Abstract: A method for setting a gap dimension of a gap between a die cutting cylinder and a counter pressure cylinder of a rotary die cutting device includes providing a control system including a controller, at least one sensor, and an adjusting device actuated by the control system. The method further includes actuating the adjusting device in response to the at least one sensor sensing a deviation from a desired state, thereby setting the gap dimension between the rotary die cutting device and the counter pressure cylinder, in which actuating the adjusting device is achieved as a result of the control system operating in a closed feedback loop. The method further includes sensing by the at least one sensor occurring with or without disruption of operation of the rotary die cutting device.

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: 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 coated grooved roll is adapted for use on a web feed press of a converting processing line. The outer diameter surface has a coating adapted to repel adhesive and ink. In one aspect the roll is an idler roll. The outer diameter surface has a region with a plurality of circumferential grooves and adjacent lands each with an arcuate shape with a radius of between about 0.003 inches and about 0.007 inches after coating. In another aspect, the roll is a stripping roll with at least one flute adapted and configured to receive a contact assistance ring. On the outer diameter surface, the flat adjacent the flute has a plurality of circumferential grooves and adjacent lands each with an arcuate shape with a radius of between about 0.003 inches and about 0.007 inches after coating.

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 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.