System and method for installing and using graphical dies
AssigneeMetal Magic, Inc.
InventorsCharles Brown, Cy R. Brown
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for aligning and installing graphical dies onto an embossing press or foil stamping press is provided. The system includes a number of die support panels having a number of threaded openings disposed in columns and rows in a grid like fashion and identified with x and y axis indicia. The system also includes a number of dies with a number of apertures each identified with a pair of x and y axis indicia. Fasteners and indicia are used to align and attach the dies to the die support panels in a predetermined position. The system preferable further comprises one or more adjusters used to make minute positioning adjustments to the die after it is installed on the panel.
Claims20
A die system comprising:
- a) one or more die support panels, each of said one or more die support panels comprising a plurality of openings disposed substantially equidistantly in a substantially grid like pattern in a plurality of rows and columns, each one said one or more die support panels having a plurality of y-axis indicia, each one of said plurality of y-axis indicia being disposed substantially adjacently with a corresponding row of said openings, each one said one or more die support panels further having a plurality of x-axis indicia, each one of said plurality of x-axis indicia being disposed substantially adjacently with a corresponding column of said openings, wherein each pair of one of said x-axis indicia and one of said y-axis indicia reference and correspond to one of said plurality of openings;
- b) one or more dies, each of said one or more dies comprising a top surface having a graphic design thereon and a recessed region surrounding said graphic design, each die further having one or more apertures disposed in said recessed region, each aperture being referenced and identified with a pair of one of said plurality of x-axis and one of said plurality of y-axis indicia disposed substantially adjacently thereto;
- and
- c) a plurality of positioning fasteners, each one of said plurality of positioning fasteners corresponding with and being adapted to mate with one of said apertures of one of said dies and one of said openings of said die support panel that corresponds with said pair of x-axis and y-axis indicia disposed next to said aperture, wherein said dies may be properly aligned and selectively attached to said die support panel in a predetermined proper location.
A method for aligning and attaching one or more dies to an embossing or foil stamping press, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) providing one or more die support panels, each of said one or more die support panels comprising being installed on an embossing press or a foil stamping press and having a plurality of openings disposed substantially equidistantly in a substantially grid like pattern in a plurality of rows and columns, each one said one or more die support panels having a plurality of y-axis indicia, each one of said plurality of y-axis indicia being disposed substantially adjacently with a corresponding row of said openings, each one said one or more die support panels further having a plurality of x-axis indicia, each one of said plurality of x-axis indicia being disposed substantially adjacently with a corresponding column of said openings, wherein each pair of one of said x-axis indicia and one of said y-axis indicia reference and correspond to one of said plurality of openings;
- b) providing one or more dies, each of said one or more dies comprising a top surface having a graphic design thereon and a recessed region surrounding said graphic design, each die further having one or more apertures disposed in said recessed region, each aperture being referenced and identified with a pair of one of said plurality of x-axis and one of said plurality of y-axis indicia disposed substantially adjacently thereto;
- c) providing a plurality of positioning fasteners;
- d) using the pairs of x-axis and y-axis indicia disposed next to each aperture of said dies to align said apertures above corresponding openings of said die support panel that correspond with said pairs of x-axis and y-axis indicia disposed next to said apertures;
- e) selectively attaching said dies to said die support panel with said plurality of fasteners.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.