System and method for automated parametrization of a vibrating knife multi-ply cutting machine

A system for automated parameterization of a multi-ply, vibrating knife cutting machine, equipped with a programmable logic controller (PLC), wherein the system comprises:

• a) an LVDT sensor coupled to the vibrating knife and configured to (1) measure linear displacement of the vibrating knife and to (2) derive a cutting rate;
• b) a linear potentiometer sensor configured to measure a material spread height;
• and
• c) a through-beam photoelectric sensor configured to output a signal indicative of a knife width, the knife width being used to determine a deflection of the vibrating knife, wherein the PLC is programmed with an algorithm to receive and process signals from the sensors and to perform automated cutting parameterization;
• and
• d) a CAD computer includes a data collection routine, said data collection routine receives data from said LVDT sensor, said linear potentiometer sensor and said through-beam photoelectric sensor, said data collection routine receives input from said LVDT sensor, said linear photoelectric sensor and said through-beam photoelectric sensor to define the kind of material and automatically set machine cutting parameters before performing a cutting operation without operator input.