Systems and methods are described for managing articles. The systems and methods described herein may comprise an example method for manufacturing an article. The systems and methods provides an end-to-end manufacturing value chain as a closed system and feedback loop.

There is provided an automated bi-stable valve system. The system includes a bi-stable valve mechanism with bi-stable valves. Each of the bi-stable valves is configured to switch between a valve closed state and a valve open state. The system includes a control system coupled to the bi-stable valve mechanism and configured to operably control the bi-stable valve mechanism. The control system includes, (i) at least one traversable bridge apparatus, and (ii) a valve switch mechanism attached to the traversable bridge apparatus, and movable, via the traversable bridge apparatus, over the bi-stable valves. The valve switch mechanism is configured to switch the bi-stable valve(s) between the valve closed state and the valve open state, to allow for selective control of one or more adhesion zones on the bi-stable valve mechanism. The adhesion zone(s) correspond to adhesion area(s) on a surface of a material to be selectively picked up and placed.

A method for manufacturing a steel sheet having a yield strength YS of more than 1000 MPa, a tensile strength TS of more than 1150 MPa and a total elongation E of more than 8%, includes the steps of—preparing a steel sheet through rolling from a steel containing in percent by weight 0.19% to 0.22% C, 2% to 2.6% Mn, 1.45% to 1.55% Si, 0.15% to 0.4% Cr, less than 0.020% P, less than 0.05% S, less than 0.08% N, 0.015% to 0.070% Al, the reminder being Fe and unavoidable impurities; and soaking the sheet at an annealing temperature TA between 860° C. and 890° C. for a time between 100 s and 210 s, cooling the sheet to a quenching temperature QT between 220° C. and 330° C., from a temperature TC not less than 500° C. at a cooling speed not less than 15° C./s, heating the steel sheet during a time between 115 s and 240 s up to a first overaging temperature TOA1 higher than 380° C., then heating the sheet during a time between 300 s and 610 s up to a second overaging temperature TOA2 between 420° and 450° C., cooling the steel sheet to a temperature less than 100° C. at a cooling speed less than 5° C./s. The structure of the steel contains more than 80% of tempered martensite, more than 5% of retained austenite, less than 5% of ferrite, less than 5% of bainite and less than 6% of fresh martensite.

A method for manufacturing a steel sheet having a yield strength YS of more than 1000 MPa, a tensile strength TS of more than 1150 MPa and a total elongation E of more than 8%, includes the steps of—preparing a steel sheet through rolling from a steel containing in percent by weight 0.19% to 0.22% C, 2% to 2.6% Mn, 1.45% to 1.55% Si, 0.15% to 0.4% Cr, less than 0.020% P, less than 0.05% S, less than 0.08% N, 0.015% to 0.070% Al, the reminder being Fe and unavoidable impurities; and soaking the sheet at an annealing temperature TA between 860° C. and 890° C. for a time between 100 s and 210 s, cooling the sheet to a quenching temperature QT between 220° C. and 330° C., from a temperature TC not less than 500° C. at a cooling speed not less than 15° C./s, heating the steel sheet during a time between 115 s and 240 s up to a first overaging temperature TOA1 higher than 380° C., then heating the sheet during a time between 300 s and 610 s up to a second overaging temperature TOA2 between 420° and 450° C., cooling the steel sheet to a temperature less than 100° C. at a cooling speed less than 5° C./s. The structure of the steel contains more than 80% of tempered martensite, more than 5% of retained austenite, less than 5% of ferrite, less than 5% of bainite and less than 6% of fresh martensite.

A cutting unit for cutting preparation features in a web of sheetlike material is provided. The cutting unit has a first part with a rigid base portion, at least one first cutting tool configured to cut a first preparation feature in the web of sheetlike material, and at least one second cutting tool configured to cut a second preparation feature in the web of sheetlike material. The at least one first and second cutting tools are attached to the base portion and located at a distance from each other, wherein at least one of the at least one first or second cutting tools is supported by a flexible support that is located in the rigid base portion of the first part.

A packaging line station having a frame, a die assembly, a drive motor, and an anvil roller. The frame has a base with two vertical stanchions extending upwardly from sides thereof and a top cross-member affixed across the stanchions. The die assembly includes a yoke affixed to the cross-member, a die wheel rotatably affixed to side arms of the yoke, a drive shaft affixed to the die wheel and a cutting die affixed to the die wheel. The drive motor is connected to the drive shaft. The drive shaft and the anvil roller extend between the stanchions. The cutting die and the anvil roller and spaced apart by a nip for receiving a traveling web. As the web passes through the nip the web is cut by blades of the rotating die to form a slit. An adhesive resealable tape or label is then applied over the slit.

The disclosure relates to a thermoforming machine comprising a transverse cutting station. The transverse cutting station has a punching device for separating one or more film sections from a lower film and/or an upper film by means of a punching tool comprising a punch and a die. The punching device comprises a chamber configured to at least temporarily receive the film sections, and a suction device to convey the film sections out of the transverse cutting station. The suction device is fluidically connected to a compressed gas source.

An absorbent article processing device includes a cutter roll and an anvil roll. The cutter roll includes a roll main body; a blade protruding in a radial direction in a first angular range of a part of a circumferential direction of the roll main body; a first bearer protruding in the radial direction in a second angular range of a part of the circumferential direction including at least the first angular range and being in contact with the anvil roll, and being cut out in an angular range excluding the second angular range at a first end portion in an axial direction of the roll main body; and a second bearer provided around the entire circumference or a part of the circumferential direction and being in contact with the anvil roll at the second end portion in an axial direction of the roll main body.

The present invention relates to a blowing means unit and a hot foil stamping and die-cutting device. The blowing means unit fora hot foil stamping device, comprising: a blowing means having a blowing part configured to inject a gas stream to a location of foil material to separate foil and a supporting part for supporting the blowing part; supporting means supporting the blowing means; and lifting means connected to the supporting means for moving the blowing means between a first position and a second position, in the first position, the blowing part of the blowing means is at a working level, and in the second position, the blowing means is at a non-working level to give access to an operation area.

The present invention relates to a blowing means unit and a hot foil stamping and die-cutting device. The blowing means unit fora hot foil stamping device, comprising: a blowing means having a blowing part configured to inject a gas stream to a location of foil material to separate foil and a supporting part for supporting the blowing part; supporting means supporting the blowing means; and lifting means connected to the supporting means for moving the blowing means between a first position and a second position, in the first position, the blowing part of the blowing means is at a working level, and in the second position, the blowing means is at a non-working level to give access to an operation area.