Patent US5563804A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3662798A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of cutting panels
Assignee: WETOMA CORP
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Filing: 1969-02-17
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Granted: 1972-05-16
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Expires: 1989-02-17
Abstract
Abstract The method and apparatus for efficiently cutting accurately sized panels in an unlimited combination of sizes and shapes from larger sheets. The sheets are automatically counted and stacked on a gauge table, the stack is clamped by jaws which establish a reference line relative to a cutting station, and the stack is advanced along the table for accurately dimensioned rip cuts. One or more of these cut stacks are then moved on a rip run-out unit to a cut-off infeed and gauge table where they are automatically aligned, clamped to establish a second reference line, and accurately advanced to a cut-off station where cross-cut sawing produces finished panels. The stacks are moved and gauged by either digital or analog hydraulic servo motors which accurately position the reference lines relative to the saw stations by controlled deceleration of the load to stop the stacks. At each saw station holddowns prevent sheet displacement as the saw traverses. Each saw automatically senses cutting load and returns to its initial position immediately upon finishing a cut. Linear saw speed is controlled as a function of saw load. Means are provided to automatically remove trim and scrap.
Inventors
- 👤 James W Campbell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:26
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23D; B23D47/00; B23D47/04; B27; B27B; B27B5/00; B27B5/02; B27B5/06; B27B5/061; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/141; Y10T83/145; Y10T83/444; Y10T83/463; Y10T83/4632
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A method of forming accurately dimensioned panels from sheets of material comprising the steps of: positioning one or more preselected number of sheets in a stack; gripping a margin of the stack to preclude relative displacement of the sheets; establishing a first reference line fixedly positioned relative to the stack; indexing the stack along a first axis to a cutting station with the reference line spaced at respective predetermined distances from the cutting station; cutting the stack at the cutting station after each indexing along a path laterally of the first axis to separate the stack into sections; gripping a margin of at least one cut section to preclude relative displacement of its sheets; establishing a second reference line fixedly positioned relative to the section; indexing the section along a second axis to a second cutting station with the second reference line spaced at respective predetermined distances from the second cutting station; and cutting the section at the second cutting station after each said indexing along a path laterally of the second axis to separate each section into panels.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
179 words
A method of forming accurately dimensioned panels from sheets of material comprising the steps of: positioning one or more preselected number of sheets in a stack; gripping a margin of the stack to preclude relative displacement of the sheets; establishing a first reference line fixedly positioned relative to the stack; indexing the stack along a first axis to a cutting station with the reference line spaced at respective predetermined distances from the cutting station; cutting the stack at the cutting station after each indexing along a path laterally of the first axis to separate the stack into sections; gripping a margin of at least one cut section to preclude relative displacement of its sheets; establishing a second reference line fixedly positioned relative to the section; indexing the section along a second axis to a second cutting station with the second reference line spaced at respective predetermined distances from the second cutting station; and cutting the section at the second cutting station after each said indexing along a path laterally of the second axis to separate each section into panels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
97 words
The method of claim 1 further characterized by and including the steps of retaining a selected number of sections cut at the first cutting station in line along the first axis until all selected sections are cut; moving the selected sections together along the second axis; clamping the sheets of each section together to form a unit; establishing the second reference line relative to the unit; moving the clamped sections, as a unit, along the second axis to the second cutting station; and cutting the sections, as a unit, into finished panels transversely of the second axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 further characterized by and including the step of disposing the second axis at 90* to the first axis.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
177 words
A method of operating a panel cutting machine having a first axis for gauging stacks of sheets for cutting at a first cutting station, and a second axis for gauging sections cut from the stack for cross-cutting at a second cutting station, and with a run-out unit at the junction of the two axes, including the steps of: cutting a strip of trim from the leading edge of the stack at the first cutting station; moving the strip of trim cut from the lead edge of the stack at the first cutting station onto the run-out unit; moving the trim strip on the run-out unit in a direction away from the machine; cutting the stack into a plurality of sections along a path lateral to the first axis at the first cutting station; moving stack sections cut at the first cutting station onto the run-out unit along the first axis; and moving the sections along the second axis towards the second cutting station in steps preselected to provide predetermined cut-off dimensions as measured along the second axis.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
177 words
A method of operating a panel cutting machine having a first axis for gauging stacks of sheets for cutting at a first cutting station, and a second axis for gauging sections cut from the stack for cross-cutting at a second cutting station, and with a run-out unit at the junction of the two axes, including the steps of: cutting a strip of trim from the leading edge of the stack at the first cutting station; moving the strip of trim cut from the lead edge of the stack at the first cutting station onto the run-out unit; moving the trim strip on the run-out unit in a direction away from the machine; cutting the stack into a plurality of sections along a path lateral to the first axis at the first cutting station; moving stack sections cut at the first cutting station onto the run-out unit along the first axis; and moving the sections along the second axis towards the second cutting station in steps preselected to provide predetermined cut-off dimensions as measured along the second axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 4 further characterized by and including the step of moving stack sections out at the first cutting station along the first axis on the run-out unit serially for each section which is preselected to have common cut-off dimensions measured along the second axis; and, moving the sections together as a unit along the second axis to the second cutting station.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 4 further characterized by and including the step of moving the sections in single file order along the second axis toward the second cutting station in steps preselected to provide predetermined uncommon cut-off dimensions as measured along the second axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 4 further characterized by and including the step of disposing the second axis at right angles to the first axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 4 further characterized by and including the step of moving the leading edge trim strip onto the run-out unit of a subsequent stack to push the trailing trim strip cut and left from the trailing edge of the next prior stack.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-16 | 1975-11-15 | 1976-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-16 | 1979-11-15 | 1980-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-16 | 1983-11-15 | 1984-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |