Abstract: A method of making signs in multiple colors employs an automatically controlled sign making machine and a multi-ply layup of sign material in which the different plies have different colors. The sign making machine has a cutting tool that is moved in the cutting relationship with the layup to cut sign characters defined in the machine memory. The cutting tool is adjustable in depth of cut into the layup so that signs having characters and background of different colors can be prepared.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting sheet material as a cantilever vacuum table with a fluid permeable support surface upon which sheet material may be spread. A movable vacuum box supported below the surface of the table defines a vacuum chamber and is connected outboard of a free edge of the table to a carriage assembly which moves a blade in cutting relation to material spread on the table in response to signals received from a programmable controller. The vacuum box moves with the blade and relative to the table to apply vacuum to a limited area of the table immediately surrounding the cutting region of the blade.

Abstract: An automatically controlled machine for cutting limp sheet material includes a vacuum bed defining a surface on which the sheet material is spread and held during cutting. A reciprocating cutting blade penetrates through the sheet material and the support surface of the vacuum bed as the blade is translated parallel to the support surface along lines of cut. A plurality of air-impermeable panels extend through the bed in spaced relationship to sectionalize the vacuum bed and permit the vacuum to be generated only in those portions of the bed where the cutting blade is operating. To prevent interference with the penetrating cutting blade, the panels are individually withdrawn from the bed when the cutting blade approaches.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for indexing a strip of sheet material in fixed amounts along the support surface of a table enable an instrument supported from a carriage spanning the support surface to work on the material in precisely controlled segments and utilize one or two stops fixed in the table and movable engagement means operatively associated with the stops to limit the advancement of the sheet material as the material is indexed. The apparatus includes a transport mechanism connected for movement with the engagement means, and the sheet material is coupled to the transport mechanism for movement along the support surface. The stops define limits of travel of the engagement means and the transport mechanism to precisely fix the amount of advancement of the sheet material between work positions.

Abstract: A cutting machine utilizing a movable nozzle for producing a high velocity fluid jet for cutting and a movable receiver for dissipating the cutting jet after it passes through sheet material in a cutting operation is provided with two mechanically independent carriages on which the nozzle and receiver are separately mounted. The cutting machine includes controls operatively connected with the nozzle and receiver moving mechanism for coordinating the movement of the nozzle and receiver to maintain the receiver in constant registration with the cutting jet exiting the sheet material.

Abstract: A low inertia plotter having a carrier consisting solely of a relatively thin sheet of support material defining a surface for carrying a sheet of plotting media and supported by an air bearing for movement in one coordinate direction relative to a frame and a plotting instrument supported on the frame for movement in another coordinate direction and in plotting relation to the plotting media. The carrier and the plotting instrument are driven in response to command signals received from a controller.

Abstract: A sewing machine, or similar machine which consumes thread at a work station, has combined with it a thread color device located between the work station and a thread supply. The color device causes the thread issuing from it to have any one of a number of available colors, allowing stitches of different color to be made at the work station without changing the thread or rethreading the needle. The timing of a change in thread color at the color device with respect to the schedule of work performed at the work station, and the movement of the thread from the color device to the work station, are controlled so that a change in thread color occurs at the work station at substantially the same time as such change is desired in the work schedule performed at that station.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting sheet material spread in one or more layers over a supporting surface uses a reciprocating cutting blade cutter movable in two coordinate directions in the plane of the supporting surface to enable the cutting blade to follow a desired line of cut relative to the sheet material. The cutting blade has a leading cutting edge that performs the actual cutting operation with a slicing action. During the cutting operation, mechanical means within the apparatus produces blade dither about the axis of reciprocation in synchronism with the reciprocation strokes of the blade.

Abstract: An automated plotting apparatus has a carriage assembly for positioning an axially elongated pen relative to a plotting sheet supported on a plotting surface in response to command signals received from a controller. A solenoid assembly coaxially surrounds an associated portion of the pen and moves it axially into marking engagement with the sheet. Marking fluid is supplied to the pen from a pressurized reservoir. Pinions driven by a motor mounted in stationary position relative to the plotting surface engage racks mounted on the carriage assembly to move the carriage assembly relative to the plotting surface.

Abstract: An eyeglass apparatus having a variable focal length lens and an associated method for varying the focal length of the lens uses a lens having a focal length which is variable as pressure along the lens is varied. Focal length adjusting mechanisms carried by the eyeglass frames provide for manual or automatic adjustment of the lens focal length.

Abstract: An automatically controlled cutting machine for cutting sheet material employs a cutting wheel and a hard, smooth and continuous surface of ferromagnetic material on which the sheet material is spread for cutting. To prevent shifting during cutting, the material is releasably attached to the support surface by adhesives, freezing, electrostatics and other securing means. The cutting wheel is forced downwardly against the hard support surface by an electromagnet mounted on the cutting wheel support to insure severing of the sheet material.

Abstract: An automatically controlled cutting machine for cutting sheet material employs a cutting wheel and a hard, smooth and continuous surface on which the sheet material is spread for cutting. To prevent shifting during cutting, the material is releasably attached to the support surface by adhesives, freezing, electrostatics and other securing means. The cutting wheel is forced downwardly against the hard support surface by a number of means to insure severing of the sheet material and may be ultrasonically vibrated to facilitate the severing process.

Abstract: An automatically controlled cutting machine for cutting sheet material employs a cutting wheel and a hard, smooth and continuous surface on which the sheet material is spread for cutting. To prevent shifting during cutting, the material is releasably attached to the support surface by adhesives, freezing, electrostatics and other securing means. The cutting wheel is forced downwardly against the hard support surface by a number of means to insure severing of the sheet material and may be ultrasonically vibrated to facilitate the severing process.

Abstract: A photoplotter for use in exposing graphics or artworks on a photosensitive surface by directing a small beam of light onto the surface and moving it relative thereto has an output beam which is repetitively flashed as it is moved over the surface to expose a line. The flashing light beam is produced by intercepting a stationary beam with a cyclically moving mirror to periodically sweep it across a light accepting window, the light energy received by which is directed to the photosensitive surface. The cross-sectional size of the output light beam may be varied to vary the size of the light spot which it creates on the photosensitive surface and to therefore vary the width of the exposed line, and changes in the character of the output beam may be made in accordance with changes in the size of the spot and with changes in its speed relative to the photosensitive surface in order to obtain a desired exposure of all portions of the exposed lines.

Abstract: Sheet material spread on a cutting table is clamped to the surface of the table by parallel flexible bands of ferromagnetic material attracted to the table by magnets associated with the table. The bands are threaded under and over rollers journalled on a tool carriage which moves a cutter wheel in cutting engagement with the sheet material in response to command signals received from a programmable computer. The rollers pick up portions of the bands ahead of the carriage assembly and lay down portions of the bands behind it as the carriage assembly advances longitudinally of the table.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting multi-ply layups of limp sheet material employs an automatically controlled machine with a knife blade and a controller for guiding the blade along cutting paths defined by a marker of pattern pieces. The marker contains a plurality of pattern pieces in a closely packed array which causes the pattern pieces and segments of the cutting paths to be in contact or in close proximity to one another, and makes accurate cutting difficult or impossible. Digitized data defining a cutting program for the marker is preprocessed in a data processor to identify critical segments of cutting paths where cutting difficulties may arise and introduces into the data remedial command signals that guide the cutting blade past the identified critical segments for more accurate cutting.

Abstract: Cleaning apparatus for removing foreign material lodged between the bristles of a bristle pad includes a cabinet, a grid mounted in fixed position within the cabinet, and a cage supported for reciprocal movement within the cabinet for carrying the pad and cyclically impacting it against the grid. An exhaust fan draws air through the cabinet and across and through the grid to remove foreign material from the cabinet.

Abstract: A vacuum table has a base and a bristle bed which includes a bristle mat formed from a plurality of molded bristle blocks mounted in closely spaced relation within the table base. Each bristle block has a base portion and a multiplicity of straight or tapered bristles which project upwardly therefrom and cooperate to define a penetrable support surface. Apertures in the bases of the blocks and/or spaces between marginal edges of adjacent blocks define airflow passageways through the mat which communicate with a vacuum source for inducing airflow in downward directions generally parallel to the bristles. The bristle blocks may be supported on a grid or may be self supported.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting sheet material utilizes a closed loop automatically controlled cutting machine having a reciprocating cutting blade as the cutting tool. Sheet material to be cut is spread in multiple plies to form a layup, and the cutting blade and the material are then moved relative to one another in cutting engagement along predefined lines of cut. During cutting, a sensor detects a cutting parameter that is affected by the interaction of the cutting blade and sheet material, and signals provided by the sensor are fed back in the closed loop automatic control mechanism to adjust or initiate further steps in the cutting operation. Such adjustment or initiation alters the cutting machine operation for cutting conditions in real time in order to improve the overall performance of the machine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting sheet material utilizes a closed loop automatically controlled cutting machine having a reciprocating cutting blade as the cutting tool. Sheet material to be cut is spread in multiple plies to form a layup, and the cutting blade and the material are then moved relative to one another in cutting engagement along predefined lines of cut. During cutting, a sensor detects a cutting parameter that is affected by the interaction of the cutting blade and sheet material, and signals provided by the sensor are fed back in the closed loop automatic control mechanism to adjust or initiate further steps in the cutting operation. Such adjustment or initiation alters the cutting machine operation for cutting conditions in real time in order to improve the overall performance of the machine.