A method and apparatus for protecting a structure. A surface of the structure may be identified from a model of the structure. A perimeter of the surface of the structure may be identified from the model. The perimeter may be identified for the surface of the structure to be covered by a masking system during painting of the structure. A two-dimensional representation of the masking system may be generated for the structure based on the perimeter of the surface of the structure. Features for the masking system may be generated within the two-dimensional representation. Identifiers may be assigned to the features in the two-dimensional representation. Instructions for a forming tool may be generated based on the identifiers. The masking system may be formed from a sheet of masking material using the forming tool based on the instructions.

Methods, apparatuses and systems for printing an ink pattern on a moving web via die cutting are provided. A die roll including an inked pattern of die blades contacts a substrate to cut or cleave the substrate surface. While the die blades withdraw from the substrate, at least some of the ink transfers from the die blades to the cut substrate to form an ink pattern.

A cutting device and corresponding method for cutting a relatively rigid material), such as for example paper, cardboard, plastic material, composite or other. The cutting device includes a first cutting disc sharpened along its peripheral edge and rotating around its a first axis of rotation. A second cutting disc, also sharpened along its peripheral edge (and rotating around a first axis of rotation (X3), is disposed in front of the first cutting disc with respect to the material and is co-planar with the first cutting disc (14).

A converting machine is used to convert sheet material into packaging templates for assembly into boxes or other packaging. The converting machine includes a converting assembly that performs transverse conversion functions and longitudinal conversion functions on the sheet material to create the packaging templates. A fanfold crease sensing mechanism detects the presence and location of fanfold creases in the sheet material. Based on the location of the fanfold creases, the fanfold creases are either cut out of the sheet material, or the sheet material is cut to adjust the position of the fanfold crease in a packaging template.

Adhesive tape with an extended liner tab. A method of making a tape with an extended liner tab, by (A) providing a release liner-backed double-sided adhesive tape; (B) isolating a tape slug from the adhesive tape; (C) removing the tape slug so as to expose an underlying length of the release liner; and (D) cutting through the release liner so as to form the extended liner tab. Apparatus for performing the method, and release liner-backed double-sided adhesive tape comprising a plurality of spaced apart finite lengths of an adhesive tape and a release liner, with an exposed length of release liner disposed between adjacent lengths of adhesive tape.

According to various examples, an assembly can include a backing. The assembly can also include a polymeric surfacing film adhered to the backing, the polymeric surfacing film. The polymeric surfacing film can include a first geometric shape. The polymeric surfacing film includes a continuous first cut defining the geometric shape and a continuous second cut spaced apart from and substantially congruent with the continuous first cut in at least one of an x and y direction. A portion of the polymeric surfacing film, located between the first cut and the second cut, is removable from the backing. According to some examples, the assembly can provide certain benefits over state of the art assemblies. For example, according to some examples, providing the first and second cut can make removal of at least the first geometric shape to be quicker and easier, which can result in significant savings in time and wasted materials.

A method for processing a thin film layer, for example to form an ink jet printhead, can include the use of an adhesive layer that can be converted from a first state having a first adhesive force to a second state having a second adhesive force, where the first state is stronger than the second state. Conversion from the first state to the second state can be performed using a suitable treatment. In an embodiment, the adhesive layer may be a thermal release material that is converted during a heat treatment. In another embodiment, the adhesive layer may be a layer that is sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light, and is converted during exposure to UV light emitted by a UV light source.

The disclosure relates to a device for producing cut objects. A dye-sublimation thermal printer prints a printing pattern onto a printing substrate and outputs the latter. A cutting apparatus cuts the printing substrate along a cutting pattern, wherein the cutting apparatus comprises a cutting unit and a moving unit for moving the printing substrate during cutting. The dye-sublimation thermal printer is adapted to print the printing substrate in such a way that the outputted printing substrate has a printed area in which printing has occurred and a non-printed area in which printing has not occurred, wherein the printed area and the non-printed area are successively arranged and the dimension of the non-printed area in the arrangement direction is at least equal to a distance between the cutting unit and the first moving unit.

A slit-cutting device includes a first holder, a second holder, a first contactable member a second contactable member, and a protrusion member. The first holder includes a medium faceable area and a first contactable member. The second holder holds a blade and includes a second contactable member. A cutting edge of the blade may cut a medium between the first holder and the blade. The first contactable member and the second contactable member contact each other and defined a closest approach distance between the cutting edge and the first holder. The closest approach distance is longer than zero and below a thickness of the medium. The protrusion member protrudes more than the closest approach distance from a part of the medium faceable area. The cutting edge may make a cut line includes at least a part of a slit-cut and a full-cut in a cutting edge direction in the medium.

A process is provided for making bulk textured material sheeting. As a continuous supply of flat material sheeting is fed, the sheeting is repeatedly impacted with toothed knives, each knife creating a row of raised and generally pointed structures on the sheeting to texture the sheeting.