Abstract: A method and apparatus for extending the useful life of resilient covers on anvil rolls of rotary die cutters by causing the die cutting rules to penetrate the covers at sequential incrementally small circumferentially spaced locations around the cover by adding to the speed of rotation of the anvil roll relative to the speed of the die holder roll. Lateral reciprocation of the anvil roll is translated to rotary motion by a gear and pivot lever arrangement, such rotary motion being added to the normal speed of the anvil roll.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting jam-ups of serially advancing blanks of which the method comprises storing a number corresponding to the length of the blanks in predetermined increments, detecting a leading edge of such blanks, actuating a control means by the detection of the leading edges which generates a digit corresponding to the predetermined increments, detecting a trailing edge of such blanks to deactuate the control means, comparing the stored number with the digits generated by the control means, and stopping the blanks when the number of digits exceeds the stored number.