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An adjustable card folding station includes an adjustable vacuum bed and moveable gates. The vacuum bed includes at least two sections that are movable with respect to each other to accommodate cards of different widths. Each section of the vacuum bed further includes multiple suction cups, each of

An adjustable card folding station includes an adjustable vacuum bed and moveable gates. The vacuum bed includes at least two sections that are movable with respect to each other to accommodate cards of different widths. Each section of the vacuum bed further includes multiple suction cups, each of which is individually connected to a vacuum supply. The vacuum supply independently controls each suction cup so that vacuum can be applied to selected or all suction cups such that cards of different lengths can be accommodated. The movable gates are pivotally mounted with respect to the vacuum bed and operated by motors to pivot 180 degrees from open to closed positions to fold the cards.

대표청구항 ▼

An adjustable card folding station includes an adjustable vacuum bed and moveable gates. The vacuum bed includes at least two sections that are movable with respect to each other to accommodate cards of different widths. Each section of the vacuum bed further includes multiple suction cups, each of

An adjustable card folding station includes an adjustable vacuum bed and moveable gates. The vacuum bed includes at least two sections that are movable with respect to each other to accommodate cards of different widths. Each section of the vacuum bed further includes multiple suction cups, each of which is individually connected to a vacuum supply. The vacuum supply independently controls each suction cup so that vacuum can be applied to selected or all suction cups such that cards of different lengths can be accommodated. The movable gates are pivotally mounted with respect to the vacuum bed and operated by motors to pivot 180 degrees from open to closed positions to fold the cards. idth and length on a folding station, the station having a first gate, a first vacuum bed, a second gate, second vacuum bed, and suction cups placed on the vacuum beds, the vacuum beds defining a plane, the first vacuum bed being moveable in the plane with respect to the second vacuum bed and the first gate being movable in the plane with respect to the second gate, the method comprising: moving at least one of the first gate the first vacuum bed in a linear direction to accommodate the width of the card; placing the card on the beds and at least one of the gates; and selectively supplying vacuum to at least some of the suction cups depending on the length of the card. 15. A method according to claim 14 further comprising moving at least one of the first gate and the first vacuum bed using a pair of linear bearings and a ball screw. 16. A method of folding a card having a width, a length, and panels on a folding station, the station having a first gate, a first vacuum bed, a second gate, a second vacuum bed, and suction cups placed on the vacuum beds, said vacuum beds defining a plane and said second gate and said second vacuum bed being moveable in said plane with respect to said first gate and said first vacuum bed, the method comprising: moving at least one of the second gate and the second vacuum bed in the plane to accommodate the width of the card; placing the card on the beds and at least one of one the gates; selectively supplying vacuum to at least some of the suction cups depending on the length of the card to secure the card; and sequentially rotating at least one of the gates to fold at least one of the panels over another of the panels. 17. A method according to claim 16 further comprising moving at least one of the second gate and the second vacuum bed using a pair of linear bearings and a ball screw. 18. A method according to claim 16, wherein the placing step further comprises positioning a first panel of the card on the beds and a second panel of the card on one gate for a regular folding process. 19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the sequentially rotating step comprises rotating the one gate about 180 degrees to fold the second panel over the first panel. 20. A method according to claim 16, wherein the placing step further comprises positioning a center panel of the card on the beds and the first and second end panels of the card on each gate, respectively, for a gate folding process. 21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the sequentially rotating step comprises: first rotating one gate about 180 degrees to fold the first end panel over the center panel; and second rotating the other gate about 180 degrees to fold the second end panel over the first end and center panels. 22. A method according to claim 16, wherein the placing step further comprises positioning a first end panel of the card on the beds and a center panel of the card on one gate for a Z-folding process. 23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the sequentially rotating step comprises: first rotating the one gate about 180 degrees to fold the center panel over the first end panel, whereby a second end panel is positioned on the other gate; and second rotating the other gate about 180 degrees to fold the second end panel over the first end and center panels.