Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating the end cap round transducer horn assemblies used in debubbling operations wherein the ECR THA can be evaluated off-line at both high and low power and on-line by making electrical measurements on the ECR THA. The electrical measurements are used to characterize the physical condition of the piezoelectric ceramics of the THA. A test box is employed to practice the method. The test box is connected between the THA and a signal analyzer. Power is supplied to the THA and the electrical signals across the THA are sampled. The sampled electrical signals are transmitted to the signal analyzer while maintaining the amplitude and phase relationship thereof. The sampled electrical signals are used to generate an impedance trace for the particular THA. That impedance trace is compared to a model impedance trace. In such manner, it can be determined whether the ECR THA is operational.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating the end cap round transducer horn assemblies used in debubbling operations wherein the ECR THA can be evaluated off-line at both high and low power and on-line by making electrical measurements on the ECR THA. The electrical measurements are used to characterize the physical condition of the piezoelectric ceramics of the THA. A test box is employed to practice the method. The test box is connected between the THA and a signal analyzer. Power is supplied to the THA and the electrical signals across the THA are sampled. The sampled electrical signals are transmitted to the signal analyzer while maintaining the amplitude and phase relationship thereof. The sampled electrical signals are used to generate an impedance trace for the particular THA. That impedance trace is compared to a model impedance trace. In such manner, it can be determined whether the ECR THA is operational.

Abstract: A method of controlling motor speed. The motor speed control apparatus includes an encoder in mechanical association with the motor. The encoder has one channel providing an encoder signal having a rising and falling state transition for each period of the encoder signal. The periodic frequency of the state transitions are used to precisely measure instantaneous motor speed. A comparitor then compares the periodic frequency with a predetermined motor speed to provide an error signal, representative of the difference. A feedback control system affects the motor speed dependent on the error signals. In a further embodiment, the encoder includes two channels and four state transitions.

Abstract: A cartridge is disposed in a chamber of a cartridge receiving apparatus. An actuating member on the apparatus is moveable a first increment to initiate an apparatus operation and moveable a second increment. A latch is positioned to prevent the actuating member from being moved the second increment after it is moved the first increment. The actuating member is moved the second increment only when the cartridge is at least partially removed from the chamber. The cartridge receiving apparatus may further include a prevention member to prevent the chamber from receiving an exposed filmstrip.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for calibrating an optical probe assembly, wherein the optical probe assembly includes a probe mounting surface and an optically transparent material spaced from the probe mounting surface. The method includes providing a calibration apparatus, wherein the calibration apparatus includes a calibration mount having an axis and a reference surface on an exterior surface of the calibration mount. A calibration target is mounted substantially perpendicular to the calibration mount axis at a predetermined distance from the calibration mount reference surface, and a distance LR from the calibration target to the calibration mount reference surface is determined. The optical probe assembly is then removably mounted and lockably secured to the calibration apparatus such that the calibration mount reference surface is in a predetermined orientation relative to the probe mounting surface on the optical probe assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a thickness profile of a moving material having at least two optical interfaces. A transport apparatus transports a length of moving material at a predetermined flatness through a measurement region. A recessed track disposed in the channel provides an area of non-contact in the measurement region. An interferometer apparatus collects a portion of a beam of light reflected from the optical interfaces of the moving length and generates an interference signal representative of the collected light. An analyzer then analyzes the interference signal to determine a thickness profile of the material in the first direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating the end cap round transducer horn assemblies used in debubbling operations wherein the ECR THA can be evaluated off-line at both high and low power and on-line by making electrical measurements on the ECR THA. The electrical measurements are used to characterize the physical condition of the piezoelectric ceramics of the THA. A test box is employed to practice the method. The test box is connected between the THA and a signal analyzer. Power is supplied to the THA and the electrical signals across the THA are sampled. The sampled electrical signals are transmitted to the signal analyzer while maintaining the amplitude and phase relationship thereof. The sampled electrical signals are used to generate an impedance trace for the particular THA. That impedance trace is compared to a model impedance trace. In such manner, it can be determined whether the ECR THA is operational.

Abstract: A core winding a web of deformable material which is thicker along its margins, particularly knurl-edged webs. The core includes a rigid cylindrical member and a deformable cover supported by the rigid member. First and second detachable end members are adapted for attachment to the ends of the rigid member. The hardness of the end members is harder than the deformable cover such that the knurled margins overlay the end members.

Abstract: A method for determining a thickness of a moving material having at least two optical interfaces. A length of material is transported along a transport path through a measurement region, and is maintained at a substantially constant velocity and a predetermined flatness. A beam of light is directed toward the moving length disposed within the measurement region, and a portion of the light reflected from the optical interfaces of the moving length is collected and directed toward an interferometer apparatus. The interferometer apparatus generates an interference signal representative of the collected light and analyzes a plurality of the interference signals to determine a thickness profile of the material in the first direction.

Abstract: A method for determining the optical retardation of an anisotropic material. A beam of light is directed toward a sample of the material and a portion of the reflected beam is collected from the optical interfaces of the material and directed toward an interferometer. The resulting interference signal is analyzed to determine the retardation. The retardation is determined as being the distance between particular peaks of the interference signal. In a further embodiment, light from multiple wavelength light sources is directed toward the sample of the material.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for measuring camber of a web material. As the web material is transported across a conveyance roller, a load cell disposed at each end of the conveyance roller measures the force applied by the web material to the conveyance roller for a particular width location of the web material. An electrical signal corresponding to the applied force is transmitted to a computer and manipulated to a camber measurement.

Abstract: A method for processing interferometric measurement data representative of a physical property of an object, such as the thickness of material M. A plurality of interference signals are acquired and stored with respect to a length L, and a dimension of length L over which the plurality of interference signals were acquired is determined. A location of all peaks of the interference signals is then determined with respect to a start position of the acquisition of the plurality of interference signals. The interferometer peaks which are representative of the physical property of the object are then determined and stored.

Abstract: A multiple durometer pressure roller for winding a web of deformable material onto a core, particularly for reducing air entrainment in the wound roll. The pressure roller includes a rigid cylindrical shaft, a resilient central sleeve supported by the shaft, and two end sleeves supported at each end of the resilient sleeve. The end sleeves have a lower durometer than the resilient sleeve. In a preferred embodiment, the end sleeves and the resilient sleeve are covered by an outer cover having a higher durometer.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting the presence of a splice in a running length of web material, particularly photosensitive web material. The apparatus includes first and second encoders coupled to first and second rollers, respectively. As the web material is transported across the rollers, the speeds of the rollers are continuously and simultaneously detected. The rollers will travel at substantially the same speed when the web is being transported across both rollers. The presence of the splice is detected when the speeds of the two rollers differ.

Abstract: An injection mold cavity and a method for fabricating an injection mold cavity. The mold cavity includes a tear-drop shaped channel and an ejection valve simultaneously formed with the fabrication of the mold cavity using a layer-additive process. The ejection valve is movable within the mold cavity and actuatable by a flow of gas through the channel to eject a molded part from the injection mold cavity. The mold cavity, including the ejection valve, is made of the same material.

Abstract: An ultrasonic apparatus and method for cutting a non-planar workpiece. The apparatus includes an anvil having a non-planar surface for closely engaging an underside of the workpiece. An ultrasonic horn has a non-planar cutting surface closely receiving a topside of the workpiece, wherein the cutting surface and the support surface have complementary non-planar shapes. The ultrasonic horn resonates at a predetermined frequency effect cutting of the workpiece. If the workpiece has a heat fusible component, the workpiece can also be seamed.

Abstract: An evacuation apparatus for evacuating waste particles from a plurality of waste sources. A plurality of vacuum lines are in fluid communication with a collector for transporting the waste particles from the waste source to the collector. An ejector is disposed in each of the vacuum lines to provide independent adjustable control of the vacuum level at each inlet.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the optical retardation of a material. The apparatus includes a light source emitting light along a light path, and a lens disposed in the light path intermediate the light source and a sample of the material. A waveguide directs the light from the light source to the sample and directs light reflected from the sample to a wavelength analyzer, whereby the wavelength analyzer detects the wavelengths of the reflected light. The apparatus of the present invention includes a sole polarizing element disposed in the light path intermediate the light source and the wavelength analyzer.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning a surface of a moving web of material, particularly photosensitive web material. A particle transfer roller is disposed adjacent the moving web, and driven to a pre-determined speed approaching but not greater than a sensed speed of the moving web. A passive one-way clutch coupled to the particle transfer roller is engaged, such that when the driven particle transfer roller contacts the moving web, the moving web drives the particle transfer roller. A cleaning station is disposed adjacent the particle transfer roller so as to provide renewal of the particle transfer roller.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring parallel loads on a common supply. An intermittent AC current is supplied to a plurality of load devices disposed in parallel on the common supply. A current sensor senses the current supplied to the load devices and provides a corresponding signal to a comparator. The comparator compares the sensed current with two values: a threshold load level of current corresponding to the operation of the plurality of load devices, and a threshold current level. An error signal is generated by a controller if the sensed current level is less than the threshold current level and if the sensed current is less than the threshold load level.