Abstract: A method for machining a flat substrate having at least one layer passes the substrate in the form of a strip, web or sheet through at least one machining tool together with a strip-like, web-like or sheet-like filler material on different levels; the substrate is positioned and held, more particularly in the vicinity of the machining tool; at least one punch-type component of the machining tool creates an opening, more particularly a window, at a predeterminable point on the substrate; the component is then moved to an area outside the opening; and in another stroke an element that matches the cross-section of the opening is punched out of the filler material by the component of the machining tool, is moved by the component towards the opening in the clamped substrate, and is placed by the component in the opening in the substrate.

Abstract: In the optical examination of plastic cards, the latter are illuminated with focused light, which is mixed with a diffuse component, in order reliably to discriminate even relatively slight differences in the reflectivity of the surface sections.

Abstract: A laminating apparatus is disclosed which is particularly suited to mount holograms on plastic cards. The apparatus comprises a planar support supporting the work pieces to be laminated. A press stamp has a shape of a sector of a circular cylinder wall and is driven by means of a special gear to perform a hobbing motion along the to-be-laminated area.