Abstract: A separator (10) for separating waste (820) from product (810; 2302) in a pre-cut substrate (2600) having one or more cut lines. An inlet feeder feeds the substrate (2600) into the separator (10) along a material path. A separation edge (2500) is disposed in a location downstream of the inlet feeder and defines a line below the plane of the material path. A plurality of punch tools (30; 1800; 1900; 2000) above the plane of the material path, upstream of the separation edge (2500), each has an actuator configured to position the tool in an extended configuration with a contact end of the punch tool (30; 1800; 1900; 2000) disposed below the separation edge (2500), and a retracted configuration with the contact end disposed above the plane of the material path.

Abstract: A knife assembly for cutting a substrate during relative motion between the knife and the substrate, the assembly including a knife having a distal knife blade and a proximal knife shaft attached to a holder rotatable about a first axis perpendicular to the substrate to define a cut direction angle. The holder is also configured to rotate the knife blade about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis to form a notch angle relative to the first axis. The notch angle is preferably automatically infinitely adjustable within a range of angles. The holder may also, optionally, be configured to rotate the knife blade about a third axis perpendicular to a plane defined by the knife blade to adjust an angle of attack of the knife blade relative to the substrate.

Abstract: A tool for cutting a substrate and method of use. The tool has a blade with a distal cutting tip at least one shoulder on one side of and proximal the cutting tip. The cutting tip and shoulder are positioned so that when cutting, at least a portion of the at least one shoulder is in contact with at least one cut edge of the substrate defined by a cut line formed by penetrating the substrate thickness with the cutting tip. A heater heats the blade shoulder to a temperature that causes the portion of the shoulder in contact with the cut edge of the substrate to seal the cut edge. The method includes heating the blade, penetrating the substrate with the cutting tip with a portion of the shoulder contacting the substrate, and moving the blade relative to the substrate.

Abstract: A tool for cutting a substrate and method of use. The tool has a blade with a distal cutting tip at least one shoulder on one side of and proximal the cutting tip. The cutting tip and shoulder are positioned so that when cutting, at least a portion of the at least one shoulder is in contact with at least one cut edge of the substrate defined by a cut line formed by penetrating the substrate thickness with the cutting tip. A heater heats the blade shoulder to a temperature that causes the portion of the shoulder in contact with the cut edge of the substrate to seal the cut edge. The method includes heating the blade, penetrating the substrate with the cutting tip with a portion of the shoulder contacting the substrate, and moving the blade relative to the substrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing a sheet having a printed underside. A gap between a feeder and a processing machine provides visibility to the printed underside, cameras capture images of the printed graphics through the gap, and a processor stitches the captured images together into a continuous image of the printed underside, including registration marks, corners or edges, and a sheet identifier. Processing instructions are retrieved from storage using the detected sheet identifier and are executed along processing paths calculated from detected information regarding locations of the registration marks and the corners or edges. A material guide positioned above the material path may be configured to constrain the sheet vertically as it passes over the gap and to reduce overhead light from interfering with the image capture.

Abstract: A separator (10) for separating waste (820) from product (810; 2302) in a pre-cut substrate (2600) having one or more cut lines. An inlet feeder feeds the substrate (2600) into the separator (10) along a material path. A separation edge (2500) is disposed in a location downstream of the inlet feeder and defines a line below the plane of the material path. A plurality of punch tools (30; 1800; 1900; 2000) above the plane of the material path, upstream of the separation edge (2500), each has an actuator configured to position the tool in an extended configuration with a contact end of the punch tool (30; 1800; 1900; 2000) disposed below the separation edge (2500), and a retracted configuration with the contact end disposed above the plane of the material path.

Abstract: A method for controlling gear-shifting processes of a powershift gearbox which can be coupled to a drive motor and has gear steps including two friction clutches and a plurality of clutches, and at least one gearbox actuator for actuating the gear steps. The method includes the following steps: the torque of the drive motor is received by the new friction clutch associated with the new gear step to be engaged; before the disengagement of the old gear step and before or during the torque reception, a pre-determined pre-tensioning force is applied to the clutch of the old gear step by the gearbox actuator; and the old gear step is disengaged when the motor torque and the clutch torque are balanced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for carrying out gear shifting in a twin-clutch gearbox comprising at least two gearbox input shafts which are respectively coupled to the engine by means of a clutch. According to the invention, after recognizing a desire to change gear, the clutch associated with the active torque transmitting gearbox input shaft is opened until the slip limit is reached and the engine torque is controlled according to the type of shifting in order to achieve the vehicle acceleration desired by the driver.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adapting the clutch characteristics in a twin-clutch system (PSG) which comprises in a first train a first clutch (A) and a first partial transmission (iA) mounted downstream thereof, and in a second train a second clutch (B) and a partial transmission (iB) mounted downstream thereof. The first and the second train can be linked on the input side with a driving engine (M) and on the output side with the wheels of a vehicle. The first clutch (A) is actuated by a first clutch actuating mechanism (KA) and the second clutch (B) is actuated by a second clutch actuating mechanism (KB). A zero adjustment of the hodometry of the first and/or second clutch actuating mechanism (KA; KB) is carried out according to a predetermined strategy subject to predetermined criteria.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling gear-shifting processes of a powershift gearbox which can be coupled to a drive motor and has gear steps comprising two friction clutches and a plurality of clutches, and at least one gearbox actuator for actuating the gear steps. Said method comprises the following steps: the torque of the drive motor is received by the new friction clutch associated with the new gear step to be engaged; before the disengagement of the old gear step and before or during the torque reception, a pre-determined pre-tensioning force is applied to the clutch of the old gear step by means of the gearbox actuator; and the old gear step is disengaged when the motor torque and the clutch torque are balanced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adapting the clutch characteristics in a twin-clutch system (PSG) which comprises in a first train a first clutch (A) and a first partial transmission (iA) mounted downstream thereof, and in a second train a second clutch (B) and a partial transmission (iB) mounted downstream thereof. The first and the second train can be linked on the input side with a driving engine (M) and on the output side with the wheels of a vehicle. The first clutch (A) is actuated by a first clutch actuating mechanism (KA) and the second clutch (B) is actuated by a second clutch actuating mechanism (KB). A zero adjustment of the hodometry of the first and/or second clutch actuating mechanism (KA; KB) is carried out according to a predetermined strategy subject to predetermined criteria.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for carrying out gear shifting in a twin-clutch gearbox comprising at least two gearbox input shafts which are respectively coupled to the engine by means of a clutch. According to the invention, after recognizing a desire to change gear, the clutch associated with the active torque transmitting gearbox input shaft is opened until the slip limit is reached and the engine torque is controlled according to the type of shifting in order to achieve the vehicle acceleration desired by the driver.