Method and apparatus for preparing and positioning a web for splicing

Abstract

A method and apparatus for facilitating a splicer operator's pre-splice preparation and positioning of the leading end of a new web for splicing, in a splicer, to the running web of an expiring roll. The webs both include regular and longitudinally spaced registration marks and identical, repeating and longitudinally spaced patterns. A movable table is used for the initial, off line, pre-splice web preparations. It includes a fixture for guiding the leading end of the new web along a longitudinal path and a hole puncher adjacent to the path. An optical instrument is also mounted on the table and is movable transversely across the path. The optical instrument is spaced longitudinally a preselected distance from the hole puncher. The operator moves the new web along and the optical instrument across the path until a registration mark is aligned beneath the optical instrument. The operator then punches holes in the new web using the hole puncher. The leading end of the web is next introduced into the splicer and the web holes are placed over splicer locating pins mounted a preselected distance from a splicing reference position. An optical sensor is disposed a predetermined distance from the reference position and initiates the web splicing by signaling the passage of a registration mark on the running web.