Patent GB-867358-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for carrying out an operation according to a pattern
Inventor: NAMENYI-KATZ LASZLO
IPC: G05B19/42
Filed: 1958-11-13
Abstract: 867,358. Electric copying-machines. EPSYLON RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CO. Ltd. Nov. 13, 1958, No. 36506/58. Class 38 (6). [Also in Group XL (b)] Apparatus for carrying out an operation on an article according to a pattern (which may be the active article) which is scanned either mechanically or photo-electrically to derive signals representative of the shape of the pattern is characterized by the use of magnetic recording apparatus to which the signals are applied to cause an analogue of the shape of the pattern to be recorded and from which signals are derived subsequently to operate control means for carrying out the operation. A first embodiment, Fig. 1, comprises apparatus for spraying leather hides with a dye or other substance. The hides 13 are conveyed on a belt 11 past a plurality of sensing devices 12, consisting of either mechanically-operated contacts or photo-electric cells, which produce signals representative of the scanning of the hides in a series of parallel lines. The signals are applied through translating devices 14 (relays in the case of contacts, amplifiers in the case of photo-electric cells) to energize a like plurality of recording-heads 16 disposed side-by-side across the width of a band of magnetic recording material 17 on the periphery of a drum 18. The drum is rotated in synchronism with the movement of belt 11 by a system 19, 20 with the result that a magnetic analogue of the shape of each hide is recorded as it moves past the row of sensing devices 12. After passing the line of sensing devices the hide moves on until it reaches a position as shown at the right-hand side of the Figure where there are provided four spray guns 24-27. Each gun has an electromagnetic actuator, by which it may be turned on and off, and is mounted so that it may be reciprocated along a path transverse the conveyer belt. Associated with each gun actuator, by way of an amplifier 33, is a magnetic pick-up head 29-32 which may be reciprocated in like manner across the width of the recording-drum 18. The apparatus is timed so that the recorded analogue reaches the first head 29 when the hide reaches the first gun 24. The associated heads and guns are brought into operation successively, the heads deriving signals in accordance with shape of the hide along transverse scanning lines and controlling the guns on and off so that the spraying liquid is laid down only on the hide. The magnetic record is erased by a head 34 before the drum passes under heads 16 to record the analogue of a subsequent hide. According to a modification, Figs. 2-5 (not shown), the spray guns are supported by arms from a common shaft so as to move in a circular path above the conveyer belt and the magnetic pick-up heads are mounted in a similar fashion so that they may be scanned over the drum in a circular path. In a second embodiment (not illustrated in detail) the operation is carried on an article separate from the original pattern. For example, a small cardboard pattern may be scanned to derive signals for recording as shown in Fig. 1 and the derived signals employed to control a router cutter which excavates a cavity of the same shape in a large piece of wood in a separate machine.