Abstract: A processing system for processing a leather hide includes a laser system configured for illuminating the leather hide with location information for placement of a die. A method of processing and a computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for manufacturing a composite part are provided. One method includes cutting a material into a plurality of pieces and marking each of the plurality of pieces of material with a unique indicium. This method also includes placing one of the pieces of material in a mold cavity, detecting a signal from the indicium on the piece of material, and verifying that the piece of material was placed in the mold cavity in the correct location based on the signal from the indicium. The placing, detecting, and verifying steps are performed for each of the plurality of pieces of material. The pieces of material are then molded together to form the composite part.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for lens surfacing. The apparatus includes a voice coil, piezo stack and cutter connected by a connection mechanism and regulated by a hierarchical sliding mode control system. The invention allows for both coarse and fine movements of the cutter during surfacing.

Abstract: This invention is an advance in coating chemistry, curing technology, related apparatus and the products made thereby. The invention encompasses a substrate bonded to a coating cured, at least in part, cationically by a light having a wavelength in a range of 100 nm to 1200 nm and intensity in a range of 0.0003 W/cm2/nm to 0.05 W/cm2/nm. Methods and systems for coating substrates and curing the coated products are encompassed. The invention encompasses apparatus and ink jet printers utilizing this curing technology. The invention also includes providing a “moving shadow” from ultraviolet light that is uniformly distributed over a print zone defined by a path of carriage motion illuminated by the light.

Abstract: This invention is an advance in coating chemistry, curing technology, related apparatus and the products made thereby. The invention encompasses a substrate bonded to a coating cured, at least in part, cationically by a light having a wavelength in a range of 100 nm to 1200 nm and an intensity in a range of 0.0003 W/cm2/nm to 0.05 W/cm2/nm. Methods and systems for coating substrates and curing the coated products are encompassed. The invention encompasses apparatus and ink jet printers utilizing this curing technology.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method and apparatus for improving the flexibility of ink and substrate. In particular, systems utilizing cationic inks such as Ultra Violet cured ink can control the flexibility of the ink and substrate layer the ink is applied on by using Ultra Violet irradiation control.

Abstract: A reciprocated knife cuts pattern work material pieces without rotating a housing tube for orientation of the cutting knife. An integrated tangent axis drive motor orients the cutting knife, eliminating any inertia caused by the cutting housing tube and preventing the slowing of the angular acceleration and increasing the speed of the knife orientation. Alternative motor types are provided by various embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically blocking and providing measurement of a lens blank during the blocking process includes an alignment station and a blocking station. The alignment station aligns a lens blank to a block for bonding that is also known as the blocking process. The blocking station includes a lens blank measurement system having sensors that automatically identify and determine measurement and alignment information about the lens, such as sag and tilt of the lens blank, during the blocking process.

Abstract: An apparatus for digitally generating an image includes a printer for generating a desired image either on a final substrate or a carrier sheet with the image then being transferred from the carrier sheet onto the final substrate. The generated image is “built up” on the carrier sheet or substrate to form a sign, thereby eliminating the need for the weeding process. According to one aspect of the present invention, the apparatus includes a printer that allows the digital application of adhesive onto an image, substantially placing an adhesive in register with the image, for subsequent application of the image with adhesive placed thereon. According to a further aspect of the present invention, a layer of adhesive is applied over a substrate. An image is built atop of the adhesive.

Abstract: A method for symmetrically aligning a pattern piece relative to a work material defining a pattern with varying repeat dimensions. The method including selectively capturing first and second images of areal portions of the work material corresponding to respective first and second reference points on said pattern piece, displaying the first and second images adjacent one another, and moving the pattern displayed in one of the first and second images an adjustment distance, such that the pattern defined by the work material is substantially aligned with respect to first and second images. The position of the pattern piece is then moved relative to the work material proportional to the adjustment distance so that the first and second reference points are symmetrically aligned with respect to the repeating pattern. The images can also be rotated about an axis substantially perpendicular to or parallel with the plane of the work material.

Abstract: A vacuum hold down table includes a surface sheet having perforations arranged so as to reduce surface cracking when the surface sheet is subject to forces during use of the table; the perforations may also be arranged to that a greater hold down force is produced in that portion of the table where the workpiece will be located, this may be accompanied by varying the hole diameter and/or hole spacing.