Abstract: In a device for the additive manufacturing of a shaped body, comprising a construction platform, at least one printing head for applying material layer by layer to the construction platform or the shaped body at least partially constructed on the construction platform, a positionable carrier for the at least one printing head, a positioning system for the carrier, a holder for a material stock, and a supply device for supplying material from the material stock to the at least one printing head, the holder for the material stock, the supply device and the printing head are arranged in a unit designed as an exchangeable insert.

Abstract: A hybrid winder machine system configured to operate in a first state to wind a continuous web material to produce a final wound product and to operate in a second state to emulate production of the wound product is disclosed. The system provides for at least one processor in operative communication with a hybrid winder machine and at least one processor configured to provide an emulated environment for the hybrid winder machine while the system operates in the second state.

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: Methods, apparatus, software and systems are disclosed for improved processing of mailpieces in order to reduce expensive manual steps. Shiny mail, i.e., mailpieces having glossy surfaces that sometimes interfere with printing of barcodes and or ID Tags may lead to rejects. In some embodiments, shiny mailpieces are identified, and at least one new (non-shiny) label is over-labeled in the POSTNET clear zone (108), the ID Tag zone (202), or both. In one embodiment, a specially-configured Reject Encoding Machine (REM) (1142) is employed to label or over-label a POSTNET clear zone (1110), resolve the destination address (1112) if possible, and print the barcode (1114) in a single operation. Thereafter, the mailpiece may be transferred from the REM into a downstream DBCS (1144), thereby re-introducing the mailpiece into the automated mail stream rather than being relegated to a manual stream.

Abstract: A system to produce rolls of web material includes: a production machine (1) to produce the web material; a winder (3) to form reels (B) of web material coming from the production machine; an unwinder (20) to unwind single reels of web material produced by the winder; a group of tools for longitudinal cutting of the web material to divide the web material into strips, including members to position the tools in a transverse direction with respect to the direction of feed of the web material; a rewinder (22) to rewind the single strips into rolls; a line for packaging (9) the rolls (R); at least one shuttle (11) to transfer groups of rolls formed by the rewinder towards the packaging line; and an information system for integrated management of the system.

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 winding procedure has been developed that results in substantially uniform material properties from the outside diameter to the core of a wound roll of elastomeric webs produced by vertical film lamination (VFL) or stretch bond lamination (SBL) or as registered film. The web material is wound onto the roll in accordance with a wound on tension (WOT) profile that varies with the diameter of the wound web in a manner that was calculated using WOT transposition that is based on a modified version of Hakiel's nonlinear model for wound roll stresses. A constant WOT winding profile is corrected to obtain a compensated WOT winding profile that can be employed to wind the material into a roll that exhibits properties (including MD stress in the web) that are substantially uniform thru-roll. This resulting controlled winding technique has immediate application for webs that are converted for child care products, adult care products, and infant care products.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to dynamically measuring the speed of a circuit and modifying the operating voltage of the circuit based on the measured speed, in order to minimize the power being used while still ensuring proper operation of the circuit. Consequently, circuits of higher inherent speeds may have their voltages decreased (thus decreasing their actual speeds), while circuits of lower speeds may have their voltages increased, or kept the same. Thus, the resulting speeds of all circuits may be kept within a limited range to ensure proper operation. In addition, the power dissipated of circuits of higher speeds may be decreased.

Abstract: A method of machine control can include providing at least a system master signal, selectively synchronizing at least sub-system master signal to the system master signal based on the value of the system master signal, and carrying out at least one operation based on the value of the other master signal. For example, a machine controller may provide a system virtual master signal and synchronize one or more module virtual master signals to the system virtual master based on the system virtual master count value. One or more components of the module may operate based on the count value of the module virtual master signal. The use of an asynchronous control method may advantageously increase the flexibility of the machine. Because the operation of the components of the machine may depend on respective virtual master signals, a machine using asynchronous control methods may advantageously continue operating one component or module in the event of a fault involving other components.

Abstract: A winding procedure has been developed that results in substantially uniform material properties from the outside diameter to the core of a wound roll of elastomeric webs produced by vertical film lamination (VFL) or stretch bond lamination (SBL) or as registered film. The web material is wound onto the roll in accordance with a wound on tension (WOT) profile that varies with the diameter of the wound web in a manner that was calculated using WOT transposition that is based on a modified version of Hakiel's nonlinear model for wound roll stresses. A constant WOT winding profile is corrected to obtain a compensated WOT winding profile that can be employed to wind the material into a roll that exhibits properties (including MD stress in the web) that are substantially uniform thru-roll. This resulting controlled winding technique has immediate application for webs that are converted for child care products, adult care products, and infant care products.

Abstract: A printing apparatus, an associated method, and computer program of designing a floating roller in a tensioning system for a closed loop belt comprises inputting an external radius of the floating roller, a measure of elasticity of the belt, a thickness of the belt, a width of the belt, and angles over which the belt contacts the floating roller; and adjusting a mass of the floating roller and a rotational inertia of the floating roller such that the floating roller maintains a constant tension on the closed loop belt.

Abstract: A reinforcing bar binder capable of certainly identifying the type of a wire reel and automatically adjusting the amount of feeding of the wire wound around the wire reel or the twisting torque on the wire is provided. The reinforcing bar binder feeds a wire while rotating a wire reel mounted in a storing chamber and binds a reinforcing bar. The storing chamber is provided with a first detecting means for detecting the amount of rotation of the wire reel and a second detecting means for detecting the number of second to-be detecting portions on the wire reel during the amount of rotation detected by the first detecting means. The binder main body is provided with controlling means for controlling the amount of feeding of the wire or the twisting torque on the wire based on the basis of the number of the second to-be-detected portions detected by the second detecting means.

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 printing apparatus, method, and computer program of designing a floating roller in a tensioning system adapted to one of supply and receive a web of material to or from one of a web supply and a processing machine, comprising inputting external radius of said floating roller, measure of elasticity of the material, a thickness of the material, width of the material, and angles at which the material contacts the floating roller; and adjusting mass of the floating roller and rotational inertia of the floating roller based on external radius of the floating roller, measure of elasticity of the material, thickness of the material, width of the material, and angles at which the material contacts the floating roller such that the floating roller maintains a constant tension on the web of material as the material is passing through the tensioning system.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of correcting a loosely wound supply roll to be used with a label applying machine is described. The method includes providing a supply roll having a material web wound thereon, the supply roll mounted on a supply roll spindle such that the material web is aligned with an intake of a labeling mechanism on the label applying machine. The method further includes mounting a moveable web guide to apply pressure to the material web being supplied to the labeling mechanism, wherein the web guide includes an encoder. The method further includes determining the tension of the material web wound around the supply roll using the movable web guide and the encoder. Further still, the method includes adjusting the tension of the material web wound around the supply roll if the material web is determined to be too loosely wound about the supply roll to provide adequate tension to the web as the web leaves the supply roll.

Abstract: An adjustable force driving nip assembly for use in a sheet transport system of a document creating apparatus has a plurality of adjustable force driving nips aligned and spaced transversely across the sheet travelling path of the sheet transport system. Each driving nip has a spring biased idler roller mounted on a cam follower and mated with a driven roller. The spring bias produces a normal force for the idler roller that urges the idler roller against the driven roller. A stepper motor is adapted to interact concurrently with the cam followers and, upon actuation, vary the force of the spring thus adjusting the normal force of the idler rollers. A controller actuates the stepper motor in response to sheet media data entered into a control panel of the document creating apparatus by an end user, thereby automatically adjusting the normal force of the idler rollers to prevent sheet marking.

Abstract: A web is wound in a paper or board machine into machine reels, which are run on a slitter-winder to form customer rolls, whose desired diameter and width are determined according to customer need. A continuous-trimming running mode is used in which a desired amount of web is run into a machine reel and, when needed, splicing is performed on the slitter-winder to produce customer rolls with a desired diameter size. The machine reel diameter is determined based on restrictions set on the location of a splice in the customer roll and the amount of broke produced from the machine reel is optimized. Information about the customer rolls to be slit is obtained from a production control system for calculating/optimizing a machine reel diameter instruction for optimizing the diameter of the next machine reel, and the calculated/optimized machine reel diameter instruction is set in the control system of a reel-up.

Abstract: The stopping of a winder is controlled such that winding is stopped when a desired length of a web has been wound on a roll being formed/unwound from a roll being formed or when the size of the diameter of the roll is desired. An estimated stopping length is calculated based on speed, acceleration and a desired end speed.

Abstract: A production process control system, which includes a production process control server controlling production process information of a product and a control terminal controlling production operation of a production facility connected with the production process control server via a network, is equipped with a production process information data base being a data base of the production process information of the product; an information recording means in interruption receiving the production process information data base in interrupting production operation on the way of a production process of the product, and storing the production process information data base; and a search means searching production process information stored by the information recording means in interruption from the production process information data base in restarting interrupted production operation.

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 fully-integrated computer-aided method for sizing and building paper reels from which a plurality of smaller rolls of paper are created. Data pertaining to the measurements of paper reels and the rolls to be built therefrom is entered into a computer programmed with electronic spreadsheet software, which stores, validates and computes measurement values so that the diameter of the paper reel from which the smaller paper reels are being built is of the correct size to minimize waste.

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 rule-based method for packing a customer delivery unit containing a predetermined plurality of spools of filamentary product thereon comprises the steps of: (a) uniquely identifying each of a plurality of spools; (b) recording for each spool information regarding the kind of product on the spool, the grade of the product on the spool, and the weight of the product on the spool; (c) based on the product kind, grade, and weight information, assigning to each spool an appropriate one of a plurality of packing rules; and (d) selecting a predetermined plurality of tubes for inclusion in a customer delivery unit in accordance with the packing rule assigned to each selected tube.

Abstract: In reeling up of a paper web, a continuous paper web is reeled around a reeling core/reeling cores into successive machine reels or customer rolls. The actual control system controlling the reeling up process is supplemented with a substantially separate, model-based learning fault diagnostics. The fault diagnostics in a diagnostic state detects the malfunctions in components critical in view of the operation of the reel-up by monitoring measuring, control and actuating variables of the reel-up and by comparing them with a model formed during a learning state. In a fault tolerance state the fault diagnostics actively affects the measuring, control and actuating variables to maintain the function of the reel-up, and improve operating reliability.

Abstract: A method of controlling a converting line having a rewinder, accumulator, and downstream equipment includes: providing upper and lower target limits for the accumulator level; determining the slowest maximum speed of the downstream equipment; determining the fastest minimum speed of the downstream equipment; monitoring the speed of the rewinder and the actual level of the accumulator; generating a master speed reference value to control the downstream equipment which: (i) corresponds to said slowest maximum speed of the downstream equipment if the actual accumulator level is greater than the upper target limit; or (ii) corresponds to the fastest minimum speed of the downstream equipment if the actual accumulator level is less than the lower target limit; or (iii) is based on the actual production speed of the rewinder if the actual accumulator level is less than the upper target limit and greater than the lower target limit for the accumulator.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating an object to a desired state. The object is received by a grid of retractable pins. A control component determines, through employment of a manipulation algorithm, one or more retractable pins to actuate to place the object in the desired state. The pins are then actuated by an actuation component that is coupled to both the grid of retractable pins and the control component.

Abstract: A method for modeling a paper winding device, particularly for modeling a tambour drum cutter. Influencing and control quantities are determined at a real paper winding device and are stored dependent on time. Said quantities are used to determine the web strength depending on the wound number of layers or, respectively, or a correlative quantity is used as a target quantity along with the other relevant control and influencing quantities to enable a neural network to be trained as a model for a nip (Ni) for this winding device. New data for training the network can be continually obtained during the operation of the arrangement, thereby improving the model. Optimal control parameters can be determined for various production requirements by means of an iterative process dependent on the winding quality, which can also be determined from the web strength.

Abstract: In the method for controlling the structure of a reel, a continuous paper web (W) is reeled around a reel spool (2) to form a reel (R), and one or more variables are measured from the web (W). When a particular, predetermined change occurs in the variable, the lateral oscillation of the web is changed, by means of which the web is guided to different locations in the reel (R) in the axial direction of the reel spool (2). The change can be implemented by starting the oscillation or by changing the oscillation in progress. The change can be implemented on the basis of the changes in the transverse profile of the web (W).

Abstract: A yarn winding machine for winding at least one yarn and a method of controlling such a winding machine. In the winding machine, a plurality of rotatably driven components are used, whose drives are controlled via a controller. A data module is associated to at least one of the components, with the data module being writable and/or readable by the controller.

Abstract: When winding a paper web, in order to achieve a constant reeling layer thickness, which represents a significant quality parameter in the production process of paper, the line force or the web tension of the paper is corrected as an influencing force. Using measurements, the relationship between force and layer thickness is determined and used to set a controller. In winding devices, winding from the parent reel generally takes place on a winding station, so that the invention makes use of the relationship between the winding and unwinding operation to the effect that the change in the layer thickness is measured and these measured values are used to train a predictor. In continuous operation, in order to regulate a paper winding device, a measured variable which can be registered is measured, and this measured variable is used to determine the layer thickness change or another correlated quality parameter.

Abstract: The method for measuring the diameter of a reel or roll of wound web material (N) involves the following steps: rotating said reel (L); detecting at least twice the moment when a given point (Lf) on the web material (N) passes a predetermined position; determining the time that elapses between said two passes or the amount of rotation (&agr;) of the supporting roller (5); and calculating the diameter (D) of the reel (L) from said time (T) and the peripheral speed (V) of the reel (L) of from said amount of rotation (&agr;) and the radius (R) of the supporting roller (5).