Abstract: A system is provided that can automatically calibrate or define a home or initial position of a moveable component of an industrial machine. During the calibration procedure, an actuator may be operated in a low speed and/or low torque mode to drive the component until the component contacts a mechanical stop. This provides a hard-stop of the component's movement while the actuator attempts to further drive the component, which creates a stall condition of the actuator. A control system monitors that actuator's performance characteristics and is configured to identify an anomalous performance characteristic(s) value that corresponds to the actuator's stall condition as a triggering event. When the control system identifies the triggering event, it defines the component's position as a null point and determines a zero point to define an initial operational position of the component as a function of the null point.

Abstract: A lift mechanism for simplifying the raising and lowering of a machine component has a base and a frame structure. The lift mechanism may include a lift arrangement interposed between the base and the frame structure that allows for the raising and lowering of the frame structure about a single lift point. The lift mechanism may also include various shafts, drive members, links, and arms, which in combination translate rotational movement of a motor into linear vertical motion. For instance, a drive link and an arm may be rotatably attached to one another, as well as a drive shaft and a second shaft. Additionally, a drive member may be associated with the motor. In operation, the drive member may be rotated by the motor, and a drive belt transmits rotation of the drive member to the drive shaft, the second shaft, the drive link, and the arm.

Abstract: A web material advancement arrangement is provided with an entry drive system. The web material advancement arrangement can receive a web material from a storage roll and advance the web material through a machine, such as a packaging machine. The entry drive system may be arranged at the entry end of the web material advancement arrangement to push the web material in a downstream direction from the entry end toward the exit end of the web material advancement arrangement The entry drive system may include a motor that simultaneously rotates a pair of drive sprockets which may push clip assemblies that carry outer edges of a web material so that rotation of the drive sprockets pushes the web material in a downstream direction.

Abstract: A lift mechanism for simplifying the raising and lowering of a machine component has a base and a frame structure. The lift mechanism may include a lift arrangement interposed between the base and the frame structure that allows for the raising and lowering of the frame structure about a single lift point. The lift mechanism may also include various shafts, drive members, links, and arms, which in combination translate rotational movement of a motor into linear vertical motion. For instance, a drive link and an arm may be rotatably attached to one another, as well as a drive shaft and a second shaft. Additionally, a drive member may be associated with the motor. In operation, the drive member may be rotated by the motor, and a drive belt transmits rotation of the drive member to the drive shaft, the second shaft, the drive link, and the arm.

Abstract: A web material advancement arrangement is provided with an entry drive system. The web material advancement arrangement can receive a web material from a storage roll and advance the web material through a machine, such as a packaging machine. The entry drive system may be arranged at the entry end of the web material advancement arrangement to push the web material in a downstream direction from the entry end toward the exit end of the web material advancement arrangement The entry drive system may include a motor that simultaneously rotates a pair of drive sprockets which may push clip assemblies that carry outer edges of a web material so that rotation of the drive sprockets pushes the web material in a downstream direction.