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AssigneeOhio Electronic Engravers, Inc.
InventorsKim E. Izor, Kenneth F. Bornhorst, Jr., Larry D. Lucous
Estimating the term…
A method and apparatus for automated loading and unloading of a cylinder in an engraver. The method and apparatus permit the engraver to accommodate cylinders of differing geometries, including a range of lengths, diameters and mounting configurations. The engraver includes a headstock and a tailstock which cooperate to rotatably support a cylinder at an engraving station in the engraver. The engraver also comprises a cylinder handling system having at least one cylinder support for supporting the cylinder between the headstock and tailstock during loading and unloading of the cylinder. In one form, the cylinder supports each comprise a telescoping support member having a support nest for engaging and supporting the cylinder at the engraving station. In another form, the cylinder supports each include a support housing and a support structure mounted to the support housing. In this form, the support structure includes at least one cylinder receiving area. Selection may be made between plural cylinder receiving areas for receiving cylinders of different dimensions.
A cylinder support for use in an engraver comprising:
A method of registering one of a plurality of cylinders into a predetermined position in an engraver, said method comprising the steps of:
A method of positioning at least one of a plurality of cylinders in an engraver comprising a mounting axis, said method comprising the steps of:
A method of positioning a cylinder in an engraver, said method comprising the steps of:
A cylinder support for facilitating registration of one of a plurality of cylinders in a predetermined mounting position in an engraver, said plurality of cylinders each comprising a different dimension, said cylinder support comprising:
An engraver for engraving a cylinder comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.