Automatic pattern making apparatus
An automatic paper cutting apparatus includes an X-Y cutter, a cutter controller, and a pattern booklet. The pattern booklet includes a plurality of pattern identifiers and a memory device with cutting instructions for each of the identified patterns. The booklet removably mounts to the cutter controller so that an operator can select a pattern from the pattern booklet and have the memory device provide the corresponding set of cutting instructions to the cutter controller. The cutter controller uses the instructions to control the X-Y cutter and cut the desired pattern. A cutting platform of the X-Y cutter has a tacky adhesive that releaseably secures a work piece to the cutting platform during cutting operations. The cutting platform includes surface features that engage a spur gear. The cutter controller selectively rotates the spur gear to drive the cutting platform in the Y direction. The apparatus may use a journaling, embossing, perforating instrument instead of the cutter to make a pattern on the work piece.
1 - 23 . (canceled)
24 . A pattern making system for making patterns from a substantially planar work piece, comprising:
a pattern making apparatus comprising:
(i) a housing,
(ii) a platform supported by the housing, the platform being constructed and arranged to support the substantially planar work piece in an X-Y plane defined by generally orthogonal X and Y directions,
(iii) a pattern making instrument supported by the housing and constructed to make a pattern from the work piece, the pattern making instrument and the platform being movable relative to one another in the X and Y directions, and in a Z direction generally orthogonal to the X and Y directions, and
(iv) a controller supported by and physically mounted to the housing and operatively connected to at least one of the pattern making instrument and the platform to move the pattern making instrument and platform relative to one another in the X, Y, and Z directions;
an operator interface operatively connected to the controller;
a memory device operatively connected to the controller, the memory device comprising a plurality of sets of pattern making instructions, each useable by the controller for moving the instrument and platform relative to one another for making a corresponding pattern from the work piece; and
a first set of pattern identifiers, each of the first set of pattern identifiers being associated with a corresponding set of pattern making instructions in the memory device,
wherein the operator interface enables an operator to select one of the sets of instructions corresponding to a desired pattern identifier to be used by the controller to move the pattern making instrument and the platform relative to one another to make the corresponding pattern from the work piece, and
wherein at least the set of pattern identifiers and the memory device are removable from the pattern making apparatus for replacement thereof.
25 . The pattern making system of claim 24 , wherein:
the pattern making apparatus comprises a pattern cutting apparatus; and
the pattern making instrument comprises a work piece cutter.
26 . The pattern making system of claim 25 , wherein the operator interface includes a set of operator actuated switches each associated with a corresponding one of the sets of pattern making instructions in the memory device and a corresponding one of the pattern identifiers, wherein the operator interface enables the operator to select the set of pattern making instructions corresponding to the desired pattern identifier by actuating the corresponding one of the switches.
27 . The pattern making system of claim 26 , wherein the operator interface is part of the pattern cutting apparatus.
28 . The pattern making system of claim 26 , wherein at least the memory device and first set of pattern identifiers are assembled together and removable from the apparatus as a unit.
29 . The pattern making system of claim 28 , wherein the first set of pattern identifiers are physically aligned with the set of operator actuated switches such that each of the first set of pattern identifiers is physically associated with a corresponding switch.
30 . The pattern making apparatus of claim 29 , wherein the first set of pattern identifiers overlie the set of switches.
31 . The pattern making apparatus of claim 30 , wherein each pattern identifier overlies a corresponding switch.
32 . The pattern making apparatus of claim 24 , wherein the controller is capable of scaling the sets of pattern making instructions to vary a size of a pattern formed from the work piece.
33 - 81 . (canceled)