Abstract: A punching station for a web includes a web transport system that operates to advance the web in a first direction at a first rate. A clamp intermittently grips a portion of the web to advance the portion in the first direction at a second rate. A punch is coupled to the clamp such that the punch moves in the first direction together with the clamp. A punch block cooperates with the punch. The punch block is coupled to the clamp such that the punch block moves in the first direction in unison with the clamp. A punch actuator causes the punch to penetrate the web and then to be withdrawn from the web while the web is gripped by the clamp.

Abstract: An electric actuator Includes a first plate and a substantially parallel second plate. A linkage system couples the first plate to the second plate such that moving the linkage system toward an over-center position causes the second plate to move away from the first plate. An electric motor is coupled to the linkage system to move the linkage system toward the over-center position. A force transducer is coupled to the actuator to produce a force signal responsive to a force produced by the actuator. A control system is coupled to the electric motor and the force transducer to provide a control signal to the electric motor to move the linkage system to a position that was determined by the control system in response to the force signal in a previous movement of the linkage system.