Automatic Feeders
Automatic Single Sheet Feeders
Since 1950 The Cronite Company has been supplying the engraved stationery industry with the finest in automatic sheet feeding equipment. The average press unit will show a daily productivity increase of 200-300% with an Autofeed installation. In an industry where time and production costs are so closely related, the use of an Autofeed becomes an investment in profits, as well as quality.
Each of the automatic feeders are designed to require a minimum amount of set-up time. On the High Speed 8000 Feeder, search suckers lift the stock up onto the main section of the feeder and allow for a wide tolerance in pile height. This arrangement allows the operator to change jobs without having to make pile height control adjustments. Only simple gauge changes are required on the transporter section when changing jobs. This keeps set-up time down to a minimum and is faster than on a hand-fed press.
Since paper is always pushed into the same position with the same amount of force as the sheet before it, the register is much more consistent than when hand feeding, at all operating speeds. The use of the Autofeed also helps to comply with OSHA safety regulations at the stamping area of the press.
A stock advancing "speed-up/slow-down" mechanism and turnover drum arrangement are employed on the High Speed 8000 Autofeed to improve high speed paper transport. This avoids "bruising" of the stock at stops and guides even at top operating speed.
On the High Speed 8000, photocell sensors are provided at a point before the sheet enters the press and at the turnover section after the sheet has left the press. These sensors detect both the absence of a sheet when one should be there, plus the presence of a sheet when one should not be there. When needed they take the impression off the press to avoid damage. When necessary they will stop the press completely. The electronics used is state-of-the-art integrated circuitry with memory capabilities from the Autofeed control panel.
Cascade Feeder
The Cascade Pneumatic Feeder is designed to automatically feed card stock or envelopes from 3½" X 4¼" up to 8" X 10" into a 2½ X 4 Carver, 2½ X 4 Modern, 3 X 8 Carver, 3 X 8 Modern, or 4½ X 9 Carver Press. This easy to install and operate unit increases productivity and profitability.
CONTINUOUS FEEDER
The Continuous Feeder was designed to fit any machinery which requires the paper to be stopped for a period of time while an operation occurs. It is the only Continuous Feeder which can register very accurately on multiple press runs because it does not drive the paper using the pin holes as do other tractor feeders.
Word Processor and Computer users prefer a continuous format, in spite of the fact that cut sheet feeders have improved greatly over the last few years. Cronite's Continuous Feeder will help you develop a new market for additional revenue by enabling you to stamp a continuous format. Every day, more engraved commercial stationery, bill heads, envelopes, and security checks are being sold in a continuous format.
Once the press is set up and running, it does not need to be stopped to restock the paper. When signaled by the feeder, the operator needs only to splice in a new box of paper. This allows the operator time to do other work, thus making him more productive.
The use of the Continuous Feeder has several very distinct advantages over a sheet fed operation. 1. A letterhead and footnote can be stamped simultaneously in one pass, instead of two. 2. Letterheads may also be stamped on every other page providing an unprinted second sheet. 3. An impression may also be placed anywhere on he form, any edge, corner, or middle, without requiring a feed margin.
A wide range of stock thicknesses can be run through the Continuous Feeder. Because the stock is always under minor tension, great control is experienced which permits excellent register at high speeds. Fourteen inch long paper can be die stamped at approximately 5,000 impressions per hour. Eleven inch long paper stamped on every other sheet can be run at approximately 3,500 impressions per hour.
The heart of the Continuous Feeder is a state-of-the-art motion computer which vastly simplifies internal electronics while providing unsurpassed execution speed along with trouble free service. The actual operating system relies on a single EEPROM computer chip which allows for easy updating or special modifications required when fitted to machines other than die stamping presses.
The paper is driven throughout the feeder by pinching rollers acting on the pin-hole margins. Multiple press impressions without losing registration are made as a result of a clever back driven electronic resolver that senses the perforated holes' position.
The Continuous Feeder has a built in drying loop for ambient air drying of the stamped forms. This eliminates the necessity of using a drier and the associated problems that a drier causes.
OTHER FEATURES
A built in back lighted viewing station for setting the initial stamping position.
An automatic restacking elevator for restacking of the finished forms using the original folds. It also will accept a full box of continuous forms.
An audible alarm to alert the operator that the virgin or completed stock pile needs attention.
Sensors throughout the feeder to stop the impression and/or press if a situation arises that requires this.
A splicing board which may be used to attach one group of papers to another. This is used also after weeding out spoiled sheets during inspection. (Peelable tape is used so as not to harm the 2 good sheets being attached.)
The paper pull length can be set to increments other than the ½" spacing of the pin holes.