Abstract:
A positioning system for use in a plotter having a reverse axis arrangement moves the Y carriage along two generally parallel spaced apart guides and comprises a first and second cable each having equal lenghts and forming a loop respectively attached to opposite ends of the Y carriage. Each of the cables is commonly wound around a single drive drum having double helical grooves formed on it into which respective ones of the first and the second cables is received. Each end of each cable is secured to the drum and is wrapped along its length such that portions of each of the first and second cables are directed away from and back towards the drum to define the loops which move the carriage. This arrangement allows an equal number of turns of each of the first and second cables to be maintained on the drum regardless of the direction in which it is rotated.
Abstract:
A cutter head having a reciprocating knife has a base frame movable relative to a support carriage between a raised non-cutting position and a lowered cutting position with the base frame and the support carriage cooperating with one another to limit the movement of the base frame to define raised and lowered positions. A variable lowering stop mechanism is interposed between said base frame and said carriage to adjustably lower the cutting depth of the knife relative to said support carriage in response to a decrease in knife length at its tip resulting from sharpening. The variable lowering stop mechanism may be activated by a controller which counts the number of sharpenings occurring during a cutting operation.
Abstract:
A computer aided design system includes a means for varying the color of a part of a design created on a visual display screen. A selected color for part of the design is then measured to provide a set of color describing values useful in later reproducing the selected color in an actual garment or other article.
Abstract:
A cutting head for cutting spread sheet material and using a vertically reciprocating knife achieves a light-weight, low cost, low maintenance and high stroking speed design through a unique combination and arrangement of parts wherein the knife drive motor is isolated from rotation with the knife about the theta axis without using a conventional swivel mechanism. The knife has a leaf spring portion directly connected to the eccentric member, fatigue failure of the leaf spring portion of the blade is inhibited by antivibration stops and by a varying cross-section, a simple sharpener mechanism sharpens the blade on either one or both side faces, and a roller guide restrains the lower portion of the blade to the vertical axis with minimum frictional loss.
Abstract:
A sheet material cutter is movable between a number of different cutting stations at which it cooperates respectively with a number of stationary spreading tables. Vacuum is transmitted from a single stationary vacuum generator to a number of normally closed junction boxes located one at each of the cutting stations. When the cutter is positioned at a selected cutting station, a vacuum inlet carried by the cutter aligns with the junction box serving that station, and the vacuum inlet is movable between connected and disconnected positions relative to the junction box to supply vacuum from the generator to the cutter.
Abstract:
An automatically controlled machine for cutting limp sheet material includes a vacuum bed defining a surface on which the sheet material is spread and held during cutting. A reciprocating cutting blade penetrates through the sheet material and the support surface of the vacuum bed as the blade is translated parallel to the support surface along lines of cut. A plurality of air-impermeable panels extend through the bed in spaced relationship to sectionalize the vacuum bed and permit the vacuum to be generated only in those portions of the bed where the cutting blade is operating. To prevent interference with the penetrating cutting blade, the panels are individually withdrawn from the bed when the cutting blade approaches.
Abstract:
A method of making signs in multiple colors employs an automatically controlled sign making machine and a multi-ply layup of sign material in which the different plies have different colors. The sign making machine has a cutting tool that is moved in the cutting relationship with the layup to cut sign characters defined in the machine memory. The cutting tool is adjustable in depth of cut into the layup so that signs having characters and background of different colors can be prepared.
Abstract:
An eyeglass apparatus having a variable focal length lens and an associated method for varying the focal length of the lens uses a lens having a focal length which is variable as pressure along the lens is varied. Focal length adjusting mechanisms carried by the eyeglass frames provide for manual or automatic adjustment of the lens focal length.
Abstract:
Cleaning apparatus for removing foreign material lodged between the bristles of a bristle pad includes a cabinet, a grid mounted in fixed position within the cabinet, and a cage supported for reciprocal movement within the cabinet for carrying the pad and cyclically impacting it against the grid. An exhaust fan draws air through the cabinet and across and through the grid to remove foreign material from the cabinet.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for cutting pattern pieces from sheet material with an automatically controlled cutting machine utilizes special control techniques for guiding a reciprocating cutting blade accurately along a desired cutting path defined by the pattern piece peripheries. The cutting machine includes a control computer which also serves as a data processor for generating machine command signals and controlling cutting blade movements. The controller has memory units which contain standard cutting programs and optional programs. From a program selector panel, the cutting machine operator can select optional programs which modify the standard programs in a manner most suitably adapted to cause the cutting blade to follow the cutting path in the sheet material more accurately. The optional programs vary the feed rate or stroking speed, introduce yaw signals to control blade orientation along the cutting path, or perform other control functions.