US3722335A

US3722335A - Counting apparatus for processing machine

Info

Publication number: US3722335A
Application number: US00212121A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Labonte; S Jones
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-12-27
Filing date: 1971-12-27
Publication date: 1973-03-27
Anticipated expiration: 1990-03-27

Abstract

A processing machine, such as a clicker cutter comprises a fixed platen and a reciprocably movable operating head for delivering a blow to a cutting die placed on sheet material on the platen beneath the head. A console which includes several stations (one for each differently-shaped piece of material to be cut is adjacent the cutting machine. Each station comprises a storage area for cut pieces; a counter; a movable hook adjacent the storage area on which the die for that station is placed when not in use; a counter readiness or energizer switch operable upon removal of the die from the hook to connect the counter for operation; a first or ''''in use'''' signal device (such as a green light) indicating that the die has been removed from its hook; and a second signal device (such as a red light) which indicates when the counter is indicating that a predetermined number of pieces for that station have been cut. The console further includes an audible alarm which sounds when two or more dies are removed from their hooks at the same time, so that false counting at one or more stations will be avoided. The alarm also sounds to indicate that the second signal device is operating, i.e., that the counter has finished the desired count. A counting switch relay is located on the clicker cutter for effecting operation of the counter at the station which is in operation. Override means, such as an override switch, are provided to permit a cut to be made without being registered on any counter.

Description

United States Patent [191 Labonte et al.

[ COUNTING APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING MACHINE [76] Inventors: Roland J. Labonte, 15731 West Eldorado Drive, New Berlin, Wis. 53151; Smiley H. Jones, 1090 Links Court, Brookfield, Wis. 53005 22 Filed: Dec. 27, 1971 21 Appl.No.: 212,121

52 US. Cl. ..83/s7, 83/522, 83/549 51 Int. Cl ..B26f1/40,B26d 7/28 [58] FieldofSearch ..s3/57,522,532,549

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,149,522 9/1964 Newton ......83/522 Primary Examiner-J. M. Meister Attorney-James E. Nilles [5 7 ABSTRACT A processing machine, such as a clicker cutter comprises a fixed platen and a reciprocably movable operating head for delivering a blow to a cutting die 11] 3,722,335 [451 Mar. 27, 1973 placed on sheet material on the platen beneath the head. A console which includes several stations (one for each differently-shaped piece of material to be cut is adjacent the cutting machine. Each station comprises a storage area for cut pieces; a counter; a movable hook adjacent the storage area on which the die for that station is placed when not in use; a counter readiness or energizer switch operable upon removal of the die from the hook to connect the counter for operation; a first or in use signal device (such as a green light) indicating that the die has been removed from its hook; and a second signal device (such as a red light) which indicates when the counter is indicating that a predetermined number of pieces for that station have been cut. The console further includes an audible alarm which sounds when two or more dies are removed from their hooks at the same time, so that false counting at one or more stations will be avoided. The alarm also sounds to indicate that the second signal device is operating, i.e., that the counter has finished the desired count. A counting switch relay is located on the clicker cutter for effecting operation of the counter at the station which is in operation. Override means, such as an override switch, are provided to permit a cut to be made without being registered on any counter.

' 16 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures COUNTING APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION carried out by a human operator using a so-called l5 clicker cutter. A sheet of leather is placed on a platen or flat surface on the clicker cutter, a die of desired shape is placed at a desired location on the sheet of leather, the clicker cutter head is swung into position over the die and the operator actuates a control switch which causes the cutter head to descend and deliver a sharp, single heavy blow to the die. The head is then swung aside, the die is lifted up and the cut piece is removed and placed in a storage bin. These operations are repeated until the desired number of differentlyshaped pieces are produced.

Heretofore, it was the practice for the operator to accumulate several pieces in his hand and then place these pieces of a given shape on an adjacent table and then to place the die on top of these pieces. Several stacks of such pieces, one stack for each differentlyshaped die or cutter, were accumulated on the table. This served as a means of identification of the shape of the pieces and a convenient location for the die. customarily, a hundred pieces of each shape constituted a production run and assistants to the operator had to countand keep track of the number of each differently-shaped piece produced. Not uncommonly, errors were made in the count which resulted in the waste of time, effort and material. It is desirable, therefore, to provide improved counting apparatus for processing machines of the aforesaid character which insures accurate counting, eliminates the assistants and has other advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a processing machine, such as a clicker cutter, having a platen on which material to be cut is placed and an operating head, preferably hydraulically operated, for delivering a single blow to a cutting die placed on the material beneath the head. The cutter is provided with an operating control, including an operating control switch, which effects a single cutting operation of the head when actuated. In further accordance with the invention, there is provided a console which is located adjacent the cutting machine and within reach of the human operator. The console includes several stations, one station being provided for each differently-shaped piece of material to be cut. Each station comprises a storage area for the cut pieces; a counter including a readout device which gives a visual indication of the number of pieces of material left to be cut for that station; a member adjacent the storage area on which the corresponding die for that station is placed when not in use, such as a movable hook; a counter readiness or energizer switch operable upon removal of the die from the hook to connect the corresponding counter for operation; a first or in use signal device (such as a green light) indicating that the die has been removed from its hook; a second signal device (such as a red light) which indicates when the counter is indicating that a predetermined number of pieces for that station have been cut; and an on-off control switch for the particular station. The console further includes a master on-off switch and an alarm, preferably audible, which warns when two or more dies are removed from their hooks at the same time so that false counting at one or more stations will be avoided. The alarm also warns to indicate that the second signal device is operating. i.e., that the counter has finished the desired count. The counting apparatus further includes a counting switch located on the clicker cutter and operable in response to operation of the cutter control switch for effecting operation of the counter at the station which is in operation. The counting apparatus also includes override means, such as a pedaloperated override switch, which permits a cut to be made without being registered on any counter.

Counting apparatus and a processing machine in accordance with the present invention operate as follows. A sheet of material is placed on the platen of the cutting machine. A first die of desired shape is removed from the hook at its station and placed on the sheet of material. Removal of the first die causes the counter readiness or energizer switch to actuate the counter readout device for that station and also causes the inuse signal device (green light) at that station to go on. The cutter head is swung in place and the operator actuates its operating control switch to cause it to strike the first die and a blank to be cut from the material. This operation of the cutter head is registered as a single count on the counter readout device at the station from which the first die was removed. Successive cutting operations using the first die will be similarly recorded on the same counter readout device. When it is desired to employ a differently-shaped second die, the first die is normally hung on its corresponding hook thereby turning off the in-use signal device (green light) and disconnecting the counter readout device of that station. The second die is then removed from its station and cutting operations therewith are recorded on the counter readout device of its station.

When the counter readout device for a particular station indicates that the desired number of pieces have been .cut for that station, the second signal device, i.e., the red light goes on and simultaneously the alarm sounds. It is preferable that the counting device be adjusted so that it counts downwardly to zero from a predetermined number so as to indicate the number of pieces which still need to be cut.

In the event that the operator fails to put the first die back on its hook before the second die is removed from its hook, the alarm indicates that two dies are apparently in use and the operator is warned not to proceed with cutting until the first die is properly replaced at its station. If the operator were to proceed despite the warning, each single operation of the cutting machine would be recorded simultaneously at both stations from which the dies were removed,

thereby causing a false count to be: recorded at one station.

If a defective blank is produced, which must be discarded rather than placed in one of the stations, the operator is unaware of this fact until after the cutting operation has taken place and has been recorded at an appropriate station. However, the operator can use the pedal-operated override switch during the next cutting operation to prevent the next cut from being recorded. If preferred, the override means may include a correction button on the counter readout device as well as the foot-pedal switch.

It is apparent that a counting apparatus and cutter in accordance with the present invention insures speed and accuracy in counting, that it eliminates the necessity of the human operator and his assistants from making rapid and tedious mental calculations and that it provides several effective warning indications if erroneous procedures are being following during cutting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an installation com prising counting apparatus for a processing machine in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a portion of the processing machine such as a clicker cutter taken along lines 22 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a showing of several types of dies of different shape used with the clicker cutter of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of one of the dies shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a movable hook member and its associated counter readout actuating, readiness, or energizer switch shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of cutting apparatus in accordance with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, the numeral 10 designates a clicker cutter which is used to cut numerous differently-shaped component pieces from sheets of tanned leather. Clicker cutter 10 comprises a supporting pedestal 12 on which a platen surface 14 is mounted. Clicker cutter 10 further comprises a supporting pedestal 16 on which a reciprocally-movable cutter head 18 is supported. Head 18 is movable downwardly with respect to FIG. 2 for a short distance and with great force by a piston rod 20 connected to the head and to a hydraulic cylinder 22 within pedestal 16. After each downward movement, head 18 returns to the position shown in FIG. 2. Clicker cutter 10 is provided with an adjustment wheel 24 on head 18 which is used to change the distance or spacing between the undersurface 26 of head 18 and the upper surface of platen 14. Cutter head 18 is provided with a control handle 28 which has a control switch 30 on its top. It is to be understood that cutter head 18 is also pivotally movable on its shaft 20 so that it can be swung into or out of position by a human operator grasping handle 28. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a sheet 32 of tanned leather ready for cutting disposed on platen l4 and a suitable die 34 is located on leather sheet 32. In operation, cutter head 18 is swung in place over die 34 and operating switch 30 on handle 28 is depressed to effect operation of hydraulic operator 22 which, in turn, effects a single downward blow of head 18 against die 34 to perform a desired cutting or blanking operation. Head 18 then returns to the position shown in FIG. 2 and is swung to the side by the operator. Die 34 is then lifted up by the operator and the blank cutout portion of the web is removed from the die. Die 34 or other dies are then repositioned for subsequent cutting operations.

FIG. 3 shows three types of dies 36, 38 and 40 which are usable in cutter 10 as hereinbefore described. As is apparent, each die is a strip of metal which has been formed to the desired shape of the piece of material to be cut. FIG. 4 is a side view of die 36 shown in FIG. 3 and shows that it has a sharp knife or cutting edge 39 and a flat, opposite edge 40 against which head 18 of cutter 10 strikes.

As FIG. 1 shows, a console 42 is disposed adjacent clicker cutter 10 within reach of a human operator. Console 42 takes the form of a sheet metal cabinet 44 which is mounted on supports 46. Cabinet 44 of console 42 is divided into several stations designated by the

numerals

48, 50, 52, 54 and 56. The several stations could be arranged in ways other than that shown, but the arrangement shown was found suitable from a time and motion-study standpoint. Each station is similar to the others from the standpoint of the present invention and, therefore, a description of station 56 will suffice fora description of the

other stations

48, 50, 52 and 54 except as hereinafter indicated. It is to be understood that one station is provided for each differently shaped piece of material to be cut.

Station 56 comprises a storage area 58 which is defined by a bottom wall 60, a side wall 62, a back wall 66 and another or opposite side wall 68. Storage area 58 serves as a collection and storage point for pieces of material of a predetermined shape cut on cutter 10. For convenience and identification purposes, a die 70 used to cut the blanks placed in storage area 58 is kept adjacent storage area 58 when not in use. In accordance with the invention, die 70 is disposed on a movable member such as a hook 72 which is pivotally mounted on a bracket 74 disposed just below lower surface 60 of storage area 58, as shown in FIG. 5. Hook 72 is associated with a counter readiness or energizer switch 76 which controls a counter 85 for station 56. Switch 76 puts counter 85 in readiness for operation but actual counting is carried out by a relay contact 77 operated by a control relay 78 in pedestal 12 of cutter l0. Relay 78 is energized by operation of switch 30 from a suitable source 79 of d.c. power. Switch 76 is assumed to be of the normally-closed type; that is to say, when its spring-loaded pushbutton operator 80 is depressed, the switch contacts are open, and when its pushbutton operator 80 is extended, the switch contacts are closed. Switch 76 is held in open-circuit condition when die 70 is placed on die hook 72 and the latter rotates clockwise (with respect to FIG. 5) so as to bear against and depress push button 80 of the switch. When die 70 is removed from die hook 72, the latter is biased by spring-loaded pushbutton 80 in a counterclockwise direction and the switch contacts resume their normally closed condition.

Station 56 further comprises a readout device 84 of counter 85 which is mounted on rear wall 66 of station 56. Readout device 84 is responsive to cutting operations performed on cutter 10, and gives a visual indication of the number of pieces of material that are left to be cut for station 56. Station 56 further comprises an indicator lamp 86 (preferably green) which goes on in response to closure of switch 76 to indicate when die 70 has been removed from die hook 72. Station 56 further comprises another indicator light 88 (preferably red) which goes on when readout device 84 has reached the count number to which it has been set. An on-off switch 90 is provided at station 56 to energize it for use. A correction button 92 is also provided at station 56. When depressed, button 92 energizes a holding circuit so that when one more out is made the count will not register but the holding circuit will release.

Console 42 is provided with an alarm buzzer 94 which serves two purposes. Alarm 94 sounds when two or more dies are simultaneously removed from the die hooks of operation stations. Alarm 94 also sounds when any one counter readout device has finished its count. A foot-operated pedal-type override switch 96 is located adjacent cutter but is connected through console 42in series with contact 77 so as to permit a cut to be made without it being registered on any counter as in the case when a count for a defective piece was registered on one of the counters and needs to be accounted for. Console 42 is provided with a master switch 98 which places the entire unit in readiness for operation.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a control circuit for counting apparatus in accordance with the invention. Generally considered, the control circuit comprises a power supply including a power source 100, master switch 98 on console 42, a step-down transformer 102, and a fullwave rectifier 104. The power supply supplies operating power to the circuitry and electrical components at each of the

stations

48, 50, 52, 54 and 56 and also to buzzer or alarm 94. Since the circuitry is similar at each station, only the circuitry for station 56 will be described in detail and this portion of the circuitry is enclosed within a dotted line 1 16 in FIG. 6.

Power source 100. is a 220 volt alternating current power source which is connectable through master switch 98 to the primary winding 102a of stepdown transformer 102. Secondary winding l02b of stepdown transformer 102 provides, for example, an output voltage of 24 volts alternating current to the input terminals 104a and 104b of full-wave rectifier 104. Rectified power is supplied from positive output terminal 104c of rectifier 104 through a fuse 106 to a supply line 1 10. Negative output terminal 104d of rectifier 104 is connected to a supply line 112. Terminal 104d is also connected to a supply line 114 through a normally-closed override switch 96 (preferably pedaloperated to open) and normally-open contact 77 of relay 78 which is located in pedestall2 of cutter 10 and closes momentarily in response to each cutter head operation.

Buzzer 94.includes a coil 94a and a diode 94b, a capacitor 94c and a resistor 94d in parallel therewith, connected across supply lines 1 10 and 1 12 through the anode and cathode of a silicon controlled rectifier 120.

Counter 85, hereinbefore referred to, comprises a readout device 85a, a relay coil 85b, a two-position relay switch havingswitch tenninals 85c, 85d and 85e and a switch leaf 85f. It is to be understood that each energization of relay coil b causes one count to register on readout device 85a. Furthermore, switch terminals 85c and 85d are normally connected by switch leaf 85f. but when a predetermined number of counting operations has been registered, switch leaf 85f disengages from terminal 85d and engages terminal 85e until the switch leaf is manually reset to contact terminal 85d. Relay coil 85b is connected on one side through a voltage-limiting diode 122 to line 114. The other side of counter relay coil 85b is connectable through switch terminal 85d and switch leaf 85f to switch terminal 850.

A flip-flop relay 124 is provided to selectively bypass counter 85 so that a count cannot be recorded, as hereinafter explained. Switch terminal 85c is connectable through a normally-closed contact 124a of a flipflop relay 124, through normally-closed die-hook switch 76 and through power switch for station 56 to supply line 110. Flip-flop relay coil 124b has one side connectable to supply line 110 through

switches

76 and 90. The other side of flip-flop relay coil 12412 is connectable either through a normally-open pushbutton counter override switch 92 to line 112 or through its normally-open relay contact 1240 and diode 122 to line 114. Momentary depression of pushbutton 92 (with

switches

98, 90 and 76 closed) energizes flip-flop relay coil 124b and causes contact 124a to open and contact 1240 to close, thereby causing relay coil 85b of counter 85 to be bypassed for one pulse. It is to be understood, however, that the next pulse after that causes relay 124 to resume the condition shown in FIG. 6.

Signal light 86isconnected on one side to line 112 and is connectable on its other side to line 110 through

switches

76 and 90. Signal light 88 is connected on one side to line 112 and is connectable on its other side through contact 85e, switch leaf 85f and contact 85c of counter 85, through flip-flop relay contact 124a, and through

switches

76 and 90 to line 1 10.

A limiting resistor 126 is connectable in circuit between line 110 (through switches 76 and 90) and gate a of controlled rectifier 120 (through a diode 128). Resistor 126 prevents controlled rectifier 120 from being fired when switches 90 and 76 are closed. However, if the hook switches 76 in two or more stations are closed simultaneously, the total current flow through two or more resistors 126 will cause rectifier 120 to fire and energize alarm 94. A limiting resistor 130 is connected between terminal 850 of counter 85 and gate 1200 of controlled rectifier 120 (through diode 128).

The control circuitry shown in FIG. 6 operates as follows. First assume that master switch 98 is closed, that override switch 96 is closed, that power switch 90 for station 56 is closed, that die-hook switch 76 is open (i.e., that the die for station 56 is in place), that flipflop relay contact 124a is closed and flip-flop relay contact 124a is open, and that counter relay terminals 850 and 85d are connected by switch leaf 85f, and that relay contact 77 is open.

When the foregoing assumptions are made, signal lights 86 and 88 are off and buzzer 94 is deenergized. Now assume that a die is removed from die hook 72 and that die hook switch 76 closes. When this occurs, signal light 86 is connected across lines 110 and 112 and is illuminated to indicate that the die is removed from that particular station. Now assume that cutter l0 is operated so as to cause a momentary closure of relay contact 77. When contact 77 closes, relay coil 85b of counter 85 is energized and causes a single count to be registered by counter 85a. Repeated closure of contact 77 for a predetermined number of times finally causes switch leaf 85f to disengage terminal 85d and to engage terminal 85c of counter 85. When relay terminals 85c and 85e are connected, signal light 88 is energized from lines 110 and 112 and becomes illuminated to indicate that the counting operation is completed. Simultaneously, gate 120a of controlled rectifier 120 is energized from line 110 through resistor 130 and contacts 850 and 85e to fire the controlled rectifier. Consequently, buzzer coil 94a is energized from lines 1 10 and 1 12 and audible alarm 94 sounds to warn the operator that the count for one shape of piece is completed. The machine operator responds to the alarm by resetting switch leaf 85f to disconnect signal light 88 and buzzer 94 from their power sources.

Now assume a situation where cutting operations are proceeding normally, as hereinbefore described, and that the operator makes a cut with turns out to have produced a defective piece which must be discarded and not counted but which has already caused a count to register on counter 85. This situation may be remedied in one of two ways. First, before the next successive cutting operation occurs, the operator depresses foot-pedal override switch 96 thereby causing it to open. With switch 96 open, closure of relay contact 77 on the next cutting operation does not effect energization of relay coil 85b of counter 85 and, consequently, no count registers on counter readout 85a. The operator then releases foot-pedal override switch 96, permitting it to close for subsequent operations. Second, an undesired count may be corrected by momentarily depressing pushbutton override switch 92 at station 56 (i.e., the station where the undesired count was registered) instead of using foot-pedal override switch 96. When override switch 92 is depressed, flipflop relay coil 124b is connected across lines 110 and 112 causing its normally-closed contact 124a to open and its normally-open contact 1246 to close. With flipflop relay contact 124a open, counter relay coil 85b is disconnected from line 110. As a result, the next pulse generated by closure of counter switch 77 does not energize counter relay coil 85b. Instead, the Pulse from line 114 is diverted through flip-flop relay contacts 1240 which are now closed and through flip-flop relay coil 124b to line 110. Passage of this pulse through flipflop relay coil 124b causes relay 124 to reset. When flip-flop relay 124 resets, its contacts 124a reclose and its contacts 1240 reopen putting the relay in its original condition. Subsequent counting operations effected by closure of relay contact 77 then take place in the same manner as previously described.

Now assume a situation where die-hook switch 76 is closed because its associated die is removed from the hook and another die-hook switch in one of the

other circuits

48, 50, 52 or 54 is simultaneously open because its associated die also has been removed from its hook. In this situation, warning lights 86 in both stations will be energized. Furthermore, current flow to gate 120a of controlled rectifier 120 will be sufficient to cause firing of the controlled rectifier and alarm 94 will sound. As previously explained, if two or more resistors corresponding to resistor 126 are connected to line 110, then sufficient current flows to control grid 120a to fire rectifier 120 and energize alarm 94.

Operation of clicker cutter 10 and the control circuit shown in FIG. 6 may be summarized as follows. Assuming that die-hook switch 76 is closed (i.e., die removed from a station), a single cutting operation of cutter 10 momentarily closes relay contact 77 which, in turn, energizes counter relay a and a count is registered on counter readout device 85a at station 56. Replacement of the die on die-hook 72 causes opening of die-hook switch 76 and disconnection of the counter circuit. Completion of a predetermined number of counting operations by counter 85 causes disconnection of counter 85, energization of signal light 88 and sounding of alarm 94. Corrections to counter readout device 85a necessitated by a defective piece having been counted are accomplished in two ways. First, foot-pedal override switch 96 may be opened to prevent relay 85 from counting. Second, relay 85 may be bypassed by depressing override switch 92. Finally, the possibility of false counts being registered at one or more stations is reduced or eliminated by alarm 94 which sounds when two or more die-hook switches 76 are closed simultaneously.

We claim:

1. Counting apparatus for a processing machine which is operable to cut blanks from material, utilizes a plurality of removable dies and requires a plurality of stations whereat said dies are placed when not in use and whereat blanks cut from said dies are accumulated, each station accommodating one die and the blanks cut by that die, comprising:

a plurality of counters operable when energized to record cutting operations of said processing machine, one counter being provided for each station,

means responsive to each operation of said processing machine to effect a single counting operation of each of said plurality of counters,

a plurality of counter readiness devices actuated in response to removal from said stations of said dies to control energization of said counters for operation, one readiness device being provided for each station and accommodating the die associated with that station, each device readying the counter for its station when the associated die for that station is removed from that station, and

alarm signal means operable in response to actuation of at least two counter readiness devices simultaneously to indicate that two or more dies are removed from their stations simultaneously.

2. Counting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of said counter readiness devices comprises an actuating switch.

3. Counting apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said movable member is a hook pivotally mounted near said station and said actuating switch is mounted near said station and engageable by said hook.

4. Counting apparatus according to claim 1 including first signal means for each station and responsive to actuation of a counter readiness device at its station to indicate that the die is removed from that station.

5. Counting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said alarm signal means is further operable in response to a predetermined number of operations of each counter to indicate that an individual counter has re gistered said predetermined number of operations.

6. Counting apparatus according to claim including second signal means for each station and responsive to a predetermined number of operations of each counter to indicate that an individual counter has registered said predetermined number of operations.

7. Counting apparatus according to claim 1 including a power source and wherein:

each counter comprises a counter relay and counter relay contact;

said means responsive to each operation of said processing means comprises a counter switch for connecting said counter relay to one side of said source; and

each counter readiness device comprises an actuating switch for connecting said counter relay to the other side of said source. I

8. Counting apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said alarm signal means comprises a component energizable to actuate the alarm, said component being connected to said other side of said source and being connectable to said one side of said source for energization by a control device operable in response to actuation of at least two actuating switches which connect said control device to said other side of said source.

9. Counting apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said control device is alternately connectable to said other side of said source by said counter relay contacts when said counter has registered a predetermined number of counts.

10. Counting apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said control device is a controlled rectifier having its anode-cathode circuit in series with said component of said alarm signal means and having its gate connected to each of said actuating switches through a limiting resistor and also connectable to said other side of said source through said counter relay contacts.

1 1. Counting apparatus according to claim 9 including first electrical signal means for each station to indicate that the die is removed from that station, said first electrical signal means being connectable across said source by the actuating switch for that station.

12. Counting apparatus according to claim 11 including second electrical signal means for each station to indicate that an individual counter has registered said predetermined number of operations, said second electrical signal means being connected to one side of said source and being connectable to the other side of said source by said counter relay contacts when said counter has registered a predetermined number of counts.

13. Counting apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said counter relay contacts are resettable twoposition contacts and wherein said two-position contacts have a first position wherein said counter relay coil is connected to said actuating switch and having a second position wherein said counter relay coil is disconnected therefrom and said second electrical signal means is connectable to said other side of said counter from recording a count.

15. Counting apparatus according to claim 7 including selectively operable override means to prevent said counter from recording a count, said override means comprising an override switch in circuit between said counter switch and said one side of said source.

16. Counting apparatus according to claim 7 including selectively operable override means to prevent said counter from recording a count, said override means comprising a flipflop relay having a flip-flop relay coil and a set of normally-closed contacts and a set of normallyopen contacts, i

said flip-flop relay coil being connectable to said other side of said source through said counter switch and being connectable to said one side of said source through an override switch,

said normally-closed contacts being connected in circuit between said counter relay contacts and said other side of said source,

and said normally-open contacts being connected in circuit between said flip-flop relay coil and said counter switch.

Claims

1. Counting apparatus for a processing machine which is operable to cut blanks from material, utilizes a plurality of removable dies and requires a plurality of stations whereat said dies are placed when not in use and whereat blanks cut from said dies are accumulated, each station accommodating one die and the blanks cut by that die, comprising: a plurality of counters operable when energized to record cutting operations of said processing machine, one counter being provided for each station, means responsive to each operation of said processing machine to effect a single counting operation of each of said plurality of counters, a plurality of counter readiness devices actuated in response to removal from sAid stations of said dies to control energization of said counters for operation, one readiness device being provided for each station and accommodating the die associated with that station, each device readying the counter for its station when the associated die for that station is removed from that station, and alarm signal means operable in response to actuation of at least two counter readiness devices simultaneously to indicate that two or more dies are removed from their stations simultaneously.

5. Counting apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said alarm signal means is further operable in response to a predetermined number of operations of each counter to indicate that an individual counter has registered said predetermined number of operations.

6. Counting apparatus according to claim 5 including second signal means for each station and responsive to a predetermined number of operations of each counter to indicate that an individual counter has registered said predetermined number of operations.

7. Counting apparatus according to claim 1 including a power source and wherein: each counter comprises a counter relay and counter relay contact; said means responsive to each operation of said processing means comprises a counter switch for connecting said counter relay to one side of said source; and each counter readiness device comprises an actuating switch for connecting said counter relay to the other side of said source.

11. Counting apparatus according to claim 9 including first electrical signal means for each station to indicate that the die is removed from that station, said first electrical signal means being connectable across said source by the actuating switch for that station.

13. Counting apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said counter relay contacts are resettable two-position contacts and wherein said two-position contacts have a first position wherein said counter relay coil is connected to said actuating switch and having a second position wHerein said counter relay coil is disconnected therefrom and said second electrical signal means is connectable to said other side of said source.

14. Counting apparatus according to claim 1 including override means selectively operable to prevent said counter from recording a count.

16. Counting apparatus according to claim 7 including selectively operable override means to prevent said counter from recording a count, said override means comprising a flip-flop relay having a flip-flop relay coil and a set of normally-closed contacts and a set of normally-open contacts, said flip-flop relay coil being connectable to said other side of said source through said counter switch and being connectable to said one side of said source through an override switch, said normally-closed contacts being connected in circuit between said counter relay contacts and said other side of said source, and said normally-open contacts being connected in circuit between said flip-flop relay coil and said counter switch.