Abstract: A bead forming system for forming a tire bead may include the following: a housing, a first bead former configured to facilitate the formation of the tire bead, and a base secured to the first bead former, where the first bead former includes a bead-receiving surface that is rotatable relative to the base. The base may be adjustable such that the first bead former is movable from a first position to a second position. The first position may be on a first side of the housing, and the second position may be on a second side of the housing. A second bead former may be located in the second position when the first bead former is located in the first position, where the second bead former is located in the first position when the first bead former is located in the second position.

Abstract: A test sample handling system for transporting test samples to a testing mechanism comprises a rotary sample holder including a carrier cylinder configured to rotate about a central rotational axis thereof and a carrier arm adjustable between a retracted position and an extended position. A carrier is configured to support one of the test samples and is removably coupled to the carrier cylinder. A lifter mechanism is adjustable between a lowered position and a raised position with the adjustment of the carrier arm from the retracted position to the extended position including a decoupling of the carrier from the carrier cylinder and a transporting of the carrier and the corresponding one of the samples to a position above the lifter mechanism. An adjustment of the lifter mechanism from the lowered position to the raised position includes a removal of the one of the samples from being supported by the carrier.

Abstract: A fiber laying machine for producing laid fiber scrims has a tool table for positioning a mold, said tool table being linearly displaceable in an x direction by means of an x carriage and being pivotable about a vertical pivot axis. Arranged above the tool table is a fiber laying head which is linearly displaceable transversely to the x direction by means of a y carriage. Since the fiber laying head is linearly displaceable, the arrangement of the tool table on the machine frame is comparatively easy, and so laid fiber scrims are producible quickly and efficiently. In particular, automatic loading and unloading of the tool table is easily possible.

Abstract: Techniques are described for applying an edge sealant to the edge of a multi-layer optical device. In particular, embodiments provide an apparatus that performs a precision measurement of the perimeter of an eyepiece, applying the edge sealant (e.g., polymer) based on the precision-measured perimeter, and subsequently cures the edge sealant, using ultraviolet (UV) light that is directed at the edge sealant. The curing process may be performed within a short time following the application of the edge sealant, to ensure that any wicking of the edge sealant between the layers of the eyepiece is controlled to be no greater than a particular depth tolerance. In some examples, the edge sealant is applied to the optical device prevent, or at least reduce, the leakage of light from the optical device, and also to ensure and maintain the structure of the multi-layer optical device.

Abstract: There is provided a lay-up head for applying elongate fibre reinforcement material to an application surface. The lay-up head comprises a support head having a transverse axis, a dispensing mechanism carried by the support head for dispensing elongate fibre reinforcement material, and a roller for pressing elongate fibre composite material against the application surface. The roller is tiltable with respect to the support head such that the roller axis can be angled with respect to the transverse axis of support head. The lay-up head also comprises a holding mechanism operable to hold the roller in a central position in which the roller axis is parallel to the transverse axis of the support head.

Abstract: An automated fiber placement (AFP) and in-situ fiber impregnation system includes a feeder, a resin dispenser, and a compaction roller. The feeder feeds a tow of fiber from a fiber supply toward a forming tool. The resin dispenser deposits resin onto the forming tool in front of the compaction roller. The compaction roller moves over the tow along the forming tool so as to press the tow onto the resin such that the compaction roller impregnates the resin into the tow a direction away from the forming tool via compaction forces immediately after the resin is deposited by the resin dispenser.

Abstract: An automatic mechanical spool changer for 3-D printers includes a filament guide and a pre-loading device. The input to the filament guide receives at least a primary filament from a primary spool and a secondary filament from a secondary spool. The output from the filament guide connects to an extruder, and the output from the filament guide sequentially and automatically provides the primary filament and then the secondary filament to the extruder. The pre-loading device exerts a pre-loaded force on the secondary filament during the extrusion of the primary filament. After the primary filament passes a predetermined location within the filament guide, the force exerted on the secondary filament threads the secondary filament through the output of the filament guide and into the extruder.

Abstract: Interlaminar features of a composite structure are laid up by placing and steering individual chopped fiber pre-preg segments onto a substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a strapping device for strapping packaged goods with a strapping band, said strapping device being provided with a connecting device (5) designed as an ultrasonic welding device (9) in order to form a closure. The ultrasonic welding device (9) is provided with a sonotrode device (13) to which ultrasound generated by an ultrasound converter (10) can be transmitted, and the sonotrode device (13) has a contact surface (21, 24) in a provided region which contacts the strapping band. The contact surface is designed to contact a surface of the strapping band, and the sonotrode device (13) is designed to produce ultrasonic vibrations by means of the contact surface. The aim of the invention is to allow a more compact design for such strapping devices. This is achieved in that the contact surface (21, 24) of the sonotrode (11) is aligned at an angle ? which deviates from a right angle relative to the provided vibration direction of the sonotrode (11).

Abstract: A lamination head has a material supply drum, a backing layer collection drum, and a backing layer separation assembly. The material supply drum supports a material roll of backed material comprising layup material backed by a backing layer. The backing layer collection drum moves from a collection drum home position to a collection drum engagement position proximate the material supply drum, engage a backing layer leading edge on the material roll, and moves back to the collection drum home position while dispensing a threadable portion of at least the backing layer. The backing layer separation assembly has a backing layer separation device and a backing layer separation mechanism. The backing layer separation device translates from a separation device home position to a separation device engagement position and pulls the threadable portion into proximity to the backing layer separation mechanism for separating the backing layer from the layup material.

Abstract: An automated fiber placement (AFP) and in-situ fiber impregnation system includes a feeder, a resin dispenser, and a compaction roller. The feeder feeds a tow of fiber from a fiber supply toward a forming tool. The resin dispenser deposits resin onto the forming tool in front of the compaction roller. The compaction roller moves over the tow along the forming tool so as to press the tow onto the resin such that the compaction roller impregnates the resin into the tow a direction away from the forming tool via compaction forces immediately after the resin is deposited by the resin dispenser.

Abstract: A system including a dual cure composite structure is disclosed. The system also includes a first layer comprising a resin having a first and a second functional group. The system further includes a second layer comprising the resin having the first and the second functional group. The system also includes a third layer comprising the resin having the first and the second functional group. The system further includes a first covalent bond across an interface of the first and the second layer and a second covalent bond across another interface of the second and the third layer. The system further includes more than two layers comprising the resin having the first and second functional group. A method of manufacturing a system including a dual cure composite structure is also disclosed. The method includes providing a first layer comprising a resin having a first functional group and a second functional group. The method also includes applying a first curing source to partially cure the first layer.

Abstract: A method for initial separation of an adhered backing film from an uncured pre-impregnated composite lamina having an edge includes exposing and supporting the edge of the composite lamina, and applying an impact force to the exposed edge with an automated tool. The impact force is sufficient to cause delamination of the backing film from the composite lamina without damaging the lamina.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for fabricating adhesive bonded joints while minimizing the voids and/or porosity found in the cured bondline. In accordance with various embodiments, the apparatus comprises an evacuation chamber combined with a pressure inducing device to produce bonded joints that are both void free and thoroughly compacted. The surfaces to be bonded are continuously evacuated throughout the bonding process (pre-mating, mating, debulking and cure). Continuous evacuation is provided via standard vacuum, while the induced pressure can be pneumatically or mechanically provided.

Abstract: A printer includes: a media tray; a picker; a media guide for guiding the media sheets around a media feed path towards a print zone; a main drive roller assembly positioned upstream of the print zone; and an intermediary drive roller assembly positioned between the picker and the main drive roller assembly. The intermediary drive roller assembly includes: an intermediary idler roller mounted on an intermediary idler shaft; and an intermediary drive roller having a gripping surface engaged with the intermediary idler roller. An intermediary drive shaft is pivotally connected to a support shaft via a swing arm, such that the intermediary drive shaft is arcuately moveable relative to the intermediary idler shaft to provide a variable distance therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus including: a first bonding unit that at least partially bonds a first separator strip and a second separator strip in a width direction at a first position; a first feeding unit that supplies the first separator strip to the first position; a second feeding unit that supplies the second separator strip to the first position so as to make an angle to the first separator strip; and a third feeding unit that supplies, in synchronization with timing of bonding of the first separator strip and the second separator strip in the width direction at the first position, an electrode sheet to the first position so as to be between the first separator strip and the second separator strip and make an angle to the first separator strip and the second separator strip respectively.

Abstract: There is described a method for applying foil material (200) onto successive sheets (S), especially sheets for the production of securities, such as banknotes. In a first step, individual sheets (S) are transported in succession along a sheet transport path. In a second step, at least one continuous band of foil material (200) is applied onto the individual sheets (S) along a direction substantially parallel to a direction of displacement (A) of the individual sheets, thereby forming a continuous flow of sheets linked to one another by the said at least one continuous band of foil material (200). In a third step, the said at least one continuous band of foil material (200) is cut by means of a laser beam (L) such that the continuous flow of sheets is again separated into individual sheets (S) with portions of foil material (200*) remaining on the sheet.

Abstract: An exemplary package-sealing method and system involves sealing a package with adhesive tape such that a pull cord is sandwiched between the tape and the package. A tape head includes a roll of tape and a pull cord spool, and a collar guide that helps position the pull cord between the tape's sides. Forward and rear applying rollers press leading and trailing edges of the tape, respectively, against the package being sealed. A tape blade and a pull cord blade secured to a cutting arm sever the pull cord before severing the tape, leaving a pull tab that extends out from beneath the tape when the package is sealed. The pull tab allows a user to conveniently unseal the package by grasping the pull cord and pulling thereon to separate the tape from the package without using sharp objects, enhancing user safety and reducing accidental damage to packages.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining substrates including a rotating drum. The drum may include an outer circumferential surface and a drum aperture in the drum outer circumferential surface. The drum may be configured to continuously advance substrates. A fluid nozzle may be moveably connected to the drum and located radially inward from the drum aperture. The fluid nozzle may be adapted to direct a fluid radially outward through the drum aperture toward the substrates. The fluid may have a temperature sufficient to at least partially melt the substrates. An anvil roll may be located adjacent the drum. The anvil roll may be adapted to rotate about an axis of rotation. A press member may be moveably connected to the drum and located radially inward from the drum aperture. The press member adapted to extend through the drum aperture to compress the substrates between the anvil roll to form a bond.

Abstract: A first base is interfolded along a folding line 1c extending in a flow direction thereof, one portion 1a of two portions divided by the folding line of the first base overlaps with a second base so as to be sealed thereto, a laminated structure formed by the first to third bases is punched into a predetermined shape so as to include the folding line portion, and a handle portion is formed by sealed portions of the first and second bases.

Abstract: A collection bobbin is provided on a vertical line that travels a center of a supply bobbin. A pair of connection mechanisms is provided at front both sides of a tape housing chamber. An adhesive tape transport carriage with connection portions at a forward end of a carriage frame is connected to the connection mechanisms in the apparatus body. Loading of a master roll of an adhesive tape to the supply bobbin and unloading of a roll of a residual cut tape may be performed at the same position.

Abstract: A labeling applicator having a suction plate (21) including a pair of divided bodies (21b, 21c) movable relatively to two positions, i.e., a contact position (S) where the opposing end faces facing each other move toward contact while sucking a first surface side of a label (L) to which an RFID tag is attached and a separated position (V) where the opposing end faces are separated from each other, wherein a portion (2) of the label (L) is folded in a peak by the end faces of the divided bodies (21b, 21c) facing each other as a divided body (21c) moves, thus forming a folded portion (M) having a bend or curved position (7) on the proximal end, before labeling an article (W). A non-abutting portion (20) is provided by cutting the edge of each split body (21b, 21c) corresponding to the bend (7) on the proximal end of the folded portion (M) such that the end faces of the divided bodies (21b, 21c) do not abut when the end faces move toward contact.

Abstract: Personal sanitary items are manufactured by a machine comprising a first feed system (2) directing a first continuous web (3) of material along a given feed path (P), a device (9) serving to make a succession of absorbent pads and apply the single pads to the first web (3) of material, and a second feed system (19) supplying a second continuous web (20) of material that is bonded ultimately to the first web (3), with the pads sandwiched between, to produce a continuous succession of sanitary items. The pad-making device (9) comprises at least one cutter (12) by which a continuous band (11) of absorbent material is divided up to produce the succession of pads, and the feed path (P) follows a convoluted trajectory substantially of “S” configuration.

Abstract: There is described a method for applying foil material (200) onto successive sheets (S), especially sheets of securities. In a first step, individual sheets (S) are transported in succession along a sheet transport path. In a second step, at least one continuous band of foil material (200) is applied onto the individual sheets (S) along a direction substantially parallel to a direction of displacement of the individual sheets, thereby forming a continuous flow of sheets linked to one another by the said at least one continuous band of foil material (200). In a third step, the said at least one continuous band of foil material (200) is cut by means of a laser beam such that the continuous flow of sheets is again separated into individual sheets (S) with portions of foil material (200*) remaining on the sheet. The cutting is performed at positions located on the sheets (S) such that said portions of foil material (200*) remaining on the sheets do not extend beyond leading and trailing edges of the sheets (S).

Abstract: A method of applying a spacer to a glass sheet while forming an insulating glazing unit includes the step of integrating the application of the sealant to the spacer body with the automated manufacturing process. The sealant is applied to the spacer body on line so that the sealant-laden spacer body may be applied to the glass without manually handling the sealant.

Abstract: Disclosed is a apparatus for manufacturing pole-piece pockets, comprising a framework, an pole-piece supplying assembly, an pole-piece transporting and regulating assembly, a vertically thermal-welding assembly, a transversely thermal-welding assembly, a film clamping and drawing assembly, and a film cutting assembly for cutting the films. The vertically thermal-welding assembly comprises a press welding cutter having two blades for simultaneously welding the two lateral edges of the pole-piece pocket. The transversely thermal-welding assembly comprises a first thermal welding cutter for welding the base of the pole-piece pocket and a second thermal welding cutter for welding the opening of the pole-piece pocket. The press welding cutter has two blades so that the two lateral edges of a pole-piece pocket can be welded in just one welding operation. Thus, the parallelity and welding consistency of the welding joints can be ensured.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing coated profile members (10), wherein a foil (16, 36) is cut to a predetermined width and wrapped around the profile member so as to form a butt seam extending in a longitudinal direction of the profile member, and the foil (16, 36) is cut by a cutting beam (24) in a condition in which an edge strip of the foil projects beyond the profile member (10), while a face of the profile member is used as reference for the position of the cutting beam.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for assembling absorbent articles, and more particularly, methods and apparatuses for severing elastic in an advancing elastic laminate. A continuous elastic laminate may be formed by bonding elastic strands between a first continuous substrate layer and a second continuous substrate layer. As discussed in more detail below, the continuous elastic laminate may advance through a cutting apparatus that intermittently deactivates or severs the elastic strands of the elastic laminate along the machine direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting and cutting tubular cores (1) for supporting rolls of wound material comprising a loading station (80), comprising a rolling cradle consisting of two parallel and horizontal rollers (10 and 11), a star-shaped driven supplier (4), having, for example, four continuous protrusions (2) that allow to load tubular cores of different lengths. The rollers (10 and 11) of the rolling cradle are arranged along a longitudinal direction (16). The apparatus comprises a pusher (5) that acts against a rear end of the core (1), once it has been loaded on the rolling cradle (10, 11), in order to bring a front end of a loaded core in a connecting station (60) where it is present the rear end of a core portion to connect, loaded previously. The pusher (5) comprises an approaching element (9) with vertical idle rollers (7 and 8).

Abstract: A seal agent D and liquid crystal C are clamped to a lower substrate 6, a pair of the lower substrate 7 and an upper substrate 7 are laminated with the seal agent D and the liquid crystal C interposed therebetween, and at least one of the pair of substrates is a roll-shaped long flexible resin film. When the substrates are laminated, the lower substrate 6 on one hand is aligned to the upper substrate 7 on the other hand in every arbitrary length. With this arrangement, productivity can be improved as well as a positional dislocation due to accumulation of positioning errors can be prevented.

Abstract: Tape heating means is allowed to come close to an adhesive tape for support and, in a heating state, the adhesive tape for support is stretched and tensioned with proper tension in a tape width direction and a transport direction. A heated work is bonded to an adhesive face of the tensioned adhesive tape for support, thereby supporting the work.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tag ablation mechanism and a tag-and-tape combination apparatus using the same, wherein a driving gear is actuated to rotate by a rotating device by way of a lever to drive a driven gear to rotate so as to ablate a tag from a bottom paper extended from a tag roll on the driven gear. In the present invention, an ablated tag is capable of being combined with a tape so that the tag attached to the tape can be adhered to a packaged object. The mechanism and apparatus of the present invention are capable of adjusting a rotating arc length so as to handle various tags with different sizes and lengths and to complete tag ablation and tag-and-tape combination in each driving operation.

Abstract: This invention provides a product comprised of a substrate with a rubber composition attached to the substrate by at least one interlayer of a polysilsesquioxane composition having phosphate cross-linkages. The at least one polysilsesquioxane layer having phosphate cross-linkages is produced from a mixture of a silane coupling agent and a phosphatizing reagent.

Abstract: Methods and systems for making an improved integrated shipping label and packing list form. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, such a form comprises a first sheet material, a second sheet material, and a third sheet material. The sheet materials are joined together with the first sheet material between the other two sheet materials. Lines of weakness defining at least one shipping label and packing list label are cut into the joined together sheet materials.

Abstract: Some methods, and corresponding apparatus, for manufacturing photovoltaic subassemblies cause a plurality of desiccant beads to be adhered to an adhesive surface of sheet-like material; the sheet-like material is then, preferably, adhered to an exposed surface of a flexible and electrically non-conductive film, that covers a photovoltaic coating of a first substrate of the subassembly, such that the desiccant beads are held between the sheet-like material and the exposed surface. Some other methods, either alternatively or in addition to the above, include steps for applying the film, that covers the photovoltaic coating, wherein an opening, through the film, is cut, and then aligned, with lead wires of the photovoltaic coating, in the midst of applying the film.

Abstract: In a film bonding machine 1 including a laser oscillation means 2 for oscillating laser for processing a tape 7 bonded onto an end surface 8 of a columnar honeycomb structural body 6 by the laser oscillated from the laser oscillation means 2, the film bonding machine 1 further includes an image pick-up means 3 having a moving type or tilt type mirror 4 capable of reflecting the end surface 8 of the honeycomb structural body 6 onto the same axis as the laser oscillation means 2 by reflected light and an image pick-up unit 5 for picking up the image of the end surface 8 of the honeycomb structural body 6 reflected by the mirror 4. In the film bonding machine 1, the processing position of the tape 7 bonded onto the end surface 8 of the honeycomb structural body 6 can be recognized by the image-pick means 3 on the same axis as the laser oscillation means 2. As a result, the tape bonded onto the end surface of the honeycomb structural body can be accurately processed by the laser.

Abstract: The invention relates to a complex section (1) consisting of a metal section (2) covered with a metal foil (3). It is characterized in that the foil (3) has a higher surface hardness than the section (2) and in that the foil (3) adheres to the section (2) at all points on one of its faces. It also relates to a method of coating sections (2), which consists in conveying them, one after another, in successively applying to them, after shaping, a continuous strip (5) of a material (3) for bonding it to each section, in order to cover it, characterized in that these sections (2) are conveyed with a gap between them, in that, after adhesion, the respective downstream (6 A) and upstream (7B) ends of two successive sections (2A, 2B) are identified and in that two separate cutting operations, according to their spacing, are carried out thereon.

Abstract: Strips containers are formed using two continuous webs in thermoformable and heat-sealable material facing each other. The webs are indexed along a feed line through different operating stations that transform the webs into a continuous strip of containers, each one of which is provided with a mouth. The containers are arranged according to two parallel rows that are opposed to a longitudinal median zone. The mouths of the containers of the upper row are arranged on the upper longitudinal edge of the strip and face upwards, whilst the mouths of the containers of the lower row are arranged on the lower longitudinal edge and face downwards. The method enables productivity to be increased and waste to be reduced.

Abstract: A sheet cutter cuts an adhesion sheet and includes a pair of blades including a first blade including a blade edge and a second blade opposing the first blade and including a blade edge. The pair of blades cuts a border of the adhesion sheet. The adhesion sheet is formed by adhering a first sheet, at least a part of which is transparent and bears a mirror image, to a non-transparent second sheet including an adhesive layer, to oppose the mirror image on the first sheet against the adhesive layer of the second sheet.

Abstract: A chuck table is configured with a table main body having a wafer placement part holding a wafer placed thereon, and an annular tape support frame provided outside the wafer placement part with a cutter blade traveling groove being interposed therebetween. The tape support frame has, at a top face thereof, a plurality of linear grooves arranged in parallel in a tape joining direction, a large number of linear tape support parts each located between the linear grooves, and an annular tape support part supporting the protective tape at an outer side of the cutter blade traveling groove.

Abstract: In a state that a reference plane of a cutter holder, to which a cutter blade is attached, is brought into contact with a surface of a base of a supporting adhesive tape, the cutter blade cuts the supporting adhesive tape while the reference plane of the cutter holder follows the surface of the base. Herein, a cutting edge of the cutter blade passes by a joining interface between the supporting adhesive tape and a ring frame without penetrating through an adhesive layer of the supporting adhesive tape.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a device and method for attaching a tab to an elongate length of double-sided adhesive tape, the tab protruding beyond a terminal end of the elongate length of tape and being attached to both surfaces of the adhesive tape.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for making a disposable bodily fluid handling composite pad having thickness-reduced regions on longitudinally opposite ends. The disposable bodily fluid absorbing composite pad 10 comprises a bodily fluid absorbing first pad 11 and a bodily fluid absorbing second pad 12 seperably attached to the first pad 11. A continuous web having continuous bodily fluid absorbing layer and bodily fluid impervious layer permanently attached together is fed to pass through paired compression rolls to obtain a worked web formed in regions which will become ends 11c, 11d of the first pad 11 with thickness-reduced regions 23, 24. A bodily fluid absorbing web is seperably attached to the worked web to obtain a first composite web. A bodily fluid impervious web, pressure-sensitive adhesive and a separator are placed on the bodily fluid absorbing web of the first composite web to obtain a second composite web from which the composite pad 10 is cut out.

Abstract: A cut device for a label printer is a cut device installed in front of a main body of a label printer; it mainly includes: a base, an accepting space being indented on the top end thereof and a long slot being opened on the face thereof; a fixed type cutting tool, installed under the long slot; a movable cutting tool, installed below the accepting space of the base and positioned above the long slot; an acting mechanism, received in the accepting space of the base, the bottom thereof being connected with the movable cutting tool; after a label paper is output from the main body to the long slot of said base, the acting mechanism drives the movable cutting tool connected thereto to move downward to contact with the fixed type cutting tool face to face by pressing the acting mechanism such that the label paper is cut off.

Abstract: There is described a method for applying foil material onto successive sheets, especially sheets of securities. In a first step, individual sheets are transported in succession along a sheet transport path. In a second step, at least one continuous band of foil material is applied onto the individual sheets along a direction substantially parallel to a direction of displacement of the individual sheets, thereby forming a continuous flow of sheets linked to one another by the said at least one continuous band of foil material. In a third step, the said at least one continuous band of foil material is cut such that the continuous flow of sheets is again separated into individual sheets with portions of foil material remaining on the sheet. The cutting is performed at positions located on the sheets such that said portions of foil material remaining on the sheets do not extend beyond leading and trailing edges of the sheets. There is also described an installation for carrying out the above method.

Abstract: There is described a method for applying foil material (200) onto successive sheets (S), especially sheets of securities. In a first step, individual sheets (S) are transported in succession along a sheet transport path. In a second step, at least one continuous band of foil material (200) is applied onto the individual sheets (S) along a direction substantially parallel to a direction of displacement of the individual sheets, thereby forming a continuous flow of sheets linked to one another by the said at least one continuous band of foil material (200). In a third step, the said at least one continuous band of foil material (200) is cut such that the continuous flow of sheets is again separated into individual sheets (S) with portions of foil material (200*) remaining on the sheet. The cutting is performed at positions located on the sheets (S) such that said portions of foil material (200*) remaining on the sheets do not extend beyond leading and trailing edges of the sheets (S).

Abstract: A sheet sticking apparatus comprises a sheet feed-out unit 12 including a peel plate 22 for peeling off an adhesive sheet S from a release liner PS; and a press roller 14 for pressing the adhesive sheet S onto a wafer W supported by a table 13 to stick the sheet thereto, wherein the peel plate 22 is supported movably forward and backward by a cylinder 50. The peel plate 22 is arranged so that the initial position of the front end is adjusted forward/backward corresponding to the size of the wafer W or the size of the table 13 supporting the same.

Abstract: An outer edge of a protective tape projected from a semiconductor wafer is fixed and held by a tape holding section. In the condition, a part of the projected protective tape is caught and supported with a tape supporting section with a face having lower adhesive property provided in the outside of the traveling groove for the cutter. Furthermore, the part of the protective tape having the outer edge fixed and held with the tape holding section is compulsorily deformed and inserted into a depression provided between the tape holding section and the tape supporting section. Thereby, the part of the protective tape located in a traveling groove for the cutter is tensioned outward. A cutter blade is stuck into this tensioned part, and cuts the protective tape all over the peripheries of the wafer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided, for selectively clamping a fiber tow against a support in a fiber placement head, in a manner allowing one-way motion of the tow in a forward direction from an input side to an output side of the support, and precluding motion of the tow in a reverse direction from the output side to the input side of the support, through use of a tow catch apparatus mounted on the fiber placement head, at a position along the forward path of the tow before the shears and clamps of a cut/add mechanism.

Abstract: A strip-shaped supporting adhesive tape is joined to a ring frame, and then is stuck with a cutter blade such that the cutter blade penetrates the adhesive tape. In a state where a cutting edge of the cutter blade is brought into contact with a tape joined side of the ring frame, thereafter, the adhesive tape is cut along a contour of the ring frame while electric current is fed to each of the cutter blade and the ring frame. Herein, a sensor monitors a conduction status in real time.