Abstract: An apparatus for digitally generating an image comprises a photoconductor assembly, a corona assembly, and a light source assembly to generate a latent image on the photoconductor. The apparatus also includes a developer assembly that includes a developer, such as powder paint, to generate an image. The apparatus may include a fuser for generating a film image. The apparatus of the present invention may include a cartridge for storing and digitally applying adhesive to the image. Furthermore, the apparatus of the present invention includes a controller for selectively controlling voltages to control thickness of the image. Additionally, apparatus may include a consumable sheet to remove excess adhesive from the substrate.

Abstract: In a die board for cutting and/or creasing sheet-type work material, a base is provided that includes a first upper surface and a second lower surface. At least one slot extends along the first upper surface and includes a first slot section extending from said first upper surface at least part-way through the die board base. The at least one slot also includes a second slot section extending from said second lower surface at least part-way through the die board base. The first and second slot sections each have a width with at least one of the slot section widths being adapted to grip and retain at least one die-board rule.

Abstract: Disclosed are the following: a wide format thermal printer for printing a multicolor graphic product on a printing sheet; a vacuum workbed for supporting a sheet material for performing work operations, such as cutting, printing or plotting, thereon; a replaceable donor sheet assembly, which includes a memory, for use with a thermal printer; methods and apparatus for improved thermal printing, including methods and apparatus for conserving donor sheet and reducing the amount of time required to print a multicolor graphic product; a thermal printhead including a memory; and methods and apparatus for the alignment of a sheet material for printing or performing other work operations on the sheet material. The wide format thermal printer can include provision for the automatic loading of cassettes of donor sheet from a cassette storage rack.

Abstract: A method of retransferring print media onto a substrate material includes providing a generally continuous sheet of pigmented foil, and a generally continuous sheet of retransfer print media. A portion of the pigmented foil is contacted with a portion of the retransfer print media. A reverse resin image is thermally printed onto the retransfer print media by selectively heating the portion of the pigmented foil in contact with the portion of the retransfer print media. The reverse resin image is placed over a substrate. The reverse resin image is thermally transferred from the retransfer print media to the substrate so as to form a forward image on the substrate.

Abstract: A sign letter includes a front plate, a back plate, and a side wall sandwiched between the front and back plate. The side wall includes a plurality of cavities formed by removal of side wall material for allowing the side wall to be easily bent to the shape of the sign letter. The side wall also comprises one-piece construction and includes at least one feature integral thereto that allows joining of the side wall with either the front plate or the back plate. The sign letter is automatically formed on a router with computer instructions to cut the front plate, the back plate and the side wall and to remove unnecessary material therefrom. The sign letter also includes a lighting system for illuminating the sign letter.

Abstract: An apparatus for digitally generating an image includes a printer for generating a desired image either on a final substrate or a carrier sheet with the image then being transferred from the carrier sheet onto the final substrate. The generated image is “built up” on the carrier sheet or substrate to form a sign, thereby eliminating the need for the weeding process. According to one aspect of the present invention, the apparatus includes a printer that allows the digital application of adhesive onto an image, substantially placing an adhesive in register with the image, for subsequent application of the image with adhesive placed thereon. According to a further aspect of the present invention, a layer of adhesive is applied over a substrate. An image is built atop of the adhesive.

Abstract: A friction drive apparatus includes an edge detection system for determining a lateral position of a strip material advancing in a longitudinal direction. The edge detection system includes a first sensor and a second sensor for monitoring the lateral position of the strip material. The friction drive apparatus also includes instructions for automatically aligning the strip material as the strip material is advanced a predetermined aligning distance and instructions for calibrating the second sensor with respect to the first sensor to compensate for any potential discrepancies therebetween. The apparatus and methods of the present invention ensure that the strip material is properly aligned in the friction drive apparatus and limit waste of strip material during those operations.

Abstract: A comprehensive model design environment for creating a comprehensive model having a graphical design and a structural design includes at least two design stations and a database. Each design station comprises a graphical. design module for generating signals indicative of the graphical design and a structural design module for generating signals indicative of the structural design. The database receives the graphical design and the structural design signals, and generates in accordance therewith an ordered set of signals corresponding to the graphical design and the structural design. Each of several parties which collaborate in designing a package may access the database, greatly reducing design time.

Abstract: Disclosed are the following: a wide format thermal printer for printing a multicolor graphic product on a printing sheet; a vacuum workbed for supporting a sheet material for performing work operations, such as cutting, printing or plotting, thereon; a replaceable donor sheet assembly, which includes a memory, for use with a thermal printer; methods and apparatus for improved thermal printing, including methods and apparatus for conserving donor sheet and reducing the amount of time required to print a multicolor graphic product; a thermal printhead including a memory; and methods and apparatus for the alignment of a sheet material for printing or performing other work operations on the sheet material. The wide format thermal printer can include provision for the automatic loading of cassettes of donor sheet from a cassette storage rack.

Abstract: Disclosed is control circuitry for providing controlling a motor responsive to feedback signals. The control circuit includes a velocity sensor for coupling with the motor for providing a velocity feedback signal responsive to the velocity of the motor, and circuitry for providing a feedback signal responsive to a voltage associated with the motor, such as the back emf of a coil associated with the motor. The control circuitry can be used enhance the Z-axis control of a tool of a work apparatus for performing work operations on a work material, such as a cutting apparatus for cutting a sheet of vinyl having a releasable backing for generating graphic products.

Abstract: A method and work material for making embossed blanks for sample packages and other free-standing three dimensional display items from a sheet-type work material includes a printer for printing a graphic image on the work material, and a processing mechanism for performing work operations on the work material. The sheet-type work material has a top layer of sheet material, an intermediate layer of sheet material, and a carrier layer of sheet material, with a first layer of adhesive material bonding the top and intermediate layers of sheet material together, and a second layer of adhesive material bonding the intermediate and carrier layers of sheet material together. Any, all, or a combination of the top, intermediate, or carrier layers of sheet material may have shape retaining deformability characteristics to aid in holding an embossed design in the work material.

Abstract: A friction drive apparatus includes an edge detection system for determining a lateral position of a strip material advancing in a longitudinal direction. The edge detection system includes a first sensor and a second sensor for monitoring the lateral position of the strip material. The friction drive apparatus also includes instructions for automatically aligning the strip material as the strip material is advanced a predetermined aligning distance and instructions for calibrating the second sensor with respect to the first sensor to compensate for any potential discrepancies therebetween. The apparatus and methods of the present invention ensure that the strip material is properly aligned in the friction drive apparatus and limit waste of strip material during those operations.

Abstract: In a die board for cutting and/or creasing sheet-type work material, a base is provided that includes a first upper surface and a second lower surface. At least one slot extends along the first upper surface and includes a first slot section extending from said first upper surface at least part-way through the die board base. The at least one slot also includes a second slot section extending from said second lower surface at least part-way through the die board base. The first and second slot sections each have a width with at least one of the slot section widths being adapted to grip and retain at least one die-board rule.

Abstract: An apparatus for digitally generating an image comprises a photoconductor assembly, a corona assembly, and a light source assembly to generate a latent image on the photoconductor. The apparatus also includes a developer assembly that includes a developer, such as powder paint, to generate an image. The apparatus may include a fuser for generating a film image. The apparatus of the present invention may include a cartridge for storing and digitally applying adhesive to the image. Furthermore, the apparatus of the present invention includes a controller for selectively controlling voltages to control thickness of the image. Additionally, apparatus may include a consumable sheet to remove excess adhesive from the substrate.

Abstract: A system for generating a printed product includes a printer, a cutter, and a computer. The printer and cutter are controlled by the computer to generate printed and/or contoured cut products, such as wall boarders, murals, stencils, and appliques as well as wallpaper of extremely high quality. The system, according to the present invention, allows the printed product to be customized to individual design, color and size requirements. The system of the present invention results in time and cost savings and allows complete flexibility in choices for wall boarders, murals, stencils, appliques and wallpaper.

Abstract: A wide format thermal printer for printing a multicolor graphic product on a printing sheet; a vacuum workbed for supporting a sheet material for performing work operations, such as cutting, printing or plotting, thereon; a replaceable donor sheet assembly, which includes a memory, for use with a thermal printer; methods and apparatus for improved thermal printing, including methods and apparatus for conserving donor sheet and reducing the amount of time required to print a multicolor graphic product; a thermal printhead including a memory; methods and apparatus for the alignment of a sheet material for printing or performing other work operations on the sheet material; and methods and apparatus for controlling the tension of the donor sheet during printing with a wide format thermal printer. The wide format thermal printer can include provision for the automatic loading of cassettes of donor sheet from a cassette storage rack.

Abstract: A method of cutting planar material with a controlled cutting machine having a cutting tool with a tool tip includes performing a cutting test on various planar materials with the cutting machine under selected cutting conditions which produce deflection forces on the cutting tool due to the interaction of the cutting tool and materials so as to cause the tool tip to offset and move along deviated or offset cutting paths relative to desired cutting paths, and determining compensating offsets in order to align and coincide the actual cutting paths with the desired cutting paths A schedule of the compensating offsets to align and coincide the actual cutting paths with the desired cutting paths is established as determined by the cutting tests. The schedule is to be repeatedly used thereafter for cutting planar material having cutting conditions associated with the schedule.

Abstract: Disclosed are the following: a wide format thermal printer for printing a multicolor graphic product on a printing sheet; a vacuum workbed for supporting a sheet material for performing work operations, such as cutting, printing or plotting, thereon; a replaceable donor sheet assembly, which includes a memory, for use with a thermal printer; methods and apparatus for improved thermal printing, including methods and apparatus for conserving donor sheet and reducing the amount of time required to print a multicolor graphic product; a thermal printhead including a memory; and methods and apparatus for the alignment of a sheet material for printing or performing other work operations on the sheet material. The wide format thermal printer can include provision for the automatic loading of cassettes of donor sheet from a cassette storage rack.

Abstract: A method for selectively relieving sharp edges in tools used in die cutting web or sheet-type work material which includes providing a machining apparatus for supporting the tool thereon, where the machining apparatus includes a rotary cutter mounted thereon and moveable relative to the tool. The method also includes providing a controller having machine readable shape data corresponding to at least one of the tools stored therein, and operating the controller to determine, responsive to the stored shape data, locations of edge segments defined by the tool against which the work material will impinge as the work material is advanced onto the tool in a first direction.

Abstract: A method for making embossed blanks for sample packages and other free-standing three dimensional display items from a sheet-type work material. The sheet-type work material has a top layer of sheet material, an intermediate layer of sheet material, and a carrier layer of sheet material. In operation, a printer prints an image onto the work material, which is then advanced to a processing mechanism where a creaser places indented fold lines into the work material, a knife cuts a blank from the work material, and an embosser embosses a design into the work material.