| abstract |
Method and apparatus enable cutting out shapes (S) preset in moving sheet material (10) by locating coordinates of one or more fiducials (F,F2...) in the sheet material (10) with a vision system (12). The fiducials (F,F2...) correspond to a pattern (P) for the preset shape (S). A cutting system (11) superimposes the pattern (P) relative to the located one or more fiducials (F,F2...) for cutting out the preset shape (S) while the vision system (12) is concurrently locating subsequent one or more fiducials (F,F2...) in the moving sheet material (10). The concurrent processes of cutting and locating subsequent fiducials (F.F2...) are repeated substantially continuously. Preferably, using two or more fiducials (F,F2...), distortion is detected and the pattern (P) can be remapped before cutting for accurate superposition of the pattern (P) and distorted preset shape (S). |