Abstract: A coater machine, a coater system and a cleaning method of the coater machine are provided. The coater machine includes: a coating platform including a working surface; and a first cleaner device configured to move relative to the working surface to remove a foreign matter on the working surface.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing method and apparatus is described for the printing of three-dimensional (3D) objects. The approach is based on a composite-based additive manufacturing process, except it uses commercial printing methods to achieve even higher speed and throughput. By using the invention, a prototyping and/or production process may be completed in hours rather than months, and the risks and problems of molds is eliminated. There is substantial improvement in the number and type of geometries that can be produced compared to injection molding, and the range of materials is enlarged as are the material properties. The method involves printing a substrate having at least one sheet using a printing technology, and stacking or folding the at least one sheet to form multiple layers consistent with that formed by a 3D model. The printing step is done using a printing technology such as flexography, lithography, offset, gravure, waterless printing, and silkscreen.

Abstract: Variable format offset printing machine having a central impression cylinder The printing machine comprises 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 comprises a blanket cylinder (2) of variable diameter, a plate cylinder (3) of variable diameter, and an offset inking unit (4). Said blanket cylinder (2), plate cylinder (3) and offset inking unit (4) are individually movable between respective withdraw positions and respective multiple working positions for different diameters of the blanket and plate cylinders (2, 3). At least one of said printing stations has the axis of the blanket cylinder (2) and the axis of the plate cylinder (3) comprised in an inclined first plane (P1) which does not comprise the axis of the central impression cylinder (1) at any of said multiple working positions for different diameters of the blanket and plate cylinders (2, 3).

Abstract: A gravure printing system is disclosed. The gravure printing system of the present disclosure is provided with a central roll having a plurality of discrete cells disposed upon an outer surface thereof. A first of the plurality of discrete cells receives a first fluid from a first position internal to the central roll and a second of the plurality of discrete cells receives a second fluid from a second position internal to the central roll, the first fluid being different from the second fluid. The first and second cells are disposed adjacent each other upon the outer 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 process for printing a web substrate in contacting engagement with an external surface of a central roll of a contact printing system is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of: a) providing the central roll with a plurality of cells disposed upon an outer surface thereof; b) providing a first fluid satisfying a first system of equations to a first of the cells from a position internal to the central roll; c) providing a second fluid satisfying a second system of equations to a second of the cells from a position internal to the central roll; d) contactingly engaging the web substrate with the external surface of said central roll and, e) fluidically displacing the first and second fluids from the first and second cells onto the web substrate.

Abstract: A contact printing system is disclosed. The contact printing system has a central roll having a plurality of discrete cells disposed upon an outer surface thereof. Adjacent cells of the plurality of discrete cells each have a fluid disposed therein from a respective location internal to the central roll. Each fluid is disposable from each of the cells to a web substrate and provides a resultant color upon the web substrate having a 2-D gamut boundary represented by a defined system of CIELab equations.

Abstract: A contact printing system is disclosed. The contact printing system can print X colors upon a web substrate in the machine direction. The contact printing system has X-Y printing components where X and Y are whole numbers, 0<Y<X, and X>1.

Abstract: A process for printing a web substrate is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of: a) providing a contact printing system for printing X colors upon a web substrate wherein X is a whole number and X>1; b) providing the contact printing system with X?Y printing components where Y is a whole number and 0<y<X; and, c) printing the X colors upon the web substrate.

Abstract: A process for printing a web substrate in contacting engagement with an external surface of a central roll of a contact printing system is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of: a) providing the central roll with a plurality of discrete cells disposed upon an outer surface thereof; b) contactingly engaging at least two primary fluids internal to the central roll to form a first secondary fluid; c) fluidically displacing the first secondary fluid into a first portion of the plurality of discrete cells from a position internal to the central roll; and, d) displacing the first secondary fluid from each of the first portion of discrete cells onto the web substrate.

Abstract: A gravure printing system is disclosed. The gravure printing system is provided with a central roll having a first plurality of discrete cells disposed upon an outer surface thereof. Each cell of the first plurality of discrete cells is capable of receiving a fluid that is a first combination of at least two primary fluids. Each of the at least two primary fluids are placed in fluid contact at a first position internal to the central roll. The first combination of at least two primary fluids is fluidically displaceable into a first cell of the first plurality of discrete cells from a second position internal to the central roll.

Abstract: A gravure printing system is disclosed. The gravure printing system has a central roll with a plurality of discrete cells disposed upon an outer surface thereof. A first of the plurality of discrete cells are capable of receiving at least one fluid and a second of the plurality of discrete cells are capable of receiving at least two fluids. Each of the fluids is fluidically displaced into the first and second cells from a position internal to the central roll.

Abstract: In an exchangeable cylinder type rotary press driven by a prime mover, it is made possible to make a print of any top-bottom length as desired, independently of a gear train that transmits power from the prime mover to an exchange cylinder unit.

Abstract: A contact printing system is disclosed. The contact printing system is provided with a central roll having a plurality of discrete cells disposed upon an outer surface thereof. Each of the plurality of discrete cells is in fluidic communication with a respective fluid delivery channel. Each of the fluid delivery channels are formed in situ with the formation of the central roll and the plurality of cells.

Abstract: There is described a color control pattern (CP) for the optical measurement of colors printed on a sheet or web substrate (S) by means of a multicolor printing press, especially by means of a multicolor security printing press, which substrate (S) a exhibits an effective printed region (EF) having a multicolor printed image comprising a plurality of juxtaposed colored areas (A-H) printed with a corresponding plurality of printing inks of different colors, wherein the color control pattern (CP) is located in a margin portion (Im) of the substrate (S) next to the effective printed region (EF). The color control pattern (CP) comprises one or more color control strips (a-d) extending transversely to a direction of transport (T) of the substrate (S), each color control strip (a-d) comprising a plurality of distinct color control fields (CF, CFA to CFH) consisting of printed fields of each relevant printing ink that is printed in the effective printed region (EF).

Abstract: A printing machine, which is configured as a printing tower having a plurality of printing units, is usable for double-sided, multicolor printing. A device that is usable for controlling the temperature of the components of one or more of the printing couples is provided. Each printing unit includes a plurality of printing towers that are disposed vertically one over the other. Each of these printing devices has at least one component that is to be temperature controlled and which has a thermal interaction with a fluid of a secondary circuit by way of an inlet. The secondary circuit can have fluid of a primary circuit entered by a feeding station for controlling the temperature. Components that are to be temperature controlled, and that are part of at least two different printing devices, have thermal interactions with two secondary circuits that are different from each other.

Abstract: A sheet-fed offset printing press prints multiple colors on both sides of sheets, preferably on sheets of paper. A first row of in-line printing units print a first side of the sheet, before the sheets are turned in a reversing device, which is followed by a second row of in-line printing units for printing the other side of the sheets. The second row of in-line printing units is followed by one or more varnishing units that are arranged in such a way or include varnishing blanket cylinders that are arranged in such a way that the front sides and the back sides of the passing sheets are varnished.

Abstract: A web fed rotary printing unit is provided. The printing unit includes a plurality of cylinders including a first cylinder assigned a first adjustable drive motor and a second cylinder assigned a second adjustable drive motor. The first and second cylinders are in a mechanical drive connection that can be moved between engaged and disengaged positions. When the mechanical drive connection is engaged, the first drive motor assigned to the first cylinder forms a master drive in dependence on which the second drive motor assigned to the second cylinder can be controlled in the manner of a slave drive.

Abstract: A notching unit includes a notching blade and a notching blade holder. The notching blade holder is moved between a notch forming position where the notching blade forms intermittent notches in a folded signature and a groove waiting position where the notching blade does not form the intermittent notches in the folded signature.

Abstract: A processing machine for webs includes second units which are driven independently of each other by drives. Signals for a lead axle position of a virtual lead axle are supplied to at least one signal line that connects the drives for these several units. The drives are each provided with an offset, which offset determines a permanent, but adjustable, displacement of a set angular position relative to the lead axle.

Abstract: A printing machine includes a decurler 51 for correcting curling of printing paper by sucking the printing paper with images printed thereon, a powder mechanism 61 for applying an anti-offset powder to the printing paper with the images printed thereon, a blower 71, a first pipeline 74 connecting the decurler 51 and an intake port 72 of the blower 71, a second pipeline 76 connecting the powder mechanism 61 and an exhaust port 73 of the blower 71, and a powder tank 62 storing the anti-offset powder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a digital offset printing method for producing a composite image on a substrate wherein the image is made up of a first plurality number of component images, each being formed from a different ink. The method comprises providing a first component image on a first surface, transferring the first component image from the first surface to an intermediate transfer module, repeating said provided and transferring steps for further component images until a second plurality number, less than the first plurality number, of component images has been accumulated on the intermediate transfer module, and transferring the accumulated component images from the intermediate transfer module to the substrate.

Abstract: A sheet-fed offset printing press for printing multiple colors on both sides of sheets, preferably on sheets of paper, includes a first row of in-line printing units for printing a first side of the sheet, followed by a reversing device, followed by a second row of in-line printing units for printing the other side of the sheets, and followed by one or more varnishing units that are disposed in such a way, or include varnishing blanket cylinders that are disposed in such a way, that the front sides and the back sides of the passing sheets are varnished. A further reversing device is inserted between two varnishing units. A method of printing multiple colors on both sides of sheets is also provided.

Abstract: A sheet-fed offset printing press prints multiple colors on both sides of sheets, preferably on sheets of paper. A first row of in-line printing units print a first side of the sheet, before the sheets are turned in a reversing device, which is followed by a second row of in-line printing units for printing the other side of the sheets. The second row of in-line printing units is followed by one or more varnishing units that are arranged in such a way or include varnishing blanket cylinders that are arranged in such a way that the front sides and the back sides of the passing sheets are varnished.

Abstract: Method for loading and exchanging the rollers of the printing units of a printing machine and a device for working the method, the device loading station including a handling carriage for engraved rollers, a storage station for rollers, a reserve station at each of the printing units, a robot for transporting the engraved rollers, either from the loading station or from the storage station to a ready position located in the reserve station. The robot takes an engraved roller either from a reserve position or from the storage station or from the loading station and brings the roller into a working position. The robot is also able to withdraw an engraved roller from its working position in order to bring it either into a reserve position, or into the storage station or into the loading station.

Abstract: A printing and/or varnishing machine having a plurality of sheet-guiding cylinders in which at least one of the cylinders has an outer detachable packing which has enhanced ink repellent characteristics and which significantly reduces wear. The packing has a layered structure which includes a flexible backing material 12, the underside of which is assigned to the base body of the sheet-guiding cylinder 3, a coating 13 of molybdenum or tungsten carbide/cobalt which is adhesively applied to the upper side of the backing material 12, and a sealing layer 14 of a material made from the group of polysiloxanes which is adhesively applied to the upper side of the coating 13. The side of the packings 5, 6 which faces the material to be printed has a surface profile consisting of cones 18 with rounded tips 16 for reduced sheet contact.

Abstract: A sheet-fed printing press includes a printing section for printing on sheets of paper, a sheet discharge section for discharging sheets of paper printed at the printing section from the printing section, a see-through part provided on the upper side of the sheet discharge section so that the inside of the sheet discharge section can be visually observed therethrough, and a color check table, on which a printed sheet of paper picked up from the sheet discharge section is placed for color checking thereof The color check table is located so as to at least partially cover the see-through part from above. The color check table is designed to be movable in a sheet transfer direction so that an area of the see-through part exposed to the outside on the downstream side of the color check table is increased as the color check table is moved towards an upstream side of the sheet transfer direction.

Abstract: A drive mechanism of a cylinder of a printing machine uses a drive motor. The cylinder and the drive motor can be moved relative to one another in an axial direction. A coupling, whose length can be varied in a linear direction by a given amount, and which has a lamella packet connected to flanges in a positive locking manner, is arranged between the drive motor and the cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus for setting the lateral register of a printing unit of a rotary press that prints on a paper web includes a first bearing block configured as a locating bearing arranged on the drive side of a forme cylinder; and a second bearing block configured as a floating bearing on the operating side of the forme cylinder. A pressure medium operated operating cylinder displaces the first bearing block axially and presses it against an adjustable stop without play for the purpose of setting the lateral register. A controller controls the axial location of the adjustable stop in at least one of a closed-loop fashion and an open-loop fashion based on register deviations determined by a scanning optics unit.

Abstract: A method of printing with a rotary printing press having a plurality of printing cylinders that are adapted to be adjusted on and off from a running web, with a length of a printed image being larger than a peripheral length of the largest one of the printing cylinders, the method including the steps of subdividing the printed image into elements, printing these elements with different printing cylinders, and periodically shifting at least one of the printing cylinders off from the web, each time for at least a duration of one turn of the printing cylinder.

Abstract: A satellite printing machine for printing sheets includes a single central common counter-pressure cylinder and at least four satellite printing groups arranged in a peripherally distributed manner about the counter-pressure cylinder in a rotational direction thereof from a feed cylinder to an output cylinder. The counter-pressure cylinder is provided in the form of a rubber blanket cylinder. At least one additional satellite printing group cooperates with the counter-pressure cylinder for at least single-color back side printing, and is disposed in the rotational direction of the counter-pressure cylinder before the feed system and after the output cylinder.

Abstract: A sheet-fed printing machine made up of units in an in-line construction includes a sheet-feeding unit disposed between a sheet separating unit and a sheet processing unit following the sheet separating unit. The sheet feeding unit is formed so that it is selectively pre-arrangeable upline from various types of sheet processing units for creating various types of sheet-fed printing machines of a building block system.

Abstract: To provide a synchronous controller of a rotary press for selecting a control subject based on print image information, wherein the rotary press of a multicolor printing unit has a printing division for printing a print image on the plate cylinder onto continuous paper passing between two blanket cylinders via the blanket cylinders and is constituted by combining at least two such printing divisions, and the controller has a print image allocation setting division for allocating print images to be printed to each printing couple, a driving unit for individually driving the printing couples, a slave control division for controlling rotation of the driving unit, and a master control division provided by connecting the slave control division and print image allocation setting division.

Abstract: A rotary printing machine comprising two supporting shoulders, a central drum or cylinder being rotatably mounted on the supporting shoulders, at least one printing unit being arranged around the drum and comprising a printing plate cylinder and an anilox roller, which are rotatably mounted on a respective pair of supporting elements and whose rotation axis is parallel to the axis of the drum, wherein at least the central drum is actuated by a source of motion which directly engages an axial shank of the drum.

Abstract: Sheet-fed printing press, especially, satellite-type printing press is disclosed by which double-side printing is performed with single satellite-type press and, in case sheet reversing is not needed, sheet perfecting apparatus does not intervene with sheet transfer path.

Abstract: A web offset printing press for dual webs includes several printing units, each printing a color image on outer sides of a pair of webs. The webs travel through these printing units in a back-to-back arrangement. Additional printing units print another color image on the outer side. The webs may be separated during this process, with a pair of printing couples used for each web, so that one couple may print the additional image while the plate of the other is changed. The additional printing units also print a single-color image on the opposite side of each web.

Abstract: A printing press includes an impression cylinder, a seal cylinder, two number printing cylinders, and a transfer cylinder. The distance L1 between the outer circumference of the impression cylinder and the outer circumference of the impression cylinder, and the distance L2 between the outer circumference of the impression cylinder and the outer circumference of the impression cylinder are set longer than the sheet length Lo of the effective printing area of the sheet, and the distance L3 between the outer circumference of the impression cylinder and the outer circumference of the impression cylinder is set shorter than the sum of the effective impression area length La of the impression cylinder and double of length Lb of the notch of the impression cylinder, and an inspection portion for inspecting the sheet supplied to the impression cylinder is also provided.

Abstract: Two ink applicators, each with an ink roll and an ink chamber, for supplying ink to a print roll, and one or more applicator adjustment mechanisms for retracting one ink applicator away from the print roll while the other ink applicator contacts and supplies ink to the print roll. The applicator adjustment mechanisms has eccentric bearings and gears, a primary actuator operates each applicator adjustment mechanism, and a secondary actuator operates a travel limiting mechanism connected to the primary actuator. Alternatively, one or more actuators operate one or more pivot arms, with the ink applicators mounted thereon, for engaging or retracting the ink applicators. A main drive rotates the print roll and the ink rolls, a registration adjustment mechanism with differential gearing permits adjusting the print roll rate of rotation, and an idle drive mechanism with clutches and motors permits rotating the ink rolls independently of the main drive.

Abstract: A flexographic printing machine comprises a counter pressure cylinder, which is mounted in a printing machine frame and is intended for several printing units, which comprise printing rollers and related inking units and are disposed on their own brackets in such a manner that each printing roller and each inking roller on each bracket can be moved in relation to each other and both of them together can engage with the counter pressure cylinder. The counter pressure roller and the printing and inking rollers are provided with drives. To set arbitrary lengths of print, the brackets are held moveably in such a manner in guides of the printing machine frame or in guides connected to them and can be fixed in desired positions that during displacement the axes of the printing rollers lie on cylinders, which are concentric to the axis of the counter pressure cylinder.

Abstract: To provide a synchronous controller of a rotary press for selecting a control subject based on print image information, wherein the rotary press of a multicolor printing unit has a printing division for printing a print image on the plate cylinder onto continuous paper passing between two blanket cylinders via the blanket cylinders and is constituted by combining at least two such printing divisions, and the controller has a print image allocation setting division for allocating print images to be printed to each printing couple, a driving unit for individually driving the printing couples, a slave control division for controlling rotation of the driving unit, and a master control division provided by connecting the slave control division and print image allocation setting division.

Abstract: A stamp cylinder, upstream number cylinder, downstream number cylinder and a paper discharge cylinder are respectively arranged with respect to an impression cylinder so that a distance between the stamp cylinder and the upstream number cylinder has a length equal to or more than a length of a sheet paper. Also, a distance between the downstream cylinder and the paper discharge cylinder has a length equal to or more than a length of a sheet paper. Further, a distance between the stamp cylinder and the downstream number cylinder has a length equal to or less than a length obtained by adding a length of the effective surface of the impression cylinder to twice a length of the notch portion of the impression cylinder.

Abstract: A method for multicolor printing of stock in web or plate form and having a smooth, nonabsorbent surface, includes printing on the stock by the indirect flexographic printing process; assigning each color to be printed to a respective printing unit which includes an inking unit, a cylinder for a flexographic printing form, a transfer cylinder and a counterpressure cylinder; always drying the ink on the stock before passing the stock to the next printing unit; and removing ink located in indentations and on sides, respectively, of the printing surfaces of the flexographic printing form; and a printing press for printing in accordance with the method.

Abstract: A suction-air control device for controlling suction air applied to suction openings of a printing-press cylinder, having controllable valves by which the suction openings are connectable to a suction-air source, and a first pneumatic control device for timed or cyclically feeding the suction air, includes a second pneumatic control device for controlling the suction air in a manner dependent upon the format of the printing substrate, the valves being pneumatically controllable and being disposed on the cylinder.

Abstract: A sheet-fed printing press having a plurality of stations arranged in a row and including at least one feeder, at least one digital printing unit and at least one delivery, and a common sheet transport path, over which all sheets pass, extending between the at least one printing unit and the at least one delivery, includes a postprocessing unit for the printing press, having a plurality of postprocessing stations arranged in a row, the row of postprocessing stations being disposed parallel to and offset with respect to the row of stations of the printing press, a sheet deflector disposed on the common sheet transport path for feeding the sheets selectively to the at least one delivery and to a collecting container for receiving a batch of sheets, and a displacement device for pushing a batch of sheets, which have been collected in the collecting container, transversely to the general sheet transport direction in the printing press, into an input station of the postprocessing unit.

Abstract: A method for multicolor printing, wherein stored information from the surface of a printing material obtained from an earlier pass of the printing material is applied to subsequent passes of the printing material through the printing machine, and wherein the image signals obtained by means of an image pickup device from at least one surface of the printed material are stored in a steering-or control device, and wherein the stored image signals are applied to subsequent passes of the printed material through the printing machine. The invention can be applied to other devices for producing printed images.

Abstract: Apparatus for color printing on a moveable receiver includes a re-inkable belt including an ink transfer layer where an ink can be transferred; a structure for causing the moveable receiver to move into proximate contact with the re-inkable belt at a nip position for transferring ink imagewise to the moveable receiver; and an interface capillary spaced from the re-inkable belt and for receiving ink and including pumping structure operating on the ink in the interface capillary for forming a meniscus in such space which engages the re-inkable belt so that ink will be diffused into the ink transfer surface. The apparatus further forms a meniscus when the re-inkable belt passes by the interface capillary to cause ink to diffuse into the ink transfer layer when the ink transfer layer is saturated with ink.

Abstract: A method of printing a color image on a medium, the method comprising the following steps:separating the image to be reproduced into a composition of colored unit areas, said unit areas being disposed in a predetermined distribution, the color of each unit area being selected from a predetermined set of base colors and a predetermined set of tones of said base colors, the number of tones for at least one of the base colors being greater than or equal to three, the base color and the tone allocated to each of said unit areas being selected so that said composition of colored unit areas visually reconstitutes the image to be reproduced; andprinting said composition of colored unit areas on said medium by means of inks whose hues are selected, taking into account the color of said support, so as to be capable of reproducing said base colors and the tones thereof during printing, the tone of a base color allocated to a given unit area being obtained during printing by acting on the proportion of each ink within t

Abstract: A hollow cylinder retention device includes a hollow cylinder and a pair of bearers disposed at opposite ends of the hollow cylinder. Mounted on each of the bearers is a bushing including an actuator for applying a clamping force to a clamping portion of the bearers to securely clamp the hollow cylinder onto a rotatable cylinder shaft. The bushings are arranged on the respective bearings to apply a clamping pressure at a location that is spaced from the bearer points where the hollow cylinder is mounted on the bearers to avoid damage to the bushings and bearers. The hollow cylinder, bearers and bushings are connected to form an integral unit that is easily and quickly mounted and removed from a rotatable shaft.

Abstract: A system and a method for producing displays such as signs and cards includes a continuous substrate of material which is passed from a supply roller to a take-up roller. A series of printing stations apply a four-color image to the substrate. A fifth printing station then applies a layer of opaque ink to selected portions of the four-color image. Subsequently, a rotating silk screen applies a pattern of viscous translucent ink to form extraordinarily thick ridges on selected portions of the four-color image and opaque ink layer. Finally, a metalized substrate is laminated to the plastic substrate over the various ink layers.

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.