Flexible circuit cutting apparatus and method having indexing and registration mechanism

Abstract

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.