Abstract: A cutting machine having a table with a working surface is disclosed. The working surface including a crossbeam above the working surface configured to be linearly positioned parallel to a first horizontal axis, a module, mounted on the crossbeam configure to be positioned parallel to a second horizontal axis, which extends perpendicularly to the first horizontal axis, a tool holder mounted in the module configured to move in a vertical axis and rotate about the vertical axis, and to accept one of a plurality of different interchangeable tools, and a control unit, wherein the tool holder has a connection device designed to supply the tool with power and a fluid, wherein the supply with the fluid is provided via a rotary joint, and wherein the power is provide via a rotary transmitter.

Abstract: At the time of cutting stacked sheet members, a knife or a punch pierces the sheet members at positions such as along a cutting line, in a region outside the cutting line, or in a seam allowance inside the cutting line. By moving the knife or the punch vertically, heat is applied to the sheet members such that the seam members are welded (i.e., fused) together vertically. Even if at the time of cutting stacked sheet members having low air permeability, it is possible to prevent warpage or slippage of the sheet members, and cutting is performed accurately.

Abstract: An apparatus for slitting a web moving along a path comprises a mounting block adapted to be fixed at a location adjacent to the web path. A guard assembly includes a guard plate secured to rod members projecting from the mounting block. A blade guide is mounted on and shiftable along the rod members, and at least one blade is carried by the blade guide. An actuator serves to shift the blade guide along the rod members between an extended position at which the blade projects in a slitting position beyond the guard plate and into the web path, and a retracted position at which the blade is withdrawn from its slitting position and from the web path to a position where it is shielded from exposure by the guard plate.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a fastener from a reel of fastener stock to couple together two or more objects comprises a module for dispensing the plastic fastener and a mounting stand on which the module is mounted. The mounting stand includes a vertical leg, a first horizontal leg, a second horizontal leg and a pair of spaced apart, parallel shafts extending between the first and second horizontal legs. A linear ball bearing is slidably mounted onto each of the shafts. A bearing mount is fixedly mounted onto each of the linear ball bearings. A bracket is fixedly mounted onto the pair of bearing mounts. The module is mounted onto the bracket and is capable of linear displacement. Upper and lower adjustable collars are fixed in place on the pair of shafts to limit the range of the linear displacement of the module.

Abstract: A suction assembly (10, 10′), which constitutes a portion of a cutting surface (11) of machines for cutting sheet materials (9), in which a blade working with reciprocating motion freely penetrates, comprises modular supporting elements (13), which are of small thickness and comb-shaped and are provided with a row of bristles (16) and a base (17), which is provided with engagement means (19, 21) for insertion of said elements (13) in a removable way and appropriately oriented on a bearing structure (14, 15) to form a mat of bristles, on which the sheet materials (9) rest, the said suction assembly (10, 10′) being provided with channels, connected to a suction system, consisting of a plurality of grooves (23) made on at least one side of the base (17) of the modular supporting elements (13).

Abstract: For making a nest of cuts (N) for cutting blanks out of flat, irregular workpieces (W), the contour (U) and the flaws (F) of the spread workpieces (W) together with a workpiece characteristic are detected by means of a digitizing unit (3), and the corresponding data are read into a computer (5), which on the basis of these data and the data stored in the computer (5) concerning number, shape and quality requirements of the blanks calculates and stores a nest of cuts and utilizes the detected workpiece characteristics of the workpieces (W) as a workpiece code for allocating the nests of cuts (N) to the respective workpieces (W).

Abstract: A method and apparatus 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.

Abstract: A method for cutting a mat of plies of fabric in order to facilitate the removal of stacks of cut pattern pieces, which consists of the fact that in addition to perimetrically cutting the contours of the various pattern pieces, additional cuts are formed in the mat which connect the various contours to each other and to the edges of the mat, the cuts reducing the residues of the mat to small and mutually separate portions.

Abstract: Pilot device for a suspended cutting knife of a cutting head of an automatically controlled cutting machine. The cutting head is moved along the X and Y axes and pivots about the Z-axis. The cutting knife is reciprocally movable along the Z-axis. The cutting head includes a device for guiding the unsuspended part of the cutting knife and a pressure foot rigidly connected to the pivotal cutting head. The suspended end of the knife is mounted in the cutting head so as to be freely rotatable around the Z-axis. The guiding device is adjacent to the free end of the knife and comprises a socket rigidly connected to the cutting head having a support which is freely rotatably mounted in the socket around a vertical axis located in front and adjacent to the cutting edge and parallel, at a predetermined distance, to the Z-axis. The support has a slot surrounding the flanks of the knife.

Abstract: Pilot device for a suspended cutting knife of a cutting head of an automatically controlled cutting machine for cutting fabric sheet material spread out on a cutting table in multiple layers. The cutting head is controlled by moving the cutting head along the X- and Y-axes and pivoting about a Z-axis for moving the knife tangently along a predetermined cutting path. The cutting knife is reciprocally movable along the Z-axis. The cutting head includes a device for guiding the unsuspended part of the cutting knife and a pressure foot rigidly connected to the pivotal cutting head. The suspended end of the knife is mounted in the cutting head so as to be freely rotatable around the Z-axis.

Abstract: The cutting mechanism includes a cutter block mounting a knife blade arranged for movement along a slot in a cutting table. The cutter block is driven by a cable and a first drive pulley. The cable extends under and around the first drive pulley and a second pulley, with the first end of the cable fixed to a second end of the cutter block, and the second end of the cable fixed to a first end of the cutter block. The cable and the first and second pulleys are arranged such that when the cutter block lies between the first end of the slot in the table and a center of first drive pulley the first and second ends of the cable are drawn taut thereby stopping movement of the cutter block along the slot towards the first end, and such that when the cutter block lies between the second end of the slot in the table and a center of the second pulley the first and second ends of the cable are likewise drawn taut stopping movement of the cutter block along the slot towards the second end.

Abstract: A handling and supporting structure (10) for cutting machines, applicable in particular to machines that perform water jet cutting operations on leathers, hides and synthetic materials, has a plurality of comb-like elements (12), obtained starting from a reduced thickness sheet. These elements are parallel with one another and/or differently oriented, and are formed by approached and aligned needles (20), whose sides decrease in width from the portion near the base (12') from which they develop vertically up to the top of the structure. The structure also has a supporting frame for the comb-like elements (12), made up by two or more laminations (14) of any form and size, vertically and transversally arranged relatively to the elements (12).

Abstract: A cutter system for cutting a single ply or multiple plies of limp material, or a lay, into a plurality of parts includes a cutter table for supporting the lay with a cutter head for cutting the lay and a resealer apparatus for sealing the cuts made in the lay. The resealer apparatus includes a first resealer mechanism associated with one end of the cutter table and a second resealer mechanism adjustably attaching onto a cutter head beam and being moveable therewith. The second resealer mechanism includes a pair of adjustable sides that attach the second resealer mechanism to the cutter head beam and that support a resealer roll such that the adjustable sides can be adjusted to vary the distance between the resealer roll and the cutter table support surface and vary the proximity of the resealer roll to the cutter tool.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cutting machine for cutting a flexible material by a cutting wheel rotated by a motor. The cutting wheel and the motor are carried by a cutting head mounted to move horizontally along two orthogonal axes and to rotate about a vertical tangential servo-control axis. The invention further includes a support table covered with a mat into which the cutting wheel penetrates. The cutting wheel is adjustable to change the depth to which the cutting wheel penetrates into the mat. The cutting wheel is also adjustable to change the horizontal distance between the vertical tangential servo-control axis and the axis rotation of the cutting wheel so that the cutting wheel penetrates into the mat a front contact point situated in the vicinity of the tangential servo-control axis.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for reducing the working area for cutting on a cutting machine for cutting a stack (1) of sheet material, the machine being provided with an automatic moving cutting tool (4) and with suction apparatus for holding the stack covered in air-impervious film (5) down on a cutting table (3) having a conveyorized support surface 3a. The apparatus comprises the air-impervious film (5) for covering the stack (1), an air-impervious movable mask loop (6) designed to cover a portion of the table (3), and a low friction block (65) for positioning the mask (6) over the portion of the table. The mask (6) covers the portion of the table and holds down the film (5) and the mask (6) when suction is applied beneath the table. The mask (6) is able to move across the portion of the table when a conveyor (62) transfers the stack (1) by use of the conveyorized support surface 3a.

Abstract: An automatically controlled cutting machine for working on limp sheet material utilizes positive air pressure and vacuum to hold the material in place during a work operation. The level of the pressure is set or regulated with a pressure sensor to develop an appropriate holddown force and to minimize the disturbance to the material surrounding the work operation. The distribution of the airflow onto the sheet material for generating the pressure is also concentrated around the point of the work operation by an aperture plate.

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.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a modular block for the formation of suction surfaces in machines for the cutting of fabrics with a free blade with alternating movement. The block includes a first base element having structure for its installation and a second complete element having a plurality of bristles perpendicular to it. The two elements are superimposed and are attached firmly to one another. The two elements combined define lateral openings in the direction at right angles to the base of the bristles and are able to be connected to a suction apparatus for the formation of the vacuum among the bristles.

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.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for reducing the working area for cutting on a cutting machine The apparatus comprises the cutting machine made up of a cutting table, the working area on the surface of the cutting table, an automatic cutting tool for cutting a stack of sheet material within the working area and a suction apparatus providing suction to the working area. An air-impervious film covers the stack and which holds the stack down within the working area when suction is applied. An air-impervious removable mask (6) covers a portion of the working area and is held in a determined position by fixing and positioning structures, such as a strip and an abutment attached to the mask. When the mask is held in the determined position, the working area is effectively reduced to a portion of the working area that is not covered by the mask.

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: 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 the cutting knife. One end of the knife is mounted in the cutting head so as to be freely rotatable around the Z-axis, and 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: An apparatus for conveying and cutting sheet material has an endless conveyor belt trained over rotatable end units. The endless belt defines an upper run for supporting the sheet material, a lower run spaced below the upper run, and two arcuate end sections, each extending between the upper and lower runs. A first gap is formed in the conveyor belt between one end of the upper run and the adjacent end section, and a second gap is formed in the belt between the other end of the upper run and the adjacent end section. A cutting unit is supported over the upper run for cutting the sheet material, and a vacuum is introduced in the upper run for creating a vacuum bed to hold the sheet material against the supporting surface during a cutting operation. Two end sealing assemblies are mounted between the upper and lower run, and each is located adjacent to a respective gap in the conveyor.

Abstract: A brush mounting structure for a cutting support surface in an automatic cutting machine capable of dismounting a desired damaged brush out of plural brushes mounted on the cutting surface and disposed in parallel on the brush mounting table. The invention comprehends allowing one to replace the removed brush with a new brush, or alternatively, to fill the gap caused by removal of a damaged brush on the brush mounting table by sliding the remaining brushes together and placing the new brush on the end of the existing brush group. In that way, the worn bristles of the used brushes are maintained at a more uniform operational height than were a new brush with longer bristles interposed therebetween.

Abstract: To cut or separate a workpiece, having a plain or curved surface, a jet-like fluid cutting medium is used. The cutting medium is ejected from a nozzle under high pressure and is directed towards the workpiece. The cutting medium is directed towards the surface of the workpiece not exactly perpendicularly, but with an angle deviation of between 0.1 and 0.3 degrees. An apparatus for performing such a cutting operation comprises a tube with a nozzle at its end through which the cutting medium is ejected. The nozzle is swivelably supported and the tube may be adjusted in X- and Y-direction such that the desired cutting angle may be controlled. In order to catch the fluid cutting jet, there is provided a grating assembly with an uneven surface which comprises apertures and is provided with a protective layer. The surface of the grating assembly is composed of strip portions forming the boundaries of grooves or channels which are filled with gravel or glass granules.

Abstract: An automated cutter bed employs a sealer which is mechanically coupled to a tool carriage and moves with it along a first coordinate direction. A first roller is connected with a second roller disposed at the take-off end of the table by an air impermeable sheet which is tensioned between the two rollers by a resilient member housed within each of the rollers causing a preload to be exerted on the air impermeable sheet material. The first roller moves between ends of the table paying out a length of the air impermeable material. As the carriage moves to the cutter datum, equalization is effected by the preloads given in each of the first and second rollers.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting abnormal conditions of a fabric on a table and a cutter which is movable along a length of the table for cutting at any desired angle relative to a center line. The abnormal condition is detected before the material is cut thereby avoiding cutting a material with an abnormality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic sheet cutting apparatus which cuts off a sheet like a knit or a woven fabric into a predetermined shape and more particularly to a vacuum air leakage preventive device combined with an automatic sheet cutting apparatus so that a vacuum air can be prevented from leaking through a clearance between a bottom surface of one of those brush-mounting bases aligned in parallel with a pair of endless chains and a top surface of the main body of the automatic sheet cutting apparatus. The vacuum leakage preventive device includes a shielding member on a movable arm which is movable into place relative to the main body and the brush-mounting bases to prevent a break in a vacuum which pulls the material to be cut onto the main body relative to a cutter.

Abstract: A sheet cutting apparatus comprising a sheet feeding table, a cutting table and a sheet take-up table. Air lines, filters in the lines and air pumps draw air from the cutting table to collect any dust, etc. The air passes through filters, then to the blowers and from the blowers air is directed outwardly to the sheet feeding table and take-up table which lifts the material from the table. First and second pressure sensors are provided to detect the pressure to the blower and when a pressure difference exceeds a specific level an alarm is sounded to provide a warning. Then the filters can be cleaned.

Abstract: A sheet cutting apparatus comprising a sheet feeding table, a cutting table and a take-up table. A blower draws air from the cutting table through filters and also blows air to each of the sheet feeding tables and sheet take-up tables. Sensors are provided to detect air pressure and if a difference in air pressure of a specific level is detected an alarm is sounded. The blower is reversible so that air can be blown through the filters and switching means is provided to switch the reversed air away from the cutting table. Thus, the filters can be cleaned after a certain amount of dust, etc., has been collected.

Abstract: A method of making a cloth cutter knife permeable bed formed from a plurality of elongate support members, preferably plastic extrusions, which provides a permeable support surface in a cloth cutting machine upon which a lay-up is supported for cutting by a cutter head. The extrusions are cut up by the reciprocated knife of the cutter head to form a multiplicity of bristles which after subsequent cutting operations of the lay-up create a dense knife permeable bristle bed for supporting the layup in a generally flat manner.

Abstract: A cutter for cutting closed shape pieces into sheet material has a bristle bed conveyorized member advancing the sheet material from a receiving end to a discharge end past a cutting tool performing a cutting operation on the material. Disposed at the discharge end is a take-off ramp responsible for separating the sheet material in a single ply or a layup form from the underlying conveyor member at the juncture where the slats making up the bed depart from the upper run of the conveyor defining the support surface.

Abstract: A cloth cutter knife permeable bed formed from a plurality of elongate support members, preferably plastic extrusions, provides a permeable support surface in a cloth cutting machine upon which a lay-up is supported for cutting by a cutter head. The extrusions are cut up by the reciprocated knife of the cutter head to form a multiplicity of bristles which after subsequent cutting operations of the lay-up create a dense knife permeable bristle bed for supporting the layup in a generally flat manner.

Abstract: In a conveyor apparatus for supporting and advancing sheet material, such as fabric to be cut by a cutter head, the conveying element is an endless belt made of elongated supporting members having their length dimensions extending transversely of the path of belt movement. The supporting members include coengagable parts, such as tongues and grooves extending along the length of the members, which coengage one another when the supporting members are in the upper run of the conveyor to prevent vertical movement of the supporting members relative to one another and to thereby maintain the supporting surface defined by the upper run in a smooth and flat condition.

Abstract: A metal sheet is supported and transported in relation to a punching and/or shearing station, by supporting the sheet on upwardly projecting flexible bristles, the tips of which define a supporting plane. The bristles have their bases embedded in strips that are removably jammed in grooves defined in a stationary base structure. A conveyor, arranged beside the supporting plane includes a driven, endless belt. The belt has transversally extending bristle bars mounted to it so that, in its carrying run, its upwardly projecting bristles have tips which are effectively coplanar with the stationary supporting surface.

Abstract: A work table for an automatic cutting installation for cutting materials by means of non-mechanical cutting tools has a metallic cutting base which is formed of a plurality of metal strips. Edges of the metal strips form the support surface for the workpiece. Undulating metal strips may be arranged alternately against non-undulating metal strips. Alternatively, metal strips may be used that are bent into the form of a rectangular undulation and have undulation valleys and undulation ridges which are of different length. The undulation valleys and undulation ridges lie in each case opposite each other and offset, forming a corner-shaped space. The metal strips extend over the complete width of the work table and their top-to-bottom width is selected to provide sufficient stability for the material to be cut which rests thereon. Portions of the metal strips are bonded or soldered to each other.

Abstract: A machine for cutting cloth or similar sheet material for a take-off table permanently connected to it for supporting sheet material after its having been cut by the cutting machine. The table is movable relative to the machine between a deployed and a stowed position, and in the stowed position of the table the combined apparatus has an overall length much shorter than it has with its table deployed, thereby allowing the apparatus to be more easily moved from one spot to another or the cutting room floor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus by which stacks of pattern pieces cut from a layup of sheet material by a cutting tool are bundled and removed from the remaining waste material. A bundler inserts fasteners to bundle at least some of the stacks together and an automatic take-off device removes the bundled stacks from the layup. The cutting tool and bundler are both mounted to a two-axis carriage system and share a common controller with the take-off means. The controller guides the cutting tool around the pattern piece peripheries in response to control data and the bundler inserts fasteners into locations in the layup determined from the same control data. The controller then provides the exact locations of the inserted fasteners to the automatic take-off device which thereafter removes the cut stacks of pieces from the layup. In one embodiment of the invention, identifying information is printed upon the fastener by a printer associated with the bundler to aid in identifying the stacks of pattern pieces.

Abstract: There is provided a sweeper for cleaning the support surface of a machine for cutting sheet material and having a vacuum chamber disposed below said support surface to hold down the sheet material during cutting, and a carriage assembly, supported above said support surface for longitudinal and transverse movement relative to said support surface. The sweeper has a nozzle mounted on said carriage assembly and is adaptable for contacting the support surface, and includes a conduit in fluid communication to a vacuum generator. A filter is disposed in a housing intermediate said nozzle and the vacuum generator, and a valve is provided for by-passing vacuum to the vacuum chamber and opening vacuum to said sweeper for cleaning said support surface.

Abstract: A laminate cutting apparatus has a support belt supported on a frame for reciprocating horizontally in the longitudinal direction, independently lowerable support plates juxtaposed in the longitudinal direction and retained on the frame for supporting the bottom of a laminate support portion of the belt, suction ports on opposing side portions of the frame for withdrawing air from the interior of the laminate supported on the support portion with its upper and lower surfaces covered with air-impermeable sheets, a longitudinally reciprocated travelling body supported on the frame, a transversely reciprocated cutter head supported on the travelling body, a cutter on the cutter head for being raised and lowered to cut the laminate, recess forming rollers for forming the support portion of the belt into a transversely extending movable recess open at the top, a lower receiving member secured to the travelling body and arranged in parallel with the rollers within the recess, interconnected closure plates within th