Abstract: An apparatus for stacking sheet material that may include a trim section and a stacking section, the stacking section being downstream the trim section for receiving the blanks of sheet material, forming bundles each having a plurality of blanks, and transferring the bundles downstream. The apparatus may further include a plurality of longitudinal positioning systems for independently longitudinally positioning a plurality of components in at least one of upstream or downstream directions so as to create an operator access space. In some embodiments, the apparatus may further include an incline conveyor section downstream the trim section and upstream the stacking section, and the trim section may have a takeaway conveyor for conveying the plurality of blanks of sheet material to the incline conveyor. In certain embodiments, the plurality of longitudinal positioning systems can individually longitudinally position at least two of the takeaway conveyor, the incline conveyor, or the stacking apparatus.

Abstract: Sheet deceleration apparatus and methods for decelerating a sheet of material for use in a sheet stacking or other application. The deceleration apparatus includes a rotatable cam nip, rotatable about a first axis and provided on one side of the travel path, such that the sheet of material can pass by the cam nip. The cam nip includes a lobe end, such that when the lobe end is away from the travel path, the sheet of material can pass substantially unimpeded past the cam nip, and when the lobe end is near the travel path, the sheet of material is nipped by the cam nip decelerating the sheet of material from the first speed to a second speed.

Abstract: Sheet deceleration apparatus and methods for decelerating a sheet of material for use in a sheet stacking or other application. The deceleration apparatus includes a rotatable cam nip, rotatable about a first axis and provided on one side of the travel path, such that the sheet of material can pass by the cam nip. The cam nip includes a lobe end, such that when the lobe end is away from the travel path, the sheet of material can pass substantially unimpeded past the cam nip, and when the lobe end is near the travel path, the sheet of material is nipped by the cam nip decelerating the sheet of material from the first speed to a second speed.

Abstract: Sheet deceleration apparatus and methods for decelerating a sheet of material for use in a sheet stacking or other application. The deceleration apparatus includes a rotatable cam nip, rotatable about a first axis and provided on one side of the travel path, such that the sheet of material can pass by the cam nip. The cam nip includes a lobe end, such that when the lobe end is away from the travel path, the sheet of material can pass substantially unimpeded past the cam nip, and when the lobe end is near the travel path, the sheet of material is nipped by the cam nip decelerating the sheet of material from the first speed to a second speed.

Abstract: A safety system for detecting the presence of an undesired object in a safety area may include a first pair of distance measuring sensors disposed on opposed sides of the conveying path, the pair of distance measuring sensors defining a sensor field between said pair of distance measuring sensors, and an electronic control device operatively coupled to the sensors. The electronic control device may be configured to initiate a machine-stopping sequence based at least in part on signals received from the distance measuring sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking sheet material that may include a trim section and a stacking section, the stacking section being downstream the trim section for receiving the blanks of sheet material, forming bundles each having a plurality of blanks, and transferring the bundles downstream. The apparatus may further include a plurality of longitudinal positioning systems for independently longitudinally positioning a plurality of components in at least one of upstream or downstream directions so as to create an operator access space. In some embodiments, the apparatus may further include an incline conveyor section downstream the trim section and upstream the stacking section, and the trim section may have a takeaway conveyor for conveying the plurality of blanks of sheet material to the incline conveyor. In certain embodiments, the plurality of longitudinal positioning systems can individually longitudinally position at least two of the takeaway conveyor, the incline conveyor, or the stacking apparatus.

Abstract: Sheet deceleration apparatus and methods for decelerating a sheet of material for use in a sheet stacking or other application. The deceleration apparatus includes a rotatable cam nip, rotatable about a first axis and provided on one side of the travel path, such that the sheet of material can pass by the cam nip. The cam nip includes a lobe end, such that when the lobe end is away from the travel path, the sheet of material can pass substantially unimpeded past the cam nip, and when the lobe end is near the travel path, the sheet of material is nipped by the cam nip decelerating the sheet of material from the first speed to a second speed.

Abstract: In one aspect, a programmable load forming system is programmed to perform the method of downloading a calculated path from the computer to the robot controller, moving one or more bundles along the calculated path to position the one or more bundles in a predetermined stacking position of a stacking pattern using the robot, and determining if the robot has completed moving along the calculated path. The calculated path is defined, in part, by the stacking pattern and other parameters such as, for example, bundle geometry, bundle levelness, bundle compressibility, among other parameters. In another aspect, the system is programmed to perform a method of sensing the top of a bundle and controllably placing a bundle. Additional aspects are directed to systems and methods of safely operating the robot and an inventive hopper design for holding bottom/tie sheets.

Abstract: A safety system for detecting the presence of an undesired object in a safety area may include a first pair of distance measuring sensors disposed on opposed sides of the conveying path, the pair of distance measuring sensors defining a sensor field between said pair of distance measuring sensors, and an electronic control device operatively coupled to the sensors. The electronic control device may be configured to initiate a machine-stopping sequence based at least in part on signals received from the distance measuring sensors.