Pull type cut-off press

An improved apparatus for cutting a determined length segment from a stock piece which continuously moves in a forward direction and which has a series of indices spaced at predetermined intervals along its length for individually defining a forward and rearward surface, said apparatus comprising:

• means movable between first and second predetermined positions for cutting the stock;
• a pick up means associated with said cutting means and movable between first and second predetermined positions in a spaced relationship from said cutting means, and for repeated engagement with and disengagement from the indices;
• means for reciprocally accelerating the cutting and pick up means in a cycle, from their respective first positions to their respective second positions in the direction of the stock piece, during which the pick up means is engaged with one of the indices and the cutting means severs the determined length from the stock, and for returning the pick up and cutting means to their respective first positions in a direction opposite to the direction of the moving stock, during which the pick up means is disengaged from the indices;
• means for selectively controlling the accelerating means to produce a rate of acceleration of said cutting and pick up means such that the pick up means is engaged with the forward surface of an engaged indice at the respective second positions of the cutting and pick up means;
• and
• whereby the stock piece is repeatedly cut into segments of the determined length in going from their first to their respective second positions of the cutting and pick up means.

An improved apparatus for cutting a determined length segment from an easily deformable stock piece which continuously moves in a forward direction and which has a series of indices spaced at predetermined intervals along its length for individually defining a forward and rearward surface, said apparatus comprising:

• means movable between first and second predetermined positions for cutting the stock;
• a pick up means coupled to said cutting means and movable with the cutting means in a horizontally and longitudinally spaced relationship for repeated engagement with and disengagement from the indices;
• a fluid operated piston in a cylinder for reciprocally accelerating the cutting and pick up means in a cycle from the first position to the second position in the direction of the stock piece during which movement the pick up means is engaged with one of the indices, and for returning the pick up and cutting means to the first position in a direction opposite to the direction to the moving stock during which movement the pick up means is disengaged from the indices;
• means cooperating with the piston and cylinder for reversibly and selectively controlling a stream of fluid to operate on one side of the piston to move the cutting and pick up means from the first to the second position in the direction of the stock piece in response to positive engagement of the pick up means with the engaged indice, and for reversing the fluid stream to operate on the other side of the piston to return the cutting and pick up means to the first position in response to the cutting means cutting the length segment;
• and
• a selectively controllable valve in fluid communication with the fluid stream for selectively purging excess fluid from operating on the piston during movement from the first to the second position so that the rate of acceleration of the cutting and pick up means is controlled such that the pick up means in engaged on the forward surface of an indice when the cutting means cuts the stock piece;
• whereby the stock piece is accurately and repeatedly cut into segments of the determined length.

A method of cutting a part from a stock piece continuously moving in a forward direction which has a series of spaced indices, each of said indices having a forward and a rearward surface, by a cut-off press comprising the following steps:

• accelerating the press in the direction of the stock piece and controlling the rate of acceleration so that the press is moving faster than the speed of the stock piece until one of the indices is engaged on its forward surface by a pick up means spaced from the press and then maintaining a force so that the press is in pulling engagement with the indice;
• cutting the part from the stock piece;
• disengaging the pick up means from the moving stock piece;
• and
• returning the press in the opposite direction of the moving stock piece.