US 4,070,890 AGranted

Method and apparatus for cutting sheet metal wrappers or the like

AssigneePotomac Applied Mechanics, Inc.

InventorJames Henry Stubbings

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Abstract

A method and apparatus for automatically cutting wrappers or the like from metal sheets. A metal sheet is conveyed in the x-direction to a cutting position wherein a pair of cutting blade (i.e., shears) assemblies cut edge portions from the metal sheet to form a cut wrapper or the like having longitudinal edges. The cutting assemblies are movable in the y-dimension--transverse to the x-direction--and are also angularly movable. From the cutting position the cut wrapper is continuously conveyed to a notching position wherein notching assemblies also movable in the y-dimension may form notches in the longitudinal edges of the cut wrapper. At a further point in the x-direction, an edge deforming position may be provided including edge deforming apparatus that also is movable in the y-dimension. Flexible elongated members or the like support the metal sheet spaced from its conveyor during conveying to prevent damage to the conveyor by the cutting or notching assemblies.

Claims13

Dependent claims

Apparatus for cutting wrappers and the like from metal sheets, comprising

a. conveyor means for continuously feeding a metal sheet into a cutting position, and past said cutting position, in a given direction x,
b. a pair of powered cutting means for cutting said metal sheet along the length thereof as it is fed to said cutting position, each of said cutting means comprises a scissors-like shearing cutting blade arrangement, one of said cutting blade arrangements being a right-hand cutting blade arrangement, and the other of the cutting blade arrangements being a left-hand cutting blade arrangement,
c. means for mounting said cutting means for movement in a y-dimension, said y-dimension being generally perpendicular to said x direction,
d. y-motor means for selectively moving said cutting means in said y-dimension,
e. means for mounting said cutting means for rotation about a generally vertical axis, said axis being generally perpendicular to a plane containing said y-dimension and x-direction,
f. .alpha.-motor means for rotating said cutting means about said axis of rotation,
g. means for spacing said metal sheet to be cut from said conveyor means so that said conveyor means is not damaged by said cutting means during cutting therewith,
h. computer control means or the like for controlling said y and .alpha. motor means to cut wrappers or the like of desired shape and dimension from said metal sheet.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.