Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided a method of measuring the amount of fountain solution employed in a digital offset lithography printing system. Fountain solution thickness is measured by using phase shifted monochromic light to produce optical path differences through the fountain solution film. The intensity of the reflected light through the fountain solution film is very sensitive due to the phase shifted light so interference fringes are easier to delineate and fountain solution thickness measurement more reliable.

Abstract: A method includes the steps of: a) printing a first print job on a printing machine using a printing fluid, a substrate, a specified ICC profile, and a first machine setting; b) preparing the printing operation of a second print job involving a change of the printing fluid and/or of the substrate; and c) printing the second print job using a second combination of printing fluid and substrate. Step b) includes: b1) printing a test print having a plurality of test fields; b2) recording the test fields; b3) computationally determining and saving a quality value based on the test fields; b4) determining and saving an adjustment value for a machine setting; and b5) selectively changing a printing machine setting from the first machine setting to a second machine setting using the adjustment value or keeping the first printing machine setting, and the making a choice based on a quality value.

Abstract: A method of distinguishing between fluids may include providing a current to an electrode disposed within a fluidic passageway of a fluidic die, the current to be forced into a fluid within the fluidic die, sensing an impedance at the electrode, and determining a particle vehicle separation level of the fluid based on the sensed impedance between a first instance and a second instance.

Abstract: A media registration system includes a puller clamp, and a puller track to support the puller clamp. The puller track is to open and close the puller clamp with movement of the puller clamp along the puller track.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for designing a four-bar linkage mechanism. The technique includes receiving an input coupler curve that defines motion within a plane with respect to a point that is to be included on the four-bar linkage mechanism; generating a set of sample points, wherein each point in the set of sample points corresponds to a different location on the input coupler curve; and implementing a global optimization solver to generate a first design for the four-bar linkage mechanism. The first design includes at least one value for each geometric variable included in a set of geometric variables associated with the four-bar linkage, where at least one of the geometric variables is based on one of the sample points. The first design generates an output coupler curve that approximates the input coupler curve.

Abstract: An embossing apparatus includes an embossing die that includes a printed relief pattern made up of multiple layers of a deposited material. A resilient surface presses media against the embossing die such that embossed features corresponding to the embossing die are formed in the media. A method for embossing media includes forming an embossing die by depositing multiple layers of ink on a impression layer to form a relief pattern and pressing media against the embossing die to transfer the relief image to the media.

Abstract: In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, a fluidic die is described. The die includes an array of fluid actuators grouped into primitives. The die also includes an array of actuator evaluators, wherein each actuator evaluator of the fluidic die is coupled to a subset of the array of fluid actuators. A fluid actuator controller groups multiple fluid actuators of the array of fluid actuators into primitives. A primitive size is greater than or equal to a lower limit threshold and the subset of the array of fluid actuators coupled to the actuator evaluation device is less than or equal to the lower limit threshold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device or method for detecting and adjusting the printing parameters in flexographic printing machines.

Abstract: A flexible belt is disclosed for use in a printing system. The belt comprises an endless strip which, in use, travels along a continuous path. Formations are provided along the sides of the strip which are capable of engaging with lateral tracks to place the belt under lateral tension, the lateral tracks further serving to constrain the belt to follow the continuous path.

Abstract: The present specification describes a reverse offset printing apparatus and a method.

Abstract: A temperature control assembly controls the temperature of functional parts of a printing machine. The temperature control assembly comprises a plurality of assembly-side sub-circuits, the temperature of which is to be individually controlled, each sub-circuit having a temperature-control fluid outlet and a temperature-control fluid inlet, on each of which, in order to form a respective temperature control circuit, one or more functional parts can be connected as loads of a temperature-controlling external temperature control sub-circuit by the use of releasable connections, and which, on the feed side of the temperature control thereof, are or can be thermally and fluidically coupled, via respective removal points, to a common feed line, and on the return side, via each return point, to a common fluid return.

Abstract: A screen printing method for creating an image on a target support by providing a screen printing machine comprising a supporting structure a matrix mounted on the supporting structure, in which an image is defined, and a supporting surface, the matrix being faced to the supporting surface when the supporting structure is arranged in a lower position; placing the supporting structure in the lower position; applying ink on at least a portion of the matrix to enable the ink to move from the matrix to the supporting surface, such as to reproduce the image on at least a portion of the supporting surface; placing the supporting structure in an upper position; providing a transferring support to transfer the ink from the supporting surface to the target support, applying an adhesive portion of the transferring support to a region of the supporting surface on which the ink is placed; removing the transferring support from the supporting surface; and applying the adhesive portion to the target support, to allow the i

Abstract: Negative-working, IR-sensitive dry printing plates utilize an oleophobic topmost layer, a nitrocellulose-based imaging layer ablatable by laser discharge, and a grained metal substrate with no heat-insulating layer intervening between the imaging layer and the substrate.

Abstract: An inking device for printing machines that comprises an inking body which is designed to be arranged so as to face the lateral surface of an anilox roller and forms an inking chamber that is open toward the anilox roller and has at least one inlet for introducing the ink into the inking chamber and at least one outlet for the exit of the ink from the inking chamber, and control elements that are adapted to vary the passage opening of the or of each outlet as a function of the pressure of the ink in the inking chamber.

Abstract: Provided is an intaglio printing press including: a gravure printing device, which performs gravure printing on one surface of a sheet of paper; dryers, which dry the one surface of the sheet of paper, on which gravure printing is performed by the gravure printing device; an intaglio printing device, which performs intaglio printing on the sheet of paper having been dried by the dryers; and a printing surface switching device, which transfers the sheet of paper from the gravure printing device to the intaglio printing device in a manner that a surface of the sheet of paper on which the intaglio printing device performs intaglio printing is switched between any one of the one surface and the other surface of the sheet of paper.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a recording unit that performs recording on a recording surface of a recording medium, a discharge section that discharges the recording medium which is transported from the recording unit along a transport path, a first bending member that is in contact with the recording medium which passes through the recording unit in the transport path and is transported toward the discharge section to bend the recording medium, and a second bending member that is in contact with the recording medium on a further downstream side in a direction of the transport than a contact position of the discharge section where a feeding force is applied to the recording medium and maintains a bending shape of the recording medium which is bent by the first bending member as it is, in which the second bending member has mobility.

Abstract: A sheet ejection tray on which a sheet ejected from a sheet ejection port lands, includes: an inclined surface that becomes higher as farther from the sheet ejection port in a sheet ejecting direction; a projecting member that is provided in a region closer to the sheet ejection port than the position on which a leading end of the sheet having a dimension not smaller than a predetermined value lands and which has a guiding surface more inclined than the inclined surface; and an abutting cover that contacts a rear end of the sheet moving toward the sheet ejection port due to the inclination of the guiding surface. The leading end of the sheet passes above the projecting member before landing on the guiding surface. A portion of the sheet closer to the sheet ejection port than the leading end lands on the guiding surface.

Abstract: A variable lithographic inking system includes a chamber blade system configured to supply ink to an anilox member of an inking system. The inking system includes a soft ink transfer roll and a hard form roll. Ink is transferred from the anilox roll to the form roll by way of the transfer roll, and from the form roll to a reimageable surface layer of an imaging member of a variable data lithographic system. An ink layer free of ink history is uniformly applied onto a surface of the form roll, and subsequently transferred to the reimageable surface layer while avoiding or substantially eliminating image ghosting related to inking non-uniformities.

Abstract: A method is provided of charging an inker in a lithographic printing press. The method comprises placing all of the printing units of the printing press in an off impression position, with a continuous substrate passing through the printing units, each printing unit including a blanket cylinder; and in one or more printing units of the plurality of printing units, moving the takeaway roller into contact with the blanket cylinder of the printing unit. Thereafter, the method includes driving the ink train, plate cylinder, blanket cylinder and the take away roller at a first surface speed, whereby the ink from the ink train transmitted to the plate cylinder from the ink train, from the plate cylinder to the blanket cylinder, and from the blanket cylinder to the take away roller; and during said driving step, keeping the continuous substrate stationary or moving the continuous substrate at a second surface speed less than 50% of the first surface speed.

Abstract: A method of inking a substrate in a printing press is provided. The printing press includes a plurality of printing units, each printing unit includes a blanket cylinder, a plate cylinder and an inker. The method includes the steps of running the plate cylinder, blanket cylinder and inker at a press speed, driving the inker independently, printing on a substrate with a desired ink film thickness at the press speed and stopping the press for a press stop event. Stopping the press further includes stopping the inker at a maximum stop rate, stopping the plate cylinder and blanket cylinder at a normal stop rate and moving the plate cylinder and blanket cylinder into an off impression position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for allowing existing rotary printing press units to produce smaller pages at a faster rate of speed without having to replace the press unit. Specifically, the systems and methods relate to retrofitting an existing press unit to produce three pages of material in each full rotation instead of the traditional two pages.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for producing variable pearlescent image elements or portions on image receiving media substrates using a variable digital data offset lithographic architecture which provides for varying lithographic images between cycles of a marking device. Pearlescent inks are provided with a solid particle pearlescent pigment components in a proportion of at least 10% by weight suspended in solution in an ink composition. Pearlescent inks are provided with a solid particle pearlescent pigment components having particle sizes in excess of ten microns suspended in solution in the ink composition. The disclosed systems and methods provide for variable pearlescent image elements or portions to be formed on an image receiving medium substrate separate from, or in combination with, other ink image elements or portions applied using other inks in a single device, and/or in a single pass of the image receiving media substrates through an image forming system.

Abstract: A system comprises an electrophotographic subsystem, a transfer subsystem, an imaging member, and an inking subsystem. The electrophotographic subsystem comprises a photoreceptor, a charging subsystem, an exposure subsystem, and a development subsystem. In operation, the photoreceptor is charged areawise. An exposure pattern is formed by the exposure subsystem on the surface of the charged photoreceptor to thereby write a latent charge image onto the photoreceptor surface. The image is developed with an image defining material, such as a dampening fluid. The image defining material forms a negative pattern of the image to be printed. This negative image is then transferred to the reimageable surface. The negative image is then developed with ink. The inked image may be transferred to a substrate.

Abstract: A method of mounting a flexographic printing plate with structured patterned backing tape includes attaching a first end of a structured patterned backing tape to a printing plate cylinder at a scribe line. The structured patterned backing tape is wrapped around the printing plate cylinder. A second end of the structured patterned backing tape is cut at the scribe line. A first end of a flexographic printing plate is attached to the printing plate cylinder at an offset seam location ahead of the scribe line. The flexographic printing plate is wrapped around the printing plate cylinder. A second end of the flexographic printing plate is cut at the offset seam location.

Abstract: A method of mounting a flexographic printing plate includes disposing a backing tape on a printing plate cylinder forming a taped printing plate cylinder. A transverse center of the flexographic printing plate is attached to the taped printing plate cylinder at a mount line offset relative to a scribe line of the printing plate cylinder. A first portion of the flexographic printing plate is wrapped around a first portion of the taped printing plate cylinder from the mount line outward in a first direction away from the mount line. A second portion of the flexographic printing plate is wrapped around a second portion of the taped printing plate cylinder from the mount line outward in a second direction away from the mount line. The mount line is offset relative to the scribe line at a distance that ensures banding occurs in a non-patterned non-printing area of the flexographic printing plate.

Abstract: A method of printing uniform line widths with angle effect includes transferring ink to a flexo master comprising printing patterns disposed at an adjusted angle relative to a directional printing axis and transferring ink from the flexo master to a substrate. A flexographic printing system includes an ink roll, an anilox roll, a plate cylinder, a flexo master, and an impression cylinder. The flexo master is disposed on a plate cylinder. The flexo master includes printing patterns disposed at an adjusted angle relative to a directional printing axis.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention dispense with the need for lithographic printing plates, instead facilitating direct transfer of ink from a permanent cylinder to a recording medium. Accordingly, instead of being permanently modified to exhibit oleophilic and oleophobic (or hydrophilic) regions, the cylinder is effectively “programmed” with the image prior to each transfer of ink.

Abstract: Systems and methods for allowing existing rotary printing press units to produce smaller pages at a faster rate of speed without having to replace the press unit. Specifically, the systems and methods relate to retrofitting an existing press unit to produce three pages of material in each full rotation instead of the traditional two pages.

Abstract: A system comprises an electrophotographic subsystem, a transfer subsystem, an imaging member, and an inking subsystem. The electrophotographic subsystem comprises a photoreceptor, a charging subsystem, an exposure subsystem, and a development subsystem. In operation, the photoreceptor is charged areawise. An exposure pattern is formed by the exposure subsystem on the surface of the charged photoreceptor to thereby write a latent charge image onto the photoreceptor surface. The image is developed with an image defining material, such as a dampening fluid. The image defining material forms a negative pattern of the image to be printed. This negative image is then transferred to the reimageable surface. The negative image is then developed with ink. The inked image may be transferred to a substrate.

Abstract: Provided are a reverse offset printing apparatus and a reverse offset printing method, including: a printed film supplying unit and a printed film collecting unit for continuously supplying a printed film; a printed film supporting unit provided between the printed film supplying unit and the printed film collecting unit; a printing roll for transferring a printed matter pattern to the printed film on the printed film supporting unit, in which the printed roll is provided so that a progress direction of the printed film is parallel to a rotation direction of the printing roll at a place where the printed matter pattern is transferred; a coating unit coating a printed matter on the printing roll; and a cliché provided on a stage for mounting the cliché in order to form the printed matter pattern on the printing roll.

Abstract: Systems and methods for allowing existing rotary printing press units to produce smaller pages at a faster rate of speed without having to replace the press unit. Specifically, the systems and methods relate to retrofitting an existing press unit to produce three pages of material in each full rotation instead of the traditional two pages.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention dispense with the need for lithographic printing plates, instead facilitating direct transfer of ink from a permanent cylinder to a recording medium. Accordingly, instead of being permanently modified to exhibit oleophilic and oleophobic (or hydrophilic) regions, the cylinder is effectively “programmed” with the image prior to each transfer of ink.

Abstract: A fountain solution for offset lithographic printing ink includes water, one or more surfactants, and a dynamic surface tension of less than 30 dynes/cm. The fountain solution can further include an interfacial tension between the fountain solution and the offset lithographic printing ink of less than 10 dynes/cm. The press waste of a print run applying the fountain solution is reduced to less than 5%. An offset lithographic printing system includes a fountain solution and an offset lithographic printing ink, and the press waste of the offset lithographic printing system is less than 5%.

Abstract: Systems and methods for allowing existing rotary printing press units to produce smaller pages at a faster rate of speed without having to replace the press unit. Specifically, the systems and methods relate to retrofitting an existing press unit to produce three pages of material in each full rotation instead of the traditional two pages.

Abstract: A flexographic printing station prints at least one print stripe of opaque scratch-off coating onto the surface of the card over a PIN as a card member is advanced into a printing station. A print cylinder has a circumferential printing surface that engages an Anilox metering roll and receives the scratch-off coating therefrom and transfers the scratch-off coating from the printing surface onto the surface of the debit card. A controller controls movement of the print cylinder via a mounting mechanism into and out of engagement with the surface of the debit card at a predetermined location and for a predetermined length of time to apply at least one print stripe of predetermined length onto the surface of the debit card based on the length of time the printing surface engages the surface of the debit card.

Abstract: An offset printing apparatus for transferring a phase change ink onto a print medium, which includes a) a phase change ink component for applying a phase change ink in a phase change ink image; b) an imaging member for accepting the phase change ink image from the phase change ink component, and transferring the phase change ink image from the imaging member to the print medium, the imaging member having i) an imaging substrate, and thereover ii) an optional outer layer; and iii) iii) a release agent material coating, wherein the release agent material coating includes a perfluorinated polyether having a skeleton selected from the group consisting of Formulas I and II and mixtures thereof: CF3—(CF2CF2)m—O—(R1R2O)—(R3R3O)n—(R3O)p—(CF2)q—CF3??Formula I and R1—(CF2CF2)m—O—(R2R2O)n—(R2O)p—(CF2)q—CF3—R1??Formula II.

Abstract: A printing press and a method for controlling a printing press include rotatably mounted cylinders. At least two adjacent cylinders roll on one another through bearer rings. At least one of the adjacent cylinders can be rotated actively relative to at least one of the bearer rings by a setting device.

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 flexographic printing station prints at least one print stripe of opaque scratch-off coating onto the surface of the card over a PIN as a card member is advanced into a printing station. A print cylinder has a circumferential printing surface that engages an Anilox metering roll and receives the scratch-off coating therefrom and transfers the scratch-off coating from the printing surface onto the surface of the debit card. A controller controls movement of the print cylinder via a mounting mechanism into and out of engagement with the surface of the debit card at a predetermined location and for a predetermined length of time to apply at least one print stripe of predetermined length onto the surface of the debit card based on the length of time the printing surface engages the surface of the debit card.

Abstract: A flexographic printing station prints at least one print stripe of opaque scratch-off coating onto the surface of the card over a PIN as a card member is advanced into a printing station. A print cylinder has a circumferential printing surface that engages an Anilox metering roll and receives the scratch-off coating therefrom and transfers the scratch-off coating from the printing surface onto the surface of the debit card. A controller controls movement of the print cylinder via a mounting mechanism into and out of engagement with the surface of the debit card at a predetermined location and for a predetermined length of time to apply at least one print stripe of predetermined length onto the surface of the debit card based on the length of time the printing surface engages the surface of the debit card.

Abstract: An offset lithography printing press and method wherein dampening structure applies a thin moisture layer directly to a blanket cylinder to facilitate separation between the blanket cylinder and paper or other printable sheet material when passing through a nip between the blanket cylinder and an impression cylinder.

Abstract: In a cylinder throw-on/off apparatus for a printing press, a cylinder throw-on/off motor is driven while the notch of a blanket cylinder opposes the notch of a plate cylinder to throw on/off the blanket cylinder with respect to the plate cylinder, and driven while the notch of the blanket cylinder opposes the notch of an impression cylinder to throw on/off the blanket cylinder with respect to the impression cylinder. A throw-on operation control unit drives the cylinder throw-on/off motor, to control throw-on operation of the blanket cylinder for the plate cylinder and the impression cylinder. A motor drive amount calculation unit obtains a drive amount of the cylinder throw-on/off motor, while controlling the throw-on operation of the blanket cylinder, in accordance with the rotation phase of the printing press.

Abstract: A printing unit having at least one press unit, the, or each, press unit having at least one form cylinder, a transfer cylinder, an inking unit and preferably a damping unit, and having at least one imaging device for imaging and/or de-imaging a rewritable and erasable printing form positioned on the form cylinder. The inking unit, if appropriate together with the damping unit, can be pivoted with respect to a form cylinder from a printing position into a rest position. The imaging device can be pivoted with respect to the form cylinder from an imaging position into a rest position. The imaging device is pivoted into a rest position when the inking unit and, if appropriate, damping unit is pivoted into the printing position and, when the imaging device is pivoted into the imaging position, the inking unit and, if appropriate, the damping unit is pivoted into a rest position.

Abstract: A device for adjusting the position of a printing unit with respect to a printing web in a rotary printing machine comprising a control unit operable for controlling the movement of the printing unit from a predefined initial position Pi to a predefined end position Pf by successive steps T. A vision system is operable for capturing images of the formats (F) which are successively printed on the printing web between the initial position Pi and the end position Pf. A calculation unit is operable for evaluating the images and for determining the position Popt of the printing unit at which the images are identical and additionally the position at which the grayscale of the pixels of each image are identical.

Abstract: A system and method for making an image printing plate and for positioning control of a lithographic printing plate in the system. The system includes a carrier plate for supporting the printing plate for thereby increasing image quality, and a controlled curing device for improved accuracy of curing.

Abstract: An offset printing press is provided, including at least one unit for printing a web of paper, a device for transversely cutting the web of paper arranged downstream of the printing unit, and at least one system for controlling the printing unit. The control system is suitable for controlling, when the web of paper is moving, the implementation of steps involving: a) moving the printing unit into a throw-off configuration, the web of paper moving in the space delimited between the blanket cylinders, b) slowing down or accelerating the plate cylinder in order to modify the adjustment of the cutting register between the printing unit and the cutting device, c) moving the printing unit into a throw-on configuration.

Abstract: An offset lithography printing press and method wherein dampening structure applies a thin moisture layer directly to a blanket cylinder to facilitate separation between the blanket cylinder and paper or other printable sheet material when passing through a nip between the blanket cylinder and an impression cylinder.

Abstract: A method for treating a re-imageable printing form includes surface modifying a surface of the printing form acting as a printing area in a nanoscopic range by chemically functionalizing the surface through covering with molecules, in particular amphiphilic molecules or polymers. The printing form is subjected to a primary process of imaging by laser radiation, and subjected to a primary process of application of at least one lithographic fluid, for example dampening solution, printing ink and/or varnish. The molecules are fixed in image regions by the primary process of imaging. The molecules are removed in non-image regions substantially by at least one primary process different than the application of printing ink, in particular by imaging, application of dampening solution or chemical developing. An apparatus for treating a re-imageable printing form, a machine for processing printing material and a method for treating a surface contacting printing material, are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a variable printing machine which is embodied in the form of at least two offset printing apparatus (1) and comprises a frame bearing an opposite cylinder against which a blanket (11) to be printed is pressed by a blanket drum. Printing ink is supplied to a printing cylinder which contacts the blanket drum by means of inking rollers. The inventive printing machine is characterized in the following: the opposite cylinder of each apparatus (1) is devoid of all rotatable transmissions; a levelling between two adjacent units which print one and the same blanket face (11) is embodied in such a way that said blanket is in contact with the blanket drums only.

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.