Method for cutting workpieces using a shuttle vise

A method for cutting at least one elongated workpiece (13b) with a saw head assembly (10b) having a cutting blade (11b). The saw assembly (10b) further includes a guide mechanism for providing relative guided movement between the cutting blade (11b) and the workpiece (13b) along a cutting line (14b). The method comprises the steps of placing the workpiece (13b) across the cutting line (14b). Further, moving at least one of the cutting blade (11b) and the workpiece (13b) along the cutting line (14b) from a starting position (28b) on one side (27b') of said workpiece (13b) to a parked position (37b) on an opposite side (27b) of the workpiece (13b). In the parked position, the entire cutting stretch is positioned beyond the workpiece (13b). Next, the cut part or portion (32b) is displaced away from the cutting line (14b) using the workpiece (13b), while the cutting blade (11b) is in the parked position (37b). Thereafter, the workpiece (13b) is returned to the opposite side of the cutting line (14b), and the cutting blade (11b) is returned from the parked position (37b) to the starting position (28b). Accordingly, the cut parts (32b) and the workpiece (13b) are repositioned away from the cutting kerf (15b), which prevents their contact with the cutting blade (11b) during return of the cutting blade (11b) to the starting position (28b).

TECHNICAL FIELD 
The present invention relates, generally, to workpiece cutting devices and, 
more particularly, relates to band saw cutting assemblies employing 
shuttle vises for cutting metal workpieces, such as, bars, rods, tubes, 
plates and the like. 
BACKGROUND ART 
Precision cutting of multiple parts from larger workpieces or stock members 
typically is accomplished by gripping the larger workpiece in a vise 
assembly and cutting the same with a cutting device, such as a band saw, 
at a position very close to the vise. The workpiece then advanced beyond 
the vise and another cut is made. When production runs are undertaken, in 
which many parts are to be cut from elongated bar or tube stock, the 
workpieces are automatically advanced for each new cut by a shuttle vise 
assembly positioned next to the vise at the cutting tool. 
Virtually all bar stock, and particularly high-strength, tubular, metal 
stock, will have internal stress in the stock itself, which stress will be 
relieved partially when the stock is cut. Moreover, the end of the 
workpiece being cut off often is supported on the other side of the cut by 
a workpiece rest or stop and, in some cases, by a vise. As the bar is 
being cut, therefore, the workpiece will be supported on both ends, much 
as a beam is supported. When the cut is complete, however, the cut end and 
the workpiece each become cantilever supported, one from the saw fixed 
vise and the cut part from the rest or vise on the other side of the cut. 
Upon the completion of a cut, therefore, internal stress in the stock and 
cut part are relieved and both have their support changed from a beam to a 
cantilever with the end at the cut line free to move. Such movement 
predictably does occur. 
This problem is made worse when tubular stock is cut because the residual 
internal stress in the tube from the tube forming process is greater. 
Moreover, when bar stock is bundled and multiple side-by-side pieces cut, 
the potential for movement is still greater. 
FIG. 1 illustrates the above-described precision cutting problem in 
connection with production cutting of a bundle of workpieces with a band 
saw. Band saw apparatus 10a, whether designed primarily for vertical or 
horizontal cutting, includes a saw head assembly (not shown), which 
movably supports a flexible continuous loop saw blade 11a. A cutting table 
12a upon which workpieces 13a are placed may be provided as part of saw 
assembly 10a, or as a separate workpiece feed table. Band saw blade 11a is 
movably mounted around a pair of wheels (not shown), one of which is 
driven. Two or more blade guide assemblies (not shown) are mounted to the 
head assembly between the wheels and slidably engage saw blade 11a to 
orient it in a cutting orientation. A "cutting stretch" is defined 
intermediate the saw blade guide assemblies where advancing saw blade 11a 
cuts workpieces 13a. During motion or advancement of the blade, one of 
band saw blade 11a and workpieces 13a are displaced relative to the other 
along a guided path known as the "cutting line" 14a, the center line of 
the desired line of cut. The actual groove, gap or channel of material 
removed by saw blade 11a during cutting is the "kerf" 15a (FIG. 3). 
Typically, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of elongated workpieces 13a are 
positioned in a side-by-side relation and are collectively gripped to form 
bundle 16a by a fixed vise mechanisms 17a on one side of blade 11a and a 
second vise 20a, or by a workpiece rest or support (FIGS. 4A-4D) mounted 
to table 12a on the opposite side of cutting line 14a. Further, a shuttle 
vise assembly 21a also grips the bundle of workpieces 13a at an area away 
from the cutting line and periodically advances bundle 16a forward toward 
cutting line 14a. Shuttle vise assembly 21a is movably mounted on a track 
or guide way or rail assembly 23a on a feed table, and the shuttle vise 
21a reciprocates toward and away from cutting line 14a. Each vise 
mechanism 17a, 20a and 21a includes a pair of spaced-apart gripping jaws 
24a, 24a'; 25a, 25a'; and 26a, 26 a', respectively, positioned on opposite 
sides of bundle side portions 27a and 27a'. The corresponding jaws of each 
vise mechanism 17a, 20a and 22a engage side portions 27a and 27a' of the 
workpieces, and at least one of the jaws is movable toward the other to 
allow gripping of bundle 16a. 
Band saw apparatus 10a typically includes a movable head assembly so 
arranged as to be moved toward and away from the workpieces by suitable 
means, such as a hydraulic motor or pneumatic apparatus. Thus, in cutting 
operations, the saw head assembly is displaced, which moves the cutting 
stretch and hence saw blade 11a, along cutting line 14a relative to table 
12a and fixed vises 17a and 20a. This enables the driven band saw blade 
11a to cut across bundle 16a, which is securely held between the 
respective jaws of fixed vises Further, shuttle vise assembly 21a 
periodically advances bundle 16a forward after the completion of each 
cutting cycle so that the workpieces can be cut again. A typical band saw 
apparatus employing a fixed vise and a shuttle vise assembly is disclosed 
in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,179,961 to Harris, which is incorporated 
herein by reference. 
Typically the band saw head assembly moves saw blade 11a across bundle 16a 
from a staring position 28a (blade 11a shown in solid lines in FIG. 1) to 
a finishing position 30a (blade 11a shown in broken lines in FIG. 1) where 
the cutting edge 31a of blade 11a has cut completely through bundle 16a to 
sever cut portions or parts 32a from workpieces 13a. As shown in FIGS. 1 
and 3, the blade in finishing position 30a is positioned so that cutting 
edge 31a is just past side portion 27a of bundle 16a. Since cut portions 
32a have been completely severed, it is generally regarded as time 
consuming and wasteful in production band saw cutting to advance blade 11a 
any further along cutting line 14a. Thus, the controller (not shown) 
controlling movement of the band saw head assembly will stop advancing the 
cutting head once cutting edge 31a passes through the last workpiece. 
Often this is set by a movable stop or limit switch (not shown) which 
terminates advancement of the cutting head. 
Once saw blade 11a has moved to finishing position 30a and before cut 
portions 32a have been removed from vise mechanism 20a, the saw assembly 
is returned back along kerf 15a and cutting line 14a starting position 
28a. This immediate return of the cutting blade minimizes cycle time, 
which directly affects the cost of cutting of each part. 
As above indicated, one common problem encountered when cutting workpieces, 
and particularly multiple elongated workpieces 13a, is that after saw 
blade 11a has severed cut portions 32a from bundle 16a, kerf 15a 
intermediate bundle 16a and cut parts 32a tends to move or close as the 
internal and clamping stresses are relieved by the cut. This is 
particularly true for rectangular parallelpiped tubular members, as shown 
in FIGS. 1-3, and for shorter cut parts 32a, as illustrated in FIG. 4A. 
With regard to the rectangular, tubular workpieces of FIGS. 1-3, the 
internal stress of tube formation is relieved during cutting which causes 
opposite side walls 35a and 35a' proximate individual workpiece ends 34a 
to flare outwardly (shown exaggerated in broken lines in FIG. 2). In turn, 
this flaring causes adjacently disposed end portions 33a and 34a of cut 
portions 31a and workpieces 13a, respectively, to fan outwardly creating 
the arc-shaped cut ends 33a and 34a, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 3. 
Upon closer inspection, FIG. 3 illustrates that bunching of the flared cut 
portion ends 33a causes portions thereof to protrude into kerf 15a, which 
closes the kerf between workpiece ends 34a and cut portion ends 33a. 
Hence, upon return of saw blade 11a along cutting line 14a, blade cutting 
edge 31a often contacts the moved respective ends of cut portions 32a 
and/or workpieces 13a. Over the course of use, such contact accelerates 
wear of the saw blade cutting edge 31a (most typically the side facing cut 
portions 32a). Moreover, in some cases the movement on relief of the 
internal and clamping stresses is enough that kerf 15a closes sufficiently 
to wedge against or hook the blade and pull it off of the drive and idler 
wheels, with disastrous results. Often the blade will be broken, and at a 
minimum the production process must be shut down and the blade remounted 
to the cutting head assembly. 
Even if the blade is only pulled across the parts, one side of cutting edge 
31a will become dull. This results in imprecisely cut workpiece ends 34a 
and cut portion ends 33a. These deviations not only adversely affect 
precision and accuracy, but in extreme situations, may necessitate 
scrapping of cut portions 32a altogether. 
When relatively short parts 32a are cut, movement also is quite likely. The 
shorter length often precludes proper gripping between jaws 25a and 25a' 
of fixed vise mechanism 20a, and shorter cut portions 32a may not even be 
gripped during severing. As saw blade 11a cuts through bundle 16a, cut 
portions 32a are sometimes randomly misaligned, which causes end 33a of 
cut portions 32a to protrude into kerf 15a. Similarly, during retraction 
of saw blade 11a back to starting position 28a, cut portion ends 33a 
interfere or impede movement of blade 11a through kerf space 15a. This 
causes one side of the cutting edge 31a of the saw blade to dull 
prematurely or the blade to be in danger of being pulled off the blade 
support wheels. 
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method 
and apparatus for cutting multiple workpieces using a shuttle vise which 
reduces premature wear of a band saw blade and increases blade longevity. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and 
apparatus for cutting multiple workpieces which increase cutting precision 
and accuracy. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method and 
apparatus for cutting multiple workpieces which can be retrofit to 
existing band saw apparatus. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and 
apparatus for cutting multiple workpieces using a shuttle vise which 
increases cutting productivity. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method and 
apparatus for cutting multiple workpieces using a shuttle vise which is 
durable, compact, easy to maintain, has a minimum number of components, is 
easy to use by unskilled personnel, and is economical to manufacture. 
The present invention includes a method of cutting at least one elongated 
workpiece with a saw assembly. The method comprises the steps of 
positioning the workpiece across a cutting line, and cutting the 
workpieces along the cutting line by advancing the saw blade while moving 
at least one of the cutting blade and the workpiece along the cutting line 
from a starting position, on one side of said workpiece, to a parked 
position, on an opposite side of the workpiece. In the parked position, 
the entire cutting blade is moved completely beyond the workpiece. This 
effects cutting of the workpiece and positions the blade to enable the 
next step in the method to be performed. The next step includes displacing 
at least one of the workpiece and the cut portion, while the cutting blade 
is in the parked position, away from the kerf. Thereafter, the method 
includes the step of returning at least one of the workpiece and the 
cutting blade from the parked position to the starting position. The 
preferred embodiment of the present process also includes the step of 
accomplishing displacement of the cut portion by moving the workpiece 
across the cutting line to engage and push the cut portion in a direction 
away from the cutting line. 
In another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for cutting 
workpieces which increases the blade life is provided which includes a 
cutting device, such as a band saw, and a feed assembly, such as a feed 
table with shuttle and fixed vises. The apparatus includes a cutting 
control coupled to control movement until the cutting blade is advanced to 
a parked position, and a feed table control coupled to advance the 
workpiece across the cutting line after the blade is in the parked 
position. The workpiece pushes the cut parts out of the cutting kerf and 
the feed assembly then returns the workpiece to the original side of the 
cutting line for return of the cutting blade to the starting position. 
Accordingly, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for 
cutting workpieces using a shuttle vise which reduces wear of a band saw 
blade by moving the cut parts or independent cut pieces, and most 
preferably the workpiece, out of the cutting kerf and away from the band 
saw blade before the blade is returned to the starting position. 
The apparatus of the present invention has other objects and features of 
advantage which will be more readily apparent from the following 
description of the Best Mode of Carrying Out the Invention and the 
appended claims, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
The band saw apparatus and method of the present invention repositions the 
cut portions of the workpiece away from the cutting kerf to prevent 
contact with the band saw blade during retraction to the original starting 
position. This step of moving the cut portions reduces wear of the saw 
blade and prevents pulling the blade off the drive wheels on the return 
stroke. While the present invention will be described with reference to a 
few specific embodiments, the description is illustrative of the invention 
and is not to be construed as limiting the invention. Various 
modifications to the present invention can be made to the preferred 
embodiments by those skilled in the art without departing from the true 
spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It 
will be noted here that for a better understanding, like components are 
designated by like reference numerals throughout the various figures. 
Attention is now directed to FIGS. 4A through 4D, where the present band 
saw apparatus, generally designated 10b, is illustrated. A bundle 16b of 
multiple workpieces 13b is supported on a saw table. Briefly, band saw 
apparatus 10b includes a saw head assembly (not shown) which can be of a 
conventional construction and guides and drives a cutting blade 
(preferably a band saw blade) 11b along a cutting line 14b extending 
longitudinally through a cutting guide plate 36b in the saw table. As 
viewed in FIG. 4A, the saw head assembly guides and moves blade 11b 
between a staring position 28b (blade 11b shown in broken lines) and a 
parked position 37b (blade 11b shown in solid lines). 
It is an important feature of the apparatus and method of the present 
invention that saw blade 11b can be moved to a parked position 37b in 
which the entire width dimension, W, of the saw blade cutting stretch is 
at a position beyond the side portion 27b of bundle 16b, which will be 
described in greater detail below. 
Bundle 16b is releasably gripped between a pair of spaced-apart gripping 
jaws 24b and 24b' of fixed vise mechanism 17b, which is mounted atop a saw 
table or workpiece support fixture 12b. At least one of jaws 24b and 24b' 
moves between an engaged position (FIGS. 4A and 4B), securely gripping 
bundle 16b, and a non-engaged position (FIGS. 4B and 4C), releasing the 
workpieces for movement relative to the vise. A shuttle vise assembly, 
generally designated 21b, grips bundle 16b on a remote side of vise 17b 
from cutting line 14b. Shuttle vise assembly 21b is movably mounted to a 
track or guide rail structure 23b and reciprocates vise toward and away 
from cutting line 14b. Similarly, shuttle vise 21b includes a pair of 
spaced-apart gripping jaws 26b and 26b' positioned on opposite sides of 
bundle side portions 27b and 27b' for gripping of the workpiece bundle 
therebetween. Jaws 24b, 24b' ; and 26b, 26b' of each vise mechanism 17b, 
22b, respectively, grip bundle 16b in a manner permitting moving and 
cutting of workpieces 13b as a unit. 
In accordance with the present invention, a method and band saw apparatus 
for cutting elongated workpieces 13b is provided which repositions cut 
portions 32b away from cutting kerf 15b and cutting line 14b after blade 
11b has cut through bundle 16b and is resting in the parked position 37b. 
Hence, upon return of blade 11b through kerf 15b to starting position 28b 
to complete the cutting cycle, blade 11b will not inadvertently nor 
adversely contact individual cut parts or workpiece portions 32b since 
they will not be protruding into kerf space 15b. Accordingly, the cutting 
edge 31b of blade 11b will wear more evenly which will reduce blade 
deviation from the desired cutting line 14b. Contrary to the prior art 
apparatus, the present invention is more precise, efficient and, further, 
increases the life expectancy of saw blade 11b. Additionally and very 
importantly blade 11b will not be in danger of being hooked or pinched 
between workpieces 13b and cut parts 32b and pulled from the blade 
supporting and driving wheels. 
For the ease of description, the present invention will primarily be 
described in reference to severing shorter 
parts or cut portions 32b which are not generally secured by a vise 
mechanism but are supported on one side by a workpiece stop or rest 20b, 
as shown in FIG. 4A. However, it will be appreciated that the method and 
apparatus of the present invention will work equally well when severing 
longer parts 32b of the type illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5 and gripped 
by a vise 20a. Moreover, while the present invention is preferably 
employed to sever multiple workpieces 13b collectively held as bundle 16b, 
it will be understood that the present invention is applicable to cutting 
a single elongated workpiece 13b (FIG. 5) without departing from the true 
spirit and nature of the present invention. 
Turning now to FIG. 4D, band saw apparatus 10b is illustrated at a starting 
point or position 28b of the cutting cycle and workpieces 13b are 
positioned between jaws 26b, 26b' of shuttle vise mechanism 22b and 
between jaws 24b, 24b' of fixed vise mechanism 17b. Initially, jaws 26b, 
26b' cooperate to securely retain workpieces 13b therebetween whereas jaws 
24b, 24b' are moved to the non-engaged position (shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C) 
for slidable receipt of workpieces 13b. This enables shuttle vise 
mechanism 22b to move forward, while gripping workpieces 13b as a unit or 
bundle 16b, in order to position workpieces 13b across cutting line 14b 
for cutting. Once the positioning is proper, which is usually controlled 
automatically by a feed table controller 41 (FIG. 5), jaws 24b, 24b' or 
fixed vise mechanism 22b are moved to the engaged position, which secures 
workpieces 13b therebetween and stabilizes bundle 16b for cutting at a 
location close to cutting line 14b. Saw blade 11b is now ready to be 
brought into contact with side portion 27b' of bundle 16b to cut through 
the bundle. 
Cutting of bundle 16b is accomplished by moving the cutting blade while 
advancing one of the cutting head and the bundle of pieces along the 
cutting line. As best may be seen in FIG. 5, it is preferable to move 
cutting head 42, which carries blade 11b, in the direction of arrow 40b 
along cutting line 14b. In most band saw assemblies the workpieces are 
held in a fixed position and the saw head assembly is moved, relative 
bundle 16b, from starting position 28b to parked position 30b. FIG. 4D 
illustrates that the saw blade is moved in the direction of arrow 40b 
along cutting line 14b. Accordingly, advancing blade 11b contacts bundle 
side portion 27b' and cuts through each individual workpiece 13b to sever 
cut portions 32b therefrom. As above-indicated and as shown in FIG. A, 
this motion randomly misaligns cut portions 32b relative kerf 15b so that 
protrusion of ends 33b into kerf 15b occurs. Subsequently, blade 11b comes 
to rest in parked position 37b, at which position width dimension, W, of 
the cutting stretch of blade 11b is caused to move completely across 
bundle 16b. Unlike prior band saws, the entire width dimension of blade 
11b is positioned beyond the side portion 27b of bundle 16b so that blade 
11b will not interfere with movement of bundle 16b across cutting line 14b 
Such positioning is critical since cut parts or portions 32b are to be 
repositioned in a direction away from kerf 15b while blade 11b remains in 
parked position 37b. 
FIG. 5 illustrates a vertical band saw 10b in which cutting head 42 is 
mounted for movement horizontally along cutting line 14b. Cutting control 
means 43 generally controls movement of cutting head 42 in a manner well 
known for band saws, but in the improved cutting assembly 10b of the 
present invention controller 43 is advantageously connected to limit 
switch means which cooperates with stop means or block 46 that can be 
adjustably mounted to a frame portion or rail 47 for the band saw. Rail 47 
extends in a direction along cutting line 14b so that the distance over 
which head assembly 42 is moved can be set by adjusting and fixing the 
position of stop 46. Limit switch 44 is electrically connected to cutting 
controller 43 by conductor means 48. 
In operation the user can select whether to operate the band saw in a 
"standard" mode or a "blade-saver" mode through user input button 49. In a 
standard mode advancement of head 42 in the direction of arrow 40b is 
stopped when limit switch 44 engages the front shoulder of stop 46. At 
this point front cutting edge 32b will be through workpiece 13b cutting a 
part therefrom. Blade 11b, however, will not be in the parked position. 
Thus, when controller 43 receives a first cutting control signal from 
switch 44, indicating that the workpiece has been cut through, the cutting 
controller will return cutting head to the starting position if the 
operator has selected the standard mode. Standard mode reduces cycle time, 
but at the expense of blade dulling and possible blade hooking. 
If the operator uses input 49 to select blade-saver mode, the first cutting 
control signal occurring when switch 44 contacts the front edge of stop 46 
is disregarded and cutting head 42 continues to move in the direction of 
arrow 40b until switch 44, which is resiliently biased outwardly, passes 
over block or stop 46, at which point switch 44 communicates a second 
cutting control signal indicating that blade 11b is in the parked 
position. In the apparatus of the present invention, therefore, stop or 
block 46 may advantageously have a width dimension about equal to the 
distance between a standard cut through position and the parked position. 
Controller 43 stops advancement of the cutting head upon receipt of the 
second cutting control signal and causes the cutting head to stay in the 
parked position until a feed control signal is received from feed 
controller 41, which will be described in more detail below. 
While illustrated in FIG. 5 as being implemented by a limit switch and 
cooperatively positioned stop, it will be understood that in more 
sophisticated cutting controller or computers 43, the position of cutting 
head 42 will be sensed at all times, and input means 49 can merely input 
the locations for a standard return and a blade-saver return. 
As best seen in FIG. 4B, bundle 16b preferably is employed to displace cut 
parts or portions 32b away from kerf 15b. Jaws 25b and 25b' of fixed vise 
mechanism 17b are moved to the non-engaged position so that bundle 16b is 
free to slidably move relative to table 12b and to jaws 25b and 25b'. Once 
jaws 25b and 25b' have been disengage from side portions 27b and 27b' of 
bundle 16b, shuttle vise assembly 21b moves toward cutting line 14b in the 
direction of arrow 50 (FIG. 4B). Bundle 16b advances forward until 
workpiece ends 34b contact cut portion ends 33b. Such advancement 
continues until bundle 16b displaces cut portions 32b to a position away 
from and clear of kerf 15b, as shown in FIG. 4B. It will be understood 
that blade 11b remains parked in parked position 37b for the duration of 
this sequence. 
Thereafter, FIG. 4C illustrates that shuttle vise 21b retracts bundle 16b 
in the rearward direction of arrow 51 to reposition all portions of bundle 
16b back over the cutting line 14b, preferably also to a spaced distance 
from cutting kerf 15b. During this sequence, jaws 25b and 25b' of fixed 
vise mechanism 17b remain in the non-engaged position while blade 11b 
remains in the parked position. Only when bundle 16b has been fully 
retracted so that neither workpiece ends 34b nor cut portion ends 33b 
protrude into cutting kerf 15b, as shown in FIG. 4C, is a feed control 
signal generated by feed controller 41 and communicated through electrical 
conductor 52 (FIG. 5) to cutting controller 43. Upon receipt of the feed 
control signal after the second cutting control signal, controller 43 
returns cutting head 42 and blade 11b to starting position 28b. The 
position of shuttle vise 21b on guide ways 23b is communicated to feed 
controller 41 through conductor means 53. 
The saw head assembly returns blade 11b substantially along cutting line 
14b in the direction of arrow 43b (FIG. 4C) from parked position 37b to 
starting position 28b, where blade 11b comes to rest at the starting 
position. Accordingly, saw blade 11b is free from interference or 
obstruction while returning to starting position 28b. Hence, the cutting 
edge 31b will not become worn through inadvertent contact with the 
workpieces or cut portions 32b during the return stroke when the cutting 
assembly is in blade saver mode. 
Referring now to FIG. 4D, bundle 16b is once again prepared for cutting. 
Fixed vise 17b grips the workpieces and shuttle vise mechanism 22b opens 
and moves away from cutting line 14b. The shuttle vise then grips the 
workpieces and fixed vise 17b opens. The shuttle vise may then move in the 
direction of arrow 51 so that portions of workpieces 13b are placed back 
across cutting line 14b to the desired cutting position. Jaws 25b and 25b' 
are then moved to the engaged position to securely grip respective side 
portions 27b and 27b' of bundle 16b for retainment therebetween. 
Accordingly, the cutting cycle in accordance with the present invention 
has been completed. 
The present invention has primarily been described in conjunction with one 
fixed vise mechanism 17b. However, it will be appreciated that, when 
cutting multiple longer cut portions 32b from multiple elongated 
workpieces 13b, a second fixed vise mechanism 20a may be employed to grip 
and secure cut portions 32b as a bundle on both sides thereof. 
Accordingly, the corresponding jaws of fixed vise 20a will cooperate and 
move between the engaged and the non-engaged position to secure cut 
portions 32b at moments of the cutting cycle substantially similar to the 
first fixed vise mechanism 17a. 
As will also be understood controllers 41 and 43 can be combined in a 
single controller or computer with suitable feedback means providing the 
computer with real time input as to the positions of shuttle vise 21b and 
saw head 42.