Abstract: An apparatus uses forced air to remove trim from cut sheets during a converting process. The apparatus may include a plurality of wheels, arranged to allow trim to fall between the wheels, and one or more air chambers, configured to propel air toward the sheets as they are conveyed on the wheels in order to remove trim from the sheets. A method may include conveying sheet stock on wheels arranged to allow trim to fall through them, and propelling air toward the sheet stock with air chambers such that trim is removed from the sheet stock by the propelled air.

Abstract: Techniques that palletize bundles at high-speed. A robotic controller includes a vision system that determines a location and orientation of incoming bundles, a tracking system that communicates between the controller and a conveyor, and a robot that coordinates its movement with the bundles. The tracking system identifies the location and orientation of each bundle, informs the controller, and causes the robot to track its location and orientation with incoming bundles. The controller receives information on the location and orientation of each bundle. The controller instructs the robot to move in coordination with each incoming bundle, instructs the robot where and at what orientation to pick up the bundle, and instructs the robot how to move the bundle to a tier-and-stacking position. The controller can instruct the robot how to pick up each bundle on the fly as the bundle moves into range on the incoming conveyor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed that allow items to be placed on a stack of items in a manner that minimizes interference with the existing stack. Further, a method and apparatus are disclosed for stacking items such that marking of the items is minimized while the item is stacked. In some embodiments, the method and apparatus may include employing a plurality of forks, where a first fork in the plurality includes a belt that rotates at least partially within a tapered housing of the fork. In some embodiments, the plurality of forks is vertically movable, and the method and apparatus may include a squaring mechanism that is separate from the plurality of forks. The overall throughput of the method and apparatus may be increased by employing this independent squaring mechanism.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed that allow items to be placed on a stack of items in a manner that minimizes interference with the existing stack. Further, a method and apparatus are disclosed for stacking items such that marking of the items is minimized while the item is stacked. In some embodiments, the method and apparatus may include employing a plurality of forks, where a first fork in the plurality includes a belt that rotates at least partially within a tapered housing of the fork. In some embodiments, the plurality of forks is vertically movable, and the method and apparatus may include a squaring mechanism that is separate from the plurality of forks. The overall throughput of the method and apparatus may be increased by employing this independent squaring mechanism.

Abstract: Techniques for automatically setting trim removal or stacking device arms. One point on a trim arm (such as an end) is attached to a transverse rail, along which that end moves, and provides an anchor point to which the trim arm can be angled. An automated device anchors that end of the trim arm, and locks it in place at a position designated by an operator. A skew adjustment pin couples to a second point on the trim arm, so that adjusting the position of the adjustment pin skews the trim arm's angle. An automated device anchors that second point of the trim arm, and locks it in place at a angle designated by an operator. A control system electronically measures the location of the first anchor point, and directs positioning devices to move trim arms, skew them, and lock or unlock those settings.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a stacking device including a conveyor belt configured to move one or more items towards a receiving storage hopper configured to receive the one or more items from the conveyor belt. The one or more items may form a stack of items in the receiving storage hopper. The stacking device may further include a sensing device configured to determine a level of the stack of items in the receiving storage hopper. The stacking device may be configured to adjust a height of the conveyor belt relative to the storage hopper based on the level of the stack of items in the receiving storage hopper.

Abstract: An improved prefeeder assembly (10) for receiving a stack (28) of blanks and for inverting and passing the inverted blanks to processing equipment, the prefeeder assembly (10) having a rotator frame (12) which is positonable in an upright load entry position and an inverted bundle discharge position. A rotator infeed conveyor (70) is supported by the rotator frame (12) to receive and support a stack while a lift platform assembly (44) is also supported by the rotator frame (12) to clamp the stack (28) onto the rotator conveyor (70). A backstop and pusher assembly (14) is also supported on the rotator frame (12) and includes a moveable backstop (90) and a pusher member (24) for discharging a selective height of the stack.