A tape lamination head for applying composite tape onto a mold or mandrel amid the formation of a composite workpiece. The tape lamination head is but one component of a larger tape lamination machine and assembly. Among its components, the tape lamination head includes a tape supply reel, a backing paper take-up reel, and a tape tension control system. The tape tension control system has a first dancer roller assembly located downstream of the tape supply reel and has a second dancer roller assembly located upstream of the backing paper take-up reel. The first dancer roller assembly can include a first roller, a first guide, a first actuator, a first lock, and a first position sensor. The second dancer roller assembly can include a second roller, a second guide, a second actuator, a second lock, and a second position sensor.

A perforating apparatus has a base having at least one counter component. The counter component has a length, L.sub.CC, and a nonlinear repeat length. A support is operatively engaged with the base. A blade having a length, L.sub.B, is disposed on the support so as to cooperate in interacting relationship with the counter component. The blade has a plurality of teeth. A web material is perforated as it passes between the base and the support and the blade cooperates with the counter component. A driving means is associated with one of the support and the base to reciprocally shift the one of the support or the base for a distance, D, in a shifting direction.

A perforating apparatus has a base having at least one counter component. The counter component has a length, L.sub.CC, and a nonlinear repeat length. A support is operatively engaged with the base. A blade having a length, L.sub.B, is disposed on the support so as to cooperate in interacting relationship with the counter component. The blade has a plurality of teeth. A web material is perforated as it passes between the base and the support and the blade cooperates with the counter component. A driving means is associated with one of the support and the base to reciprocally shift the one of the support or the base for a distance, D, in a shifting direction.

A packaging apparatus includes a controller configured to control operation of a first conveying unit, a second conveying unit, a first moving unit, and a second moving unit. When a film is loaded onto the first conveying unit and the second conveying unit, the controller causes a first clamp unit to clamp the film delivered from a delivering unit and causes a first feeder portion to convey the film. Simultaneously, while causing a second clamp unit to be released or the second clamp unit to intermittently clamp the film delivered from the delivering unit, the controller causes a second feeder portion to convey the film and also causes the second conveying unit to move in a direction separating from the first conveying unit and, when the second conveying unit reaches a predetermined position, causes the second clamp unit to clamp the film.

A packaging apparatus includes a controller configured to control operation of a first conveying unit, a second conveying unit, a first moving unit, and a second moving unit. When a film is loaded onto the first conveying unit and the second conveying unit, the controller causes a first clamp unit to clamp the film delivered from a delivering unit and causes a first feeder portion to convey the film. Simultaneously, while causing a second clamp unit to be released or the second clamp unit to intermittently clamp the film delivered from the delivering unit, the controller causes a second feeder portion to convey the film and also causes the second conveying unit to move in a direction separating from the first conveying unit and, when the second conveying unit reaches a predetermined position, causes the second clamp unit to clamp the film.

There is provided a printing apparatus. A printing unit prints an image on a printing medium and is able to move. A cutter unit is able to connect with or separate from the printing unit, and, by following a movement of the printing unit, cuts the printing medium. A setting unit sets, in accordance with a size of the printing medium, a standby position of the cutter unit.

There is provided a printing apparatus. A printing unit prints an image on a printing medium and is able to move. A cutter unit is able to connect with or separate from the printing unit, and, by following a movement of the printing unit, cuts the printing medium. A setting unit sets, in accordance with a size of the printing medium, a standby position of the cutter unit.

There is provided with printing apparatus. A printing unit prints an image on a printing medium and is able to move. A cutter unit is able to connect with or separate from the printing unit, and, by following a movement of the printing unit, cuts the printing medium. A control unit, in a case where a predetermined condition is satisfied after the printing medium is cut by the cutter unit, causes the printing unit to perform printing on a succeeding printing medium, while moving the printing unit in a state in which the cutter unit is connected with the printing unit.

There is provided with printing apparatus. A printing unit prints an image on a printing medium and is able to move. A cutter unit is able to connect with or separate from the printing unit, and, by following a movement of the printing unit, cuts the printing medium. A control unit, in a case where a predetermined condition is satisfied after the printing medium is cut by the cutter unit, causes the printing unit to perform printing on a succeeding printing medium, while moving the printing unit in a state in which the cutter unit is connected with the printing unit.

A sheet material cutting device includes a cutting blade and a guard member. The cutting blade is displaceably disposed and cuts a web-shaped sheet material. The guard member faces the sheet material and has a slit through which the cutting blade passes when the cutting blade is displaced to a cutting position.