Crafting device

Abstract

The craft apparatus (10) includes a work portion (22) and a base portion (20). The work portion (22) includes a lower surface (32) and an upper surface (34). The upper surface (34) defines a non-working, three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X, Y, Z). The base portion (20) includes a lower surface (24) and an upper surface (26). The lower surface (32) of the work portion (22) is disposed adjacent the upper surface (26) of the base portion (20). The lower surface (24) defines a non-working, three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X, Y, Z). S -Y S -Z S The upper surface (34) of the working portion (22) defines a working three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X, Y, Z) relative to the lower surface (24) of the base portion (20). S -Y S -Z S ) to be angularly offset from 22 ) extending along a line. Methods (200, 300) are also disclosed.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (Cross-reference of related applications) This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 142,488 filed on 27 January 2021 under 35 United States Code, § 119(e), and the disclosures thereof are deemed to be part of the disclosures of this application and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] This disclosure broadly relates to an electronic cutting system and a method of using it. In particular, this disclosure relates to a crafting apparatus and a method of operating the apparatus. [Background technology]

[0003] This section provides background information related to this disclosure and is not necessarily prior art.

[0004] While conventional craft devices have proven to meet the requirements for various applications, there is room for improvement in their overall performance and cost. Therefore, there is a need to develop improved craft devices that advance the arts. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 142,488 [Overview of the project]

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a crafting apparatus or apparatus for crafts. The crafting apparatus comprises a work section and a base section. The work section includes a bottom surface and an top surface. The top surface defines a working three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. The base section includes a bottom surface and an top surface. The bottom surface defines a non-working three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. The bottom surface of the work section is positioned adjacent to the top surface of the base section. The top surface of the work section extends at an angle to the bottom surface of the base section such that the working three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system is angularly offset (positioned) from the non-working three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system.

[0007] The embodiments of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some embodiments, the work unit includes rails, a carriage, and one or both of a printing device and a cutting device. The carriage is movably positioned on the rails in the X direction of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system of the work. One or both of the printing device and the cutting device are detachably fixed to the carriage to perform work on the workpiece in the Z direction of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system of the work.

[0008] In some embodiments, the crafting apparatus further includes a pair of pinch roller mechanisms and an intermediate drive roller. The intermediate drive roller imparts motion to the workpiece in the Y direction of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system on the work surface.

[0009] In some implementations, the angle at which the working 3D Cartesian coordinate system is angularly offset from the non-working 3D Cartesian coordinate system is between 0 and 90 degrees. In other implementations, the angle at which the working 3D Cartesian coordinate system is angularly offset from the non-working 3D Cartesian coordinate system is approximately 45 degrees.

[0010] In other embodiments, the crafting apparatus includes one or more workpiece support arms. One or more workpiece support arms are connected to the work section. One or more workpiece support arms are configured to be positioned in either a stowed position or a deployed position relative to the work section. In yet another embodiment, the crafting apparatus includes a safety release coupling. The safety release coupling allows for the selective disconnection of one or more workpiece support arms from the work section.

[0011] Another aspect of the disclosure provides a method for using a crafting apparatus to perform work on a workpiece. The crafting apparatus includes a working surface of a working portion defined by a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system on the working surface, which is angularly offset from the lower surface of a base portion defined by a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system on the non-working surface. The method includes the steps of positioning an actuator of the crafting apparatus in a first position and configuring one or more workpiece handling components of the crafting apparatus in the first position. One or more workpiece handling components are connected to the actuator. The method further includes the steps of: positioning a workpiece on an angularly offset work surface in at least close proximity to one or more workpiece handling components; moving an actuator from a first position to a second position to fix the workpiece against gravity to the angularly offset work surface and configuring one or more workpiece handling components to a second position so as to fix the workpiece movably in a first direction of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system on the work surface; and operating one or more working components of the crafting apparatus to perform work on the workpiece.

[0012] This embodiment may include one or more of the following optional features. In some embodiments, the step of configuring one or more workpiece handling components of the crafting apparatus includes the step of pushing one or more workpiece stoppers into deployment positions. In other embodiments, the step of configuring one or more workpiece handling components of the crafting apparatus includes the step of positioning components of a cam actuator connected to a pinch roller arm into a first position so that the passive rollers of the pinch roller arm are separated from the actively driven rollers. In yet another embodiment, the step of configuring one or more workpiece handling components of the crafting apparatus includes the step of configuring a vacuum source into an inactive state. In yet another embodiment, the step of configuring one or more workpiece handling components of the crafting apparatus includes the step of positioning one or more workpiece guides into deployment positions.

[0013] In some embodiments, the step of positioning a workpiece on an angularly offset work surface in at least proximity to one or more workpiece handling components includes the steps of unwinding a portion of the workpiece from a roll of workpiece material and positioning the leading edge of the portion of the workpiece unwinded from the roll of workpiece material on an angularly offset work surface in at least proximity to one or more workpiece handling components.

[0014] In some implementations, the step of moving an actuator from a first position to a second position to fix a workpiece against gravity to an angularly offset work surface and to movably fix the workpiece to the work surface in a first direction of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system of the work surface includes the steps of pushing one or more workpiece stoppers to a retracted position, positioning components of a cam actuator connected to a pinch roller arm to a second position so that the passive roller of the pinch roller arm faces the active drive roller and applies a clamping force to the workpiece, and activating a vacuum source to draw air into one or more workpiece suction channels and create a pressure difference to push the lower surface of the workpiece to the angularly offset work surface.

[0015] In other embodiments, when it is determined that the work being performed on the workpiece is complete, the method further includes moving the actuator back from a second position to a first position to configure one or more workpiece handling components back from a second arrangement to a first arrangement, and releasing the workpiece from the work surface. The step of configuring one or more workpiece handling components back from a second arrangement to a first arrangement further includes repositioning the components of a cam actuator connected to a pinch roller arm back to a first position so that the passive roller of the pinch roller arm is positioned away from the actively driven roller, thereby removing the clamping force from the workpiece, configuring a vacuum source to deactivate the pressure difference so as not to push the lower surface of the workpiece onto an angularly offset work surface, and separating the workpiece that was being fed from the roll of workpiece material.

[0016] In other embodiments, the step of positioning a workpiece on an angularly offset work surface in at least proximity to one or more workpiece handling components includes the steps of: obtaining a workpiece defined by a pre-configured shape not derived from a roll of workpiece material; positioning the leading edge of the workpiece having a pre-configured shape not derived from a roll of workpiece material in at least proximity to one or more workpiece handling components on an angularly offset work surface; and positioning one or more support arms of a crafting device in deployment positions, thereby aligning one or more support arms with the angularly offset work surface to support the workpiece.

[0017] In further embodiments, the steps of moving an actuator from a first position to a second position to fix a workpiece against gravity to an angularly offset work surface and to movably fix the workpiece to the work surface in a first direction of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system of the work surface include the steps of pushing one or more workpiece stoppers to a retracted position, positioning components of a cam actuator connected to a pinch roller arm to a second position, positioning the passive roller of the pinch roller arm toward the active drive roller, and applying a clamping force to the workpiece, and activating a vacuum source to draw air into one or more workpiece suction channels and create a pressure difference to push the lower surface of the workpiece toward the angularly offset work surface.

[0018] In further embodiments, when it is determined that the work being performed on the workpiece is complete, the method further includes the steps of moving the actuator back from the second position to the first position to configure one or more workpiece handling components back from the second arrangement to the first arrangement, and releasing the workpiece from the work surface.

[0019] In other embodiments, the step of configuring one or more workpiece handling components from a second arrangement back to a first arrangement includes: repositioning components of a cam actuator connected to a pinch roller arm back to the first position so that the passive roller of the pinch roller arm is positioned away from the actively driven roller, thereby removing the pinching force from the workpiece; configuring a vacuum source to deactivate in order to stop the pressure difference so as not to push the lower surface of the workpiece toward an angularly offset work surface; and separating the workpiece that has been fed out from the roll of workpiece material.

[0020] Details of one or more embodiments of this disclosure are shown in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other embodiments, features, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, as well as from the claims. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0021] [Figure 1] This is a left front perspective view of a crafting device that includes a pinch roller actuator lever positioned in either a down orientation or an engaged orientation. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the crafting device. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a side view of the crafting apparatus, where the pinch roller actuator lever is positioned in either the up orientation or the disengaged orientation. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of the craft device referenced from line 4-4 in Figure 2, where the pinch roller actuator lever is positioned in the upper position or the disengaged position as shown in Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of the crafting apparatus and the roll of workpiece material placed on the roll holder. [Figure 6]Figure 1 is a front-downward perspective view of the crafting apparatus, where the pinch roller actuator lever is positioned in the upper position or the disengaged position as shown in Figure 3. [Figure 7] This is a side cross-sectional view of one pinch roller of the pair of pinch rollers of the crafting apparatus shown in Figure 1, with the pinch roller actuator lever positioned in the upper position or disengaged position as shown in Figure 3, relative to the working surface of the crafting apparatus. [Figure 8] Figure 7 shows a side cross-sectional view of one pinch roller of a pair of pinch rollers of a crafting device, with the pinch roller actuator lever positioned in the lower position or engagement position as shown in Figure 1, relative to the working surface of the crafting device. [Figure 9] Figure 8 is a perspective view of one pinch roller of a pair of pinch rollers. [Figure 10] This is a magnified view of a portion of the work surface of a crafting device, showing the drive rollers positioned within the opening defined by the work surface. [Figure 11] This is an enlarged view of a portion of the downstream area of ​​the work surface of a crafting device, depicting a portion of multiple downstream channel divisions and one of multiple workpiece stoppers. [Figure 12] This is a magnified view of a portion of the upstream area of ​​the crafting device's work surface, depicting a part of one of several upstream channel divisions. [Figure 13A] Figure 1 is an upper right perspective view of the crafting apparatus, where the pinch roller actuator lever is in the upper position or the disengaged position. [Figure 13B] Figure 13A is another upper right perspective view of the crafting apparatus, where the workpiece material, derived from the workpiece material roll, is placed on the workpiece holder shown in Figure 5, which is positioned on the work surface, and the pinch roller actuator lever is in the upper or disengaged position. [Figure 13C]Figure 13B is another upper right perspective view of the crafting apparatus, however, the pinch roller actuator lever is in the lower position or the engaged position in order to move the pair of pinch rollers from the disengaged position to the engaged position in order to apply a clamping force to the workpiece material placed on the work surface. [Figure 14A] This flowchart illustrates an example sequence of operations for operating the crafting apparatus shown in Figures 1-13C, 15-24, and 26-30 when working on a workpiece derived from a roll of workpiece material placed on the roll holder in Figure 5. [Figure 14B] Figure 14A is a flowchart illustrating, as an example, a sequence of operations for operating a crafting apparatus when working on a workpiece derived from a roll of workpiece material. [Figure 14C] Figures 14A and 14B together illustrate a flowchart showing an example of the sequence of operations for operating a crafting apparatus when working on a workpiece derived from a roll of workpiece material. [Figure 14D] Figures 14A-14C are flowcharts illustrating, as an example, a sequence of operations for operating a crafting apparatus when working on a workpiece derived from a roll of workpiece material. [Figure 15] This is a front left upper perspective view of the craft apparatus of Figure 1, which includes a pinch roller actuator lever positioned in the upper or disengaged position, a plurality of workpiece stoppers (Figure 11) positioned in the upper or deployed position, and a plurality of workpiece material guides positioned in the upper or deployed position. [Figure 16] Figure 15 is a magnified view of the work surface of the crafting device. [Figure 17] Figure 15 is a side view of the craft apparatus, which includes a pinch roller actuator lever positioned in the upper or disengaged position, and one or more workpiece support arms positioned in the deployed position. [Figure 18]This is a plan view of a rotating mechanism positioned in a first location, which positions one or more workpiece support arms in a stowed position. [Figure 19] Figure 18 is a plan view of the rotating mechanism positioned in a second location, with one or more workpiece support arms positioned in the deployment position shown in Figure 17. [Figure 20] This is a perspective view of a safety-detachable coupling that allows for the intentional separation of one or more workpiece support arms from the rotating mechanism shown in Figures 18-19. [Figure 21] Figure 20 is a left-hand exploded view of the safety-detachable coupling. [Figure 22] Figure 20 is a right-hand exploded view of the safety-detachable coupling. [Figure 23] Figure 17 is a front left upper perspective view of the crafting apparatus, showing the workpiece support arm positioned in the deployment location and the pinch roller actuator lever positioned in the lower or engagement position. [Figure 24] Figure 23 is an upper right perspective view of the crafting apparatus and a pre-configured workpiece (not derived from the roll of workpiece material placed on the roll holder in Figure 5), where the workpiece is placed on a workpiece support mat supported by a work surface and workpiece support arms positioned in the deployment positions shown in Figures 17 and 23. [Figure 25A] This flowchart illustrates an example sequence of operations for operating the crafting apparatus shown in Figures 1-13C, 15-24, and 26-30 when working on a pre-assembled workpiece (not derived from the roll of workpiece material placed on the roll holder in Figure 5). [Figure 25B] Figure 25A is a flowchart illustrating an example of the sequence of operations for operating a crafting device when working on a pre-assembled workpiece. [Figure 25C] Figures 25A and 25B are flowcharts illustrating, as an example, a sequence of operations for operating a crafting apparatus when working on a pre-assembled workpiece. [Figure 25D] Figures 25A-25C are flowcharts illustrating an example of the sequence of operations for operating a crafting device when working on a pre-assembled workpiece. [Figure 25E] Figures 25A-25D are flowcharts illustrating an example of the sequence of operations for operating a crafting device when working on a pre-assembled workpiece. [Figure 26] Figure 1 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the rails of the crafting device and the carriage placed on the rails. [Figure 27] Figure 26 is a close-up view of the carriage wheel assembly engaged with the rails of the craft device. [Figure 28] Figure 26 is a lower view of the carriage wheel assembly engaged with the rails of the craft device. [Figure 29] Another diagram of the carriage wheel assembly engaged with the rails of the craft device in Figure 26. [Figure 30] This is a schematic diagram of an exemplary computing device that may be used to implement the systems and methods described herein. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0022] Similar reference numerals in various drawings represent the same elements.

[0023] The embodiments of this disclosure broadly relate to a crafting apparatus 10 and a method for using the apparatus. In particular, this disclosure relates to angles (for example, the angle θ in Figures 1, 3-4, and 17). 22 The present invention relates to a crafting apparatus 10 including a work surface with an angle θ (see, for example, work surface 34 in Figure 1 as an example) and workpiece handling components used before and / or during the act of "working" on the workpiece W. 22 The attached work surface 34 is located on the ground or floor F (see, for example, Figure 1) and / or on the upper surface S of the support member S (e.g., a table) that supports the crafting device 10. U(For example, see FIGS. 1, 3, and 17), since it is not parallel, the workpiece handling component causes the workpiece W to have an angle θ as a result of the gravitational force on the workpiece W (for example, see the arrow G in FIGS. 1, 3, 7-8, and 17). 22 Prevent the workpiece from sliding off the work surface 34 with an angle θ 22 Prevent the work surface 34 with an angle θ from functioning as an undesirable workpiece slide. In addition, as will be described in more detail later, the present disclosure relates to a crafting device 10 having a "doorless" configuration and / or a "large outer shape" configuration.

[0024] Furthermore, the crafting device 10 can be selectively reconfigured to perform operations on the workpiece W derived from at least two different types of workpiece sources (for example, the first type of workpiece source W seen in FIGS. 3, 5, and 13B-13C R and the second type of workpiece source W+W seen in FIG. 24 M See FIGS. 3, 5, and 13B-13C. In the first embodiment, the first type of workpiece source W R may be a roll of workpiece material, whereby a portion of the length of the workpiece material W unwound from the roll of workpiece material W R contacts the crafting device 10, while the remainder of the roll of workpiece material defined by the roll of workpiece material W R does not contact the work surface 34 of the crafting device 10. See FIG. 24. In another embodiment, the second type of workpiece source W+W M does not originate from a roll, but rather has a substantially flat pre-configured shape (for example, having a length W L and a width W W ), and may be derived from a relatively "large" workpiece W that may or may not be supported by a support mat W M .

[0025] Furthermore, since the crafting apparatus 10 is designed to be "doorless," the multiple components of the crafting apparatus 10 that "work" on the workpiece W are always exposed to the surrounding environment. Thus, the crafting apparatus 10 has an aesthetically pleasing design, and there are no structural elements (e.g., one or both of a front door and a rear door) included in the design of the crafting apparatus 10, and as a result, even when the crafting apparatus 10 is not "working" on the workpiece W, no structural elements cover or obscure the multiple components of the crafting apparatus 10 that "work" on the workpiece W.

[0026] Referring to Figures 1-13C and 15-24, an exemplary crafting apparatus is shown in its entirety as 10. The crafting apparatus 10 comprises a first type of workpiece source (e.g., a roll of workpiece material W R The method of using the crafting apparatus 10 when it is selectively configured to perform "work" on a second type of workpiece source (e.g., a substantially flat pre-configured shape W) is shown in Figures 14A-14D in their entirety. L , W W Having a support mat W M Another way to utilize the crafting apparatus 10 when it is selectively configured to perform "work" on a relatively "large" workpiece W) which may or may not be supported is shown in Figures 25A-25E in their entirety.

[0027] Referring to Figure 1, the crafting apparatus 10 includes several components, such as a printing device 12, a cutting device 14, a carriage 16, and a rail 18. The multiple components of the crafting apparatus 10 cooperate to perform “work” on the workpiece W.

[0028] The term “work” can, but is not limited to, include any number of tasks / functions performed by one or a combination of the printing device 12 and the cutting device 14 fixed to the carriage 16. As seen in Figure 1, the carriage 16 is movably positioned on the rail 18 in the direction of arrows X, X' (e.g., in the “work” three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system). The movement X, X' of the carriage 16 along the rail 18 may be controlled by a motor (e.g., motor 158 in Figure 26) that receives an actuation signal from, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) (e.g., see 3000 in Figure 30), i.e., motor 158 may drive one or more cables and belts (e.g., carriage movement belt 156 in Figure 26) to produce the movement X, X' of the carriage 16 relative to the rail 18.

[0029] In some configurations, the CPU 3000 is a component of the crafting device 10. In other configurations, the CPU 3000 is associated with a laptop computer (see, for example, laptop computer 3000a in Figure 30) that is communicatively coupled to the crafting device 10. In yet another configuration, the CPU 3000 is associated with a smartphone, tablet computer, etc. (see, for example, smartphone or tablet computer 3000b in Figure 30) that is communicatively coupled to the crafting device 10.

[0030] Referring to Figure 1, in one embodiment, “work” includes a “cutting operation,” which functionally includes contact between the blade of the cutting device 14 and the workpiece W as the workpiece W is moved in the Y, Y' feeding direction by one or more components of the crafting apparatus 10 (see, for example, the actively driven rollers 60 / 84 in Figures 7-8 and 10). The “work” performed by the cutting device 14 results from either or a combination of (1) the movement of the cutting device 14 in accordance with the directions of arrows Z, Z' in the “working” three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system, for example (see, for example, Figures 3 and 17), relative to one or more of the carriage 16 and the rails 18, and (2) the movement of the workpiece W in the forward or reverse feeding direction in accordance with the directions Y, Y' or arrows Y, Y' in the “working” three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system, relative to one or more of the carriage 12 and the rails 18. The motions Z, Z' of the cutting device 14 and the workpiece W in the feeding directions Y, Y' (via the rotation of the actively driven rollers 60 / 84) may be controlled by one or more motors (see, for example, motors 64, 158 in Figures 7-8 and 26) that receive operating signals from the central processing unit CPU 3000 and thereby cause the rotation of one or more components of the crafting apparatus 10 (e.g., the actively driven rollers 60 / 84).

[0031] In some implementations, the blade of the cutting device 14 partially or completely penetrates the thickness of the workpiece W in the direction of arrow Z'. The cutting device 14 may include a blade (e.g., a straight blade, a castoring blade, a rotary blade, a serrated edge blade, an embossing tool, a marking tool, etc.), but other cutters may be selectively coupled to the cutting device 14. Other cutters include, for example, a laser, an electric rotary cutter, etc.

[0032] In other embodiments, “work” includes “printing operation.” “Printing operation” may include depositing ink onto the workpiece W from the pen or nozzle of the printing device 12.

[0033] The crafting device 10 may perform the "work" in a manner that provides a combo operation such as a "print and cut operation." The "print and cut operation" may, in some cases, be performed as a "print then cut operation," where the "print operation" is performed before the "cutting operation."

[0034] In some implementations, the workpiece W includes any desired shape, size, geometry, or material composition. Referring to Figures 5 and 24, the shape / geometry is, for example, width W. W (See, for example, Figures 5 and 24) and length W L (See, for example, Figure 24) may include the length W of the workpiece W. L For example, a roll of workpiece material W R As a result of unwinding the desired amount of workpiece material from (see, for example, Figures 3 and 5), it is not pre-configured. On the other hand, in other embodiments, the length W of the workpiece W is L For example, the user has a default length W L and default width W W As a result of obtaining a pre-assembled workpiece having (see, for example, Figure 24), it is pre-assembled. In some cases, the width W of the workpiece W is W The width of the workpiece W may be greater than or approximately equal to 12 inches (30.5 centimeters). In other embodiments, the width of the workpiece W may be greater than or equal to 12 inches. W It may be greater than 25 inches (63.5 centimeters) or approximately equal to 25 inches.

[0035] Since the crafting apparatus 10 performs "work" on different workpiece sources as described above, the crafting apparatus 10 can be structurally reconfigured. In one embodiment, if the user initially chooses to "work" on a relatively "larger" pre-configured workpiece W, in this case the workpiece support arm (for example, 100 in Figures 17-24) can be reconfigured. D , 100 UIt may be necessary to configure the crafting device 10 by deploying (see reference), and at a later point, the user will second roll W of workpiece material. R If you choose to perform "work" on workpiece W derived from, in this case, workpiece support arm 100 D , 100 U As can be seen in Figures 13A-13C, the roll W of workpiece material R Workpiece support arm 100 so as not to interfere with the unwinding of the workpiece. D , 100 U It will be necessary to configure the crafting device 10 by storing [the item].

[0036] As shown in Figure 24, the workpiece W (and, in some cases, the workpiece support mat W) M ) is the default length W L and width W W It may include a relatively "large" square or rectangular shape having a relatively "large" square or rectangular workpiece W and / or workpiece support mat W. In some embodiments, the workpiece W and / or workpiece support mat W are relatively "large" square or rectangular. M Dimensions W L , W W It may be approximately equal to 24 inches (61.0 centimeters) x 24 inches (61.0 centimeters). In other embodiments, a relatively "larger" square or rectangular workpiece W and / or workpiece support mat W M Dimensions W L , W W This may be approximately equal to 24 inches (61.0 centimeters) x 48 inches (122.0 centimeters). In yet another embodiment, a relatively "larger" square or rectangular workpiece W and / or workpiece support mat W. M Dimensions W L , W W It can be approximately equal to 48 inches (122.0 centimeters) x 48 inches (122.0 centimeters).

[0037] Alternatively, the shape of the workpiece W, which is a relatively "large" square or rectangular shape, may include non-square or non-rectangular shapes, such as circular or triangular shapes. The material composition of the workpiece W may include paper-based (e.g., cardboard or thick paper) and / or non-paper-based products (e.g., vinyl, foam, rigid foam, cushion foam, plywood, veneer, balsa wood, etc.). In any case, even though various implementations of the workpiece material composition are directed toward paper-based, vinyl-based, or foam-based products, the material composition of the workpiece W is not limited to a specific material and may include any cuttable material.

[0038] In some embodiments, the crafting device 10 can be used in various environments when performing “work” on the workpiece W. For example, the crafting device 10 may be located at home and connected to an external computer system (e.g., a desktop computer, a laptop computer 3000a, a smartphone or tablet computer 3000b, a dedicated / non-integrated / dockable [standalone] controller device that is not a general-purpose computer, etc.), and the user may have access to software run by the external computer system 3000a, 3000b for the crafting device 10 to perform “work” on the workpiece W. In another embodiment, the crafting device 10 may be called a “standalone system,” meaning that in some embodiments, it integrates one or more of the following: an onboard monitor, an onboard keyboard, an onboard CPU 3000 including a processor and memory, etc. In such embodiments, the crafting device 10 can operate independently of any external computer system (e.g., a laptop 3000a, a smartphone or tablet 3000b) in order to enable the crafting device 10 to perform “work” on the workpiece W.

[0039] The crafting apparatus 10 can be implemented to have any desired size, shape, or configuration. For example, the crafting apparatus 10 can be a relatively "large" workpiece W (e.g., a roll of workpiece material W). RThe size can be set to perform "work" on graph paper (which is unfurled from the machine), and therefore, when the workpiece W is said to be relatively "large", the crafting device 10 can be said to have a "large external shape" to accommodate the relatively "large" workpiece W. Alternatively, the crafting device 10 can be fixed to a fixed dimension W. L , W W It can also be configured to "work" on a relatively oval workpiece W defined by a pre-configured shape having a certain characteristic. Furthermore, the crafting device 10 can also be configured to "work" on a relatively "larger" workpiece W (for example, a roll of workpiece material W). R Even if the crafting device 10 is used to perform "work" on graph paper or similar materials, it can be said to be "portable" as described in the following disclosure. Therefore, the crafting device 10 is large enough to perform "work" on relatively "large" workpieces W, while still allowing the user to easily transport / move the "large-sized" crafting device 10 from their home to, for example, a friend's house hosting a "scrapbooking party".

[0040] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the crafting apparatus 10 is placed on a support member S (e.g., a table). The support member S can support the crafting apparatus 10 so that the workpiece W can freely flow into and out of the work surface 34 without contact with the support member S that could impede the free flow of the workpiece W. In some configurations, the leading edge S of the support member S F The support member S may be aligned with or perfectly aligned with the front surface 38 of the working section 22 of the crafting device 10. In some real terrains, the support member S supports the rolled workpiece material W that is fed onto the working surface 34 of the crafting device 10. RThe support member S includes a holder (not shown) for supporting and / or feeding the craft device 10. In other embodiments, the support member S may include a locking feature (not shown) corresponding to a locking feature formed, for example, by the lower surface 24 of the base portion 20 of the craft device 10, for selectively locking the craft device 10 onto the support member S, the locking feature being configured to stabilize the craft device 10 when it is placed on the support member S, thereby preventing the craft device 10 from falling off the support member S.

[0041] The support member S is placed on the ground surface or floor F lying below (see, for example, Figures 1, 3, and 17), thereby the upper surface S of the support member S U It can be parallel to the ground surface or floor F lying below. The craft device 10 is on the upper surface S of the support member S U It is positioned on top of and on top of S U It is supported by. As described above and as described in the following disclosure, the craft device 10 is supported by the ground surface or floor F and / or the upper surface S of the support member S lying below. U An angle θ that is not parallel to it 22 It includes a work surface 34.

[0042] Top S U In addition, as can be seen in Figure 1, for example, the support member S further has a leading edge S F , trailing edge S R , first lateral edge S S1 , and the second side edge S S2 It includes. Furthermore, the support member S has a first side edge S S1 and the second lateral edge S S2 Length S extending between L And, leading edge S F and trailing edge S R Width S extending between W It can be defined by and .

[0043] Continuing to refer to Figure 1, the support member S is further defined as a "non-working" 3D X S -Y S -Z SA Cartesian coordinate system is defined. The "non-operational" three-dimensional X S -Y S -Z S The "Z direction" of the Cartesian coordinate system (i.e., Z S ) is perpendicular to the upper surface S of the support member S U The "non-operational" three-dimensional X S -Y S -Z S The "Y direction" of the Cartesian coordinate system (i.e., Y S ) extends in the direction of the width S of the support member S W The "non-operational" three-dimensional X S -Y S -Z S The "X direction" of the Cartesian coordinate system (i.e., X S ) extends in the direction of the length S of the support member S L As shown in FIG. 1, the "non-operational" three-dimensional X

[0044] -Y S -Y S -Z S The "Z direction (i.e., the Z S axis)" of the Cartesian coordinate system generally aligns with and is parallel to the gravity axis defined by an arrow G (see, for example, FIGS. 1, 3, 7 - 8, and 17) indicating the gravitational force on the generally horizontally lying ground surface or floor F. Thus, the "Z direction (i.e., the Z axis)" of the "operational" three-dimensional X - Y - Z Cartesian coordinate system is angularly offset by an angle θ S -Y S -Z S from the "Z direction" of the "non-operational" three-dimensional X 22 Cartesian coordinate system. Therefore, the "Z direction (i.e., the Z axis)" of the "operational" three-dimensional X - Y - Z Cartesian coordinate system does not align with the gravity axis defined by the arrow G and does not cross the gravity axis. In other words, the gravity axis defined by the arrow G and the Z axis of the "operational" three-dimensional X - Y - Z Cartesian coordinate system are not parallel and do not cross each other.

[0045] The crafting device 10 may be arranged anywhere on the upper surface S of the support member S U However, in some cases, the crafting device 10 is at the edge S of the support member SF , S R , S S1 , S S2 can be positioned close to one of them (for example, the leading edge S F ). As explained in the disclosure in FIG. 17 below, by arranging the crafting device 10 close to the leading edge S F of the support member S, a downstream workpiece support member (for example, the downstream support arm 100 in FIGS. 17-24 D ) of the crafting device 10 can be arranged at a distance (for example, see D U in FIG. 17) below the upper surface S 100D of the support member S. Furthermore, as can be seen in FIG. 17, the crafting device 10 also enables an upstream workpiece support member (for example, the upstream support arm 100 in FIGS. 17-24 U ) of the crafting device 10 to be arranged at a distance (for example, see D U ) above the upper surface S 100U of the support member S.

[0046] As can be seen in FIG. 1, the crafting device 10 includes a base portion 20 and a working portion 22. The base portion 20 is on the upper surface S UIt is configured to be positioned on top of the base 20. The work unit 22 is positioned on top of or connected to the base 20. As seen in Figure 1, the work unit 22 includes a printing device 12 and / or a cutting device 14, a carriage 16, and rails 18, and thus the work unit 22 performs "work" on the workpiece W according to the "working" three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system as described above. As described in the following disclosure, the work unit 22 may include, for example, one or more workpiece handling components, which may include, for example, one or more pinch roller arms 46 (see also, e.g., Figures 7-9), one or more cam actuators 48 connected to the pinch roller arms 46 (see also, e.g., Figures 7-8), an actuator lever 52 connected to the cam actuator 48, one or more workpiece stoppers 86 connected to the actuator lever 52, and a plurality of workpiece suction channels 94 that are actuated in response to the rotation of the actuator lever 52 (see also, e.g., Figures 11-12).

[0047] Referring to Figure 1, the base portion 20 is defined as a whole by a lower surface 24, an upper surface 26, and a rear surface 28. According to various embodiments, the rear surface 28 extends away from the first end of the lower surface 24 at an angle of approximately right or 90 degrees. Furthermore, according to various embodiments, the rear surface 28 extends away from the first end of the upper surface 26 at an acute angle. Furthermore, according to various embodiments, the second end of the upper surface 26 is at an acute angle θ 22 It extends away from the second end of the lower surface 24. Collectively, the lower surface 24, the upper surface 26, and the rear surface 28 define the side surface 30 of the base portion 20, which generally has a roughly triangular shape (for example, the base portion 20 may have a "wedge" shape).

[0048] Continuing with Figure 1, the work section 22 is defined as a whole by a bottom surface 32, a top surface 34, a rear surface 36, and a front surface 38. As seen in Figures 1 and 3, the bottom surface 32 of the work section 22 is positioned adjacent to or connected to the top surface 26 of the base section 20. Therefore, the crafting device 10 is located on the top surface S of the support member S. UWhen positioned on top, the angular arrangement of the upper surface 34 of the work section 22 relative to the lower surface 24 of the base section (i.e., acute angle θ) 22 ) gives the "working" three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system of the work unit 22, and the work unit 22 is on the upper surface S of the support member S U The "non-working" 3D X referenced from S -Y S -Z S It is angularly offset from the Cartesian coordinate system. In various embodiments, the angular arrangement of the upper surface 26 of the base portion 20 relative to the lower surface 24 of the base portion 20 results in the "working" three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system of the work portion 22 being offset from the upper surface S of the support member S. U The "non-working" 3D X referenced from S -Y S -Z S From the Cartesian coordinate system, angularly (i.e., acute angle θ) 22 This will result in an offset.

[0049] Referring to Figure 4, cross-sectional views of the base portion 20 and the work portion 22 are shown. As can be seen in Figure 4, the upper surface 34 is the upper surface S of the support member S. U An angle (i.e., acute angle θ) is formed with respect to the horizontal plane established by the lower surface 24 of the base portion 20 positioned above. 22 It is positioned at an angle θ. In some implementations, the angle θ 22 The angle may be approximately equal to 45 degrees. In various embodiments, the angle θ 22 It is approximately between 30 and 60 degrees. In various embodiments, the angle θ 22 It is approximately between 20 and 70 degrees. In various embodiments, the angle θ 22 θ can be any value between 0 and approximately 90 degrees. In this context, the term "approximately" means plus or minus 2 degrees. Therefore, the angle θ 22 In a configuration where the width W is greater than that shown in Figure 4, the width W is defined by the lower surface 24 of the base portion 20. 20 It decreases. Therefore, angle θ 22The increase reduces the "footprint" of the base portion 20, but still provides a sufficiently "wide" upper surface 34 in the Y, Y' feeding directions for supporting a relatively "large" workpiece W, and at the same time, the upper surface S of the support member S U The space occupied by the base section 20 above is minimized.

[0050] The upper surface 34 of the work section 22 is alternatively referred to as the "work surface" on which the workpiece W rests, and also as the "work surface" for operation in the Y, Y' feeding directions by one or more workpiece handling components of the crafting device 10. Furthermore, as can be seen in Figures 1-3, 5-6, 13A-13C, 15, and 23-24, the rail 18 may be supported by a first rail support member 34a and a second rail support member 34b that extend away from the work surface 34 in accordance with the Z direction of the three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system, and may be elevated away from the work surface 34.

[0051] The work surface 34 provides support for the workpiece W both before (i.e., upstream) and after (i.e., downstream) the point of contact with the printing device 12 and / or cutting device 14. The work surface 34 also serves as the surface that causes a tool, such as the cutting blade of the cutting device 14, to be pressed against the workpiece W in the Z' direction of the three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. Thus, as seen in Figure 1, the work surface 34 further has an upstream portion 34 U and the downstream portion 34 of the work surface 34 D and the upstream portion 34 of the work surface 34 U and the downstream portion 34 of the work surface 34 D The intermediate portion 34 of the work surface 34 located between them I It can be defined by and .

[0052] Upstream portion 34 of the work surface 34 U Generally, for example, a portion of the length of the workpiece W can first come into contact with the crafting apparatus 10. (Intermediate portion 34 of the work surface 34) IGenerally, this is where, for example, the printing device 12 and the cutting device 14 (movably supported by the carriage 16) perform "work" on the workpiece W. Downstream portion 34 of the work surface 34 D Generally, this refers to, for example, the point where the length of the workpiece W is moved after "work" has been performed on the workpiece W, and / or the point where the workpiece W is discharged or removed from the crafting device 10 after "work" has been performed on the workpiece W.

[0053] As shown in Figure 5, the roll W of workpiece material R The workpiece material roll W can be stored on a parallel bar cradle 40, which may or may not be attached to the rear surface 28 of the base portion 20 of the crafting apparatus 10. In other embodiments, as seen in Figures 4 and 6, for example, the workpiece material roll W R The roll holder can be housed on a pair of support flanges 42, which may or may not be attached to the rear surface 28 of the base portion 20 of the crafting device 10. The parallel bar cradle 40 and the pair of support flanges 42 are an example of a roll holder structure that can be used in conjunction with the crafting device 10. In various embodiments, the roll holder structure may be detachably coupled to the machine. In various other embodiments, the roll holder structure may be independent of the machine. In yet another embodiment, the roll holder structure may be attached to or extend from a support member S (e.g., a table).

[0054] Referring to Figure 6, a downward perspective view of the crafting device 10 is shown. As can be seen in Figure 6, the lower surface 18 of the rail 18 L Between the work surface 34 and the work surface 34, there is a space or gap 44 to allow the workpiece W to pass in the Y, Y' feeding directions. The lower surface 24 of the base portion 20 of the crafting device 10 is the upper surface S of the support member S, which may be, for example, a table top or a counter top. U It is configured to be installed on top.

[0055] Referring to Figures 7-9, the pinch roller arm is shown as 46 in its entirety. The pinch roller arm 46 is one of several workpiece handling components that, as a result of the attractive force on the workpiece W by arrow G (see also, e.g., Figures 1, 3, and 17), the workpiece W is moved to an angle θ 22 It may also be a component that prevents slipping off the attached work surface 34.

[0056] As shown in Figures 7-9, the pinch roller arm 46 includes a first end 46a and a second end 46b. The first end 46a of the pinch roller arm 46 includes a cam actuator 48, which, when rotated to a first position (see, for example, Figure 7) or a second position (see, for example, Figure 8), moves the second end 46b of the pinch roller arm 46 to the middle portion 34 of the work surface 34 according to arrow Z, as shown in Figure 7. I (2) In the direction away from, and as seen in Figure 8, the middle portion 34 of the work surface 34 according to arrow Z' I Move in the direction toward each direction. The exemplary motion of the pinch roller arm 46 as described above can be further defined by a first pivot motion of the pinch roller arm 46 relative to the housing 78, following the direction of arrow P (which may be clockwise) as shown in Figure 7, around a pin 81 extending through (1) the opening 83 of the pinch roller arm 46 and (2) the opening 85 of the housing 78 as shown in Figure 9. Alternatively, the exemplary motion of the pinch roller arm 46 as described above can be further defined by a second pivot motion of the pinch roller arm 46 relative to the housing 78, following the direction of arrow P' (which may be counterclockwise) as shown in Figure 8, around a pin 81 extending through (1) the opening 83 of the pinch roller arm 46 and (2) the opening 85 of the housing 78.

[0057] As shown in Figures 1-2, the crafting apparatus 10 may include two pinch roller arms 46. However, the crafting apparatus 10 is not limited to including two pinch roller arms 46, and may include any number of pinch roller arms 46, such as one, two, three, four, or more.

[0058] Referring further to Figures 1-10, 13A-13C, 15-17, and 23-24, one or more pinch roller arms 46 may be components of the pinch roller mechanism 50. As described in the following disclosure, the pinch roller mechanism 50 may include a plurality of interconnected components.

[0059] For example, the pinch roller mechanism 50 generally includes an actuator lever 52 in addition to a pinch roller arm 46. The actuator lever 52 includes a handle portion 54 connected to a rod portion 56.

[0060] For example, as seen in Figure 1, when positioned in the "lower position," the handle portion 54 generally extends from the rod portion 56 in the Y direction of the 3D XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. Conversely, as seen in Figure 3, when positioned in the "upper position," the handle portion 54 generally extends from the rod portion 56 in the Z direction of the 3D XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. Regardless of whether the handle portion 54 is in the upper or lower position, the rod portion 56 generally always extends in the X direction of the 3D XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. Furthermore, the rod portion 56 is positioned parallel to the rail 18 at a distance from the work surface 34 (in the Z direction of the 3D XYZ Cartesian coordinate system) and extends along the length of the rail 18. In various embodiments, the rod portion 56 generally extends parallel to the rail 18 and is generally positioned at a distance from the rail 18 in the Y direction.

[0061] The first end of the rod portion 56 is rotatably supported by the first rail support member 34a (which also supports the first end of the rail 18) and extends through the first rail support member 34a. The second end of the rod portion 56 is rotatably supported by the second rail support member 34b (which also supports the second end of the rail 18) and extends into (but not completely through) the second rail support member 34b. As can be seen in Figures 7-8, the rod portion 56 is rotatably supported by both the first rail support member 34a and the second rail support member 34b, and the rod portion 56 extends completely through the cam actuator 48 of one or more pinch roller arms 46 of the craft device 10. As will be described in more detail later, the rod portion 56 of the actuator lever 52 has a non-circular cross-sectional shape. In other words, the rod portion 56 of the actuator lever 52 has a cross-sectional shape configured to impart rotation to the cam actuator 48 of one or more pinch roller arms 46, thereby causing the cam actuator 48 to rotate simultaneously with the rod portion 56. In some embodiments, the rod portion 56 may have a rectangular or polygonal shape.

[0062] Referring to Figures 7-8, the pinch roller mechanism 50 also includes a passive roller 58 rotatably connected to the second end 46b of the pinch roller arm 46. In some embodiments, the passive roller 58 is not actively rotated by an actuator or motor, but rather, when the workpiece W is placed on the work surface 34 and moved in the Y, Y' feeding directions by one or more components of the crafting apparatus 10, the motion of the workpiece W results in the passive roller 58 rotating as a result of contact with the workpiece, as seen, for example, in Figure 8.

[0063] As can be seen in Figures 7-8 and 10, the pinch roller mechanism 50 also includes an active drive roller 60. The active drive roller 60 can be said to be positioned facing or directly opposite the passive roller 58 in the axial direction.

[0064] Referring to Figures 7-8 and 10, the active drive roller 60 is located in the middle portion 34 of the work surface 34. I It may be positioned within the opening 62 formed therein. As can be seen in Figure 10, a portion of the active drive roller 60 is positioned within the opening 62, and the middle portion 34 of the work surface 34 I Slightly above, the active drive roller 60 drives the movement of the workpiece W in the Y, Y' feeding direction on the underside of the workpiece W. B (See, for example, Figures 7-8) Distance D that allows engagement 60 It may be placed in a different position.

[0065] Furthermore, as can be seen in Figures 7-8, the pinch roller mechanism 50 may also include a motor 64 connected to an active drive roller 60. Referring to Figure 8, for example, when the motor 64 receives a signal from the CPU 3000, the active drive roller 60 is actively rotated in either a first direction R or the opposite second direction R' to produce motion of the workpiece W in the Y, Y' feeding directions.

[0066] As can be seen in Figures 7-9, multiple components of the cam actuator 48 are connected to the pinch roller arm 46 and the upper surface 46 of the pinch roller arm 46 T It may be located within a housing 78 that covers and is positioned over the cam actuator 48. In some embodiments, the housing 78 may or may not be considered a component of the cam actuator 48. In other embodiments, the housing may or may not be considered a component of the pinch roller arm 46.

[0067] The multiple components of the cam actuator 48 include a cam member 66. The cam member 66 includes a key-shaped passage 68 having a cross-sectional geometry configured to allow and support the passage of a segment of the length of the rod portion 56 of the actuator lever 52. Referring to Figures 4 and 9, the rod portion 56 is aligned through the passage 78 formed by the housing 78. PIt is permitted to extend through the key-shaped passage 68 of the cam member 66 and the aligned passage 78 formed by the housing 78. P Since it extends through the housing, the rod portion 56 is indirectly connected to the pinch roller arm 46 as a result of the housing 78 being connected to the pinch roller arm 46 while allowing the rod portion 56 to pass through, and thus supports the pinch roller arm 46.

[0068] Referring to Figures 7-9, the multiple components of the cam actuator 48 also include the pivot bracket 70. Referring to Figures 7-8, the upper end 66 of the cam member 66 T The lower surface 70 of the pivot bracket 70 B It is configured to engage with.

[0069] As shown in Figures 7-9, the multiple components of the cam actuator 48 also include a pin 72 that extends across the width of the housing 78. The pin 72 is fixed to the housing 78. The first end 70a of the pivot bracket 70 is supported by the pin 72 and rotates around the pin 72.

[0070] The multiple components of the cam actuator 48 also include one or more coil spring members 74. Referring to Figure 9, in some configurations, the one or more coil spring members 74 are defined by three coil spring members. However, the cam actuator 48 is not limited to including three coil spring members 74 and may include any number of coil spring members 74, such as one, two, three, four, or more coil spring members 74.

[0071] The second end 70b of the pivot bracket 70 is configured to support the first end 74a of one or more coil spring members 74. The second end 74b of one or more coil spring members 74 is fixed or secured to a pin 76 of the pinch roller arm 46. As shown in Figure 9, the pin 76 is the width W of the first end 46a of the pinch roller arm 46. 46 It extends across it.

[0072] Furthermore, as can be seen in Figure 7, the lower end 66 of the cam member 66 B The upper surface 46 of the first end 46a of the pinch roller arm 46 T It has a shape or configuration that engages with the cam member 66. Conversely, as can be seen in Figure 8, the lower end 66 of the cam member 66 B The upper surface 46 of the first end 46a of the pinch roller arm 46 T Disengage (i.e., upper surface 46 T It is a shape or configuration that disengages as a result of being rotated away from it.

[0073] Since the rod portion 56 extends from the handle portion 54, the rotation of the handle portion 54 also results in a corresponding rotation of the rod portion 56. When the handle portion 54 is rotated to the "upper position" as seen in Figures 3-4, 6, 13A-13B, 15, 17, and 23, the rod portion 56 rotates in correspondence to produce a corresponding rotation of the cam member 66 as seen in Figure 7, thereby (1) the lower end 66 of the cam member 66 B The upper surface 46 of the first end 46a of the pinch roller arm 46 T (2) The upper end 66 of the cam member 66 T It is configured to engage with the pivot bracket 70 to pivot the pivot bracket 70 to a "down position" around the pin 72, thereby the width W between the second end 70b of the pivot bracket 70 and the first end 46a of the pinch roller arm 46. 46 Tension is released from one or more coil spring members 74 connected to a pin 76 extending across the rod. When the rotation of the rod portion 56 positions the components of the cam actuator 48 as shown in Figure 7 as described above, the second end 46b of the pinch roller arm 46 moves along the active drive roller 60 and the middle portion 34 of the work surface 34 according to arrow Z. I It is moved away from it.

[0074] Conversely, when the handle portion 54 is rotated to the "lower position" as seen in Figures 1-2, 5, 13C, and 23-24, the rod portion 56 rotates in response, causing the cam member 66 to rotate in response as seen in Figure 8, thereby (1) the lower end 66 of the cam member 66 B The upper surface 46 of the first end 46a of the pinch roller arm 46 T It does not engage with (for example, the cam member 66 and the upper surface 46a of the first end 46a of the pinch roller arm 46) T (1) A gap may be defined between (2) the upper end 66 of the cam member 66 T It is configured to engage with the pivot bracket 70 to pivot the pivot bracket 70 to the "up position" around the pin 72, thereby the width W between the second end 70b of the pivot bracket 70 and the first end 46a of the pinch roller arm 46. 46 One or more coil spring members 74 connected to a pin 76 extending across are pulled. When the rotation of the rod portion 56 positions the components of the cam actuator 48 as shown in Figure 8 as described above, the second end 46b of the pinch roller arm 46 moves along the active drive roller 60 and the middle portion 34 of the work surface 34 according to arrow Z'. I It is moved in the direction toward [a certain direction].

[0075] In addition to the fact that the housing 78 encloses at least partially multiple components of the cam actuator 48 as described above, the front surface 78 of the housing 78 F However, it may include one or more channels 80, one or more hook portions 82, etc. The one or more channels 80, one or more hook portions 82, etc., may also be slidably connected to and supported by the rail 18, for example, by a corresponding mating structure on the rail 18 (for example, mating structure 142 in Figure 26). M (See reference) It may be configured to mate or engage with one or more channels 80 and / or one or more hook portions 82 of the housing 78. MAs a result of being configured to engage in a sliding manner, one or more pinch roller arms 46 may be configured to be adjustable in a sliding manner according to the directions of arrows X, X' in a three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. In this way, different widths W W To accommodate various workpiece geometries defined by dimensions, one or more of the pinch roller arms 46 can be adjusted relative to the rail 18 and rod portion 56 (according to the directions of arrows X, X' in the three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system).

[0076] Referring to Figure 1, in some embodiments, the craft device 10 may include (1) a first pinch roller arm 46 and a corresponding housing 78 positioned near or adjacent to a first rail support member 34a, and (2) a second pinch roller arm 46 and a housing 78 positioned near or adjacent to a second rail support member 34b. The housing 78 of the second pinch roller arm 46 may further include a window 79 (see, for example, in Figures 1, 2, 13A-13C, 15, 23, and 24) that allows the user to see a portion of the rod portion 56 that would otherwise be hidden by the housing 78. In some embodiments, both pinch roller arms 46 (and their corresponding housings 78) are not designed to be slidably adjustable according to the directions of arrows X, X' in a three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. In other embodiments, (1) one of a pair of pinch roller arms 46 (for example, a first pinch roller arm 46 positioned near or adjacent to the first rail support member 34a and its corresponding housing 78) cannot be slidably adjusted according to the directions of arrows X and X' in the three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system, whereas (2) the other pinch roller arm 46 (for example, a second pinch roller arm 46 positioned near or adjacent to the second rail support member 34b and its corresponding housing 78) can be slidably adjusted according to the directions of arrows X and X'. In yet another embodiment, both pinch roller arms 46 and their corresponding housings 78 can be slidably adjusted according to the directions of arrows X and X' in the three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. In some cases, for example, when a second pinch roller arm 46 positioned near or adjacent to a second rail support member 34b is slidable, the user can adjust the second pinch roller arm 46 relative to the rod portion 56, for example, by using a pinch roller arm adjustment indicator (for example, a first marker 56 positioned on the rod portion 56 in Figures 13A-13C and 24) within a window 79 of the housing 78. M1 or second marker 56 M2The pinch roller arm adjustment indicator 56 (see one of the above) may be adjusted by sliding until it is visible to the user. For example, as seen in Figures 13A-13C and 24, the user may adjust the pinch roller arm adjustment indicator 56 within the window 79 of the housing 78. M1 , 56 M2 When this can be observed, the user can intuitively know, for example, that the second pinch roller arm 46 has been slid sufficiently to a position that is receptive to the rod portion 56.

[0077] The passive roller 58 of the pinch roller arm 46 works in cooperation with the active drive roller 60 to produce motion of the workpiece W in the Y, Y' feeding direction, so any sliding adjustment of the pinch roller arm 46 according to the directions of the arrows X, X' in the three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system as described above can further result in corresponding alignment with the active drive roller. Referring to Figures 2, 4, 6, 10, 13A, 15, 16, and 23, the intermediate active drive roller is shown as 84 in its entirety. Referring to Figure 10, the intermediate active drive roller 84, like the active drive roller 60, is located in the middle portion 34 of the work surface 34. I It may also be positioned within the opening 62 formed therein. Furthermore, the intermediate active drive roller 84 may be positioned within the opening 62, in the intermediate portion 34 of the work surface 34 I Slightly above, the intermediate active drive roller 84 drives the movement of the workpiece W in the Y, Y' feeding direction on the underside of the workpiece W. B (See, for example, Figures 7-8) Distance D that allows engagement 84 They may be positioned in such a manner. Furthermore, similar to the active drive roller 60, the intermediate active drive roller 84 may be connected to a motor (for example, the motor 64 shown in Figures 7-8) to be actively rotated in either a first direction (for example, direction R as seen in Figures 7-8) or the opposite second direction (for example, direction R' as seen in Figures 7-8) to produce motion of the workpiece W in the Y, Y' feeding directions.

[0078] Each pinch roller arm 46 of the pair is positioned close to the first rail support member 34a and the second rail support member 34b, respectively, so that each passive roller 58 of the pinch roller arm 46 cooperates with its respective active drive roller 60. However, in some situations, the intermediate active drive roller 84 may not engage similarly with the passive rollers that would otherwise result in the workpiece W being gripped (for example, as seen in Figure 8). Therefore, even if the intermediate drive roller 84 is not aligned with the passive rollers 58 of one or more pinch roller arms 46, the intermediate drive roller 84 can be actuated to assist the active drive roller 60 in generating the Y, Y' feeding motion of the workpiece W.

[0079] Referring to Figure 10, in some configurations, either the passive roller or the active roller 58, 60, 84 may include a friction surface geometry that improves frictional contact when engaged with the workpiece W. The friction surface geometry of the rollers 58, 60, 84 is suitable for larger and heavier workpieces W (e.g., workpieces W with a plastic backing layer and / or width W). W The crafting apparatus can assist in handling workpieces W that are wider than approximately 12 inches (30.5 centimeters), and therefore require higher clamping forces applied by the rollers 58, 60, and 84 to maintain the driving motion of the workpiece W in the Y, Y' feeding directions and the tracking of the workpiece W without slippage. As shown in Figure 10, in some embodiments, any of the rollers 58, 60, and 84 may include a knurled surface defined by a plurality of pyramidal protrusions. The machined pyramidal shape of each protrusion provides a robust and sturdy topography that can withstand the periodic loads and high pressures required to handle large-diameter workpieces W during the operation of the crafting apparatus 10.

[0080] Referring to Figure 1, the crafting apparatus 10 causes the workpiece W to move at an angle θ as a result of the attractive force following the arrow G to the workpiece W (see also, for example, Figures 3, 7-8, and 17). 22The workpiece handling components 86 may include one or more additional workpiece handling components 86 to prevent the workpiece from sliding off the work surface 34. As shown in Figure 1, the one or more additional workpiece handling components 86 are located downstream of the work surface 34. D or downstream section 34 D They may be positioned in close proximity to each other. Functionally, one or more additional workpiece handling components 86 can improve the positioning of the workpiece W as the workpiece W is moved in the Y, Y' feeding directions.

[0081] In some configurations, the workpiece handling component 86 may include one or more workpiece stoppers. The one or more workpiece stoppers 86 are positioned in one of two positions, namely (1) an upper or deployment position, as seen, for example in Figure 7, and (2) a lower or storage position, as seen, for example in Figure 8, on the downstream portion 34 of the work surface 34. D or downstream section 34 D They can be positioned in close proximity to the work surface 34. As seen in Figures 1, 2, 8, and 13A, when one or more workpiece stoppers 86 are positioned in the lower or storage position, their upper surfaces (see, for example, the upper surface 86a of the workpiece stopper 86 in Figures 7-8 and 11) are substantially flush with the work surface 34. Conversely, as seen in Figures 4, 6, 11, 15, 16, and 23, when one or more workpiece stoppers 86 are positioned in the upper or deployment position according to the Z direction of the three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system, the upper surface 86a of the workpiece stopper 86 is at a distance D from the work surface 34. 86 (See, for example, Figure 11) and is positioned so that the main body portion 88 of the workpiece stopper 86 is exposed. Furthermore, as can also be seen in Figure 11, one or more workpiece stoppers 86 are positioned downstream of the work surface 34 as described in the following disclosure D It may be positioned between raised walls 96 that define one of the suction channels of the multiple workpiece suction channels 94b formed by the workpiece suction channel 94b.

[0082] Referring to Figures 7-8, in some configurations, each workpiece stopper 86 may be selectively raised and lowered as described above in response to the movement of another component of the crafting apparatus 10. The selective raising and lowering of one or more workpiece stoppers 86 may occur, for example, in response to the pressing of a support arm deployment button (see, for example, button 126 in Figures 1-2, 4, 13A-13C, 15, and 23-24). As will be described in more detail later, the support arm deployment button 126 may be coupled to a stopper linkage structure 90 (see, for example, Figures 18 and 19) according to various embodiments. As seen in Figures 7-8, the stopper linkage structure 90 may be located, for example, below the work surface 34. In various embodiments, the pressing of the support arm deployment button 126 may be permitted, for example, in response to the actuator lever 52 being placed in the “up” position (orientation). In other words, according to various embodiments, the support arm deployment button 126 cannot be pressed when the actuator lever 52 is in the "down" orientation, but movement of the actuator lever 52 from the "down" position to the "up" position may "unlock" the support arm deployment button 126, thereby allowing the support arm deployment button 126 to be pressed by the user. Thus, the selective lifting of one or more workpiece stoppers 86 is triggered in response to a manual user press of the support arm deployment button 126. However, in alternative embodiments, the stopper linkage structure 90 may be connected to the rod portion 56 of the actuator lever 52, and the corresponding rotation applied to the rod portion 56 in response to the rotation of the handle portion 54 then acts on the stopper linkage structure 90.

[0083] Therefore, as shown in Figure 7, when the handle portion 54 is in the upper or deployed position, pressing the support arm deployment button 126 causes the stopper linkage structure 90 to push one or more workpiece stoppers 86 in the Z direction of the three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system, and as a result, the upper surface 86a of one or more workpiece stoppers 86 is moved away from the work surface 34 at a distance D 86 The workpiece stoppers 86 are positioned in this manner, thereby exposing the body portion 88 of one or more workpiece stoppers 86. To reverse the deployment of the workpiece stoppers 86 as shown in Figure 8, the rotation of the handle portion 54 from the "up" position to the "down" position causes the stopper linkage structure 90 to pull one or more workpiece stoppers 86 in the Z' direction of the three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system, resulting in (1) the upper surface 86a of one or more workpiece stoppers 86 being aligned with the work surface 34, and (2) the body portion 88 of one or more workpiece stoppers 86 being positioned below the work surface 34. In various embodiments, this operation of the stopper linkage structure 90 (by pivoting the actuator lever 52 from the "up" position to the "down" position) further results in the relocking (i.e., preventing it from being pressed) of the support arm deployment button 126. Therefore, in summary, moving the actuator lever 52 from the "low" position to the "up" position does not automatically deploy / raise the workpiece stopper 86, but instead unlocks and makes the support arm deployment button 126 pressable, thereby allowing the support arm deployment button 126 to be pressed to trigger the deployment / raising of the workpiece stopper 86. Alternatively, moving the actuator lever 52 from the "up" position to the "low" position may automatically retract / lower the workpiece stopper 86 (and further relock the support arm deployment button 126). Additional details regarding the support arm deployment button 126 are included below.

[0084] As can be seen in Figures 7, 4, 6, 11, 15, 16, and 23, when the workpiece W is positioned in the upper or deployment position, the workpiece W first moves onto the work surface 34, and then onto the upstream portion 34 of the work surface 34. U Downstream portion 34 of the work surface 34 D When fed in the direction toward the Y, the workpiece can be fed in the Y feeding direction. When roll-shaped workpiece material is used (i.e., when the workpiece W is fed in the roll W of the workpiece material) R When it is unwound, the roll of workpiece material W R The mass of the workpiece prevents the workpiece W from sliding down and falling from the work surface 34, so the workpiece stopper 86 may be unnecessary or not required. Nevertheless, the workpiece stopper 86 may still be selectively provided to provide a target feeding position for the workpiece. That is, the leading edge of the workpiece W can be fed across the work surface 34 until it contacts one or more body portions 88 of the workpiece stopper 86. Contact between the leading edge of the workpiece W and one or more body portions 88 of the workpiece stopper 86 can ensure precise and repeatable loading of the workpiece W.

[0085] Furthermore, as can be seen in Figure 7, the work surface 34 is, for example, the upper surface S of the support member S. U At an angle to (that is, acute angle θ) 22 Since they are positioned on the support mat W, when one or more workpiece stoppers 86 are positioned in the upper or deployed position, and the workpiece W is supported by the mat W M A substantially flat pre-configured shape W supported by L , W WWhen the workpiece has a leading edge (i.e., when the workpiece is not a rolled material as seen in Figure 24, for example), one or more body portions 88 of the workpiece stopper 86 prevent the workpiece W from sliding off the work surface 34 as a result of an attractive force according to the arrow G to the workpiece W (see also Figures 1, 3, 8, and 17, for example), thereby preventing the work surface 34 from undesirably functioning as a workpiece slide. That is, referring to Figure 8, the leading edge of the workpiece W can be positioned adjacent to (e.g., in contact with or pressed against) one or more body portions 88 of the workpiece stopper 86.

[0086] With the workpiece W properly fed / loaded, the user may rotate the handle portion 54 to the lower position, which simultaneously causes (1) one or more workpiece stoppers 86 to be pulled into the stopper linkage structure 90 in the Z' direction of the three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system (if the workpiece stoppers 86 were selectively deployed via the pressing of the support arm deployment button 126), and (2) the cam actuator 48 to move one or more pinch roller arms 46 toward the active drive roller 60 in the direction of the arrow Z' of the three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system, thereby causing the passive roller 58 and the active drive roller 60 of the pinch roller arms 46 to apply a clamping force to the workpiece W in the direction of the arrow Z' of the three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. During and after the retraction of one or more workpiece stoppers 86, the opposite sides of the workpiece W are gripped by the rollers 58 and 60. At this time, the rollers 58 and 60 apply a gripping force to the workpiece W in the direction of arrow Z' in the three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system, resulting in the workpiece W being moved at an angle θ. 22By preventing the workpiece from sliding off the work surface 34, one or more workpiece stoppers 86 perform the function of a workpiece stopper. Furthermore, with one or more workpiece stoppers 86 retracted below the work surface 34, the rollers 58, 60 can move the workpiece freely in the Y, Y' feeding directions to perform "work" on the workpiece W. The number, shape, spacing, and dimensions of the one or more workpiece stoppers 86 may be varied in one or more embodiments of the crafting apparatus 10 while still performing the convenient functions described above.

[0087] Referring to Figure 16, in other configurations, the workpiece handling component handles various widths W of the workpiece W. W The material guides 92 may include multiple material guides 92 that can be selectively raised and lowered to adapt to the material. As seen in Figures 1-2, 4, 6, 13A-13C, 15-16, and 23-24, the multiple material guides 92 may include a first material guide 92a, a second material guide 92b, and a third material guide 92c.

[0088] As shown in Figures 13A, 15, and 16, the multiple material guides 92 may include three material guides, each of which can be raised or lowered from the work surface 34. Referring to Figure 16, the three material guides 92 may include a first material guide 92a (located adjacent to the first rail support member 34a), a second material guide 92b (located adjacent to the second rail support member 34b), and a third central or intermediate material guide 92c located between or in the middle of the first and second material guides 92a and 92b. Furthermore, as also shown in Figure 16, the intermediate material guide 92c may be aligned with the intermediate active drive roller 84 in the Y, Y' feeding direction of the three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system.

[0089] In some cases, the user may manually configure which of the three material guides 92a, 92b, and 92c is raised or lowered relative to the work surface 34. When manually positioned in the raised position by the user, one or more material guides 92a-92c positioned in the raised or upper position remain in the raised or upper position when the crafting device 10 performs “work” on the workpiece W, and thus, as seen, for example in Figures 13B-13C and 24, the opposite edges of the workpiece W are physically bound by at least two of the one or more material guides 92 (see, for example, the first material guide 92a and the second material guide 92b), and as a result, the alignment of the workpiece W is maintained throughout the movement of the workpiece in the Y, Y' feeding directions.

[0090] Referring to Figure 13B, in one embodiment, the first material guide 92a and the second material guide 92b may be positioned in an upper or raised position, while the intermediate material guide 92c may be positioned in a lower or lowered position, so that a "wider" workpiece W can be guided by two outermost material guides defined by the first material guide 92a positioned close to the first rail support member 34a and the second material guide 92b positioned close to the second rail support member 34b. Alternatively, in other configurations, the first material guide 92a and intermediate material guide 92c, positioned close to the first rail support member 34a, may be positioned in an upper or raised position (while the second material guide 92b, positioned close to the second rail support member 34b, may be positioned in a lower or lowered position), so that a "narrower" workpiece W can be guided by one of the outermost material guides (i.e., the first material guide 92a) and the intermediate material guide 92c. In one such exemplary configuration, the pinch roller arm 46, positioned close to the second rail support member 34b, may be slidably adjusted according to the direction of arrow X' in the three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system to substantially align the passive roller 58 of the sliding pinch roller arm 46 with the intermediate active drive roller 84. Therefore, the passive roller 58 of the sliding pinch roller arm 46, together with the intermediate active drive roller 84, can grip the outer edge of the workpiece W and contribute to generating the Y, Y' feeding direction motion of the workpiece W in the three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system, while the intermediate material guide 92c guides the outer edge of the workpiece W, which is positioned in close proximity to the passive roller 58 and intermediate active drive roller 84 of the sliding pinch roller arm 46.

[0091] Referring to Figure 16, in other configurations, the workpiece handling component may include a plurality of workpiece suction channels 94 formed by the work surface 34. As seen in Figure 16, the plurality of workpiece suction channels 94 may include a first plurality of workpiece suction channels 94a and a second plurality of workpiece suction channels 94b. The first plurality of workpiece suction channels 94a and the second plurality of workpiece suction channels 94b are also seen in Figures 1-2, 4, 6, 13A, 15, and 23.

[0092] Referring to Figures 11-12 and 16, the first set of workpiece suction channels 94a (see, for example, Figure 12) are located upstream of the work surface 34. U It may be formed by the following: The second plurality of workpiece suction channels 94b (see, for example, Figure 11) are located downstream of the work surface 34. D It may be formed by the following. In some configurations, as seen in Figures 1 and 11-12, the intermediate portion 34 of the work surface 34 I It does not include the workpiece suction channel 94.

[0093] As shown in Figures 11-12 and 16, each of the workpiece suction channels 94a, 94b of the plurality of workpiece suction channels 94 includes raised walls 96 on both sides and has an opening 98 near or at its end. As shown in Figures 11-12, the crafting apparatus 10 may include a vacuum source 95 located below the work surface 34 and housed, for example, in the base section 20. The vacuum source 95 may be activated in response to the handle section 54 being placed in the lower position, and / or the vacuum source 95 may be operated in response to a control signal from the CPU 3000. For example, as will be described in more detail later, suction through the suction channels 94A, 94b may be controlled via the CPU 3000 in response to the user initiating the performance of “work” on the workpiece W. As described above, generally as seen in Figures 11-12, the handle portion 54 is connected to the rod portion 56 of the actuator lever 52, so that when the handle portion 54 rotates, a corresponding rotation is applied to the rod portion 56, which may also be connected to the actuator of the vacuum source 95. When the vacuum source 95 is activated or turned on, it draws air into the openings 98 of each workpiece suction channel 96, and the air is subsequently vented out through one or more openings 99 (see, for example, Figure 6) formed by the lower surface 24 of the base portion 20 of the craft device 10.

[0094] During operation, the lower surface W of the workpiece W B When the workpiece W (see, for example, Figures 7-8) rests on the raised wall 96, the vacuum source 95 draws air from each of the workpiece suction channels 94a, 94b into each opening 98. Therefore, when the workpiece W is positioned to overlap the workpiece suction channels 94, air is drawn out from there into the opening 98. T (See, for example, Figures 7-8) The air velocity relative to the airflow, or the absence of air, on the lower surface W of the workpiece W. B at least the downstream portion 34 of the work surface 34 which includes multiple workpiece suction channels 94 Dand the upstream portion 34 of the work surface 34 U This creates a pressure difference that pushes upwards and downwards.

[0095] In some configurations, the opening 98 is located in the upstream portion 34 of the work surface 34. U Whether it is a workpiece suction channel 94 formed in close proximity to the work surface 34 or the downstream portion 34 D Whether the workpiece suction channel 94 is formed in close proximity to the work surface 34, it can be located at any end of a plurality of workpiece suction channels 94. The end of the workpiece suction channel 94 where the opening 98 is located determines the direction of the airflow through the plurality of workpiece suction channels 94. In at least one embodiment, the downstream portion 34 of the work surface 34 shown in Figure 11 D The direction of the airflow through the multiple workpiece suction channels 94 formed in close proximity is the upstream portion 34 of the work surface 34 shown in Figure 12. U The direction of the airflow through the multiple workpiece suction channels 94 formed in close proximity to the work surface 34 may be the same as or different from that direction. In addition, the downstream portion 34 of the work surface 34 D and the upstream portion 34 of the work surface 34 U The orientation of each set of workpiece suction channels 94 formed by each of them is in the middle portion 34 of the work surface 34, where the carriage 16, including the printing device 12 and the cutting device 14, is movably positioned on the rail 18. I You may be heading towards it or away from it.

[0096] Downstream portion 34 of the work surface 34 D and / or upstream portion 34 of the work surface 34 U Multiple workpiece suction channels 94 formed in close proximity to each other have different widths W W It is convenient to configure it to adapt to various workpieces W having a width W. W As the channel narrows, more of the workpiece suction channels 94 are exposed, but the remaining covered workpiece suction channels 94 are sufficient to hold the workpiece W in place on the downstream portion of the work surface 34. Dand the upstream portion 34 of the work surface 34 U Push downwards onto each of them. In this way, the narrower workpiece W exposes some of the workpiece suction channels 94, but the bottom surface of workpiece W B It does not proportionally reduce the suction force applied to it.

[0097] In some embodiments, the workpiece W is a roll of workpiece material W R When the workpiece W is unfurled, the unfurled workpiece W lies consistently across the entire surface area of ​​the work surface 34 when the crafting device 10 performs "work" on the workpiece W, with respect to the upstream portion 34 of the work surface 34. U and / or downstream portion 34 of the work surface 34 D It is curved. Such curvature further minimizes lateral bumping (following the directions of arrows X and X' in the 3D XYZ Cartesian coordinate system) or lifting (following the direction of arrow Z in the 3D XYZ Cartesian coordinate system) from the work surface 34 of the workpiece W when the crafting device 10 performs "work" on the workpiece W. Refer to Figures 3 and 5 for the roll W of the workpiece material. R This refers to a workpiece material of a certain length (for example, as seen in Figures 13B-13C) on the upstream edge 34 of the subsequent work surface 34. U A roll of workpiece material W to prepare the contact surface with the workpiece. R The workpiece material roll W is stored facing the rear surface 28 of the base portion 20 of the crafting device 10 so that it can be unwound, and then one or more components of the crafting device 10 (for example, one or all of the active drive rollers 60 and intermediate active drive rollers 84) are turned into a roll W R The length of the workpiece material that has been fed out from the work surface 34 is the downstream portion 34 D This means that the movement will proceed in the direction toward (i.e., in the Y, Y' feeding direction of the 3D XYZ Cartesian coordinate system).

[0098] As described above, the crafting device 10 uses a roll of workpiece material W RA workpiece W that does not originate from (for example, a workpiece W has a predetermined length W as shown in Figure 24 as an example) L and default width W W Fixed dimension W L , W W It is also possible to perform "work" on a pre-configured shape (which may be defined by a predetermined shape W), and furthermore, on a predetermined length W L and default width W W The workpiece W having a pre-configured shape has a width of the work surface 34 of the work section 22 (for example, the width W in Figures 17 and 24). 34 (Reference) Width W extending beyond W A workpiece W is sometimes defined as "relatively large" because it possesses [a certain characteristic].

[0099] Refer to Figures 17 and 23-24, the width W of the work surface 34. 34 Generally, the downstream portion 34 of the work surface 34 D The edge and the upstream portion 34 of the work surface 34 U It may also be said that it extends between the edges. Therefore, referring to Figures 17-24, in a situation such as when the user chooses to bring a "relatively large" workpiece W into contact with the crafting apparatus 10, the user may use one or more support arms (i.e., downstream support arm 100) D and upstream support arm 100 U The crafting device 10 can be structurally reconfigured by deploying one or more support arms 100. D , 100 U When arranged in the configuration shown in Figures 17 and 23-24, for example, the width W of the work surface 34 of the work section 22 34 As shown in Figure 24, the width S of the support member S shown in Figure 17 is used to provide supplementary support for the "relatively large" workpiece W when it is moved in the Y, Y' feeding direction of the 3D XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. W Extended width W (larger than) 34 'Effectively extended to the downstream portion 34 of the work surface 34 D The edge and the upstream portion 34 of the work surface 34 U It extends beyond the edge.

[0100] Refer to Figure 17, one or more support arms 100 D , 100 U It is aligned with the work surface 34 and, like the work surface 34, has one or more support arms 100. D , 100 U The angle is effectively acute θ 22 It is positioned there. When positioned in the deployment location, one or more support arms 100 D , 100 U (1) For example, as seen in Figure 24, the downstream portion 34 of the work surface 34 D The edge and the upstream portion 34 of the work surface 34 U (2) The upstream and downstream portions of the "relatively large" workpiece W extend beyond the edge and provide support for the "relatively large" workpiece W, and the downstream portion of the work surface 34 D The edge and the upstream portion 34 of the work surface 34 U By extending beyond the edge, the curvature of the "relatively large" workpiece W is minimized. As a result, the curvature of the "relatively large" workpiece W is minimized, and the improved quality of the "work" (e.g., cutting and other modifications) performed on the "relatively large" workpiece W is achieved by the crafting device 10.

[0101] Referring to Figures 18-19, one or more support arms 100 D , 100 U A rotation mechanism 102 for generating the motion is shown. Furthermore, referring to Figures 20-22, one or more support arms 100 are shown, whether intentionally or unintentionally, of an object or user. D , 100 U In response to contact, one or more support arms 100 D , 100 U A safety-detachable coupling 104 is shown that allows separation from the rotating mechanism 102.

[0102] Referring first to Figures 18 and 19, the rotating mechanism 102 includes a substantially "L-shaped" pivot bracket 106. The pivot bracket 106 is rotatable around the central screw 108 (i.e., the pivot point of the "L-shaped" pivot bracket 106) on the inner surface portion 32 of the lower surface 32 of the working section 22. I The first end of the downstream linkage member 110 of the rotating mechanism 102 is rotatably connected to the first end of the pivot bracket 106. The first end of the upstream linkage member 112 of the rotating mechanism 102 is rotatably connected to the second end of the pivot bracket 106.

[0103] The rotation mechanism 102 may further include a coil spring member 114 that biases the pivot bracket 106. The first end of the coil spring member 114 is connected to the distal end of the flange portion 116 of the pivot bracket 106. The second end of the coil spring member 114 is connected to the inner surface portion 32 of the lower surface 32 of the operating portion 22. I 32 fixing points A The second end of the downstream linkage member 110 is rotatably connected to the first end of the downstream pivot lever 118. The second end of the upstream linkage member 112 is rotatably connected to the first end of the upstream pivot lever 120.

[0104] Referring to Figure 18, the rotating mechanism 102 has one or more support arms 100 D , 100 U It is positioned in a first position for selectively placing it in the storage position. When positioned in the storage position, the upstream support arm 100 U It can be positioned substantially adjacent to or within the slot or recess 122 formed by the rear surface 36 of the work section 22. Similarly, when positioned in the stowed position, the downstream support arm 100 D The downstream portion 34 of the work surface 34 D It can be positioned substantially adjacent to or within a slot or recess 124 (see also, for example, the slot or recess 124 in Figure 4) formed by the front surface 38 of the working section 22 near the edge.

[0105] In some configurations, as shown in Figure 18, the upstream pivot lever 120 is connected to the upstream support arm 100. U To accommodate this, it may be intentionally designed to be "overclocked" / overspinned. As seen in Figures 3 and 13A-13C, one or more support arms 100 D , 100 U For example, the crafting device 10 rolls the workpiece material W R When performing "work" on the workpiece W derived from, the upstream support arm 100 U The upstream portion 34 of the work surface 34 U It can be positioned in a storage location so as not to interfere with the workpiece material W that is guided over the edge.

[0106] Referring to Figure 19, the pivot bracket 106 of the rotation mechanism 102 is shown to have been rotated counterclockwise (with respect to the position of the pivot bracket 106 in Figure 18), which results in corresponding rotations of the downstream linkage member 110, the upstream linkage member 112, the downstream pivot lever 118, and the upstream pivot lever 120. The rotation mechanism 102 may be operated in response to a press of, for example, a support arm deployment button (see, for example, button 126 in Figures 1-2, 4, 13A-13C, 15, and 23-24). When positioned in the deployment position as seen in Figure 19, the upstream support arm 100 U The upstream support arm 100 can be positioned away from the slot or recess 122 formed by the rear surface 36 of the working section 22. U It is positioned approximately perpendicular to the rear surface 36 of the work section 22. Similarly, when positioned in the deployment position as shown in Figure 19, the downstream support arm 100 D The downstream support arm 100 can be positioned away from the slot or recess 124 formed by the front surface 38 of the work section 22. D It is positioned substantially perpendicular to the front surface 38 of the work section 22. In various embodiments, one or more support arms 100 D , 100 UThe pivoting motion occurs within the XY plane of the "working" three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. In other words, one or more support arms 100 D , 100 U The plane defined by the pivoting motion may be considered perpendicular to the Z direction in the "working" three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system.

[0107] As described above, the crafting apparatus 10 is designed to be "doorless" so that multiple components of the crafting apparatus 10 that perform "work" on the workpiece W (e.g., the printing device 12, the cutting device 14, the carriage 16, and the rail 18) are always exposed to the surrounding environment. Therefore, in some configurations of the crafting apparatus 10, the upstream support arm 100 U and downstream support arm 100 D However, while the components 12, 14, 16, and 18 of the crafting device 10 are permitted to perform "work" on the workpiece W when they are positioned in their respective storage locations (for example, as seen in Figures 1-6, 13A-13C, and 18) within the slots or recesses 122 formed by the rear surface 36 of the work section 22 and the slots or recesses 124 formed by the front surface 38 of the work section 22, in contrast, a crafting device including a door would not be able to perform "work" on the workpiece W when the door is in the closed or storage position, because the door would not allow the workpiece W to be moved in the Y, Y' feeding direction of the three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system, as seen in Figures 13A-13C, as permitted by the crafting device 10.

[0108] Furthermore, as can be seen in Figures 17 and 19-24, the upstream support arm 100 of the "doorless" crafting device 10 U and downstream support arm 100 D However, when the upstream support arm 100 is positioned away from the slot or recess 122 formed by the rear surface 36 of the work section 22 and the slot or recess 124 formed by the front surface 38 of the work section 22 (as seen in Figure 19, for example), the upstream support arm 100 Uand downstream support arm 100 D The upper surface S of the support member S U They are not arranged parallel to each other. Therefore, the upstream support arm 100 U and downstream support arm 100 D When it is positioned in the deployment location, the width W of the work surface 34 of the work section 22 34 is the extended width W 34 ' to an acute angle θ 22 It is effectively extended. Upstream support arm 100 U and downstream support arm 100 D The angle θ is acute with respect to the work surface 34. 22 Since they are arranged in such a way that (the front surface 38 of the work section 22 is the front edge S of the support member S) F (When positioned close to) Downstream support arm 100 D The upper surface S of the support member S U Further down the distance (for example, D in Figure 17) 100D (See reference) It is permissible to position the upstream support arm 100 U The upper surface S of the support member S U Further upward distance (for example, D in Figure 17) 100U (See reference) It is permissible for them to be positioned such that they are at a distance (for example, distance D in Figure 17) above the uppermost part of the multiple components 12, 14, 16, 18 of the crafting device 10 that performs "work" on the workpiece W. 100 This will define the uppermost part of the crafting device 10 separated by (see reference).

[0109] Next, Figures 20-22 illustrate the safety-detachable coupling 104. The following disclosure concerns the downstream support arm 100. D And directed toward the safety release coupling 104 of the downstream pivot lever 118, but the following explanation also applies to the upstream support arm 100 U This also applies to the upstream pivot lever 120 (i.e., the upstream support arm 100) U The upstream pivot lever 120 may also include similar components for defining another or second safety-detachable coupling 104 of the crafting device 10).

[0110] First, referring to Figure 20, the downstream support arm 100 D It is shown that the downstream pivot lever 118 and the downstream pivot lever 118 are coupled to each other in a detachable configuration. The safety detachable coupling 104 includes magnetic coupling, thereby (1) downstream support arm 100 D (1) The downstream pivot lever 118 may include a first magnet 128, and (2) the downstream pivot lever 118 may include a second magnet 130. The first magnet 128 and the second magnet 130 are located on the downstream support arm 100. D It provides magnetic coupling to the downstream pivot lever 118.

[0111] Furthermore, as can be seen in Figures 21 and 22, the safety-detachable coupling 104 includes a friction-fit configuration, thereby enabling, for example, the downstream support arm 100 D However, it may include one or more male parts 132 that are received into one or more female parts 134 formed by the downstream pivot lever 118 and coupled frictionally. Furthermore, as can be seen in Figures 21 and 22, the safety release coupling 104 extends from the downstream pivot lever 118 to the downstream support arm 100. D It includes a bungee member 136 extending into a channel 138 (see, for example, Figure 20) formed by the bungee member 136, which supports the downstream pivot lever 118 with a downstream support arm 100. D It may also be made to be flexibly connected to it.

[0112] The safety-detachable coupling 104 functionally reduces damage to the craft device 10. Refer to Figures 17 and 23-24, for example, the leading edge S of the support member S. F and rear end S F One or more support arms 100 extending beyond one or both of the D , 100 U The user may not be aware of the deployment configuration and unintentionally cause one or more support arms 100 to be affected. D , 100 U The support arm 100 plunges into it. D , 100 UIf the support arm 100 is touched forcefully, the safety release coupling 104 will release one or more support arms 100. D , 100 U The corresponding pivot levers 118 and 120 can be intentionally allowed to detach or separate from the downstream support arm 100. For example, the user may inadvertently cause the downstream support arm 100 to D and upstream support arm 100 U If one or both of the downstream pivot levers are separated from the downstream pivot lever 118 and the upstream pivot lever 120, respectively, the user may connect the downstream support arm 100 by one or more of the following: (1) connecting the magnets 128 and 130, and (2) connecting one or more male parts 132 to one or more female parts 134. D and upstream support arm 100 U One or both of these can be reconnected from the downstream pivot lever 118 and the upstream pivot lever 120, respectively. The flexible connection provided by the bungee member 136 allows one or more support arms 100 to remain connected even after the other two connection features (e.g., as seen in reference numerals 128, 130 and 132, 134) have been disconnected. D , 100 U The bungee member 136 can be held in a loosely connected state to the pivot levers 118 and 120. In other words, after a detachment event, the bungee member 136 can be held in a loosely connected state to one or more support arms 100. D , 100 U The support arms 100 remain connected to the crafting device 10 in a non-rigid manner, thereby allowing one or more support arms 100 to be connected. D , 100 U This prevents the item from being completely disconnected from Crafting Device 10 (and potentially lost).

[0113] Referring to Figure 26, a cross-sectional end view of the rail 18 is shown. An illustrative side view of the carriage 16, including the printing device 12 and the cutting device 14, is also shown.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 26, the rail 18 includes an elongated body member 140 having an outer surface 142 and an inner surface 144. The inner surface 144 defines a cavity 146 that extends through the elongated body member 140. One or more portions of the outer surface 142 of the body member 140 of the rail 18 engage, for example, one or more channels 80, one or more hook portions 82, etc. with the front face 78 of the housing 78 F which may include a mating structure shown as 142 configured to engage (see, for example, FIGS. 7-8). As described above, the front face 78 of the housing 78 M may include a mating structure shown as 142 formed by the outer surface 142 of the elongated body member 140 of the rail 18 F to the mating structure 142 formed by the outer surface 142 of the elongated body member 140 of the rail 18 M to enable a sliding adjustment of one or more pinch roller arms 46 with respect to the rail 18.

[0115] In some configurations, a plurality of wall members 148-152 may be disposed inside the cavity 146 and extend across the cavity 146. The plurality of wall members 148-152 may include a horizontal wall member 148, an upper vertical wall member 150, and a lower vertical wall member 152. The horizontal wall member 148 extends across the cavity 146 and may connect a portion of the inner surface 144 defined by the front portion of the elongated body member 140 to another portion of the inner surface 144 defined by the rear portion of the elongated body member 140. The upper vertical wall member 150 extends from the upper surface of the horizontal wall member 148 and may connect the upper surface of the horizontal wall member 148 to a portion of the inner surface 144 defined by the upper portion of the elongated body member 140. The lower vertical wall member 152 extends from the lower surface of the horizontal wall member 148 and may connect the lower surface of the horizontal wall member 148 to a portion of the inner surface 144 defined by the lower portion of the elongated body member 140.

[0116] As described above and as seen in FIG. 26, as a result of the configuration as an example of the plurality of wall members 148-152, the cavity 146 extending through the elongated body member 140 may be defined by a plurality of sub-cavities 146a-146d. The plurality of sub-cavities 146a-146d extending through the elongated body member 140 may include a first sub-cavity 146a, a second sub-cavity 146b, a third sub-cavity 146c, and a fourth sub-cavity 146d.

[0117] The first sub-cavity 146a and the second sub-cavity 146b may alternatively be referred to as the first upper sub-cavity 146a and the second upper sub-cavity 146b as a result of the upper vertical wall member 150 extending from the upper surface of the horizontal wall member 148. The third sub-cavity 146c and the fourth sub-cavity 146d may alternatively be referred to as the first lower sub-cavity 146c and the second lower sub-cavity 146d as a result of the lower vertical wall member 152 extending away from the lower surface of the horizontal wall member 148.

[0118] As seen in FIG. 26, the first upper sub-cavity 146a is sized to accommodate a flexible control cable 154 connected to the printing device 12, the cutting device 14, and the carriage 16. In some configurations, the second upper sub-cavity 146b does not accommodate components and may thus alternatively be referred to as an upper void cavity. The flexible control cable 154 provides signals from the CPU 3000 to the printing device 12, the cutting device 14, and the carriage 16 to cause and / or activate any movement of any of the printing device 12, the cutting device 14, and the carriage 16 to perform "work" on the workpiece W.

[0119] As also shown in Figure 26, the second lower cavity 146d is sized to accommodate the carriage motion belt 156 connected to the carriage 16. The craft device 10 may further include a carriage motion motor configured to drive the carriage motion via the carriage motion belt 156. The carriage motion motor may be located / housed within the work section (for example, within one of the rail support members 34a, 34b) and may receive signals from the CPU 3000 to drive the motion of the carriage motion belt 156 in order to impart motion to the carriage 16 in the direction of arrows X, X' in a three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system.

[0120] In various embodiments, the carriage 16 is also configured to support a tool motion motor 158, which may be located on the opposite side of the rail 18 from the printing device 12 and / or cutting device 14. The tool motion motor 158 is electronically controlled and communicated with the CPU 3000 via a flexible control cable 154, and can be selectively actuated to achieve motion of the tool (i.e., the printing device 12 and / or cutting device 14) in the direction of arrows Z, Z' (i.e., toward and away from the workpiece W) in the three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. In some configurations, the first lower subcavity 146c does not house any components and may therefore be alternatively referred to as the lower gap cavity. The tool motion motor 158 is connected to the printing device 12 and / or cutting device 14 via, for example, a gear 159.

[0121] The multiple sub-cavities 146a-146d offer several benefits. Firstly, because the rail 18 contains multiple sub-cavities 146a-146d, the rail 18 is not solid, and as a result, the weight of the crafting device 10 is reduced. Secondly, because the first upper sub-cavity 146a and the second lower cavity 146d house the flexible control cable 154 and the carriage motion belt 156, respectively, the rail 18 provides an aesthetically pleasing design that keeps the flexible control cable 154 and the carriage motion belt 156 generally out of the user's line of sight or concealed. Furthermore, by arranging the flexible control cable 154 and the carriage motion belt 156 in the first upper subcavity 146a and the second lower cavity 146d, respectively, the flexible control cable 154 and the carriage motion belt 156 are protected from the surrounding environment, thereby preventing damage to the flexible control cable 154 and the carriage motion belt 156 during use of the craft device 10.

[0122] Referring to Figures 26-29, the wheel system 160 of the carriage 16 is shown. The wheel system 160 at least partially secures the carriage 16 to the rail 18, allowing the carriage 16 to reciprocate and roll laterally along the rail 18 in the direction of arrows X, X' in the three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. Some of the housing and the connecting components between one or more wheels 162 and the carriage 16 have been removed from Figures 26-29 for illustrative purposes.

[0123] For example, as shown in Figure 29, in some configurations, the wheel system 160 includes a plurality of wheels 162. Referring to Figures 26 and 27, at least one of the one or more wheels 162 of the wheel system 160 may be configured to be positioned within and resting against a groove 164 formed by the outer surface 142 of the elongated body member 140 of the rail 18 and extending along the outer surface 142.

[0124] As shown in Figure 27, the groove 164 may include a first surface portion 164a and a second surface portion 164b. In some embodiments, the outer surface 142 of the elongated main body member 140 of the rail 18 forming the groove 164 is the upper edge or upper surface 142 of the outer surface 142 of the elongated main body member 140 of the rail 18 T That's fine.

[0125] Continuing with reference to Figure 27, one or more wheels 162 may be mounted in contact with the first surface portion 164a of the groove 164. Furthermore, as seen in Figure 27, another wheel 166 of the wheel system 160, positioned perpendicular to wheel 162, may be mounted in contact with the second surface 164b of the groove 164.

[0126] Referring to Figure 29, the wheel system 160 of the carriage 16 may include a first wheel pair, shown as 168 in whole, and a second wheel pair, shown as 170 in whole. Each of the first wheel pair 168 and the second wheel pair 170 may include first and second wheels 162, 166, which are arranged orthogonally to each other and positioned against the groove 164, and the first and second wheels 162, 166 are positioned against the first surface portion 164 and the second surface portion 164b of the groove, respectively, as described above.

[0127] Although not shown in Figures 26-29, in some configurations, one or more wheels 162, 166, positioned orthogonally to each other, may further be configured to ride on correspondingly formed grooves on the lower edge of the rail 18, in a manner similar to that shown in Figure 27. Figure 29 shows a total of four wheels defined by a first pair of wheels 168 and a second pair of wheels 170 within the upper groove 164 of the rail 18 (connecting components have been removed from the carriage 16 assembly to show the location of the wheels 162, 166 relative to the rail 18). The various faces and angles between the wheels 162, 166 and the rail 18 provide firm and consistent contact between the carriage 16 and the rail 18.

[0128] Referring to Figures 1-2, 6, 13A-13C, 15, and 23-24, the craft device 10 may include a plurality of control buttons 172-176 that are communicably coupled to the CPU 3000. In some embodiments, the plurality of control buttons 172-176 may be supported by a second rail support member 34b.

[0129] The multiple control buttons 172-176 may include a first control button 172, a second control button 174, and a third control button 176. The first control button 172 may include an "up / down arrow" indicator. The second control button 174 may include a "triangle play arrow" indicator. The third control button 176 may include a "pause symbol" indicator.

[0130] In some cases, if the user wishes to manually advance the loaded workpiece W in either the Y or Y' feeding direction according to the arrows in the 3D XYZ Cartesian coordinate system, the user can press the first control button 172. In some embodiments, if the user wishes to start the process of "working" on the workpiece W after loading it onto the crafting device 10, the user can press the second control button 174. In other embodiments, if the user wishes to pause the "work" while the crafting device 10 is in the process of "working" on the workpiece W, the user can press the third control button 176.

[0131] Furthermore, referring to Figure 1, the crafting apparatus 10 may also include a blade guide channel 178. In some configurations, the blade guide channel 178 extends to the downstream portion 34 of the work surface 34. DIt may be formed by at least a portion of the front surface 38 of the working section 22 near the edge. In some embodiments, the crafting device 10 may include a blade 180 configured to contact a blade guide channel 178. The user can use the blade 180 to swipe across the blade guide channel 178 (with the workpiece W positioned over the blade guide channel 178) (according to the direction of arrows X, X' in a three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system) to cut off any remaining or leftover workpiece material W after the "work" that the crafting device 10 has performed on the workpiece W is complete. In some embodiments, the cutting device 14 may include a cutting blade that functions by providing an automatic cutoff of the workpiece W when there is another user-initiated process provided, for example, by pressing a button 174 or by user input to the CPU 3000. In other embodiments, the blade 180 may be removable and / or reconfigurable. In other embodiments, the cutting device 14 may be configured to form a cutting groove in the workpiece W, which would provide the user with a visual guide to position the blade 180 adjacent to the workpiece W in order to cut the workpiece W.

[0132] In some implementations, the workpiece W (the roll of workpiece material W) R When the "work" on the workpiece W (supplied from the 3D XYZ Cartesian coordinate system) is completed, the user may press the first control button 172 to advance the workpiece W in the direction of the feed direction arrow Y in the 3D XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. Once the user has advanced the "work" workpiece W sufficiently in the direction of the feed direction arrow Y in the 3D XYZ Cartesian coordinate system, the user may release the first control button 172 to stop the movement of the "work" workpiece W. The user may then bring the blade 180 into contact with the blade guide channel 178 and move the blade 180 in the direction of the arrows X, X' in the 3D XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. As the user moves the blade 180 within the blade guide channel 178, the blade 180 will further move the workpiece material roll W RThe blade 180 contacts the workpiece W to cut the "worked" workpiece W from the "non-worked" portion of the workpiece W extending from it. Although the blade 180 is shown in Figure 1 as a separate component with respect to the crafting apparatus 10, in other configurations the blade 180 may be slidably joined to the crafting apparatus 10 near or adjacent to the blade guide channel 178. In various embodiments, the crafting apparatus 10 includes an automatic cutting tool that can be inserted into one of the tool clamps (e.g., a tool clamp configured to hold the printing device 12). In such embodiments, the CPU 3000 may be configured to perform automatic cutting of the workpiece W to separate the worked workpiece W from the non-worked portion of the workpiece.

[0133] Figures 14A-14D show the crafting apparatus 10 as a first type of workpiece source (e.g., a roll of workpiece material W). R Figures 25A-25E show a flowchart of an example sequence of operations for a method 200 of using the crafting apparatus 10 when it is selectively configured to perform “work” on a second type of workpiece source (e.g., a substantially flat pre-configured shape W). L , W W Having a support mat W MA method of utilizing the crafting apparatus 10 when it is selectively configured to perform “work” on a workpiece W (which may or may not be supported by the workpiece W, and where, in some cases, the workpiece W may be defined as a relatively “larger” workpiece W) is shown in whole in 300. Methods 200, 300 depicted in the related figures are schematic flowcharts and describe multiple steps. The steps do not necessarily have to be performed in the order they are presented unless otherwise specified herein. Also, the labeled steps are included to disclose all expected and implementable steps of the method, and therefore, in various embodiments, certain steps may be omitted, reordered, performed substantially simultaneously, or otherwise different from those depicted. In other words, not all of the depicted steps will necessarily be performed, and therefore, methods 200, 300 may include fewer steps than all of the depicted steps.

[0134] Referring to Figure 14A, Method 200 includes the step of positioning the actuator lever 52 in the “up position” (as seen in Figures 3-4, 6, and 13A-13B), so that the handle portion 54 of the actuator lever 52 generally extends in the Z direction of the three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. As a result of positioning the actuator lever 52 in the “up position”, the rod portion 56 causes the stopper linkage structure 90 to voluntarily push one or more workpiece stoppers 86 to a deployment position in the Z direction of the three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system, so that the upper surface 86a of one or more workpiece stoppers 86 is away from the work surface 34 by a distance D 86The workpiece stopper 86 is positioned so that one or more body portions 88 of the workpiece stopper 86 are exposed. As described above, in various alternative embodiments, the deployment of the workpiece stopper 86 is not automatically actuated in response to the movement of the actuator lever 52, but rather the movement of the actuator lever 52 simply “unlocks” the support arm deployment button 126, thereby making the deployment button pressable, and it is the pressing of the button that causes the deployment of one or more workpiece stoppers 86.

[0135] Furthermore, as a result of the actuator lever 52 being positioned in the "upper position", the rod portion 56 causes the components of the cam actuator 48 to be positioned in the first position 206, thereby, as can be seen in Figure 7, (1) the lower end 66 of the cam member 66 B The upper surface 46 of the first end 46a of the pinch roller arm 46 T (2) The upper end 66 of the cam member 66 T It is configured to engage with the pivot bracket 70 to pivot the pivot bracket 70 to a "down position" around the pin 72, thereby the width W between the second end 70b of the pivot bracket 70 and the first end 46a of the pinch roller arm 46. 46 Tension is released from one or more coil springs 74 connected to a pin 76 extending across it. When the rotation of the rod portion 56 causes the components of the cam actuator 48 to be positioned as shown in Figure 7 as described above, the second end 46b of the pinch roller arm 46 moves in the direction of arrow Z towards the active drive roller 60 and the middle portion 34 of the work surface 34 I 208 is positioned separately.

[0136] Furthermore, method 200 may optionally include step 210 in which the vacuum source 95 is configured to be inactive as a result of the actuator lever 52 being positioned in the “up position”, thereby preventing the vacuum source 95 from drawing air into the openings 98 of each workpiece suction channel 96. Furthermore, the user may also position a pair of workpiece material guides 92a, 92b, 92c of a plurality of workpiece material guides 92 in deployment positions 212.

[0137] After one or more of the workpiece handling components are arranged as described in steps 202-212, the user then feeds out a portion of the workpiece W from the roll W of the workpiece material 214, and then can place the leading edge of the portion of the workpiece W on the upstream portion 34 of the work surface 34 216. Thereafter, as depicted in flowchart FIG. 14B, the user continues to feed out a portion of the workpiece W from the roll W of the workpiece material 214 and places the leading edge of the portion of the workpiece W on the middle portion 34 of the work surface 34 218. Thereafter, as depicted in the flowchart of FIG. 14B, the user places the opposite side edges extending away from the leading edge of the portion of the workpiece W generally between a pair of workpiece material guides 92a, 92b, 92c of the plurality of workpiece material guides 92 arranged in a deployment position to guide the leading edge of the portion of the workpiece W in the Y, Y' feed directions of the three-dimensional X-Y-Z Cartesian coordinate system 220. R from which to feed out a portion of the workpiece W 214, and then place the leading edge of the portion of the workpiece W on the upstream portion 34 of the work surface 34 U of which can be done 216. After that, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14B, the user continues to feed out a portion of the workpiece W from the roll W R of the workpiece material and place the leading edge of the portion of the workpiece W on the middle portion 34 of the work surface 34 I as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14B, the user places the opposite side edges extending away from the leading edge of the portion of the workpiece W generally between a pair of workpiece material guides 92a, 92b, 92c of the plurality of workpiece material guides 92 arranged in a deployment position to guide the leading edge of the portion of the workpiece W in the Y, Y' feed directions of the three-dimensional X-Y-Z Cartesian coordinate system 220.

[0138] If one or more workpiece stoppers 86 are optionally advanced to the deployment position by the stopper linkage structure 90 204, the user may optionally place the leading edge of the portion of the workpiece W adjacent to the body portion 88 of one or more workpiece stoppers 86 222. The step of optionally placing the leading edge of the portion of the workpiece W adjacent to the body portion 88 of one or more workpiece stoppers 86 222 results from holding the fed-out 214 portion of the workpiece W adjacent to the work surface 34 in a manner similar to an anchor (stored facing the rear surface 28 of the base portion 20 of the crafting device 10), and as a result, the fed-out 214 portion of the workpiece W is prevented from sliding off the work surface 34 as a result of gravity G. R (stored facing the rear surface 28 of the base portion 20 of the crafting device 10), which holds the fed-out 214 portion of the workpiece W adjacent to the work surface 34 in a manner similar to an anchor, and as a result, the fed-out 214 portion of the workpiece W is prevented from sliding off the work surface 34 as a result of gravity G.

[0139] When the leading edge of the portion of the workpiece W is on the middle portion 34 of the work surface 34I Once positioned on 218, the user may then axially align the opposite side edges of the workpiece W that extend away from the leading edge of that portion with the following 224: (1) a passive roller 58 rotatably connected to the second end 46b of a pair of pinch roller arms 46, and (2a) the middle portion 34 of the work surface 34 I (2b) A pair of corresponding active drive rollers 60 or (2b) an intermediate portion 34 of the work surface 34, each of the openings 62 formed therein I The corresponding active drive roller 60 and the intermediate portion 34 of the work surface 34 are positioned in the first opening 62 formed therein. I A corresponding intermediate drive roller 84 is positioned in a second opening 62 formed in the rail 18, which may be aligned axially 224. This step can be achieved by sliding one of a pair of pinch roller arms 46 along the rail 18. In various embodiments, proper positioning of the pinch roller arm 46 along the rail 18 can be detected by a position sensor (e.g., an optical sensor) or other such device placed or supported on one or both of the rail 18 and the work surface 34. In some configurations, the position sensor may be communicatively coupled to a CPU 3000. The CPU 3000 may be configured to assure that the pinch roller arm 46 is properly positioned, based on the position sensor and in comparison with user input data in the user interface regarding the dimensions of the workpiece W. In other words, the CPU may prevent the operation of the crafting apparatus 10 (e.g., activating, initializing, and / or operating the “work” on the workpiece W) unless the CPU 3000 determines, based on user input received by the CPU 3000 regarding the size / dimensions of the workpiece W, that the pinch roller arm 46 is properly positioned. The crafting apparatus 10 may further include one or more position sensors for a plurality of material guides 92, and the “operation” of the crafting apparatus 10 may similarly be conditioned to ensure that a material guide appropriate for the size of the workpiece W is deployed.

[0140] In various embodiments, the “operation” of the crafting device 10 may be conditioned on other detectable parameters. For example, the crafting device 10 may have one or more support arms 100 D , 100 U The CPU 3000 may include a position sensor (e.g., an optical sensor) coupled to it, which is configured to detect whether the support arm 100 is in a deployed position or a retracted position. D , 100 U The CPU 3000 may be configured to assure that the workpiece W has been properly positioned (deployed or stored) based on position information sensed from the position sensor and in comparison with user input data regarding the size and / or type of the workpiece W. In other words, the CPU 3000 may determine one or more support arms 100 based on user input received by the CPU 3000 regarding the size / type of the workpiece W. D , 100 U The operation of the crafting device 10 (e.g., activation, initialization, and / or operation of “work” on the workpiece) may be prevented unless it is determined that it is properly positioned. For example, one or more support arms 100 D , 100 U It is in the deployment position, but the user is working with the roll of workpiece material W. R If the CPU 3000 is instructed to be of a certain length from the support arms 100, the CPU 3000 will then perform one or more support arm operations. D , 100 U The "operation" of the crafting device may be prevented until it is stored. Similarly, one or more support arms 100 D , 100 U The workpiece W is in a storage position, but the user has a substantially flat pre-configured shape (for example, length W). L and width W W (Having) a support mat W MIf the CPU 3000 is instructed that the workpiece W is a relatively "large" workpiece that may or may not be supported by the support arms 100, then the CPU 3000 will provide one or more support arms 100. D , 100 U It may be configured to prevent the crafting device from "operating" until it is deployed.

[0141] Subsequently, the user positions the actuator lever 52 in the "low position" (as seen in Figures 1-2, 5, and 13C) 226, so that the handle portion 54 of the actuator lever 52 extends generally in the Y direction of the three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. As a result of the actuator lever 52 being positioned in the "low position," the rod portion 56 causes the stopper linkage structure 90 to voluntarily push one or more workpiece stoppers 86 into a retracted position in the Z' direction of the three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system 228, so that the upper surface 86a of one or more workpiece stoppers 86 is in the middle portion 34 of the work surface 34 I They are positioned in a line and are now at a distance D away from the work surface 34. 86 They are not positioned in such a way that one or more body portions 88 of the workpiece stopper 86 are positioned below the work surface 34.

[0142] Method 200 may include step 230, which causes the rod portion 56 to position the components of the cam actuator 48 in a second position, thereby, as shown in Figure 8, (1) the lower end 66 of the cam member 66 B The upper surface 46 of the first end 46a of the pinch roller arm 46 T (2) The upper end 66 of the cam member 66 T It is configured to engage with the pivot bracket 70 to pivot the pivot bracket 70 to the "up position" around the pin 72, thereby the width W between the second end 70b of the pivot bracket 70 and the first end 46a of the pinch roller arm 46. 46Tension is applied to one or more coil spring members 74 connected to a pin 76 that extends across the rod. When the rotation of the rod portion 56 arranges the components of the cam actuator 48 as shown in Figure 8 as described above, the second end 46b of the pinch roller arm 46 moves in the direction of arrow Z', as shown in the flowchart Figure 14C, between the active drive roller 60 and the middle portion 34 of the work surface 34 I (or, the intermediate active drive roller 84 and the intermediate portion 34 of the work surface 34) I ) is positioned toward 232, and a clamping force is applied to the opposite sides of the workpiece W that extend away from the front edge of that portion 234.

[0143] Furthermore, method 200 may optionally include step 236 in which the vacuum source 95 is configured to be activated as a result of the actuator lever 52 being placed in the "lower position," thereby drawing air into the opening 98 of each workpiece suction channel 96. T (See, for example, Figures 7-8) The air velocity relative to the airflow, or the absence of air, on the lower surface W of the workpiece W. B at least the downstream portion 34 of the work surface 34, which includes multiple workpiece suction channels 94 D and the upstream portion 34 of the work surface 34 U 240 creates a pressure difference that pushes upwards and downwards.

[0144] Furthermore, the user may activate several working components 12, 14, 16, and 18 of the crafting device 10 that perform “work” on the workpiece W.242 In some embodiments, the activation 242 step may be performed in response to the user pressing a button 174 on the crafting device 10 (which includes a “triangular play arrow” display). In other embodiments, the activation 242 step may be performed in response to the user selecting the “start a work process” option from the user interface of the CPU 3000 (for example, from the screen of a laptop 3000a, smartphone, or tablet 3000b). After the activation 242 step, method 200 performs “work” on the workpiece W using the several working components 12, 14, 16, and 18 of the crafting device 10, as depicted in flowchart Figure 14D.244

[0145] Subsequently, the CPU 3000 may monitor whether the 244 “work” being performed on workpiece W has been completed.246 If the 244 “work” being performed on workpiece W has not been completed, the monitoring process returns to process 244. At any point during the 244 processes of “work,” the user may optionally pause the 244 processes of “work” by pressing, for example, a button 176 (including a “pause symbol” display) on the crafting device 10.244’ In other embodiments, the optional pause process 244’ may be performed in response to the user selecting the “pause process of working” option from the CPU 3000’s user interface (for example, from the screen of a laptop 3000a, smartphone, or tablet 3000b).

[0146] Once the monitoring process 246 determines that the 244 “work” being performed on the workpiece W is complete, the user may return the actuator lever 52 to the “up position” 248, so that the handle portion 54 of the actuator lever 52 generally extends in the Z direction of the three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. The process of returning the actuator lever 52 to the “up position” 248 causes the rod portion 56 to rotate, and as a result, the components of the cam actuator 48 are returned to the first position 250, and the clamping force is removed from the workpiece W 252. In various embodiments, the method 200 may also include a process 254 configured to return the vacuum source 95 to a deactivated state, so that the vacuum source 95 no longer draws air into the openings 98 of each workpiece suction channel 96.

[0147] Subsequently, the user performs the "work execution" on the workpiece W, which is then placed on the roll of workpiece material W. R The "non-worked" workpiece W may be separated from the roll of workpiece material W. R The 256 steps of separating the “non-worked” workpiece W from the workpiece may result from the user utilizing the blade 180 by sliding the blade 180 across the workpiece W and driving the blade 180 into the blade guide channel 178. In other embodiments, the “worked” workpiece W is separated from the roll of workpiece material W. RThe 256 steps of separating the workpiece W from the “work not performed” workpiece defined by the CPU 3000 may occur when the user selects the “separate workpiece” option from the CPU 3000's user interface (e.g., from the screen of a laptop 3000a, smartphone, or tablet 3000b), or when the CPU 3000 recognizes the presence of an automatic separation tool, thereby allowing the automatic separation tool / blade to cut the workpiece W. In other embodiments, the 256 steps of separation may occur automatically once the monitoring 246 steps determine that the 244 “work” being performed on the workpiece W is complete, after which the user may configure the actuator lever 52 to return to the “up position” 248 to remove the clamping force 252, and the vacuum source 95 to return to the deactivated state 254, and so on.

[0148] Figures 25A–25E include a flowchart of the sequence of operations as an example for method 300, which includes the step of positioning the actuator lever 52 in the “up position” (as seen in Figures 15, 17, and 23), so that the handle portion 54 of the actuator lever 52 extends generally in the Z direction of the three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. As a result of the actuator lever 52 being positioned in the “up position”, the rod portion 56 causes the stopper linkage structure 90 to push one or more workpiece stoppers 86 into a deployed position in the Z direction of the three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system, so that the upper surface 86a of one or more workpiece stoppers 86 is away from the work surface 34 by a distance D 86The workpiece stoppers 86 are positioned, thereby exposing the main body portion 88 of one or more workpiece stoppers 86. As described above, in various alternative embodiments, the deployment of the workpiece stoppers 86 is not automatically actuated in response to the movement of the actuator lever 52, but rather the movement of the actuator lever 52 merely “unlocks” the support arm deployment button 126, thereby making the deployment button pressable. In other words, it may be the pressing of the support arm deployment button 126 that causes the deployment of one or more workpiece stoppers 86. Thus, step 304 may include the step of pressing the support arm deployment button 126, which is performed after step 302.

[0149] Furthermore, as a result of the actuator lever 52 being positioned in the "upper position", the rod portion 56 causes the components of the cam actuator 48 to be positioned in the first position 306, thereby, as can be seen in Figure 7, (1) the lower end 66 of the cam member 66 B The upper surface 46 of the first end 46a of the pinch roller arm 46 T (2) The upper end 66 of the cam member 66 T It is configured to engage with the pivot bracket 70 to pivot the pivot bracket 70 to a "down position" around the pin 72, thereby the width W between the second end 70b of the pivot bracket 70 and the first end 46a of the pinch roller arm 46. 46 Tension is released from one or more coil springs 74 connected to a pin 76 extending across it. When the rotation of the rod portion 56 causes the components of the cam actuator 48 to be positioned as shown in Figure 7 as described above, the second end 46b of the pinch roller arm 46 moves in the direction of arrow Z towards the active drive roller 60 and the middle portion 34 of the work surface 34 I 308 is positioned separately.

[0150] Furthermore, method 300 may optionally include step 310 in which the vacuum source 95 is configured to be inactive as a result of the actuator lever 52 being placed in the “up position”, thereby preventing the vacuum source 95 from drawing air into the openings 98 of each workpiece suction channel 96. Furthermore, the user may also position a pair of workpiece material guides 92a, 92b, 92c of a plurality of workpiece material guides 92 in deployment positions 312.

[0151] After one or more workpiece handling components are positioned as described in steps 302-312, the user then places the workpiece material roll W R Instead of using a pre-configured shape W as the source, it is essentially a flat shape. L , W W Includes support mat W M A workpiece W may or may not be supported by the workpiece W, and thereby, in some cases, a workpiece W may be defined as a relatively "large" workpiece W 314. The user then places the leading edge of that portion of the workpiece W upstream of the work surface 34 34 U 316 is placed on top of 316. Then, as shown in Figure 25B of the flowchart, method 300 places the leading edge of the relevant portion of the workpiece W on the middle portion 34 of the work surface 34. I 318 is placed on top of 318. The method 300 may then include step 320 in which the user places opposite side portions of the workpiece W that extend away from the leading edge of the portion thereof between a pair of workpiece material guides 92a, 92b, 92c of a plurality of workpiece material guides 92 that are positioned to guide the leading edge of the portion thereof of the workpiece W in the Y, Y' feeding direction of the three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system.

[0152] If one or more workpiece stoppers 86 have been pushed to their deployment position by the stopper linkage structure 90 304, the user may position the leading edge of that portion of the workpiece W adjacent to the main body portion 88 of one or more workpiece stoppers 86 322. Positioning the leading edge of that portion of the workpiece W adjacent to the main body portion 88 of one or more workpiece stoppers 86 322 prevents the workpiece W from sliding off the work surface 34 as a result of gravity G.

[0153] The leading edge of the relevant portion of the workpiece W is the middle portion 34 of the work surface 34. I When the workpiece W is positioned on top of 318 and the front edge of that portion of the workpiece W is positioned adjacent to the main body portion 88 of one or more workpiece stoppers 86 322, the opposite side edges extending away from the front edge of that portion of the workpiece W are axially aligned with the following 324, namely (1) passive rollers 58 rotatably connected to the second ends 46b of a pair of pinch roller arms 46, and (2a) the middle portion 34 of the work surface 34 I (2b) A pair of corresponding active drive rollers 60 or (2b) an intermediate portion 34 of the work surface 34, each of the openings 62 formed therein I The corresponding active drive roller 60 and the intermediate portion 34 of the work surface 34 are positioned in the first opening 62 formed therein. I A corresponding intermediate drive roller 84 is positioned in a second opening 62 formed therein, and is aligned axially 324. This process can be achieved by sliding one of a pair of pinch roller arms 46 along the rail 18.

[0154] Next, the user moves the downstream support arm 100 D and upstream support arm 100 UOne or both of the actuator levers may be positioned in the deployment position 326. The user then positions the actuator lever 52 in the "down position" (as seen in Figures 23-24) 328, so that the handle portion 54 of the actuator lever 52 extends generally in the Y direction of the three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. As a result of the actuator lever 52 being positioned in the "down position", the rod portion 56 causes the stopper linkage structure 90 to push one or more workpiece stoppers 86 into a retracted position in the Z' direction of the three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system 330, so that the upper surface 86a of one or more workpiece stoppers 86 is in the middle portion 34 of the work surface 34 I They are positioned in a line and are now at a distance D away from the work surface 34. 86 They are not positioned in such a way that one or more body portions 88 of the workpiece stopper 86 are positioned below the work surface 34.

[0155] Furthermore, as a result of the actuator lever 52 being positioned in the "low position," Figure 25C of the flowchart shows that method 300 includes a step 332 in which the rod portion 56 causes the components of the cam actuator 48 to be positioned in a second position (immediately before or simultaneously with the pushing step 330), thereby as seen in Figure 8, (1) the lower end 66 of the cam member 66 B The upper surface 46 of the first end 46a of the pinch roller arm 46 T (2) The upper end 66 of the cam member 66 T It is configured to engage with the pivot bracket 70 to pivot the pivot bracket 70 to the "up position" around the pin 72, thereby the width W between the second end 70b of the pivot bracket 70 and the first end 46a of the pinch roller arm 46. 46 Tension is applied to one or more coil spring members 74 connected to a pin 76 that extends across the rod 330. When the rotation of the rod portion 56 arranges the components of the cam actuator 48 as shown in Figure 8, the second end 46b of the pinch roller arm 46 is in the direction of arrow Z', between the active drive roller 60 and the middle portion 34 of the work surface 34. I(or, the intermediate active drive roller 84 and the intermediate portion 34 of the work surface 34) I 334 is positioned toward the workpiece W, and a clamping force is applied to the opposite sides extending away from the front edge of that portion of the workpiece W.

[0156] Furthermore, the actuator lever 52 may be positioned in the "lower position" 328, resulting in the vacuum source 95 being configured to be activated 388 (immediately before or simultaneously with the pushing step 330), thereby drawing air into the openings 98 of each workpiece suction channel 96. The upper surface W above the workpiece W T (See, for example, Figures 7-8) The air velocity relative to the airflow, or the absence of air, on the lower surface W of the workpiece W. B at least the downstream portion 34 of the work surface 34, which includes multiple workpiece suction channels 94 D and the upstream portion 34 of the work surface 34 U 342 creates a pressure difference that pushes upwards and downwards.

[0157] Step 332, which positions the components of the cam actuator 48 in a second position, and Step 338, which optionally configures the vacuum source 95 to be activated, result in Step 330, which pushes one or more workpiece stoppers 86 to the retracted position, and the lower surface W of the workpiece W. B the downstream portion 34 of the work surface 34 D and the upstream portion 34 of the work surface 34 U To hold at least one or both of the workpieces downward, this is done immediately before or concurrently with the pushing 330 step. Initially, one or more workpiece stoppers 86 are used to hold the workpiece W at an angle θ as a result of the attractive force G on the workpiece W. 22 This prevents the workpiece from sliding off the work surface 34. Therefore, just before or at the same time that one or more workpiece stoppers 86 are retracted below the work surface 34, a clamping force is applied to the workpiece W 336 and / or the vacuum source 95 is applied to the lower surface W of the workpiece W within each workpiece suction channel 96.B downstream portion 34 of the work surface 34 D and the upstream portion 34 of the work surface 34 U 342 creates a pressure difference that holds at least one or both of them in an upward and downward direction.

[0158] Subsequently, the user may activate several working components 12, 14, 16, and 18 of the crafting device 10 that perform “work” on the workpiece W.334 In some embodiments, the activation step 334 may be performed in response to the user pressing a button 174 on the crafting device 10 (which includes a “triangular play arrow” display). In other embodiments, the activation step 344 may be performed in response to the user selecting the “start the work process” option from the user interface of the CPU 3000 (for example, from the screen of a laptop 3000a, smartphone, or tablet 3000b). After the activation step 344, method 300 performs “work” on the workpiece W using the several working components 12, 14, 16, and 18 of the crafting device 10, as depicted in flowchart Figure 25D.346 Furthermore, when the "work" is performed on the workpiece W, the movement of the workpiece W in the Y, Y' feeding direction in the 3D XYZ Cartesian coordinate system results in the downstream support arm 100 D and upstream support arm 100 U One or both of the (326) positioned at the deployment location are on the lower surface W of the workpiece W. B This can result in 348 steps supporting this.

[0159] Subsequently, the CPU 3000 may monitor whether the 346 “work” being performed on workpiece W has been completed 350. If the 346 “work” being performed on workpiece W has not been completed, the monitored process 350 returns to process 346. At any point during the 346 processes of “work,” the user may optionally pause the 346 processes of “work” by pressing, for example, a button 176 on the crafting device 10 (which includes a “pause symbol” display) 346’. In other embodiments, the optional pause 346’ process may be performed in response to the user selecting the “pause process of working” option from the user interface of the CPU 3000 (for example, from the screen of a laptop 3000a, smartphone, or tablet 3000b).

[0160] Once the monitoring process 350 determines that the 346 “work” being performed on the workpiece W is complete, the user may return the actuator lever 52 to the “up position” 352, thereby extending the handle portion 54 of the actuator lever 52 generally in the Z direction of the three-dimensional XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. The process of returning the actuator lever 52 to the “up position” 352 causes the rod portion 56 to rotate, resulting in the components of the cam actuator 48 returning to the first position 354, and the clamping force being removed from the workpiece W 356 (Figure 25E). In various embodiments, the method 300 may also include a process 358 configured to return the vacuum source 95 to a deactivated state, thereby preventing the vacuum source 95 from drawing air into the openings 98 of each workpiece suction channel 96.

[0161] Subsequently, the "workpiece" W may be slid off or discharged from the work surface 34 360. The workpiece W is pre-assembled and consists of a roll of workpiece material W RSince it does not originate from this, the step of separating the "work performed" workpiece W (for example, step 256 of method 200) can be omitted (i.e., otherwise, the "non-work performed" workpiece W would try to keep the "work performed" workpiece W on the work surface 34 until it is separated from the "non-work performed" workpiece W).

[0162] Figure 30 is a schematic diagram of a computing device 3000 as an example that may be used to implement the systems and methods described herein. The components 3010, 3020, 3030, 3040, 3050, and 3060 shown in Figure 30, their connections and relationships, and their functions are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0163] The computing device 3000 includes a processor 3010, memory 3020, storage device 3030, a high-speed interface / controller 3040 connected to memory 3020 and high-speed expansion port 3050, and a low-speed bus 3070 and a low-speed interface / controller 3060 connected to storage device 3030. Each component 3010, 3020, 3030, 3040, 3050, and 3060 are interconnected using various buses and can be implemented on a common motherboard or in other appropriate ways. The processor 3010 processes instructions for execution within the computing device 3000, including instructions stored in memory 3020 or on storage device 3030, and can display graphical information for a graphical user interface (GUI) on an external input / output device such as a display 3080 coupled to the high-speed interface 3040. In other embodiments, multiple processors and / or multiple buses may be used, as appropriate, with multiple memories and multiple memory types. Furthermore, multiple computing devices 3000 may be connected, with each device providing the necessary parts of the operation (for example, as a server bank, a group of blade servers, or a multiprocessor system).

[0164] Memory 3020 stores information non-temporarily within the computing device 3000. Memory 3020 may be a computer-readable medium, one or more volatile memory units, or one or more non-volatile memory units. Non-temporarily stored memory 3020 may be a physical device used to temporarily or permanently store programs (e.g., sequences of instructions) or data (e.g., program state information) for use by the computing device 3000. Examples of non-volatile memory include, but are not limited to, flash memory and read-only memory (ROM) / programmable read-only memory (PROM) / erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) / electronically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) (typically used for firmware such as boot programs). Examples of volatile memory include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), phase-change memory (PCM), and disks or tapes.

[0165] The storage device 3030 can provide mass storage for the computing device 3000. In some embodiments, the storage device 3030 is a computer-readable medium. In various different embodiments, the storage device 3030 may be an array of devices including a floppy disk device, a hard disk device, an optical disk device, or a tape device, flash memory or other similar solid memory device, or a device in a storage area network or other configuration. In additional embodiments, a computer program product is materially embodied within the information carrier. The computer program product stores instructions that, when executed, perform one or more of the methods described above. The information carrier is a computer-readable medium or a machine-readable medium, such as memory 3020, the storage device 3030, or memory on the processor 3010.

[0166] The high-speed controller 3040 manages bandwidth-intensive operations for the computing device 3000, while the low-speed controller 3060 manages less bandwidth-intensive operations. Such assignment of operational responsibilities is merely illustrative. In some implementations, the high-speed controller 3040 is coupled to memory 3020, to display 3080 (e.g., through a graphics processor or accelerator), and to high-speed expansion port 3050, which can accept various expansion cards (not shown). In some implementations, the low-speed controller 3060 is coupled to storage device 3030 and low-speed expansion port 3090. Various communication ports (e.g., USB, Bluetooth) are also available. (Registered trademark) The low-speed expansion port 3090, which may include Ethernet, wireless Ethernet, etc., may be coupled to one or more input / output devices, such as a keyboard, pointing device, scanner, or networking device such as a switch or router, for example, via a network adapter.

[0167] The computing device 3000 can be implemented in several different forms, as shown in the figure. For example, it may be implemented as either the crafting device 10 or the laptop computer 3000a, or a combination thereof.

[0168] Various implementations of the systems and techniques described herein may be realized in digital electronic circuit configurations and / or optical circuit configurations, integrated circuit configurations, specially designed ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits), computer hardware, firmware, software, and / or combinations thereof. These various implementations may include implementations in one or more computer programs that are executable and / or translatable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor, whether dedicated or general-purpose, coupled to receive and transmit data and instructions to and from a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device.

[0169] These computer programs (also known as programs, software, software applications, or code) include machine instructions for a programmable processor and may be implemented in high-level procedural and / or object-oriented programming languages ​​and / or assembly / machine languages. For the purposes of this use, the terms “machine-readable medium” and “computer-readable medium” refer to any computer program product, non-transient computer-readable medium, apparatus, and / or device (e.g., magnetic disks, optical disks, memory, programmable logic devices (PLDs)) used to provide machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor, including machine-readable mediums that receive machine instructions as machine-readable signals. The term “machine-readable signal” refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor.

[0170] The processes and logical flows described in this specification may be performed by one or more programmable processors, sometimes called data processing hardware, which execute one or more computer programs to perform functions by performing operations on input data and generating outputs. Processes and logical flows may also be performed by dedicated logic circuit configurations, such as FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) or ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits). Examples of processors suitable for executing computer programs include one or more processors from both general-purpose and dedicated microcomputers, and any type of digital computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from read-only memory, random-access memory, or both. Essential elements of a computer are a processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will also include one or more mass storage devices for data storage, such as magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks, or will be operablely coupled to receive data from or transmit data to such mass storage devices, or both. However, a computer does not have to have such devices. Computer-readable media suitable for storing computer programs, instructions, and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, media, and memory devices, including, for example, semiconductor memory devices such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and memory may be complemented by or incorporated into a dedicated logic circuit configuration.

[0171] The translations of the singular articles "a," "an," and "the" in the original text, "a," "one," and "the," are to mean that one or more of the elements in the above description exist. The terms "equip," "include," and "have" are inclusive and mean that additional elements other than those listed may exist. Additionally, it should be understood that any reference in this disclosure to "one embodiment" or "a certain embodiment" is not intended to be construed as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that incorporate the same enumerated features. Numbers, percentages, ratios, or other values ​​described herein include such values ​​and other values ​​that are "approximately" or "roughly" stated values ​​as understood by a person skilled in the art to be covered by the embodiments of this disclosure. Accordingly, stated values ​​should be interpreted broadly enough to cover values ​​that are at least sufficiently close to the stated values ​​in order to perform the desired function or achieve the desired result. The stated values ​​may include, at a minimum, values ​​that are within 5%, 1%, 0.1%, or 0.01% of the stated value, including expected variability in appropriate manufacturing or production processes.

[0172] Those skilled in the art should recognize, in view of this disclosure, that equivalent configurations do not deviate from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, and that various changes, substitutions, and modifications can be made to the embodiments disclosed herein without deviating from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Equivalent configurations including functional “means + function” clauses shall cover structures described herein as performing the enumerated functions, including both structural equivalents operating in the same manner and equivalent structures providing the same functions. It is the applicant’s explicit intention not to exercise means + function or other functional claims in any claim unless the phrase “means for ○○” appears together with the associated function. Any additions, deletions, and modifications to the embodiments that fall within the meaning and scope of the claims shall be encompassed by the claims.

[0173] In this specification, the terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” refer to quantities that are close to the stated quantity and still perform the desired function or achieve the desired result. For example, the terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” may refer to quantities that are less than 5%, less than 1%, less than 0.1%, or less than 0.01% of the stated quantity. Furthermore, it should be understood that any direction or reference coordinate system in the above description is merely a relative direction or relative motion. For example, any reference to “up” and “down,” or to “upward” and “downward,” merely describes the relative position or relative motion of the related elements.

[0174] The schematic flowcharts included herein are generally presented as logical flowcharts. Therefore, the depicted order and labeled steps represent one or more embodiments of the presented method. The steps described in any description of a method or process may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and are not necessarily performed in the order presented. Furthermore, any reference to a singular embodiment may include plural embodiments, and any reference to more than one component or step may include a singular embodiment or step. The elements and steps in the diagrams are illustrated for brevity and clarity and are not necessarily rendered in any particular sequence of characteristics. Other steps and methods that are functionally, logically, or effectively equivalent to one or more steps or parts of steps of the illustrated method may be conceived.

[0175] In addition, the formats and symbols used are provided to illustrate the logical steps of the method and are not intended to limit the scope of the method. Various arrow and linear formats may be used in the flowchart diagrams, but these are not intended to limit the scope of the corresponding method. In fact, some arrows or other connectors may be used solely to illustrate the logical flow of the method. For example, arrows may indicate waiting or monitoring periods of an unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the method being depicted. In addition, the order in which a particular method occurs may or may not strictly follow the order of the corresponding steps shown. Furthermore, the elements, components, or method steps of this disclosure are not intended to be dedicated to the public, regardless of whether such elements, components, or method steps are expressly described in the claims.

[0176] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The embodiments described should be considered in all respects to be for illustrative purposes only and not to impose limitations. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is indicated not by the foregoing description but by the accompanying claims. All modifications that fall within the equivalent meaning and scope of the claims shall be encompassed within those scopes. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0177] 10 Crafting Devices 12 Printing Devices 14 Cutting devices 16 Carriage 18 rails 20 Base section 22 Work Section 24. Lower surface of the base 26 Top surface of the base 32 Underside of the work area 34 Top view of the work area 46 Pinch roller arm 48 Cam Actuator 50 Pinch roller mechanism 52 Actuator Lever 56 Rod section 58 D , 58 U Passive roller 60 Actively Driven Rollers 86 Workpiece Stopper 92 Materials Guide 94, 94a, 94b Workpiece suction channels 95 Vacuum source 100 U , 100 D Workpiece support arm θ 22 Angle of the work surface W Workpiece W B Underside of the workpiece W L , W W Length and width of the configured shape W R Workpiece material rolls G gravity, gravitational force XYZ 3D Cartesian coordinate system for the operation X S -Y S -Z S Non-working 3D Cartesian coordinate system Y-Y' feeding direction

Claims

1. In the crafting device (10), A working section (22) having a lower surface (32) and an upper surface (34), wherein the upper surface (34) defines a working three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X-Y-Z), A base portion (20) having a lower surface (24) and an upper surface (26), wherein the lower surface (24) is in a non-working three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X Ｓ -Y Ｓ -Z Ｓ ) defines the working portion (22), the lower surface (32) of the working portion (22) is positioned adjacent to the upper surface (26) of the base portion (20), and the upper surface (34) of the working portion (22) is positioned relative to the lower surface (24) of the base portion (20) to define the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X-Y-Z) on the working portion and the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X-Y-Z) on the non-working portion. Ｓ -Y Ｓ -Z Ｓ ) offset at a predetermined angle (θ ２２ The base portion (20) extends in a manner that forms a ) The device includes an intermediate drive roller (84) for imparting motion to the workpiece (W) in the Y direction of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X-Y-Z) during the work, so as to cross the upper surface (34). The X-axis of the non-operational three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X Ｓ -Y Ｓ -Z Ｓ ), coincides with the X-axis of the operational three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X-Y-Z), and the Z-axis of the non-operational three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X Ｓ -Y Ｓ -Z Ｓ ), rotates by the predetermined angle (θ Ｓ ) about the X-axis as the center of rotation,​​​​ The X and Y axes of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X-Y-Z) in the aforementioned work area are parallel to the horizontal and depth directions of the work section (22), respectively. The aforementioned non-working 3D Cartesian coordinate system (X Ｓ -Y Ｓ -Z Ｓ ) of X Ｓ Axis and Y Ｓ The craft device (10) has axes that are parallel to the horizontal and depth directions of the base portion (20), respectively.

2. In the crafting apparatus (10) described in claim 1, The aforementioned work unit (22) Rail (18) and A carriage (16) is movably positioned on the rail (18) in the X direction of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X-Y-Z) used for the work, A crafting apparatus (10) comprising a printing device (12) and a cutting device (14), one or both of which are detachably fixed to the carriage (16) for performing work on a workpiece (W) in the Z direction of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X-Y-Z) on the workpiece (W).

3. A crafting apparatus (10) according to claim 1, A crafting device (10) further comprising a pair of pinch roller mechanisms (50).

4. In the crafting apparatus (10) described in claim 1, The predetermined angle (θ) ２２ The angle is between 0 and 90 degrees, crafting device (10).

5. In the crafting apparatus (10) described in claim 4, One or more workpiece suction channels (94a, 94b) and When the vacuum source (95) is activated, the lower surface (W) of the workpiece (W) Ｂ A craft apparatus (10) further comprising a vacuum source (95) configured to draw air (238) into one or more workpiece suction channels (94a, 94b) to create a pressure difference (240) that pushes the workpiece (94a, 94b) toward the upper surface (34).

6. A crafting apparatus (10) according to claim 1, One or more workpiece support arms (100) connected to the aforementioned work section (22) Ｄ , 100 Ｕ ) further comprising the one or more workpiece support arms (100 Ｄ , 100 Ｕ The craft device (10) is configured to be positioned in either a storage position or a deployment position relative to the work unit (22).

7. A crafting apparatus (10) according to claim 6, The aforementioned one or more workpiece support arms (100 Ｄ , 100 Ｕ The craft device (10) further comprises a safety-detachable coupling that allows selective disconnection from the work section (22) of the craft device (10).

8. A method for using a crafting device (10) to perform work on a workpiece (W), wherein the crafting device (10) defines the work surface (34) of the work area (22) by a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X-Y-Z) on the work surface, and the non-work surface by a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X-Y-Z). Ｓ -Y Ｓ -Z Ｓ From the lower surface (24) of the base portion (20) defined by ) at a predetermined angle (θ ２２ In a method (200, 300) for using a craft device (10) which is included by being angularly offset, The steps include: positioning the actuator (52) of the craft device (10) in a first position (202, 302), The process involves configuring one or more workpiece handling components (46, 48, 86, 92, 94) of the crafting apparatus (10), which are connected to the actuator (52), in a first arrangement (204-212, 304-312), The workpiece (W) is angle-offset (θ ２２ ) A step (214-224, 314-316, 326) of arranging the work surface (34) at least in close proximity to the one or more workpiece handling components (46, 48, 86, 92, 94), The actuator (52) is moved from the first position to the second position (226, 328), and the workpiece (W) is moved to the angularly offset (θ ２２ ) A step (226, 328) of moving the actuator (52) from the first position to the second position, fixing the workpiece (W) to the work surface (34) against gravity (G) and fixing the workpiece (W) to the work surface (34) in a movable manner in the first direction (Y, Y') of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X-Y-Z) on the work surface (34), The steps (242, 344) involve activating one or more working components (12, 14, 16, 18) of the crafting apparatus (10) in order to perform work (244, 346) on the workpiece (W), The vacuum source (95) is configured to be activated (236), and air is drawn into one or more workpiece suction channels (94a, 94b) (238), and the lower surface (W) of the workpiece (W) Ｂ ) is offset by the angle (θ ２２ ) A step (236) to activate the vacuum source (95) which is included in the steps (226, 328) of moving the actuator (52) from the first position to the second position, The aforementioned non-working 3D Cartesian coordinate system (X Ｓ -Y Ｓ -Z Ｓ ) of X Ｓ The axis and the X-axis of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X-Y-Z) on the work surface coincide with each other, and the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X) on the non-work surface coincides with each other. Ｓ -Y Ｓ -Z Ｓ ) of Z Ｓ The axis rotates with respect to the X-axis at a predetermined angle (θ). ２２ ) Rotating, method (200, 300).

9. In the method according to claim 8 (200, 300), A method (200, 300) comprising steps (204-212, 304-312) of configuring one or more workpiece handling components (46, 48, 86, 92, 94) of the crafting apparatus (10), including a step (204, 304) of pushing one or more workpiece stoppers (86) into a deployment position.

10. In the method according to claim 8 (200, 300), A method (200, 300) comprising the steps (204-212, 304-312) of configuring one or more workpiece handling components (46, 48, 86, 92, 94) of the crafting apparatus (10), including the steps (204-212, 304-312) of positioning the components of a cam actuator (48) connected to a pinch roller arm (46) to a first position (206, 306), and positioning the passive roller (58) of the pinch roller arm (46) away from the active drive roller (60) (208, 308), of positioning the components of the cam actuator (48) to a first position (206, 306).

11. In the method according to claim 8 (200, 300), A method (200, 300) comprising the steps (204-212, 304-312) of configuring one or more workpiece handling components (46, 48, 86, 92, 94) of the craft apparatus (10), including the step (210, 310) of configuring a vacuum source (95) in an inactive state.

12. In the method according to claim 8 (200, 300), A method (200, 300) comprising the steps (204-212, 304-312) of configuring one or more workpiece handling components (46, 48, 86, 92, 94) of the craft apparatus (10), including the step (212, 312) of positioning one or more workpiece guides (92a, 92b, 92c) in deployment positions.

13. In the method according to claim 8 (200), The workpiece (W) is angle-offset (θ ２２ The step (214-224, 314-326) of arranging one or more workpiece handling components (46, 48, 86, 92, 94) on the work surface (34) in at least close proximity to them is: Workpiece material roll (W Ｒ The process (214) of unwinding a portion of the workpiece (W) from the above, The roll of the workpiece material (W Ｒ The leading edge of the portion of the workpiece (W) that is unfurled from the workpiece is directed at the angularly offset (θ ２２ A method (200) comprising the step (216-224) of positioning one or more workpiece handling components (46, 48, 86, 92, 94) on a work surface (34) at least in close proximity to them.

14. In the method (200) of claim 13, The actuator (52) is moved from the first position to the second position (226, 328), and the workpiece (W) is moved to the angularly offset (θ ２２ The steps of moving the actuator (52) from the first position to the second position (226, 328) include: ) fixing the workpiece (W) to the work surface (34) against gravity (G) and movably fixing the workpiece (W) to the work surface (34) in the first direction (Y, Y') of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X-Y-Z) on the work surface (228-240, 330-342); A step (228) of pushing one or more workpiece stoppers (86) to the retracted position, A method (200) comprising the steps of: positioning the components of a cam actuator (48) connected to a pinch roller arm (46) in a second position (230); positioning the passive roller (58) of the pinch roller arm (46) toward the active drive roller (60) (232); and applying a clamping force to the workpiece (W) (234); and positioning the components of the cam actuator (48) in a second position (230).

15. In the method according to claim 14 (200), When it is determined that the work (244) performed on the workpiece (W) is complete (246), the method (200) The actuator (52) is moved back from the second position to the first position (248), and the one or more workpiece handling components (46, 48, 86, 92, 94) are configured to return from the second arrangement to the first arrangement (250-256), the step of moving the actuator (52) back from the second position to the first position (248), A method (200) further comprising the step (256) of releasing the workpiece (W) from the work surface (34).

16. In the method (200) of claim 15, The step (250-256) of configuring one or more workpiece handling components (46, 48, 86, 92, 94) to return from the second arrangement to the first arrangement is, The process of returning the components of the cam actuator (48) connected to the pinch roller arm (46) to the first position (250), positioning the passive roller (58) of the pinch roller arm (46) away from the active drive roller (60) to remove the clamping force from the workpiece (W) (252), and returning the components of the cam actuator (48) to the first position (250), The lower surface (W) of the workpiece (W) Ｂ ) is offset by the angle (θ ２２ )In order to stop the pressure difference so as not to push toward the work surface (34), a step (254) is taken to configure the vacuum source (95) to be inactive, The roll of the workpiece material (W Ｒ A method (200) comprising the step (256) of separating the workpiece (W) that had been unwound from ).

17. In the method according to claim 8 (300), The workpiece (W) is angle-offset (θ ２２ The step (314-316, 326) of arranging one or more workpiece handling components (46, 48, 86, 92, 94) on the work surface (34) in at least close proximity to them is: Workpiece material roll (W Ｒ ) Pre-configured shapes (W) that do not originate from Ｌ , W Ｗ The steps (314) include obtaining the workpiece (W) defined by ) Workpiece material roll (W Ｒ The aforementioned pre-configured shape (W) does not originate from ) Ｌ , W Ｗ The leading edge of the workpiece (W) having the angle offset (θ ２２ ) Steps (316-324) of positioning one or more workpiece handling components (46, 48, 86, 92, 94) on the work surface (34) in at least close proximity to them, One or more support arms (100) of the craft device (10) Ｕ , 100 Ｄ ) is positioned in the deployment position (326), thereby the one or more support arms (100 Ｕ , 100 Ｄ ) is positioned to support the workpiece (W) by the angularly offset (θ ２２ ) One or more support arms (100) of the crafting device (10) are aligned with the work surface (34) Ｕ , 100 Ｄ A method (300) comprising the step (326) of placing the ) at the deployment location.

18. In the method (300) of claim 17, The actuator (52) is moved from the first position to the second position (328), and the workpiece (W) is moved to the angularly offset (θ ２２ The step (328) of moving the actuator (52) from the first position to the second position is to configure one or more workpiece handling components (46, 48, 86, 92, 94) in the second arrangement (330-342) such that the workpiece (W) is fixed to the work surface (34) against gravity (G) and is movable and fixed to the work surface (34) in the first direction (Y, Y') of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X-Y-Z) on the work surface, A step (330) of pushing one or more workpiece stoppers (86) to the retracted position, The process involves arranging the components of the cam actuator (48) connected to the pinch roller arm (46) in a second position (332), positioning the passive roller (58) of the pinch roller arm (46) toward the active drive roller (60) (334), and applying a clamping force to the workpiece (W) (336), and arranging the components of the cam actuator (48) in a second position (332), The vacuum source (95) is configured to be activated (338) to draw air into one or more workpiece suction channels (94a, 94b) (340), and the lower surface (W) of the workpiece (W) Ｂ ) is offset by the angle (θ ２２ A method (300) comprising the steps of: creating a pressure difference (342) to push the vacuum source (95) toward the work surface (34); and configuring the vacuum source (95) to be in an activated state (338).

19. In the method (300) according to claim 18, When it is determined (350) that the work (346) being performed on the workpiece (W) has been completed, the method (300) The actuator (52) is moved back from the second position to the first position (352), and the one or more workpiece handling components (46, 48, 86, 92, 94) are configured to return from the second arrangement to the first arrangement (354-358), the step of moving the actuator (52) back from the second position to the first position (352), A method (300) further comprising the step (360) of releasing the workpiece (W) from the work surface (34).

20. In the method (200) of claim 19, The step (354-358) of configuring one or more workpiece handling components (46, 48, 86, 92, 94) to return from the second arrangement to the first arrangement is, The process of returning the components of the cam actuator (48) connected to the pinch roller arm (46) to the first position (354), positioning the passive roller (58) of the pinch roller arm (46) away from the active drive roller (60), and removing the clamping force from the workpiece (W) (356), and the process of returning the components of the cam actuator (48) to the first position (354), The lower surface (W) of the workpiece (W) Ｂ ) is offset by the angle (θ ２２ ) In order to stop the pressure difference so as not to push toward the work surface (34), the vacuum source (95) is configured to be inactive (358), A method (200) comprising the step (360) of discharging the workpiece (W) from the work surface (34).

21. A method for using a crafting device (10) to perform work on a workpiece (W), wherein the crafting device (10) defines the work surface (34) of the work area (22) by a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X-Y-Z) on the work surface, and the non-work surface by a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X-Y-Z). Ｓ -Y Ｓ -Z Ｓ From the lower surface (24) of the base portion (20) defined by ) at a predetermined angle (θ ２２ In a method (200, 300) for using a craft device (10) which is included by being angularly offset, The steps include: positioning the actuator (52) of the craft device (10) in a first position (202, 302), The process involves configuring one or more workpiece handling components (46, 48, 86, 92, 94) of the crafting apparatus (10), which are connected to the actuator (52), in a first arrangement (204-212, 304-312), The workpiece (W) is angle-offset (θ ２２ ) A step (214-224, 314-316, 326) of arranging the work surface (34) at least in close proximity to the one or more workpiece handling components (46, 48, 86, 92, 94), The actuator (52) is moved from the first position to the second position (226, 328), and the workpiece (W) is moved to the angularly offset (θ ２２ ) A step (226, 328) of moving the actuator (52) from the first position to the second position, fixing the workpiece (W) to the work surface (34) against gravity (G) and fixing the workpiece (W) to the work surface (34) in a movable manner in the first direction (Y, Y') of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X-Y-Z) on the work surface (34), The process includes (242, 344) of activating one or more working components (12, 14, 16, 18) of the crafting apparatus (10) in order to perform work (244, 346) on the workpiece (W), The aforementioned non-working 3D Cartesian coordinate system (X Ｓ -Y Ｓ -Z Ｓ ) of X Ｓ The axis and the X-axis of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X-Y-Z) on the work surface coincide with each other, and the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system (X) on the non-work surface coincides with each other. Ｓ -Y Ｓ -Z Ｓ ) of Z Ｓ The axis rotates with respect to the X-axis at a predetermined angle (θ). ２２ ) is rotating, A method (200, 300) in which the step (328) of moving the actuator (52) from the first position to the second position includes the step (330) of pushing one or more workpiece stoppers (86) to the retracted position.

Images