Abstract:
Wood is bent using a unit and a method in which a continuous and uninterrupted curved path is defined over a workpiece-supporting surface and form and clamp blocks are electromagnetically attached to the workpiece-supporting surface adjacent to the path. The form and clamp blocks engage a wood workpiece to force that workpiece into a shape that matches the path defined over the workpiece-supporting surface.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for obtaining a desired nip pressure distribution profile in the cross direction of a paper web. The paper web passes through a nip, the latter defined by at least one elastomer covered roll, the covered roll having polarizable particles or magnetic particles embedded therein. A plurality of spaced plates or spaced coils each generate a local field (respectively electric or magnetic) which acts upon individual spaced zones or regions along the covered roll. The field may thus be an electric field or a magnetic filed. The effect of the field is to change the effective modulus of the elastomer by acting on the particles. In turn, this action varies the nip pressure pulse as to exert a desired pressure at each of a plurality of spaced zones or regions on the paper web, to thus create or process a more uniform product in the nip. The method and apparatus can be used, for example, to improve web moisture profiles in the press section of paper machines.
Abstract:
The invention provides a press for bread products which includes two horizontally opposed, inclined press blocks which contain electromagnets with a trapezoidal pendulum block is pivotally mounted between the press blocks. The pendulum includes two large permanent magnets. The polarity of the electromagnets is switched in a manner to force the pendulum to swing from contact with one press block to the other. A dough ball distribution system is also provided which distributes dough balls to interstitial positions between the pendulum and the press blocks, so that when the polarity of the electromagnets is switched, the pendulum press block presses the dough ball into a tortilla. A heating system is provided to heat the press blocks and pendulum block to partially cook the tortilla and aid in removing the pressed blocks after it is pressed. Controlling circuitry is also provided which controls the activation of the heating system, the motion of the press block, the timing between the dough ball distributor and movement of the pendulum press block.
Abstract:
A mechanism for regulating the external surface of an elastically deformable metal shell includes a temperature control for controlling roll sections and thus pressure controlling for controlling bending of a roller. The assembly provides a press roller with one or more pressing members for regulating nip pressure of a press roller against a counter roller. The assembly also provides a suction box with a mechanism for pressing it against a counter roller and a mechanism for pressing the counter roller against the box. The pressing mechanism are pressurized by use of a silicone elastomer compound which is in turn preferably pressurized by heating.
Abstract:
An electromagnetically-driven punch press has an electromagnetic drive thrust motor comprising a fan-cooled solenoid winding and movable armature mounted in elevated location for isolating the magnetic circuit from the tooling to avoid tool magnetization and isolating winding heat from tooling for stabilizing tool dimensions. Stroke length, "open" height and "shut" height are conveniently adjustable; and tool performance is optimized by adjusting armature-thrust versus travel. Four-way access to tooling enables convenient material feeding and handling, including multi-direction or multi-layer feed. Scrap pieces are freely downwardly ejected. Multiple electromagnetic drives are mountable side-by-side at the same elevation, or they are stackable at multiple levels for increased power or for tailoring force-versus-distance relative to materials being worked. Materials-handling and/or tool-handling robots or pneumatic actuators can be installed on an elevated platform. The electromagnetic drive is removable and interchangeable among multiple die sets for easy tooling change-over among various production runs. Thus, "tooling set-up" by skilled machinist need be performed only once for each die set until worn dies require sharpening. A resilient upwardly biased shuttle pole-piece boosts available energy by extending upwardly into the winding opening. Ball-bearing bushings carry the movable tool and anti-skid supports prevent ball bearings and their cages from skidding downwardly when the moving tool impacts against the work material. Adjustable resilient cushioning arrests tool travel for minimizing "tool whip" and tool wear at the end of the work stroke.
Abstract:
A device for separating and closing a split mold that comprises a base, a stationary platen, and a movable platen extending upward from the base and oriented to oppose each other, electromagnets, a hydraulic cylinder, and a control panel. The movable platen is capable of movement toward and away from the stationary platen by the hydraulic cylinder. The stationary platen has the electromagnets mounted thereon and the movable platen has the electromagnets mounted thereon. In the use of the device, the mold is positioned upon the base such that the first half is positioned against the stationary platen. The movable platen is moved against the second half and the electromagnets are activated. The movable platen is then moved away from the stationary platen, and the mold halves are held against their respective platens by the attractive forces of the electromagnets. Mold halves are thus separated by the movement of the platen away from the stationary platen in activation of the electromagnets.
Abstract:
Apparatus for mounting a pair of die members so that one die member can move toward and away from the other die member. The apparatus includes a pair of spaced die shoes for mounting respective die members and an electromagnetic unit for moving one of the die shoes toward the other die shoe. The electromagnetic unit includes a coil mounted on one of the die shoes and an armature mounted on the other die shoe, the electromagnet and the armature being between the die shoes. The armature is aligned with and partially extends into a recess in the central portion of the coil so that, when current flows through the coil, the armature is attracted to the coil and moves the other die shoe toward the one die shoe. A bias structure biases the other die shoe away from the one die shoe. Such bias structure can take the form of an air cylinder or a spring.
Abstract:
A press is provided for compacting small scale objects such as beverage cans. The press includes a hollow, cylindrical housing having a floor and sidewalls extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom to define a housing cavity, a compacting arrangement slidable within the cavity, the compacting arrangement being arranged to travel within the cavity in close proximity to the sidewalls of the housing, and an arrangement for drawing the compacting means downwards toward the floor of the housing. The drawing arrangment may include an arrangement for producing negative pressure within the housing cavity or an electromagnet and is capable of drawing the compacting arrangement toward the floor of the housing with sufficient force to substantially crush an object positioned between the compacting arrangement and the floor of the housing.
Abstract:
A magnetic shunt roll assembly is disclosed, providing a shunting circuit of magnetic flux conducting material which is normally discontinuous, and a switch having a graspable element of flux conducting material which is moveable to close the circuit and reopen it. The assembly is useful in conjunction with textile machines for facilitating positioning thereon and removal therefrom.