Abstract: A method of aligning a flat or profiled metal sheet with preformed notches on the two sides of the metal sheet when the sheet enters into a bender or folding machine directly from a roll forming machine linked or joined to the folder. The metal sheet has to be effectively aligned on the folder before folding to avoid potential damages to the metal sheet of not being properly squared or angled on bending while reducing the times to produce the folded products. Moreover, this method according to the invention allows the metal sheet to feed directly into the folder from the rollformer without having to pass through an intermediary transfer table or aligning device/machine before entering the folder for folding or manual alignment in the folder.

Abstract: Described is a compensating device applicable on intermittent advancement packaging machines with wrapping material constituted by a film made of a flexible plastic material, for continuous compensating of a stretching of the film during drawing thereof, the machine comprising a first drawing group of the film, a mobile element able to exert a determined force on the film during advancement, the mobile element being conventionally known as a dancer and a second drawing group of the film arranged downstream of the first drawing group, where each drawing group is provided with a sensor for detecting markers located at regular intervals along the film, the compensating device being constituted by a third drawing group, located between the first and second drawing groups, the third drawing group being provided with a marker sensor, the third drawing group being provided with independent motorisation and an automatic roller opening system.

Abstract: A component supplying apparatus has a tape guide part for guiding a carrier tape, a blade for entering between a top tape and a base tape, and a first tape press part for facing the carrier tape on an upstream side of a top tape removing position. A first biasing part biases the first tape press part to have the carrier tape held between the tape guide part and the first tape press part and to attain positioning of the carrier tape in thickness direction thereof. A sprocket wheel wedges the carrier tape between the tape guide part and the first tape press part, and a second biasing part presses the carrier tape against the tape guide part by a second tape press part.

Abstract: A mounter is operable to sequentially detect feed amounts of a motor at respective times when respective electronic components held by a tape reach a pickup position, while rotating a sprocket 52 of a tape feeder 50 360 degrees or more, and store the feed amounts in correspondence with respective pins 54 drivingly feeding the tape. This makes it possible to reliably duplicate a state when each electronic component reaches the pickup position, based on a feed amount itself of the motor at a time when each electronic component truly reaches a pickup position.

Abstract: A feeder for a surface mount placement system includes a feeder body comprising a shaft, a front cover, and a rear cover. The front cover has one end pivotally installed on the feeder body via the shaft, a free end, and a pair of sidewalls respectively extending from two sides of the free end towards the feeder body. The rear cover pivotally installed on the feeder body, including a blocking portion, and the free end of the front cover overlap. The blocking portion is wider than the distance between the sidewalls of the front cover.

Abstract: An electronic parts mounting apparatus and an electronic parts mounting method for picking up a plurality of electronic parts simultaneously by a transfer head having a plurality of suction nozzles from a plurality of tape feeders and then mounting the electronic parts on a substrate are provided. Displacement amounts of parts stop positions in respective tape feeders are detected in advance and stored as stop position correction data, and then tape feeding mechanisms are controlled based on the stop position correction data upon picking up the parts by the transfer head to execute such a registration that causes the parts stop positions to coincide with parts suction positions of the suction nozzles in the transfer head.

Abstract: A tape feeder for precisely advancing a component-carrying tape to present sequential electronic components disposed at a pitch in the tape to a pick-and-place machine. A feed sprocket and an encoder disc are operatively associated with each other and rotatably disposed on a common axis within a housing. A motor is operatively connected to the feed sprocket to repetitively rotate the feed sprocket over an angle corresponding to the pitch of the component-carrying tape. An encoder is disposed to read the encoder disc and provide a feedback signal indicating the angular position of the feed sprocket.

Abstract: A drive wheel for a tape accommodating the components is provided with an angle measuring device. This allows for a finely tuned rotational adjustment of the drive wheel. The pick-up position of the components can be detected by a scanning optical system and can be corrected such that the pouch center can be set precisely to a constant advance position.

Abstract: A reciprocating linear encoder includes a linear encoder and a sensor. The linear encoder is configured to latch, follow and release print media in a periodic motion. The sensor is responsive to movement of the linear encoder, and is configured to output a signal associated with print media movement.

Abstract: A web infeed device for rotary printing presses includes a pointed nose piece having concave side portions. The flexible infeed element is received in a guide, and driving elements are provided for driving the infeed element along the guide.

Abstract: A tape feeder feeds electronic components by advancing a tape intermittently. The tape feeder comprises a motor controller for controlling a motor, which rotatively drives a sprocket to advance the tape, and a communication unit for receiving a control signal from a control unit of an electronic component mounting apparatus and transmitting a control parameter such as a rotating speed, an amount of rotation, and acceleration and deceleration pattern to the motor controller. The tape feeder has such a structure that a tape advancing speed and an amount of tape advancement are easily changeable according to a type of the electronic components by changing the control parameter of the rotating speed and the amount of rotation of the motor.

Abstract: A drive wheel (7) for the tape (1) accommodating the components (4) is provided with an angle measuring device (13, 14) which allows for a finely tuned rotational adjustment of the drive wheel (7). The pick-up position of the components (4) can be detected by means of a scanning optical system and can be corrected such that the pouch center can be set precisely to a constant advance position.

Abstract: A tension is applied to a film-like printing body to be processed in each of steps such as a printing step, a parts mounting step and the like. Further the processed film-like printing body is automatically fed out by a predetermined stroke. A supply unit (1), a printing unit (2), parts mounting units (3, 4), a heating unit (5) and a take-up unit (6) are sequentially arranged. Tension apparatuses (7, 7) which apply a tension to the film-like printing body during a process and automatically feed out the processed film-like printing body are arranged between the respective units among the supply unit (1), the printing unit (2), the parts mounting units (3, 4) and the heating unit (5).

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for multiple-pitch carrier tape feeding, including a carrier tape reel support, a slidable tape window and cover tape peel edge for exposing a component at a pick location adjacent a peel edge, and a carrier tape drive mechanism for advancing the carrier tape through the tape guide. The feeder also includes a pitch selection cam having a plurality of positions, each corresponding to one of a plurality of carrier tape pitch sizes, wherein movement of said selection cam is directly translated into movement of the tape guide. A sensor is employed for detecting the position of the selection cam, and a control unit, responsive to the sensor, controls the carrier tape drive, thereby advancing the carrier tape a predetermined distance according to the selected pitch size.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for multiple-pitch carrier tape feeding, including a carrier tape reel support, a slidable tape window and cover tape peel edge for exposing a component at a pick location adjacent a peel edge, and a carrier tape drive mechanism for advancing the carrier tape through the tape guide. The feeder also includes a pitch selection cam having a plurality of positions, each corresponding to one of a plurality of carrier tape pitch sizes, wherein movement of said selection cam is directly translated into movement of the tape guide. A sensor is employed for detecting the position of the selection cam, and a control unit, responsive to the sensor, controls the carrier tape drive, thereby advancing the carrier tape a predetermined distance according to the selected pitch size.

Abstract: A multi-stage unit for processing a web packaging material in a machine for packaging food products, including a first processing station, a second processing station and a system for indexing the web packaging material comprising a first feeding device for step-feeding the web packaging material through the first processing station, a second feeding device for step-feeding the web packaging material through the second processing station, and a control unit controlling the first feeding device in response to a sensor detecting a first index code preprinted on the web packaging material, and the second feeding device in response to a second sensor detecting a second index code made on the web packaging material at said first processing station.

Abstract: A continuous material feed device is provided with a motor driving a continuous material feed mechanism, and transfers a continuous material into a press intermittently. Its control device is provided with (1) a position detector for detecting position of the continuous material feed mechanism, and (2) a control circuit for (a) fixing and storing previously the optimum pattern command value of behavior of the continuous material feed mechanism, (b) calculating error between the real position data from the position detector and the fixed command value of the optimum pattern in a prescribed period of time from the drive start of the continuous material feed mechanism, (c) correcting the command value to be output in order to eliminate the error (d) outputting the command value after the correction (e) controlling the motor.

Abstract: A film transport mechanism for transporting film having perforations including a motor that drives sprockets for transporting the film in increments defined by a pull down stroke. In addition, the mechanism includes a pin element having at least one pin, the pin element being rotatable to a first position wherein the pin is inserted into an associated perforation to stabilize the film without contacting a perforation edge to generate a first sound level when the pull down stroke substantially equals a perforation pitch. Further, when the pitch is not equal to the pull down stroke, the pin contacts a perforation edge to generate a second sound level. The mechanism also includes a microphone positioned adjacent the pin element and the film for detecting a range of sound levels.

Abstract: A bag making machine automatically cuts off and seals plastic from a web of film in register with regularly spaced eyemarks. A correction system is disclosed for use when the film gets out of register with the eyemarks. When the correction system is activated, the film is advanced to the next eyemark. The bag making machine resumes normal in-register operation without ever shutting off the machine. A method of correcting lengths of bags being formed from a web of material is further disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method in the manufacture of plastic bags for accurately registering a web having graphic material printed repetitively thereon with respect to a transverse cutting and sealing device comprise detecting the passage of an eyemark printed on the web by a certain location at an initial part of a web index, calculating the initial length travelled by the web from the start of the web index to the detection of the eyemark, and then adjusting a predetermined draw length of the web based upon that calculated initial length.

Abstract: An automatic motorless label applying system includes a supply reel having a continuous carrier strip with a plurality of labels detachably mounted thereon. The strip is directed through an air actuated linear indexing mechanism which includes an upstream solenoid and a downstream solenoid. The upstream solenoid has clamp members which clamp the strip and then move it in a down-stream direction by the upstream solenoid itself moving laterally. The downstream solenoid clamps the strip when the upstream solenoid returns towards its original position. The labels are sequentially detached from the strip and each label is applied to a respective container.

Abstract: The invention aims to correctly apply a distinctive mark at a given position of a harness and simplify a construction of a harness producing apparatus. A cable path length adjusting mechanism 100 sets a cable path length from a cutting position of a cutter 141 to a center position of marking tools 220 to be the same as a length of an electrical cable 50 to be cut. A cable feeding mechanism 110 locates the cable 50 with respect to the cutter 141 and marking head 221a and 221b only by a feed of the cable. It is possible to correctly apply the distinctive mark on a given area of the harness without changing a relative distance between the cutting position of the cable 50 and the applying position of the distinctive mark. Further, a marking mechanism 200 is disposed on an upper stream with respect to the cable feeding mechanism 110 and is not disposed in the cable end treating unit in which devices are complicatedly arranged, thereby simplifying the construction of the apparatus.

Abstract: A sensor is provided to measure the diameter of a wire, and a radius of curvature of the center of the core wire of the wire is found from the obtained wire diameter and the radius of a measuring roller. The number of revolutions of the measuring roller is determined according to the radius of curvature. An appropriate radius of curvature is found for each wire to be processed, and an accurate number of revolutions can be found irrespective of the type of wire. Accordingly, the wire feeding accuracy is improved, and the preparation work is simplified.

Abstract: A processing device for processing a sheet material with a pattern of the present invention is such as a sewing machine with pattern matching operation. The processing device has a detecting unit for detecting a color state of the pattern of the sheet material and producing a color state signal indicative of the color state. The processing device processes the sheet material on the basis of the color state signal produced by said detecting means. According to the present invention, the processing device is provided with an automatic adjusting unit for adjusting the detecting unit to allow the detecting unit to produce a desired color state signal with respect to a reference color state. Therefore, the white balance or the dynamic range is properly adjusted simply and reliably for the processing device.

Abstract: A sewing machine has a pattern matching system for matching patterns on two fabric pieces to be sewn to each other, based on detected hues of the patterns. Any mismatch between the patterns is calculated on the basis of color quality information converted from detected intensities of light which is reflected by the fabric pieces. The fabric pieces are fed relatively to each other so that the patterns thereon are matched, based on the calculated mismatch.

Abstract: A bag machine fabricates plastic bags by transversely cutting and sealing, at regularly spaced preselected locations, an elongate plastic web having graphic material repetitively printed thereon. In operation, the bag machine advances the web by a calculated draw length, and an optical sensor, sensitive to the passage of eyemarks printed in regularly spaced locations on the web, functions to ensure that the web is cut and sealed only at the desired locations. To avoid inaccuracies resulting from a gradual variance between the nominal draw length and the actual distance between eyemarks, a control system monitors the actual distance between eyemarks and sets the nominal draw length to the average actual spacing between eyemarks as measured over a preselectd number of successive eyemarks.

Abstract: A pattern-matching joining machine for joining two sheets (e.g., sewing two cloths) having the same patterns with the patterns matching. The pattern-sensing photo-sensor generates intensity data for three different colors and the color data processed to correctly discriminate elements of a pattern having colors of similar brightnesses, and to accurately pick out pattern elements with faint colors from behind outstanding pattern elements. One way of processing the data includes calculating differences between intensity data for different colors. Another way includes selecting the color that has the largest intensity change.

Abstract: An automated bag filling machine particularly adapted to handle reclosable fastener strip profile-type plastic bags fed into the machine in a bag chain employs stations for opening, filling, reclosing, and separating filled and closed bags from the remainder of the chain. The drive means for conveying the chain through the filling mechanism include stroke control devices which enable the operation of the machine to be changed over for handling bags of different width sizes. Means are also provided for automatically preventing the bags in the chain from excessively over traveling their proper registration points with the various work stations.

Abstract: A device for centering the printing of strip material, especially in apparatuses for feeding of such strip in the form of V-shaped labels capable of being associated with a continuous thread for use in machines for the automatic production of small filter bags for infusion products, in which said strip having printed motifs possesses, between said printed motifs, a recurring motif at a spacing equal to the length of the labels which are to be produced, and the feed means for such strip of said feed apparatus are constituted of two counter-rotating rollers having vertical axes, one of which is a following roller of resilient material and the other a driving roller of hard material having a driving surface of circular sector form for contact with the first roller.

Abstract: In methods of and apparatus (28) for indexing a repetitively patterned strip (12) past a plurality of work stations, such as, for example, a bonding station (33) and a dewebbing station (65) of a lead frame bonder, a cyclical, automated adjustment of the strip (12) with respect to the bonding station (33) eliminates repeated meticulous manual fine adjustments of the strip. An adjustment of the position of the strip (12) is achieved by adjusting the positions of travel limit stops (109 and 111) of an incremental feed mechanism (46). Simultaneously with the adjustment of the travel limit stops (109 and 111), an adjustment is made in the same magnitude and in the same direction as the adjustment to the limit stops in the position of the dewebbing station (65). Similar adjustments may be made to any other station, an accurate position of which with respect to the position of the strip (12) is desirable.

Abstract: To cut a strip of metal into exact lengths, rollers are brought into contact with the strip and turned by an accurate motor until a pin can be mechanically inserted into a hole in the strip to effect final alignment. If the pin does not successfully enter the hole, a detector halts the system.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously forming containers, filling the containers with material and packing the containers containing material includes a heating device for heating a bottom sheet of thermoplastic resin supplied intermittently thereto, a forming device for forming container portions from the heated bottom sheet while keeping the latter continuous, a filling device for filling said container portions with material, a sealing device for sealingly covering the container portions with a cover sheet bearing pitch marks corresponding to symbol marks printed thereon, a punching device for removing the sealed containers from the continuous bottom material sheet, and is characterized by that a mark reading device is disposed at a position separated from the sealing device by a distance equal to a distance between the forming device and the sealing device, that a device is associated with at least one of the sealing device and the punching device for forwardly or reversely moving at least one of the sealing devi

Abstract: In a hot forming machine in which molding means deform a thermoplastic foil band and cutting and stamping means further process the deformed foil band. A photocell is adapted to scan marking indicia on the foil band and to adjust a lengthwise adjustable connecting member in accordance with such scanning. The connecting member forms part of an advancing arrangement for the transported foil band. This advancing arrangement includes a swing arm pivotally mounted in the machine; a first shaft mounted on the swing arm in proximity of the free end thereof; and an eccentric rigidly secured to the first shaft and pivotally connected to the connecting member which is also pivotally connected to the swing arm.

Abstract: An apparatus for the division-true, intermittent feed of a sheet of indeterminate length has a sheet supply roll; a table for receiving the sheet from the supply roll; a sheet tensioning device disposed between the supply roll and the table; an advancing device for advancing the sheet in each operational cycle through a forward feed stroke that is greater than the divisional distance defined by spaced markings on the sheet; a cutting device for cyclically severing a length from the sheet subsequent to the forward feed stroke; a reversing device for retracting the sheet in each operational cycle through a centering stroke subsequent to the forward feed stroke.

Abstract: The sewing machine has a differential work transport, consisting of a lower main feed and lower and upper auxiliary feeds, with the step sizes of the auxiliary feeds being adjustable, from a step size substantially in accordance with the step size of the main feed, against spring bias. The step sizes are adjusted by respective setting devices having associated setting members connected, through a lever drive, to a common actuating device. The lever drive interconnecting the setting members of the setting devices for the lower and upper auxiliary feeds is operable to vary the step sizes of the lower and upper auxiliary feeds so that one of said lower and upper auxiliary feeds increases as the other of said lower and upper auxiliary feeds decreases. The transmission ratio of the lever drive is adjustable, and the lever drive includes a driver connection operative in one direction only.

Abstract: A high speed system is provided for bringing a plurality of articles, each moving independently in a separate path and at its own speed into registration with each other at a processing station. In applying the invention to a case making machine, successive boards are brought into registration with successive sheet areas defined on a continuous web which moves at a predetermined constant speed. Each board moves at a speed greater than the web speed until registration with the desired sheet area is obtained. A counter measures the registration differential between predetermined detection indicia on each article by keeping track of the distance travelled by each indicium beyond a reference position in the path of the corresponding article. When registration is obtained, the articles are transported at a common speed to the processing station where the separate paths converge.

Abstract: The format of sheet material being printed is controlled and may be varied during successive printing cycles of a continuously operating printing machine by means of an assembly, preferably including a step-by-step motor for driving the sheet, which assembly is controlled by pulses and moves the sheet during a period within which no printing takes place.

Abstract: The apparatus and method of this invention pertains to a web film advance in which a film advancing roll is carried on a frame moved by a reciprocating pitman arm. This arm is adjustable as to its stroke or travel so that a corresponding travel of the frame is also selectively adjustable. The film advancing roll is carried by a shaft mounted in bearings and is prevented from turning in one direction by a one-way clutch apparatus. This clutch allows the roll to be rotated only when the frame and roll are moved rearwardly. During this film feeding advance by the roller a rotation of the roller is achieved by a roller chain and a sprocket or a timing belt and toothed pulley. This chain or belt may be moved a small amount in response to an electrical signal to bring the web of film or paper into registration in accordance with mark indicia. Bags or simply formed, filled and sealed packages may be made by and on this simplified yet highly reliable film advancing apparatus.

Abstract: A tape feeding apparatus having a rotary member for feeding a tape which is drivingly connected with rotary driving means through at least two link mechanisms to be rotated at different speeds and with a phase difference so that one of the link mechanisms for a low speed rotation is set in operation just before another enters its dead point. With this structure, intermittent tape feeding can be effected at a high speed, while allowing quick stopping of the rotary member at a required position.

Abstract: An exposure device is adapted to intermittently feed a metal strip with each surface coated with a photosensitive film and expose it from both sides when the metal strip stops its movement. The device includes a feed setting mechanism comprising a detection roller rotated in accordance with the movement of the metal strip, a detection bar longitudinally movable by the movement of the detection roller, and a switch actuated, when the detection bar is moved a predetermined amount, to stop the movement of the metal strip.

Abstract: A fabric printing machine having a conveyor belt for supporting a fabric to be printed. A drive unit is connected to the belt, and a control mechanism coacts with the belt and the drive unit for permitting intermittent unidirectional advancing movement of the belt through a selected distance. The drive unit includes a first drive for advancing the belt at a fast speed and a second drive for advancing the belt at a slowspeed. The control mechanism includes a belt engaging device adapted for gripping engagement with the belt for causing synchronous movement of the belt and engaging device during the advancing movement. The control mechanism also includes means for activating the belt engaging device and for causing the first and second drives to be sequentially connected to the belt for moving the belt at fast speed through a first preselected distance and thereafter moving the belt at slow speed through a second preselected distance.

Abstract: A bag machine fabricates plastic bags by transversely cutting and sealing, at regularly spaced preselected locations, an elongate plastic web having graphic material repetitively printed thereon. In operation, the bag machine advances the web by a calculated draw length, and an optical sensor, sensitive to the passage of eyemarks printed in regularly spaced locations on the web, functions to ensure that the web is cut and sealed only at the desired locations. To avoid inaccuracies resulting from a gradual variance between the nominal draw length and the actual distance between eyemarks, a control system monitors the actual distance between eyemarks and sets the nominal draw length to the average actual spacing between eyemarks as measured over a preselectd number of successive eyemarks.