Abstract: An apparatus for accumulating sheet material in a sheet handling system including a first conveyance, a second conveyance, an auxiliary conveyance and a processor to control the conveyances based upon a selected operating mode. The first conveyance receives singulated sheets and conveys the sheets to an accumulator station to produce completed collations. The second conveyance is operative to dispense completed collations from the accumulator station and, receives the completed collations from the first conveyance, in one operating mode, and from the auxiliary conveyance in another operating mode when the first conveyance is inoperative. The processor is responsive to a next collation signal, to control the conveyances based upon a selected one of the operating modes.

Abstract: A method for operating a sheet handling system including the steps of: determining a location of a next collation mark on select sheets of the stack of material, selecting an operating mode based upon the proximity of the next collation mark relative to a leading or trailing edge of each of the select sheets, processing the singulated sheets in a first operating mode when the next collation mark is proximal to the leading edge of each of the select sheets, and in a second operating mode, when the next collation mark is proximal to a trailing edge of each of the select sheets. Each of the select sheets is buffered to change the spatial relationship between each of the select sheet and each completed collation of sheets along the feed path. By selectively processing the sheets based upon the location of the next collation mark, the conveyance feed path is minimized.

Abstract: An apparatus for accumulating sheet material in a sheet handling system including a first conveyance, a second conveyance, an auxiliary conveyance and a processor to control the conveyances based upon a selected operating mode. The first conveyance receives singulated sheets and conveys the sheets to an accumulator station to produce completed collations. The second conveyance is operative to dispense completed collations from the accumulator station and, receives the completed collations from the first conveyance, in one operating mode, and from the auxiliary conveyance in another operating mode when the first conveyance is inoperative. The processor is responsive to a next collation signal, to control the conveyances based upon a selected one of the operating modes.

Abstract: A method for operating a sheet handling system including the steps of: determining a location of a next collation mark on select sheets of the stack of material, selecting an operating mode based upon the proximity of the next collation mark relative to a leading or trailing edge of each of the select sheets, processing the singulated sheets in a first operating mode when the next collation mark is proximal to the leading edge of each of the select sheets, and in a second operating mode, when the next collation mark is proximal to a trailing edge of each of the select sheets. Each of the select sheets is buffered to change the spatial relationship between each of the select sheet and each completed collation of sheets along the feed path. By selectively processing the sheets based upon the location of the next collation mark, the conveyance feed path is minimized.

Abstract: The solution involves the use of two or more motors to drive a common mechanism. The single control loop includes a position sensing device coupled to only a first of the plurality of servo motors and generating a position signal. A signal comparator receives the position signal and compares the position signal with a predetermined desired position based on a desired motion profile. The difference from the actual position and the motion profile is output as a position error signal. A signal converter receives the position error signal and derives a conversion signal based on the error signal. The conversion signal is provided to a plurality of signal amplifiers, which in turn are coupled to the plurality of servo motors. The amplifiers provide power to the motors for driving the mechanical load.

Abstract: The solution involves the use of two or more motors to drive a common mechanism. The single control loop includes a position sensing device coupled to only a first of the plurality of servo motors and generating a position signal. A signal comparator receives the position signal and compares the position signal with a predetermined desired position based on a desired motion profile. The difference from the actual position and the motion profile is output as a position error signal. A signal converter receives the position error signal and derives a conversion signal based on the error signal. The conversion signal is provided to a plurality of signal amplifiers, which in turn are coupled to the plurality of servo motors. The amplifiers provide power to the motors for driving the mechanical load.