An automated food processing machine receives a whole fruit or vegetable and presses it through a blade set to form slices or wedges. The machine includes a controller coupled to various components including linear motion actuators, a user interface, and sensors. One motion actuator coupled to a slitting blade. Another motion actuator is coupled to a ram. In response to an input the controller activates the motion actuators in a sequence including (1) linear motion of the slitting blade to form a slit in the whole fruit or vegetable and (2) linear motion of the ram to press the whole fruit or vegetable through a blade set to form the slices or wedges.

An automated food processing machine receives a whole fruit or vegetable and presses it through a blade set to form slices or wedges. The machine includes a controller coupled to various components including linear motion actuators, a user interface, and sensors. One motion actuator coupled to a slitting blade. Another motion actuator is coupled to a ram. In response to an input the controller activates the motion actuators in a sequence including (1) linear motion of the slitting blade to form a slit in the whole fruit or vegetable and (2) linear motion of the ram to press the whole fruit or vegetable through a blade set to form the slices or wedges.

Throat plates for table saws and table saws including the same are disclosed. In some embodiments, the throat plates and/or saws include at least one securement mechanism adapted to secure and prevent inadvertent removal of the throat plate from the throat of the saw. In some embodiments, at least one of the securement mechanisms also provides a height adjustment mechanism and/or prevents vertical removal of the throat plate. In some embodiments, the throat plate includes an accessory mounting port that provides a portal for accessories, including safety accessories, to extend through the plate from beneath the table of the saw. In some embodiments, the port extends from the plate's outer perimeter to divide the plate's rear end portion into a pair of spaced-apart members. In some embodiments, these members are independently secured to the table saw and retained apart from each other by one or more of the securement mechanisms.

Woodworking machines and safety methods for use with those machines are disclosed. The machines include a detection system adapted to detect one or more dangerous conditions and a reaction system associated with the detection system. The reaction system can include an explosive to trigger the system, and also can be configured to retract a cutting tool at least partially away from a cutting region upon detection of a dangerous condition by the detection system.

The present invention relates to a microtome (10) for cutting thin sections, including a sample holder (12), a cutting unit (16), and a drive unit (16) for producing a feed movement between the sample holder (12) and the cutting unit (16) for setting the thickness of the sample sections. The drive unit (22) includes a piezoelectric linear actuator (50) for producing the feed movement.

An apparatus reconfigures or configures a wheel associated with a train. The apparatus comprises a tool configured to engage the wheel a compound slide system for positioning the cutting tool in at least two axes. The compound slide system is controlled so that the wheel is configured in accordance with a profile. The slide system can be moved mechanically and/or pneumatically and/or can use a mechanical profile. The apparatus can have a low profile and a low weight.