Abstract: An apparatus for picking a product, including a control circuit, at least one vacuum cup arranged to adhere at least one sheet of material to the at least one vacuum cup, and at least one sensor configured to monitor an area proximate the at least one vacuum cup, and transmit at least one signal regarding a presence of at least one sheet of material in the area, wherein the apparatus is arranged to displace to a second location while continuously monitoring the area proximate the at least one vacuum cup, the at least one sensor is configured to transmit the at least one signal, and the control circuit is arranged to determine, responsive to the at least one signal, the sheet of material is not present in the area, and generate an error signal indicating that the at least one sheet of material is not present in the area.

Abstract: An apparatus for picking a product, including a control circuit, at least one vacuum cup arranged to adhere at least one sheet of material to the at least one vacuum cup, and at least one sensor configured to monitor an area proximate the at least one vacuum cup, and transmit at least one signal regarding a presence of at least one sheet of material in the area, wherein the apparatus is arranged to displace to a second location while continuously monitoring the area proximate the at least one vacuum cup, the at least one sensor is configured to transmit the at least one signal, and the control circuit is arranged to determine, responsive to the at least one signal, the sheet of material is not present in the area, and generate an error signal indicating that the at least one sheet of material is not present in the area.

Abstract: An apparatus for picking a product, including: a control circuit; at least one vacuum cup arranged to adhere, with negative pressure and at a first location, at least one sheet of material to the at least one vacuum cup; and at least one sensor to monitor an area proximate the at least one vacuum cup and transmit at least one signal regarding a presence of at least one sheet of material in the area. The apparatus is arranged to displace to a second location. The control circuit is arranged to determine, responsive to the at least one signal, the at least one sheet of material is not present in the area and generate an error signal indicating that the at least one sheet of material is not present in the area.

Abstract: An apparatus for picking a product, including: at least one vacuum cup including at least one axis passing through the at least one vacuum cup; and at least one damping device surrounding at least a portion of the at least one vacuum cup in a radial direction orthogonal to the at least one axis. The at least one vacuum cup is arranged to create negative pressure and adhere, with the negative pressure, the at least one sheet of material to the at least one vacuum cup. The at least one damping device is arranged to contact the at least one sheet of material to limit displacement of the at least one sheet of material with respect to the at least one vacuum cup.

Abstract: An apparatus for picking a product, including: a control circuit; at least one vacuum cup arranged to adhere, with negative pressure and at a first location, at least one sheet of material to the at least one vacuum cup; and at least one sensor to monitor an area proximate the at least one vacuum cup and transmit at least one signal regarding a presence of at least one sheet of material in the area. The apparatus is arranged to displace to a second location. The control circuit is arranged to determine, responsive to the at least one signal, the at least one sheet of material is not present in the area and generate an error signal indicating that the at least one sheet of material is not present in the area.

Abstract: An apparatus for picking a product, including: at least one vacuum cup including at least one axis passing through the at least one vacuum cup; and at least one damping device surrounding at least a portion of the at least one vacuum cup in a radial direction orthogonal to the at least one axis. The at least one vacuum cup is arranged to create negative pressure and adhere, with the negative pressure, the at least one sheet of material to the at least one vacuum cup. The at least one damping device is arranged to contact the at least one sheet of material to limit displacement of the at least one sheet of material with respect to the at least one vacuum cup.

Abstract: A Document Finishing Architecture Master controller includes an input communication link enabling two-way communication with a document-handling device. The document-handling device is restricted to connections with document finishing devices (DFDs) connected in series. Output communication links are operatively connected to the input communication link. The output communication links enable two-way communication over parallel communication networks with the DFDs. A translator is operatively connected to the output communication link, and driver interfaces are operatively connected to the translator. Document-finishing signals originating from the document-handling device are translated by the translator to a protocol used by the DFDs. The document-finishing signals are communicated from the translator to the driver interfaces, and from the driver interface to the DFDs. DFD signals from the DFDs are translated by the translator to a protocol used by the document-handling device.

Abstract: A print job includes a container page, product pages, and a stacking pattern. Methods and systems automatically pattern a first material according to a container pattern specified by the container page to output a flat and patterned container sheet to a stacking location, and automatically fold the flat and patterned container sheet at the stacking location to form a three-dimensional container. Further, such methods and systems automatically print markings specified by the product pages on additional sheets of material. Then, after forming the three-dimensional container and printing the markings, such methods and systems automatically pattern the additional sheets of material according to a product pattern specified by the product pages to output product items to the stacking location. Further, such methods and systems automatically stack the product items in the three-dimensional container. The container pattern has a specific size and shape to accommodate the stacking pattern.

Abstract: A print job includes a container page, product pages, and a stacking pattern. Methods and systems automatically pattern a first material according to a container pattern specified by the container page to output a flat and patterned container sheet to a stacking location, and automatically fold the flat and patterned container sheet at the stacking location to form a three-dimensional container. Further, such methods and systems automatically print markings specified by the product pages on additional sheets of material. Then, after forming the three-dimensional container and printing the markings, such methods and systems automatically pattern the additional sheets of material according to a product pattern specified by the product pages to output product items to the stacking location. Further, such methods and systems automatically stack the product items in the three-dimensional container. The container pattern has a specific size and shape to accommodate the stacking pattern.

Abstract: A Document Finishing Architecture Master controller includes an input communication link enabling two-way communication with a document-handling device. The document-handling device is restricted to connections with document finishing devices (DFDs) connected in series. Output communication links are operatively connected to the input communication link. The output communication links enable two-way communication over parallel communication networks with the DFDs. A translator is operatively connected to the output communication link, and driver interfaces are operatively connected to the translator. Document-finishing signals originating from the document-handling device are translated by the translator to a protocol used by the DFDs. The document-finishing signals are communicated from the translator to the driver interfaces, and from the driver interface to the DFDs. DFD signals from the DFDs are translated by the translator to a protocol used by the document-handling device.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of assigning media access control (MAC) addresses to image paths for a printing system. The method comprises: initializing a MAC address to each image path board in the printing system wherein the printing system includes at least two print engines each having an image path board; modifying a card cage enclosure to include a bit selector for each image path board; and, creating a unique IP address for each MAC address including generating a unique octet for each MAC address. A slot ID is used for the generating of the unique octet for each MAC address having a standard base value.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of assigning media access control (MAC) addresses to image paths for a printing system. The method comprises: initializing a MAC address to each image path board in the printing system wherein the printing system includes at least two print engines each having an image path board; modifying a card cage enclosure to include a bit selector for each image path board; and, creating a unique IP address for each MAC address including generating a unique octet for each MAC address. A slot ID is used for the generating of the unique octet for each MAC address having a standard base value.

Abstract: A printing system for producing prints from a print job is provided. The printing system includes first and second digital fronts ends as well as an image path. The image path communicates selectively with the first digital front end and the second digital front end, and receives (1) printable information from the first digital front end when the first digital front end and the image path are configured in a first mode, and (2) printable information from the second digital front end when the second digital front end and the image path are configured in a second mode. A selection system disposes the first digital front end and the image path in the first mode, or the second digital front end and the image path in the second mode.

Abstract: A system simulator including a plurality of nodes or processor boards for controlling the operation of the interactive sub-systems. The simulator includes a user interface having a screen providing a display of node selections for pre-selecting a given subset of the plurality of nodes, a memory for retaining the node selections for use in operating the machine, a control for simulating operation of the given subset of plurality of nodes, and for operating the remaining nodes to control at least a portion of the interactive sub-systems. The simulator can be integral with the reproduction machine or a stand alone device.