Method and apparatus for positioning at least one engraving head

An engraving system comprising:

• at least one engraving head;
• and
• positioning means coupled to said at least one engraving head for moving said at least one engraving head in a direction which is generally parallel with the axis of the cylinder in order to position said at least one engraving head into a predetermined position in the engraver;
• wherein the system comprises a plurality of engraving heads;
• said positioning means including at least one driver associated with at least one of said plurality of engraving heads and
• wherein said positioning means further comprises at least one sensor associated with at least one driver for sensing the relative positions of said plurality of engraving heads.

An engraving system comprising:

• at least one engraving head;
• and
• positioning means coupled to said at least one engraving head for moving said at least one engraving head in a direction which is generally parallel with the axis of the cylinder in order to position said at least one engraving head into a predetermined position in the engraver;
• wherein said at least one engraving head is located on a carriage which is slidably mounted on the engraver;
• wherein said positioning means is located on said carriage.

An engraving system comprising:

• at least one engraving head;
• and
• positioning means coupled to said at least one engraving head for moving said at least one engraving head in a direction which is generally parallel with the axis of the cylinder in order to position said at least one engraving head into a predetermined position in the engraver;
• wherein said at least one engraving head is located on a carriage which is slidably mounted on the engraver;
• wherein said system comprises a plurality of engraving heads located on the carriage;
• said positioning means being capable of driving said plurality of engraving heads into a predetermined position on the carriage.

An engraving system comprising:

• at least one engraving head;
• and
• positioning means coupled to said at least one engraving head for moving said at least one engraving head in a direction which is generally parallel with the axis of the cylinder in order to position said at least one engraving head into a predetermined position in the engraver;
• wherein said engraver comprises a screw, said positioning means comprising a driver associated with at least one of said at least one engraving head and cooperating with said screw to position said at least one engraving head into the predetermined position;
• and
• wherein said at least one engraving head, said screw and said positioning means are mounted on a carriage.

An engraving system comprising:

• at least one engraving head;
• and
• positioning means coupled to said at least one engraving head for moving said at least one engraving head in a direction which is generally parallel with the axis of the cylinder in order to position said at least one engraving head into a predetermined position in the engraver;
• wherein said engraver comprises a screw, said positioning means comprising a driver associated with at least one of said at least one engraving head and cooperating with said screw to position said at least one engraving head into the predetermined position;
• and
• wherein said driver comprises a connector rotatably mounted on said screw and a drive motor associated with said at least one engraving head for causing relative movement between said connector and said screw to cause said at least one engraving head to be moved into said predetermined position.

An engraving system comprising:

• at least one engraving head;
• and
• positioning means coupled to said at least one engraving head for moving said at least one engraving head in a direction which is generally parallel with the axis of the cylinder in order to position said at least one engraving head into a predetermined position in the engraver;
• wherein said at least one engraving head comprises a preselected engraving head and a second engraving head,
• translation means comprises drive means for permitting said preselected engraving head and said second engraving head to be driven while maintaining a predetermined spacing between said second engraving head and said preselected engraving head;
• and
• wherein said drive means drives said preselected engraving head and said second engraving head in a direction which is generally parallel to an axis of a cylinder when the cylinder is placed in the engraver.

An engraving system comprising:

• at least one engraving head;
• and
• positioning means coupled to said at least one engraving head for moving said at least one engraving head in a direction which is generally parallel with the axis of the cylinder in order to position said at least one engraving head into a predetermined position in the engraver;
• wherein said at least one engraving head comprises a preselected engraving head and a second engraving head,
• translation means comprises drive means for permitting said preselected engraving head and said second engraving head to be driven while maintaining a predetermined spacing between said second engraving head and said preselected engraving head;
• and
• wherein said drive means comprises a screw mounted on the engraver, at least one connector associated with said preselected engraving head and said second engraving head and mounted on said screw and a drive motor for causing relative movement between the at least one connector and the screw to drive said preselected engraving head and said second engraving head.

A method for engraving a cylinder comprising the steps of:

• (a) mounting a cylinder on the engraver;
• (b) automatically adjusting a plurality of engraving heads into a predetermined configuration in an initial pre-engraved position in order to engrave a plurality of images onto said cylinder;
• and
• (c) engraving said plurality of images onto said cylinder.

A method for engraving a cylinder comprising the steps of:

• (a) mounting a cylinder on the engraver;
• (b) automatically adjusting a plurality of engraving heads into a predetermined configuration in order to engrave a plurality of images onto said cylinder;
• and
• (c) engraving said plurality of images onto said cylinder;
• wherein said method further comprises the step of:
• adjustably locating said plurality of engraving heads on a carriage which is adjustably mounted on said engraver.

A method for engraving a cylinder comprising the steps of:

• (a) mounting a cylinder on the engraver;
• (b) automatically adjusting a plurality of engraving heads into a predetermined configuration in order to engrave a plurality of images onto said cylinder;
• and
• (c) engraving said plurality of images onto said cylinder;
• and
• wherein said method further comprises the step of:
• locking said plurality of engraving heads into said predetermined configuration.

A method for engraving a cylinder comprising the steps of:

• (a) mounting a cylinder on the engraver;
• (b) automatically adjusting a plurality of engraving heads into a predetermined configuration in order to engrave a plurality of images onto said cylinder;
• and
• (c) engraving said plurality of images onto said cylinder;
• wherein said method further comprises the step of:
• sensing a relative position between at least one of said plurality of engraving heads and a predetermined location on said cylinder;
• said predetermined location being defined by an engraved mark engraved on said cylinder.

An engraving system comprising:

• a plurality of engraving heads;
• a positioner for moving said plurality of engraving heads in order to automatically position said plurality of engraving heads into a predetermined engraving position in an engraver;
• and
• a brake associated with said positioner for locking said plurality of engraving heads into said predetermined position.