Importance

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Abstract

This concerns apparatus for removing sheets one at a time from a stack using a suction feeder assembly comprising an oscillating shaft on which two suction feeder arms have been mounted so as to communicate through holes in the shaft and through the hollow shaft interior with a suction source. Such assemblies have needed very precise alignment and to reduce the cost of making such an assembly, an integral plastics member (FIG. 5) is moulded on to the shaft, this moulding comprising the two suction arms (12, 13) and a member (14) interconnecting the suction arms with a precise spacing. The moulding further includes two channels (21) for the passage of a drill, allowing holes to be made in the shaft through the suction arm after the moulding. Subsequently, cover plates are welded over the drill channels (21) and nozzle assemblies (4) are fitted to other apertures in the suction arms. Flats (15, 16) on the ends of the shaft are accurately located in the mould tool relative to the suction arms and are later used to locate end eccentric bearings for the shaft.

First Claim