In order that grippers on individual tracks of a multi-track slicing machine can be moved and controlled independently of one another, they are not all mounted on a same gripper slide guided on the only slide guide present. Instead, at least two slide guides may be present, each of which carries at least one gripper slide, which in turn either carries several grippers or several gripper slides.

As a fast and compact slide drive for a gripper slide, a traversing unit such as a traversing traction element unit is provided.

As a fast and compact slide drive for a gripper slide, a traversing unit such as a traversing traction element unit is provided.

A shearing tool includes a drive device and a shearing assembly. The drive device includes a housing and an output member linearly movable relative to the housing along a drive axis. The shearing assembly includes a frame coupled to the housing, a blade pivotally coupled to the frame, and a linkage assembly interconnecting the output member and the blade. The blade is pivotable relative to the frame about a pivot axis in response to movement of the output member along the drive axis.

A shearing tool includes a drive device and a shearing assembly. The drive device includes a housing and an output member linearly movable relative to the housing along a drive axis. The shearing assembly includes a frame coupled to the housing, a blade pivotally coupled to the frame, and a linkage assembly interconnecting the output member and the blade. The blade is pivotable relative to the frame about a pivot axis in response to movement of the output member along the drive axis.

A method of processing poultry portions determines at a control unit a target weight of a cut poultry portion; inspects a poultry portion using an inspection unit to determine a mass distribution of said poultry portion and providing said mass distribution to the control unit; calculates a cutting plan of the poultry portion based on the target weight and the mass distribution using the control unit; uses a mechanical gripper so as to grip the poultry portion and arrange said poultry portion for execution of the cutting plan; and cuts the poultry portion using a cutting unit in accordance with the cutting plan so as to produce a cut poultry portion in accordance with the target weight. A system for processing poultry portions is configured to perform the foregoing method, among others.

There is provided a cutting machine for cutting a wafer using a cutting blade. The cutting machine includes a shape storage section, a shape measurement unit, a determination section, and an end face correction device. The shape storage section stores a cross-sectional shape of a support surface, which a mount of a cutting unit has, in an axial direction of a spindle. The shape measurement unit contactlessly measures the cross-sectional shape of the support surface in the axial direction of the spindle. Through a comparison between the cross-sectional shape stored in the shape storage section and the cross-sectional shape measured by the shape measurement unit, the determination section determines whether or not the support surface needs a correction. The end face correction device corrects a shape of the support surface.

Guide systems to facilitate marking a workpiece. The guide systems include a platform and a set of guides. The platform flanks the workpiece on two sides and includes a first member and a second member. The second member is spaced from the first member. The set of guides includes a first guide and a second guide. The first guide has a first profile edge. The second guide is spaced from the first guide and has a second profile edge. A tool may be pressed against the first profile edge or the second profile edge to form a mark on the workpiece corresponding to the first profile edge or the second profile edge, respectively. In some examples, the guide system includes adjustable guides. In other examples, guides are fixed.

Guide systems to facilitate marking a workpiece. The guide systems include a platform and a set of guides. The platform flanks the workpiece on two sides and includes a first member and a second member. The second member is spaced from the first member. The set of guides includes a first guide and a second guide. The first guide has a first profile edge. The second guide is spaced from the first guide and has a second profile edge. A tool may be pressed against the first profile edge or the second profile edge to form a mark on the workpiece corresponding to the first profile edge or the second profile edge, respectively. In some examples, the guide system includes adjustable guides. In other examples, guides are fixed.

Pill cutters and methods of cutting pills. The pill cutters may optionally include a spinnable blade and may be configured to cause the blade to spin to cut a pill. The pill cutters may be adapted to adjust the position of the pill before cutting the pill.