Abstract: A support for the stylus used in an electronic stencil cutting machine for burning or engraving information into stencil material mounted for relative movement with respect to said stylus, includes a t-shaped, blade-like body having a free end portion and a base portion, with the stylus being attached to the free end of the former. A second blade-like portion is affixed at a first end away from the base portion, to the free end portion of the body in an overlying relation, for dampening vibrations to the stylus as the latter passes over the stencil material and/or clamp for securing the material to a support surface. A support base upon which the blade-like body is mounted includes a pair of spaced members between which there is positioned a permanent magnet.

Abstract: In a stencil cutting device having a stylus for burning information from an original document into stencil material mounted for relative movement with respect thereto, apparatus for moving the stylus toward and away from the material includes an electromagnet having first and second pole pieces joined together to provide a predeterminedly shaped junction. The electromagnet has a curved surface and a blade-like support of magnetic material mounted for pivotal movement at a first end with the stylus attached thereto at the opposite end, and overlying the curved surface of the electromagnet normally in spaced relation therewith. Upon energization of the electromagnet, the support is drawn into engagement with the curved surface of the joined pole pieces to move the stylus into contact with the stencil material. The support is spaced slightly from the electromagnet at the free end thereof to provide a dampening effect for the stylus.

Abstract: Apparatus for electrically burning information from an original document into stencil material comprising a stylus for applying electrical pulses to the material and an electrical circuit comprising an optical sensor for scanning information on the original and providing an output signal, the amplitude of which is proportional to the light reflected by the information, a circuit for providing a pulse train the shape of which conforms to the non-linear characteristics of the stencil material and a comparator for combining the output signal and pulse train to provide the electrical pulses having a width determined by the combination for application to the stylus, includes circuitry interposed between the optical sensor and the comparator for setting the minimum and maximum amplitudes of the output signals from the optical sensor representing tones to be reproduced as black and white, respectively.

Abstract: Stencil cutting apparatus for electrically burning information from an original document into a stencil material having non-linear burning characteristics by the application of electrical pulses to a stylus contacting the stencil material positioned on a rotatable cylinder, includes a photomultiplier for scanning the original document and providing an output signal the amplitude of which is proportional to the light reflected by the information thereon, a circuit including a square wave oscillator and wave shaping network which alters the square wave in relation to the burning characteristics of the stencil material to produce a resultant train of pulses and a comparator circuit which adds the photomultiplier signal and train of pulses. The comparator provides output pulses having a width determined by the addition of the last-mentioned signal and pulses which are fed to the stylus for burning the stencil.

Abstract: An optical assembly for a stencil making device employed for scanning an original document to provide a light image of indicia thereon to a photomultiplier tube which converts the light image into electrical signals includes a housing taking the form of a block having at least one aperture or channel therein for receiving a lamp. A second channel extends at right angles from the first channel toward a predetermined wall of the block. The last-mentioned channel opens at the wall so that light from the lamp passes outwardly of the second channel onto the original document positioned adjacent the wall. A third channel extends into the block adjacent the second channel. A lens in the last-mentioned channel focuses reflected light images of the indicia through the third channel to the end of an optical fiber which carries the image to the photomultiplier tube. The dimension of the cross-sectional end of the optical fiber determines the scan area.