Abstract: A perforating device for web material comprises a plurality of laser heads for emitting pulse laser beams toward the web traveling at constant speed and a plurality of linear actuators for individually supporting the laser heads, moving the laser heads independently in the width direction of the web, and determining positions for the application of the pulse laser beams.

Abstract: A piercing apparatus includes a traveling unit for causing a tip paper to travel at a predetermined speed along a traveling path, a plurality of laser piercing heads for irradiating pulsed laser beams onto plural positions which are spaced apart from one another on the traveling path, and a controller for pulse-driving laser oscillators of the laser piercing heads in a manner synchronized with one another at time intervals of a period which varies depending on the tip paper traveling speed, whereby minute holes of a desired size are stably formed with a desired spacing in the tip paper which travels at a high speed. The controller variably adjusts the spacing with which minute holes are formed, by controlling the timings at which drive pulses are supplied to the respective laser piercing heads.

Abstract: A piercing apparatus includes a laser oscillation head for irradiating a pulsed laser beam onto a tip paper which travels at a prescribed speed along a traveling path to form minute holes at spacial intervals in the tip paper, a camera for picking up a picture image of a minute hole formed in the tip paper, and a controller for feedback-controlling the drive of the laser oscillation head in accordance with the size of and the spacing between minute holes obtained by analyzing one or more picture images of minute holes, so that minute holes of a desired size are formed in the tip paper with a desired spacing, to provide the tip paper with a desired air permeability.