Abstract: A gripper assembly for a deceleration/acceleration drum is described which includes a pivot arm with a gripper seat and a gripper bar with a gripper and a pin assembly. The assembly further includes a first toggle link supported by the pivot arm about a first pivot points the gripper bar is able to partially rotate about the first toggle link about a second pivot point. The assembly also includes a second toggle link supported by the pivot arm which supports the pin assembly of the gripper bar.

Abstract: A device for cutting a web of material into signatures and folding the signatures comprising a first set of movable elements and a second set of movable elements, the web moving between the first and second sets of movable elements in a signature formation area. The first set of movable elements includes a first cutting element and a second cutting element variably-spacable with respect to the first cutting element and the second set of movable elements includes a first gripping element for interacting with the first cutting element and a first tucking element variably-spacable with respect to the first gripping element.

Abstract: A gripper assembly for a deceleration/acceleration drum is described which includes a pivot arm with a gripper seat and a gripper bar with a gripper and a pin assembly. The assembly further includes a first toggle link supported by the pivot arm about a first pivot point, the gripper bar is able to partially rotate about the first toggle link about a second pivot point. The assembly also includes a second toggle link supported by the pivot arm which supports the pin assembly of the gripper bar.

Abstract: A method for transferring signatures is described. A gripper assembly contains a gripper bar having a gripper and a pivot arm having a gripper seat. The gripper assembly is moved such that the gripper projects through a space in front of a leading edge of a signature being delivered on a transport system. The gripper assembly is moved such that the gripper seat is directly aligned with the leading edge of the signature and the gripper seat is travelling at the same velocity as the signature. The gripper is driven in a direction of the gripper seat such that the signature is held between the gripper and the gripper seat. In this manner the velocity of the signature is not changed during the handoff. In addition, a gripper assembly for performing the handoff is described.

Abstract: A method for dynamically controlling a driver of a nip roller in a web printing press includes controlling the speed of the driver in a tension-control mode during a phase of printing press operation and in a velocity-control mode during another phase of printing press operation. The controlling of the speed of the driver in the tension-control mode is based on the tension in the web upstream of the nip roller so as to maintain the tension at a desired tension value. The controlling of the speed of the driver in the velocity-control mode is based on a predetermined driver velocity ratio for maintaining the web tension. The tension-control mode may be employed during press start-up as the web accelerates to operating speed. The velocity-control mode may be used during printing operations of the press.

Abstract: In some process contexts it is desirable to maintain a constant strain on the web instead of constant tension. The novel system measures the caliper of the web material and adjusts the tension to achieve the desired constant strain. The caliper may be measured by monitoring the radius of the expiring web reel in connection with the angular position of the reel. The web caliper is input into a control scheme that includes an algorithm determining the appropriate tension to applied to the web in accordance with its caliper. The control scheme outputs a variable force command to a dynamic dancer which adjusts the web tension and thus sets the constant web strain. The variable force may be injected via an air cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, a spring with a dynamic ground, or an electromagnetically driven actuator.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of slipping of a driven nip roller relative to the web in a web printing press includes systematically changing the speed of the nip driver while monitoring the corresponding change in web tension difference across the nip. The linearity and a slope of the relationship between the tension difference and the speed of the nip driver are determined. When the tension difference is non-linear relative to the speed of the driver or the slope of the relationship is substantially less than an expected slope, then slipping is determined to be present. An operator slip indication may be provided which includes the direction of the slip, positive or negative. The operator may then take corrective action to re-establish a non-slip condition, or automatic corrective actions may ensue.

Abstract: A web press has cutting cylinders for cutting a web into signatures and a transfer cylinder for receiving the signatures. A pre-cylinder signature collector includes a diverter station for diverting the signatures received from the cutting cylinders. At least two tape paths having different lengths receive the signatures from the diverter station. At least one collection point collects the signatures from all of the tape paths on top of one another for passage to the transfer cylinder.

Abstract: A method for dynamically controlling a driver of a nip roller in a web printing press includes controlling the speed of the driver in a tension-control mode during a phase of printing press operation and in a velocity-control mode during another phase of printing press operation. The controlling of the speed of the driver in the tension-control mode is based on the tension in the web upstream of the nip roller so as to maintain the tension at a desired tension value. The controlling of the speed of the driver in the velocity-control mode is based on a predetermined driver velocity ratio for maintaining the web tension. The tension-control mode may be employed during press start-up as the web accelerates to operating speed. The velocity-control mode may be used during printing operations of the press.

Abstract: An apparatus for calibrating a tension transducer for a web includes a pair of nip rollers and a motor for driving at least one of the pair of nip rollers, the motor having at least one roller output being a function of at least one of a motor torque and a motor velocity. A web tension transducer roll is located upstream of the nip rollers, the web tension transducer having a tension output being a function of the actual web tension of the web. A processor receives the at least one roller output and the tension output, the processor calculating a tension correction value as a function of the at least one roller output and the tension output.

Abstract: A web tension measurement device includes a roller for a web of material, the movable roller having an axis of rotation moveable in a first direction by the web; a counteracting device connected to the movable roller, the counteracting device for forcing the axis of the roller in a second direction opposite the first direction; and a controller connected to the counteracting device for measuring the web tension. Also included is a method for measuring tension in a web which comprises the steps of running a web over a roller, an axis of the roller being movable in a first direction, counteracting the movement of the roller in a second direction opposite the first direction, and measuring a counteracting force or a variable so as to be able to determine a web tension.

Abstract: An apparatus for calibrating a tension transducer for a web includes a pair of nip rollers and a motor for driving at least one of the pair of nip rollers, the motor having at least one roller output being a function of at least one of a motor torque and a motor velocity. A web tension transducer roll is located upstream of the nip rollers, the web tension transducer having a tension output being a function of the actual web tension of the web. A processor receives the at least one roller output and the tension output, the processor calculating a tension correction value as a function of the at least one roller output and the tension output.

Abstract: A ribbon is cut into signatures with a cutting cylinder having a fixed diameter and rotating at a variable angular velocity. During the cutting operation, the cutting cylinder rotates at an angular cutting velocity that is substantially equal to the constant velocity of the ribbon. The angular velocity of the cutting cylinder is varied between the cutting operations in order to cut signatures of a desired length. A cutting cylinder system is also provided.

Abstract: A signature gripper having a gripper pad for firmly gripping a signature; a gripper base connected to the gripper pad, the gripper pad being rotatable about the gripper base in a direction of rotation; and a spring acting in the direction of rotation to permit rotation of the gripper pad about the gripper base and connected to at least one of the gripper base and gripper pad. The spring damps deceleration experienced by the signature upon gripping.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to transporting signatures within a folding apparatus. Exemplary embodiments include at least one pair of cooperating cutting cylinders, each having at least one of a knife and an anvil. A conveying plane extends in substantially vertical direction. A right and a left conveyor assembly are assigned to the conveying plane. The cooperating cutting cylinders are integrated into the paths of conveying elements of the left and right conveyor assemblies, seizing a web of material prior to a cutting operation.

Abstract: A stream of signatures is delivered by a conveyer belt to an angled conveyer. The angled conveyor grips a set of signatures from the stream. The gripped set of signatures is transported by the angled conveyer to a third conveyer belt, and deposited on the third conveyer belt. By transporting the set of signatures at an angle, a lateral offset between the individual signatures within the set of signatures is created. A diverter on the third conveyer belt grips the laterally offset signatures, separating the signatures into substreams.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to providing a method and apparatus for diverting and separating sheets of printable material, such as signatures severed from a web, in a cost effective, efficient manner which does not create the potential for damage to the signatures or jamming of the press. Exemplary embodiments can implement a signature diversion and separating in a single step, without reorienting the signatures. Thus, for example, where the signatures include a folded edge, the orientation of that folded edge can be maintained throughout the diverting and separating process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for reorienting printable material, such as the signatures of a web fed rotary printing press, in a manner whereby a new velocity vector can be positively imparted to a signature instantaneously. Exemplary embodiments used selected portions of a drive mechanism to actively redirect the signatures with a new velocity vector. Because the new velocity vector is actively imparted to the signatures, exemplary embodiments provide a highly reliable reorientation of the signatures, without causing damage to the signatures, and without risking potential jamming of the printing press. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention not only preserve the quality of a shingled stream by providing an ability to retain the original lateral alignment and pitch of the incoming shingled stream, but in addition, exemplary embodiments can correct the pitch between signatures of an incoming shingled stream.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method and apparatus for flexible guiding of conveyed products (i.e., signatures) from one location to another. In order to reduce the impact forces imparted onto a conveyed product, a flexible guide is deformable when receiving a signature to increase the time interval during which collision during a signature direction change occurs. With the increase in the time interval during which the collision of the signature and flexible guide occurs, the average impact forces are reduced thereby eliminating damage to the signature.

Abstract: A delivery device for sheets or signatures having a plurality of gripper modules including a first gripper module and a second gripper module and a track having a variable dimension to permit changes in pitch between the gripper modules. The first gripper module has a first leading end and a first trailing end and may have a first module step between the first leading end and the first trailing end, or a spring section.