Abstract: A parts fabrication apparatus has a staging fixture that is configured to position at least a portion of a molded plastic assembly that has a connective runner portion with at least one molded part extended from the connective runner portion by a severable gate portion. A laser source is energizable to direct toward the severable gate portion, from a laser output aperture positioned beneath the staged plastic assembly, a coherent light beam having sufficient energy for melting the gate portion and releasing the molded part along a drop path. A support is disposed to deflect the drop path of at least a portion of the released molded part in a direction away from the coherent light beam.

Abstract: Axial tension is applied to an optical fiber that had been scored at the intended cleave location, wherein the axial tension is applied in a time-varying manner to maintain the stress intensity factor for crack on the fiber within an acceptable level to produce a stable crack growth at a reasonable rate to cleave the fiber without requiring polishing of the end surface. Careful control of the applied tension force with time acts to control the velocity of the propagating crack by maintaining substantially constant stress intensity factor. The applied axial tension force is reduced with time and/or crack growth (as crack propagates). As a result, the strain energy in the fiber material is released by formation of a single plane with an optical quality surface without requiring polishing. A substantially flat optical surface of enhanced optical quality is formed at the cleaved end of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A tool for cleaving a plastic optical fiber has a body with a cleaving aperture at the insertion face of the body and through which the termination end section of the plastic optical fiber is inserted and in which an operative section is positioned upon inserting the plastic optical fiber into the tool. A cutting blade has a cutting edge and is moveable along a cutting path between a first operative position at which the cutting edge is spaced from the cleaving axis and a second operative position at which the cutting edge intersects the cleaving axis to cleave the plastic optical fiber to create an optical finish on an end surface of the operative section of the plastic optical fiber. A clearance region is located at the termination face of the body and generally aligned with the cleaving aperture and in which the termination end section may deflect upon engagement of the cutting blade with the plastic optical fiber.

Abstract: A cutting device for shear-cutting of fiber strands comprises at least two cutting units which are rotatably drivable about an axis of rotation and two counter cutting units which are rigidly mounted relative to a base frame. The cutting edges of the cutting units as well as the counter cutting edges of the counter cutting units are positionable relative to a common cutting plane independently of each other. The forces acting on the counter cutting edges are measured during a cutting process by means of corresponding measuring sensors, allowing the position of the counter cutting edges to be controlled by means of a control unit via electrically driven displacement devices.

Abstract: A chopper for chopping fibers or fiber strands having a back up roll and a blade roll containing blades that work against a peripheral surface of the back up roll and a method of using is disclosed. The chopper has a number of improved features for reducing the frequency of long fibers or long fiber strands and fuzz from getting into the chopped product. The chopper can have one or any combination of the improvements. The improvements include a strand guide located at least two feet up stream of the chopper, a first starting roll for starting a new strand that runs on a fluid bearing that can be adjusted to control the RPM of the first starting roll, a mount for a roll that runs against the peripheral surface of said back up roll, a strand guide insert for reducing fuzz generation and for preventing fuzz from getting into the product, and a deflector plate for catching and deflecting chopped strands thrown off the back up roll into a chopped strand product chute.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating long, unwound items like fiber, fiber strands, yarn, etc. into short lengths. The apparatus has a backup roll, a blade roll, an idler roll, and a new-strand starting mechanism. The improvements include a guide roll for the items spaced from and located upstream of the apparatus and a movable, two-part idler roll on the apparatus for increasing the width of a separating portion of the backup roll.

Abstract: A method and system for separating long unwound items like fiber, fiber strands, yarn, etc. into short lengths. The system has a backup roll, a blade roll, an idler roll, a new-strand starting mechanism and a set of pull rolls. The improvements include a second starting roll spaced from a first starting roll as part of the new-strand starting mechanism and a guide aid for the pull rolls.

Abstract: An improved oscillator assembly that can be used on a chopper for chopping strands of fiber and other long or continuous it items into segments. The improved oscillating assembly moves the items back and forth across the surface of a working layer of the chopper while also rotating a guide roll for the item(s). The improved oscillating assembly uses separate motors to rotate the guide roll and to provide the oscillation and has reduced maintenance than prior art devices. The motor for moving the guide roll is a servo motor and is controlled with a programmable controller. The controller of the servo motor is programmed to provide dwell time at the reversing points.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus, system and method for preparing samples for analysis including a mechanical fiber cutting apparatus. The mechanical fiber cutting apparatus has two or more cutter blades under the control of a blade moving mechanism. A fiber chamber is positioned to receive the one or more cut fibers created by the cutting action of the two or more cutter blades. The pressurized gas source connected to the fiber chamber transfers the one or more cut fibers into a sample preparation housing. The one or more cut fibers are distributed randomly onto a sample slide within the sample preparation housing.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus for continuous lengths of filaments bundles, film ribbons, filamentary-type or other material in strip like form is disclosed containing a tube that is readily adjustable in very small increments relative to rotating blades. A housing surrounds the exit end of the tube and rotating blades which is attached to a suction device. The device creates a high velocity flow of air through the tube which aligns the filamentary material for cutting. An insert may be placed in the tube which contains an upper surface or anvil at its outer end. The tube and/or the insert in the tube is adjustable in two dimensions relative to one or more blades rotating in a plane transverse to the axis of the tube. These adjustments which may be made during operation of the cutting process to facilitate a cleaner, uniform cutting of the filamentary material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating long, unwound items like fiber, fiber strands, yarn, etc. into short lengths. The apparatus has a backup roll, a blade roll, an idler roll, and a new-strand starting mechanism. The improvements include a guide roll for the items spaced from and located upstream of the apparatus and a movable, two-part idler roll on the apparatus for increasing the width of a separating portion of the backup roll.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating long, unwound items like fiber, fiber strands, yarn, etc. into short lengths is disclosed. The apparatus has a backup roll, a blade roll that uses novel dummy blade slot fillers between each pair of chopping blades on the blade roll to eliminate or substantially reduce vibration normally encountered when making longer chopped lengths of chopped product.

Abstract: A method and system for separating long unwound items like fiber, fiber strands, yarn, etc. into short lengths. The system has a backup roll, a blade roll, an idler roll, a new-strand starting mechanism and a set of pull rolls. The improvements include a second starting roll spaced from a first starting roll as part of the new-strand starting mechanism and a guide aid for the pull rolls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for chopping long unwound items like fiber, fiber strands, yarn, etc. The chopper has a backup roll, a blade roll and an idler roll. The improvements include one or both of a shield having an air jet at or near its upper end, the shield being upstream of the blade roll and spaced from the blade roll, a lower end of the shield being spaced from the working surface, the air jet communicating with a source of compressed air, to prevent a buildup of fuzz or chopped item(s) upstream of the blade roll, and a shield having an air jet at or near its upper end, the air jet being located close to the working surface and the shield angling or curving downward from a location spaced from the working surface beginning between about an 8 O'clock and a 10 o'clock position on the backup roll and transitioning generally downward ending at a location below and spaced from the idler roll to protect the idler roll from chopped item(s).

Abstract: The device allows a person to easily collect and dispose of small lengths of line, thread, string, floss, fishing line, wire, and similar materials. The device collects the material by pulling it into an enclosed collection cylinder. The device allows for several pieces and lengths of material to be collected before the user needs to empty the accumulated material into a trash receptacle. The device is small enough in size and weight that it may be easily carried in a person's pocket.

Abstract: A cutter machine has a knife holder 13 mounted onto a cutter shaft 6 at the center portion, wherein a material to be cut is cut with knives 15 mounted onto the outer circumference of the knife holder 13 by rotating the knife holder 13 around the cutter shaft 6. The knife holder 13 is separated into a fixing member 17 mounted onto the cutter shaft 6 and a mounting member 18 onto which the knives 15 are mounted. The mounting member 18 is pivotally supported around two axes with respect to the fixing member 17. In the cutter machine, the knives and a die plate come into contact with each other by a small press force of the knives, thereby enabling a satisfactory cutting to be obtained.

Abstract: An arrangement for cutting an optical fibre comprises a fibre cutter for cutting the fibre. A motor is provided to operate the cutter. To start a cutting movement, the motor is controlled by a control unit in response to a start signal. The start signal is generated when the fibre is located in the cutter. A detector is connected to the control unit to detect when the fibre snaps off and in response thereto cause the control unit to generate a stop signal to stop the cutting movement. If no fibre snap off is detected, the cutting movement is automatically stopped at a predetermined position of the cutter.

Abstract: An improved oscillator assembly that can be used on a chopper for chopping strands of fiber and other long or continuous it items into segments. The improved oscillating assembly moves the items back and forth across the surface of a working layer of the chopper while also rotating a guide roll for the item(s). The improved oscillating assembly uses separate motors to rotate the guide roll and to provide the oscillation and has reduced maintenance than prior art devices. The motor for moving the guide roll is a servo motor and is controlled with a programmable controller. Th3 invention reduces maintenance and increases the uniformity of wear on the chopping blades or cutting roll blade. The controller of the servo motor is programmed to provide dwell time at the reversing points.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for chopping long unwound items like fiber, fiber strands, yarn, etc. The chopper has a backup roll, a blade roll and a biasing system for forcing the backup roll and the blade roll together at a desired force during set up and operation. The biasing system contains a mechanism such as a slip clutch or a limited torque stepping motor for maintaining a substantially constant biasing force at set up and during operation while allowing the rolls to separate slightly to pass a temporary thicker feed without recoil that currently shortens blade and backup roll working layer life.

Abstract: A chopper for chopping fibers or fiber strands having a back up roll and a blade roll containing blades that work against a peripheral surface of the back up roll and a method of using is disclosed. The chopper has a number of improved features for reducing the frequency of long fibers or long fiber strands and fuzz from getting into the chopped product. The chopper can have one or any combination of the improvements. The improvements include a strand guide located at least two feet up stream of the chopper, a first starting roll for starting a new strand that runs on a fluid bearing that can be adjusted to control the RPM of the first starting roll, a mount for a roll that runs against the peripheral surface of said back up roll, a strand guide insert for reducing fuzz generation and for preventing fuzz from getting into the product, and a deflector plate for catching and deflecting chopped strands thrown off the back up roll into a chopped strand product chute.

Abstract: A device for cleaving an optical fibre includes a fixing mechanism to fix a fixing element to the optical fibre, and a cleaving mechanism to cleave the optical fibre. The fixing element may be a ferrule, and the fixing element may be fixed to the fibre such that the fibre extends through the fixing element. The cleaving mechanism cleaves the fibre preferably when the fixing element has been fixed to the fibre. The cleaving device may be a hand-held, and hand-operated, tool. The device may enable the possibility of automatic preset positioning and/or orienting of the cleaved fibre end face (which may be angled to the axis of the fibre) with respect to the fixing element. Attachments may be provided for holding the fibre and fixing element during the cleaving operation and for holding a connector body while the fixing element with the cleaved fibre is inserted into the connector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a charging arm for conveying, treating and discharging different starting materials in order to produce glass fiber armored plastic pipes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of fiber bundles and an apparatus for the performance of the method. A continuous process routine and the reduction of fiber losses is permitted by a method with process steps including taking up and transportation of a fiber bundle strand using one or more feed elements, cutting of the fiber bundle strand into partial bundles of a suitable length, releasing the partial bundles from the feed elements, gripping of the partial bundles using one or more gripping elements and releasing the partial bundles from the gripping elements. The present invention further relates to an apparatus for the performance of the method.

Abstract: Systems and methods for severing elongated material include a rotatable first roll having a first severing structure, a rotatable second roll having a second severing structure corresponding with the first severing structure for severing a length of the filament positioned between the rolls, a drive system operable to independently rotate the first roll and the second roll according to a drive command, a sensor system operable to make measurements and generate actual position signals representative of an actual current rotational position of the first roll and an actual current rotational position of the second roll, and a control system for receiving the position signals and operable to generate the drive command in accordance with predetermined control parameters and based on the actual rotational position signals, wherein the drive command synchronizes the respective rotational positioning of the first roll and the second roll.

Abstract: An assembly and associated method for cutting strands formed by thermoplastic filaments. The assembly includes a blade-holder wheel and an anvil-wheel rotating in reverse directions about two parallel axes, and at least a mechanism for actuating the wheels and for contacting a strand with the anvil wheel. The assembly further includes a mechanism oscillating the support of the wheels, whereof the axis of the support is parallel to the axis of the wheels, and an associated actuator. A mechanism for contacting the wheels is designed in particular to pinch the strand and the associated actuator for passing the strand between the blade-holder wheel and the anvil-wheel when the wheels are not in contact.

Abstract: A device for cutting a fiber cable, in which a rotationally driven cutter supporting member and a rotatable pressing ring positioned at an incline relative to the cutter supporting member work together to cut the fiber cable. An annular channel formed on the outer circumference of the cutter supporting member is penetrated by a plurality of radially oriented cutting blades. The cutting blades are held in a cutter receiving member of a holding device, wherein a supporting ring radially supports the cutting blades. The width of the cutting blades is larger than the width of the annular channel. In order to consecutively use several areas of the cutting blades, the supporting ring is replaceable and is formed by an outer ring encircling the cutting blades or by an inner ring encircling the cutting blades. The cutting blades are held in the cutter receiving member and are radially moveable.

Abstract: A chopper for chopping fibers or fiber strands having a back up roll and a blade roll containing blades that work against a peripheral surface of the back up roll and a method of using is disclosed. The chopper has a number of improved features for reducing the frequency of long fibers or long fiber strands and fuzz from getting into the chopped product. The chopper can have one or any combination of the improvements. The improvements include a strand guide located at least two feet up stream of the chopper, a first starting roll for starting a new strand that runs on a fluid bearing that can be adjusted to control the RPM of the first starting roll, a mount for a roll that runs against the peripheral surface of said back up roll, a strand guide insert for reducing fuzz generation and for preventing fuzz from getting into the product, and a deflector plate for catching and deflecting chopped strands thrown off the back up roll into a chopped strand product chute.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for cutting polymeric optical waveguides (POF-LWLs), comprising a lower clamping jaw (2), an upper clamping jaw (3), and a blade (4), the lower and upper clamping jaws (2,3) holding the POF-LWL (5) to be cut at both sides of the cutting point, seen in the axial direction, by application of a radial pressure.

Abstract: A polymer cutter with a rotary cutting head in which the cutting edges are on the circumferential periphery of the head is described. The knife blades on the rotary head have a knife angle (as defined) of about 40° to about 60°. The apparatus is especially useful for cutting hard and/or brittle thermoplastics and may be used for preparing polymer granules or pellets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for chopping long unwound items like fiber, fiber strands, yarn, etc. The chopper has a backup roll, a blade roll and a biasing system for forcing the backup roll and the blade roll together at a desired force during set up and operation. The biasing system contains a mechanism such as a slip clutch or a limited torque stepping motor for maintaining a substantially constant biasing force at set up and during operation while allowing the rolls to separate slightly to pass a temporary thicker feed without recoil that currently shortens blade and backup roll working layer life.

Abstract: Integrated in the mixing head of a polyurethane apparatus for producing a mixture stream of chemically reactive plastic components, is a cutting arrangement by which natural fibers or fiber strands of soft-elastic and tough consistency can be drawn from a continuous strand and, after cutting into fiber pieces of given length, can be introduced into the mixture stream. The cutting arrangement includes an inner guide tube which receives a fiber strand, drawn from a continuous fiber strand by two feed rollers, and fed via the guide tube and an outer support tube to rotating knife elements. By subjecting the guide tube to a vacuum and applying a compressed gas stream to the end of the outer support tube, the soft-elastic fiber strand is held straight in a manner which is optimal for the cutting process. The cut fiber pieces are introduced together with the gas stream into the mixture stream of chemically reactive plastic components.

Abstract: Integrated in the mixing head of a polyurethane apparatus for producing a mixture stream of chemically reactive plastic components, is a cutting arrangement by which natural fibers or fiber strands of soft-elastic and tough consistency can be drawn from a continuous strand and, after cutting into fiber pieces of given length, can be introduced into the mixture stream. The cutting arrangement includes an inner guide tube which receives a fiber strand, drawn from a continuous fiber strand by two feed rollers, and fed via the guide tube and an outer support tube to rotating knife elements. By subjecting the guide tube to a vacuum and applying a compressed gas stream to the end of the outer support tube, the soft-elastic fiber strand is held straight in a manner which is optimal for the cutting process. The cut fiber pieces are introduced together with the gas stream into the mixture stream of chemically reactive plastic components.

Abstract: A chopper for chopping fibers or fiber strands having a back up roll and a blade roll containing blades that work against a peripheral surface of the back up roll and a method of using is disclosed. The chopper has a number of improved features for reducing the frequency of long fibers or long fiber strands and fuzz from getting into the chopped product. The chopper can have one or any combination of the improvements. The improvements include a strand guide located at least two feet up stream of the chopper, a first starting roll for starting a new strand that runs on a fluid bearing that can be adjusted to control the RPM of the first starting roll, a mount for a roll that runs against the peripheral surface of said back up roll, a strand guide insert for reducing fuzz generation and for preventing fuzz from getting into the product, and a deflector plate for catching and deflecting chopped strands thrown off the back up roll into a chopped strand product chute.

Abstract: A device for cutting a fiber cable, in which a rotationally driven cutter supporting member and a rotatable pressing ring positioned at an incline relative to the cutter supporting member work together to cut the fiber cable. An annular channel formed on the outer circumference of the cutter supporting member is penetrated by a plurality of radially oriented cutting blades. The cutting blades are held in a cutter receiving member of a holding device, wherein a supporting ring radially supports the cutting blades. The width of the cutting blades is larger than the width of the annular channel. In order to consecutively use several areas of the cutting blades, the supporting ring is replaceable and is formed by an outer ring encircling the cutting blades or by an inner ring encircling the cutting blades. The cutting blades are held in the cutter receiving member and are radially moveable.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an apparatus for processing continuous materials. The apparatus comprises a frame and a chopper mounted relative to the frame. The chopper comprises a cutting roll for cutting the continuous material and a cot member for backing up the cutting roll. The cutting roll and the cot member are selectively movable to separate the cuffing roll and cot member from one another and engage the cutting roll and the cot member with one another.

Abstract: A chopper for chopping continuous items like fiber, fiber strand, yarn, string, wire, tape or ribbon, etc. which enters the chopper in unwound form at a high linear speed is disclosed having improvements that permit the chopper to tilt to change the angle of discharge of the chopped item(s). Also disclosed is a fast acting roll retainer and a chopper having the fast acting roll retainer that permits a backup roll and a blade roll to be removed and replaced in a faster and less damaging manner. Methods of chopping and changing rolls on an apparatus using the disclosed apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A polymer cutter with a rotary cutting head in which the cutting edges are on the circumferential periphery of the head is described. The knife blades on the rotary head have a knife angle (as defined) of about 40° to about 60°. The apparatus is especially useful for cutting hard and/or brittle thermoplastics and may be used for preparing polymer granules or pellets.

Abstract: An arrangement for repeatedly feeding fiber bundles with random fiber direction from a magazine roll of fiber thread, for example in the production of flock preforms for products made of thermosetting resin. The arrangement comprises feed devices for feeding the fiber threads from the magazine roll and cutting device for cutting the fibers into the desired lengths. The feed devices include at least a first and a second pair of driven feed rollers placed in sequence, which feed rollers form nips for the fiber threads. A pneumatically driven fiber-ejecting device is placed downstream of the cutting devices. The fiber ejection device includes an oblong tube sleeve with air flow channels for directing turbulent air flow.

Abstract: A chopper for chopping fibers or fiber strands having a back up roll and a blade roll containing blades that work against a peripheral surface of the back up roll and a method of using is disclosed. The chopper has a number of improved features for reducing the frequency of long fibers or long fiber strands and fuzz from getting into the chopped product. The chopper can have one or any combination of the improvements. The improvements include a strand guide located at least two feet up stream of the chopper, a first starting roll for starting a new strand that runs on a fluid bearing that can be adjusted to control the RPM of the first starting roll, a mount for a roll that runs against the peripheral surface of said back up roll, a strand guide insert for reducing fuzz generation and for preventing fuzz from getting into the product, and a deflector plate for catching and deflecting chopped strands thrown off the back up roll into a chopped strand product chute.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement in connection with a fiber process, the arrangement being provided with a control and drawing device for guiding a fiber or the like along a desired course, and with a cutting device for cutting the fiber or the like at a moment dependent on the fiber process. For controlled operation, the cutting device comprise a body of revolution consisting of two parts between which the fiber or the like is arranged to pass during the process without that it comes in contact with the parts. The body of revolution is arranged to rotate during the cutting of the fiber or the like about an axis that is essentially transverse to the travel direction of the fiber. The edge of one part of the body of revolution is rendered so sharp that as the rotating motion of the body of revolution makes the edge press against the fiber or the like, the edge cuts the fiber, whereby the free end of the fiber or the like winds round the rotating body of revolution.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for separating or chopping long fibers or the like are improved by maintaining the temperature of one or more temperature sensitive components of the chopping apparatus with cooling means to maintain one or more desired characteristic of the material within a desired range. The invention increases the effectiveness of a chopper.

Abstract: In a method of forming discrete length fibers, a first engagement member is moved in orbit relative to a second engagement member. A continuous fiber is positioned between the first and second engagement members. The fiber is engaged between the first and second engagement members to cut it into discrete length fibers.

Abstract: This apparatus uses a programmable controller to control laser beam and standard fiber chopper units. The units usually are affixed to resin mix heads. The conventional choppers use steel blades that are randomly spaced, angled and sized. The PC also varies the speed of the standard chopper. The laser device operates in a manner that allows one to set the pulse rate for the specific purpose of varying the fiber length. During operation, the intensity of the laser may be adjusted to accommodate cutting or different sizes and kinds of fibers. The apparatus preferably produces fiber reinforced urethane substrates such as interior door panels for automobile doors.

Abstract: A new type of multi-chopper for cutting strands or ribbon shaped material such as strands of glass fibers, and a method of using this chopper, is disclosed. The chopper has at least two chopper assemblies on a rotating frame. When one chopper assembly needs repair, the frame is rotated which brings a rebuilt or repaired chopper assembly into operating position quickly and also brings the assembly needing repair into a position where it can be worked on while the other chopper is operating resulting in much reduced downtime. The frame of the chopper can rotate around a vertical or horizontal line, or around a line passing through two opposite corners of a frame.

Abstract: The method of making the metal fiber sintered body includes making a coiled material by coiling a thin sheet of Fe--Cr--Al--La, Fe--Cr--Al--Y or Fe--Cr--Al--Ce stainless steel; making a tow of Fe--Cr--Al--La, Fe--Cr--Al--Y or Fe--Cr--Al--Ce continuous fibers by lathe turning an end face of the coiled material at a tool feed speed of from 5 to 40 .mu.m/rev; extending the tow in a width direction and cutting the tow with a roller type cutting assembly to form Fe--Cr--Al--La, Fe--Cr--Al--Y or Fe--Cr--Al--Ce stainless steel fibers having a fiber length of 20 to 200 mm; feeding the Fe--Cr--Al--La, Fe--Cr--Al--Y or Fe--Cr--Al--Ce stainless steel fibers having the fiber length of 20 to 200 mm to a conveyor; dropping the stainless steel fibers onto the conveyor and dispersing the stainless steel fibers by making an air current act on the stainless steel fibers; transporting the resulting sheet-shaped accumulation on the conveyor and compressing it to form a web and sintering the web.

Abstract: Inside-out cutter apparatus for cutting fiber tow into predetermined lengths including rotatable cylindrical member defining an axially extending passageway for receiving fiber tow therethrough and an outlet opening on periphery of cylindrical member through which fiber tow emerges onto work surface formed around periphery, work surface including at least one guide shoulder and a base surface bordering along length of guide shoulder with guide shoulder and base surface angled to position fiber tow on work surface at acute angle to axis of rotation and away from alignment with direct circumferential path leading from outlet opening, and an array of knives extending around work surface with cutting edges facing toward and spaced from work surface; and method of cutting fiber tow inside-out into predetermined lengths including steps of rotating circumferential work surface around an axis, feeding fiber tow within work surface through opening in periphery of work surface onto work surface, positioning fiber tow a

Abstract: This apparatus uses laser beams in place of existing standard glass chopper units affixed to resin mix heads. Conventional glass choppers use steel blades that eventually wear out or break, adding to maintenance costs. The laser device operates in a manner that allows one to set the pulse rate for the specific purpose of varying the fiber length. During the injection operation, intensity of the laser may be adjusted to accommodate cutting or different sizes and kinds of fibers. The laser apparatus preferably produces long fiber reinforced urethane substrates such as interior door panels for automobile doors.

Abstract: A new type of multi-chopper for cutting strands or ribbon shaped material such as strands of glass fibers, and a method of using this chopper, is disclosed. The chopper has at least two chopper assemblies on a rotating frame. When one chopper assembly needs repair, the frame is rotated which brings a rebuilt or repaired chopper assembly into operating position quickly and also brings the assembly needing repair into a position where it can be worked on while the other chopper is operating resulting in much reduced downtime. The frame of the chopper can rotate around a vertical or horizontal line, or around a line passing through two opposite corners of a frame.

Abstract: An apparatus and method enables a synthetic fiber tow of indeterminate length passed through a break drawframe to be converted to relatively short spinnable staple length fibers in the form of sliver. During passing through the drawframe, a concentrated beam of energy, illustrated as being a laser beam is swept across the tow by a rotating mirror and in the course of doing so, effectively cuts the tow fibers where struck by the laser beam. In one embodiment the laser beam stays on while sweeping across the width of the tow and then repeats that cycle in a succeeding section of tow. In another embodiment, the laser beam is energized and deenergized as it transverses across one section of tow and in the next succeeding section of tow the laser beam is actuated in a different time cycle.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing chopped fibers from essentially continuous tows, each consisting of individual strands, comprises independently or selectively feeding at least two tows to a venturi pump and associated cutter mechanism where the tows are cut or chopped into relatively short lengths to form chopped fibers. The apparatus includes sensors for monitoring the movement of each of the tows to the pump and cutter mechanism, and a controller which adjusts the feed rate of the tows and the rate of operation of the cutter mechanism in the event movement of one of the tows varies from a predetermined feed rate.