Embodiments relate generally to milling machines and milling techniques, and more particularly, to apparatuses, milling machines and methods to control automatic loading and/or unloading of work pieces in relation to the adverse milling machine environments. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a subset of guide members constituting a staging region, a loader member configured to impart a loading force unto the work piece to transition the work piece from the staging region, and an effector coupled to the loader member. The effector is configured to apply a cleaning force to a path in a first interval of time and is configured further to transfer the loading force from the loader member to the work piece in a second interval of time, and an alignment device configured to align the subset of guide members and the effector to form a portion of the path in a first mode.

Embodiments relate generally to milling machines and milling techniques, and more particularly, to apparatuses, milling machines and methods to control automatic loading and/or unloading of work pieces in relation to the adverse milling machine environments. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a subset of guide members constituting a staging region, a loader member configured to impart a loading force unto the work piece to transition the work piece from the staging region, and an effector coupled to the loader member. The effector is configured to apply a cleaning force to a path in a first interval of time and is configured further to transfer the loading force from the loader member to the work piece in a second interval of time, and an alignment device configured to align the subset of guide members and the effector to form a portion of the path in a first mode.

A muntin bar fabrication system can be used to efficiency produce a wide variety of different types of muntin bars, allowing the fabrication of both standard and custom muntin bar assemblies for doors, windows, and other fenestration products. In some examples, the fabrication system includes a muntin bar stock storage assembly that holds multiple different types of muntin bar stock. The system also includes a muntin bar stock extraction device that extracts one of the different types of muntin bar stock from the storage assembly and conveys the extracted muntin bar stock to a feed device. The feed device feeds the extracted piece of muntin bar stock into a cutting system that includes a multi-axis cutter. The cutting system that performs one or more cutting operations on the extracted muntin bar stock so as to fabricate one or more individual muntin bars from the extracted muntin bar stock.

An apparatus and associated method contemplating handling a workpiece on a surface. A mounting block is selectively movable in a first direction toward the surface. A finger is coupled to the mounting block so that the finger is retractable in a second nonparallel direction opposed to the first direction. The finger supports an engagement member operably contacting the workpiece and subject to a reaction force from the workpiece that retracts the finger during movement of the mounting block in the first direction. The engagement member traverses the surface as a result of simultaneous movement of the mounting block in the first direction and retraction of the finger in the second direction.

An apparatus and associated method contemplating handling a workpiece on a surface. A mounting block is selectively movable in a first direction toward the surface. A finger is coupled to the mounting block so that the finger is retractable in a second nonparallel direction opposed to the first direction. The finger supports an engagement member operably contacting the workpiece and subject to a reaction force from the workpiece that retracts the finger during movement of the mounting block in the first direction. The engagement member traverses the surface as a result of simultaneous movement of the mounting block in the first direction and retraction of the finger in the second direction.

Workpieces are unloaded from a workpiece support of a sheet metal workpiece processing apparatus by positioning a blank sheet metal workpiece over a processed workpiece supported on a workpiece support, with the blank workpiece releasably held by a workpiece loader, activating a workpiece fixing device to engage an edge of the processed workpiece, and performing a relative sweeping movement between the workpiece fixing device and the workpiece support whereby the engaged processed workpiece is prevented from remaining on the workpiece support and is thereby unloaded. The workpiece fixing device is moved relative to the processed workpiece while the blank sheet metal workpiece is positioned over the processed workpiece.

Workpieces are unloaded from a workpiece support of a sheet metal workpiece processing apparatus by positioning a blank sheet metal workpiece over a processed workpiece supported on a workpiece support, with the blank workpiece releasably held by a workpiece loader, activating a workpiece fixing device to engage an edge of the processed workpiece, and performing a relative sweeping movement between the workpiece fixing device and the workpiece support whereby the engaged processed workpiece is prevented from remaining on the workpiece support and is thereby unloaded. The workpiece fixing device is moved relative to the processed workpiece while the blank sheet metal workpiece is positioned over the processed workpiece.

Embodiments relate generally to milling machines and milling techniques, and more particularly, to apparatuses, milling machines and methods to control automatic loading and/or unloading of work pieces in relation to the adverse milling machine environments. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a subset of guide members constituting a staging region, a loader member configured to impart a loading force unto the work piece to transition the work piece from the staging region, and an effector coupled to the loader member. The effector is configured to apply a cleaning force to a path in a first interval of time and is configured further to transfer the loading force from the loader member to the work piece in a second interval of time, and an alignment device configured to align the subset of guide members and the effector to form a portion of the path in a first mode.

Embodiments relate generally to milling machines and milling techniques, and more particularly, to apparatuses, milling machines and methods to control automatic loading and/or unloading of work pieces in relation to the adverse milling machine environments. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a subset of guide members constituting a staging region, a loader member configured to impart a loading force unto the work piece to transition the work piece from the staging region, and an effector coupled to the loader member. The effector is configured to apply a cleaning force to a path in a first interval of time and is configured further to transfer the loading force from the loader member to the work piece in a second interval of time, and an alignment device configured to align the subset of guide members and the effector to form a portion of the path in a first mode.

An apparatus and associated method contemplating handling a workpiece on a surface. A mounting block is selectively movable in a first direction toward the surface. A finger is coupled to the mounting block so that the finger is retractable in a second nonparallel direction opposed to the first direction. The finger supports an engagement member operably contacting the workpiece and subject to a reaction force from the workpiece that retracts the finger during movement of the mounting block in the first direction. The engagement member traverses the surface as a result of simultaneous movement of the mounting block in the first direction and retraction of the finger in the second direction.