Machine for slitting metal sheet

A machine for slitting metal sheet, said machine comprising:

• a frame;
• first and second powered arbors mounted on the frame for rotation about parallel axes;
• means coupled to the first and second arbors for rotating the first and second arbors;
• a first knife on the first arbor and a second knife on the second arbor, the knives being secured to their respective arbors when the arbors turn to slit the metal sheet, but being releasable from their arbors so that they can slide along their arbors;
• a first storage arbor mounted on the frame where it aligns axially with and normally extends to the first powered arbor, the first storage arbor being the same cross-sectional size and configuration as the first powered arbor so that the first knife can slide onto the first storage arbor, the first storage arbor normally being connected with the end of the first powered arbor to provide radial support for the first powered arbor, but being capable of separating from the first powered arbor so that knives can be removed from the first arbors in the space between the first arbors;
• and a second storage arbor mounted on the frame where it aligns axially with and normally extends to the second powered arbor, the second storage arbor being the same cross-sectional size and configuration as the second powered arbor so that the second knife can slide onto the second storage arbor, the second storage arbor normally being connected with the end of the second powered arbor to provide radial support for the second powered arbor, but being capable of separating from the second powered arbor so that knives can be removed from the second arbors in the space between the second arbors.

A machine for slitting metal sheet, said machine comprising:

• a frame including first and second spaced apart beams;
• first and second arbors located in the space between the beams for rotation about axes that are parallel, means for rotating the arbors;
• first and second annular knives located on the first and second arbors, respectively, with each knife having a side face and a cutting edge, the knives being close enough together, both axially and radially to create a nip through which metal passes to be slit, the knives being capable of sliding over their respective arbors when not otherwise restrained;
• a lead screw extended along the frame parallel to the axes of the arbors;
• a motor for turning the lead screw in both directions of rotation;
• a carriage connected to the lead screw so that it moves along the lead screw when the lead screw turns;
• stops mounted on the carriage and being movable, generally perpendicular to the direction of movement along the lead screw, between extended and retracted positions, the stops when extended being capable of locating the region of the nip between the knives so the knives along their side faces may be brought into contact with the stops to properly locate the knives with respect to each other and with respect to their arbors;
• and means for monitoring the rotation of the lead screw to ascertain the precise location of the carriage and its stops along the arbors.

A machine for slitting metal sheet, said machine having spaced apart first and second beams and spaced apart first and second connecting members which are extended between the beams, all to form an opening through which the metal sheet passes with the connecting members being presented toward the edges of the sheet;

• first and second powered arbors mounted on the frame for rotation about parallel axes generally in the opening between the beams;
• means coupled to the first and second arbors for rotating the first and second arbors;
• a first knife on the first arbor and a second knife on the second arbor, the knives being secured to their respective arbors when the arbors turn to slit the metal sheet, but being releasable from their arbors so that they can slide along their arbors;
• a first storage arbor located on the frame generally beyond the opening and being aligned axially with and normally extended to the first powered arbor in the region of the second connecting members, the first storage arbor being the same cross-sectional size and configuration as the first powered arbor so that the first knife can slide onto the first storage arbor;
• and a second storage arbor located on the frame generally beyond the opening and being aligned axially with and normally extended to the second powered arbor, the second storage arbor being the same cross-sectional size and configuration as the second powered arbor so that the second knife can slide onto the second storage arbor;
• and first and second backing means for transferring a spreading force exerted on the arbors by the knives to the beams in the region of the opening so that the beams resist the spreading force in the region of the opening.

A machine for slitting metal sheet, said machine comprising a frame having spaced apart beams which carry ways;

• first and second powered arbors mounted on the frame in the space between the beams for rotation about parallel axes that are parallel to the ways on the beams;
• a first knife on the first arbor and being movable axially along the first arbor;
• a second knife on the second arbor and being movable axially along the second arbor;
• first backing means interposed between the ways of the first beam and the first knife for transferring to the first beam a spreading force applied to the first arbor at the knives thereon, so that the first beam resists the spreading force, the first backing means being movable along the ways of the first beam and capturing the first knife such that the first knife and first backing means move in unison along the first arbor and first beam, respectively;
• and second backing means interposed between the ways of the second beam and second knife for transferring to the second beam a spreading force applied to the second arbor at the knife thereon so that the second beam resists that spreading force, the second backing means being movable along the ways of the second beam and capturing the second knife such that the second knife and second backing means move in unison along the second arbor and second beam, respectively.