A method and device for cutting materials for manufacturing parts according to which an image of a cutting line is made recurrently downstream from a cutting head. The images produced are analyzed in real time to calculate amplitudes of deviations in the quality of the surface profiles of the cutting line as the part is being cut and comparing the calculated amplitudes to at least one predefined threshold value. The cutting is stopped in the event of the at least one threshold value being exceeded.

A safety system for a machine having a danger zone includes an induction coil having one or more turns extending along the periphery of a part of a worker's body as, for example, extending alone the fingers of a glove worn by the worker. A drive circuit applies a time-varying current having an identifiable characteristic such as the frequency of an alternating current. A magnetic field having the characteristic of the time-varying current is induced in an omnidirectional magnetic field sensor mounted adjacent the danger zone. The magnitude of this field is monitored. When the magnitude exceeds a threshold, a warning signal is issued and protective action may be taken, such as stopping or reversing the machine.

A safety system for a machine having a danger zone includes an induction coil having one or more turns extending along the periphery of a part of a worker's body as, for example, extending alone the fingers of a glove worn by the worker. A drive circuit applies a time-varying current having an identifiable characteristic such as the frequency of an alternating current. A magnetic field having the characteristic of the time-varying current is induced in an omnidirectional magnetic field sensor mounted adjacent the danger zone. The magnitude of this field is monitored. When the magnitude exceeds a threshold, a warning signal is issued and protective action may be taken, such as stopping or reversing the machine.

A safety cutting device including: an electrically conductive cutting member; a motor for actuating the cutting member; a handle for gripping the tool; and an emergency stop device that is sensitive to a user making contact with the cutting member. The tool further includes: at least a first and at least a second manual contact electrode; an electrical monitoring circuit having the first manual contact electrode and the cutting member; a device for measuring a monitoring voltage between the cutting member and the second manual contact electrode; a comparator for comparing at least one electrical monitoring characteristic with an electrical threshold characteristic, the comparator driving the emergency stop device. The safety cutting device is applicable to secateurs and shears in particular.

A printing apparatus including: a printing apparatus main body, a main body of a cutter unit, an attachment position thereof with respect to the printing apparatus main body being changeable, a fixed blade, a movable blade configured to mesh with the fixed blade to cut a printing medium, and a pickup sensor configured to detect a printing medium, in which the movable blade and the pickup sensor are supported on the main body, and with a change of an attachment position of the cutter support, an amount of a remaining portion of the printing medium after being cut by the movable blade changes.

The trimmer includes: a pusher 2 that pushes the bound material 1; a pusher moving device that moves the pusher; a positioning part 111 that positions the bound material pushed by the pusher; an allowable position memory that memorizes an allowable position range relevant to the pusher; an allowable reaction force memory that memorizes an allowable reaction force range relevant to the pusher; and a determiner that determines whether a length of the bound material is normal or abnormal. The determiner determines that: the length L of the bound material is normal; or the length L of the bound material is abnormal.

Machine vision apparatus tracks a distinctive object in relation to a hazardous location on a work surface of a modified band saw in two, three, or four (3-D+T) dimensions, and calculates whether to send an immediate shut-down signal to the band saw. Cameras and an image processor are mounted on the band saw. The signal causes an integrated blade-arresting or stopping mechanism to immediately shift the idler wheel, removing blade tension and disconnecting the blade which is then braked to a complete, safe stop before an approaching blue-gloved hand can touch the blade.

Machine vision apparatus tracks a distinctive object in relation to a hazardous location on a work surface of a modified band saw in two, three, or four (3-D+T) dimensions, and calculates whether to send an immediate shut-down signal to the band saw. Cameras and an image processor are mounted on the band saw. The signal causes an integrated blade-arresting or stopping mechanism to immediately shift the idler wheel, removing blade tension and disconnecting the blade which is then braked to a complete, safe stop before an approaching blue-gloved hand can touch the blade.

A safety system is provided for a power tool having a motor-driven cutting blade, a safety mechanism operable by a controller to stop and/or move the cutting blade and a blade guard. The safety system includes an electrically active surface provided on the blade guard that is configured to change an electrical characteristic in response to contact between the body of an operator and the active surface. An active surface controller is operable to provide electrical power to the electrically active surface, to generate a signal in response to the change in the electrical characteristic, the signal indicative of an unsafe condition, and to transmit the signal to the controller for the safety mechanism.

A safety system is provided for a power tool having a motor-driven cutting blade, a safety mechanism operable by a controller to stop and/or move the cutting blade and a blade guard. The safety system includes an electrically active surface provided on the blade guard that is configured to change an electrical characteristic in response to contact between the body of an operator and the active surface. An active surface controller is operable to provide electrical power to the electrically active surface, to generate a signal in response to the change in the electrical characteristic, the signal indicative of an unsafe condition, and to transmit the signal to the controller for the safety mechanism.