Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a motor of a vehicle system monitor operating conditions of the vehicle system and determine whether the operating conditions of the vehicle system match designated operating conditions. Responsive to determining that the operating conditions of the vehicle system that are monitored match the designated operating conditions, an electrical signature representative of an electric current supplied to the motor of the vehicle system is examined and damage to one or more of the motor of the vehicle system or a mechanical coupling of the motor to one or more of a wheel or axle of the vehicle system is identified based on the electrical signature that is examined.

Abstract: A plastic-free, button-lock tube container comprising: a first tube assembly having a cylindrical body with an open end, a closed end, and a first opening formed in the wall of the body; a second tube assembly having a cylindrical body configured to telescopically interface with the first tube assembly along a portion of its length and having a second opening formed therein; a locking apparatus including a manually actuatable button and an elastically deformable structure mechanically coupled to the manually actuatable button such that, when the button-lock tube container is in a closed state, the elastically deformable structure applies an outward radial force to the manually actuatable button such that it projects through the first and second openings and prevents sliding motion between the first and second tube assemblies; wherein the first tube assembly, the second tube assembly, and the locking apparatus are plastic-free components.

Abstract: A hybrid data distribution system includes a modulator coupled to an analog device, one or more processors coupled to the modulator, and a database coupled to the one or more processors. The database is configured to store encoded data. The system also includes an Ethernet switch for transmitting the encoded data to a digital device. The Ethernet switch is coupled to each of the database and the digital device. Moreover, the one or more processors are configured to directly or indirectly obtain the encoded data from the database, decode the encoded data, and directly or indirectly transmit the decoded data to the modulator. The modulator is configured to transmit the decoded data to the analog device, and the Ethernet switch is configured to directly or indirectly obtain the encoded data from the database, and to transmit the encoded data to the digital device.

Abstract: A subscriber communicator module and an external data storage device perform the functions of receiving RF communication signals, converting the received RF signals to received digital output samples and converting digital input samples to RF communication signals for transmission; transforming the digital output samples to digital output data and transforming digital input data to the digital input samples; and processing the digital data in accordance with ORBCOMM data protocols. The module includes at least an RF section for performing the receiving and conversion functions. The external data storage device contains software for implementing performance of the transformation functions and/or the data processing function by one or more sections of the subscriber communicator that are not included in the module.

Abstract: A hybrid data distribution system includes a modulator coupled to an analog device, one or more processors coupled to the modulator, and a database coupled to the one or more processors. The database is configured to store encoded data. The system also includes an Ethernet switch for transmitting the encoded data to a digital device. The Ethernet switch is coupled to each of the database and the digital device. Moreover, the one or more processors are configured to directly or indirectly obtain the encoded data from the database, decode the encoded data, and directly or indirectly transmit the decoded data to the modulator. The modulator is configured to transmit the decoded data to the analog device, and the Ethernet switch is configured to directly or indirectly obtain the encoded data from the database, and to transmit the encoded data to the digital device.

Abstract: A method for controlling a print-to-cut register in a shaftless web printing press having a first print unit having a first plate cylinder and first blanket cylinder for printing a web, at least one independent drive for the first print unit, and a folder having a cross cutter for cutting the web. The method includes printing the web using the first plate cylinder and first blanket cylinder so as to form at least one printed section of the web; sensing the print-to-cut register of the at least one printed section; and controlling the print-to-cut register of the first plate cylinder during printing via the first drive as a function of the sensing. The controlling includes pulling the first plate cylinder off impression and phasing the first plate cylinder with respect to the cross cutter using the independent drive. A method for controlling circumferential register and a printing press is also disclosed.

Abstract: A printing unit arrangement in a web-fed rotary printing press includes at least one printing unit 2a having a first and second plate cylinder 4,6 and associated first and second blanket cylinders 8, 10 which are mechanically coupled via meshing gear wheels and which are commonly driven by one drive motor 12. A second printing unit of the printing unit arrangement includes a first and second plate cylinder 24, 26 and associated first and second blanket cylinders 28, 30. The first plate cylinder 24 and the first and second blanket cylinders 28, 30 are mechanically coupled via meshing gea wheels and are commonly driven by a first drive motor 42. The second plate cylinder 26 is individually driven by a second drive motor 46, and is engageable and disengageable from the associated second blanket cylinder 30 while the printing press is in operation, in order to perform flying edition changes or changes of a spot color.

Abstract: A method for controlling a print-to-cut register in a shaftless web printing press having a first print unit having a first plate cylinder and first blanket cylinder for printing a web, at least one independent drive for the first print unit, and a folder having a cross cutter for cutting the web. The method includes printing the web using the first plate cylinder and first blanket cylinder so as to form at least one printed section of the web; sensing the print-to-cut register of the at least one printed section; and controlling the print-to-cut register of the first plate cylinder during printing via the first drive as a function of the sensing. The controlling includes pulling the first plate cylinder off impression and phasing the first plate cylinder with respect to the cross cutter using the independent drive. A method for controlling circumferential register and a printing press is also disclosed.

Abstract: A printing unit arrangement in a web-fed rotary printing press includes at least one printing unit 2a having a first and second plate cylinder 4, 6 and associated first and second blanket cylinders 8, 10 which are mechanically coupled via meshing gear wheels and which are commonly driven by one drive motor 12. A second printing unit of the printing unit arrangement includes a first and second plate cylinder 24, 26 and associated first and second blanket cylinders 28, 30. The first plate cylinder 24 and the first and second blanket cylinders 28, 30 are mechanically coupled via meshing gear wheels and are commonly driven by a first drive motor 42. The second plate cylinder 26 is individually driven by a second drive motor 46, and is engageable and disengageable from the associated second blanket cylinder 30 while the printing press is in operation, in order to perform flying edition changes or changes of a spot color.