Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

An improved method of operating an apparatus to cut sheet material workpieces eliminates the inadvertent dropping of a relatively small scrap or remainder portion of a workpiece into a clearance space between a pair of cutter blades and a discharge conveyor. Thus, a relatively large sheet metal workpiece is gripped by a holder which moves the workpiece relative to a pair of blades. The blades are moved relative to each other to cut the workpiece to form a product having a desired configuration. The product is dropped onto a discharge conveyor. In order to prevent a relatively small scrap piece remaining in the holder from being dropped into a space between the discharge conveyor and the blades, the holder is extended through the space between the blades to a location over the discharge conveyor and is opened to drop the scrap or remainder portion of the workpiece onto the discharge conveyor.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim