Abstract: Example systems and methods are described for validating a manufacturing tolerance of a structure. A method includes receiving a digital image of a cross-section of the structure at an interface of a computing device, identifying an outer boundary of the structure from the digital image, selecting a region of the outer boundary based on changes in a first derivative or a second derivative of points of the outer boundary, identifying a geometry feature of the region of the outer boundary by comparison to stored templates of geometry features of the structure, making a comparison of the geometry feature of the region of the outer boundary to a manufacturing specification for a corresponding portion of the structure, and determining whether the structure is within a manufacturing tolerance based on the comparison of the geometry feature to the manufacturing specification.

Abstract: A method is provided which reduces substrate waste while adjusting the press parameters to obtain a satisfactory image. The method includes the steps of: supplying a web to a printing press; printing a plurality of first images on the web at corresponding printing positions; inspecting one of the first images on the web; rewinding the web to one of the printing positions; and printing a further image over one of the first images on the web. A printing press is also provided which is configured and arranged to print in accordance with the method.

Abstract: A method of detecting the presence or position of a first component in an article is disclosed. The first component, which has a predefined response to incident light, includes a microporous film of a semi-crystalline polyolefin and a beta-nucleating agent. The method includes irradiating the article with incident light, detecting light received from the irradiated article; and identifying the predefined response of the first component in the light received from the irradiated article to detect the presence or the position of the first component. A method for preparing a mechanical fastening component for use in an article is also disclosed. The method includes stretching a film backing containing beta-spherulites and having upstanding fastening elements to provide a microporous film backing with sufficient porosity to allow it to be detected when subjected to an inspection system comprising a light detector.

Abstract: A printing method is performed by use of a printing device. The printing device includes a print head, a supply roll, a serving roll, a support roll, a feed roll, and a winding roll. The printing device feeds a fabric material toward the winding roll by a prescribed length each time that a cycle of a print operation is performed by the print head, so that the printing is performed on the fabric material intermittently. The printing method includes performing a first feed operation of intermittently rotating the feed roll by a first motor to pull the fabric material from a print unit and feed the fabric material toward the winding roll by a prescribed length; and performing a second feed operation of intermittingly rotating the serving roll by a second motor to feed the fabric material toward the print unit.

Abstract: The system and method uses a virtual frame of reference to evaluate and control a manufacturing system. Electronic images from a vision system may be analyzed using the virtual frame of reference to control the phasing of devices in the manufacturing system and to generate alerts.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for detecting and rejecting defective absorbent articles from a converting line. In particular, the systems and methods may utilize feedback from technologies, such as vision systems, sensors, remote input and output stations, and controllers with synchronized embedded clocks to accurately correlate inspection results and measurements from an absorbent article converting process. As such, the systems and methods may accurately apply the use of precision clock synchronization for both instrumentation and control system devices on a non-deterministic communications network. In turn, the clock synchronized control and instrumentation network may be used to control a reject system on converters of absorbent articles. In some embodiments, the controller will reject only defective absorbent articles without the need to reject non-defective absorbent articles.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for controlling the registration of advancing substrates in absorbent article converting lines. The systems and methods may utilize feedback from technologies, such as vision systems, sensors, remote input and output stations, and controllers with synchronized embedded clocks to accurately correlate registration feature detections and substrate speed control on an absorbent article converting process. The systems and methods may accurately apply the use of precision clock synchronization for both instrumentation and control system devices on a non-deterministic communications network. In turn, the clock synchronized control and instrumentation network may be used to control the substrate speed. As such, the controller may be programmed to track registration features on substrates and components along the converting line without having to account for undeterminable delays.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for controlling the relative positions or phasing of advancing substrates and/or components in absorbent article converting lines. The systems and methods may utilize feedback from technologies, such as vision systems, sensors, remote input and output stations, and controllers with synchronized embedded clocks to accurately correlate component placement detections and placement control on an absorbent article converting process. The systems and methods may accurately apply the use of precision clock synchronization for both instrumentation and control system devices on a non-deterministic communications network. In turn, the clock synchronized control and instrumentation network may be used to control the substrate position. As such, the controller may be programmed to the relative positions of substrates and components along the converting line without having to account for undeterminable delays.

Abstract: A method of adaptive guiding of a web on a roller is disclosed. The method includes computing an output of a reference model, reading an output of a sensor that indicates a web position, determining a difference between the output of the reference model and the output of the sensor, and updating a set off controller parameters for the roller based on the difference.

Abstract: An adaptive assembly line for assembly of a continuous first web to a continuous or discontinuous second web. The assembly line includes a control device. The control devices includes a first camera arranged to take a first picture of the first web before assembly of the first web to the second web. The control device is arranged to use the first picture for determining the position of a first center line in the first web. The control device is arranged to use the first picture for controlling the position of the first web and/or the second web so that the first center line becomes aligned with a second center line comprised in the second web during assembly of the first web to the second web.

Abstract: A curved composite aircraft frame comprises a multi-ply composite laminate having a generally Z-shaped cross section. At least certain of the laminate plies include unidirectional reinforcing fibers that are substantially tangent at substantially all points along the curvature of the frame.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a cold storage system for biological samples has one or more freezers, each freezer having one or racks, each rack receiving one or more boxes, each box receiving one or more sample containers. In addition to the biological sample, each sample container has a unique passive RFID tag. Control electronics in each box energize reader coils to query individual RFID tags. Control electronics in each rack communicate with and provide power to the control electronics of each corresponding box, and control electronics in each freezer communicate with and provide power to the control electronics of each corresponding rack, and a host computer communicates with the control electronics in each freezer. In each instance, communication and power provisioning is implemented using magnetic inductive coupling. The system is able to determine the identity of each sample container in the system and maintain that information in a database.

Abstract: A system is provided for aligning multi-sheet collations including a conveyance system having a transport deck for supporting and conveying the multi-sheet collation along a feed path. The system includes a first pair of registration members disposed orthogonal to the feed path and defining a processing station along the feed path. The registration members further define registration surfaces which are repositionable from an active position above the transport deck to an idle position below the transport deck. A first displacement mechanism raises and lowers the registration members into and out of the active and idle positions, and oscillates at least one of the registration surfaces forward and aft in a direction parallel to the feed path when the registration member is in its active position.

Abstract: A system for the characterization of webs that permits the identification of anomalous regions on the web to be performed at a first time and place, and permits the localization and marking of actual defects to be performed at a second time and place.

Abstract: The purpose of the invention is a control device for handling mobility elements of a cutting tool (1) and/or a carrier device of a flat printing medium (2) whereon an inscription has been previously printed. The device includes teaching elements (9) for reading information (10) transmitted via reading means (5) which are associated with elements (14, 18) for comparing between the reading information (10) and the instruction information (15, d, D, C) previously stored in memory relating to the definition of the inscription (3, 4) from a density of pixels and/or the framing of the inscription (3, 4) from a relative position between two (3, 4) at least.

Abstract: Described herein is a system for controlling advance of a web material having characteristics of extensibility and comprising successive stretches of web for the production of respective articles, such as sanitary articles. In the passage from a delivery assembly to a treatment station functioning cyclically, the web material is subjected to extension. In order to ensure proper alignment of the individual articles with patterns or decorations provided thereon, the web must be fed to the treatment station in phase with the position reached by the treatment station within its operating cycle. A position sensor enables detection, for each stretch of web, of a real position of operation of the treatment station used for feeding the stretch of web itself to the treatment station with the aforesaid given phase relationship.

Abstract: A conversion control system is described for spatially synchronizing data gathered from a plurality of operations performed on a web. The conversion control system applies a set of fiducial marks to a web, performs a plurality of operations on the web, generates a first and a second set of digital information for first and second operations, respectively, in accordance with respective first and second coordinate systems using the set of fiducial marks such that the each of the sets of digital information includes position data for respective first and second sets of regions on the web. The conversion control system may then register the position data of the first set of regions and the position data for the second set of regions to produce aggregate data and outputting a conversion control plan.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for detecting and rejecting defective absorbent articles from a converting line. In particular, the systems and methods may utilize feedback from technologies, such as vision systems, sensors, remote input and output stations, and controllers with synchronized embedded clocks to accurately correlate inspection results and measurements from an absorbent article converting process. As such, the systems and methods may accurately apply the use of precision clock synchronization for both instrumentation and control system devices on a non-deterministic communications network. In turn, the clock synchronized control and instrumentation network may be used to control a reject system on converters of absorbent articles. In some embodiments, the controller will reject only defective absorbent articles without the need to reject non-defective absorbent articles.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for controlling the relative positions or phasing of advancing substrates and/or components in absorbent article converting lines. The systems and methods may utilize feedback from technologies, such as vision systems, sensors, remote input and output stations, and controllers with synchronized embedded clocks to accurately correlate component placement detections and placement control on an absorbent article converting process. The systems and methods may accurately apply the use of precision clock synchronization for both instrumentation and control system devices on a non-deterministic communications network. In turn, the clock synchronized control and instrumentation network may be used to control the substrate position. As such, the controller may be programmed to the relative positions of substrates and components along the converting line without having to account for undeterminable delays.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for controlling the registration of advancing substrates in absorbent article converting lines. The systems and methods may utilize feedback from technologies, such as vision systems, sensors, remote input and output stations, and controllers with synchronized embedded clocks to accurately correlate registration feature detections and substrate speed control on an absorbent article converting process. The systems and methods may accurately apply the use of precision clock synchronization for both instrumentation and control system devices on a non-deterministic communications network. In turn, the clock synchronized control and instrumentation network may be used to control the substrate speed. As such, the controller may be programmed to track registration features on substrates and components along the converting line without having to account for undeterminable delays.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electronic circuit board which contains an electronic circuit on a main surface of a glass substrate according to the invention sequentially performs a step of electrically inspecting the main surface of the glass substrate on which the electronic circuit is formed, a step of specifying positions and defect types of defects on the main surface of the glass substrate, a step of calculating reference point coordinates on the main surface of the glass substrate and correcting the coordinates, a step of extracting respective defects from an image around the defects and specifying a defect to be corrected in the extracted defects by referring to a defect existing range registered in advance for each defect type, and a step of cutting the specified defect. By this method, a foreign material adhering to the glass substrate is not erroneously judged as short-circuit defect causing short-circuit on the electronic circuit, and only defect actually requiring correction can be removed.

Abstract: A method for the register correction of a processing machine for processing a continuous material, in particular a shaftless printing press, with which the continuous material is processed by at least two processing units with at least one compensator for adjusting the length of the continuous material in the continuous material section being provided upstream of each of the at least two processing units. In order to adjust the register of a first processing unit, the length of the continuous material of the continuous material section upstream of the first processing unit is adjusted by the compensator provided in this first continuous material section. To adjust the register of the first processing unit, the length of the continuous material of the continuous material section upstream of a second processing unit is also adjusted by the compensator provided in this second continuous material section. A related processing machine carries out the inventive method.

Abstract: A system for the characterization of webs that permits the identification of anomalous regions on the web to be performed at a first time and place, and permits the localization and marking of actual defects to be performed at a second time and place.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process or device for the production of a three-dimensional object by layer-wise solidification of a material which is solidifiable under the application of electromagnetic irradiation by means of mask illumination, wherein the mask is produced using an image forming unit having a prescribed resolution, which is formed from a constant number of image forming elements (pixels) being discrete and being arranged in a spatially mutually fixed manner. For the improvement of the resolution along the outer and inner contours of the sectional areas of the object to be generated layer-wise in the sub-pixel range, a multiple illumination per layer is performed, which consists of a series of multiple images that are mutually shifted in the sub-pixel range in the image/construction plane, wherein a separate mask/bitmap is produced for each shifted image.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved and economical system and method for viewing proposed texture designs for textured decorative laminates without having to make a press plate and a sample laminate. Embodiments of the present invention further provide systems and methods for making sample laminates and for registering a sample press plate with the laminate's decorative design when manufacturing a sample laminate. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention utilize transparent sheets, such as acetate films, in novel ways during the design of textured laminate press plates and during the registration of the press plate and the laminate's decorative layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for registering a web to an on-line pitched unit operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a three-dimensional object by solidification of a material solidifiable under the action of electromagnetic radiation by means of energy input via an imaging unit comprising a predetermined number of discrete imaging elements (pixels), The method comprises performing solidification with exposure using bitmap mask. The bitmap mask may be formed from a stack of bitmap data provided by an overlap analysis of a three-dimensional volume completely or partially enclosing a three-dimensional model of at least a part of the three-dimensional object to be produced. Alternatively, bitmap mask may be formed from a two-dimensional data set comprising overlap information. Solidification may be performing with exposure using bitmap mask generated “on the fly”. The invention is also directed to devices, and a computer and a data carrier useful for performing or executing the method.

Abstract: A method for analyzing technical processes is disclosed, which is characterized in that measuring data of the technical process is generated by at least one decentralized measuring unit, image data associated with a mechanical course of the technical process is produced by at least one decentralized image detection unit, the measuring data stored in the at least one decentralized measuring unit and the image data stored in the at least one image detection unit is provided with a time stamp available to all systems, the measuring and image data are transmitted to a central detection unit where said data is displayed and/or processed in a time-synchronous manner using the time stamp function. Since time stamping is carried out directly in situ, i.e.

Abstract: A thermal process system. The thermal process system comprises a thermal processor, a metrology tool, and a controller. The thermal processor performs a thermal process as defined by a heating model to form a film on a wafer surface. The metrology tool, interfaced with the thermal processor, inspects thickness of the film. The controller, coupled with the thermal processor and the metrology tool, generates the heating model of the thermal processor and calibrates the heating model according to a preset slope coefficient matrix and the measured thickness.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a three-dimensional object by solidification of a material solidifiable under the action of electromagnetic radiation by means of energy input via an imaging unit comprising a predetermined number of discrete imaging elements (pixels). The method comprises performing solidification with exposure using bitmap mask. The bitmap mask may be formed from a stack of bitmap data provided by an overlap analysis of a three-dimensional volume completely or partially enclosing a three-dimensional model of at least a part of the three-dimensional object to be produced. Alternatively, bitmap mask may be formed from a two-dimensional data set comprising overlap information. Solidification may be performing with exposure using bitmap mask generated “on the fly”. The invention is also directed to devices, and a computer and a data carrier useful for performing or executing the method.

Abstract: A system for the characterization of webs that permits the identification of anomalous regions on the web to be performed at a first time and place, and permits the localization and marking of actual defects to be performed at a second time and place.

Abstract: A conversion control system is described that includes a database to store data defining a set of rules and an interface to receive local anomaly information from a plurality of different analysis machines associated with a plurality of manufacturing process lines that perform a plurality of operations on a web of material, and each of the manufacturing process lines includes position data for a set of regions on the web containing anomalies. The system also includes a computer that registers the position data of the local anomaly information for the plurality of manufacturing process lines to produce aggregate anomaly information. The system further includes a conversion control engine that applies the rules to the aggregate anomaly information to determine which anomalies represent actual defects in the web for a plurality of different products.

Abstract: A method for the register correction of a processing machine for processing a continuous material, in particular a shaftless printing press, with which the continuous material is processed by at least two processing units with at least one compensator for adjusting the length of the continuous material in the continuous material section being provided upstream of each of the at least two processing units. In order to adjust the register of a first processing unit, the length of the continuous material of the continuous material section upstream of the first processing unit is adjusted by the compensator provided in this first continuous material section. To adjust the register of the first processing unit, the length of the continuous material of the continuous material section upstream of a second processing unit is also adjusted by the compensator provided in this second continuous material section. A related processing machine carries out the inventive method.

Abstract: An accompanying document for a printing substrate, which is to be printed in a printing press, is configured as an electronic data set that is stored in a memory of an RFID tag. Data relating to a production-preparatory generation of an adhesive surface, on the printing substrate to be fed to the printing press, is written into the data set. Data relating to the manufacturer of the printing substrate of to its supplier, and data relating to the manufacture of the printing substrate are also written into the data set. In the case of a commercial unit having a printing substrate that has been only partially printed during a production run of the printing press, the data set can be supplemented with data which, at least, characterizes an event. The event could relate to a break in the printing substrate or to changes to the commercial unit which occurred during the production process that was implemented in the printing press using the printing substrate of the commercial unit.

Abstract: A method of controlling lithographic overlay offsets in the manufacture of semiconductor devices from wafers, comprising the steps of forming a lithographic pattern on a wafer layer with a lithographic tool, processing the wafer after the pattern is formed to enable fabrication of a semiconductor device, predicting overlay offset corrections based on one or more factors involved in the processing of the wafer, and utilizing the predicted overlay offset corrections to positionally control the lithographic tool.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing registration control in connection with a web converting manufacturing process such as that used for manufacturing disposable absorbent garments. Some of the disclosed embodiments include relating inspection data, such as product (or process) attribute data, to data from other manufacturing-related systems. Also disclosed are systems and methods for linking product (or process) attribute data obtained during the manufacturing process with one or more data sources including raw material data, process setting data, product quality data, and/or productivity data. Also disclosed are systems and methods for identifying manufacturing set point changes and automatically implementing such changes and automated web steering changes based on data from one or more inspection systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing registration control in connection with a web converting manufacturing process such as that used for manufacturing disposable absorbent garments. Some of the disclosed embodiments include relating inspection data, such as product (or process) attribute data, to data from other manufacturing-related systems. Also disclosed are systems and methods for linking product (or process) attribute data obtained during the manufacturing process with one or more data sources including raw material data, process setting data, product quality data, and/or productivity data. Also disclosed are systems and methods for identifying manufacturing set point changes and automatically implementing such changes and automated web steering changes based on data from one or more inspection systems.

Abstract: A method for monitoring overlay alignment on a wafer that includes identifying a target machine, identifying a target process, identifying a plurality of critical layers, obtaining a plurality of overlay data from at least one of designated registration patterns on the wafer as baseline data, providing a plurality of reference overlay data, correlating the plurality of the reference overlay data with the baseline data to obtain overlay error, comparing the overlay error with specifications of the target machine, accepting the baseline data when the overlay error is within the specifications, and performing overlay alignment monitoring with the baseline data.

Abstract: A wire winding machine includes two mandrels for winding wire alternately thereon. A traverse positions wire axially along each mandrel, and moves in an arcuate path to position wire adjacent one or the other mandrel. A single transfer arm transfers wire from a wound to an unwound mandrel by extending a wire guide adjacent the wound mandrel, retracting the wire guide to engage the wire, rotating to position the wire adjacent the wound mandrel, and extending to guide the wire into a clamping and cutting mechanism. The mechanism clamps and cuts the wire in response to the mandrel end cap being placed into position. The wire winding machine includes a portable operator console, and a network interface. A wire tension control unit includes a radiated signal source and detector to detect movement of a moveable pulley assembly relative to a fixed pulley assembly to control the supply of wire.

Abstract: A system, method, and process that determine and automatically correct registration errors between printed objects and mechanically produced objects using advanced image processing techniques is disclosed. Means are also presented for maintaining all registered functions to within very close tolerances during normal running, with other means for rapidly obtaining initial registration with substantial savings in material waste. The disclosed system and method/process are compatible with the printing and converting industry in which rolls of material are processed by printing a number of colors that require close registration especially in pictorial representation. These roll-fed printing machines are quite versatile and in addition to the printing of any number of colors on both front and back can perform any number of additional operations on the printed web at the same time.

Abstract: A method for controlling a printing press having a first image cylinder for providing at least a first cylinder first image and a first cylinder second image to a printed material and a second image cylinder for providing at least a second cylinder first image and a second cylinder second image to the printed material. The method includes printing a book having individual pages with the first cylinder first image, first cylinder second image, second cylinder first image and the second cylinder second image and providing a first operational mode to an operator of the printing press. The first operational mode permits the operator to review the pages with the first cylinder first image and the first cylinder second image of the book at the same time and to alter the registration of the first image cylinder providing the first cylinder first image and first cylinder second image.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a semiconductor device which predicts a difference in registration error between a circuit pattern and an overlay mark from a pattern dimension, illumination conditions and the wave aberration of an exposure lens, feeds a correction value based on the predicted difference back to an exposure device and modifies an overlay inspection data control limit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a registration system and a method useful for controlling and correcting the phase and position of simultaneously advancing webs having pre-printed objects spaced at a pitch length characterized by a pitch variation to a target web. Also disclosed are consumer products, such as disposable absorbent articles including the preprinted objects which were previously included in the webs phased before combining with a target web by utilizing the instant registration system. The pre-printed objects may include pre-printed, pre-bonded, pre-applied, pre-cut, or pre-glued objects or elements of disposable absorbent articles or registration marks produced on a separate independent process not control-linked to the instant registration method. The registration marks may be visible or normally invisible to the human eye.

Abstract: Test wafer consumption is a significant contributor to overall cost of manufacturing in semiconductor industry due to scrapping the test wafers after one monitoring of implantation parameters. This invention provides a method to reuse the same test wafer for monitoring the implantation parameters more than once. This method comprises the possibility of implanting the same implant species together with identical implanting and annealing conditions as well as of implanting a broad variety of implant species together with varying implanting and annealing conditions. Therefore, this invention helps to significantly reduce the number of test wafers consumed in the implant-area.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a semiconductor device which predicts a difference in registration error between a circuit pattern and an overlay mark from a pattern dimension, illumination conditions and the wave aberration of an exposure lens, feeds a correction value based on the predicted difference back to an exposure device and modifies an overlay inspection data control limit.

Abstract: A process and printing machine for determining registration errors and correcting therefore. At least one first registration mark is applied onto a conveyor belt for transporting a sheet, and at least one second registration mark is applied onto the sheet adjacent to the first registration mark. The first registration mark and the second registration mark are detected, the distance between the first registration mark and the second registration mark is calculated, and the difference between the calculated distance and a distance without different speeds of the conveyor belt and the sheet (a target value) is calculated.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods controlling a process producing segments of product wherein a destabilizing event of a particular type periodically destabilizes the process, resulting in product or process deviation from a target parameter associated with a number of segments of the product, from segment number 1 to segment number n. The method associates, with respective ones of the n units of product, deviation amounts corresponding to historical deviation amounts for the respective so-numbered units of product in past occurrences of the particular type destabilizing event, and applying to selected ones of the n segments of product correction factors derived from respective associated historical deviation amounts for the respective units of product, thereby making pro-active adjustments to respective ones of the n units of product, upon occurrence of the destabilizing event. Preferred methods include applying the correction factors to each of the n units of product.

Abstract: An automated apparatus for tagging individual boards in a pack of lumber. The apparatus includes a support frame with a jump chain conveyer, a lift, a back stop or bump plate, a labeling assembly including a printer and a stapler, an optical, ultrasonic, or RF detector for determining the position of a leading board within the pack, a positioning assembly for moving the labeling assembly in three dimensions via stepper motors, servo motors, or hydraulic cylinders, a computer, and a bidirectional communications link connecting the detector, the labeling assembly, and the positioning assembly to the computer. In operation, a pack of lumber is placed onto the conveyer, lifted, and conveyed by the moving chains to abut the back stop where it is lowered onto the support frame. The operator inputs the number of courses in the pack, the dimensions of the boards, the size of the pack, and other selected identifying indicia into the computer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing card-shaped data carriers. The method has at least one production step requiring a data carrier of a defined type or quality or in a defined position and/or changing the data carrier in irreversible fashion or in a fashion which can be reversed only by additional expense. The data carrier is optically tested before or after said production step, and the further processing of the data carrier controlled depending on the result of said test.

Abstract: A method of detecting the positional accuracy of register and any of folding and cutting-edge positions, respectively, on flat copies, including scanning a prescribable recording field on the copy by a detector, which comprises determining the position of the printed image and of the folding and cutting edges, respectively, by contrast transitions extending through screen fields.