Abstract: A control unit of an image forming device determines a remaining amount threshold value and selects a first mode or a second mode. In the first mode, a sheet feeding unit of the image forming device starts feeding a sheet based on presence/absence of an insertion sheet that is to be inserted by an inserter device immediately prior to a sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit. In the second mode, the sheet feeding unit starts feeding a sheet regardless of presence/absence of an insertion sheet that is to be inserted by the inserter device immediately prior to a sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit.

Abstract: A printer includes a casing, a print mechanism disposed inside the casing, and a paper tray. A conveying route extends from the tray to the print mechanism, with a first roller disposed adjacent the tray to feed a sheet from the tray to the conveying route. A second roller is disposed in the conveying route and conveys the sheet fed by the first roller to the print mechanism. A driving source provides a driving source to the first roller and the second roller. A controller is configured to, in response to a printing request, apply the driving force from the driving source to the first and second rollers such that the first and second rollers rotate. In response to a magnitude of a load of the driving source, the controller applies the driving force to the second roller such that the second roller rotates, and the controller does not apply the driving source to the first roller such that the first roller does not rotate.

Abstract: A dunnage discharge chute includes features designed to prevent injury to an operator of a dunnage producing machine. The dunnage discharge chute includes at least one door with sensors that monitor the position of the door and output position signals. The position signals are received by a controller which outputs a control signal that disables operation of the dunnage producing machine based at least in part on a change in the position signals over a predetermined period of time. Additional sensors may detect whether the door is open beyond an upper open position, and a relay may disable operation of the dunnage producing machine immediately if the door is opened beyond the upper open position. Thus, if the operator reaches in through the door, the dunnage discharge chute will disable operation of the dunnage producing machine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting a die from damage due to material jams in material stamping equipment wherein feed material is stamped in a die and then advanced through the die by action of press feed rolls powered by a press feed roll drive motor. The position error of the press feed rolls or the torque of the press feed roll drive motor is monitored during the advance of the feed material through the die. The monitored position error of the press feed rolls or the monitored torque of the press feed roll drive motor is then compared to the expected position error of the press feed rolls or the expected torque of the press feed roll motor, respectively.

Abstract: A device for the efficient automatic controlling of the speed of a vehicle through a brake-pedal interface via an electronic switch to a vehicle's cruise control system, and the method for operating that device. The switch connects to the vehicle's brake pedal whereby successive taps of the pedal signal and control the cruise control through the switch.

Abstract: A method of minimizing scrap loss in making a drawn container in a multi-die set cupping or end shell press which includes monitoring the sheet for defects before entering the press. The monitor is adapted to detect a defect, send a signal to a control when such defect is detected, and the control thereafter interrupts the operation of the punch of at least the die set in line with the defect when the portion of the sheet having the defect therein enters the die set and suspends such operation until the defect passes through the die set.

Abstract: A sensor element and a counter-element are arranged opposite one another on opposite sides of a stream of printed products or the like. The sensor element is a deflecting feeler element. In order to detect multiple occupied positions and still be able to transport the stream of printed products practically without permanent contact by the sensor element in the absence of multiple occupied positions, the counter-element is intermittently advanced toward the side of the product stream opposite the sensor element at the tempo of the sequential or successive continuously transported printed products. The least distance between the undeflected sensor element and the counter-element in its advanced position corresponds to the thickness of one of the printed products or to an integer multiple thereof. A signal generator is associated with the sensor element and responds to its deflection.

Abstract: A sensor senses the height of a stack of sheets in a magazine. The sensed height is scaled according to the thickness of individual sheets to determine the number of sheets available. At the start of a run of, for example, a copying machine, the number of sheets available is compared to the number of sheets required to complete the run and, if the number available is insufficient, an indication of this fact is given to the operator and an inhibit device may prevent operation of the copying machine. In one embodiment, a counter causes a sampling circuit to determine and display the number of sheets available at predetermined intervals, preferably at the beginning and end of each run.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for clearing jams in the transport path of a copier includes the steps of sensing a jam, clustering in-process sheets either at the jam location or at an area upstream of the jam location while simultaneously allowing sheets downstream from the jam location to continue out into a catch tray and removing the jam sheets after the last downstream sheet has exited the copier and the machine has stopped.

Abstract: A mistake detector for an In-Line Inserter includes complementary metallic detecting rolls positioned slightly downstream of ejection rolls of a pull-foot sheet feeding system. One of the detecting rolls is moveable and is attached to a detection feeler which is positioned between detection points. The detection points are also moveably mounted so that their positions can be overridden by excessive movement of the detection feeler.

Abstract: A proximity caliper for sensing the correct thickness of printed signatures is mounted on an apparatus for feeding printed sheets. A metal gripper which retains a signature against a rotatable drum traverses the caliper as the drum transfers the signature from one point to another. The proximity of the metal gripper with respect to the caliper is a function of signature thickness. Hence, the signature having too many or too few pages is detected. The proximity caliper includes at least two proximity sensors which do not come in contact with the metal gripper. The position of the sensors is adjustable with respect to the rotatable drum to accommodate signatures having a wide range of different thicknesses. The sensors are also adjustable with respect to each other to control the sensing tolerance. Signatures of the correct thickness are transferred by the drum and normal operation of the feeding apparatus proceeds. Signatures which are detected as having an incorrect number of pages may be removed.

Abstract: A controller for stopping a punch press when a stock material becomes jammed, includes: translating means for converting the motion of the stock material exiting from the punch press to rotational motion of rotating means which is operatively associated with said translating means, and a movable element, operatively associated with said rotating means. The rotational motion of rotating means produces centrifugal force which keeps the movable element in an operating position. As the stock material buckles or becomes jammed in the press, the motion of the exiting stock material ceases, causing a decrease in and/or subsequently elimination of the angular velocity of the rotating means and therefore a decrease in the magnitude of the centrifugal force. When the centrifugal force diminishes by a predetermined amount or is entirely eliminated, the movable element moves from the operating position to stopping position.

Abstract: A single revolution mechanism is disclosed in which a feed roll is mounted on a print lever which is attached rotatably to a pivot. By rotating the lever, the feed roll can be brought into contact with an external driving shaft. The feed roll is coupled to a ratchet mechanism comprising a pawl and ratchet. The pawl is engaged with a spring urged pressure lever so that when the feed roll is driven, the ratchet pushes itself away from the second lever to latch the print lever and roll in the operative position during a full revolution. After performing the revolution, the print lever reengages the ratchet to unlatch the device from the driving roll in preparation for another actuation.

Abstract: A progressive die sensor of the disclosure for sensing an unaligned workpiece condition includes a housing having an upper mounting surface engaged with an upper punch holder during mounting. A depression in the mounting surface is located in a spaced relationship to a downwardly extending probe that moves relative to the housing to indicate an unaligned workpiece condition. A switch received within the depression includes an actuating plunger that is moved by a push rod in response to the probe movement to cause switch actuation for generating an electrical signal which indicates the occurrence of the unaligned workpiece condition. A switch cover is received within the depression to cover the switch. The housing depression preferably opens upwardly and the switch cover includes downwardly extending side portions that receive the switch therebetween intermediate opposite sides of the switch depression.

Abstract: A digital type controller for a punch press or the like which includes a shaft angle encoder for generating control pulses corresponding to specific main shaft angles of the machine, a plurality of sensors for generating signals in response to the operating condition of the machine and process, a plurality of circuits for enabling the reception of said signals at selectable shaft angles of the machine, a plurality of circuits for enabling the reception of said signals in a selectable prescribed order, a plurality of circuits for storing said signals, a plurality of circuits for sampling the stored signals at selectable shaft angles of the machine, a plurality of circuits which detect the presence or absence of the sampled signals, an output circuit for deenergizing the machine Run control circuit when an absence of a sampled signal occurs, a plurality of circuits for energizing and deenergizing external electrical loads at selectable shaft angles of the machine, and a shaft encoder/decoder which provides cont