US3911770A

US3911770A - Machine and method for cutting slugs having a uniform linear dimension

Info

Publication number: US3911770A
Application number: US452805A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frank P Boden
Original assignee: Remington Arms Co LLC
Current assignee: Remington Arms Co LLC
Priority date: 1974-03-20
Filing date: 1974-03-20
Publication date: 1975-10-14
Anticipated expiration: 1992-10-14

Abstract

In a cutting machine wherein rod or other stock is fed past a cutter blade to abut against an end stop so that slugs of predetermined length may be severed from the stock, the end stop is permitted to pivot toward the cutter blade when the cutting process begins. If the stock is not abutting the end stop, which would result in a slug of other than the predetermined length being produced, the end stop shifts toward the cutter blade changing the condition of a switch. The switch operates a mechanical deflector which redirects the severed slug for rejection. If the stock is abutting the end stop when it is released, the end stop does not shift and the severed slug is accepted.

Description

[ 1 Oct. 14, 1975 United States Patent Boden X m 3 RN S P mm l m m o m w o mm 3 m o T CW RL m m m WA G W? n w C A mnn m Attorney, Agent, or FirmJohn H. Lewis, Jr.;

Nicholas Skovran'; William L. Erickson [75] Inventor: Frank P. Boden, Trumbull, Conn.

[ ABSTRACT In a cutting machine wherein rod or other stock is fed [22] Filed:

past a cutter blade to abut against an end stop so that slugs of predetermined length may be severed from the stock, the end stop is permitted to pivot toward the cutter blade when the cutting process begins. If

the stock is not abutting the end stop, which would result in a slug of other than the predetermined length being produced, the end stop shifts toward the cutter M O 4/ H/74 3 6% 0 2 @W N WO 8 8. m0 W. "8 "a 3 "9 8 "7 n n u mh "c H n m t q 5 5 mm U IF H UN H Um blade changing the condition of a switch. The switch operates a mechanical deflector which redirects the severed slug for rejection. If the stock is abutting the end stop when it is released, the end stop does not shift and the severed slug is accepted.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,883,047 10/1932 Spire 83/80 3,543,929 12/!970 83/79 X 8 Clalms, 8 Drawing Figures Sheet 1 of 5 3,911,770

U.S. Patent Oct.'14, 1975 Sheet 3 of 5 3,911,770

US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 a pm m.

US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 4 of5 3,911,770

Sheet 5 of 5 3,911,770

U. S. Patent Oct. 14,1975

FIG. 6.

MACHINE AND NIETHOD FOR CUTTING SLUGS HAVING A UNIFORM LINEAR DIMENSION This invention relates to means for segregating articles of improper length from articles of proper length. More specifically, the invention relates to apparatus which severs articles from stock and, in the same operation, segregates articles which may be either longer or shorter than a predetermined desired length.

In general, the invention relates to apparatus for producing articles, blanks or slugs intended to be used in a process which depends upon uniform length of the articles, blanks or slugs for smooth operation and for avoiding tool smashups, jams, etc. The apparatus of the present invention severs articles from moving stock and passes them to a suitable location for further disposition. The severed articles which are greater or less in length than a predetermined dimension are rejected and separately disposed from those having a length equal to the predetermined dimension.

Machines for cutting articles, blanks or slugs from stock are well known and generally comprise means for moving stock, such as sheet or rod stock for example, past a cutter and an end stop in the path of the stock for limiting the travel thereof while the cutter severs an article or slug therefrom. If the stock has come to rest against the end stop before the cutting process has begun, the severed slug will have a predetermined length substantially equal to the distance from the end stop to the cutter blade. However, because the cutter is cyclically operated and slippage of the stock or other factors may prevent the stock from reaching the end stop before cutting begins, slug length is not always uniform. If the stock has failed to reach the end stop before cutting begins, a short slug will be produced. If the stock has slipped past the end stop before cutting has commenced, a long slug is produced.

If these slugs are to be used in a process which requires uniform length, some means must be provided for separation of proper length slugs from improper length slugs. One highly successful apparatus for accomplishing this is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,749,242, issued to George R. Eckstein on July 31, 1973. However, the use of any such sorting apparatus inherently entails an additional handling step which is expensive in terms of time, space and money.

In accordance with this invention, a cutting apparatus is provided which, upon severing each slug, determines whether the length of the-slug is equal to a predetermined dimension. If the stock abuts a stop member so that a slug equal in length to the predetermined dimension is produced, the end stop and an attached detector are held in place and the slug is accepted. If the stock does not reach the end stop when cutting commences so that a short slug is severed, the detector is permitted to shift toward the cutter blade operating a switching means which causes the severed slug to be deflected and separated from those slugs having a length equal to the predetermined dimension. If the stock slips past the end stop before severing commences, it passes the stop member, again permitting the detector to shift toward the cutter blade and reject the severed slug. In this manner, slugs may be cut and sorted in a single operation ensuring uniformity in length without the necessity of a separate sorting operation.

It is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus for severing articles from stock. I

It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus for severing articles having a predetermined linear dimension from stock.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide an apparatus for-severing articles having a predetermined linear dimension from stock and segregating therefrom articles having a linear dimension different from said predetermined linear dimension.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will be readily apparent when the following Specification is read in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a diagrammatic view of a slug cutting machine in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a partially sectioned front view of the slug cutting machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating an additional phase of operation of the slug cutting machine of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a somewhat diagrammatic cross-sectional view illustrating operation of a deflector of the slug cutting machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 55 of FIG. 2 illustrating camming operation of the slug cutting machine;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary front view similar to FIG. 2 further illustrating operation of the slug cutting machine of this invention;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the slug cutting machine of this invention; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating operation of the alternate embodiment of FIG. 7.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a slug cutting machine 11 is illustrated which may be mounted in any suitable frame for severing slugs of predetermined length from stock 12. The stock 12 may be a plastic or other suitable material and is fed to the machine 11 by a stock transport means such as a pair of rollers 14.

The stock 12 is propelled by the rollers 14 through a suitably shaped opening 15a of a cutting block 15. In the embodiment illustrated, the opening 15a is circular to accommodate the circular cross section of the stock 12. It should be noted, however, that stock having a square, rectangular or other cross section may be cut into segments having a uniform linear dimension by a cutting machine in accordance with this invention. A slot 15b in the cutting block 15 accommodates passage of a cutting blade 16.

The cutting blade 16 is mounted in a suitable blade holder 17 on a cam shaft 20. The cam shaft is connected to an electric motor or other suitable drive means for causing continuous uniform rotation of the cam shaft in a direction such as that indicated by the arrow 21. A cam 22 and a cam 24 are mounted on the cam shaft 20 producing predetermined operating patterns for

cam followers

25 and 26, respectively, in a manner which will be subsequently described herein.

A detector lever 30 is secured to a suitable fulcrum 31 by means of a fulcrum pin 32 passed through aligned openings in the detector lever 30 and the fulcrum 31. The fulcrum 31 is firmly secured by any suitable means to the frame.

The detector lever 30 preferably has a long leg 30a and a short leg 30b extending outwardly from the fulcrum pin 32. A stop member 35 is secured to the detector lever 30 by a hinge pin 36 passed through aligned openings in a central portion 35a of the stop member and a pair of spaced ears 300 on the short leg b of the detector lever.

During operation of the slug cutting machine 1 l, the stock 12 is fed by the rollers 14 through the cutting block 15. If desired, the openings 15a in the cutting block 15 may be of a standard size and shape. Guide bushings 37 (see FIG. 2) are fitted into the openings 15a and can be selected to accommodate stock of any desired cross section, size and shape.

A first end portion b of the stop member 35 is positioned in the path of travel of the stock 12 as it moves past the cutting blade 16 in the direction indicated by the arrow 39 and is spaced a predetermined linear distance from the cutting blade 16. This spatial relationship precisely determines the length of any slug 40 which is cut from the stock. The stock 12 moves past the cutting blade 16 until it abuts the end 35b of the stop member. A slip clutch or other mechanism may be provided in the operating mechanism of the drive rollers 14 in a well known manner for operation after the stock has contacted the stop member 35. The cutting blade 16, moving in a direction indicated by the arrow 41 in FIG. 1, then engages the stock 12 severing a slug 40 of predetermined length therefrom.

The stop member 35 is pivotably mounted on the hinge pin 36 to facilitate release of a severed slug 40. Referring to .FIGS. 1 and 5, the cam follower 26 is attached to an operating rod 42 which is mounted in suitable bearings (not shown) on the frame.

The interaction of the cam 24 and cam follower 26 due to the profile of the cam 24 produces a reciprocating rotational motion of the operating rod 42, one oscillation of the rod 42 being produced for each complete rotation of the cam 24. A slug release arm 44 is secured to the operating rod 42 and, therefore, oscillates at the same rate. As a result, a suitable bearing surface such as a roller 45 secured to the distal end of the slug release arm 44 moves in a vertically reciprocating pattern at one complete cycle for each rotation of the cam shaft 20.

The profile of the cam 24 is coordinated with the operation of the cutting blade 16 so that after a slug 40 has been completely severed from the stock 12, the roller 45 moves vertically downward engaging a second end portion 35c (FIG. 3) of the stop member 35. The stop member 35 is thus caused to rotate in a counter clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3 moving the first end portion 35b vertically upward and out of the path of travel of the stock 12. Its motion no longer inhibited, the stock 12 continues in the direction of the arrow 39 pushing the severed slug 40 out of the guide bushing 37. The slug 40 is then free to fall through an upper chute 46 and deflector 47 for further distribution in a manner to be subsequently described. Once the slug has fallen, the roller 45, due to further motion of the cam 24, releases the stop member 35 which is returned by a biasing spring 49 to the position shown in FIG. 2. It should be noted that proper operation of the slug cutting machine 11 requires that the stop member 35 be returned to the position of FIG. 2 before the advancing end of the stock 12 has reached the first end portion 35b.

By mounting the stop member 35 on the hinged detector lever 30, the slug cutting machine 11 of this invention can be made to separate severed slugs having a predetermined linear dimension from slugs for which the linear dimension is either greater or less. An electrical switch 50 is mounted on the cutting machine in a position to be operated by the long leg 30a of the detector lever 30. If desired, a threaded member 51 may be attached through a suitable opening in the long leg 30a to provide fine adjustment for the operation of the switch 50.

During a substantial portion of each rotation of the cam shaft 20, the detector lever is held in a position engaging the switch 50 by a finger 25a extending from the cam follower 25. Again, if desired, a threaded member 52 may be used for fine adjustment.

While the stock 12 is being fed by the rollers 14 past the cutter 16 toward the first end portion 35b of the stop member 35, interaction of the cam 22 and cam follower 25 causes the finger 25a to hold the detector lever 30 in the position shown in FIG. 2. As a result, the switch 50 is depressed and the first end portion 35b of the stop member 35 is held at the desired predetermined distance from the cutting blade 16. When the cutting blade 16 begins to sever a slug from the stock 12 (FIG. 1) so that further motion of the stock in the direction of the arrow 39 is prevented, the cam 22 releases the cam follower 25 so that the finger 25a no longer prevents motion of the detector lever 30. The detector lever 30 is then urged toward clockwise rotation, as seen in FIG. 2, by a biasing spring 54.

If the leading surface of the stock 12 is properly positioned against the first end portion 35b of the stop member, this interaction will prevent any rotation of the detector lever 30 so that the threaded member 51 will continue to engage the switch 50. However, if, for some reason, the stock 12 has not advanced the required distance to the position illustrated by a dashed line in FIG. 6 and has, therefore, not engaged the stop member 35, the biasing spring 54 will cause the detector lever 30 to rotate around the fulcrum pin 32 in a clockwise direction until the stop member 35 engages the stock 12 or the long leg 30a of the detector lever is engaged by a stop screw 55. The clockwise motion of the detector lever 30 causes the long leg 30a to release the switch 50, thereby changing its operative condition. Upon continued rotation of the cam shaft 20 (FIGS. 1 and 5), the cam 22 again engages the cam follower 25 causing the threaded member 52 on the finger 25a to return the detector lever 30 in a counter clockwise direction to re-engage the switch 50. The cam 24 causes the severed slug to be released in the manner heretofore described.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, the switch 50 is electrically connected to a relay 56 which is in turn electrically connected to a solenoid valve (not shown) controlling the application of compressed air to an air cylinder 57 having a cylinder rod 59. The cylinder rod 59 is secured to the deflector 47 by a swivel connector 60. A second swivel connector 61 connects the deflector 47 to the frame. Operation of the switch 50 causes the relay 56 to operate the solenoid valve and shift the position of the cylinder rod 59 within the air cylinder 57. When the switch 50 is in its normal condition with the switch 50 being depressed by the threaded member 51 on the detector lever 30, the deflector 47 is held in the position shown by solid lines in FIG. 4. Release of the switch 50 activates the relay causing the solenoid valve to supply air to the air cylinder 57 so that the cylinder rod 59 moves the deflector 47 to the position shown by the dashed line in FIG. 4.

A bifurcated lower chute 62 (FIG. 4) is mounted on the slug cutting machine 11 beneath the deflector 47 for directing the slugs 40 to collection containers (not shown). In the preferred embodiment, a first portion 62a of the lower chute directs slugs to one collection container while a second portion 62b directs slugs toward a second container.

Operation of the deflector 47 to separate slugs having a predetermined linear dimension from slugs having another linear dimension'is illustrated by FIG. 4. When a slug is severed from the stock 12 and the stop member 35 is moved from its path by the slug release arm, the slug 30 is pushed by the moving stock l2"from the guide bushing 37 and falls through the upper chute 46 as is illustrated by the slug numbered 40A. If, prior to cutting, the stock fully advanced to a position abutting the stop member '35 so' that shifting of the stop member was prevented and the switch 50 remains depressed, the deflector 47 will remain in the position shown as solid lines and the slug will pass therethrough, as shown by the slug 408. From the deflector 47, the slug is directed along the first portion 62a of the lower chute 62 as shown at 40C. In this manner, each slug having a linear dimension equal to the preset distance between the stop member 35 and the cutting blade 16 will be directed along the first portion 62a of the chute 62 into one collection container.

If, however, when the slug 40 is severed from the stock 12, it is shorter than the predetermined linear dimension or if, due to misalignment, the end of the stock had moved past the stop member 35 so that the slug is longer than the predetermined linear dimension, the stop member 35 will shift as shown in FIG. 6 releasing the switch 50 and causing the air cylinder 57 to move the deflector to the position shown by dashed lines in FIG. 4. Because the switch 50 is operated before the slug 40 has been cut, the cylinder rod 59 can move sufficiently swiftly within the air cylinder so that the short (or long) slug is directed along the second portion 62b of the lower chute 62 as shown by the slug 40D and into a separate collection container. In this manner, any slug having a linear dimension either less than or greater than the predetermined linear dimension is deposited in a container separate from those slugs having the predetermined dimension.

Thus, a slug cutting machine is provided wherein slugs having a uniform linear dimension are severed from stock by moving the stock past the cutting blade until it abuts a stop member a predetermined distance beyond the cutting blade and then severing the slug with the cutting blade. The stop member is moved from the path of the stock and the slug is directed through chutes and a deflector to a collection container. If the stock is not abutting the stop member while the cutting blade is severing a slug, the stop member shifts toward the cutting blade when a detector lever is released and the deflector is shifted to an alternate position to reject the slug.

In an alternate embodiment (see FIG. 7), the stop member 35 is secured by the hinge pin 36 directly to the frame of the slug cutting machine. Thus, the detector lever 30 is omitted. Instead, a sensor 64 is mounted on the stop member 35 at the first end portion 35b. The sensor 64, which may be any switching device of proper sensitivity, is the functional equivalent of the switch 50 of FIGS. 1-3. The sensor 64 is placed in a first operating condition when the stock 12 abuts the stop member 35 causing the deflector 47 to direct the severed slug along the first portion 62a of the lower chute 62 of FIG. 4. If the stock 12 does not abut the stop member 35 while the slug is being severed, the sensor 64 will be in a second operating condition caus'ing'the deflector 47 to direct the slug toward the second portion 62b of the chute 62.

If this configuration is utilized, the relay 56 could be controlled through a circuit such as that illustrated in FIG. 8. The relay 56 is connected to a source of operating voltage V through the sensor 64 and a cam operated switch 65. The cam operated switch 65 is preferably controlled by the cam 22 and is closed when the cutting blade begins to cut the stock 12.

As an additional alternative, a fixed stop member, separate from the stop member 35, could be provided to terminate travel of the stock 12 while the stop member 35 (or its equivalent) and detector lever 30 are provided solely to operate the switch 50. Additional changes of a structural or functional nature can be made in the slug cutting machine 1 1 without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention.

I claim: v

1. A machine for cutting pieces having a uniform linear dimension from stock moving past a cutting means, along a path of travel, said machine comprising cutting means for severing pieces from stock, a pivotably mounted arm, a stop member mounted on the arm and positioned in the path of travel of the stock a predetermined distance from the cutting means when the arm is in a normal operating position, biasing means for moving the arm from the normal operating position in a direction to move the stop means toward the cutting means, camming means for selectively holding the arm in and releasing the arm from its normal operating position, means for directing each severed piece to a first collection area, deflector means operable to divert a piece to a second collection area, switching means responsive to motion of the arm to operate the deflector means for diverting a piece when the arm moves from its normal operating position.

2. A method of cutting pieces having a uniform linear dimension from stock, said method comprising the steps of moving stock past a cutter at a fixed location toward a stop member while holding the stop member in a fixed position and permitting the stock to abut the stop member if it has moved that far during a predetermined interval, then releasing the stop member and biasing it toward the stock, utilizing the cutter to sever a piece from the stock, and directing the severed piece in one direction if the stop member shifts toward the stock while released and in another direction if the stop member doesnt shift toward the stock while released.

3. A machine for cutting pieces having a uniform length from stock of indefinite length feeding lengthwise past a cutting means, said machine comprising: cutting means repetitively operable for severing pieces from the stock; stop means mounted for movement lengthwise of the stock into abutment with the end of the stock, said stop means being movable between a predetermined position at a distance from said cutting means equal to said uniform length, and locations spaced closer to said cutting means; biasing means for urging said stop means toward said cutting means; holding means constructed and arranged for placing said stop means in said predetermined position during intervals between operations of said cutting means to permit the stock to feed past said cutting means toward said predetermined position, and for releasing said stop means during operation of said cutting means to permit said biasing means to urge said stop means toward said cutting means and against the end of the stock; rejecting means for separating pieces cut off from the stock by said cutting means; and sensing means responsive to the position assumed by said stop means after release thereof by said holding means, and operatively connected for controlling said rejecting means to separate pieces cut from the stock while the stock engages said stop means at said predetermined position from other pieces cut from the stock.

4. A machine as recited in claim 3, wherein said sensing means is responsive to abutment thereof by the stock, and is mounted on said stop means in a position for abutment by the stock and spaced, when said stop is in said predetermined position, at a distance from said cutting means equal to said uniform length.

5. A machine as recited in claim 3, wherein said sensing means has first and second alternative operative conditions, and said rejecting means has a first position for directing pieces in one direction when said sensing means is in a first operative condition and a second position for directing pieces in another direction when said sensing means is in a second operative condition, and wherein said sensing means is placed in said first operative condition by movement of said stop means to said predetermined position, and in said second operative condition by movement of said stop means from said predetermined position.

6. A machine as recited in claim 5, wherein said sensing means comprises switch means actuable to said first and second operative conditions by corresponding movements of said stop means to and from said prede termined position.

7. A machine as recited in claim 3, together with lever means pivotally mounting said stop means for said movement lengthwise of the stock, and for oscillatory movement between a position aligned lengthwise with the stock for abutment therewith and a position misaligned from the stock to avoid interference with removal of cut pieces thereof.

8. A machine as recited in claim 7, in which said holding means are constructed and arranged for placing said stop means in said misaligned position upon completion of each operation of said cutting means and restoring said stop means to said aligned position prior to each subsequent operation of said cutting means.

Claims

2. A method of cutting pieces having a uniform linear dimension from stock, said method comprising the steps of moving stock past a cutter at a fixed location toward a stop member while holding the stop member in a fixed position and permitting the stock to abut the stop member if it has moved that far during a predetermined interval, then releasing the stop member and biasing it toward the stock, utilizing the cutter to sever a piece from the stock, and directing the severed piece in one direction if the stop member shifts toward the stock while released and in another direction if the stop member doesn''t shift toward the stock while released.

6. A machine as recited in claim 5, wherein said sensing means comprises switch means actuable to said first and second operative conditions by corresponding movements of said stop means to and from said pRedetermined position.