Abstract: Web processing method and apparatus (30, 300) is provided for high speed, extremely accurate die cutting or lamination operations. Processing station (32,300) includes a vacuum hold down plate (32,308) which receives and holds an image bearing incremental segment of the web. In feed and out feed tension on the web is released while a segment of the web is held by the hold down plate. The hold down plate with a segment of the web thereon is selectively shifted about X, Y, and ? axes as required to bring the image on the web segment into alignment with a web processing component at the processing station.

Abstract: A method of applying a registered pattern to a continuous web of material involves determining a position of a next pattern such that the next pattern is in registration with a previous pattern, adjusting the position to maintain a transverse location relative to the web, and adjusting a rotation of the pattern so that the pattern is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the web. Registration features of the web and registration features of the next pattern are used to determine longitudinal, transverse, and rotational errors between the registered position of the next pattern and the path of the web. The registered position of the next pattern is adjusted along a transverse axis of the web according to a transverse error to maintain the transverse location. A rotation of the registered position is adjusted according to an angle that is determined using the transverse error and a distance from a registration feature to a center of the pattern along a longitudinal axis of the pattern.

Abstract: Web processing apparatus (30, 300) is provided for high speed, extremely accurate die cutting or lamination operations. Processing station (32, 300) includes a Vacuum hold down plate (32, 308) which receives and holds an image bearing incremental segment of the web. In feed and out feed tension on the web is released while a segment of the web is held by the hold down plate. The hold down plate with a segment of the web thereon is selectively shifted about X, Y and ? axis as required to bring the image on the web segment into alignment with a web processing component at the processing station.

Abstract: High speed, extremely accurate web or sheet-fed segment die cutting or lamination apparatus (30, 300) has a processing station (32, 300), which receives a sheet or web segment, and is provided with a vacuum hold-down plate (142, 306) for holding initially fed segments (38). The plate is shiftable as necessary along orthogonal X-Y axes in the plane of the segment (38), and/or is rotatable about a &thgr; axis transverse to the segment plane. Plate movement is effected by a series of aligned, translatable eccentric drive units (178-182, 346-350). Segments (38) carry positioning fiducials (44) that are compared with fixed reference indicia (250, 252) in the station (32, 300). The comparison data is used by a controller (254) to generate the plate movement information used in simultaneous operation of the associated plate drive units (178-182, 346-350).

Abstract: A die cutting press (10) having a base platen (12), a bolster (16) shiftably and rotatably mounted on the base platen, and a die unit (22) mounted on the bolster for movement therewith is provided for precision cutting of individual part-defining areas (30, 230) from longitudinal and laterally-arranged rows of part areas of a relatively thin substrate (32, 232) that is susceptible to deformation and warpage during its manufacture and wherein registration indicia (236, 238) is provided in association with each of the part-defining areas.

Abstract: Mold insert apparatus and a method is provided for high pressure solid phase forming of relatively thin web or sheet material. The apparatus includes a die set assembly provided with a forming die set unit having a die forming cavity which receives a forming die and an opposed high pressure chamber die set unit wherein the die set units receive material to be formed therebetween when in spaced relationship and functional to clamp the material therebetween when the die set units are in closed forming positions for solid phase forming of the material against the forming die upon introduction of high pressure fluid into the high pressure chamber die set unit. A material preheating station is provided outside but generally proximal to the die forming cavity of the forming die set unit.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method is provided for high pressure, solid phase forming of an image bearing relatively thin sheet. Each sheet to be formed is moved to a pickup station, the sheet is picked up by a heated vacuum pickup, and then transferred to a preheat station while held by the heated vacuum pickup. The heated vacuum pickup is lowered at the preheat station to bring the sheet into engagement with preheater structure therebelow so that heat is applied by direct engagement to both sides of the sheet at the preheat station. The preheated sheet, still attached by vacuum to the heated vacuum pickup is then moved into a forming station of a floating bolster supported die set assembly while the pressure chamber die set unit and a forming die set unit of the die set assembly are in vertically spaced relationship.

Abstract: Adjustable apparatus (20, 20a) is provided, preferably in the form of an impact micrometer, which includes first and second interfitted bodies (22, 24, 22a, 24a) cooperatively defining therebetween an enclosed, constant volume internal fluid chamber (58, 58a). An adjuster (26,26a) is also provided which is connected to one of the first and second bodies (22, 24, 22a, 24a) and has an element (68, 68a) movable within the chamber (58, 58a). Preferably, the adjuster (26, 26a) is threadably coupled with the first body (22, 22a) through fine micrometer threading (36, 62, 36a, 62a). In use, the apparatus (20,20a be adjusted through rotation of the adjuster (26,26a) causing corresponding movement of the element (68, 68a) within the chamber (58, 58a); this in turn results in displacement of the fluid (59, 59a) to change the shape but not the volume of the chamber (58, 58a) and consequent movement of the first body (22, 22a) because of the incompressible nature of the fluid (59, 59a).

Abstract: A preferred clamshell press (10) includes a changeover apparatus (12) for shifting the tool support chase (22) between an operating position and a shifted position in which the chase (22) is positioned for facilitating tool changing thereon while remaining coupled with the machine body (14). The changeover apparatus (12) includes a tracking assembly (26) having rollers (40) received in guide tracks (32) in the side edges of the chase (22) for guiding the chase (22) during shifting, and an actuator (28) using hydraulic cylinders (42, 44) to shift the chase (22). The apparatus (12) further includes registration slots (62, 66) and corresponding registration tabs (60, 64) for ensuring registration between the chase (22) and the machine body (14) in the operating position, and a locking mechanism (56) for locking the chase (22) in the operating position.

Abstract: A high speed screen printing machine (20) is provided for accurately imprinting images on segments (205) bearing indicia (206) of a transparent web (34, 36). The machine (20) includes a vacuum platen (24) which is transversely adjustable to accommodate webs of differing widths, a camera assembly (28) beneath the platen (24) and indicia (206), and an X, Y, .theta. adjustable frame (30) supporting an upper screen frame support assembly (32) adapted to hold a printing screen (208) provided with reference indicia (212). When a segment (205) is initially positioned and held by platen (24), the camera assembly (28) is used to generate a combined image of the indicia (206) through the segment (205) and the screen reference indicia (212); a microprocessor controller uses this data, together with positional information establishing the location of the screen frame support assembly (32), and activates the three-motor adjustment frame (30) for simultaneous X, Y and .theta.

Abstract: In a die cutting press for elongated material, a registration system includes a die unit that is shiftable along the path of travel of the material, along a direction of travel transverse to the path of travel, and about a reference axis perpendicular to a plane containing the material. At least one camera is provided for receiving images from the desired locations that are occupied by indicia on the material when defined areas of the material are in a predetermined relationship relative to the die unit. Reference image data representative of the desired locations of the indicia relative to the die unit is produced so that a comparison can be made between the reference image data and the actual positions of the indicia.

Abstract: A laminator is provided for registering and laminating one or more web or sheet laminae on a web substrate, wherein each lamina has defined, successive areas and indicia provided in predetermined positions relative to the defined areas. The laminator includes feed rollers for feeding a web substrate through the laminator along a path of travel, and an additional feed mechanism for feeding a web or sheets to a drum forming a part of the laminator. The drum is shiftable toward and away from the web substrate between an engaged position in which the drum engages the substrate, and a disengaged position in which the drum is removed from contact with the substrate. A registration system successively registers the web or each sheet on the drum with the substrate, with the defined area of the web or sheet in a desired predetermined relationship to one of the defined areas of the substrate as successive defined areas are brought into a laminating position.

Abstract: A screen printing press is provided for printing on a web having defined, successive areas and indicia provided in predetermined positions relative to each of the defined areas. The press includes a base defining a work station, a screen supported on the base for movement between a printing position overlying the work station and an interrupted position, and a web handling assembly for advancing the web along a path of travel to successively feed the defined areas of the web toward the work station. A registration system successively positions the defined areas of the web in a desired predetermined relationship to the screen as successive defined areas are brought into a position to be printed. The registration system includes longitudinal, lateral and angular shifting mechanisms for adjusting the longitudinal, lateral and angular alignment between the screen and the web.

Abstract: In a die cutting press for elongated material, a registration system includes a die unit that is shiftable along the path of travel of the material, along a direction of travel transverse to the path of travel, and about a reference axis perpendicular to a plane containing the material. At least one camera is provided for receiving images from the desired locations that are occupied by indicia on the material when defined areas of the material are in a predetermined relationship relative to the die unit. Reference image data representative of the desired locations of the indicia relative to the die unit is produced so that a comparison can be made between the reference image data and the actual positions of the indicia.

Abstract: A self-leveling die platen assembly (32) is provided which includes a shiftable platen (78) which can rock as necessary to accommodate the configuration of a cooperating platen assembly (30). Preferably, the assembly (32) includes a stationary die shoe (46) provided with a fluid reservoir (50); a piston (68) is rockably received within reservoir (50) and supports the platen (78). During stamping or cutting operations, the platen (78) can thus move and self-adjust as necessary to accommodate the configuration of cooperating platen assembly (30). The self-adjusting assembly (32) greatly facilitates makeready operations.

Abstract: In a die cutting press, a registration system for successively positioning a die unit in predetermined relationship to defined areas of an elongated material includes servomotors or the like for moving the die unit in a direction transverse to the path of travel of the material, and for rotating the die unit relative to the material. At least one camera is provided for receiving images, and is focused on predetermined locations relative to the die unit corresponding to predetermined positions of indicia included on the material adjacent each of the defined areas. Alternately, a prism or the like may be fixed to the die unit for directing an image from a region of the die unit toward the camera, the region including a preset location of the die unit corresponding to the position of an indicium when the elongated material is in the desired position relative to the die unit. Where a prism is employed, a reference indicium may be provided thereon which appears within the directed image received by the camera.

Abstract: A method and conversion system are provided for enabling a laser printer or the like to produce drawings including graphics and text from input supplied by a computer aided design (CAD) system which allows text font style to be selected as desired and which produces curved lines as smooth curves. The preferred apparatus and method convert entity descriptions supplied by the CAD system in vector notation into signal representative of entity descriptions in device notation whereby the output device uses the signals to create an entity image according to the type of entity such as an arc, text, or the like, and according to corresponding plotting data defining the parameters of the entity. The system and method also allow the user to enter signals representative of the desired font style of the text characters, gray scale levels, and reverse image if desired while also creating curved line images as smooth curves rather than as a series of straight short line segments.

Abstract: A screen printing and curing apparatus has a shiftable printing head that carries a plurality of screen printing units that are each adapted to print an inked image of a color or texture different than the images printed by the other printing units. After the printing head has been lowered toward a web and each printing unit produces an inked image on respective, successively oriented defined areas of the web, the printing head is raised and a curing device such as an ultraviolet lamp is moved across all of the inked images on the web. Once each image has cured, the web advances one step to bring each of the defined areas of the web into registration with the next adjacent, downstream printing unit and the cycle is then repeated to build up a multicolor or multi-textured composite image. The speed of the curing device moving across the web may be varied in order to accommodate variations in the type, color or quantity of the ink or characteristics of the printing unit, screen or web.

Abstract: A die cutting press for processing web material has a registration system which is operable to provide precise alignment of a shiftable die cutting unit along two axes during the time that the web material is advanced along a third axis toward the die unit, so that as soon as a defined area of the web reaches the die unit, the press can be immediately actuated to subject the web to the die cutting operation. In preferred forms of the invention, an indicator strip is printed on the length of the web and is detected by two spaced photo optical sensors movable with the die unit. A first control means, coupled to the sensors, selectively actuates in stepwise fashion either of two servomotors as may be necessary to bring the die unit into registration with defined web areas in a direction laterally of the web length (which may be defined as a Y axis) as well as a rotative orientation with respect to the defined web areas about an upright axis (which may be termed the .theta. axis).

Abstract: A die cutting press for processing web material is disclosed which is operable to provide very precise alignment of a reciprocable die cutting unit with each succesive area of the web to be die cut. In operation, the web is incrementally advanced toward the work station of the press until the area next to be die cut is substantially but not exactly in the die cut position thereof. The web feed is then placed in a creep mode to advance the web until an optical sensor determines the presence of transverse alignment indicium on one side of the web. Mechanism is thereupon actuated to rotate the die unit as required to bring the die assembly into alignment with related indicium on the opposite side of the web while effecting shifting of the web longitudinally thereof in a direction of travel as necessary to maintain die registration with the first sensed web indicium.