# US 5,706,100 A · Engraving system and method for helical and circumferential engraving > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,706,100 A - Document ID: US5706100A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/681,842 - Filed: 1996-07-29 - Granted: 1998-01-06 - Earliest claimed: 1995-02-21 - Assignees: Ohio Electronic Engravers, Inc. - Inventors: David R. Seitz; Curtis Woods; Matthew Alan Thomas - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5706100A ## CPC - H04N 1/0678: {using a lead-screw or worm} - B41C 1/04: using heads controlled by an electric information signal - H04N 1/047: Detection, control or error compensation of scanning velocity or position ({H04N1/0402 and } H04N1/17 take precedence) - H04N 1/06: using cylindrical picture-bearing surfaces {, i.e. scanning a main-scanning line substantially perpendicular to the axis and lying in a curved cylindrical surface} - H04N 2201/02416: Rotational positioning, i.e. with respect to an axis - H04N 2201/02439: Positioning method - H04N 2201/03158: Heat radiator - H04N 2201/042: capable of using different scanning methods at a single scanning station - H04N 2201/0471: using dedicated detectors - H04N 2201/0472: on or adjacent the sheet support - H04N 2201/04729: in the main-scan direction - H04N 2201/04734: Detecting at frequent intervals, e.g. once per line for sub-scan control - H04N 2201/04755: by controlling the position or movement of a scanning element or carriage, e.g. of a polygonal mirror, of a drive motor - H04N 2201/04767: by controlling the timing of the signals, e.g. by controlling the frequency o phase of the pixel clock - H04N 2201/04791: in the sub-scan direction - H04N 2201/04794: Varying the control or compensation during the scan, e.g. using continuous feedback or from line to line - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - B41C: PROCESSES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR REPRODUCTION OF PRINTING SURFACES (photomechanical processes for producing printing surfaces G03F; photoelectrical processes for producing printing surfaces G03G) ## Abstract A cylindrical engraving system selectively able to engrave in a helical and a circumferential format. An encoder scans index markings on the surface of a cylinder being engraved and generates timing pulses for selective application to one or the other of a helical drive unit or a circumferential drive unit incorporated within the system controller. Engraving is performed by an engraving head which is stepped in the axial direction along the workpiece in response to step pulses generated by the selected drive unit. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for engraving a cylinder comprising the steps of: (a) helically engraving a helical pattern on said cylinder; (b) cylindrically engraving a cylindrical pattern on said cylinder; and (c) controlling an engraving head to perform said steps (a) and (b). ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said driving step (c) comprises the step of: stepping said engraving head across said surface of said cylinder. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said step (a) is performed before step (b). ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said step (b) is performed before step (a). ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said step (a) comprises the step of: driving said engraving head at a substantially constant speed. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said step (a) further comprises the step of: energizing a motor to rotate a leadscrew in regularly occurring angular steps during said step (a). ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method as recited in claim 6 wherein said helical pattern comprises a single helical track. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said step (b) further comprises the step of: energizing a motor to rotate a leadscrew in spaced bursts of rapidly repeated angular steps during said step (b). ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said cylindrical pattern comprises a plurality of spaced-apart cylindrical tracks. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said helical pattern comprises a single helical track. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said method further comprises the step of: selecting to engrave either said helical pattern or said cylindrical pattern; performing said step (a) if said helical pattern is selected or said step (b) if said cylindrical pattern is selected. ### Claim 12 An engraving system for engraving a helical pattern and a cylindrical pattern on a cylinder comprising: an engraving head mounted on a carriage; a cylinder support for receiving a cylinder; a driver for driving said carriage; and a controller coupled to said engraving head and said driver for energizing said driver and said engraving head to helically engrave a helical pattern on said cylinder and also to cylindrically engraving a cylindrical pattern on said cylinder. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The engraving system as recited in claim 12 wherein said driver further comprises: a motor; said controller being coupled to said motor and capable of energizing said motor to step said engraving head across said surface of said cylinder to effect engraving of said cylindrical pattern. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The engraving system as recited in claim 12 wherein said driver further comprises: a motor; said controller being coupled to said motor and capable of energizing said motor to drive said engraving head at a substantially constant speed. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The engraving system as recited in claim 12 wherein said system further comprises: a leadscrew for driving said carriage; a motor coupled to said leadscrew; said controller being coupled to said motor to energize said motor to rotate said leadscrew in regularly occurring angular steps when engraving said helical pattern. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The engraving system as recited in claim 12 wherein said helical pattern comprises a single helical track. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The engraving system as recited in claim 12 wherein said system further comprises: a leadscrew for driving said carriage; a motor coupled to said leadscrew step; said controller being coupled to said motor to energize said motor to rotate a leadscrew in spaced bursts of rapidly repeated angular steps when engraving said cylindrical pattern. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The engraving system as recited in claim 17 wherein said cylindrical pattern comprises a plurality of spaced-apart cylindrical tracks. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The engraving system as recited in claim 18 wherein said helical pattern comprises a single helical track. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The engraving system as recited in claim 12 wherein said controller energizes said driver to engrave said helical pattern before said cylindrical pattern. ### Claim 21 (depends on 12) The engraving system as recited in claim 12 wherein said controller energizes said driver to engrave said cylindrical pattern before said helical pattern. ### Claim 22 (depends on 12) The engraving system as recite in claim 12, further comprising: a switch associated with said controller for selectively switching between engraving said helical pattern and said cylindrical pattern.