Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting a knife edge offset in a cutter toolhead having a cutter toolhead frame. The apparatus including a knife moveably coupled to the toolhead, an actuated arm moveably attached to the cutter toolhead frame, a computer controller for controlling the movement of the knife and actuated arm, an abrasive sharpener moveably attached to the actuated arm and adapted to contact the knife, and a sensor adapted to determine a distance between the cutter toolhead frame and the actuated arm. The computer controller of the apparatus is further capable of adjusting the movement of the knife and the actuated arm as a function of the distance determined by the sensor.

Abstract: The swivel knife holder assembly includes a shoulder screw defining an axis, and having a proximal threaded end and a distal head, and mounted on the shoulder screw is a bobbin assembly. The swivel knife holder assembly also includes a shell defining an interior, and having a distal opening and a proximal opening. A core is secured in the interior and is coupled to a knife for cutting fabric material. The proximal opening of the shell is defined by a flange and houses the shoulder screw therein. Threadably coupled to the proximal threaded end of the shoulder screw is a stem. The stem secures the bobbin assembly within the shell and also includes a mounting surface for engaging a reciprocating drive mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting a knife edge offset in a cutter toolhead having a cutter toolhead frame. The apparatus including a knife moveably coupled to the toolhead, an actuated arm moveably attached to the cutter toolhead frame, a computer controller for controlling the movement of the knife and actuated arm, an abrasive sharpener moveably attached to the actuated arm and adapted to contact the knife, and a sensor adapted to determine a distance between the cutter toolhead frame and the actuated arm. The computer controller of the apparatus is further capable of adjusting the movement of the knife and the actuated arm as a function of the distance determined by the sensor.

Abstract: A computer-controlled machine and variations thereof are disclosed for cutting shapes of material with a cutting tool, including a sensor for sensing or estimating a knife offset during cutting to provide feedback for reducing cut shape error caused by the knife being offset from its ideal position. An exemplary embodiment includes a proximity sensor, a knife, such as a reciprocating knife, and circuitry and/or computer readable instructions for separating the output signal of the proximity sensor into a tangent signal corresponding to the tangent offset and a normal signal corresponding to a normal offset. The reciprocating knife can include a temperature sensor which is positioned to measure the temperature of the reciprocating knife near the point of contact between the knife and the material being cut. The temperature sensor is preferably a non-contact temperature sensor such as an infrared thermometer which operates under the principle of measuring thermal radiation emitted from an object.

Abstract: A spindle configured for a reciprocating knife sharpener is provided. The spindle includes a head including an arbor configured for manual exchange of abrasive material. A knife sharpener and a cutting table are disclosed.

Abstract: A reciprocated knife cuts pattern work material pieces without rotating a housing tube for orientation of the cutting knife. An integrated tangent axis drive motor orients the cutting knife, eliminating any inertia caused by the cutting housing tube and preventing the slowing of the angular acceleration and increasing the speed of the knife orientation. Alternative motor types are provided by various embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: A device for use with sheet type material provides the elimination of the need for the overlay film in a cutting apparatus for material while having an apparatus that is tolerant of height variations in the flexible sheet work material. In an apparatus for cutting pattern pieces or in any apparatus that requires material to be held down, the device comprising a conforming material. In one embodiment the conforming material is a plurality of soft nylon bristles. The conforming material can be a solitary unit or comprise of many units such as in the soft bristles form of a brush. The device can be any geometrical shape desirable to the application. During operation the device produces axial forces in such a way as to resist the material from rolling up or bunching up. The device also allows cutting close to the edge or on the edge of the material.

Abstract: In an apparatus for cutting pattern pieces and creating apertures in sheet-type work material a frame has a support surface mounted thereon for carrying at least one layer of the work material. A carriage is coupled to the frame for movement back-and-forth there along a first coordinate direction in response to commands issued from a controller. A cutting head is mounted to the carriage and moves in a second coordinate direction along the carriage approximately perpendicular to the first coordinate direction. A rotary die is coupled to the cutting head and at least one cutting tool is mounted to the rotary die. The cutting tool includes a shaped cutting portion corresponding to the shape of an aperture to be formed in the work material. During operation the rotary die is movable between a working position wherein the cutting tool engages the work material and a non-working position wherein the rotary die is positioned away from the work material.

Abstract: In an apparatus for cutting pattern pieces and creating apertures in sheet-type work material a frame has a support surface mounted thereon for carrying at least one layer of the work material. A carriage is coupled to the frame for movement back-and-forth there along a first coordinate direction in response to commands issued from a controller. A cutting head is mounted to the carriage and moves in a second coordinate direction along the carriage approximately perpendicular to the first coordinate direction. A rotary die is coupled to the cutting head and at least one cutting tool is mounted to the rotary die. The cutting tool includes a shaped cutting portion corresponding to the shape of an aperture to be formed in the work material. During operation the rotary die is movable between a working position wherein the cutting tool engages the work material and a non-working position wherein the rotary die is positioned away from the work material.

Abstract: In a resonating assembly, a beam having a pickup thereon is positioned proximate to a magnet which passes across the pick up at a predetermined frequency. The passage of the magnet across the pick up establishes an alternating magnetic field that in turn causes the beam and pick up to vibrate. A blade is mounted on the beam and vibrates therewith so that when the blade is brought into engagement with a layer of sheet type work material the vibratory amplitude of the blade causes the blade to cut through the material as it is moved in engagement therewith.

Abstract: A progressive plotter for working on successive segments of an elongated web of sheet material extending across a work surface has a pen supported to move in marking relation to material on the work surface in response to command signals received from a programmable controller. The machine includes a supply roll for paying-off sheet material and a take-up roll for receiving material from the supply roll. Each roll has a cylindrical tubular cardboard roll core extending throughout its axial length. The rolls are supported by flanged hub assemblies, each including a cylindrical hub member having a rough generally cylindrical peripheral surface and a diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the smallest roll core to be supported by the machine. The hub members rotate in rolling engagement with the inner peripheral surfaces of the roll cores to drive and/or support the rolls.