Methods and apparatus to adjust the lateral clearance between cutting blades of shearing machines

A shear press comprising:

• a first blade opposite a second blade and movably coupled to a frame of the shear press via a ram, wherein the first and second blades are to receive a strip material;
• a first lateral clearance adjustor slidably coupled to a first end of the ram and a second lateral clearance adjustor slidably coupled to a second end of the ram, the first and second lateral clearance adjustors to shift the first blade laterally relative to the second blade, the first lateral clearance adjustor having a first adjustable gib slidably coupled to a first gib plate, the first adjustable gib having a first wedge that includes a first tapered surface and a first groove to slidably receive the first end of the ram, and the second lateral clearance adjustor having a second adjustable gib slidably coupled to a second gib plate, the second adjustable gib having a second wedge that includes a second tapered surface and a second groove to slidably receive the second end of the ram;
• a sensor to determine a clearance position;
• a first drive member to move the first and second lateral clearance adjustors from an initial position to the clearance position, the first drive member to exert a biasing force against the sensor to urge the sensor toward a surface of the strip material;
• and
• a second drive member operatively coupled to the ram to drive the first blade toward the second blade to shear the strip material.