Giuliano Pegoraro
  • Patent number: 5186089
    Abstract: Foodstuffs are transported on a conveyor to a cutting device which is actuated to move into a position for cutting and then cut the transported foodstuffs into portions. An ultrasonic measuring device takes foodstuff length and thickness information from the foodstuff transported by the conveyor to the cutting device. The information taken by the ultrasonic measuring device is fed to a control unit which processes the information and actuates the cutting device to move into a position to cut the foodstuff and then to cut the foodstuff into portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Lars G. A. Wadell
  • Patent number: 5158000
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for slicing a cylindrical elastic body, for example, a slab or broad belt prior to being cut into belts or rings of a certain width, by a two-shaft system, and its apparatus. The apparatus includes a) a drive shaft, of which the top end thereof can be released from its support, of which the root end thereof is connected to its drive unit, the drive shaft having a radially projecting part at the root end; b) a freely rotatable shaft extending in parallel with and at a constant distance from the drive shaft in a horizontal plane, of which the top end can be released from it support and can be tilted in vertical direction, and c) a cutting unit which has a cutter positioned perpendicular to the axial direction of the drive shaft, and which can move towards the drive shaft and can travel in the axial direction of the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Bando Kagaku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hisashi Samejima, Fumiya Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5125303
    Abstract: A combined jump conveyor and slicing machine includes a jump conveyor formed by a first short conveyor (1) adjacent the slicing blade (3) of the slicing machine having a length substantially equal to the length of one or two shingled slices in the shingled direction and a second conveyor (2) downstream of the first conveyor (1). Both conveyors (1 and 2) of the jump conveyor have an independent drive (7,8) and a controller (9) to drive the two conveyors at the same speed or at different speeds. The independent drive (7) and controller (9) of the first conveyor (1) also enable it to be driven at high speed in the reverse direction away from the second conveyor (2) to reject slices cut by the slicing blade (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: Thurne Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Trevor B. Hoyland
  • Patent number: 5117367
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Inventors: Harry A. Hill, David Hagon
  • Patent number: 5088363
    Abstract: In an automatic sawmill, logs are first sawn horizontally into pieces that are respectively deposited flat side down on a bed plate and conveyed through multiple, close spaced horizontal bandsaws located above the bed plate. Sawn cants are positioned by clamps to have their waney edges removed by a flying saw after clamp retraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Aaron U. Jones
    Inventors: Aaron U. Jones, Vincent M. Howard, Edward A. Kohler, Mark L. Carter, Edward A. Komori, Ralph Wijesinghe, Ronald W. McGeehee
  • Patent number: 5042341
    Abstract: A marking station for defect locations and quality limits in timber includes a timber transporting device, a transporting speed changing device, and an indicating station part with a laser transmitting element formed as a mirror, and laser. The laser is arranged stationary so that the laser beam extends parallel to a movement direction of the timber and impinges on the mirror. The mirror deviates the laser beam transversely to the movement direction. The laser beam indicates on the timber, in the movement direction, a first separating plane before a defect location and a second separating plane behind the defect location. The laser beam also indicates quality limits. Indicating positions of the laser transmitting element are transmitted to a computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: Fagus-GreCon Greten GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ernst Greten, Klaus Jurisch
  • Patent number: 4977805
    Abstract: An edging apparatus edges a wood board to achieve a desired rounding effect under a rounding rule of the lumber industry. A positioning apparatus positions and holds two edging saws, and the positions of the saws are initially controlled by an operator who selects initial cut positions. Input data, including board length and thickness parameters and the initial cut positions are generated by input devices and a computer is responsive to the input data for computing the best cut positions of the saws. In making this computation, the computer takes into consideration the rounding rule and, according to predetermined criteria, the computer selects best cut positions that will produce an edged board whose measurement exceeds a whole board foot measurement by a desired fraction of a board foot. Adjustment input may be provided to adjust the size of the desired fraction of the board foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignee: Corley Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Andrew J. Corley, III
  • Patent number: 4972743
    Abstract: An apparatus for feeding sheets comprises a variable speed conveyor for feeding a sheet cut from a web. A high speed conveyor receives the sheet fed by the variable speed conveyor, and feeds it at a high speed v1. A cutting completion detector detects the separation of the sheet from a cutter and generates a detection signal. A controller adjusts the feeding speed of the variable speed conveyor to a feed speed v2 as long as the leading portion of the web is being fed to the cutter, adjusts the feeding speed to a speed v0 (v0<v1, v2), at which the sheet is kept stationary with respect to the cutter, during the time from when the cutter starts cutting the web to when the cutting is finished and the cut sheet separates from the cutter, and increases the feeding speed from the speed v0 to the speed v1 during the time from when the detection signal is generated to when the sheet arrives at the high speed conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshio Nojima