FLIPSIDE READER FOR SHEET PROCESSING SYSTEMS

    公开(公告)号:US20210237386A1

    公开(公告)日:2021-08-05

    申请号:US17049984

    申请日:2019-04-15

    摘要: Systems and methods for processing a sheet having a printed underside. A gap between a feeder and a processing machine provides visibility to the printed underside, cameras capture images of the printed graphics through the gap, and a processor stitches the captured images together into a continuous image of the printed underside, including registration marks, corners or edges, and a sheet identifier. Processing instructions are retrieved from storage using the detected sheet identifier and are executed along processing paths calculated from detected information regarding locations of the registration marks and the corners or edges. A material guide positioned above the material path may be configured to constrain the sheet vertically as it passes over the gap and to reduce overhead light from interfering with the image capture.

    METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATED STRIPPING OF WASTE FROM A CUT SUBSTRATE

    公开(公告)号:US20210094200A1

    公开(公告)日:2021-04-01

    申请号:US17046324

    申请日:2019-04-08

    摘要: A separator (10) for separating waste (820) from product (810; 2302) in a pre-cut substrate (2600) having one or more cut lines. An inlet feeder feeds the substrate (2600) into the separator (10) along a material path. A separation edge (2500) is disposed in a location downstream of the inlet feeder and defines a line below the plane of the material path. A plurality of punch tools (30; 1800; 1900; 2000) above the plane of the material path, upstream of the separation edge (2500), each has an actuator configured to position the tool in an extended configuration with a contact end of the punch tool (30; 1800; 1900; 2000) disposed below the separation edge (2500), and a retracted configuration with the contact end disposed above the plane of the material path. A controller commands each actuator to position the corresponding punch tool (30; 1800; 1900; 2000) contact end synchronized with the position of the pre-cut substrate (2600) to cause the separation edge (2500) to separate the waste (820) from the product (810; 2302) along the cut lines.

    HEATED TOOL FOR CUTTING AND SEALING MELTABLE MATERIAL

    公开(公告)号:US20210291399A1

    公开(公告)日:2021-09-23

    申请号:US17051856

    申请日:2019-05-02

    IPC分类号: B26F3/10 B29C65/00

    摘要: A tool for cutting a substrate and method of use. The tool has a blade with a distal cutting tip at least one shoulder on one side of and proximal the cutting tip. The cutting tip and shoulder are positioned so that when cutting, at least a portion of the at least one shoulder is in contact with at least one cut edge of the substrate defined by a cut line formed by penetrating the substrate thickness with the cutting tip. A heater heats the blade shoulder to a temperature that causes the portion of the shoulder in contact with the cut edge of the substrate to seal the cut edge. The method includes heating the blade, penetrating the substrate with the cutting tip with a portion of the shoulder contacting the substrate, and moving the blade relative to the substrate.

    Heated tool for cutting and sealing meltable material

    公开(公告)号:US11364651B2

    公开(公告)日:2022-06-21

    申请号:US17051856

    申请日:2019-05-02

    IPC分类号: B26F3/10 B29C65/00

    摘要: A tool for cutting a substrate and method of use. The tool has a blade with a distal cutting tip at least one shoulder on one side of and proximal the cutting tip. The cutting tip and shoulder are positioned so that when cutting, at least a portion of the at least one shoulder is in contact with at least one cut edge of the substrate defined by a cut line formed by penetrating the substrate thickness with the cutting tip. A heater heats the blade shoulder to a temperature that causes the portion of the shoulder in contact with the cut edge of the substrate to seal the cut edge. The method includes heating the blade, penetrating the substrate with the cutting tip with a portion of the shoulder contacting the substrate, and moving the blade relative to the substrate.

    Actuators and methods for controlling tools

    公开(公告)号:US10792773B2

    公开(公告)日:2020-10-06

    申请号:US16336270

    申请日:2017-09-26

    摘要: Actuators, systems, and methods for controlling tools are disclosed. One actuator includes a first motor, a second motor, and a controller. The first motor is operable to rotate a first threading extending in a first helical direction around an axis. The second motor is operable to rotate a second threading axially spaced apart from the first threading and extending in a second helical direction opposite the first helical direction around the axis. The controller is in communication with the first and second motors. The controller is configured to control speed and direction of the first and second motors to effect a desired pattern of axial and rotational movement of the tool. One method includes rotating the first threading in a first rotational direction, and simultaneously, rotating the second threading in a second rotational direction opposite the first direction.