Abstract: A job strip encoding printing process data is disposed on an indicia-free zone of an associated printing plate. The printing process data include process control data, press presetting data and organization data for the entire print order using the associated printing plate. Preferably, all of the important printing adjustments are computer controlled and the printing machine includes a scanner for automatically reading the job strip when the printing plate is clamped onto the plate cylinder of the printing machine. The job strip is not integral with the printing plate so that the printing process data are easily changed. The job strip, however, is attached to the printing plate and therefore the printing process data and associated printing plates are not mixed up in the print shop. The job strip is elongated and aligned parallel and adjacent to a longitudinal edge portion of the printing plate which is clamped to the plate cylinder.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention a varnishing unit in a printing machine is provided which simultaneously varnishes and perfects printing sheets. The varnishing unit comprises a rotating impression cylinder in contact with a rotating varnishing cylinder to create a nip between the two cylinders through which sheets are individually drawn. In order to perfect each sheet at the nip, the impression cylinder has at least one plate or a blanket secured to its surface. Depending on whether a plate or a blanket is secured to the impression cylinder, an appropriate dampening and inking means is provided. Similarly, the varnishing cylinder is supplied a controlled quantity of varnish by a varnishing means.

Abstract: A system for presetting register and color zone adjusting devices in a multi-color rotary printing machine uses digitally-driven optical scanners axially traversing the plate cylinders under control of at least one numerical computer. Machine-specific characteristics are programmed in non-volatile memory as referenced values. Data processing is not required to be conducted external to the printing machine. The system is compact and requires practically no re-adjustment or entry of desired values from the machine operator. The machine operator, however, may enter coordinates for printing areas on the printing plate in order to speed up the scanning process for determining the initial color zone preset. The scanner multi-functionally scans the printing plate for both register adjustment and for integrating the ratio of printing to non-printing area for each inking zone.

Abstract: An automatic control method and apparatus for adjusting the register of printing plates in a multi-color printing press before test sheets or proofs are printed. Register marks are copied on the printing plates when the plates are manufactured. Photoelectric scanners sense the register marks and determine the relative positions of the printing plates without the use of paper. The positions of the printing plates are compared and the plate cylinders are adjusted so that the printing plates of all the plate cylinders are in register with one another. Preferably the relative positions are referenced to registered zero positions in the middle of the adjustment range for each plate cylinder, and the position of the printing plate having the least deviation from the corresponding zero position is chosen as a reference position to which the positions of the other printing plates are compared.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for checking and automatically correcting register adjustment of a sheet-fed printing press at the same time as remote densitometric measurement of an ink density check strip for ink fountain key adjustment. To read alignment marks printed parallel to the ink density check strip, a second optical sensor is mounted on the ink density scanner already used in practice to traverse and read the ink density check strip. A register control computer accepts the signal from the second optical sensor, detects the relative positions of the scanned alignment marks, compares the relative positions to each other and calculates axial, peripheral, and skew register adjustments. Position information is exchanged between the register control computer and the corresponding ink density control computer. The measured positions of the ink density check strip segments, for example, can be used in part to determine the positions of the register marks.

Abstract: An inking unit for a printing press including a source of ink, a set of ink transfer rollers for establishing an ink film, a distributor roller vibrated endwise for distribution of the ink film and a form roller for applying the ink film to a plate on the plate cylinder. The form roller has a shaft and an outer cylindrical shell, the latter being rotated by surface engagement. A bearing between the shaft and the shell permits relative axial as well as rotational movement. A cam of the cylindrical, or drum, type mounted on the shaft has an endless wavy groove in which is received a cam follower in the form of a roller extending radially inwardly from the sleeve so that the sleeve reciprocates through a single cycle as a result of a single relative rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: A washing assembly for a lithographic press including a washing roller having a porous resilient surface for carrying a charge of cleaning fluid, the washing roller being mounted in a frame for rocking movement from a disengaged position to a first washing position in which the washing roller is engaged with the surface of the blanket cylinder and a second washing position in which the roller is engaged with the surface of the impression cylinder. A drive wheel is provided at the end of the blanket cylinder for coupling to a driven wheel at the end of the washing roller as the frame is rocked to its first washing position for differential driving of the washing roller to produce relative wiping against the surface of the blanket cylinder. A squeeze roller in pressing engagement with the washing roller prepares the surface of the washing roller to accept a fresh charge of cleaning fluid.

Abstract: A control system for optimizing the starting angle of a vibrating roller for production of an evenly distributed film of ink on the printing plate of a printing press, particularly an offset press, in which a reciprocating drive connection is provided between the press drive and the vibrating roller for reciprocation of the latter. A chart is provided for each one of a complete set of reference distribution starting angles for the vibrating roller, each chart showing for each starting angle a corresponding ink density distribution curve which, when matched to the observed ink density distribution in a printed product, provides direct reading of optimum starting angle. A variable phase changer is interposed in the drive connection leading to the vibrating roller for directly setting the starting angle to optimum value.

Abstract: A spur gear formed of a laminated stack of axially thin spur gear elements having straight axially extending teeth identical involute tooth profiles and with means for securing them together in coaxial relation with stepped increments of phase between them producing a gear having a helical tooth pattern distinguished by the smoothness and lack of vibration of a helical gear while nevertheless avoiding the end thrust problems and the variations in phase which can occur with helical gearing.