Shuttle machine tool

An apparatus for performing work operations on a relatively thin web comprising a structural frame through which the web is advanced, a chassis having a tool bearing element upon which a tool is mounted, means supporting said chassis on said structural frame for movement in the direction said web is advanced, said chassis having web clamping means for temporarily engaging the moving web and causing said chassis to be moved in unison with said web, said clamping means including a movable clamping element and an opposing element between which said moving web passes, said clamping element being disposed between the tool-bearing element and said opposing element and said clamping element being apertured to permit passage of the tool therethrough, engagement means for moving the clamping element toward said opposing element for clamping the moving web therebetween, said engagement means including a drive cylinder mounted on said chassis having a piston shaft passing through the clamping element and tool-bearing element, a spring yieldably separating the tool-bearing element from the clamping element, and means for actuating said drive cylinder for driving said clamping element into clamping engagement with the web and then for further driving said tool-bearing element against the biasing force of said spring separating said tool-bearing element and said clamping element to effect a work operation on said web while said clamping means is in engagement with said web;

• and means for unclamping said clamping means and returning said chassis to an original position after completion of said work operation.