Abstract: A magnetizable cylinder has a cylinder body formed from a magnetizable material with an outer cylindrical surface configured to receive a flexible cutting die. The cylinder body has first and second axial ends spaced apart by the outer cylindrical surface and a hollow interior. First and second journals are joined to the cylinder body with interference fits. At least one of the first and second journals has a weep hole extending through the journal into the hollow interior of the cylinder body. The interference fit of the journals to the cylinder body result from thermal changes of at least one of the first journal, the second journal, and the cylinder body prior to joining the first journal to the cylinder body and the second journal the cylinder body.

Abstract: A vacuum assist anvil cutting die set includes a cutting cylinder and an anvil cylinder. The cutting cylinder has an outer diameter surface with a cutting blade and a blade cavity adjacent to the cutting blade. The cutting cylinder has a vacuum port in communication with the blade cavity and is adapted and configured to be connected to a vacuum source to apply a vacuum to the blade cavity via the vacuum port. The anvil cylinder has an outer diameter surface with an anvil pin projecting from the outer diameter surface of the anvil cylinder. The anvil pin having a diameter and shape that closely approximates the blade cavity such that when a level of vacuum is applied to the cutting cylinder and the anvil cylinder is in rotational and linear register with the cutting cylinder, the anvil pin is insertable into the corresponding blade cavity in a manner to increase the level of vacuum of the blade cavity.

Abstract: An insert assembly is received in a recess on the outer surface of a rotary cutting cylinder. The insert has a hole for a slug ejector pin which is slidingly engagable with the insert. The hole is arranged on the insert to communicate with a through hole in the recess that extends into the interior of the cylinder. When the slug ejector pin is inserted in the pin hole, the pin proximal end is received in the recess hole adjacent to the compressible core and the pin distal end projects from an outer surface of the insert. When the pin is assembled with the insert and the insert is assembled with the cylinder, the pin proximal end operatively engages the compressible core when the pin retracts into the pin hole of the insert and the pin proximal end operatively engages the insert when the pin projects from the pin hole.

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for an anvil roll has a body with first and second ends and a hollow interior. A bore extends from the first end into the hollow interior. The body is mountable to an axial end of the anvil roll at the first end. The hollow interior has first and second adjustment drives. The first adjustment drive extends from the second end of the body into the hollow interior and comprises a gear train with drive gears extending between a first adjustment operator and a first shaft extending from the body hollow interior through the bore of the body to the first end of the body. The second adjustment drive comprises a gear train with drive gears extending between a second adjustment operator and a second shaft extending from the hollow interior through the bore of the body to the first end of the body.

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for an anvil roll has a body with first and second ends and a hollow interior. A bore extends from the first end into the hollow interior. The body is mountable to an axial end of the anvil roll at the first end. The hollow interior has first and second adjustment drives. The first adjustment drive extends from the second end of the body into the hollow interior and comprises a gear train with drive gears extending between a first adjustment operator and a first shaft extending from the body hollow interior through the bore of the body to the first end of the body. The second adjustment drive comprises a gear train with drive gears extending between a second adjustment operator and a second shaft extending from the hollow interior through the bore of the body to the first end of the body.

Abstract: A tool for use in setting the height of a cutting blade mounted in a rotary cutting cylinder includes an anvil that is mounted to the rotary cutting cylinder by a lost motion connection assembly. The lost motion connection assembly permits the mounted anvil to move radially relative to the cylinder, while preventing tangential and rotative movement of the anvil relative to the cylinder. The tool includes a pair of dowel pins that are inserted in radial holes provided in the cylinder to mount the anvil to the cylinder. The lost motion connection assembly connects the dowel pins to the anvil in a manner that permits the radial movement of the anvil relative to the pins and the cylinder. The anvil mounted on the cylinder is moved radially toward the cutting blade of the cylinder until it rests on top of the cutting edge of the blade, and is then tapped lightly to drive the cutting blade downward into the blade slot formed in the cylinder.