Cutting – Processes
Reexamination Certificate
2002-03-01
2004-01-06
Ashley, Boyer D. (Department: 3724)
Cutting
Processes
C083S034000, C083S039000, C083S075000, C083S076800, C083S365000, C083S368000, C083S371000, C700S134000, C700S150000, C700S167000, C700S259000, C347S157000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06672187
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is related generally to the field of cutting of graphics areas or the like from sheets for various purposes, and other narrow-path-processing with respect to graphics areas on sheets.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The technical field involving the cutting of graphic areas from sheets, or otherwise doing narrow-path-processing with respect to graphics images on sheets, includes, for example, the face-cutting of laminate sheets to form decals. More specifically, a graphics image area on the face layer of a laminate needs to be cut away from the remainder of the face layer so that the graphics area (decal) can subsequently be pulled away from the backing layer of the laminate and be applied elsewhere as intended. Highly accurate face-layer cutting about the graphics is obviously highly desirable.
This is but one example in which highly accurate sheet cutting (or other processing) is desirable. In many other situations, highly accurate sheet cutting which is desired may not involve face-cutting, but through-cutting, in which the full thickness of the sheet is cut about a graphics area on the sheet. And in many situations, rather than highly accurate cutting, highly accurate scoring, creasing, line embossing or the like, in each case, of course, along a line the varying direction of which is determined by the shape of the graphics area. Together these types of operations on sheets with respect to graphics areas thereon are referred to herein for convenience as “narrow-path-processing.” For convenience, the prior art problems and the invention herein which solves such problems will be discussed primarily with reference to sheet-cutting apparatus.
A method and associated apparatus which addresses many of the problems encountered in such processing of sheet material is the i-cut™ vision cutting system from Mikkelsen Graphic Engineering of Lake Geneva, Wis., and is the subject of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/678,594, filed on Oct. 4, 2000, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/827,000, filed on Apr. 5, 2001, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/951,167, filed on Sep. 13, 2001.
The invention described in Ser. No. 09/678,594 is a method and apparatus for achieving highly improved accuracy in cutting around graphics areas in order to fully adjust for two-dimensional distortion in the sheets from which the graphics areas will be cut, including distortion of differing degrees in different directions on the sheet of material. The distortion may be from the printing process or from some other post-printing process such as material handling or during the cutting process itself This invention also provides improved speed and accuracy in narrow-path-processing and greater efficiency of material usage.
The invention described in Ser. No. 09/827,000 is a method and apparatus for automatically and rapidly determining the position and orientation of a sheet of material on a work surface. When the placement of the sheet of material is not precisely controlled, the speed of the cutting or other narrow-path-processing system is often impaired because the system may require manual intervention to adjust the placement of the sheet of material so that the system can begin processing. Thus, the invention described in such patent disclosure provides further improved speed over the invention described in the first-mentioned patent disclosure.
The invention described in Ser. No. 09/951,167 is a method and apparatus which further improves the speed and efficiency of narrow-path-processing by automatically correcting for careless initial manual placement or malfunctioning automatic placement of a sheet of material on a work surface. The invention automatically and rapidly finds a set of special marks used for determination of the position and orientation of the sheet of material, eliminating the need for yet another possible manual intervention step.
In some cases, such as in the i-cut™ system from Mikkelsen Graphic Engineering, a flatbed plotter is used. These are devices having a positionally-controlled cutting implement above a flat work surface on which the sheet to be cut rests. The cutting implements are controlled based on controller-supplied instructions based on the X-Y coordinates necessary to achieve cutting along the intended path, such as about the graphics area.
Achieving greater speed and overall efficiencies in cutting or other narrow-path-processing is a continuing challenge encountered in the field of graphics image processing. One measure of efficiency is the speed with which sheets are processed. A source of inefficiency is the length of time required by the system to begin the cutting process after the sheet of material on which graphics areas have been previously printed are placed on the work surface of the cutting apparatus, either manually or by automatic sheet-feeding equipment. In either of these set-up situations, the cutting apparatus must determine the position and orientation of the sheet on the work surface in order to proceed accurately with the cutting process. If the operator or automatic sheet-feeder places the sheet of material on the work surface such that it is outside of the area or region of alignment on the work surface which the cutting system expects to find the sheet, manual intervention may be necessary to adjust the placement of the sheet to within the required initial region in order for the process to continue beyond this initial set-up step. A further source of inefficiency is the time-consuming step which may be required to allow the system to determine the initial position and orientation of the sheet on the work surface.
Another measure of efficiency is the amount of material waste which is produced during narrow-path-processing. Depending on volumes of material processed and the cost of the material used, the amount of waste may be important to minimize in order to increase overall process efficiency.
Despite the significant advances represented by the i-cut™ system, further increases in efficiency (speed of operation and material usage) are highly desirable in automated cutting systems.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for precision cutting of graphics areas from sheets overcoming some of the problems and shortcomings of the prior art.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus which increases the speed of cutting and other narrow-path-processing of sheet material.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus which reduces material waste in cutting and other narrow-path-processing of sheet material.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus which automate the cutting and other narrow-path-processing of sheet material as much as possible.
Another object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus for reducing the time to determine sheet position and orientation in apparatus for precise cutting around graphics areas.
Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for cutting and other narrow-path-processing with respect to graphics on sheet materials of various kinds.
These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following descriptions and from the drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The instant invention overcomes the above-noted problems and shortcomings and satisfies the objects of the invention. The invention is an improved method and apparatus for cutting graphics areas from sheets, or other narrow-path-processing with respect to graphics images. Stated more broadly, the invention is an improved method and apparatus for narrow-path-processing with respect to graphics images on sheets, including by cutting, creasing, scoring or the like around such images. Of particular note is that the instant invention brings high speed and improved efficiency, including minimizing material waste and eliminating certain manual intervention, to the precision cutting of graphics
Alsten Peter
Andersen Geo
Jansson David G.
Ashley Boyer D.
Jansson & Shupe & Munger Ltd.
Mikkelsen Graphic Engineering Inc.
LandOfFree
Method and apparatus for rapid precision cutting of graphics... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus for rapid precision cutting of graphics..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for rapid precision cutting of graphics... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3226405