Patent ID: 7259872

Claim:
A system for locating an edge of a workpiece in a processing path, said system comprising: (A) a light source that (1) is located laterally adjacent said processing path, and (2) is oriented to emit a light beam at an oblique angle relative to the width of said processing path so that said emitted light beam can be directed to (a) pass transversely through only a portion of the projected transverse cross section of the workpiece in the processing path beyond the workpiece, and (b) extend to a target region adjacent the processing path either above or below the projected transverse cross section of the workpiece; (B) a sensor switch for receiving a reflected light beam wherein the switch is maintained in a first switched state by the presence of a reflected light beam and is maintained in a second switched state by the absence of a reflected light beam; and (C) a reflector at said target region for reflecting said light beam to said sensor switch when the light beam is not interrupted by the workpiece.