n

Method and absorbent compositions for recovering a gaseous component from a gas stream

A method and apparatus for recovering a gaseous component from an incoming gas stream is described. The incoming gas stream is contacted with a lean aqueous absorbing medium to absorb at least a portion of the gaseous component from the incoming gas stream to form a lean treated gas stream and a rich aqueous absorbing medium. At least a portion of the gaseous component is desorbed from the rich aqueous absorbing medium at a temperature to form an overhead gas stream and a regenerated aqueous absorbing medium. At least a portion of the overhead gas stream is treated to recover a condensate stream. At least a portion of the condensate stream is used to form a heated stream. At least a portion of the heated stream is recycled back to the desorbing step. Novel absorbing medium compositions to recover carbon dioxide and/or hydrogen sulfide are also described.




n

Self service kiosk incorporating moisture repellant filter

A self service kiosk station employing a water repellant air filter is provided. The self service kiosk may take many forms including a vending machine, gaming station, ATM, DVD rental machine, or the like. Positive pressure within the housing may be employed as well to keep contaminants outs and ensure air flow into the housing is through the water repellant air filter.




n

Process and apparatus for winning oil from a vapor gas mixture

A process for winning oil from a vapor gas mixture (VGM) containing a plurality of oil fractions obtained by the pyrolysis of a hydrocarbon containing material includes dedusting and cooling the VGM. The dedusted and cooled VGM are fractionated in at least two electrostatic precipitator stages at respective temperatures corresponding to respective boiling points of the oil fractions so as to separate the oil fractions.




n

Fast gas chromatograph method and device for analyzing a sample

A fast gas chromatograph (GC) method and device for obtaining fast gas chromatography analysis, in which a capillary gas chromatography column is inserted into a resistively heated metal tube located mostly outside a heated oven, which serves as a heated transferline to a flexible column that enters a resistively heated metal tube from a gas chromatograph injector and exits into a gas chromatograph detector. The resistively heated metal tube of the fast GC device has an internal diameter that is over twice the external diameter of the GC column so as to enable the insertion of several capillary GC column loops. The process of column insertion into or removal from the heated tube is aided by touching it with an ultrasound vibrating device that remarkably reduces the friction during column insertion into the metal tube heater.




n

Apparatus and systems having an adsorbent contactor and swing adsorption processes related thereto

A method and apparatus are described for swing adsorption processes. The method includes obtaining different plates, wherein the plates have gaseous openings and a utility fluid opening. Then, the gaseous openings are substantially oriented along a common axis for gaseous openings and the plates are diffusion bonded. Once diffusion bonded, the gaseous openings within the module are wash coated with an adsorbent material.




n

Methods of removing contaminants from hydrocarbon stream by swing adsorption and related apparatus and systems

A pressure swing adsorption process for removal of CO2 from natural gas streams through a combination of a selective adsorbent material containing an effective amount of a non-adsorbent filler, adsorbent contactor design, and adsorption cycle design. The removal of contaminants from gas streams, preferably natural gas streams, using rapid-cycle swing adsorption processes, such as rapid-cycle pressure swing adsorption (RC-PSA). Separations at high pressure with high product recovery and/or high product purity are provided through a combination of judicious choices of adsorbent material, gas-solid contactor, system configuration, and cycle designs. For example, cycle designs that include steps of purge and staged blow-down as well as the inclusion of a mesopore filler in the adsorbent material significantly improves product (e.g., methane) recovery. An RC-PSA product with less than 10 ppm H2S can be produced from a natural gas feed stream that contains less than 1 mole percent H2S.




n

Method and device for producing a fluid enriched with carbon dioxide from a waste gas of a ferrous-metallurgy unit

The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for producing a fluid enriched in carbon dioxide starting from a waste gas from a ferrous metallurgy unit.




n

Down-flow direct contact cooler

Systems and methods are contemplated for down-flow cooling of a feed gas. Contemplated systems can include a housing having an inlet conduit disposed within an upper portion and configured to receive a first stream. First and second stages can be disposed within the housing, with the first stage disposed upstream of the second stage and having a first cooling stream, and the second stage having a second cooling stream that is colder than the first cooling stream. The housing can be configured such that the first stream is cooled by down-flow heat exchange with the first and second cooling streams to produce a conditioned stream depleted of at least a portion of water condensed from the feed gas.




n

Multistage cyclonic fluid separator

The invention relates to a cyclonic fluid separator comprising a throat portion (4) which is arranged between a converging fluid inlet section and a diverging fluid outlet section. The cyclonic fluid separator is arranged to facilitate a cyclonic flow through the converging fluid inlet section and the throat portion towards the diverging fluid outlet section in a downstream direction. The diverging fluid outlet section comprises an inner primary outlet conduit (7) for condensable depleted fluid components and an outer secondary outlet conduit (6) for condensable enriched fluid components. The cyclonic fluid separator comprises a further outer secondary outlet conduit (16). The outer secondary outlet conduit (6) is positioned on a first position along a central axis (I) of the cyclonic fluid separator and the further outer secondary outlet conduit (16) is positioned on a second position along the central axis (I) of the cyclonic fluid separator.




n

Array of hollow fibers and a system and method of manufacturing same

An array of hollow fibers including a plurality of hollow fibers of a predetermined diameter configured to receive a gas having oxygen therein and transfer the oxygen to a fluid and/or transfer carbon dioxide in the fluid to a gas. The array is configured in a predetermined pattern having a predetermined packing density that is a fraction of a total cross-sectional area of the array occupied by the hollow fibers.




n

Aliphatic amine based nanocarbons for the absorption of carbon dioxide

A composition of matter, and method to make same, for a nano-based material including a nanocarbon support to which is attached an aliphatic amine. In particular, the composition of matter is an aliphatic amine-nanocarbon material that includes a nanocarbon (NC) support, such as C60, nano-graphite, graphene, nanocarbon ribbons, graphite intercalation compounds, graphite oxide, nano-coal, nanohorns, and combinations thereof, and further includes an aliphatic amine, such as polyethyleneimine (PEI).




n

Chromatography columns

A chromatography column is prepared with a stationary phase comprising a deuterated poly(ethyleneglycol), or other deuterated polymer. Formation of the stationary phase can be performed using exactly the same methodology as used when forming a stationary phase with the equivalent non-deuterated polymer. The deuterated poly(ethyleneglycol), or other deuterated polymer, preferably has increased thermal stability as compared to non-deuterated poly(ethyleneglycol), or equivalent non-deuterated polymer. This reduces bleeding of the stationary phase during gas chromatography and allows the use of greater operating temperatures.




n

Regenerative adsorption process for removal of silicon-containing contaminants from process gas using a neutral adsorbent media

A natural gas-containing stream such as biogas from landfills and sewage treatment plants is freed of siloxane contaminants by passing the biogas through a bed containing an adsorbent having a neutral surface, which adsorbs the siloxanes. When the bed of neutral adsorbent is filled to capacity, the adsorbent bed is heated to remove the siloxanes and regenerate the bed. The neutral adsorbent reduces disadvantageous reactions between the adsorbent and siloxane and other impurities in the natural gas-containing stream.




n

Systems and methods for gas treatment

A system and process for the recovery of at least one halogenated hydrocarbon from a gas stream. The recovery includes adsorption by exposing the gas stream to an adsorbent with a lattice structure having pore diameters with an average pore opening of between about 5 and about 50 angstroms. The adsorbent is then regenerated by exposing the adsorbent to a purge gas under conditions which efficiently desorb the at least one adsorbed halogenated hydrocarbon from the adsorbent. The at least one halogenated hydrocarbon (and impurities or reaction products) can be condensed from the purge gas and subjected to fractional distillation to provide a recovered halogenated hydrocarbon.




n

System and method for reducing mineral buildup on drift eliminators of a cooling tower

A method directed to reducing mineral buildup on drift eliminators of a cooling tower by allowing irrigation of the drift eliminators of the cooling tower with fluid in the basin of the cooling tower to reduce mineral buildup.




n

Fines capture and recycle system and uses thereof

A cyclone system for a gasifier having two or more cyclones arranged in series sharing a combined loop seal and dipleg is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method for capturing and recycling fines with the cyclone system.




n

Apparatus and methods for separating volatiles from particulates

Apparatus and methods for separating volatiles from particulates are provided. The apparatus includes a separator having an internal volume and a fluid discharge outlet, a particulate discharge outlet, a particulate inlet, and a fluid inlet disposed on the separator and in fluid communication with the internal volume. The particulate inlet is disposed toward a first end of the separator and the fluid inlet is disposed toward a second end of the separator. The fluid inlet includes one or more openings disposed through a sidewall of the separator.




n

Exhaust substance removal

In one implementation, a substance removal apparatus may include a collection unit and a removal unit. The collection unit may have a structure forming a channel and an inlet to receive an exhaust from a print system. The removal unit may separate a substance from the exhaust and transfer heat from the exhaust to the print system. The removal unit may include a heat exchanger and an impaction mechanism.




n

Exhaust gas treatment apparatus

The exhaust gas treatment apparatus has a sealed vessel which is vertically partitioned into two spaces by a partition. A portion of the sealed vessel lower than the partition is an absorbing liquid storage portion, and a portion of the sealed vessel upper than the partition is an exhaust gas introducing portion. The partition is provided with a large number of sparger pipes so that the sparger pipes reach inside an absorbing liquid stored in the absorbing liquid storage portion. The partition is provided with a single gas riser in communication with a space upper than the absorbing liquid in the absorbing liquid storage portion. An upper end of the gas riser passes through a top plate portion of the sealed vessel and protrudes upward.




n

Dynamic control of desiccant concentrations in a water recovery device

A system and method to recover water from an ambient airstream. Dehumidification of the airstream is also achieved by removal of the water. A device of the system includes a chamber having a group of trays that hold respective amounts of liquid desiccant in each tray, the concentration of the liquid desiccant may be dynamically changed based on changes within the system. A foam media absorbs the desiccant to increase an exposed surface of the desiccant to the airstream. Fans and valves are used to control airflow through the device. A charge cycle circulates air through the device to remove water vapor from the airstream. A subsequent extraction cycle removes water collected in the liquid desiccant by a condenser communicating with the chamber. A controller is used to integrate and manage all system functions and input variables to achieve a high efficiency of operational energy use for water collection.




n

Unsteady-state gas permeation process

There is provided a process for effecting permeation of at least an operative material component of an operative mixture from a higher pressure space, through a membrane, and into a lower pressure space, wherein the higher pressure space is disposed in mass transfer communication with the lower pressure space through the membrane.




n

Punching device, paper processing apparatus, and image forming apparatus

A punching device includes a punching unit that punches a hole in a sheet of paper; a container that receives a chad of paper generated upon punching by the punching unit; a dispersing member that is provided within the container and that is configured to disperse the chad of paper; and a guiding member configured to guide the chad of paper that is generated upon punching by the punching unit and fallen into the container to the dispersing member.




n

Cutting device and cutting method for cutting labels, and labelling apparatus

A cutting device for cutting labels includes a cutting element for cutting into individual labels a label strip that is provided with a plurality of labels arranged one behind the other in the direction of the length of the label strip. The cutting element has a cutting tool in a first axis, about which the cutting element is rotatable. A counter-pressure roller which serves for the placement of the label strip is rotatable about a second axis arranged parallel to the first axis and has at least one counter-cutting bar which is provided on the outer surface of the counter-pressure roller essentially parallel to the second axis.




n

Waterjet cutting system with standoff distance control

A cutting head of a waterjet cutting system is provided having an environment control device and a measurement device. The environment control device is positioned to act on a surface of a workpiece at least during a measurement operation to establish a measurement area on the surface of the workpiece substantially unobstructed by fluid. The measurement device is positioned to selectively obtain information from within the measurement area indicative of a position of the cutting head relative to the workpiece. A control system is further provided and operable to position the cutting head relative to the workpiece at a standoff distance based at least in part on the information indicative of the position of the cutting head relative to the workpiece obtained by the measurement device. A method of operating a waterjet cutting system is also provided.




n

Web member cutting apparatus for cutting web member that has a plurality of fibers including tows and web member cutting method

An apparatus for cutting a continuous web includes a disc-shaped rotatable blade member for cutting the continuous web by moving in an intersecting direction, while rotating about an axis of a rotating shaft, a regulating section for regulating a relative movement of the continuous web in the predetermined direction with respect to the rotatable blade member throughout a time during which the rotatable blade member is cutting the continuous web, and a reciprocating mechanism for moving both the rotatable blade member and the regulating section along a forward path and a return path. The forward path has an equal velocity region where both the rotatable blade member and the regulating section move at a velocity value equal to a transport velocity value of the continuous web. The rotatable blade member cuts the continuous web while moving in the equal velocity region.




n

Divider fin assembly for die-cut blanks

A fin assembly for attachment to a die cutting machine to guide and align at least two blanks cut from a sheet in the machine as the blanks are fed through the machine. The fin assembly includes at least one thin plate-like fin having length and height dimensions and a narrow thickness. The fin is mounted in the machine so that the length dimension is in substantial alignment with a respective cut separating two blanks cut in the machine, so that the blanks fall on opposite sides of the fin as they are fed through the machine, whereby the fin keeps the blanks separate and aligns them as they are fed through the machine. At least one back stop is associated with the fin to prevent blanks from moving in a reverse direction and falling out of the machine when they fall past the fin.




n

Rotary cutting apparatus with vibration attenuation means

Rotary cutting apparatus has a frame, a first rotary device and a second rotary device. Each of the first and second rotary devices has a shaft concentrically arranged about a rotational axis and a drum and are arranged in the frame in such a way that said first and second axes are substantially horizontal and substantially in the same vertical plane. A pair of bearing housings is arranged on either side of each of the drums. A first pair of bearing housings is movable relative to the frame in a transverse direction to the first rotational axis by means of a force means. Means is provided for passive vibration attenuation of at least the first shaft that includes a mass damper having a housing and a damping body movably arranged inside the housing, wherein the mass damper is associated with the first pair of bearing housings.




n

Dual functional electric saw

A dual functional electric saw, comprising a saw base, a saw body and a connection mechanism whereby the saw base and the saw body are jointed together, wherein said connection mechanism comprises a connection beam being a fastener of said saw base, a load-bearing column connected with said connection beam, sliding kits installed on the load-bearing column for leading the horizontal motion of said saw body, and an angle regulation fitting being capable of adjusting the cutting angle between work piece and saw disc, with the sliding kits being an axis, one end of the angle regulation fitting is connected to the sliding kits while the other end is connected to the saw body; said saw base comprises a dismountable cover kit and a stand set having a chamber being capable of accommodating the saw body.




n

Noodles and apparatus for processing the same

Noodles with hand-made quality consisting of thick and thin portions are processed by introducing a noodle belt between first and second cutting rolls 5 and 6 having first and second cutting blades 3 and 4 each formed by large and small diameter portions 3a, 4a and 3b and 4b, and spacers 7. The cutting rolls are relatively shifted in an axial direction such that the thick portion is formed by opposing large diameter portion and spacer and the thin portion is formed by opposing large diameter portion and small diameter portion.




n

Dicing apparatus and dicing method

A dicing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes: a work table on which a work is mounted; a processing device which processes the work; an imaging device which images the work on the work table; a plurality of moving device which move the work table, the processing device, and the imaging device relatively to each other; and an alignment camera which is provided on the same moving device as the work table so as to face the imaging device, and which performs imaging in the direction toward the portion where the imaging device is provided. According to the dicing apparatus configured in this way, it is possible to easily measure the relative position of the imaging device and the processing device without processing a dummy work, and it is possible to perform excellent dicing processing without lowering the efficiency of the dicing apparatus.




n

Bread conveying apparatus and bread slicing apparatus

A bread conveying apparatus and a bread slicing apparatus including the bread conveying apparatus, comprise a flight conveyer including a first flight for urging a bread, an endless revolving member on which the first flight is mounted, and a driving member and a driven member, the endless revolving member being wound around the driving member and driven member; a rail extending along a conveying path of the bread and supporting the first flight; and a rail size setting unit for setting a length of the rail with respect to an extending direction of the conveying path, wherein the length of the rail with respect to the conveying direction is set by the rail size setting unit based on a size of the bread.




n

Handheld work apparatus with switchable power

The invention relates to a portable, handheld work apparatus such as a trimmer, a cut-off machine, a chain saw or the like, having a motor (5, 33) to drive a rotating, exchangeable work tool (13). A control unit (15) serves to control the operation of the motor (5, 33). The control unit (15) determines the rotational speed (n) and/or the power (P) of the motor (5, 33). According to the invention, the motor (5, 33) can be operated in a first operating mode (I) with reduced rotational speed (n0) and/or power (P0) and in at least a second operating mode (II) with an increased rotational speed (n1) and/or power (P1). In dependence on a release signal, the control uses exclusively the first operating mode (I) for a limited operation and the second operating mode (II) for an expanded operation.




n

Towel dispenser

An improved towel dispenser includes a rotatable driveshaft mounted in a one-way clutch bearing fitted with a pinion which engages a vertically oriented press bar assembly including at its lower portion a rack which engages the pinion to advance paper towel through a dispensing nip upon pivotable motion of the press bar assembly. A dispensing chute located below the dispensing nip includes a lower shelf configured to direct web forwardly toward the front portion of a dispenser. The gear rack is preferably an internal gear rack integrally formed with a unitary press bar assembly member. The dispensing chute is configured such that an angle between a cutting-blade and the outer lip of the shelf makes an angle with a vertical of at least about 25°.




n

Clamping and gripping device with high mechanical advantage and energy saving attributes

A tool is provided for moving a first clamping or gripping member toward or away from a second facing clamping or gripping member, the tool having a double threaded drive shaft coupled to opposed threaded linkage driving members for causing the threaded linkage driving members to be driven toward or away from each other. As the threaded linkage driving members move closer, the resulting angle of the links becomes steeper, thus increasing the mechanical advantage of the clamping tool, enhancing clamping forces. A beneficial result is a clamping apparatus that requires less manual energy than a traditional clamp. Another beneficial result is provided if the same amount of energy is applied to the driveshaft as in a traditional clamp, the resulting clamping force is significantly higher. If the second clamping member is adjustable, it accommodates wide variations in thickness of an object positioned between the first and second clamping members.




n

Web member cutting apparatus for cutting web member that has a plurality of fibers including tows and web member cutting method

A web-member cutting apparatus for cutting a web member at intervals in a transport direction includes: an intermittent transport mechanism for intermittently transporting the web member in the transport direction; a disc-like rotatable blade member for cutting the web member by moving along an intersecting direction while rotating about a rotation shaft during a suspension period of transport of the web member, and a downstream pressing member for regulating movement of the web member by pressing the web member against the intermittent transport mechanism at a position downstream from a target cut position in the transport direction throughout a period during which the rotatable blade member is cutting the web member.




n

Window covering sizing method and apparatus

A method and apparatus for cutting a window covering comprises saw for cutting the window blind. A clamp assembly moves the window covering relative to the saw. A controller moves the clamp assembly to automatically position the window covering relative to the saw. The saw is moved into engagement with the window covering to cut the window covering.




n

Apparatus and method for cutting tubular members

An apparatus for cutting tubular members includes a support structure, a control system, a cutting station, a guide and an extracting assembly. The cutting station includes a first wheel having at least one cutting member located on the circumference of the first wheel and a second wheel having at least one projection located on the circumference of the second wheel. The extracting assembly has a cylindrical member with a first end and a second end. The cylindrical member also includes a pair of grooves extending along a portion of the interior thereof. The grooves decrease in height and depth from the first interior section to the third interior section.




n

Positioning device for a turnable table of saw machine

A positioning device for a turnable table of a saw machine having a pivot shaft that pivotally connects a pair of clamping units. A pressing member with an attachment portion for attaching to a coupling unit may be formed on each clamping unit. By manipulating a trigger of the coupling unit, the pair of clamping units can be driven to rotate a pair of corresponding clench members for selectively clamping or unclamping a base of the saw machine. Thereby, the turnable table can be secured in place upon adjustment.




n

Polymer clay slicing system

A polymer clay slicer having a base which supports a platform positionally adjustable in relation to a blade carrier which operates to engage a blade with an amount of polymer clay located on the platform to generate polymer clay slices having a desired thickness.




n

Device and method for cutting through the adhesive bead of panes that have been fixed by bonding

A device and a method for cutting through the adhesive bead of panes that have been fixed by bonding is specified, said device having a base body on which at least one suction plate for fixing on a pane to be separated out as well as one motor-drivable coil for winding-on a separating wire are accommodated, wherein at least two guide rollers are held on the base body by means of extension arms at a distance which is adjustable in respect to each other. The device is preferably positioned approximately diagonally on the pane in such a manner that the guide rollers are situated on the outer ends of the extension arms in the vicinity of the corner regions of the pane.




n

Sheet material punching device

A sheet material punching device includes a plurality of punches and links, a driving mechanism having drive gears capable of transmitting a rotational driving force of an electric motor (driving source), and slide arms allowed to reciprocate along the longitudinal direction of a frame, the slide arms making the punches reciprocate in a punching direction along with their own reciprocating motions by the intermediary of links. The slide arms respectively have cams capable of converting the rotational motion of the driving mechanism into the reciprocating motions of the slide arms, and auxiliary cams capable of moving the slide arms to predefined initial positions. The drive gears respectively have cam followers to be engaged with the cams, and auxiliary cam followers to be engaged with the auxiliary cams. The sheet material punching device return the slide arms to the initial positions without increasing a driving energy.




n

Work piece cutting apparatus

A work piece cutting apparatus including a base, a work table, a support post defining a void for a work piece being worked on to pass at least partially through the void, a cutting device, and attachment assembly for securing the cutting device to the support post. Another embodiment of the above apparatus includes a work table being movable to angle orientations relative to the base, and a locking mechanism for locking the work table into angle orientations. A further embodiment is an apparatus adapted for receiving a cutting device. The apparatus includes a base, a work table, and a tool dock base located about the work table. The tool dock base is adapted for receiving a cutting device. Another embodiment of the above apparatus includes a work table being movable to angle orientations relative to the base, and a locking mechanism for locking the work table into angle orientations.




n

Dresser drive link for saw chain

Embodiments herein provide a drive link having a conditioning portion to be used in conjunction with one or more dresser links of a saw chain to condition a sharpening element. The dresser links may include left and right dresser links configured to contact the sharpening element in first and second contact regions which may not overlap, leaving a gap. The conditioning portion of the drive link may contact the sharpening element in a third contact region that includes at least a portion of the gap between the first and second contact regions.




n

Articulating band saw and method

An articulating band saw apparatus provides a frame that includes a vertically extending section having upper and lower end portions. An elevator moves between the upper and lower end portions of the frame. A first hydraulic actuator is supported on the elevator for movement therewith. A first arm provides arm end portions, the first arm supported by the first hydraulic actuator. An end of the first arm supporting a second hydraulic actuator that is spaced away from the first hydraulic actuator. The second hydraulic actuator supports a second arm. An endless band type saw is mounted on the free end of the second arm generally opposite the second actuator. The band saw is movable by articulation of the first and second actuators and resulting movement of the first and second arms. In one embodiment, the band saw is a diamond wire saw.




n

Rotary cutter unit and printer device having the unit

A simple and compact rotary cutter unit capable of detecting a home position of a rotary cutter, and a printer device having the rotary cutter unit. A radially outwardly extending fin-shaped detected member is arranged on an end portion of the rotating blade opposed to a second gear of the rotating blade. A photosensor is arranged within a main frame of the printer device so that the photosensor may detect the fin-shaped member when the rotating blade is positioned at the home position. The fin-shaped member and the photosensor are not positioned outside relative to both ends of the rotating blade in relation to the direction of the rotational axis of the rotating blade. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the width of the printer device due to the presence of the fin-shaped member or the photosensor, whereby the printer device may be compactly constituted.




n

Adjustment device for an auxiliary fence

An adjustment device for an auxiliary fence includes a support frame, an auxiliary fence, a guiding unit and an adjusting unit. The guiding unit guides the auxiliary fence along a longitudinal direction such that the auxiliary fence is selectively slidable relative to the support frame. The adjusting unit allows the auxiliary fence to be adjusted relative to the support frame and securely positioned. The adjusting unit includes a driving member, a securing member installed on the driving member, and an elastomeric element. When the driving member is operated, the securing member becomes disengaged from the support frame which allows the position of the auxiliary fence to be adjusted by sliding it relative to the support frame.




n

Multifunctional saw apparatus and method

In some examples, an apparatus includes a base including an arm selectively movable with respect to the base. The arm is selectively rotatable about a first arm axis. A base plate is engaged with the arm. A tool is configured to be detachably coupled to the base plate. The tool is movable with the base plate when coupled to the base plate. The apparatus includes a first mode with the tool coupled to the base plate and the arm being selectively rotatable about the first arm axis, a second mode with the tool coupled to the base plate and the arm being constrained from rotating about the first arm axis, the arm being substantially stationary with respect to the base; and a third mode with the tool detached from the base plate.




n

Cutting apparatus

A cutting apparatus is provided with a first blade (48, 82), a second blade (50, 84) intersecting with the first blade (48, 82), and a switching unit (72). The switching unit (72) switches between a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the first blade (48, 82) positions in a cutting position in which it is possible to cut a work-piece (12) and the second blade (50, 84) positions in a non-cutting position in which it is impossible to cut the work-piece (12). In the second mode, the second blade (50, 84) positions in the cutting position in which it is possible to cut the work-piece (12) and the first blade (48, 82) positions in the non-cutting position in which it is impossible to cut the work-piece (12).




n

Reciprocating microtome drive system

An apparatus having a sample sectioning device including a cutting mechanism that is operable to cut sections from a sample and a sample holder that is operable to hold the sample. The apparatus further includes a drive system coupled with the sample holder to drive movement of the sample holder and a reciprocating member coupled to the drive system to drive vertical movement of the drive system. The reciprocating member to move in a reciprocating manner within an angle of rotation of less than 180 degrees. A surface orientation sensor may further be provided that is operable to sense an orientation of a surface of the sample held by the sample holder.




n

Method for optimizing lumber derived from a log

In some embodiments, the disclosure includes method for optimizing lumber derived from a log. The method may include the steps of debarking the log and cutting the log to provide a plurality of boards. The plurality of boards are then scanned to determine knot properties and/or warp stability for each of the plurality of boards and a lumber upgrade process is selected based on the knot properties and/or warp stability. Finally, one or more of the plurality of boards are planed after being subjected to the lumber upgrade process.