Abstract: A rotary die cutter includes an anvil roll and at least one die roll. One or more sheet metal dies with raised cutting edges are carried on the die roll to cut patterns in a web of material passing between the die and the anvil roll. The die cutter has a pair of rigid side frames spanned by a very rigid spreader. While the anvil roll is end-mounted between the side frames, the die roll is mounted from the spreader. A drive shaft rotatable in the side frames and driven from a lineshaft by a gear system transits rotation to the die roll, while allowing the die roll freedom of movement for independent vertical, axial and circumferential adjustments. This mounting and drive of the die roll can accommodate a full width press web using die rolls having a small diameter, typically a single repeat roll, and one whose length is comparable to its circumference. A pair of mutually slidable wedges acting against a spring clamping force adjusts the vertical position of bearing blocks that rotatably mount the die roll.

Abstract: Web preparation apparatus for use on splicers of the type employing a web positioning bar supporting the leading end of the ready web includes a series of teeth spaced along the length of the preparation bar at one face thereof and a pressing and cutting tool which cooperates with the positioning bar and projections so that when the leading end segment of a ready web is draped over the positioning bar and the tool is engaged to the bar and manipulated in association with the bar, the tool presses a web segment against the face of the bar so as to impale that segment on the teeth thereby removably securing that segment to the bar while simultaneously trimming the web along a line downstream from the impaled web segment.