Patent ID: 6245004
Filing Date: 2001-06-12
Classification: B26F,B31B

Abstract:
A machine for performing a manufacturing operation on a sheet of material comprising:(1) a frame having a table for supporting said sheet of material;(2) an upper tool coupled to said frame for engaging an upper surface of said sheet of material and a lower tool coupled to said frame and mateable with said upper tool for engaging a lower surface of said material opposite to said upper surface, said upper and lower tools arranged to cooperate in performing said manufacturing operation; and(3) a drive mechanism coupled to said frame for causing relative movement between said upper and lower tools and said sheet of material, wherein said sheet of material moves back and forth along a first axis parallel to said table and said upper and lower tools move back and forth along a second axis parallel to said table and substantially perpendicular to said first axis while performing said manufacturing operation,whereby, said manufacturing operation is performed when said relative movement is only along said first axis, when said relative movement is only along said second axis, and when said relative movement is along a combination of both said first axis and said second axis.