US 7,154,530 B2 · System for cutting shapes preset in a continuous stream of sheet material

Abstract

Method and apparatus enable cutting out shapes (S) preset in moving sheet material (10) by locating coordinates of one or more fiducials (F,F2 . . . ) in the sheet material (10) with a vision system (12). The fiducials (F,F2 . . . ) correspond to a pattern (P) for the preset shape (S). A cutting system (11) superimposes the pattern (P) relative to the located one or more fiducials (F,F2 . . . ) for cutting out the preset shape (S) while the vision system (12) is concurrently locating subsequent one or more fiducials (F,F2 . . . ) in the moving sheet material (10). The concurrent processes of cutting and locating subsequent fiducials (F,F2 . . . ) are repeated substantially continuously. Preferably, using two or more fiducials (F,F2 . . . ), distortion is detected and the pattern (P) can be remapped before cutting for accurate superposition of the pattern (P) and distorted preset shape (S).

Claims25

Dependent claims

A method of cutting out one at least one shape (S) preset in sheet material (10), the at least one preset shape (S) having a pattern (P) with predetermined geometry and having at least one fiducial (F,F2 . . . ), each of the at least one fiducial (F,F2 . . . ) corresponding to predetermined coordinates in the pattern (P), comprising:

locating the global coordinates of located one or more fiducials (F,F2 . . . ) corresponding to a located shape (S) of the at least one shape (s) with a vision system (12) while the sheet material (10) moves relative to the vision system (12) and relative to a cutting system (11);
cutting the pattern (P) for the located shape (S), the pattern (P) being superimposed relative to the located one or more fiducials (F,F2 . . . ), while concurrently locating the global coordinates of subsequent one or more fiducials (F,F2 . . . ) for at least a subsequent shape (S) in the moving sheet material (10);
and
substantially continuously repeating the concurrent processes of cutting the located shape (S) while locating the global coordinates of subsequent one or more fiducials (F,F2 . . . ) for the at least one subsequent shape (S).

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System for cutting shapes preset in a continuous stream of sheet material

Life of this patent

System for cutting shapes preset in a continuous stream of sheet material

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25