Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object from a stack of pre-stripped layers of substrate. Each object layer is formed by (i) providing substrate comprising waste portion(s) and substrate-retained portion(s) that are attached to each other and separated from one another by cut(s) within the substrate; (ii) subsequently, subjecting the subject of each layer to a stripping process which selectively strips away substrate-waste portion(s) from the substrate-retained portion(s). After stripping, the object layer is added to a stack of previously-stacked object layers to grow the stack. This process is repeated to further grow the stack. Object layers of the stack are bonded to each other to build the three-dimensional object therefrom. Apparatus and methods for stripping are also describedany teaching or combination of teaching(s) related to stripping substrate may be employed in any additive-manufacturing process described herein.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide a cutting die system. The cutting die system includes a substrate, at least one blade, and an ejector coupled to the substrate. The ejector includes a compressible portion having a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface. The bottom surface is coupled to the substrate and a protective layer is cured to the top surface. A method of die cutting a blank according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes directing a blank between a cutting die and an anvil, the cutting die comprising a substrate. An ejector coupled to the substrate is compressed between the cutting die and the blank. A scrap piece is cut from the blank as it passes between the cutting die and the anvil, and the scrap piece is ejected by releasing the compressed ejector.

A method is provided for automatically modifying the cutting paths for parts to be cut out from a flexible material by automatically moving a cutter tool along predetermined cutting paths. The cutting paths are associated with each part being defined by a succession of cutting segments forming a polygon. Two cutting segments are identified and belonging to two different parts for cutting out in the material and for which a maximum distance condition between these cutting segments is satisfied. Two cutting segments are verified for being situated facing each other, and that no other cutting segments lie between the two cutting segments. A common cutting path for the two cutting segments is computed, and a common cutting path is connected to the cutting paths of the two parts for cutting out to obtain modified cutting paths for the two parts for cutting out.

A sheet processing machine with a transfer mechanism for moving sheets along a handling direction of the sheet processing machine and with a waste evacuation device (36) for releasing the sheets. The transport mechanism comprises at least one sheet handling element (28) for moving a sheet. The waste evacuation device (36) further comprises a passage (46) formed between an opening surface (48) and a restraint surface (50). The at least one sheet handling element (28) comprises a first sliding element (68) and a second sliding element (70) being in contact with the opening surface (48) and the restraint surface (50), respectively, when passing the waste evacuation device (36).

Devices for separating two workpiece parts, e.g., metal sheets, from one another are described and include a workpiece mounting, a lifting device arranged on one side of the workpiece mounting, and a counter-holder arranged on the opposite side of the workpiece mounting. The counter-holder can be transferred into a fixing state and into a releasing state. One of the workpiece parts to be separated from one another is provided as a removal part, the other as a remaining part. For separating the two workpiece parts, the removal part, which is acted upon by the lifting device and supported by the counter-holder, can be moved by means of the lifting device perpendicular to the mounting in relation to the remaining part by a removal movement. At least in the releasing state, the counter-holder forms a rigid abutment in the lifting direction for the removal part. The rigid abutment has the effect that the removal part is aligned parallel to the mounting. Machine-based systems include a processing unit for producing two workpiece parts from a sheet-like workpiece and a separating device as described herein. Methods for separating two workpiece parts of a sheet-like workpiece are carried out by means of the devices described herein and can be part of a machine-based process.

Disclosed is a press-molding apparatus for a cosmetic patch, suitable for use in cutting a piece of patch fabric to a predetermined shape while being pressed using a press, including: a planar pressing plate, which forms a pressing portion of the press; at least one cutter, which is fixedly secured to the lower surface of the pressing plate and protrudes therefrom so as to cut the piece of patch fabric through pressing of the press, and is formed in a cylindrical shape so that a plurality of stacked pieces of patch fabric is simultaneously cut and the cut pieces of patch fabric are received in the space inside the cutter; and an ejector, which separates the pieces of patch fabric received in the cutter from the cutter.

A workpiece manufacturing apparatus includes a punch, which is provided in a lower die assembly and punches out a workpiece from an unprocessed material, and an ejector, which is provided in an upper die assembly so as to be capable of approaching and moving away from the lower die assembly. The manufacturing apparatus further includes a spring, which is provided in the upper die assembly and urges the ejector toward the lower die assembly, and a locking device, which locks the ejector with respect to the upper die assembly at a position at which the punch punches out the workpiece and releases the ejector when the die assemblies are opened. The locking device includes an actuator, which is provided in the upper die assembly and slides a slider between a locking position, at which the ejector is locked, and a releasing position, at which the ejector is released.

A sheet processing machine with a transfer mechanism for moving sheets along a handling direction of the sheet processing machine and with a waste evacuation device (36) for releasing the sheets. The transfer mechanism comprises a sheet handling element (28) for moving a sheet, the sheet handling element (28) comprising at least one sliding element (54). The sheet handling element (28) is adapted to release the sheet when passing the waste evacuation device (36). The waste evacuation device comprises at least one alignment element (38) adapted to interact with the at least one sliding element (54) for minimizing deformation of the sheet handling element (28) when passing the waste evacuation device (36).

A tool clamping assembly (38) for clamping a blanking tool (40) intended to be used in a blanking station of a sheet processing machine has a frame (46) to which the blanking tool (40) is to be clamped and at least one clamping element (48). The frame (46) has an aligning mechanism adapted for aligning the blanking tool (40) in a first direction. Further, the frame (40) has at least one support surface (60) oriented to support the blanking tool (40) in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction, and at least one abutment surface (62) oriented to support the blanking tool (40) in a third direction which is perpendicular to the first and second directions. The clamping element (48) is displaceable between an open position and a clamping position, the clamping element (48) being adapted for clamping the blanking tool (40) against both the support surface (60) and the abutment surface (62).

Further, a blanking tool assembly with such a tool clamping assembly is shown.

Disclosed herein are methods and apparatus for recycling cigarette waste, so that the reusable material (e.g., cellulose acetate, CA) in the cigarette waste may be isolated and reused. The cigarette waste is composed of a filter and a non-filter part. The apparatus includes at least, an adjusting unit and a treatment unit, respectively coupled to each other via a conveying member. The adjusting unit is configured to adjust the orientation of each cigarette so that each cigarette is aligned in sequence with the same orientation. The treatment unit is configured to cut out the non-filter part of each cigarette, and physically separating CA from the remaining part of the filter of each cigarette. Also disclosed herein is a method of recycling cigarette waste by use of the present apparatus.