Die Positioning System

Overview:

The Die Positioning System (DPS) is the most advanced die registration system on the market. We made it simplier, safer, very user friendly, and with quicker setup and lockup times. The system allows anyone to position dies accurately within seconds on a honeycomb chase off press. With the DPS you will cutting down your make ready times by 40%-70%; depending on the job.  

We listened to our customers and incorporated their ideas and suggestions for improvements into our new product.

New Design:

The table consists of a sleek new design. We eliminated all the complex table top components such as motors, gears, slides, lead screws, and all the electronics. On top of the table there is just a simple transfer rail system to slide honeycombs on and off the machine. The arm is the main component of this new system and is mounted off the back of the table.

The system is now controlled by just a standard computer, no other electronics.

The software is now deisgned more efficiently to improve make ready time on the DPS.

Chase Setup Time: Improved 90%, takes less than 1 minute to align and position chase on table.

Software Job Setup Time: Improved 90%, takes about 10 seconds to load and start locking up dies.

Die Lockup Time: Same, takes about 3-4 minutes (per die) to lockup a die accurately with toggle hooks.

Honeycomb Support Rails:

The honeycomb support rails are adjustable to any size honeycomb.

Computer / User Interface

The computer is an Intel based compact PC that creates the overlay images on the screen based on the coordinates of the camera. The operator doesn't need to know anything about a computer as there is no interaction with the computers operating system.

We also improved the quality of the overlay (key line) images on the screen to handle 300DPI resolution.

Digital Camera

The digital camera is a high resolution camera, which gives a nice full screen crisp image. 

Operation Interface

The interface consists of just a high resolution touch screen. The operator can perform all operations by a simple user interface on the touch screen. The touch screen is located above the camera on a movable arm. The handle in front of the touch screen is used to move the arm over the honeycomb to the desired position. 

Technical Data

Machine Dimensions - 5' X 5' X 6'

Networking - 10Base-T Ethernet LAN Connection required for networking

Weight - 2,000 lbs

Repeatablity - 0.002"

Repeatablity - 0.0012"

Benefits of DPS

• Board stretch & heat expansion are automatically compensated for and eliminated
• Accurate positioning and alignment can be performed off-line at the inspection table
• The running cost of registering dies is minimal
• Final die positions can be scanned from the honeycomb bed at the end of a job for comparison with initial settings
• Repeated jobs can easily be stored
• Print management can determine the source of alignment problems accurately and quickly
• Greatly reduces valuable operator and press time by efficiently registering the dies off press

Limitations with locking Dies using setup sheet (without Die Positioning System)

• Manual setting of the dies is labor intensive, time consuming and requires significant amounts of trial and error on the press before final settings are achieved
• Accuracy of control is limited by the skill and sensitivity of the individual operator
• Manual setting of the dies require the operator to perform the majority of the adjustments
• Reference points are lost at the end of every job
• Repeat orders have to be re-measured and aligned, wasting valuable press time
• Board stretch & heat expansion requires the operator to set the job on press