Mikkelsen Graphic Engineering, Inc.

I-cut, Inc.

Peter Alsten

Geo Andersen

David G Jansson

Steen Mikkelsen

A method and apparatus are disclosed for performing finishing operations on at least one graphics area on a graphics sheet, the graphics sheet having a graphics side, an opposite process side, and reference features, the graphics side bearing the graphics area(s) and registration marks in predetermined positions with respect to the graphics area(s). The method comprises positioning the graphics sheet on a sheet-receiving surface, sensing from the graphics side the positions of the registration marks, determining the coordinates of the graphics area(s) with respect to the sheet-receiving surface as if viewable from the process side, and performing finishing operations on the process side of the graphics sheet based on such determination, whereby such process-side finishing operations compensate for variations of the graphics area(s).

Automated method and apparatus for vision registration of graphics areas operating from the unprinted side

A method for preparing a graphic on a sheet of material which also includes at least one registration mark at and about the graphic in predetermined positions. The method involves the steps of applying the graphic and at least one registration mark on a sheet of material in positions according to layout data, transferring the layout data to a processing controller, placing the sheet of material on a sheet-receiving surface, sensing the position of the registration mark on the sheet of material, and utilizing the layout data and the position of the registration mark to precisely narrow-path-process around the graphic on the sheet of material. Certain embodiments use either (a) a subset of marks which is applied on one side of graphic or certain reference features, such as edges and corners of the sheet and elements of the graphic, to ascertain the position and orientation of the sheet on the apparatus.

Method for preparing graphics on sheets

An improved method and apparatus for cutting graphics areas from a sheet of material bearing a combination of graphics areas and a plurality of registration marks in predetermined positions with respect thereto, the combination being in a predetermined approximate position and orientation with respect to a set of reference features of the sheet. The method involves automatically determining whether the reference features are in an expected coordinate region on a sheet-receiving surface, and, if not, automatically determining the coordinate region of such features. Further steps then include sensing metrics of the reference features to determine the position and orientation of the sheet, inferring therefrom the approximate positions of the registration marks and then sensing the precise positions thereof with a main sensor, and cutting the graphics areas from the sheet in response to such precise positions.

Method and apparatus for rapid precision cutting of graphics areas from sheets

An improved method and apparatus for automatic cutting of graphics area(s) from a sheet of material which includes such graphics area(s), the graphics areas having a plurality of registration marks in predetermined positions with respect thereto and including a subset of the marks on no more than one side of the graphics area which are initial-position/orientation-determining marks. The method involves placing the sheet on a sheet-receiving surface, attempting to sense the subset in the field of view of a main sensor, and, when the subset is not in an expected location, automatically determining the coordinate region of the subset on the sheet-receiving surface and automatically repositioning the main sensor to the coordinate region such that the subset is within the field of view of the main sensor. Then the position and orientation of the sheet and approximate positions of the plurality of marks are determined based on sensing the subset, and thereafter their precise positions are sensed to guide cutting operations.

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Racine, WI, United States of America

Peter Alsten