Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to printing apparatus and more
particularly to an apparatus which is capable of individually
printing indicium on a substrate in accordance with a pre-
determined scheme.
Background of the Invention
The printing of articles, such as nameplatesj bookcovers,presentation folders, leather goods, metalwares, to provide an
attractive appearance for the lettering is normally done by
hand. This may involve the use of systems, such as Letraset
(trademark) for the manual placement of letters on an article,
engraving letters or stamping of a custom made die printing
letters in a desired arrangement. However, where several articles
have to be printed, each with a different series of letters,
the lettering has to be done by hand for each article to present
each peculiar series of letters in a visually attractive manner.
Canadian patents 182,923 and 378,440 disclose printing
machines which use a typecase with a set of movable type for
placement of selected type beneath a plunger to form a type
impression on an article. Although both mechanisms disclose
mechanical linkage which is actuated to move the article after
each letter is typed, such movement bears no relationship to a
desired relative spacing between a letter just typed and the
next letter to be typed. Thus, in the typing of various series
of letters, spacing will occur between typed letters which is
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based only on width of letters and, therefore, unpleasing to
the eye in presenting the name, as a result necessitating a
manual effort to print articles where presentation of letters is
important.
United States patent 1,057,737 discloses a machine for
making electric type matrices. The matrices are of wax or
plastic which are used for making electrotype printing plates.
The holder for the matrix and that for the printing form are
relatively adjustable in different directions in a manner to
enable an impression to be made in a predetermined position on
the matrix plate, or a succession of duplicate or dissimilar
impressions to be made. However, tne machine is not useful for
printing individual letters where the spacing between letter
types is important.
United States patent 3,924,720 discloses a printing device
for printing letters on nameplate markers for steel strapping
and the like. The printing device includes a drum having print
faces formed thereon. As the nameplate markers are advanced
beneath the drum, selected print faces on the drum print res-
pective letters onto the nameplate. The advance of the nameplate
beneath the drum is determined by a mechanism involving the use
of an escapement wheel, thus the spacing between letters is
consistent regardless of the next letter to be typed.
The printing apparatus, according to this invention, unlike
the above-noted printing devices is capable of printing a series
of printed letters in a desired presentation format, where each
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letter is individually printed. Such printing operation may be
automated and may be designed to determine the relative
positioning between letters in accordance with a predetermined
scheme for such letter spacing prior to printing each letter of
a selected series.
Summary of the Invention
A printing apparatus, according to this invention, prints
individually indicium on an article or substrate to present
adjacent letters in a desired visually attractive format. The
apparatus causes relative movement between the printing device
and the article, so as to print the next particular indicium at
a location which is determined in accordance with a predetermined
; scheme for desired relative positioning of a particular indicium
printed and the next adjacent particular indicium to be printed.
15The predetermined scheme for relative positioning of a
particular indicium of a printed series is based on a prescribed
relationship for certain styles of indicium. The predetermined
scheme may involve relationships for spacing between indicium,
such as the letter of the alphabet, in accordance with developed
units of spacing between any combination of adjacent letters
for the desired, visually attractive proportional spacing
between such letters.
According to an aspect of the invention, the printing
apparatus comprises means for printing individually each indicium
of a series on a substrate. Means is provided for supporting
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a substrate to be printed on. Means adjusts the relative
positions of the printing means and the support means, by
effecting relative movement therebetween after each indicium
of a series is printed, and means controls the adjustment means.
Means inputs into the control means the indicium of a series.
The control means directs the adjustment means to effect relative
movement between the supported substrate and the printing means,
after an indicium is printed to an extent which is determined by
the control means in accordance with a predetermined scheme for
the desired relative positioning of a particular indicium just
printed and the next particular indicium to be printed. The
printing apparatus, therefore, provides the desired presentation
format on a substrate for a series of individually printed
indicia.
The invention may, accordingly, provide printing apparatus
which, in determining the relative spacing between indicia
printed and to be printed in accordance with a predetermined
scheme, is capable of effecting movement of the article to be
printed relative to the printing head. The printing head is
shiftable relative to an actuator to locate a print die of an
array of dies in the printing head beneath the actuator, so that
on actuation, the particular die imprints the desired indicium
on the article. The movement of the array may be controlled in
several ways and, according to another aspect of the invention,
may be effected by the-use of a unique arrangement of serially
connected individually controllable pneumatic cylinders which
are adapted to bidirectionally move the print head.
Computational means, which is responsive to input data
representative of indicium to be printed, may be used in deter-
mining the relative positions between the printed indicium, inaccordance with a predetermined scheme. Thus, in determining
the relative positioning, the computational means may be
adapted to signal means for controlling the printing apparatus
to ensure printing of the next indicium in the proper location
on the article to provide the desired visually acceptable
proportional spacing of letters for any desired series of letters.
Brief Descri tion of the Drawings
p
Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the
drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a layout of an embodiment of the apparatus
according to this invention;
Figure 2 is an isometric view of the printing device of
the apparatus of Figure l;
Figures 3 and 4 are top plan views of the apparatus of
Figure 2 showing various relative positionings of the printing
device and the article being printed;
Figure 5 is exemplary of relative positioning of letters
which are printed by the printing device;
Figure 6 is a broken-away view of details of the printing
head assembly of the printing device of Figure 2;
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Figure 7 is a side elevation of the printing head device
of Figure 2; and
Figure 8 is a schematic of electrical circuitry for inter-
facing output of controller with pneumatic air cylinder solenoid
valves.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
The printing apparatus shown in Figure 1 is generally
designated 10. The apparatus comprises a printing device 12 and
shifting devices 14 for moving the printing device to locate a
desired print die of an array of print dies beneath print
actuator 16. Controller 18, in combination with input from
computer 22, controls the operation of the shifting devices 14
for shifting the printing device 12, the actuator 16 and drive 20
which effects relative movement between article to be printed and
the printing device 12. Computer terminal 22 has a keyboard 24
which may be used to enter input data representative of the
letters to be typed. The computer may be loaded with a program
via a tape reader 26, where the computer in following the program
performs the series of calculations, according to a predeter-
mined scheme, for determining the relative positioning between
input letters to be typed by the printing device 12. The
controller 18 may, of course, be integral with the computer 22.
The apparatus 10, as shown in Figure 1, is particularly
adapted for hot stamp printing of articles, where a foil carrying
a substance to be imprinted on the article passes beneath the
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printing device 12 and is imprinted on the article where an
appropriate die is actuated. The foil is fed through the
printing device as paid out from reel 28 and waste collected on
drive reel 30.
It is the purpose of the apparatus to print letters with
the desirable relative spacing, such as demonstrated in Figure
5, whereit can be clearly seen in the word l'Town'l that there
is overlap of the top of the capital l'T" relative to the
letter "o" and virtually no spacing between the edge of the
letter "o" and adjacent letter "w". On the other hand, between
the "w" and the ~Inll~ there is slight spacing as indicated by the
arrows. This relationship in the letters is visually, pro-
portionately correct. Similarly, with the letters llrll, lloll,
it can be seen in that particular combination of indicium there
is slight spacing between the edge of the llrll and the edge of
the lloll. It is possible to formulate a chart representing the
number of units of spacing between the mid-portion of letters to
define the proper proportional spacing therebetween. This may be
done visually and in taking a basic unit of measurement, the
various spacings may be worked up to provide a chart covering
all possible combinations of small letters with themselves and
with capital letters.
Using the same approach, various charts may be formulated
to cover all styles of script, letters, numerals and any other
types of indicium which may be printed in a series with the
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desired correct visual format. Thus, each letter to be typed
may be assigned so many units of width, where for example in
Figure 5, the capital "T" may be 30 units in width, whereas the
small letter "o" may be 15 units in width. In visually posi-
tioning the "T" relative to the "o", calculations may be made todetermine, in this instance, the particular distance between the
medians of the capital "T" and the small letter "o" to deter-
mine the extent to which an article should be advanced relative
to a printing device before printing the "o" after the "T".
Once a chart is developed establishing the relationship of all
possible combinations of letters to be typed, this information
may be used to program the computer 22, such that it may access
upon command the chart as fed into the computer's memory by
reader 26 to determine relative spacing between particular
letters as they are called for in the printing process.
Turning to Figure 6 of the drawings, further details of
the printing device are shown. The printing head 32 comprises
a body portion in the form of a solid metal plate 34 which has
formed therein a plurality of bores for reciprocally mounting
therein a corresponding plurality of print dies 36.
As shown in Figure 7, the plate 34 has the bores 38 so
formed to accept the base portion 40 of the print die as connected
to upper stem 42 which extends through the plate bore. Each
die is spring biased to the retracted position by coil spring
44 which is held in place by keeper 46. The retracted position
is determined by the upper face of print die 40 resting against
face 48 of the plate bore. On the underside 50 of the print die
is a particular outline for the indicium to be printed by that
die. Each die is extended by an actuator means which may be in
the form of an air operated plunger 52 which has a ram rod 54
extending downwardly therefrom. The end of the rod is pointed
at 56 so as to be received by correspondingly shaped groove 58
in the upper portion of each stem of print die. As the plunger
forward portion 56 contacts the groove 58 of the print die, a
centering effect is achieved and relative rotation of the die
is prevented, as it is extended outwardly of the plate 34 to
contact the article to be printed.
The plate 34 is designed so as to have the dies placed
about the plate in various groupings. As shown in Figure 7,
the series of dies are equally spaced apart across the front of
the plate, the single unit of spacing being designated 60.
The spacing between the dies in the other direction, as shown
in Figure 6, is a single unit of spacing designated 62. The
rest of the dies are positioned on the plate in a manner to be
spaced apart equal to the single unit of spacing 60 or 62 in
either direction or multiples thereof in forming a matrix of
die positions. For example, the spacing between die 36a and 36b
may be twice the spacing between dies 36a and 36c, so as to
segregate capital letters in a:~atrix separate from the matrix of
small letters on the array or any other desired segregation of
indicium.
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As mentioned, the device is particularly adapted for hot
stamp printing where the metal plate 34 has immersed in spaces
provided between group of dies a plurality of heaters 64 which
are thermostatically controlled by control device 66 having ad-
justment nob 6B with temperature readout 70. The device is
powered through an electrical wire 72. Depending upon the type
of hot stamp application, one skilled in the art of letter hot
stamping would be able to adjust the temperature of the block
to achieve the desired die temperatures due to their intimate
contact with the block to heat the faces to an appropriate hot
stamping temperature. Suitable heat reflective shields 74 may
be used to reflect the heat away from the support and guide
mechanism for the printing head device 32.
Having selected the various indicium to be printed in an
application, such as the use of the letters of the alphabet and
numbers, the position of each particular indicium print die on
the plate 34 may be established in terms of coordinates relative
to axes such as X and Y axes shown on plate 34 in Figure 6.
In establishing a coordinate in terms of number of units of
spacing of 60 and 62 for each print die in the plate, this
information may be programmed in the computer 22, so that in
directing the printing of the particular indicium, the plate
34 may be shifted so as to locate the appropriate print die
beneath the plunger 54 for printing.
To accomplish the location of a particular print die
~13S115
beneath the plunger 52, which in this embodiment is always
fixed, a unique arrangement of pneumatic cylinders has been
developed to shift the plate 34 relative to the plunger device
52. The arrangement for the pneumatic cylinders provides a
series of interconnected cylinders which are individually con-
trollable for extension and retraction. In individually con-
trolling the cylinders, the array may be shifted in the X and Y
directions by using two sets of cylinders to locate a desired
die beneath the plunger 52. The use of pneumatic cylinders has
been found to be most advantageous in precisely locating the dies
relative to the plunger to provide fast response and precise
stepping of the plate printing device 32 relative to the plungers
52. It is appreciated, however, that other forms of drive or
shifting mechanisms may be used, such as use of stepping motors,
one of which would adjust the plate in the X direction, the
other of which would adjust the plate in the Y direction to
locate, according to the particular coordinates, desired print
die beneath the plunger 52.
As shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7, the printing head 32
is mounted on transversely extending bars 76 which extend
through heat reflector plate 74 and are secured to opposing up-
right support plates 78, which are in turn secured to guide
plate 80. Guide plates 80 have apertures 82 formed therein and
through which extend a first set of guide rods 84. Also secured
to the upper part of guide plates 80 is a pneumatic cylinder 86
1~35JL~5
of a first set of pneumatic cylinders for shifting the printing
device head 32 in the Y direction, as represented by arrow 88.
Turning to Figure 1, it can be seen that the first set
of guide rods 84 are secured at each end to opposing plates 90
which have secured near each end outwardly projecting bushings
92, through which a second set of guide rods 94 extent at right
angles to guide rods 84. The actuating device 16, in the form
of pneumatic plunger 52, is fixed on overhead rails 96 relative
to the printing device 10. Thus, the print head 32 of the
printer 12 may be moved in both the X and Y directions any
number of units 60 and 62 to locate the desired indicium die
beneath the actuator 16.
To bring about this movement of the printer head plate 32
in the X and Y directions, a first and second set of serially,
mechanically interconnected,individually controllable pneuma-
tically driven cylinders are used. The first set of shifting
devices include pneumatic cylinders 86, 98 and 100. Duplicate
pairs of these cylinders, which are connected in parallel in
terms of pressurized air feed, are used to provide a smooth
shifting of the print head plate 34 in the Y direction. For
shifting the print head in the X direction, a second set of
pneumatic cylinders are used, namely, 102, 104, 106 and 108 to
effect various extents of movement of the printing head in the
X direction.
For sake of clarity, only single conduits 110, 112, 114,
~3S1~5
115, 118, 120 and 122 lead to the respective pneumatic cylinders,
which suggests single acting cylinders. It is understood that
single acting cylinders may be used, where springs or other like
devices are used to return the cylinders to the retracted posi-
tion. However, for purposes of speedy retraction of the cylinders,
it should be interpreted that lines 110 through 122 designate
dual lines for dual acting cylinders for the system 14.
Pressurized air is provided in line 124 which may be filtered
at 126. Electromechanical solenoids, which are controlled by
controlling device 18, control respectively the supply of pres-
surized air to the lines leading to the cylinders. The electro-
mechanical solenoids are respectively designated 128, 130, 132,
134, 136, 138 and 140.
Electrical control lines leading from controller 18 to
the solenoids are designated generally by the group of lines
142, which carry individual signals to each of the respective
electromechanical solenoids 128 through 140 which, when electri-
cally actuated, open to supply pressurized air in the respective
lines 110 through 122 to extend the respective drive cylinder.
In having loaded the coordinates for each indicium die
on the print head plate into the computer 22, in calling for
the printing of any one of the selected indicium, the appropriate
pneumatic cylinders may be actuated to shift the plate the
desired number of units in the X and Y direction to locate the
die beneath the actuator. For example, assuming one wishes to
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print the small letter "r", it may be stored in the computer's
memory that particular drive cylinders of the first and second
set are extended, while others are or remain retracted to give
that location. Thus, in moving from one indicium die to
another, there is no need to "zero" the machine before moving to
the next die, because for positioning each die beneath plunger
52, there is a unique combination of extended and retracted
cylinders for each set of cylinders.
As to the actuator 16, air is supplied to electromechanical
solenoid valve 144 which by line 146 is connected to the
pneumatic plunger 52. Air to the valve 144 is supplied from
line 124. Control device 18 via line 148 electrically controls
the solenoid 144 to open or close the valve. After a desired
indicium die is positioned beneath actuator 16, control 18
lS opens valve 144 to extend the plunger 54 and contact the die with
the article to be printed and in a hot stamp operation, in turn
sandwich the foil between the die face and article. The period
of time that the plunger 54 is extended in pressing the die
against the article is determined by computer 22 and, thus, by
line 148 controls the length of time the valve 144 is open.
Again, the cylinder 52 may be double acting so as to be imme-
diately retracted with a second signal, or when the first signal
is removed from the solenoid. The duration the plunger is
extended in pressing the die against the article is dependent
upon several factors, including particular printing operation,
14
1~3~1~5
and if hot stamp, other factors are the temperature of the die
face, the foil being used and the pressure it exerts on the
article. By trial and error, values may be established for each
particular die configuration, so that when each die is extended,
it is determined from the computer's memory the appropriate
duration to thereby control the actuator 16 in providing the
proper suitable imprint on the article.
Another controlling function of controller 18 is-
via line 150 to control the stepping motor 20, which via shaft
152 is connected to drive belt 154 which moves the support
mechanism on which the article rests during the printing opera-
tion. Aspects of this and other features of the apparatus are
shown in more detail in Figure 2. For sake of clarity and
illustration, the pneumatic drive cylinders are not shown in
Figure 2. The printing device 12 includes a base plate 156 to
which standards 158 and 160 are secured. In turn, extending
between the standards 158 and 160 are the second set of guide
rails 94. The first set of guide rails 84 are, in turn, secu-
red to the opposing plates 80 which have secured thereto the
bushings 92 through which the guide rails 94 extend in apertures
162. Overhead support rods 164 and 166 are secured to opposing
standards 158 and 160. Centrally of the support rods 164, 166,
the pneumatic cylinder 52 is fixed where the plunger 54 is ex-
tended and retracted in the direction of arrow 55. With the
relationship of the supports and guide rods 84 and 94, it can be
~135~1~S
seen that the print head 32, carrying the array of indicium, is
shiftable in the X and Y directions, as indicated by arrows
168 and 170.
The unit, as particularly adapted for hot stamp printing,
has a foil ribbon paid off from reel 28 beneath the print die
array 32 and the waste gathered on driven wheel 30 under idler
wheel 31. From the stepping motor 20, a drive belt 172 is
wrapped around pulley 174 and is adapted to advance the reel 30
a predetermined amount each time a letter is printed. The
stepping motor 20, via shaft 152 as secured to drive pulley 155,
drives the drive belt 154 over the idler pulley 157. At the
rear of the machine, not shown in Figure 2, similar drive
arrangement is shown. Secured to the drive belt 154 on each
side of the machine are support rods 176 and 178 which support a
table 180 on which an article to be labelled, such as planar
binder front 182, is secured. The table 180 is slidable and,
although not shown, is so mounted on support rods 176 and 178 to
be movable in the Y direction, as demonstrated by arrow 184.
As to movement of the table in the X direction of arrows 186,
this is adjusted by the stepping motor 20.
Turning to Figure 3, and with reference to Figure 7, the
stepping motor 20 drives via drive shaft 152, the opposing drive
pulleys 155 at each side of the apparatus. The support rods
176 and 178 are secured at each end of the drive belt 154.
With this particular arrangement where the printing device array
16
11351~5
32 is movable relative to a fixed actuator 16, the support
table 180 is moved to the left in the direction of arrow 188.
The computer 22 may be programmed once given the field of the
article to be printed to determine the margins for centering
the letters on the book or any other location. The stepping
motor is actuated to move the table 180 to the right a predeter-
mined amount, so.as~to:commence.,printing of the.first letter in
the series at a location which will result in centering the
entire series once completely printed. For example,
to print the word "Town" of Figure 5 on the face of the article
182, the article 182 with support tray 180 may be moved in-
wardly in the direction of arrow 190 either automatically or
manually to position the article 182 in the proper location
beneath the actuator 16. According to the program of the
computer, the spacing between the letters and spaces for each
letter printed may be determined and, thus the center of the
word determined so as to locate the position of the left-hand
letter. The stepping motor can then be actuated to move the
table 180 to the right a determinable distance to locate the
article in the proper position beneath the actuator 16.
In order to commence printing the capital "T", indicium
die of the array 32 is located beneath the actuator 16 by a
unique combination of extension and retraction of the air cy-
linders of the first and second sets via controlled actuation of
respective solenoid valves. The control 18 actuates the
~35~5
actuator 16 to depress the indicium die and hot stamp the subs-
tance of the foil onto the face of the article 182. The computer
22, in having calculated the number of units of spacing between
the median of the capital "T" and the small letter "o", directs
via control 18 the number of steps stepping motor 20 must make
to move the support tray 180 in the direction of arrow 188
so as to position the precise portion of the field beneath
the actuator. Control mechanism 18, under direction of computer
output, selectively actuates the solenoids to shift the plate
34 to locate the small letter "o" die beneath actuator 16.
Control 18 then actuates the plunger to imprint the small-letter
"o" beside the capital "T". This procedure is continued until
all letters are imprinted on article 182 to give the desired
presentation format for the letters.
As shown in Figure 7, the foil 25 is advanced in the
direction of arrow 27, as located between the article 182 and
the print die face 50. Upon actuation of plunger 52, the die
face 50 sandwiches the foil 25 between its face and article 182
to form an impression on the article 182 and transfer the sub-
stance of the foil to the article according to standard hot
stamp practices. After the letter is printed, as explained,
the stepping motor 20 may be adapted to advance the takeup reel
30 to move fresh foil beneath the actuator for purposes of
imprinting the next letter on the article 182 while it moves
the article support.
18
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Turning to Figure 4, it is apparent that relative movement
has been effected between the article 122 and the fixed actuating
plunger device 16. The article 182 has been moved further to
the left in the direction of arrow 188 after some of the
letters have been printed. It can be seen in printing the
letter different from that printed in Figure 3 that the indicia
die array 32 has been shifted by extension and retraction of
the f rst and second sets of cylinders to locate the appropriate
indicium die beneath the actuators 16. Depending upon the unit
of spacing between the dies 36 of the array, the stroke length
of the three cylinders 86, 98 and 100 in the first set and the
four cylinders 102, 104, 106 and 108 in the second set can be
determined. For example, should the unit spacing between the
dies be 3/4 of an inch and multiples thereof, for six dies in
the Y direction and fourteen dies in the X direction, it can be
appreciated that cylinders 86, 98 and 100 would have indivi-
dually distinct stroke lengths of 3/4, 3/4 and 2 1/4 inches.
Similarly with the second set of cylinders 106, 108, 104 and
102, they would have individually distinct stroke lenghts of
respectively 3/4, 1 1/2, 3 and 6 inches. ~ :
Although as shown in the drawings, the spacing in the
Y direction of the six dies is equal, it is understood that there
may be multiples thereof to provide gaps and thereby visually
indicate a first set of dies distinctfrom a second set, such as
19
the small and capital letters. This aspect is shown more
clearly in Figure 6, where there is greater spacing between dies
36a and 36b. Should the block 34 continue in the Y direction
to provide spaces for additional capital letters, the 2 1/4 inch
shift cylinder 100 is used to shift from the first matrix set
to the second matrix set in line with the row of dies repre-
sented by die 36b. From this point, multiples of 3/4 inch
cylinders 86 and 98 may be used to locate additional dies in the
Y direction beneath the actuator. Similarly in the X direction,
additional cylinders may be added to increase the number of
coordinates in the array to accommodate far greater number of
indicium print die; however, there is obviously a cutoff point
in the number of dies to be carried in an array, since the addi-
tion of a twelve inch stroke cylinder would significantly
increase the number of dies which could be added to the array.
Another consideration in the flexibility of the array
setup is that dies having logos may be included in the array to
permit printing of a logo in combination with a series of
letters in a desired arrangement. The logo may be of the same
size as an indicium print die, or may be multiples thereof where
the die shaft would be centered at a coordinate of the matrix
to facilitate locating of such logo die beneath the actuator
in accordance with the computer program.
From these multiples, every coordinate in the matrix for an
indicium die can be located beneath the plunger 16. Thus as
~135~5
mentioned, the computer 22 may have entered in its memory the
coordinates for every die and have associated with each coor-
dinate the states of the cylinders of the first and second sets
to consistently accuxately and quickly locate the proper indi-
cium die beneath the actuation plunger. There is no need toreturn the unit to a "zero" position since, when the next
indicium die is called for, the appropriate cylinders are ex-
tended and retracted to move the array to the new position.
The computer 22 may be provided with a visual display
screen, such as CRT 21, which displays the various functions
of the computer, such as the format of the program, the dis-
play of data being entered for purposes of reference and other
information which would be helpful in the entry of data,
calculation of spacing and understanding operation of the unit
including prompts at appropriate times in operating the machine.
It is appreciated that the control 18 may be provided with a
bank of switches generally designated 19, which may provide for
manual override on the input from the computer 22 in a situation
where it is desired to manually control the stepping motor, the
actuator plunger and the pneumatic cylinders in carrying out
the printing operations.
In view of the use of a plate 34 for the body portion of
the print head, the unit may become fairly heavy and could
weight about 100 pounds depending upon the materials used in
setting up the die. In view of the weight of the print head,
1~3S~5
the use of pneumatic drive cylinders are particularly advan-
tageous in shifting the relatively heavy print head to the
precise location for placing any desired die in the array be-
neath the plunger. The serially interconnected, individually
controllable cylinders provide the needed force to move the
print head, yet because their stroke length is predetermined,
one is always assured that when particular cylinders are actuated
or retracted over extended periods of use, the cylinders, as
used in combination, will consistently locate the desired die
beneath the plunger. Compared tG the use of electronic
stepping motors for controlled movement of the print head, the
operation of the air cylinders is less complicated and requires
a simpler program in controlling the movement.
It is understood that this particular arrangement for
air cylinders for shifting the print head may also be adapted
for uæ in other fields, such as shifting a workpiece to locate
a predetermined area to be bored beneath a drill head, where
various bores are to be formed in the workpiece at predeteremined
coordinates. ~he air cylinder arrangement may also be used
with a tool selection network where bits for a metal working
device may be stored in a grid outline and thus the use of two
sets of air cylinders may be used to shift the machine head
to the various torage locations in the tool storage matrix to
either deposit or pickup an appropriate bit.
It is appreciated that the print head 34 may be arranged
22
5~.~5
to be interchangeable with other print heads carrying other
styles of indicia; for example, it may be desired to use script.
This may be readily accomplished by simply removing the print
plate 34 and replacing it with the new plate containing the new
script die. In this regard, the program, which according to
this embodiment, is input to the computer via taipe reader 26,
would be interchanged to lead into the computer the new program
for determining the spacing between indicia to be printed, the
location of the dies in the plate, and the dwell time for
imprinting indicia on the article.
It should also be noted that the array, as set up in the
form of a matrix with each location being determinable by a
coordinate in the X/Y axis, may be expandable in either
direction depending upon the size of the plate to permit addi-
tion in due course of further indicia as desired, where theprogram could be modified to indicate the location of the new
indicia on the array.
The operation of the printing apparatus may respond to
each letter as typed on the keyboard and subsequently printed
on the article, or the unit could await input of the complete
series of letters and completing the calculations on the
spacing before commencing the printing operation. In the mode
of responding to each letter propos~ on the keyboard, the
calculations would be carried out to determine the relative
spacing before that letter is actually printed on the article.
~135~15
Several different types of electronic controls are avail-
able for interfacing the digital output of the computer 22 with
the electrical-mechanical solenoids controlling the supply of
pressurized air to the cylinders for moving the print array, for
actuating the cylinder and for supplying electric signals to
the stepping motor to move it a predetermined number of steps
forwards or backwards. An example of such circuitry is shown
in Figure 8.
The circuitry, as shown in Figure 8, forms part of the
controller unit 18. The computer provides digital output to
the ports designated D0 through D10, along with representative
enable lines 1 and 2 for respectively enabling latches 190,
192 and latch 194. The output from the latches are shown as
lines 142, 148 and 150 in Figure 1. The output of latches 190
- 15 and 192 in the form of lines 142 are arranged such that output
terminals`Dl through D7 are respectively directly connected to
solenoids 140, 138, 136, 134, 132, 130 and 128. Considering
the control of the air cylinders, the computer, in providing
output in line D0 through D7 and with latches 190 and 192
enabled by line 1, provide an electric signal at the base of the
respective transistor 196 connected to outputs Dl through D7
to place them either in the conductive or non-conductive state.
The solenoids, in being connected to outputs Dl through D7,
have a high voltage applied to the upper side of the solenoid.
Thus, when the selected ones of Dl through D7 go to ground by
24
1135~5
the electric signals rendering the selected transistors 196
conductive, this closes the respective solenoids.
Once the coordinates for the next indicium print die
are selected and according to the program of the computer, a
selection is then made which output ports DO through D7 are
rendered "high" to render conductive to ground the correspond-
ing output terminals Dl through D7. The respective air
cylinders are so actuated to extend and those remaining, whose
solenoids are not connected to ground, retract to cause a
shifting of the array to locate the desired indicium die beneath
the actuator 16.
The computer provides additional output at ports D8, D9
and D10 for controlling the stepping motor 20 and the print
actuator 16. With enable 2 enabling latch 194 with signal at
port D10, transistor 198 is rendered conductive to ground to
close the solenoid 144 and thus extend the actuator plunger to
imprint the die indicium onto the substrate. The duration
during which the actuator is depressed is dependent upon the
output signal in port D10 determined by the computer 22.
After printing of the desired indicium, the stepping m~tor
20 is controlled via line 150 to advance the substrate in the
manner discussed. This control is provided by digital output
from the computer 22 into lines D8 and D9. For example, a
signal with enable 2 enabling latch 194 is passed through output
port D8 to the stepping motor to advance the stepping motor the
~;3S3~15
desired number of steps. Conversely, output through line D9
with latch 194 enabled causes the stepping motor to reverse
a desired number of steps in positioning the substrate for the
next step in the printing operation.
Thus, it can be seen that with this type of circuitry
the output from the computer can be interfaced with the electri-
cal-mechanical solenoids for controlling the movement of the
array, the actuator and the stepping motor in controlling the
individual printing of indicium on a substrate.
From the above description, the printing apparatus, as
controlled, governs three aspects of printing. The computational
means in the form of the computer 22 determines the relative
spacing between letters to be typed, the dwell time for imprint-
ing the letter on the article and shifting of the array to locate
the correct indicium die beneath the plunger device 16. With
these aspects of the apparatus, the device may be automated to
imprint a series of letters without further need for input and
with no need for manual manipulation of the device. The automa-
tion of the device reduces operator error to provide for a
quality finished product which presents the indicia in a visually
acceptable proportional spacing. The program for the computer
may also have the feature of changing the degree of relative
spacing between letters, for example, should it be desired to
present block letters to standout on a presentation folder, the
calculated spacing between letters may be increased in each
26
1135~1S
instance a desired amount to provide a bolder face for such
lettering. This may be simply done by entering data into the
computer which would increase the calculated spacing a desired
amount before each letter is printed.
According to the preferred embodiment, the relative
movement effected between the article and the printing device
results in moving the article relative to the plunger. Other
arrangements may be used; for example, the printing head array
may remain stationary while the plunger mechanism and the
article are moved above and beneath the print head to locate each
indicium die and then have it imprinted on the article. Other
forms of printing heads may be used which have print die faces
mounted on a drum. The drum is rotated to locate the desired
indicium above the article and then brought into contact with
the article to imprint same.
Although the unit, as described, has been particularly
adapted to hot stamp methods, the apparatus may be used for
other forms of printing applications, such as ink printing,
where the underside of the dies may be coated with suitable ink
material and then the ink material transferred in the shape of
the die onto the article being printed.
Input to the computer has been discussed with respect to
use of the keyboard 24. Other forms of input may be used, such
as from a tape drive having a listing of names to be printed on
nameplates, portfolio presentations and name tags. Insurance
27
~135~15
portfolios for circulation to several clients may be persona-
lized by having printed on each folder the person's name, which
could be taken from a listing of clients' names on a computer
memory storage, such as magnetic tape. Other examples include
conferences where the listing of attendees is fed to the
printing apparatus to print name tags and the like.
It can, therefore, be appreciated that with this apparatus
the process of personalized attractive printing of material,
using hot stamp techniques in particular, is expedited to
provide a quality product in an efficient manner.
Although various preferred embodiments of the invention
have been described herein in detail, it will be understood by
those skilled in the art that variations may be made thereto
without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope
of the appended claims.
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