Abstract: This weaving machine (2) is for simultaneously weaving top and bottom pile fabrics (F2, F4) presenting some pile patterns (P2, P2?, P4) and including tufts, made from warp yarns (24), binding warp yarns (14, 16) and inwoven weft yarns. This machine includes a pile warp yarns feeding unit (20), a binding warp yarns feeding unit (18), a shedding unit (6) and a weft insertion unit (8) for inserting the weft yarns in the shed. The machine also includes a beating-up mechanism (32), a take up system (70), a drawing-in unit (26), and a control unit (80). A treatment unit (90) is located, along a path of the pile warp yarns (24), between the pile warp yarns feeding unit (20) and the shedding unit (6), for applying different segments of treatment on at least some of the pile warp yarns (24).

Abstract: The blanket cylinder of a printing press is used to remove oleophobic debris from an imaged dry printing member. Following imaging—e.g., imagewise exposure of the printing member to radiation that ablates the layer below the oleophobic layer, or de-anchors it from the oleophobic layer without ablation—the printing member is brought into rolling contact with the blanket cylinder, and the press is operated “on impression.” This rolling contact may remove not only the oleophobic top layer but ablation debris of the underlying imaging layer as well.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically adding a color bar as a rendering job ticket attribute and dynamically generating the color bar based on the rendering job attribute. The color bar can be added in association with the rendering job ticket along with a set of sub-attributes that include parameters associated with the color bar. The dynamic color bar can be automatically configured to include spot colors associated with the rendering job and the parameters can be specified in a device-independent way. Upon receiving the rendering job with the dynamic color bar attribute, the rendering device can render each page of the job in association with the color bar. The dynamic color bar generation instructions can be detected in the job ticket generated by a print driver thereby enhancing the use of the color bar in a color rendering application.

Abstract: The printing machine has a central impression cylinder (1) on which a web printable substrate (B) is supported and a plurality of printing stations arranged around the central impression cylinder (1). Each printing station includes a blanket cylinder (2) of variable diameter, a plate cylinder (3) of variable diameter, and an offset inking unit (4). The blanket cylinder (2), plate cylinder (3) and offset inking unit (4) are individually movable between respective withdrawn positions and respective multiple working positions for different diameters of the blanket and plate cylinders (2, 3). At least one of the printing stations has the axis of the blanket cylinder (2) and the axis of the plate cylinder (3) in an inclined first plane (P1), which does not include the axis of the central impression cylinder (1) at any of the multiple working positions for different diameters of the blanket and plate cylinders (2, 3).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a substance(s) deposition control device for an offset printing system, characterized in that it comprises:—at least one offset plate intended to receive a wetting liquid and a coloured substance in succession,—at least one controlled-deposition means for each offset plate, the deposition means comprising at least one deposition head spraying at least one wetting solution and at least one deposition head spraying a defined coloured substance,—at least one means for cleaning the offset plate, and in that the covering of the offset plate or plates comprises a mesh structure defined by a plurality of hydrophilic and lipophilic individual surfaces capable of receiving a controlled deposition of wetting liquid and/or coloured substance, each of these hydrophilic and lipophilic surfaces being separated from its direct neighbours by at least one hydrophobic and lipophobic peripheral surface.

Abstract: A printing press includes: an upper collect printing unit configured to perform collect printing in which multi-color printing is performed by applying inks of multiple colors at once, on a top surface of a conveyed sheet; and a lower collect printing unit configured to perform collect printing in which multi-color printing is performed by applying inks of multiple colors at once, on a bottom surface of the conveyed sheet.

Abstract: A collect printing press includes: an impression cylinder configured to hold and transport a sheet; a rubber cylinder being in contact with the impression cylinder and including a blanket mounted thereon; a collecting plate cylinder being in contact with the rubber cylinder and including a plate mounted thereon; a collecting rubber cylinder being in contact with the collecting plate cylinder and including a blanket mounted thereon; multiple partial plate cylinders each being in contact with the collecting rubber cylinder and including a plate mounted thereon; and multiple inking devices configured to feed inks to the partial plate cylinders, respectively. The plate of the collecting plate cylinder is a relief printing plate, and the plate of each of the partial plate cylinders is a lithographic printing plate, and the collect printing press further includes multiple dampening units configured to feed dampening water to the partial plate cylinders, respectively.

Abstract: A method for producing a pseudo-stochastic master surface for producing a cover or jacket of a cylinder for contacting printing material, includes providing the master surface with a pseudo-stochastic distribution of microsurfaces. The master surface is produced on the basis of a digital master in a jacket preliminary stage and serves for a preferably galvanic production of a microstructured cover, in which structure elevations correlate with the microsurfaces. The pseudo-stochastic distribution helps to avoid disruptive discernible effects, for example the moiré effect and helps to construct the microstructuring in a targeted manner. A master surface, a method for producing a cylinder cover, a cylinder cover, a machine for processing printing material, a method for producing printed products and a method for microstamping printed products, are also provided.

Abstract: A printing group of a printing press is comprised of a transfer cylinder, a forme cylinder and a first roller of an inking unit. That first inking unit roller cooperates, as an ink application roller, with the forme cylinder. The inking unit is provided with two axially traversing friction cylinders which are serially disposed in the ink path to the forme cylinder. The first inking unit roller has substantially the same diameter as the forme cylinder.

Abstract: Sheet-fed printing press, especially a satellite-type printing press by which double-side printing is performed with a single satellite-type press and if only single-side printing is required a sheet perfecting apparatus does not intervene in the sheet transfer path. In the course of printing with a plurality of printing units (26) provided in satellite-like manner around a common pressure cylinder (10), a sheet perfecting apparatus (36) is provided for inverting the sheet of material for double-side printing. The sheet perfecting apparatus is separable from the sheet transfer path for printing on one side only. The sheet perfecting apparatus is made up of a first transfer cylinder (38) a perfecting cylinder (40) and a second transfer cylinder (42).

Abstract: A method for driving a printing press includes driving, in a printing operation, via a gear train by at least a first motor, at least one drum for advancing printing material and a printing-form cylinder, processing angle-of-rotation signals of the drum in a control device for controlling the driving of the drum and the form cylinder, and driving, in a printing-form production operation in the printing press, a printing-form cylinder by a separate motor. The method further includes, in an operation for producing the printing form, synchronously actuating the first motor and the separate motor by providing a gear allocated to the driving of the printing-form cylinder, and an adjacent gear allocated to the driving of the drum of the gear train, the gears being disposed relative to one another at the most out of contact with one another, and at the least barely in engagement with one another so as to exert a slight pressure on one another, and a device for performing the method.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process and to a device for printing a multicolor image composed of at least two varicolored partial images on a surface. A first partial image is transferred onto the surface in an ink transfer position and at least a second partial image is transferred onto the surface in the same ink transfer position and is superimposed to the first partial image. The partial images transferred onto the surface are dried at least partially or hardened at least partially between the ink transfer steps. The drying step is carried out according to the present invention in the ink transfer position.

Abstract: A rotary offset printing press which has a series of printing units of identical make through which a web of paper is threaded. In each printing unit the blanket cylinder is made displaceable into and out of printing engagement with the plate cylinder and the impression cylinder. The cylinders of each printing unit are driven from a separate variable-speed motor via a train of gears which stay intermeshed whether the blanket cylinder is in or out of printing engagement with the other cylinders. A clutch is inserted between the drive linkage and the impression cylinder for connecting and disconnecting the latter to and from the former. A plate change is possible in any of the printing units by moving the blanket cylinder out of printing engagement with the plate cylinder and the impression cylinder, and declutching the impression cylinder from the drive linkage, in that printing unit while the other printing unit or units are in continuous operation for printing the web.

Abstract: The invention relates to a perforating, grooving or cutting device for a multicolor or single-color sheet-fed rotary press (1) comprising printing and/or varnishing groups (2), at least one of which has a rubber cylinder (3) with a holding system (14) for a blanket, as well as an associated counter-pressure cylinder (4). According to the invention, a rectangular base plate (13) is provided, which is made from a flexible and shape-retaining material over which it is possible to glue embossed treatment profiles (29, 37) used as perforating and/or grooving and/or punching profiles corresponding to perforating and/or grooving and/or punching shapes which can be predetermined. Furthermore, at least two fastening strips (17, 18) are provided for detachably attaching the punch foil to opposed marginal areas in the stretched state.

Abstract: A mounting system is disclosed for removably mounting rollers and cylinders in a machine for quick and easy removal and replacement by other rollers and cylinders. The mounting system provides for rapid separation of the journal from the roller or cylinder so that only the roller or cylinder is removed, and the mounting system has particular applicability with respect to ink rolls in printing machines.

Abstract: A printing press including a frame and a central impression drum rotatably supported on the frame. A plurality of first side printing stations is circumferentially spaced about the central impression drum and in communication therewith. Each of the plurality of printing first side printing stations is adapted to print an image on a first side of a substrate. A perfecting printing station is disposed at a position about the central impression drum. The perfecting printing station includes a multi-purpose drum having a substrate retainer for securing the substrate thereto. The multi-purpose drum forms an impression cylinder and is in communication with an image transfer cylinder for imparting an image on a second side of the substrate. An ink fixing unit is disposed between the first side printing stations and the perfecting station. The ink fixing unit fixes the image on the first side of the substrate prior to the image being imparted on the second side of the substrate by the perfecting station.

Abstract: A printing unit of an offset printing press utilizes a plurality of forme cylinders, transfer cylinders and at least two counter-pressure cylinders. In one mode of production all of the transfer cylinders engage one of the counter-pressure cylinders. In another mode of production two of the transfer cylinders cooperate with one of the counter-pressure cylinders and at least another one of the transfer cylinders cooperate with the other counter-pressure cylinder.

Abstract: A printing press including a frame and a central impression drum rotatably supported on the frame. A plurality of first side printing stations is circumferentially spaced about the central impression drum and in communication therewith. Each of the plurality of printing first side printing stations is adapted to print an image on a first side of a substrate. A perfecting printing station is disposed at a position about the central impression drum. The perfecting printing station includes a multi-purpose drum having a substrate retainer for securing the substrate thereto. The multi-purpose drum forms an impression cylinder and is in communication with an image transfer cylinder for imparting an image on a second side of the substrate. An ink fixing unit is disposed between the first side printing stations and the perfecting station. The ink fixing unit fixes the image on the first side of the substrate prior to the image being imparted on the second side of the substrate by the perfecting station.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a cylinder in a printing machine includes, in a first step, rotating a first cylinder into a rotary position wherein a cylinder gap formed in the first cylinder is directed towards a second cylinder of the printing machine and, in a second step, displacing one of the two cylinders, with the second cylinder dipping into the cylinder gap; and a printing machine for performing the method.

Abstract: A digital printer of the present invention employs a single laser depress unit. In a prepress process, an impression cylinder is used as a plate retention member for holding four printing plates. Image formation on the four printing plates held on the impression cylinder is achieved by way of the single laser prepress unit disposed adjacent to the periphery of the impression cylinder. The printing plates thus prepressed are transported from the impression cylinder to plate cylinders. After the printing plates are mounted on the plate cylinders, a printing sheet is fed from a sheet feeding section to the impressing cylinder via a loading unit. Dampening water and color ink is applied to the plate cylinders 17 from dampening water units and inking units, respectively. The various colors of ink are respectively transferred onto blanket cylinders from the plate cylinder, and further transferred from the blanket cylinders onto the printing sheet on the impression cylinder.

Abstract: A multi-color printing press having a single segmented impression cylinder with multiple, segmented blanket cylinders of equal diameter arranged about the periphery thereof. The segments of the impression cylinder and the blanket cylinders are equal in length and the number of segments on the impression cylinder is equal to the number of segments on the blanket cylinders multiplied by a whole number, plus one additional segment. Each blanket cylinder is provided with a plate cylinder of equal diameter which has the same number of segments. Color rolls provide each segment of the plate cylinder with a different color. Sheets to be printed are fed to the gripping means on the successive segments of the impression cylinder and delivery means removes sheets after printing. Each sheet is held on the impression cylinder for a number of revolutions equal to the number of segments on any one blanket cylinder.

Abstract: Safety device for control or regulation systems of drive units of a printing machine having at least individual sub-aggregates thereof mechanically disconnected from one another, a plurality of motors connected via respective gear transmissions to the sub-aggregates for driving them in synchronous rotation, at least one measuring device for ensuring synchronous running of the sub-aggregates, and a device for controlling the rotary speed or the torque of the motors connected to the measuring device, further includes a clutch disposed between the gear transmissions of two of the at least individual sub-aggregates located adjacent one another, the clutch having clutch halves respectively connected to a synchronously running gearwheel of the respective gear transmissions, the clutch halves being connected to one another for transmitting torque when a preset rotational-angle difference between the clutch halves is exceeded.

Abstract: A winding assembly especially suitable for use in conjunction with a system for automated imaging of lithographic plate material, including on-press imaging systems. A feeder spool installed within a plate-support cylinder contains a rolled supply of plate material, which wraps around the cylinder and is received by an uptake spool, also located within the cylinder. The assembly is driven by the same power source used to rotate the plate-support cylinder, and maintains a strong tension along the wrapped material.

Abstract: A temperature regulation system for a lithographic press, usually of the type using a waterless plate, used to control ink temperature at application to a substrate to be printed. The system includes a contactless sensor for sensing ink temperature between the ink distribution system and application to a substrate and for operating a temperature regulation system that controls the temperature of regulatable rolls in the ink path and thus the sensed ink temperature. This regulation system includes a refrigeration circuit, a secondary heater circuit for obtaining hot fluid, a reservoir for cold fluid and a mixing valve. This system is energy efficient, variable and responsive. It has been found that using this system the ink temperature can be very accurately controlled. Usually the system is used with a waterless plate and it has been found that commercially available lithographic inks as well as the special waterless inks can be used.

Abstract: An apparatus and process in which a carrier image is applied to paper and ink is attracted to the carrier to form a printed image. The process is readily adaptable to the conventional printing methods including offset lithography. An apparatus for carrying out the process of the invention may be retrofitted onto a lithographic printer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling discharge devices used to image a planographic printing plate are disclosed. Imaging information is stored in a first memory while discharge correction data is stored in a second memory. The correction data is used to vary the intervals between imaging discharges to compensate for error between the sensed position of the printing plate with respect to a writing head and the actual position. Printing artifacts are visually minimized by staggering the imaging devices used to produce separation plates.

Abstract: Printing apparatus has at least one print station including a blanket cylinder in rolling contact with an impression cylinder, a print cylinder for supporting a lithographic plate, the plate cylinder being in rolling contact with the blanket cylinder, at least one discharge source for applying an image to a plate supported by the plate cylinder, and a motor for moving the energy source relative to the plate cylinder so that when the plate cylinder is rotated, the discharge source scans a raster on the surface of the plate supported by the plate cylinder. The apparatus may be configured as an in-line or central-impression type press. A controller responsive to picture signals representing an original document repeatedly actuates each discharge source momentarily during the scan thereof so that the discharge source forms on the plate surface an image comprised of dots corresponding to the original document.

Abstract: A method of imaging a lithographic plate having a printing surface comprising mounting a plate to the plate cylinders of a lithographic press having at least two plate cylinders, a corresponding number of blanket cylinders and an impression cylinder, exposing the printing surface to spark discharges between each plate and an electrode spaced close to the printing surface produced in response to picture signals, the spark discharges producing sufficient heat to change the affinity of each printing surface for printing liquid at the points thereof exposed to the spark discharges thereby producing image spots on each plate corresponding to the picture signals, moving the electrode relative to the plate to effect a scan of the printing surface, and controlling the spark discharges to the plate in accordance with picture signals so that they occur at selected points in the scan so as to form an image of the original document on the printing surface. Imaging apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A low cost press able to print high quality continuous tone color copies comprises a single large diameter impression cylinder rotatably mounted to the machine frame. A plurality of print stations are spaced around the impression cylinder, each print station including a blanket cylinder in rolling contact with the impression cylinder and a plate cylinder in rolling contact with the blanket cylinder, the diameters of all of said plate and blanket cylinders being substantially the same and said impression cylinder having a diameter that is the same as or an even number more than the product of the plate cylinder diameter multiplied by the number of plate stations in the press. The cylinders are all rotatably coupled together by correspondingly sized gears so that they all rotate in unison with the impression cylinder gear being composed of arcuate parallel-cut segments having identical tooth profiles.

Abstract: A multi-color printing machine comprises a print carrier supplying system including a print carrier supply unit, a print carrier transporting unit and a print carrier discharge unit, and a printing image supplying including at least two printing mechanisms each having a plate cylinder and an offset cyinder, the offset cylinders being arranged in contact with one another and of the offset cylinder being arranged in contact with the print carrier transporting unit, the print carrier transporting unit being formed as a central printing cylinder which cooperates with the print carrier withdrawal unit and with the print carrier supply unit and is provided with at least one gripper element, the printing image supplying system also including an endless band-shaped printing image collecting element associated with at least first and last of the offset cylinders of first and last of the printing mechanisms through at least one connecting cylinder.

Abstract: A second color print head attachment for an offset duplicator including a plate cylinder carrier 20 and an inker carrier 70 arranged to be pivotally secured to a side frame 11 of an offset duplicator press 10. A first pair of register pins 100 and 102 mounted on the inker carrier 70 are received in openings 21 and 23 formed in the plate cylinder carrier 20 for detachably securing inker form rollers 75, 76, and 77 in engagement with the printing plate 35. A pair of rollers 64 and 66 on the plate cylinder carrier 20 extend into guide slots 54 and 56 in a mounting bracket 50 secured to the duplicator press frame 12. The lock-up mounting bracket 50 and the hinge mounting bracket 40 are pivotally secured to the duplicator press frames for rotation by an eccentric actuator 110, 115 for moving the printing plate 35 into engagement with the blanket cylinder 16 in the duplicator press 10.

Abstract: An improvement in the measuring elements of closed circuit systems for controlling-correcting printing in offset printing machines is provided. The values of measurements are amplified, analogically commutated, converted from analog to digital form, and then microprocessed so as to be compared with standard values established in a memory program provided for each one of the valves controlling the printers block of each one of the printing bodies. A reading is taken decomposed into three variables, each one of which corresponds to one of the three basic colors of the visible spectrum in which the light from the colored stain is diffracted by means of a ROWLAND diffraction grating in which there is reflected the light from optical fibers arranged at 45.degree. angles with respect to the printing paper, and which direct a beam of light on the colored stain.

Abstract: Sheet transfer drum located between two printing units of a multicolor sheet-fed rotary printing press and having a cylindrical surface formed of a plurality of sheet-carrying elements arranged in succession around the circumference of the drum, including a suction means applicable to the trailing edge of a sheet of paper to be printed, mountings located at ends of the sheet transfer drum for carrying the sheet to be printed, each of the end mountings being formed by a respective guide channel oriented in circumferential direction of the sheet transfer drum, the guide channel having a radially outer portion and a radially farther inward portion, at least the outer of the radial portions being substantially equal in length to a maximum format of the sheet.

Abstract: An operation lever controller for a two-color printing apparatus having first and second units adapted to perform printing independently of each other and arranged such that all steps of respective printing operations are performed by rotating respective operation levers in multiple stages. The operation levers, ratchet wheels, set cams for changing and positioning the operation levers in respective multiple stages and arms provided with respective magnets are fixed on corresponding drive shafts of the first and second units. Pairs of feed pallets are respectively provided on unit frames so as to be linked with forward-drive solenoids, backward-drive solenoids, and pallet-drive shafts such that the respective pairs of feed pallets are disengaged and engaged with the ratchet wheels by operations of the solenoids to perform feeding operations using the pallet-drive shafts. Operation lever detecting switches are turned on by the magents at respective positions of the operation levers.

Abstract: A collect-printing unit for security printing in offset printing for use in a rotary printing press, provided with a blanket cylinder to which a plurality of cut-out offset rollers are coordinated, is disclosed. Two ink transfer cylinders and one forme cylinder, on whose periphery a plurality of offset printing formes are fixed, are coordinated to this blanket cylinder. Another blanket cylinder is coordinated to the forme cylinder, this blanket cylinder taking the multi-color motif to be printed from the forme cylinder and transferring it onto the support to be printed. A counter pressure cylinder may cooperate with this blanket cylinder. A sheet-shaped or web-shaped support to be printed is interposed between the blanket cylinder and the counter pressure cylinder and is printed in offset collect-printing.

Abstract: A process color offset duplicator uses a plurality of duplicator heads arranged serially to print full process color. The duplicator heads are adapted to apply a thin layer of ink onto plates held on their respective plate cylinders, in order that plate cylinders which are prepared using a dot screen can be used. The plate cylinders further include registration pins, whereby tha various ones of said plates can be mounted in relative alignment on different ones of said plate cylinders.

Abstract: Drive for cylinders of an offset printing machine having a gear train constructed of spur gears disposed as drive gears on respective shafts of the cylinders, and including clamping devices for synchronizing rotation of the cylinders, the clamping devices being rotatable with the spur gears respectively associated therewith and having respective gear rims deformable more or less in accordance with an adjustment thereof, including a clamping plate respectively disposed coaxially to the spur gears, the spur gears being helically toothed, and at least two of the clamping devices mounted on the clamping plates, respectively, and acting in radial direction upon the gear rim of the spur gear respectively associated therewith.

Abstract: A mechanism for sorting sheets from a printing press to assure proper color density and to assist in making corrective adjustment which includes a main conveyor for normally conducting sheets to a main delivery pile and having a transfer station. An auxiliary conveyor extends from the transfer station to an auxiliary delivery pile. A scanning device is arranged upstream of the main conveyor for responding to the color density of the printed image on a passing sheet. A comparator produces a control signal when the color density is above or below tolerance, signifying a sub-quality sheet. Mechanism at the transfer station is triggered by the control signal so that the sub-quality sheet is diverted to the auxiliary conveyor for depositing on the auxiliary pile. The mechanism not only accomplishes sorting but the fact of diversion and the observed rate of diversion provides constant instruction to the pressman as to the necessity for, and the degree of, a corrective change in ink feed rate.

Abstract: A lithographic printing press having the usual plate cylinder, blanket cylinder and impression cylinder in pressure engagement with one another, the bearings having at least a normal amount of play so that the journals are supported in normal elevated positions in the bearings depending upon the direction of the pressure vectors, at least the blanket and impression cylinders having phased gaps in the surfaces thereof, tending to cause cyclical, momentary loss of support accompanied by dropping of the blanket cylinder from the normal journal position in the bearing as the region of the gap is traversed, followed immediately by lifting of the blanket cylinder back to normal position resulting in cyclical impact.

Abstract: The circumferential speed of driven ink application rollers is controlled to be less than the circumferential speed of the plate cylinders to which the ink application rollers supply ink and with which it is in friction-transmission connection. Preferably, the speed difference is adjustable, and so arranged that the circumferential speed of the driven ink application roller is less than the plate cylinder, any other driven rollers in the ink train being intermediate between the slowest ink application roller and the plate cylinder and, further, that, in case of sequentially arranged plate cylinders, the relative speeds of the ink application rollers associated with sequential plate cylinders become less, in the direction of web transport, to place frictional loading on the plate cylinders and thus provide for positive engagement of all drive gearing to overcome play therein and improve registration of sequentially printed data.

Abstract: A duplicating system for producing collated copy sets from precollated information. The precollated information is stored on a reversibly driven and reversibly developed web member which is driven past a first copy transfer station when moving in a first direction and past a second copy transfer station when driven in a reverse direction. A development station is positioned in the path of the web to develop the precollated information thereon when the web is moving in either direction. Copy sheets are fed by a first transport past the first transfer station to produce copies thereof when the web is moving in a first direction. Copies are fed by a second transport past the second transfer station to produce copies from the developed web member when the web is moved in a reverse direction. The copies are fed to a first copy receiving tray face down when the web is moving in one direction and to a second copy receiving tray face up when the web is moving in a reverse direction.

Abstract: A combined lithographic/flexographic printing process having a plurality of successive printing stations for printing color images on a substrate in a continuous in-line process. One of the stations prints a first color image using the flexographic process and at least one of the successive printing stations prints a second color image over the first color image using an offset lithographic process in the continuous in-line process.