Abstract: The invention relates to a method of guiding a web of paper or foil material in a web-guiding device, such web having print marks applied to it at least over stretches of the web, as well as to such a web-guiding device with a correcting device, the latter being adjustable when the center of the web runs off course and with a controlling system connected to an edge-sensing system, whereby the position of the print marks relative to an imaginary guide line is controllable over stretches of the web carrying print marks, and additional correction relating to the latter can be made, if required. According to the invention, print marks signals are produced by means of a print mark sensor and linked with the correction signals of the edge-sensing system, with priority of the print mark signals.

Abstract: A means and method for applying innerliner material to a tire building drum and more particularly to a means and method for cutting and applying the innerliner material and further allowing for stock width measurement and precise centering without the possible edge distortion of known guiding systems.

Abstract: A ribbon cutting apparatus which solves the problems of lateral shifting, stretching and shrinking of a printed web of material by providing a plurality of blade carrying blocks each of which may be independently positioned with respect to a travelling web. Each blade carrying block supports between 2 and 9 circular blades. Each of the blades in turn is connected to a small pneumatic cylinder which presses the blades against a platen roller so as to crush cut the web of material passing through. An electric eye detects the location of a registration line that is located substantially near the center of the web. The blade carrying blocks are normally located symmetrically on opposite sides of the registration line. If the web is out of registration the take-off roll is driven horizontally to compensate for the mis-positioning. Each of the blade carrying blocks is independently positionable by a manual adjustment mechanism, such as a wheel connected through a gearing mechanism to each blade carrying blocks.

Abstract: A loop is formed between upstream and downstream pairs of rollers by driving the downstream pair slower than the upstream pair and/or by a direction changing guide. The downstream pair of rollers is axially movable to bring an in-track edge of a sheet to a predetermined sensed position to cross-track register the sheet. The loop permits cross-track movement of the sheet despite engagement of the sheet with the upstream pair of rollers.

Abstract: A conveyor belt controller for controlling the variations in the lateral position of a running conveyor belt comprises a regulated stretch of conveyor belt having a guide member, particularly a guide roller, at one end, a controllable guiding mechanism able to laterally displace the conveyor belt when the conveyor belt is shifted from a correct position, and at least one video camera observing the lateral motion of the conveyor belt whose electrical image signal is convertable by a computer into a controlling command for the guiding mechanism. The video camera is mounted upstream from the guide member spaced approximately a distance equal to the length of the regulated stretch. An indicating member is provided in the image field of the video camera for the actual position of the guiding mechanism extending transversely to the guiding mechanism. Advantageously, the indicating member is provided with an indicator light source which is pulsed for more sensitive detection.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device for guiding and spreading out a moving material web, which includes a spreading station, a guide station and at least one edge-sensing system downstream from the guide station. The spreading station is arranged downstream from the guide station, so that very high web speeds can be realized because the web corrections are executed very gently and without whipping up the correcting pulses.

Abstract: A system for activating an operating element with respect to a moving substrate comprises a tracking line formed on the substrate, the tracking line having an activation mark formed therein which reflects light of an intensity which is distinguishable from that reflected from the remainder of the tracking line. A photosensor is mounted in relation to the tracking line to sense the intensity of light reflected from the tracking line when the substrate is moving. The photosensor generates an output signal indicative of the passage of the activation mark with respect to the photosensor. The output signal is utilized to activate the operating element.

Abstract: An edge steerage apparatus for steering an edge of a moving web to correct for misalignment of the edge in the direction of travel. The apparatus includes one or more edge steerage units, each unit having a pair of pivotally supported, spaced-apart wheels adjacent to the edge of the web for contacting the moving web. For each of the wheels of the steerage unit, a spherical ball is provided which rotates freely omni-directionally so that the web is engaged between the wheels and the spherical ball. The two wheels of a steerage unit have a slight toe-out so that the web between the wheels is maintained in a taut condition. The position of the edge is monitored in relation to a fixed position and a steerage drive orients the wheels to introduce lateral movement in the cloth between the wheels and at the edge to steer the edge toward the fixed position.

Abstract: This specification discloses a sheet conveying device for correcting oblique feeding of sheets and conveying the sheets in a predetermined direction of conveyance. The sheet conveying device has first sheet conveying apparatus for conveying sheets, second sheet conveying apparatus provided downstream of the first sheet conveying apparatus with respect to the direction of conveyance, and apparatus for forming a loop between the first and the second sheet conveying apparatus by the conveying force of the first sheet conveying apparatus and thereafter displacing the second sheet conveying apparatus holding a sheet thereon in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction of conveyance.

Abstract: An automatic tape tracking system for magnetic recorder/players which samples tape position and adjusts a number of active guide rollers to maintain the tape along a predetermined track. The present system uses only perfectly cylindrical rollers and requires no edge guiding. The guide rollers are adjustable in height and to change the direction of their axes. Both adjustments are effected with the use of linear stepper motors. The tape position is monitored at various locations throughout the recorder/player by cameras which monitor the position of the edge of the tape. Output signals from the cameras are fed to a microprocessor which controls the stepper motors. Height adjustments are made to instantaneously correct tape position and tilt adjustments are made to allow the guide rollers to remain, in height, in a neutral zone.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the alignment, in a lateral (cross-track) direction, of a web moving along a path to minimize lateral deviation between successive discrete areas of such web. The apparatus includes a steering roller for supporting the web for movement along such path. The steering roller is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the span of the web approaching the steering roller. As the web moves along the path, the lateral position of a marginal edge of the web relative to a reference plane is sensed. When such lateral edge position is at either of two spaced predetermined locations relative to such reference plane, signals indicative of the presence of such edge at such locations are produced.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a hollow cylindrical member rotatably supported on a shaft, a plurality of guide bars mounted on the cylindrical member as arranged radially therearound and slidable axially thereof, and an annular guide plate supporting one end of each guide bar by a roller so that zigzag travel of a running sheet can be corrected by the axial sliding movement of the guide bars due to an inclination of the guide plate and by the revolution of the guide bars around the shaft. The support point for the inclination of the guide plate is shiftable toward or away from the apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for rating hits on a target comprises two photoelectric detector systems 1, 3. One of said systems is held in position adjacent to the path of travel of a target and is used to measure the distance from an entry hole to the center of the bull's eye of the target in the direction in which the target 18 travels through the apparatus. The other system is mounted on a cross slide 8, which is movable at right angles to the direction of travel of the target and measures the distance from the center of the entry hole to the center of the bull's eye in that transverse direction. The two distance vectors are vectorially summed up by a vector computer and are multiplied with a calibration factor. The result of the measurement may then be displayed, printed or delivered to an electronic data processing system in the form of a tenth-of-a-ring rating.

Abstract: A roll apparatus for supporting a continuous web of material is designed to maintain the web in proper alignment as the web is paid from or rewound onto the roll. The apparatus comprises a pair of frame members to rotatably support the roll on a pair of open ended bearing supports. A roll drive has a drive shaft extending to one end of the roll. An interengageable coupler is provided on both the output end of the roll drive shaft and the one end of the roll to permit the roll to be rotatably driven by the roll drive shaft while not being directly secured thereto. This allows for immediate lateral disengagement of the coupler means upon removal of the other end of the roll from its open ended bearing support. A spring loaded plunger is axially mounted at the one end of the roll and biased to move axially outward away from the roll for engagement against the output end of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A web tracking system for a continuous web of material which is transported from a supply to a takeup means along a predetermined path via one or more processing stations and comprises aligned tracking indica along at least one edge of the web. Means are provided to observe the tracking indica as the web is transported along the system path and produce information either indicative of dimensional changes in the length and width of the web due to web shrinkage or expansion or indicative of a particular point along the length of the web useful at one or more of the processing stations in the system.

Abstract: A tilt-frame web guiding apparatus for correcting the deviation of a moving web from a true path of the web, in which an edge of the web is parallel to and a predetermined distance from a reference line. An edge sensor senses the edge of the web on an axially movable web exit guide roller, and in response thereto actuates a motor or cylinder for axially moving the web exit guide roller in a direction to maintain the web edge under the sensor. The web exit guide roller is coupled to a pivotally mounted web entry guide roller such that axial movement of the exit guide roller imparts pivotal movement to the entry guide roller for correcting any deviation of the moving web from its true path.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically aligning a workpiece along the line of feed is comprised of two pivotally interconnected arms extending transversely to the line of feed with each arm having a workpiece gripping element at one end thereof adapted to engage the workpiece adjacent an edge thereof. A solenoid is operatively connected to the opposite end of one of said arms for pivoting said one of said arms on the frame of a sewing machine to move the workpiece gripping element thereon into and out of engagement with said workpiece along a substantially vertical path. A servo motor operated eccentric is connected to the opposite end of the other of said arms for moving the workpiece gripping element thereon transverse to the edge of the workpiece along a substantially semi-oval path in opposite directions to periodically engage and shift said workpiece transversely to the line of feed.

Abstract: In order to deposit a web (13) onto a conveyer (2) of a table (1) with one edge aligned with a datum position, a carrier (9) is provided which is rotatable with respect to the table (1) and has an auxiliary conveyer (10). Rotation of the carrier (9) takes place in response to deviation of the actual position of the edge from the datum position, which is detected at the point of deposit of the web (13) onto the conveyer (2) by a suitable position detecting sensor (21). For rotating the carrier (9), a motor (20), whose direction of rotation and angle of rotation can be controlled, is used.The apparatus can be used, in particular, for depositing webs of fabric removed from bolts (4) onto a laying table for cutting purposes.

Abstract: A transport system for flat metallic materials such as thin, hot-rolled metallic strips in a strip mill includes a roll table and one or more linear drive elements which are positioned between a pair of rollers of the roll table and below the table plane formed thereby to exert a travelling force field on the leading end of the flat metallic material passing thereover which will have a force component directed perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the flat metallic material and thus act to adjust (i.e. center) the positioning of the moving metallic material on the roll table. The linear drive elements may include heat shields and cooling fluid discharge openings.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for aligning at least two running webs with each other. It is characterized in that any lateral displacement is corrected at a position at a predetermined distance upstream of the displacement detection point or where excessive tension is not applied to the web to be corrected. Further, correction is made taking into consideration the time for the displacement detectors to follow the web movement and the time for the web to come back to a stable condition after splicing.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an outgoing web leaving an air cushion turning bar, which enables a convenient transport of longitudinally curved webs over such air turning bar. The apparatus comprises at least one axially displaceable roller adapted to be moved laterally upon a deviation in the web to bring the same to its outgoing path, and a second roller capable of bodily tilting movement and preferably axial movement as well, to differentially lengthen the path of the web edge margin remote from the direction of deviation.

Abstract: A centerline web guide apparatus for detecting the transverse position of the centerline of a longitudinally moving web of material unwinding from a supply roll and transversely shifting the supply roll to maintain the position of the web centerline along a desired path has two photoelectric detectors located at the opposite longitudinal edges of the web. The photoelectric detectors continuously move back and forth generally transversely of the web continuously monitoring the position of the longitudinal edges of the web. The supply roll of material is supported on a frame which is movable transversely of the web by, for example, an electric motor. As the moving photoelectric detectors detect the longitudinal edges of the web, they send an appropriate signal to the motor controlling the movement of the support frame to transversely move the support frame in an appropriate direction transversely of the web to maintain the centerline of the web in a constant position along the desired path.

Abstract: A system for aligning a moving run of fabric which has longitudinal and transverse threads along a path determined by a selected one of the longitudinal threads. The system includes optics for projecting an image of the longitudinal threads while suppressing the image of transverse threads, means for determining the direction of any deviation and the amount of deviation from the selected thread position, and guidance means for returning the run to a position in which the selected thread is in its desired position. An improved guidance means which effects transverse movement of the fabric run without introducing wrinkles or bias into the run is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for opening a textile gathered in rope form includes a spreading device and a centering device, downstream of the spreading device, including two cylinders, maintained with their axes parallel but pivotable in a common plane parallel to the general, desired direction of advance of the textile, between two extreme positions inclined on opposite sides of the said direction. The pivoting of the cylinders is controlled through a sensor which senses a displacement of the textile from the desired direction and acts to return the textile to this direction. If the recall action of the cylinders in either extreme position is insufficient, a respective control device is activated which pivots a spreading cylinder of the spreading device out of its normal working position, in which it is parallel to the other spreading cylinder, into one of two extreme positions to exert a further recall action on the textile.

Abstract: A system for opening fabrics in rope-form comprises a combination of a spreader device, and a centering device downstream of the spreader device a distance of 250 to 750 mm. The spreader device comprises two double spirally scored spreader rolls rotatably driven in the opposite direction to the fabric feed direction. The centering device comprises a pair of parallel centering rolls with means to vary their inclination to the direction of movement of the fabric, as needed.

Abstract: A strip control system and steering roll which may be utilized in a rolling mill. The steering roll, having a semi-cylindrical outer shell, contacts a strip or web of material being processed. A degree of axial freedom is provided each half of the outer shell. A sensor capable of detecting strip or web off tracking is linked to at least one actuator which may impart an axial force to the outer shell to realign both the shell and material thereon. An opposing spring mechanism acts upon a traverse guide to automatically recenter the outer shell portion not in contact with the material being processed.

Abstract: A device for detecting the position of the side edge of a web comprising a light emitting source, and a lens for condensing light emitted from said light emitting source and forming a beam of light in the vicinity of a reference datum point set at the side edge of said web. An optical fiber transmits light corresponding to the brightness of three predetermined areas of the beam. A first area is located toward web side of the datum point; the second area is located on the opposite side of the datum point and at a position where the side edge of the web does not cross, and the third area is located at a position between the first two areas. A photoelectric converter circuit converts the light introduced by the optical fiber from each of the three areas into respective electric signals.

Abstract: A lateral register control system utilizing a reference lateral and circumferential mark pair preprinted on the web which is compared with a corresponding mark pair mounted on a drum coupled to the shaft of the print cylinder whose reference is to be controlled. The clock source being an encoder connected to the same print stand as laid down the reference marks on the web. The contents of the cylinder position counters always being slightly greater than the contents of the scanner difference counters and being counted up slightly before the scanner difference counters. Upon sensing a first reference mark on the web, the scanner difference counters are permitted to count. Upon the second reference mark being sensed the fine adjust counters are permitted to start counting. Upon the contents of the fine adjust counters equaling the value of operator setable fine adjust switches, an error pulse train is generated having an associated sign.

Abstract: A rolling-up machine for lengths of cloth destined for collar-cutting machines, comprising a rolling-up bar, motor to drive the bar, a cloth-drawing roll, motor to drive the roll, a mobile frame carrying fixed stretching bars and a bar carrying the cloth to be rolled up, the mobile frame being able to move transversally to the direction of unrolling of the cloth and continuously align the profile of one of the edges of the cloth roll corresponding to the head of the roll formed on the rolling-up bar, a cloth-stretching roll spaced from and parallel to the cloth-drawing roll and rotating in the same direction; a pair of idler bars seated below the stretching roll on the mobile frame; these idler rolls being pressed one against the other so as to press the cloth passing therethrough and cause a relative transverse sliding motion between the stretching roll and the cloth as a result of the movement of the mobile frame in response to variations of the width of the cloth as detected by sensitive means, the interac

Abstract: Apparatus for checking the edge alignment of a moving web and for making lateral adjustments in the position of the moving web to correct for deviations.

Abstract: A web travels along a predetermined path. A regulating system automatically keeps the position of the preselected first tolerance range. The system includes sensing, position-correcting and regulator units. The sensing unit senses the position of the lateral edge of the travelling web. The position-correcting unit effects corrective movements of the travelling web in a manner causing the lateral edge thereof to change positions. The regulator unit is connected to the sensing and position-correcting units and causes the latter to effect corrective movements of the travelling web at a first speed when the sensed position of the web edge is outside the first tolerance range and at a different second speed when the sensed position of the web edge is outside a preselected different second tolerance range.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for aligning strip end portions prior to a welding step in a continuous strip treating operation in which there is a first step running through the line having a trailing end portion and a second strip to be fed into the line having a leading end portion, the invention comprising means and steps for determining the longitudinal direction of the first strip trailing end portion, providing a laser beam which can be disposed parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first strip trailing end portion, providing a strip positioning member contiguous to the second strip leading end portion, the strip positioning member being laterally disposable, and utilizing the laser beam to dispose the strip positioning member in a predetermined position, whereby the second strip leading end portion can be aligned longitudinally and laterally with the first strip trailing end portion so that the strips can be welded together without the formation of a dog leg in the resulting welded strip.

Abstract: A system for maintaining lateral alignment of web employs a rotating mirror which reflects a light beam from a source of coherent light along a track across the web path. A mirror driven by a synchronous motor is located at the focal point of a parabolic reflector which converts the circular sweep of light from the mirror to rectilinear light that scans along the track and is incident on the track from the same direction all along the length of the track. A retro-reflector on the track reflects the light back to a detector. Thus the system generates an electrical pulse as the light beam crosses the web edge and this pulse is compared to the phase angle of the power driving the synchronous motor. This phase relationship is then used to develop an error signal to return the web to its reference location.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for aligning strip end portions prior to a welding step in continuous strip treating equipment having a longitudinal centerline in the direction of strip movement in which there is a first strip running through the line having a trailing end portion and a second strip to be fed into the line having a leading end portion, the invention comprising means and steps for determining the longitudinal direction of the first strip trailing end portion, providing a strip positioning member contiguous to the second strip leading end portion disposed parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first strip trailing end portion, the strip positioning member being laterally disposed in a position relative to the longitudinal centerline of the equipment whereby the second strip leading end portion can be aligned longitudinally and laterally with the first strip trailing end portion so that the strips can be welded together without the formation of a dog leg in the resulting welded strip.

Abstract: A web tracking system for a continuous web of material which is transported from a supply to a takeup means along a predetermined path via one or more processing stations and comprises aligned tracking indicia along at least one edge of the web. Means are provided to observe the tracking indica as the web is transported along the system path and produce information either indicative of dimensional changes in the length and width of the web due to web shrinkage or expansion or indicative of a particular point along the length of the web useful at one or more of the processing stations in the system.