Abstract: A printing unit with a rotatable print cylinder and a rotatable blanket cylinder is provided. A tubular printing blanket is removably mounted on the blanket cylinder. The printing unit may have an imaging unit mounted therein. A printing member, which is mountable on the print cylinder, is imaged by the imaging unit inside the printing unit. The printing member has a continuous surface and may be removed axially from the print cylinder. The printing unit may be configured as a cantilever printing unit, or, alternatively, may be configured with both a gear side frame and a work side frame for supporting the print and blanket cylinders. In order to provide a variable-cutoff capability, a plurality of print cylinder saddles may be provided. Each print cylinder saddle has the same inner diameter for mounting on the print cylinders. However, in order to provide a variable cut-off, the print cylinder saddles may have a variety of outer diameters.

Abstract: A printing unit with a rotatable print cylinder and a rotatable blanket cylinder is provided. A tubular printing blanket is removably mounted on the blanket cylinder. The printing unit may have an imaging unit mounted therein. A printing member, which is mountable on the print cylinder, is imaged by the imaging unit inside the printing unit. The printing member has a continuous surface and may be removed axially from the print cylinder. The printing unit may be configured as a cantilever printing unit, or, alternatively, may be configured with both a gear side frame and a work side frame for supporting the print and blanket cylinders. In order to provide a variable-cutoff capability, a plurality of print cylinder saddles may be provided. Each print cylinder saddle has the same inner diameter for mounting on the print cylinders. However, in order to provide a variable cut-off, the print cylinder saddles may have a variety of outer diameters.

Abstract: An offset lithographic printing process comprising printing at a relative humidity of 75-90% utilizing a water-based, single fluid, fountain solution free, printing ink containing (a) a macromolecular binder composed of binders soluble in water regardless of the pH of the water; resin rosin salt binders soluble in water at a pH from 7.5 to 10; and aqueous emulsion binders; (b) pigment and; (c) a re-wetting agent.

Abstract: A method of assuring orderly web travel in a folder includes stamping out of a layered structure formed of mutually superimposed web surface portions, along respective strips thereof, a plurality of tongue-like elements remaining appendant to the web surface portions and projecting through respective holes simultaneously stamped out of the web surface portions so as thereby to hold the web surface portions together at the respective strips thereof; and a device for performing the method.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a web in a printing press comprises a pair of cutting cylinders for cutting web sections from the web, and a transporting device for transporting the web sections away from the cutting cylinders. The first cutting cylinder has at least one cutting anvil, and the second cutting cylinder has at least one cutting knife which meets the cutting anvil at a nip between the cutting cylinders to cut the web moving through the nip. A plurality of strips are supported on the first cutting cylinder and a plurality of strips are supported on the second cutting cylinder. The strips have positions on the cutting cylinders in which they impress a temporary reinforcing profile onto each newly formed leading portion of the web when the strips move through the nip. At least one smoothing surface is supported on the first cutting cylinder and at least one smoothing surface is supported on the second cutting cylinder.

Abstract: An anglebar and/or a compensator roller in a folder of a printing press is adjustable. A motor has an output shaft operatively connected with the anglebar and/or the compensator roller to, when driven, adjust the position of the anglebar and/or the compensator roller. A tachometer provides a speed reference signal indicative of the speed of movement of a web of sheet material relative to the anglebar and/or the compensator roller. A web position sensor provides an adjustment control signal indicating that the anglebar and/or the compensator roller should be adjusted. A computer responds to the speed reference signal and the adjustment control signal to control a DC drive. The DC drive drives the motor at a speed which varies with the speed of movement of the web of sheet material. The anglebar and/or the compensator roller is thereby moved to a desired position at a rate which is a function of the speed of movement of the web of sheet material relative to the anglebar and/or the compensator roller.

Abstract: A signature handling apparatus includes a first conveyor which sequentially moves signatures to a discharge station. At the discharge station, the signatures are sequentially transferred to a receiving conveyor. A corrugator assembly is located at the discharge station to stiffen the signatures by forming corrugations which extend between leading and trailing end portions of the signatures. Although the corrugations are only temporarily maintained in the signature, the corrugator assembly is close enough to the receiving conveyor so that a corrugation is maintained in a signature as a leading end portion of the signature moves to the receiving conveyor. Thus, the corrugator assembly is spaced from the receiving conveyor by a distance which is less than the distance between the leading and trailing end portions of the signatures.

Abstract: An ink distributor roll is made of base rubber and two soft rubber helixes. When the ink distributor roll is used adjacent another roll, the soft rubber helixes deform to form pockets between the ink distributor roll and the other roll. The pockets move ink from the end portions of the ink distributor roll toward the center portion of the roll to prevent a buildup of ink at the end portions of the roll.

Abstract: A press management and analysis system, embodies a press console (PMA), one for each press, which is located adjacent the press, and communicating with a remote entry computer (REC). The PMA monitors sensor devices on the press, to follow press operation from the beginning of a job assignment through makeready operations and printing operations to completion.A REC console remote from the press room, as in the production manager's office, communicates with each PMA, and recording (filing), hard copy printing, and like functions are handled at the REC console. The system provides displays requiring completion by the pressman/operator (or manager) thus soliciting information as well as informing all concerned of job progress, of standard times expected for a job, and of transfer from one mode or phase of the job, as from makeready time to run time in which good product is printed. The system feeds back and records event messages, and encourages operator input and identification of stoppage reasons, etc.

Abstract: Apparatus for analyzing an image member such as a photographic film bearing an image to be printed and providing information as to the image area. The information may be utilized in determining initial ink key settings for a printing cylinder on which the image is to be printed. The image member is positioned on a support surface and a scanner assembly including a light source and light sensors scans the surface. Light transmission readings are taken from calibration film strips on the support surface and at positions on the support surface corresponding to the locations of the ink key columns of the printing cylinder. The data are calibrated and normalized using the calibration readings. The data are also corrected for the number of layers in the image member. Data from ink key columns which will not be utilized in printing the image analyzed are discarded. A procedure is provided for removing the effect on the data of any non-image material on the image member.

Abstract: Apparatus for analyzing an image member such as a photographic film bearing an image to be printed and providing information as to the image area. The information may be utilized in determining initial ink key settings for a printing cylinder on which the image is to be printed. The image member is positioned on a support surface and a scanner assembly including a light source and light sensors scans the surface. Light transmission readings are taken from calibration film strips on the support surface and at positions on the support surface corresponding to the locations of the ink key columns of the printing cylinder. The data are calibrated and normalized using the calibration readings. The data are also corrected for the number of layers in the image member. Data from ink key columns which will not be utilized in printing the image analyzed are discarded. A procedure is provided for removing the effect on the data of any non-image material on the image member.