Other

Preco Industries, Inc.

James T Gramling

Charles C Raney

Hongli Du

James Cornell Martin

Ralph Gifford

A kinetic energy storage device includes first and second counter-rotating variable flywheels coupled to a differential. A control mechanism coupled to both flywheels allows the moment of inertia of each flywheel to be adjusted so that the flywheels, differentia, and control mechanism operate as a true infinitely variable transmission. The differential includes an output to allow kinetic energy to be extracted from and added to the device. The counter-rotating flywheels provide stability and controllability making the device suitable for use with short duty-cycle vehicle motivation. Also disclosed is a vehicle drive train configured to be driven by said kinetic energy storage device and a fixture for providing initial kinetic energy to the device.

Kinetic energy storage device

A die cutting press ( ) having a base platen ( ), a bolster ( ) shiftably and rotatably mounted on the base platen, and a die unit ( ) mounted on the bolster for movement therewith is provided for precision cutting of individual part-defining areas ( ) from longitudinal and laterally-arranged rows of part areas of a relatively thin substrate ( ) that is susceptible to deformation and warpage during its manufacture and wherein registration indicia ( ) is provided in association with each of the part-defining areas. Improved die registration apparatus includes a delivery unit ( ) for successively shifting the substrate in order to bring a cross-row ( ) of individual part areas into general alignment with the die unit, an indexing device ( ) operable to successively shift a cutting die ( ) of the die unit laterally ofthe substrate and relative to the bolster into general alignment with successive ones of said part areas, and cutting die registration mechanism connected to the bolster operable to sense and respond to the registration indicium associated with each respective part area to rotate and shift the bolster laterally different distances and angles depending upon distance of the part to be cut from the pivot axis of the bolster.

Flexible circuit cutting apparatus and method having indexing and registration mechanism

An indexing mechanism includes an index output shaft connected to a table or other apparatus for rotation therewith. A pinion is operatively connected to the shaft for rotation therewith to transmit rotational force to the table or apparatus. The pinion is rotated to a preset angular position by first and second drive gears, each of which are in engagement with the pinion. At least one motor is provided for carrying out rotation of the drive gears. One of the drive gears is rotated relative to the other gear in a predetermined direction into engagement with the pinion and rotates the pinion, if necessary, into contact with the other drive gear so that backlash is removed from the apparatus. This biasing action is a result of a phase shift carried out between the first and second drive gears such that one of the gears is rotated relative to the other drive gear. A particular phase shift apparatus adapted for use with the index table or apparatus is also disclosed.

Indexing apparatus

A die cutting press for processing web material is disclosed which is operable to provide very precise alignment of a reciprocable die cutting unit with each succesive area of the web to be die cut. In operation, the web is incrementally advanced toward the work station of the press until the area next to be die cut is substantially but not exactly in the die cut position thereof. The web feed is then placed in a creep mode to advance the web until an optical sensor determines the presence of transverse alignment indicium on one side of the web. Mechanism is thereupon actuated to rotate the die unit as required to bring the die assembly into alignment with related indicium on the opposite side of the web while effecting shifting of the web longitudinally thereof in a direction of travel as necessary to maintain die registration with the first sensed web indicium. Structure then shifts the die unit laterally of the web at the work station as required to bring the die unit into precise registration with longitudinally extending indicium on one side of the web. Only then is a defined area of the web subjected to the die cut unit. A cushion of air is provided for supporting the die unit while it is being rotated, during longitudinal shifting thereof in the creep mode, and as lateral shifting is accomplished with respect to the web. Extremely accurate is thereby accomplished registration of the die unit with the plurality of indicia associated with each area of the web subjected to the die cutting operation. Sensing of the presence or absence of alignment indicia on the web is preferably carried out through the use of photooptical devices associated with light transmitting flexible glass fiber bundles that direct light to the web as well as the light reflected therefrom back to the sensor mechanism. A microprocessor receives inputs from phototransistors to control operation of the die alignment and web advancement mechanism.

Web fed die cutting press having automatic 3-axis die registration system

A machine which cuts gaskets and similar parts from a thin strip of material and which arranges the parts in stacks. Feed rollers periodically advance the gasket material through a pair of dies which are forced together by a hydraulic ram. The cut gaskets are carried with the strip to a knockout station at which pneumatic cylinders force knockout dies against the gaskets to separate them from the strip. The gaskets fall onto a rack on which they are stacked until a preselected number is contained in the stack, at which time the machine stops. Power cylinders then extend the rack to a position where the stacked gaskets are readily accessible for removal.

Growing community of inventors

Overland Park, KS, United States of America

James T Gramling