Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes an electric motor and a control circuit. The control circuit includes a plurality of logic gates and a monostable multivibrator. The monostable multivibrator is connected to a first one of the logic gates. The control circuit is configured to alter a rate of action of a function of the surgical instrument by controlling a speed of rotation of the electric motor based on a sensed parameter.

Abstract: Systems for providing efficient manufacturing of sheet or box structures, corrugate sheets, or other products of varying size and structure often with pre-applied print (“pre-print”) are provided herein. The systems include various features and modules that enable automated control of the corrugator, including the knives, slitters, scorers and cut-to-mark detection system(s), are contemplated. Colored markings may be used to indicate an order change section between two order sections of a roll plan for the manufacturing process. The colored markings are detected as the corrugator runs and, once detected, a controller determines a next set of order instructions—e.g., to match the upcoming order. Thus, an order change may occur, thereby enabling automated control of the corrugator based on the new order instructions. Computer readable markings may enable checking of the actual position in the roll plan to an intended position, enabling stopping or changing of the corrugator operation if needed.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for a medical cutting device, specifically, a cast removal apparatus designed for the removal of orthopedic casts generally applied for immobilization, which apparatus comprises a temperature safety system and/or a burn reduction system. The use of any saw for cast removal creates a potential for patient discomfort and iatrogenic injury, including but not limited to burns which can leave unsightly scars and wound complications. The apparatuses presented comprise a housing for a temperature control system and motor, which motor can be controlled by the temperature control system to control a cast saw blade, with at least one temperature sensor to sense temperature information regarding at least one cutting region of the blade. The temperature information is used by the temperature control system to control the motor. The apparatuses presented comprise a burn reduction system with cast saw blade coolant or lubricant and coolant or lubricant applicators.

Abstract: When manufacturing a plurality of strip members by cutting a belt-like member along a length direction thereof, the belt-like member having embedded therein a plurality of reinforcement cords arranged parallel to each other, and a weft thread that intersects the reinforcement cords, a captured image showing images of at least the reinforcement cords in a cross section of one end of the belt-like member in the length direction is used to detect the position of the image of each of the reinforcement cords (RC). The number of the actual reinforcement cord (RC) to which each of the images of the reinforcement cords (RC) corresponds is determined on the basis of an interval between the images of the detected adjacent reinforcement cords (RC) in the image and an average cord interval, and a cutting position (Xa) is set.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a low profile travelling pipe cutter is provided which is adapted to perform at least one of cutting and beveling a hollow vessel while traveling around the vessel using a cutting tool mounted thereon. The pipe cutter includes inner and outer carriages, a capstan assembly attached to the outer carriage to which a feed cable is attached, and rollers attached to the outer carriage to which a tension cable is attached. The force adjustment assembly changes the vertical position of the outer carriage relative to the inner carriage to compensate for the pipe cutter going inwardly and outwardly as it travels around a hollow vessel in order to maintain constant pressure caused by the lever tension interface. A guard assembly is provided for covering and uncovering the cutting tool during cutting.

Abstract: A roll feeder is usable to intermittently feed a coiled material. The roll feeder includes a paired first roll and second roll, a meandering detector, a pressing component, and a controller. The paired first roll and second roll are disposed so as to clamp the coiled material. The paired first roll and second roll are configured to feed the coiled material in a conveyance direction. The meandering detector is configured to detect meandering of the coiled material from a specific conveyance position in a width direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the coiled material. The pressing component is configured to press the first roll against the coiled material being conveyed. The controller is configured to control the pressing component so as to correct the meandering based on detection by the meandering detector.

Abstract: A blade guide of a band saw machine includes a main member, on which two wheels, two holding blocks, a pressing block, and a pressure sensor are provided. The main member is provided with a slot, a hole, and an opening. The wheels are pivoted on the main member and received in the slot. The holding blocks are received in the hole, and a band saw passage is formed between the holding blocks. The band saw passage is communicated with the slot for a band saw passing therethrough. The pressing block is received in the hole to contact the band saw in the band saw passage. The pressure sensor is received in the opening and contacting the pressing block to detect a pressure of the pressing block.

Abstract: A horizontal band saw machine includes a pair of jaws, a pair of saw blade wheels, a band saw blade looped over the saw blade wheels, a pair of saw blade guides, a contact guide attached to the other of the pair of jaws, a coupling bracket connected to the other of the pair of saw blade guides to locate a distal end thereof below the other of the pair of saw blade wheels, and a follower member provided at the distal end of the coupling bracket. The contact guide and the coupling bracket are configured to move one of the pair of saw blade guides until the follower member contacts with the contact guide when the band saw blade is fed circularly in a state where the band saw blade is clamped by the one of the pair of saw blade guides.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a receiving module, a conversion module, first and second rollers, a motor, a forcing member, an implement, and a cutting head. The receiving module receives a desired weight value to correct an imbalance of a wheel/tire assembly. The conversion module converts the desired weight value to a corresponding first amount of a wheel weight material. The first and second rollers engage first and second opposing sides of the wheel weight material. The motor drives the first roller according to the first amount. The forcing member presses the second roller in a first direction that forms an angle with an axis of the first roller. The implement selectively forms a mark on the wheel weight material. The cutting head is selectively actuated to separate the first amount from the wheel weight material.

Abstract: A method for slicing wafers from a workpiece includes providing wire guide rolls that each have a grooved coating with a specific thickness, providing a fixed bearing respectively associated with each wire guide roll and providing a sawing wire including wire sections disposed in a parallel fashion. The wire sections are tensioned between the wire guide rolls and are moved relative to the workpiece so as to perform a sawing operation. The wire guide rolls cooled and the fixed bearings are cooled independently of the wire guide rolls.

Abstract: A cutting device for a mill plate including a cutting tool supported for movement in a Y-direction and cutting in a Z-direction, and a conveyor for conveying a mill plate in the X-direction. A measuring device is movable in the X-direction along one side of a mill plate supported on the conveyor to map the X-axis and Y-axis positions of the mill plate one side. Positioning guides adjacent one side of the conveyor are adjusted in the Y-direction to follow the mapped Y-axis position of the mill plate one side at the X-axis position of the mill plate one side aligned with the positioning guides as the mill plate is conveyed in the X-direction. A clamp on the side opposite the mill plate one side is adapted to push the mill plate opposite side in the Y-direction to maintain the mill plate one side in engagement with the positioning guides.

Abstract: A microtome includes a blade located at an end of a trough that defines a cavity for holding a liquid; a sample block in which the at least one sample is suspended, the sample block is moveable relative to the blade such that when the sample block is passed across the blade a section is cut from the sample block; a plate that includes a support frame that defines an opening, and a transparent film extending across the opening, the transparent film being transparent to electrons, a grasper being configured to receive and retain the plate, wherein the grasper is moveable relative to the blade; and a pusher section that lacks the sample pusher section.

Abstract: A simple and compact rotary cutter unit capable of detecting a home position of a rotary cutter, and a printer device having the rotary cutter unit. A radially outwardly extending fin-shaped detected member is arranged on an end portion of the rotating blade opposed to a second gear of the rotating blade. A photosensor is arranged within a main frame of the printer device so that the photosensor may detect the fin-shaped member when the rotating blade is positioned at the home position. The fin-shaped member and the photosensor are not positioned outside relative to both ends of the rotating blade in relation to the direction of the rotational axis of the rotating blade. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the width of the printer device due to the presence of the fin-shaped member or the photosensor, whereby the printer device may be compactly constituted.

Abstract: A band saw machine includes a chassis, a motor mounted to chassis, a driving wheel mounted to the chassis and connected with the motor, a driven wheel mounted to the chassis, a band saw running on the driving and driven wheels, a band-saw regulator mounted to the chassis and located between the driving and driven wheels, and a force sensor mounted inside the band-saw regulator for sensing how much a force is applied to the band-saw regulator in the process of cutting and for emitting a sensing signal to a control system. In this way, the control system can control the rotational speed of the motor according to the sensing signal received from the force sensor to automatically regulate the cutting speed.

Abstract: A device for forming a groove in a cover, the device including a circular score anvil having a first axis and being rotatable in a first direction and a circular scoring knife having a second axis positioned parallel to the first axis and arranged radially opposite the circular score anvil to define a gap between the score anvil and the scoring knife. The scoring knife is rotatable in a second direction opposite to the first direction and comprises a scoring element having an edge region that is tapered to form a ridge toward a periphery of the element. The edge region includes an intermediate space that divides the edge region into two spaced apart knife edges. A groove is formed in the cover while moving through the gap by operative cooperation of the scoring knife and score anvil.

Abstract: A perforating apparatus having an orientation correction device that corrects skewing and aligns the front edge by striking the front edge of the paper, a perforation device having a punch to conduct perforation processing on the paper; and a lateral registration adjustment device that can adjust, in a direction at a right angle to the direction of movement of the aforementioned paper, the position of the perforation device punch in relation to the paper with orientation corrected using an orientation constraint device prior to perforating by the perforation device. The perforating apparatus may also include a structure in which said perforation device can be inserted into and detached from a non-moving support unit having the drive source of a lateral registration adjustment device, and when mounted, the type of perforation device can be recognized.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of an automated hair cutting system. The system comprises a hair cutting device; at least one sensor, said sensor providing signals utilized by said automated hair cutting system to compute a position of said hair cutting device relative to a user's head and face; and a control system for actuating a cutter head attached to said hair cutting device, said cutter head configured for collecting hair therein during operation of said hair cutting device and thereafter cutting the collected hair according to the user's selected hair length and hair style. The control system may execute a safety sequence for initiating the hair cutting device comprising multiple pre-defined safety verifications before beginning operation of the hair cutting device.

Abstract: A method including printing an image onto a medium and printing an alignment region onto the medium. The method further including loading the medium to an electronic cutter and aligning the medium with the electronic cutter. The method further including cutting the image from the medium.

Abstract: The objective is to improve durability while making it possible to maintain an excellent cutting plane and feeling of use with a simpler configuration. Disclosed is a tabletop circular saw for which a main body equipped with a saw blade that is rotated by the driving of a motor is provided to be capable of vertical movement on a base on which a material to be cut is placed; the output shaft of the motor is provided parallel to a spindle of the saw blade; and an automatic torque adjustment mechanism, which is equipped with a drive pulley, a follower pulley, and a belt, and which automatically adjusts the torque transmitted from the output shaft to the spindle according to the load when the saw blade rotates, is provided between the output shaft and the spindle.

Abstract: A method and a device for producing thin sections of a sample by means of a microtome is described, in which a camera acquires at least one image of a surface generated by sectioning of the sample. With the aid of an evaluation device, the image of the surface is evaluated in terms of predefined characteristic values of a section quality. As a function of the characteristic values that are identified, a decision is then made as to whether the section of the sample is accepted or not.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system for machine cutting several parts (31, 32, 33, 34) out of a piece of material using a beam cutting technology. The invention provides a set of controlling rules and variables for cutting two dimensional shapes or patterns. One rule or a combination of several rules are used for the cutting operation depending on the shape or pattern to be cut, the shape or pattern forming the parts (31, 32, 33, 34) out of the piece of material. The present invention specifically teaches that the set of controlling rules comprises rules for the forming of a cluster (3A) of parts with free form shapes, the parts being positioned so close to each other so that only the thickness of one cut from the cutting beam is found between adjacent parts whenever the shape of the parts allows it.

Abstract: A system comprising a plurality of apparatuses for cutting products, comprising: a base; a cutting head with at least one cutting element along the circumference of the cutting head for cutting products fed into the cutting head, the cutting head being rotatably fitted to the base; an impeller adapted for rotating concentrically within the cutting head to urge products fed into the cutting head towards the circumference of the cutting head by means of centrifugal force; a first drive mechanism for driving the rotation of the impeller at a first rotational speed setting the centrifugal force; and a second drive mechanism for driving the rotation of the cutting head at a second rotational speed, determined such with respect to the first rotational speed that the product is cut by the at least one cutting element at a predetermined cutting velocity; and a controller for controlling said apparatuses.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting products, comprising: a base; a cutting head with at least one cutting element along the circumference of the cutting head for cutting products fed into the cutting head, the cutting head being rotatably fitted to the base; an impeller adapted for rotating concentrically within the cutting head to urge products fed into the cutting head towards the circumference of the cutting head by means of centrifugal force; a first drive mechanism for driving the rotation of the impeller at a first rotational speed setting the centrifugal force; and a second drive mechanism for driving the rotation of the cutting head at a second rotational speed, determined such with respect to the first rotational speed that the product is cut by the at least one cutting element at a predetermined cutting velocity.

Abstract: An ultra high pressure pump comprising a servo motor coupled to a piston having a head arranged within a cylinder to define a pumping chamber, whereby the servo motor rotation causes reciprocal displacement of the piston to pressurise fluid in the pumping chamber to pressures greater than 50,000 psi, the servo motor having a feedback loop coupled to a computer, the feedback loop including a pressure feedback signal to control the pump pressure in real time.

Abstract: A cutting device for shear-cutting of fiber strands comprises at least two cutting units which are rotatably drivable about an axis of rotation and two counter cutting units which are rigidly mounted relative to a base frame. The cutting edges of the cutting units as well as the counter cutting edges of the counter cutting units are positionable relative to a common cutting plane independently of each other. The forces acting on the counter cutting edges are measured during a cutting process by means of corresponding measuring sensors, allowing the position of the counter cutting edges to be controlled by means of a control unit via electrically driven displacement devices.

Abstract: A punching apparatus includes a punch for punching holes in a sheet, a cam member for reciprocally moving the punch in a punching direction, a motor for moving the cam member, a pulse generator for generating pulses that are synchronized with the driving of the motor, and a control unit for applying a brake to the motor to stop the cam member upon counting the pulses of a predetermined number from the pulse generator after the cam member moved by the driving of the motor passes through a reference position.

Abstract: In a system and method for controlling the length of a discrete segment of an elastic web, a wound off tension of the web is determined during unwinding from a wound roll. The unwound web is delivered to a processing station while being maintained in tension. A discrete segment of the web is transported away from the processing station for at least a time t wherein the discrete segment decreases in length to a recovered length. The recovered length is predicted based at least in part on the wound off tension and in response to the predicted recovered length, at least one of the following is controlled: 1) the speed at which the web is delivered to the processing station, 2) the tension in the continuous web as it is delivered to the processing station, and 3) the length of the discrete segment at the processing station.

Abstract: A cutting arrangement for longitudinally cutting material includes two blades disposed across from one another and which cooperate during cutting. Each blade is embodied as a circular blade having a sharp cutting edge and supported by an adjusting or placement mechanism. During the cutting process, the circular blades are positioned by the adjusting or placement mechanisms so that the cutting edges overlap one another to form an overlap zone, the center of which coincides with the middle of the material that is to be cut. An adaptive control assembly includes individual drive motors for driving each blade and enables constant side load force control for each blade, such that side load pressures are adjustable in response to changes in web sped, web tension, and blade condition in real time. Automatic blade diameter sensors calculate the zero point of the cut, determine the appropriate blade speed and automatically set the overlap.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) and a method for feeding a continuous tape (3) for forming labels (2) is disclosed, according to which a pair of rollers (5) advances the tape at an advancing speed that is calculated on the basis of the rotation speed of one cutting roller (6) that cuts the tape into labels, (2) at a signal that is indicative of the cut that occurred and at a positioning error of an actual image present on the tape with respect to a reference image. The real image is detected by a linear camera (9) or by a matrix camera.

Abstract: A closed-loop cutting system comprises a cutting device for cutting a piece of material at a given dimension; a positioning device for positioning the cutting means to cut the piece of material at the given dimension; a position controller for controlling the positioning device; a feedback means comprising a dimension sensor for measuring the actual dimension of the cut piece of material, the feedback means for measuring a difference between the actual dimension and the given dimension and sending signal back to either one of the positioning device and the position controller to effect an adjustment of the position of the cutting device by reducing the difference.

Abstract: A cutter blade is cut-in by being moved towards a deep part of a notch from one open end of the notch while being moved in a forward direction with respect to an outer periphery of a wafer. Immediately before a blade edge reaches the deep part of the notch, cutting movement of the cutter blade is once stopped, reversely moved to a initial piercing position, and thereafter, the cutter blade is moved towards the deep part of the notch from the other open end of the notch while being moved in a reverse direction with respect to the outer periphery of the wafer.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein are to a cutter device includes a fixed blade, a movable blade configured to move along the fixed blade to cut a paper interposed between the movable blade and the fixed blade. The cutter device further includes a drive mechanism configured to transfer a drive torque to the movable blade, so that the movable blade is driven to move along the fixed blade, and a detection unit configured to detect whether an abnormality in cutting the paper has occurred in the course of the movement of the movable blade. The cutter device further includes a control unit, upon detection of the abnormality in cutting the paper by the detection unit, configured to control the drive mechanism to increase the drive torque to be transferred to the movable blade.

Abstract: The objective is to improve durability while making it possible to maintain an excellent cutting plane and feeling of use with a simpler configuration. Disclosed is a tabletop circular saw for which a main body equipped with a saw blade that is rotated by the driving of a motor is provided to be capable of vertical movement on a base on which a material to be cut is placed; the output shaft of the motor is provided parallel to a spindle of the saw blade; and an automatic torque adjustment mechanism, which is equipped with a drive pulley, a follower pulley, and a belt, and which automatically adjusts the torque transmitted from the output shaft to the spindle according to the load when the saw blade rotates, is provided between the output shaft and the spindle.

Abstract: An apparatus for slicing food products includes a product feed which feeds a product to be sliced along a product feed direction through a cutting plane in which at least one cutting blade moves. The position of the cutting blade is adjustable relative to the product. A control unit is provided which is designed to automatically adjust the position of the cutting blade for the optimization of the blade wear.

Abstract: A rotary cutter for trimming printed products conveyed in an overlapping flow. The rotary cutter including a first knife that rotates and a second knife that rotates counter to the first knife. The second knife is arranged to operate jointly with the first knife. At least one of the knives includes a plurality of blades distributed over a circumference. A conveying device conveys the overlapping flow between the first knife and the second knife. A control unit controls the rotational speed of at least one of the first knife and the second knife. The rotational speed of at least one of the knives is predetermined based on at least one of the speed value for the conveying device or a thickness value of the overlapping flow.

Abstract: A punching device includes a detecting unit, a punching unit, a moving unit, a storage unit, and a controlling unit. The detecting unit detects a lateral edge position of a recording medium to obtain edge position data. When the edge position data does not indicate an error value, the edge position data is stored in the storage unit as reference data. The controlling unit determines, when the edge position data indicates an error value, a movement amount of the punching unit based on reference data previously obtained and stored in the storage unit. The moving unit moves the punching unit by the movement amount in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording medium.

Abstract: A plasma cutting device performs cutting in a plurality of stages. In a first cutting sub-process, a manufactured product is cut out from a base material upon a stage according to an NC program. Next, images of respective regions in the vicinities of proper positions at two corner points of the manufactured product which has been cut out are photographed by an image sensor, the actual positions of these two corner points of the manufactured product are detected from these images which have been photographed, and the translation distances and the rotational angle between the actual positions which have been detected and the proper positions are calculated. The NC program is corrected. And, in a subsequent cutting sub-process, additional cutting for beveling is carried out upon cutting surfaces at the outer circumference of the manufactured product, according to the corrected NC program.

Abstract: A cutting device for shear-cutting of fibre strands comprises at least two cutting units which are rotatably drivable about an axis of rotation and two counter cutting units which are rigidly mounted relative to a base frame. The cutting edges of the cutting units as well as the counter cutting edges of the counter cutting units are positionable relative to a common cutting plane independently of each other. The forces acting on the counter cutting edges are measured during a cutting process by means of corresponding measuring sensors, allowing the position of the counter cutting edges to be controlled by means of a control unit via electrically driven displacement devices.

Abstract: In a vibrating microtome (1), a knife (6) is caused to vibrate during a sectioning operation in a direction parallel to a section plane and substantially parallel to the knife's edge, during which a transverse offset can occur as a consequence of a potentially present inclination of the cutting edge with respect to the section plane. A measuring device (3) for measuring the transverse offset comprises a light barrier (9) into which the cutting edge is placeable so as to partially cover the light of the light barrier. The vibrating microtome (1) generates, from the motion of the knife, a control application signal (pklo, pkhi) that describes the time course of the vibration of the knife (6), and the electronic measurement system of the measuring device (3) measures the coverage of the light barrier as a consequence of the vibration of the knife as an oscillating signal (tpm), and determines the transverse offset from the signal values at points in time that are defined by the control application signal.

Abstract: A method of cutting off a workpiece using a band saw blade. Chatter oscillation of the band saw blade is detected, the detected chatter oscillation is input to a pulse generator, and pulses based on the inputted chatter oscillation with a frequency not less than a characteristic frequency of a band saw blade supporting system are input from the pulse generator to the motor for imparting to one of the driving wheel and the driven wheel a forced longitudinal oscillation so that a phase of an oscillation the driving wheel along a rotational direction for the driving wheel is substantially inverted with respect to a phase of an oscillation of the driven wheel along a rotational direction of the driven wheel.

Abstract: A method and system for assessing when to change or sharpen a cutting blade of a paper cutter is presented. The cutting blade is operated using an electric motor that causes motion of the cutting blade, and the motion of the cutting blade causes the paper to be cut. Data is recorded about usage of the electric motor at least while cutting the paper. Based upon the data, a determination is made as to whether the cutting blade should be changed or sharpened.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and a device for portioning a substance, e.g. dough for making bread or pastry. The device operates on an elongated body of the substance and separates pieces there from in accordance with an image received from an image generating camera. Accordingly, portioning of the dough occurs without having to compress the dough into a measuring chamber as it is required in traditional portioning of dough.

Abstract: A sheet punching apparatus capable of improving the accuracy of movement distance of a movable member and maintaining the durability of a drive unit of the apparatus. A sheet post-processing apparatus controller computes a time period corresponding to an amount of overrun of a slider at the time of stopping the slider in an initial operation. In a punching operation, the sheet post-processing apparatus controller starts a punch motor at a timing earlier by the computed time period corresponding to the amount of overrun than a stop timing of a conveyance motor.

Abstract: Gauge system, including methods and apparatus, for positioning workpieces according to entered and/or calculated target dimensions and processing the workpieces with a tool to generate products having the target dimensions.

Abstract: A device 1 for the automated cutting of bread 4 into slices comprising an element 7 driving the bread 4 and a set of blades 8 for slicing the bread 4, the drive element 7 being arranged so as to be moved in a translation movement transversely to the set of blades 8 by a movement means 10 coupled to said drive element 7, between a first retracted position in which the bread 4 to be sliced can be loaded into the device 1 and a second advanced position in which the element 7 driving the bread 4 is adjacent to the set of blades 8 and the sliced bread can be removed from the device 1, the latter also comprising a regulation means 14 arranged to automatically regulate the power supplied by the movement means 10 according to the speed and/or acceleration of the translation movement of the element 7 driving the bread 4 during the operation of slicing it.

Abstract: In a system and method for controlling the length of a discrete segment of an elastic web, a wound off tension of the web is determined during unwinding from a wound roll. The unwound web is delivered to a processing station while being maintained in tension. A discrete segment of the web is transported away from the processing station for at least a time t wherein the discrete segment decreases in length to a recovered length. The recovered length is predicted based at least in part on the wound off tension and in response to the predicted recovered length, at least one of the following is controlled: 1) the speed at which the web is delivered to the processing station, 2) the tension in the continuous web as it is delivered to the processing station, and 3) the length of the discrete segment at the processing station.

Abstract: A calibration procedure is carried out for determining the displacement distance from a reference point to the center of the blade in a web cutter in a mail inserter. A photosensor is placed near the paper plane of the web cutter to sense a web edge at the reference point downstream or upstream from the blade. At the start of the calibration procedure, the blade is caused to cut the web for providing a web edge. The web edge is moved in a backward and forward motion over the photosensor a few times for determining the theoretical center position of the photosensor relative to the position where the web is cut by the blade. By taking into account the chip-out width, the displacement distance from the center of the photosensor to the center of the chip out blade can be determined.

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.

Abstract: The operation of tow cutters in an automatic fiber placement machine are monitored to determine if inconsistencies in fiber placement are related to cutter operation. A machine vision system detects inconsistencies in tow placement, and timing signals are generated that represent the actuation of the cutters. The timing signals are correlated with recorded images of the placed tows to determine if the inconsistency in tow placement is related to cutter operation.

Abstract: A web transport system operates cyclically to advance a web and provide a synchronization signal at a known point in a cutting cycle. A drive system oscillates a cutting knife from a resting position to an active position and back in response to an actuating signal. A sensor in the path of the cutting knife provides a position signal when the cutting knife is at a predetermined position that is substantially different than the resting position. A controller receives the synchronization signal, provides the actuating signal at a time relative to the synchronization signal, receives the position signal, and adjusts subsequent actuating signals in response to the position signal so that the cutting knife arrives at the predetermined position substantially at a predetermined point in the cutting cycle.