A machine has a first machine part and a second machine part. The first machine part carries out a working movement towards the second machine part in order to machine a workpiece. The first machine part has a leading edge, which defines a movement plane in the course of the working movement. For safeguarding the machine, a plurality of images including spatially resolved representations of the edge, at least a part of the workpiece, and a protective region defined between the edge and the second machine part are acquired. A motion speed of the first machine part relative to the second machine part is determined on the basis of the plurality of images. The motion speed is compared to a reference speed value or speed profile, defining a nominal speed of the first machine part relative to the second machine part during the working movement and an acceptable tolerance interval. The working movement is stopped if the motion speed deviates from the reference speed beyond the tolerance interval.

An blade assembly for use with a produce slicer includes a first blade set having a first pair of opposing frame bars and a plurality of blades extending between the first pair of opposing frame bars, a blade cover positioned relative to the first blade set, and a blade support extending from the first target ring to support the plurality of blades. The blade cover includes a planar top portion having a first target ring that defines a first target area through which a piece of produce passes during slicing.

An blade assembly for use with a produce slicer includes a first blade set having a first pair of opposing frame bars and a plurality of blades extending between the first pair of opposing frame bars, a blade cover positioned relative to the first blade set, and a blade support extending from the first target ring to support the plurality of blades. The blade cover includes a planar top portion having a first target ring that defines a first target area through which a piece of produce passes during slicing.

A device and a method for cutting a loaf of bread in slices having an input compartment adjacent to a set of parallel oblong blades which can be driven back and forth in their longitudinal direction. A pusher movable between a retracted position in relation to the blades and an end cutting position pushes the bread through the blades. A detector is provided to detect the presence of an object in the access opening of an input compartment which cooperates with the blades' drive to stop the movement of the blades when the presence of an object in the access opening is detected. When the presence of an object in the access opening is detected while the pusher is in its retracted position, the movement of the blades starts and the pusher will be moved from its retracted position to the end cutting position when the object is no longer detected in the access opening.

Power tools with conductive couplings used with active injury mitigation technology are disclosed. Conductive couplings are particularly relevant to table saws, hand-held circular saws, track saws, miter saws, and band saws with active injury mitigation technology. Conductive couplings provide a mechanism through which an electrical signal can be coupled or imparted to a blade, and then monitored for changes indicative of human contact with the blade. An exemplary conductive coupling includes a brush that establishes an electrical connection with a moving part of a power tool, and the brush maintains contact with the moving part of the power tool during at least 40 hours of cumulative time when the motor is spinning the arbor and blade without an interruption in the electrical connection sufficient to trigger the reaction system. A conductive coupling may be two-sided compliant. A conductive coupling may connect to a motor shaft to minimize electrical noise.

Power tools with conductive couplings used with active injury mitigation technology are disclosed. Conductive couplings are particularly relevant to table saws, hand-held circular saws, track saws, miter saws, and band saws with active injury mitigation technology. Conductive couplings provide a mechanism through which an electrical signal can be coupled or imparted to a blade, and then monitored for changes indicative of human contact with the blade. An exemplary conductive coupling includes a brush that establishes an electrical connection with a moving part of a power tool, and the brush maintains contact with the moving part of the power tool during at least 40 hours of cumulative time when the motor is spinning the arbor and blade without an interruption in the electrical connection sufficient to trigger the reaction system. A conductive coupling may be two-sided compliant. A conductive coupling may connect to a motor shaft to minimize electrical noise.

A microtome blade guard including a first arm operable to be coupled to a first side of a cutting mechanism of a microtome; a second arm operable to be coupled to a second side of a cutting mechanism; a lateral support member disposed between the first arm and the second arm; and a staff coupled to the lateral support member and operable to extend therefrom to engage a blade positioned in the blade slot. A microtome including a blade guard and a method including placing a blade in a blade slot of a blade block of a microtome; engaging the blade with a staff coupled to a blade guard that is coupled to the blade block; and moving the blade with the staff.

A blind cutting machine includes a cutting blade; a base disposed on a first side of the cutting blade; and a guide disposed on a second side of the cutting blade. The first side is opposite the second side. The guide is adjacent to the cutting blade. The guide is configured to direct cutoff material to a waste collection area. An assembly includes a first member that is rotatable. A second member is configured to limit an amount of rotation of the first member. An actuator is configured to move the second member to a location wherein the second member does not limit the amount of rotation of the first member. The first member is configured to prevent a hand of an operator from coming into contact with the cutting blade.

A blind cutting machine includes a cutting blade; a base disposed on a first side of the cutting blade; and a guide disposed on a second side of the cutting blade. The first side is opposite the second side. The guide is adjacent to the cutting blade. The guide is configured to direct cutoff material to a waste collection area. An assembly includes a first member that is rotatable. A second member is configured to limit an amount of rotation of the first member. An actuator is configured to move the second member to a location wherein the second member does not limit the amount of rotation of the first member. The first member is configured to prevent a hand of an operator from coming into contact with the cutting blade.

A cutting machining apparatus includes: a holding unit including a workpiece holder, a tool holder, and a unit body; a head positioned facing the holding unit and including a chuck holding a tool; an interior case of a box shape including, in a peripheral wall, a first opening through which the holding unit is inserted and a second opening through which the head is inserted and housing the workpiece holder, the tool holder, and the chuck disposed inside; a first cover occluding between the head and the outer periphery of the first opening of the interior case, a second cover occluding between the holding unit and the outer periphery of the second opening of the interior case, and a cooling source cooling the tool holder from within the unit body via a heat transfer member.