Gauge system
First Claim
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1. A system for positioning workpieces for processing, comprising:
- a driver;
a rail assembly coupled to the driver for driven motion parallel to a positioning axis, the rail assembly including a frame and a plurality of stops arranged along the frame, the stops being movable in relation to the frame such that individual stops can be engaged with an end of a workpiece to position the end at distinct distances from a predefined site along the positioning axis; and
a controller that operates the driver for movement of the rail assembly according to inputs that correspond to processing positions along workpieces,wherein the rail assembly has an adjustable length.
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Abstract
Gauge system, including methods and apparatus, for positioning workpieces to be processed. In some embodiments, the gauge system may have a plurality of stops for positioning the end of a workpiece at distinct distances from a processing station. In some embodiments, the plurality of stops may be arrayed along a rail assembly having an adjustable length.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A system for positioning workpieces for processing, comprising:
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a driver; a rail assembly coupled to the driver for driven motion parallel to a positioning axis, the rail assembly including a frame and a plurality of stops arranged along the frame, the stops being movable in relation to the frame such that individual stops can be engaged with an end of a workpiece to position the end at distinct distances from a predefined site along the positioning axis; and a controller that operates the driver for movement of the rail assembly according to inputs that correspond to processing positions along workpieces, wherein the rail assembly has an adjustable length. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of processing workpieces with a workpiece processing system including a driver, a rail assembly that couples to the driver for driven motion parallel to a positioning axis, and a controller that operates the driver for movement of the rail assembly, the method comprising:
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adjusting the length of the rail assembly to place the rail assembly in an operating configuration in which a plurality of stops are arranged along a frame of the rail assembly and are movable in relation to the frame such that individual stops can be engaged with an end of a workpiece to position the end at distinct distances from a predefined site along the positioning axis; and operating the driver to move the rail assembly according to inputs that correspond to processing positions along workpieces such that one of the stops is disposed at a proper distance from the predefined site when a workpiece is about to be processed at one of the processing positions. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A system for processing workpieces, comprising:
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a table; a saw mounted to the table and configured to cut workpieces at a site along a positioning axis; a driver supported by the table; a rail assembly that couples to the driver for driven motion of the rail assembly as a unit traveling parallel to the positioning axis, the rail assembly including a frame and a plurality of stops arranged along and coupled movably to the frame to allow individual stops to be placed alternately in a deployed position and a retracted position relative to the frame, such that individual stops in a deployed position can be engaged alternatively with an end of a workpiece, with the workpiece aligned with the positioning axis by the rail assembly and supported by the table, to position the end of the workpiece at corresponding distinct distances from the site at which the saw cuts; and a controller that operates the driver for movement of the rail assembly according to inputs that correspond to processing positions along workpieces, wherein the rail assembly has an adjustable length.
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Specification