Abstract: An apparatus to cut films, in particular, soft films, with a first carrier and a second carrier, which is, in contrast to the first carrier, movable, of which one carries a blade holder with a movable blade and the other, a counterpiece corresponding to the blade. In order to attain a compact structure, the blade holder has a pressure piston, on which the blade is held in such a way that it can be replaced. The piston is conducted so that it can be displaced within a housing and can be moved by a pressure fluid in the direction of the counterpiece.

Abstract: In order to provide a clamping device with a clamping rail (14) guided for displacement and an actuating device (12) which comprises a gripping element (77), by means of which the clamping rail (14) can be displaced, which can be used universally it is suggested that the clamping rail (14) be displaceable via the gripping element (77) in one direction (A) or an opposite direction (B) and that a change-over device be provided for freeing the displacement in one direction (A; B) and blocking the displacement in the opposite direction (B; A).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatic optical inspection of a substantially two-dimensional pattern using digital image processing techniques are described. In a first processing step, all regions of a digitized stored image derived from the two-dimensional pattern are scanned for edges or lines, that is, transitions between regions having optically different characteristics. The scanned edge regions are marked in the image storage. In a subsequent second processing step all non-marked regions of the image storage are scanned and tested for the presence of permissible grey levels. A meander-shaped scanning track is used for scanning the edge or lined regions. The apparatus for implementing this method includes special latch circuitry for eliminating the further processing of marked regions, thus increasing the overall speed at which the two-dimensional pattern can be optically inspected.

Abstract: A deflection arrangement is described which comprises several piezocrystal elements which are separately driven by a positive or a negative voltage. In this configuration, there is no elastic hysteresis. The arrangement is particularly suitable for automatic focusing systems.