Abstract: An engraving head apparatus and method for engraving a gravure cylinder is shown. The engraving head apparatus includes a magnetostrictive actuator formed from a magnetostrictive material such as Tb.sub.1 Dy.sub.1-x. which elongatably drives a diamond-tipped stylus arm in a reciprocal manner in response to a varying magnetic field created by a bias coil and a drive coil. A cryogenic cooling mechanism is used to cool the magnetostrictive actuator when driving the stylus.

Abstract: An engraving head apparatus and method for engraving a gravure cylinder. The engraving head apparatus including a magnetostrictive actuator formed from TERFENOL-D.TM. which elongatably drives a diamond-tipped stylus arm in a reciprocal manner in response to a varying magnetic field created by a bias coil and a drive coil. The bias coil establishes a DC biasing magnetic field which causes an initial expansion of the actuator to approximately one-half the total linear expansion limit of the actuator. The drive coil is concentrically interposed between the actuator and the bias coil and modulates the magnetic field intensity established by the bias coil to cause additional expansion and contraction of the actuator about the initial expansion point.

Abstract: An engraving head apparatus and method for engraving a gravure cylinder. The engraving head apparatus includes a magnetostrictive actuator formed from TERFENOL-D.TM. which elongatably drives a diamond-tipped stylus arm in a reciprocal manner in response to a varying magnetic field created by a bias coil and a drive coil. The bias coil establishes a DC biasing magnetic field which causes an initial expansion of the actuator to approximately one-half the total linear expansion limit of the actuator. The drive coil is concentrically interposed between the actuator and the bias coil and modulates the magnetic field intensity established by the bias coil to cause additional expansion and contraction of the actuator about the initial expansion point.

Abstract: A gravure printing cylinder is engraved with a pattern, such as a woodgrain pattern, by sensing and comparing the copy density at opposite ends of the pattern and then engraving the pattern with a correction for the unbalance in the copy density to produce a joint which is less visible to the human eye. A less visible joint is also formed by engraving the starting cells for the pattern at circumferentially spaced locations on the cylinder to produce either a non-linear interwoven joint and/or an irregular zig-zag joint.

Abstract: An engraving head incorporates a shaft which is supported for high frequency oscillation by axially spaced metal spring elements, and the shaft is acted upon by improved dampening means to minimize undesirable transverse and transient vibrations. A diamond cutting stylus is carried by a holder mounted within an arm projecting from the shaft by means which facilitates convenient removal and resharpening of the stylus. A diamond guide shoe has a flat face which engages the surface to be engraved adjacent the stylus and is supported by means which may be conveniently adjusted without rotation to obtain precision alignment of the face with the surface. A diamond deburring or shaving element has a shearing edge adjacent the stylus and is also supported for convenient angular adjustment to obtain precise alignment. The entire engraving head is pivotally supported by leaf springs and is raised and lowered by power operated means.

Abstract: An engraving head incorporates a shaft which is supported for high frequency oscillation by axially spaced metal spring elements, and the shaft is acted upon by improved dampening means to minimize undesirable transverse and transient vibrations. A diamond cutting stylus is carried by a holder mounted within an arm projecting from the shaft by means which facilitate convenient removal and resharpening of the stylus. A diamond guide shoe has a flat face which engages the surface to be engraved adjacent the stylus and is supported by means which may be conveniently adjusted without rotation to obtain precision alignment of the face with the surface. A diamond deburring or shaving element has a shearing edge adjacent the stylus and is also supported for convenient angular adjustment to obtain precise alignment. The entire engraving head is pivotally supported by leaf springs and is raised and lowered by power operated means.

Abstract: An engraving head incorporates a shaft which is supported for high frequency oscillation by axially spaced metal spring elements, and the shaft is acted upon by improved dampening means to minimize undesirable transverse and transient vibrations. A diamond cutting stylus is carried by a holder mounted within an arm projecting from the shaft by means which facilitate convenient removal and resharpening of the stylus. A diamond guide shoe has a flat face which engages the surface to be engraved adjacent the stylus and is supported by means which may be conveniently adjusted without rotation to obtain precision alignment of the face with the surface. A diamond deburring or shaving element has a shearing edge adjacent the stylus and is also supported for convenient angular adjustment to obtain precise alignment. The entire engraving head is pivotally supported by leaf springs and is raised and lowered by power operated means.

Abstract: An engraving head incorporates a shaft which is supported for high frequency oscillation by axially spaced metal spring elements, and the shaft is acted upon by improved dampening means to minimize undesirable transverse and transient vibrations. A diamond cutting stylus is carried by a holder mounted within an arm projecting from the shaft by means which facilitate convenient removal and resharpening of the stylus. A diamond guide shoe has a flat face which engages the surface to be engraved adjacent the stylus and is supported by means which may be conveniently adjusted without rotation to obtain precision alignment of the face with the surface. A diamond deburring or shaving element has a shearing edge adjacent the stylus and is also supported for convenient angular adjustment to obtain precise alignment. The entire engraving head is pivotally supported by leaf springs and is raised and lowered by power operated means.