Abstract: A method and apparatus used with a printed circuit board (PCB) defect detection system generates a reference database image of the PCB having tolerances for each individual PCB feature, The invention is characterized by a tolerance database of at least three states in which each color is weighted and adjacent pixels are grouped into arrays or "bins". An error signal is generated when the sum of the pixel weights in a bin exceeds a preselected threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying and cutting sheet material has an endless conveyor belt trained over rotatable end units. The endless belt defines an upper run for supporting the sheet material, a lower run spaced below the upper run, and two arcuate end sections, each extending between the upper and lower runs. A first gap is formed in the conveyor belt between one end of the upper run and the adjacent end section, and a second gap is formed in the belt between the other end of the upper run and the adjacent end section. A cutting unit is supported over the upper run for cutting the sheet material, and a vacuum is introduced in the upper run for creating a vacuum bed to hold the sheet material against the supporting surface during a cutting operation. Two end sealing assemblies are mounted between the upper and lower run, and each is located adjacent to a respective gap in the conveyor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus used with a printed circuit board (PCB) defect detection system generates a reference database image of the PCB having tolerances for each individual PCB feature wherein a tolerance database of at least three states in which each color is weighted and adjacent pixels are grouped into arrays or "bins". An error signal is generated when the sum of the pixel weights in a bin exceeds a preselected threshold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a printing plate without the need for a photomask formed from a sheet of photographic film bearing the positive or negative of the image to be printed. According to the invention, an ink jet print head deposits ink onto a light-sensitive emulsion in a pattern which corresponds to either the positive or negative of the image to be printed. The printed pattern provides a photomask for subsequent exposure of the emulsion.

Abstract: The invention resides in winder for automatically winding sections of sheet material to form separate tubes. The winder comprises a base, a supply of sheet material and a material drive means on the base for advancing sheet material from the supply towards a station on the base located remotely thereof. A winding means is located at the station for winding a section of the sheet material about itself and about a rotational axis such that the involved section of sheet material is substantially wound in a tubular condition. A cutting means is provided and is located between the drive means and the second rotational axis for cutting the sheet material transversely of its length at points therealong corresponding to the end one section and the beginning of the next successive section to be advanced to the station.

Abstract: A supply of labels for use by a labelling apparatus which applies labels to the top surface of work material to identify the parts out therefrom includes a plurality of labels each associated with a respective one of the parts. Each label carries a display for identifying the associated cut part, and carried by or otherwise associated in the supply with each label is a machine sensible code identifying the position on the work material at which the label is to be applied. The position codes associated with each label may therefore be machine read and its information used to automatically move the label to its intended position on the work material.

Abstract: A carriage for carrying a labeller, bundler or similar tool for working on sheet material spread on a supporting table is moveable vertically and transversely relative to such table by an associated lifting and transport cart allowing the carriage to be lifted from one table and transported to another table at which it is lowered onto the new table to bring it into working relationship therewith. The carriage may be engaged by the cart from the side or end of the table. Accordingly, the carriage may be moved from one table to another even in cases where the carriage can not be easily moved onto or off of the end of a table because of such table end being inaccessible. Means hold the carriage against vertical and lateral movement relative to the table while the carriage is in working relationship therewith, and these means are moveable to disengaged positions to free the carriage for vertical movement relative to the table when removing the carriage from or placing it onto the table.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for cutting either a single sheet or a lay-up of sheets of material to derive pattern pieces or the like from the material, the material is cut segment-by-segment by bringing a fresh segment to a cutting station after a preceding segment has been entirely cut. Discontinuities, which may translate into points of non-clean cutting, which might otherwise occur in cut lines as they pass to one segment to another, because of accidental shifting or mispositioning of the material during advancement, are avoided or reduced by acquiring the start and finish X and Y coordinates of an index point on the material and then using such coordinates with the cutting instructions used in the cutting of the subsequent segment, the use of the coordinates being such that accidental shifting or mispositioning of the material is taken into account and compensated for in the cutting of the second segment.

Abstract: In a sheet material cutting system a labelling apparatus applies labels to the top surface of work material to identify the parts cut therefrom. The labelling apparatus is a unitary self-driven and self-controlled unit using pre-printed labels each providing a visual display for identifying the associated cut part, and associated with each label is a machine sensible code identifying the position on the work material at which the label is to be applied. Control cabling for the labelling apparatus is thereby avoided and the apparatus may be designed for easy transport from one point of use to another.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for cutting a slit notch in a pattern piece during the cutting of the pattern piece from work material consisting of a single sheet or a lay-up of sheets of sheet material the slit notch is cut when a notch point is reached by the cutting tool in its cutting along the line defining the pattern piece periphery. After the slit notch is cut the tool is withdrawn from cutting engagement with the work material and returned to a point associated with a previously cut portion of the peripheral line and spaced rearwardly from the point of furthermost previous advance of the tool along the peripheral line before the cutting of the slit notch to assure the cutting of material which may shift in the vicinity of the point of furtherest advance between the tool's first and later appearance of at that point, thereby obtaining clean cutting of the pattern piece from the work material allowing it to be easily separated from the waste material.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for cutting sheet material wherein the material is cut in bites or segments by bringing in stepwise fashion successive lengthwise segments to a cutting station incomplete cutting of a line or pattern piece when the line or pattern piece is continued from one segment to another is avoided by a retracing of the line of cut in the vicinity of the line's or pattern piece's transition from one segment to another. Therefore, when the cutting tool, following the advancement of the material to bring a fresh segment to the cutting station, is returned to the vicinity of a previously cut point it retraces a portion of the previously cut line to promote complete separation of the desired material from the waste material despite possible relaxation or other shifting or mispositioning of the material between the times of the cutting tool's first and second arrivals at the transition point.

Abstract: A method for cutting limp sheet material with a rigid, cantilevered blade that is reciprocated as it advances along a cutting path through sheet material employs a load sensor to measure lateral loads applied to the blade by the sheet material during cutting. A load signal from the sensor is applied to the blade controls through a variable gain feedback circuit and causes the blade to be oriented slightly toward the side of the cutting path from which an unbalanced load is applied. The adjustment of the gain in the feedback network is made by means of speed sensors which measure the rate at which the cutting blade advances through the sheet material and adjust the feedback gain in inverse relationship.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting limp sheet material with a rigid, cantilevered blade that is reciprocated as it advances along a cutting path through sheet material employs a load sensor to measure lateral loads applied to the blade by the sheet material during cutting. A load signal from the sensor is applied to the blade controls through a variable gain feedback circuit and causes the blade to be oriented slightly toward the side of the cutting path from which an unbalanced load is applied. The adjustment of the gain in the feedback network is made by means of speed sensors which measure the rate at which the cutting blade advances through the sheet material and adjust the feedback gain in inverse relationship.