Abstract: An apparatus for laser processing of very wide non-woven fabric materials at high speeds. This invention enables a laser beam to sever, perforate and pattern a large piece of fabric materials planarly disposed at regular or irregular spatial intervals over the entire width while the fabric passes from one roller to another roller at high speeds by precisely managing focus and intensity of the beam at the focal point on the web. A control system managing the laser processing system enables rapid reconfiguration of perforation patterns. The fabric can be woven or nonwoven, homogeneous or nonhomogeneous material with uniform or nonuniform thickness. An optical sensor is provided to sense the laser processing as it is performed and provide feedback to a system controller to optimize laser processing performance in real time.

Abstract: An apparatus for laser processing of very wide non-woven fabric materials at high speeds. This invention enables a laser beam to sever, perforate and pattern a large piece of fabric materials planarly disposed at regular or irregular spatial intervals over the entire width while the fabric passes from one roller to another roller at high speeds by precisely managing focus and intensity of the beam at the focal point on the web. A control system managing the laser processing system enables rapid reconfiguration of perforation patterns. The fabric can be woven or nonwoven, homogeneous or nonhomogeneous material with uniform or nonuniform thickness. An optical sensor is provided to sense the laser processing as it is performed and provide feedback to a system controller to optimize laser processing performance in real time.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing the tail end of a spirally wound roll of nonwoven, polymer-based material to the roll to preclude unintended unwinding of the roll, the apparatus comprising a winding assembly for forming about a winding axis a spirally wound roll with a tail end, a fixture for a roll tacking assembly with an ultrasonic tool oscillating on an oscillating axis, and a fixture for moving the tool into momentary tangential contact with an outermost winding layer of the roll in a manner that orients the oscillating axis orthogonally to the winding axis. The apparatus implements a method of locating the tail end of the spirally wound roll and orienting the tail end in relation to the securing tool.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing the tail end of a spirally wound roll of nonwoven, polymer-based material to the roll to preclude unintended unwinding of the roll, the apparatus comprising a winding assembly for forming about a winding axis a spirally wound roll with a tail end, a fixture for a roll tacking assembly with an ultrasonic tool oscillating on an oscillating axis, and a fixture for moving the tool into momentary tangential contact with an outermost winding layer of the roll in a manner that orients the oscillating axis orthogonally to the winding axis. The apparatus implements a method of locating the tail end of the spirally wound roll and orienting the tail end in relation to the securing tool.