Abstract: A part identification system for non-intrusively identifying a subset of parts cut from a sheet material. The part identification system includes a visual signal generator for projecting an identifying image associated with a given subset of cut parts. A labelling program accesses a database, generates a control signal including the part location and identifying image and sends the signal to a controller. The controller directs the identifying image from the visual signal generator to identify the cut parts.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting pieces of material from a workpiece, such as a web of patterned fabric, which includes irregularities or which is misaligned with respect to a coordinate system of the cutting apparatus. The workpiece is spread on a cutting table where it is cut by a numerically controlled cutter in accord with an electronic marker stored in the cutter controller. The marker is matched to the workpiece and appropriate adjustments are made to the marker before the workpiece is cut. A laser, operatively connected to the controller, projects a match target onto the workpiece at a point corresponding to a selected point on the marker. The marker is then adjusted such that the selected point coincides with a desired location on the workpiece. Adjustment is achieved by electronically displacing the match target from a non preferred location to a preferred one. Software in the controller translates this displacement into appropriate adjustments to the marker.

Abstract: A coiled ink supply tube for an X, Y plotter and the like is connected between an ink reservoir and a pen mounted within a pen holder and moveable with the pen holder between a raised non-drawing position and a lowered drawing position for drawing lines or graphics on receiving surfaces. The ink supply tube defines a preformed coil having 11/4 turns or windings in the form of a helix with substantially zero spacing between turns. The ink supply tube also defines a straight inlet section coupled between the coil and the reservoir and oriented parallel to the axis of the coil, and a straight outlet section substantially coaxial with a vertical axis of the pen and lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the coil. As the pen moves up and down between the raised non-drawing and lowered drawing positions, the diameter of the helical coil changes very little and substantially no lateral forces are imposed by the ink supply tube on the pen.

Abstract: In a line tracing laser cutter for sheet material the fundamental axis of beam projection onto the work material is moved by relatively high inertia drive apparatus along a relatively smooth axis trace line, and during such movement the beam is at times shifted by low inertia apparatus from the fundamental axis to cause the beam to follow a line of cut having sharper or more complex features than the axis trace line.

Abstract: An automatically controlled cutting machine for working on limp sheet material utilizes positive air pressure and vacuum to hold the material in place during a work operation. The level of the pressure is set or regulated with a pressure sensor to develop an appropriate holddown force and to minimize the disturbance to the material surrounding the work operation. The distribution of the airflow onto the sheet material for generating the pressure is also concentrated around the point of the work operation by an aperture plate.

Abstract: A pattern alignment system for use during the garment development process prior to the cutting operation includes a table with work surface. There is a digitizer located with the surface. The operator establishes a perimeter of a hide or other fabric piece that has been positioned on the surface with a stylus that presents position signals to a controller in real time. The controller has signals corresponding to a marker and further includes algorithms to compose the drawn lines or points into an electronic representation of the piece perimeter. Defects, textures or the like in the piece are identified in a similar manner. The system includes algorithms which enable the operator to reposition one or more garment segment patterns in the marker to avoid defects or otherwise optimize the segment position on the piece.

Abstract: A system for automatically making sample garments comprises a controller having a central process for preparing a marker based on data representing individual pattern pieces of an overall garment design and data representing selected portions of the sheet material from which the garment is to be constructed. The system further comprises an apparatus for cutting and performing other work operations on the sheet material. The apparatus includes a table having a core defining a vacuum plenum and a sheet material support surface.

Abstract: A method for cutting sheet material allows multiple layups of sheet material to be cut in side-by-side or stacked relationship on the cutting table of a computer controlled cutting machine. A different marker or array of pattern pieces can be cut from each of the stacked layups. Also, for certain layups, whether stacked or not, markers are located with reference to the centerline of the layup to insure that the pattern pieces of the marker are cut symmetrically or in alignment with ornamentation or designs in the material. An origin point is located at a known position with respect to the sides and ends of the marker. The origin point of the marker is then registered relative to the cutting table and the centerline of the layup.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning a support surface during successive cuts of a sheet material along a common cutting path by a laser. The method includes offsetting the location of the common cutting path with respect to the support surface for subsequent cuts. The offset distance is sufficient to align a portion of the common cutting path with a portion of the ridge of debris formed during a previous cut such that upon tracing the subsequent path with the laser, the previously formed ridge of debris is ablated.

Abstract: A dancer bar including a plurality of segments flexibly linked together is provided. Preferably, the segments are selectively connectable to provide a dancer bar having a length which substantially equals the width of an associated web of sheet material. A sheet material feed mechanism including the segmented dancer bar and an apparatus for performing a work operation on sheet material including the feed mechanism are also provided.

Abstract: A method for cutting sheet material allows multiple layups of sheet material to be cut in side-by-side or stacked relationship on the cutting table of a computer controlled cutting machine. A different marker or array of pattern pieces can be cut from each of the stacked layups. Also, for certain layups, whether stacked or not, markers are located with reference to the centerline of the layup to insure that the pattern pieces of the marker are cut symmetrically or in alignment with ornamentation or designs in the material.

Abstract: A two-dimensional digitizing system comprises a plurality of overlaid digitizer tablets. Each tablet includes two wire grid circuits oriented at right angles to each other for the X and Y directions, with each circuit having conductive grid structures. In those circumstances where two panels generate position signals, a controller verifies which of the competing position signals is correct. The digitizer is also characterized by a capability to operate at large stylus-tablet separations, allowing for a multi-layered laminate tablet of substantial thickness. The present system is readily adapted for applications such as a cloth cutting in which large surface areas are required and in which the digitizer tablet circuitry must be located remote from a cutting surface.

Abstract: A materials processing apparatus for performing a work operation on sheet material with a laser is provided. The apparatus includes a scanning laser which focuses a laser beam onto a work surface along a pre-programmed path. The apparatus also includes a work table which provides a precisely planar support surface for supporting sheet material during a work operation performed by the laser.

Abstract: A progressive plotter for working on successive segments of an elongated web of sheet material extending across a work surface has a pen supported to move in marking relation to material on the work surface in response to command signals received from a programmable controller. The machine includes a supply roll for paying-off sheet material and a take-up roll for receiving material from the supply roll. Each roll has a cylindrical tubular cardboard roll core extending throughout its axial length. The rolls are supported by flanged hub assemblies, each including a cylindrical hub member having a rough generally cylindrical peripheral surface and a diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the smallest roll core to be supported by the machine. The hub members rotate in rolling engagement with the inner peripheral surfaces of the roll cores to drive and/or support the rolls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus deals with a cutter used for cutting a fabric or other material sheet having a layer of active or activatable adhesive disposed on it and provides a lubricant in gel form to be applied to the surfaces of the cutting implement to keep these surfaces free from adhesive otherwise building up on them. The lubricant in the preferred embodiment is a compound of silicone and polytetrafluoroethylene. Further, a second lubricant is provided which is to be applied to the surfaces of the sharpener to keep the sharpening surfaces free from adhesive.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying and cutting sheet material has an endless conveyor belt trained over rotatable end units. The endless belt defines an upper run for supporting the sheet material, a lower run spaced below the upper run, and two arcuate end sections, each extending between the upper and lower runs. A first gap is formed in the conveyor belt between one end of the upper run and the adjacent end section, and a second gap is formed in the belt between the other end of the upper run and the adjacent end section. A cutting unit is supported over the upper run for cutting the sheet material, and a vacuum is introduced in the upper run for creating a vacuum bed to hold the sheet material against the supporting surface during a cutting operation. Two end sealing assemblies are mounted between the upper and lower run, and each is located adjacent to a respective gap in the conveyor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting a marker in preparation for cutting that is adapted for use with fabrics having a stripe or plaid patterns that provide for an axis of symmetry. The present invention is characterized by computer assisted design matching that provides for either manual or automatic alignment of the garment segments in the computerized marker with reference and match locations on the fabric web.

Abstract: In an automated machine for cutting cloth or fabric and similar sheet materials the knife is made from a high-alloy tool steel to provide the knife with a sharp cutting edge capable under a given set of conditions to cut sheet material for a far longer period of time before requiring re-sharpening than the case with the knives previously used in such machines. A sharpener is also provided which allows the knife after becoming dull to be returned to a sharp condition while removing only a minimum amount of the knife material, thereby further increasing the service life of the knife.

Abstract: A system for adjusting the marker in preparation for cutting that is adapted for use with fabrics having a stripe or plaid design is characterized by computer assisted design matching that provides for automatic alignment of the fabric web with the cutting apparatus as well as matching fabrics whose designs vary in contrast. The present system also provides for coordinate matching between an image obtained by the system's camera and the actual fabric.

Abstract: A tape provides a supply of doubly adhesively faced pads for individual application to a receiving surface. The tape comprises a generally elongate flexible base layer of material having one side with a first release surface, and a plurality of pads of material carried on the first release surface of the base layer arranged in succession along the length of the base layer. Each of the pads has first and second tacky faces facing in opposite directions and has the first of its tacky faces releasably adhered to the first release surface of the base layer. The base layer of material has a second side facing oppositely to the first side and has a second release surface, so that the base layer may be rolled up to bring the second release surface thereof into engagement with the second tacky faces of the pads.