Abstract:
In recapitulation, the present invention is a method and apparatus for the reliable removal and installation of a component feeding system, such as a direct die feeder, within a printed circuit board or similar assembly machine such as those used in the assembly of printed circuit boards. The invention employs a docking channel operatively affixed to the assembly machine, where the docking channel includes at least a pair of parallel grooves into which alignment rails on the component feeder may be inserted. In this way, the position of the component feeder may be controlled. The docking channel may further include stops, safety locks, alignment pins and a transport device to facilitate easy removal and exchange of component feeders on an assembly machine.
Abstract:
The present invention is a method and apparatus conveying a roll of liner stock bearing removably adhered components such as labels. The liner is pulled through the feeder by a capstan drive having opposed fluted nip rollers driven by a stepper motor. Advance of the stepper motor is controlled by a programmable electronic controller. The linered labels are led through a tensioner and around an acute-angle peeler edge which separates the labels from the liner. The peeling action advances a label onto a platform comprising a bed of rollers having an inherently low-adherence surface. Preferably the rollers are undercut to form circumferential ridges and reduce the surface area in contact with the label adhesive and to minimize adherence thereto. When peeling of a label is completed, the label has been advanced onto the roller bed to precisely the proper location for acquisition by a pick-and-place machine. The presence of a label on the platform is confirmed by a sensor that signals the controller to stop further liner advance. The signal also serves to reset the feeder for advance of the next label after the first label is picked from the roller bed.
Abstract:
A UV curing lamp is provided which includes a curved and reflective surface which may be a cold mirror and may redirect incident UV light toward a band-pass filter. The UV light may be reflected by the curved, reflective surface and transmitted through the band-pass filter whereas the IR and visible light may pass through the curved, reflective surface. The UV, IR, and visible light reflected by shutters and direct UV, IR, and visible light from the lamp are separated by the band-pass filter which transmits the UV light and reflects the IR and visible light.
Abstract:
A UV curing lamp is provided which includes a curved, reflective surface which redirects incident light toward a band-pass filter while bypassing the lamp. A heat sink is provided for the band-pass filter, the heat sink containing a woolen material such as aluminum wool. A portion of the light is reflected by the curved reflective surface and is transmitted through the band-pass filter and into the heat sink, the remainder of the light being reflected by the band-pass filter. The heat sink absorbs the light transmitted through the band-pass filter and dissipates the heat associated therewith.
Abstract:
The invention relates an automated adjusting arm assembly for conveniently and quickly loading printing press cylinders into a printing press such that proper initial ink and impression settings result without operator adjustment. The assembly includes two stationary plates and movable plates connected to the stationary plates by a plurality of wheels. The movable plates in conjunction with a catch or a capture knob assembly thereon are adapted to lower a printing press roll onto an anilox and/or an impression roll in the printing press.
Abstract:
An apparatus is provided which combines an interchangeable ink cassette assembly and a printing press drawer. The ink cassette which includes an ink pan, an anilox roll, and a meter roll may be removably attached to a printing press drawer such that the ink pan and the rolls can be removed as an integral unit from the printing press. Removal of the ink pan and rolls facilitates cleaning of the rolls and the pan. Further, a second assembly may quickly replace the removed assembly to reduce significantly the downtime of the press.
Abstract:
A two-part clip construction includes a U-shaped clip made from a plastic material with the legs of the clip spaced so as to fit over and then be deformed through a through passage in a leg locking member. The construction is especially designed to permit utilization of polymerics for forming the clips.
Abstract:
A distributed refrigeration system has a temperature controlled case configured to store and display objects in a facility, a first coolant adapted to cool the objects and circulate through a first cooling system configured to operate with the case, and a second cooling system communicating with the first cooling system to receive a second coolant for removing heat from the first coolant. A method of providing a distributed refrigeration system for delivery to a facility includes providing a temperature-controlled case to store and display objects within a facility, assembling a self-contained first cooling system with the case to circulate a first coolant to cool the objects, and providing a second cooling system communicating with the first cooling system, the second cooling system having a supply connection and a return connection to circulate a second coolant to remove heat from the first coolant.
Abstract:
An adjustable angle display device for holding and displaying objects includes a base portion, a display portion coupled to the base portion and adapted to pivot about a pivot point, and a positioning device having a first end coupled to the base portion and a second end coupled to the display portion, the positioning device adapted to adjustably position the display portion in a first position and a second position relative to the base. A method of providing an adjustable angle display device includes pivotally coupling a first end of a display portion to a base portion, providing a positioning device to selectively raise and lower a second end of the display device relative to the base portion, coupling the positioning device in operable engagement with the base portion and the display portion, and operating the positioning device to selectively adjust a display angle of the display device.
Abstract:
A printer and a printing method, wherein the printer comprises, in one embodiment: a frame; a set of non-movable print heads fixed to the frame; an idler carriage for carrying a web, said idler carriage disposed a distance from the set of print heads so that ink from the print heads will be received by the web; and a carriage translation assembly to move the idler carriage to vary the distance between the set of print heads and the idler carriage. In a preferred embodiment, the carriage translation assembly comprises at least one slide shaft; wherein the idler carriage is disposed to slide linearly along the slide shaft; and a force mechanism is provided for exerting a force to move the idler carriage linearly along the slide shaft.