A method and a vacuum-coating system for coating a band-type material, in particular made of metal. For this, the band-type material is moved, via a conveying section, in a transport direction and is vacuum-coated within a coating chamber, in which a vacuum is applied. A position of the band-type material is adjusted and/or aligned as relates to a center of the conveying section by means of at least one band position control device, which is arranged within the coating chamber.

A tape ejection guide structure (8) is a structure which guides ejection of a component storing tape (100) ejected from a tape ejection port (23) of a component supply unit (1A), and includes a guide body (81), and a pair of restraining portions (83). The guide body (81) guides an upper surface portion (100A) of the component storing tape (100) which is ejected from the tape ejection port (23) in a tape ejection direction (H2). A pair of restraining portions (83) is connected to both end portions of the guide body (81) in a tape width direction (H3) respectively, and restrains the displacement in the tape width direction (H3) of the component storing tape (100) which is ejected in a state where the upper surface (100A) is guided by the guide body (81).

An automated photovoltaic (PV) subassembly manufacturing method involves in-line cutting of material strips. A tape is cut longitudinally into multiple strips. The strips are separated and guided into spaced apart positions relative to a surface of the PV cell subassembly comprising one or more PV cells. The multiple strips remain attached to the tape while the strips are guided to the spaced apart positions. The multiple strips are positioned at attachment locations on the surface of a PV cell subassembly.

An automated photovoltaic (PV) subassembly manufacturing method involves in-line cutting of material strips. A tape is cut longitudinally into multiple strips. The strips are separated and guided into spaced apart positions relative to a surface of the PV cell subassembly comprising one or more PV cells. The multiple strips remain attached to the tape while the strips are guided to the spaced apart positions. The multiple strips are positioned at attachment locations on the surface of a PV cell subassembly.

An assembly comprises a device for producing a corrugated board web laminated on one side comprising a fluting device for fluting a first material web and a pressing device for pressing the glued corrugated web and a second material web against one another. The assembly comprises a first transverse position detecting device, upstream the fluting device, for detecting the first material web, a second transverse position detecting device, upstream the pressing device, for detecting the second material web and a signal processing unit, which is capable of actuating a unrolling device for unrolling the second material web so that in the device for producing a corrugated board web it is transversally displaced correspondingly.

Apparatus and methods are provided to minimize waste and improve quality and production in web processing operations. The apparatus and methods provide defect detection both before and after application of component patches to a traveling web to create a product. Web defect detection may be provided by way of at least one visual inspection station located upstream from the patch applicator. Patch defect detection may be accomplished by way of a visual inspection station located proximate the patch applicator. If defects are detected in either the traveling web or the component patch prior to patch application, patch application may be prevented until both a satisfactory web and patch are provided. If defects are detected after patch application, the resulting product may be culled. Furthermore, the apparatus may be provided with diagnostic software to warn against extant or imminent machine complications.

Apparatus and methods are provided to minimize waste and improve quality and production in web processing operations. The apparatus and methods provide defect detection both before and after application of component patches to a traveling web to create a product. Web defect detection may be provided by way of at least one visual inspection station located upstream from the patch applicator. Patch defect detection may be accomplished by way of a visual inspection station located proximate the patch applicator. If defects are detected in either the traveling web or the component patch prior to patch application, patch application may be prevented until both a satisfactory web and patch are provided. If defects are detected after patch application, the resulting product may be culled. Furthermore, the apparatus may be provided with diagnostic software to warn against extant or imminent machine complications.

The subject matter of the present invention is a method and a device for producing an adhesive tape (1). First a material web (2) comprising a carrier tape material is supplied from an unwinding unit (3). The supplied material web (2) is subsequently provided on at least one surface with at least one adhesive strip (4) in a coating unit (6). The material web (2) provided with the adhesive strip (4) is then cut into at least two longitudinal strips with the aid of a cutting device (10) and made up into individual adhesive tapes (1). According to the invention, a sensor (8, 9) scanning the material web is used to align the material web (2) and/or the cutting device (10) in the transverse direction (Q) in such a way that a longitudinal cut (S) respectively produced with the aid of the cutting device (10) is introduced in an exact position into the material web (2).

An apparatus for drawing-off a web-shaped product from a weaving machine in a drawing-off direction includes: at least one clamp carrier having clamps for the web-shaped product; a carrier frame apparatus on which the clamp carrier is guided; a drive arrangement by which the clamp carrier is drivable back and forth in a motion range; and a support system for the web-shaped product. The support system is arranged in an area between the apparatus side facing toward the weaving machine and the clamp carrier, within the carrier frame apparatus, in such a manner so that a sagging of the web-shaped product in this area is avoided or limited by the support system.

Web handling apparatuses and methods are provided to passively control a lateral position of a moving web. The web wraps around support rollers adjacent opposed web edges. One or more guide rollers are positioned adjacent to the support rollers. The guide rollers are in rolling contact with the web edge to guide the moving, misguided web back into its desired lateral position.