Inventors:
Ray T. Goulstone - Allentown PA
Michael T. Gursky - Allentown PA
John M. O'Boyle - Bethlehem PA
Assignee:
AT&T Technologies, Inc. - Berkeley Heights NJ
International Classification:
B21C 3702
B21C 4734
B26D 714
Abstract:
A strip (10) of delicate foil is advanced longitudinally along a substantially flat path such as along a platen (104) for printing patterns of lead clusters (12) in photoresist on the foil. A margin (28) of strip (10) is formed into a guiding member such as a standing ridge (98), leaving a residue portion (29) in a desirably flat condition. Ridge (98) has a convenient reference edge (102) and a structural angle is formed by ridge (98) with adjacent foil portions. Such angle is sufficiently strong that advancing strip (10) receives no unacceptable deformation as the reference edge (102) is contacted such as to a reference wall (100) for guidance. Strip (10) is biased so the reference edge (102) maintains contact with guiding apparatus so located that the strip follows the desired path. For example, a flat member (122) is biased downward upon the residue portions (29) of strip (10) and the flat path while a side of member (122) is biased against ridge (98) and the reference wall (100). When portions of strip (10) have been printed, the margin (28) may be returned downward and again made coplanar with the residue portion (29) so strip (10) may be wound upon a reel (62).