Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for ink estimation. One embodiment is a system for dynamically revising ink estimation models. The system includes a memory storing a virtual machine for instantiating virtual printers that estimate amounts of ink used by a printer for print jobs, and a controller able, for each print job, to: identify estimated amounts of ink determined by the virtual printers according to each of multiple configurations for the printer, and identify a chosen configuration and a corresponding actual amount of ink used by the printer. The controller selects a configuration, determines that estimated amounts of ink for the selected configuration have less than a threshold difference from actual amounts of ink for each of multiple print jobs, and updates an ink estimation model at the virtual machine based on the estimated amounts of ink and corresponding print job data for the selected configuration.

Abstract: There is disclosed a selective wetting apparatus comprising a roller rotatable about a roller axis and comprising a wettable roller surface; an applicator unit having a lip which extends parallel to the roller axis and is radially spaced apart from the roller surface by a gap, wherein the applicator unit is to convey liquid agent towards the roller so that the liquid agent forms a liquid bridge over the gap to wet a wetted axial portion of the roller surface; and a flow guide to direct a gas flow into a regulated axial portion of the gap to locally prevent formation of a liquid bridge, and thereby prevent wetting of a corresponding axial portion of the roller surface.

Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus is provided including: a plurality of heads; and a maintenance unit movable in a first direction between a first position at which the maintenance unit faces the plurality of heads and a second position at which the maintenance unit does not face the plurality of heads, and configured to perform maintenance for the plurality of heads. The maintenance unit has a plurality of suction units corresponding to the plurality of heads, respectively, and a base unit to which the plurality of suction units are attached. The plurality of suction units includes a movable suction unit attached to the base unit so that, in a case that the maintenance unit is arranged at the first position, the movable suction unit is movable in a second direction, which crosses the first direction and which is a direction approaching closely to or separating away from the plurality of heads.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a digital ink duct for a printing press, comprising an ink tank for storing ink, a main ink pipe that communicates with the ink tank, at least one metering-type ink delivery device, ink delivery pipes, a controller and a signal acquisition device. In the present invention, high-accuracy, metering-type ink delivery devices are arranged in a queue to form a digital ink duct which replaces the traditional ink duct and supplies ink for the ink zones. The present invention can perform accurate adjustment in real time, is high in automation and digitalization degree, and can realize one-way ink delivery and avoid ink return.

Abstract: A printing machine has an ink fountain, a fountain roller in contact with the ink fountain, a ductor roller, at least an ink transfer roller and a controller configured and programmed to control the ductor roller. For the printing machine, individual graph data gr and its initial values gri, and average g of the graph data over the entire ductor roller and its initial value gi are used to change graph data gr and g during printing so as to cancel errors between measured printed densities and desired printed densities. An adjustment apparatus and method also achieve this task for such a printing machine.

Abstract: Correction values (??1-??n) according to image area ratios in ranges of a printing plate of a preceding print job corresponding to ink fountain keys (4-1-4-n) are obtained. Opening amounts (?1b-?nb) of the ink fountain keys (4-1-4-n) corresponding to the image of the printing plate (7?) of a next print job are corrected by correction values (??1-??n) to obtain corrected opening amounts (?1b?-?nb?). In a state in which ink in an ink roller group (6) has been decreased by scraping and removing it by an ink scraper blade (15) and in a state in which the opening amounts of the ink fountain keys (4-1-4-n ) have been set to the corrected opening amounts (?1b?-?nb?), an ink film thickness distribution corresponding to the image of the printing plate of the next print job is formed on the ink roller group (6).

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 sets the inking in a printing press with multiple ink zones in an inking unit of a printing unit. The method includes: printing a test form onto a printing substrate with an intentional pre-defined color deviation from the intended target color; correcting the previously set ink setting and the defined set color deviation with regard to the respective target value in the wet condition of the printing substrate by a color measuring device; and taking color measurements of the dried printing substrate using the color measuring device. The measured color values established in the dry state and the original of the test form in a computer are compared. The ink setting that belongs to the ink zone with the smallest deviation from the intended target color is used as the target ink setting for the printing process.

Abstract: Provided is a printing apparatus including a positioning unit that positions a print object, a printing unit that prints a predetermined print image on the print object after elapse of a predetermined standby time since the print object is positioned by the positioning unit, and a controller that adjusts the standby time depending on quality of the print image printed on the print object by the printing unit, and controls the printing unit so as to print the print image on a subsequent print object after the elapse of the adjusted standby time.

Abstract: A motor position controller includes a temporary setting portion, a position command generating device, a motor controlling part, and a second conformity determination portion. The motor position controller drives a motor based on an input of a command pulse signal and a setting of a desired pulse form. The temporary setting portion is configured to consecutively temporarily set a plurality of the pulse form settings following a predetermined order. The position command generating device is configured to generate a position command signal from the command pulse signal in accordance with the desired pulse form setting. The motor controlling part is configured to supply power to the motor based on the position command signal. The second conformity determination portion is configured to input the command pulse signal, input the pulse form setting temporarily set by the temporary setting portion.

Abstract: A method for adjusting ink zone openings in an ink fountain of a printing press uses a computer. The computer calculates a deflection of the ink fountain on the basis of an ink fountain model which contains forces that act on the ink fountain, and takes the calculated deflection of the ink fountain into consideration during the adjustment of the ink zone openings.

Abstract: User-related features of a printing system are disclosed herein. Some embodiments relate to a time-line GUI for visualizing and/or manipulating queued print jobs which may be employed. Some embodiments relate to a reversed augmented reality GUI for visualization and/or control of the printing system. In some embodiments, a display screen is mounted to a printer housing and/or able to control access to moving parts of a printing system.

Abstract: A doctor blade head for coating a transfer roller includes a semi-cylindrical cavity to enable streamline fluid flow therethrough, and check plates at the inlet and outlet openings for permitting unidirectional flow into the inlet opening from said pump and out of the outlet opening toward the pump. An hydraulic accumulator acts as a fluid pressure and fluid velocity balancing device, and includes a rolling diaphragm piston moving in a cylinder that is connected to the inlet fluid path, with a spring impinging on the piston to absorb pressure surges and compensate pressure dropoffs.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an ink rail assembly having a key sharing provision. The ink rail assembly includes a page pack having an ink inlet for receiving ink from an ink source and an ink outlet; and an ink rail fluidly coupled to the page pack ink outlet. The ink rail includes at least two ink keys for delivering ink to a drum of a printing press, and a diverter assembly in fluid communication with the at least two ink keys and to the page pack to control the flow of ink from the page pack and selective divert the flow of ink between the at least two ink keys.

Abstract: A method for controlling an inking unit of a printing press, includes resetting an ink metering element from first to second metered quantities for an intended inking level. The metering element is set to a temporary, third metered ink quantity by a control unit, for a time interval, during a non-steady phase of the inking unit before reaching the intended level. A value of a variable characterizing the inking state of printing material is determined and a plurality of sets of values for the variable are predefined, into which the determined value can be grouped. The temporary metering quantity is carried out: at a first rate and/or during a first time period if the value of the variable lies in a first set of values, and at a second rate and/or in a second time period if the value of the variable lies in a second, different set of values.

Abstract: A method for controlling inking units having a plurality of zones and/or dampening units in printing presses, includes determining reference values, which are dependent on surface area coverage and/or location, through the use of a computer for the inking zones in the inking unit. Deviations of detected color measuring values from the reference values are calculated for each inking zone. The calculated deviations are compared with data stored in the computer and corresponding with causes of color problems. The computer determines causes of color problems in the inking unit and/or dampening unit by comparison with the data.

Abstract: A roll blade coating method including transferring an excessive amount of a coating liquid onto a continuously running web, and adjusting the excessive amount of the coating liquid to a desired adhesion amount with a roll blade, wherein the roll blade is held by a holding member for holding the roll blade, wherein the holding member is pressed by a plurality of air cylinders each configured to press the holding member, wherein the air cylinders are arranged in a side of the holding member, which side is opposite to a side where the holding member holds the roll blade, and wherein the air cylinders can separately be adjusted in air pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for metering printing ink includes an ink fountain roller, an ink fountain and a mounting for the ink fountain. The mounting permits an adjustment of the ink fountain relative to the ink fountain roller. The mounting has at least one elastic element for generating a holding force. The mounting is configured in such a way that a force flux which results from the holding force deflects the ink fountain roller in such a way that its longitudinal outer contour is adapted to the longitudinal outer contour of the ink fountain. A printing press having the apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: In an ink film thickness distribution correction method in an ink supply apparatus including an ink fountain, a plurality of ink fountain keys, an ink fountain roller, an ink ductor roller, and an ink roller group including at least one ink form roller, the throw-off operation of the ink form roller positioned at the end of the ink roller group is performed during test printing or final printing. The ink feed operation of the ink ductor roller is stopped during test printing or final printing. The ink roller group is divided into a plurality of roller subgroups during test printing or final printing. The ink in some roller subgroups out of the divided roller subgroups is scraped and removed by an ink scraping member. An ink film thickness distribution correction apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of controlling the ink feed to a printed substrate in a lithographic printing press is provided which includes providing, for each of a plurality of ink zones, an ink coverage requirement for a printing unit of the lithographic printing press; color scanning a first ink zone of a plurality of ink zones on a printed substrate as it exits the printing unit of the lithographic printing press; calculating, for each one of the plurality of ink zones, a dynamic flow change based on the static flow change for said each one of the plurality of ink zones and the ink coverage requirement for said each one of the plurality of ink zones; and providing a flow setting for each one of the plurality of ink zones based on the dynamic flow change for said each one of the plurality of ink zones.

Abstract: An Ink-based digital printing system comprises an external fluid applicator for applying multi-component, multi-functional fountain solution to a surface of an imaging plate. The plate is image wise exposed using a high power laser to remove primary components of the fountain solution from select regions of the plate according to digital image data, leaving a layer of the secondary components at said select regions. The plate is then inked with ink useful in printing. The ink adheres to the select regions from which the primary components have been removed to form an ink image. The ink image is transferred at an image transfer step wherein the secondary components enable efficient transfer of the ink to a medium with reduced image quality defects. The multi-component fountain solution comprises primary components that reject or repel ink, and secondary components that function as a release agent.

Abstract: A method for calculating an instantaneous total volume of printing fluid used in a printing press is provided. The method includes inputting parameters of a printing fluid dispenser into a controller, calculating an instantaneous total volume of printing fluid consumed by the printing fluid dispenser using the controller and displaying the calculated instantaneous total volume of printing fluid on a human machine interface. A printing press is also provided.

Abstract: At least one mark is integrated into an image data set from a prepress stage, and the mark is scanned in order to automatically determine a region or an extract of the image data set which is relevant to the determination of zonal area coverage values. Zonal area coverage values for a print are determined from the region or extract, and presetting values for the inking zone setting elements are determined from the zonal area coverage values.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for controlling application of ink in a printing press include predefining a setpoint color value in a device-independent color space. An ink metering element is activated with an ink application value, producing an ink layer thickness, on printing material, associated with the setpoint color value. An actual color value from the ink layer thickness on the printing material is determined, measured or colorimetrically measured in the device-independent color space. Activation with a changed ink application value based on deviation of the actual color value from the setpoint color value, produces an ink layer thickness differing from the produced ink layer thickness. A necessary ink layer thickness change is calculated based on changes in the color values in the device-independent color space upon a change in the ink layer thickness at the point of the actual color value, to determine the changed ink application value.

Abstract: An image processing controlling unit calculates an image processing parameter to reduce an image quality difference between image data read by a first reading unit and a second reading unit depending on a reading characteristic of a reading unit indicated by attached information (reading-unit information) received together with the calculating request and a writing characteristic of a printer. The calculated image processing parameter is stored in a memory. Next, when printing the image data, a middleware unit causes a printer to print the image data based on the image processing parameter held in the memory.

Abstract: A method for adjusting ink zone openings in an ink fountain of a printing press uses a computer. The computer calculates a deflection of the ink fountain on the basis of an ink fountain model which contains forces that act on the ink fountain, and takes the calculated deflection of the ink fountain into consideration during the adjustment of the ink zone openings.

Abstract: A method in connection with coating, comprising a running web (8) arranged to be coated with a coating mix (11), coating means (1) arranged in connection with said web (8), a coating surface (6, 7) at the coating means (1) and arranged in contact with said web (8) to dose said coating mix (11), and said coating means (1) being provided with at least a first coating surface (6) and a second coating surface (7), in such a way that it is possible at said running web (8) to switch between the one (6) and the other (7) surfaces while at least one of said surfaces (6, 7) is in an active contact position.

Abstract: An area coverage, which is carried out by a volume of printing ink transferred to a print stock by an inking unit of a printing press, can be adjusted. An ink feed to the inking unit can be disengaged in zones or can be interrupted in the inking and upon reaching of a final phase of a printing process which was previously carried out by the printing press. The volume of printing ink remaining on the print stock after such a disengagement or interruption in the ink feed in the inking unit in the final phase of the printing process previously carried out by the printing press, is transferred to the print stock until the area coverage made by the volume of printing ink transferred to the print stock equals a specified target value of area coverage for an impression of a subsequent printing process. A corresponding method is also provided for execution in a printing press that has a plurality of printing units.

Abstract: The plausibility of at least one measured value, that is determined in a printing press, and that includes a density of an ink applied to a stock, is assessed. The stock is conveyed through the printing press and the ink is applied to the stock in several inking zones. A relation is formed between a measured ink density value, which is determined for a specific ink in a selected ink zone, and a measured ink density value determined for the same ink in at least one other inking zone. The measured ink density value for the specific ink in the selected ink zone is rejected as being implausible, and is not used for automatically regulating the ink in the printing press, if the relation between the measured value and the measured value for the same ink in the at least one other inking zone inadmissibly either exceeds or lies below at least one predefined threshold value.

Abstract: An ink fountain of a printing press includes a component having a bearing face for bearing printing ink and cells made in the bearing face. An ink fountain roll for an ink fountain of a printing press and a printing press having an ink fountain, are also provided.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus of the present invention is capable of matching an image of a printed matter with a desired image with high accuracy by adjusting tints even when tints change while printing.

Abstract: The ink in a printing press, in which a stock of material is being printed in an ongoing printing process, is registered. At least one ink is applied to the stock in several inking zones. A measured value, indicating an ink density, is determined for the at least one ink which is being applied to the stock in the printing process and within the printing press. A relation is formed between the measured ink density for a specific ink in a selected ink zone and a measured ink density value determined for the same ink in at least one other inking zone. The relation between the measured ink density values in different inking zones is formed only if the majority of the inking zones of a specific inking unit of the printing press supply one respective measured ink density value for an ink supplied by that inking unit, and when the measured ink density value reaches at least a predetermined fraction of a preset, desired value in the respective inking zone.

Abstract: An ink dosing device of a printing group, that includes a printing group cylinder which is configured as a plate cylinder, includes an inking unit. The ink dosing device has a number of physical zones which are arranged next to each other in a longitudinal direction. These physical zones can be individually adjusted by the use of dosing elements in order to individually adjust, section by section, the amount of ink that is applied. A control station is provided with a number of operator elements which are assigned to virtual zones of a printed page. These operator elements are usable to trigger the dosing elements.

Abstract: A method is used for adapting an inking unit of a printing press. During a setup phase for the printing press, at least a first actual value with regard to an ink application that is set at the inking unit and that is applied to the printed material, is determined by use of a first measuring device. The inking unit is initially set using this first actual value. During continuous printing of the printing press, a plurality of second actual values, with respect to a printed image formed on the printed materials, are determined using a second measuring device which is different from the first measuring device. These second values are fed to an ink adapting device for the inking unit. At least one of these several actual values, which corresponds to the setting mode in the setting phase, is set in the ink adjusting device as its setpoint value. The ink adjusting device detects deviations of the other second actual values for this setpoint value and adjusts the inking unit to minimize these deviations.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring zonal inking on a printed product having a plurality of inking zones includes a plurality of optical sensors, each of the optical sensors picking up signals from at least one zonal measurement region assigned to a respective one of the plurality of inking zones of the printed product. The apparatus also includes at least one optical switch connected for receiving the picked up signals from the plurality of optical sensors and at least one measurement device connected to the at least one optical switch for receiving the picked up signals and evaluating the picked up signals.

Abstract: A printing unit of a printing machine is supported by a pair of spaced side frames that are disposed opposite to each other. The printing unit includes at least one printing machine and at least one ink unit. The printing machine is formed by a plurality of printing cylinders. Each of the spaced side frames include a longitudinal crossbar that runs in the direction of transfer of a print substrate traveling through the printing unit. The two longitudinal crossbars form the boundaries of a foot space of the printing unit at two parallel sides. A plurality of pipelines are disposed in the foot space between the two longitudinal crossbars. These pipelines supply flowable media to the printing unit, which flowable media can be either liquid or gaseous. At least one of the pipelines is connected to a user of one of the supplied flowable media in the printing unit or to at least one source of the flowable media. The printing machine can utilize a plurality of printing units.

Abstract: An apparatus for metering printing ink includes an ink fountain roller, an ink fountain and a mounting for the ink fountain. The mounting permits an adjustment of the ink fountain relative to the ink fountain roller. The mounting has at least one elastic element for generating a holding force. The mounting is configured in such a way that a force flux which results from the holding force deflects the ink fountain roller in such a way that its longitudinal outer contour is adapted to the longitudinal outer contour of the ink fountain. A printing press having the apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A method for controlling an inking unit of a printing press, includes resetting an ink metering element from first to second metered quantities for an intended inking level. The metering element is set to a temporary, third metered ink quantity by a control unit, for a time interval, during a non-steady phase of the inking unit before reaching the intended level. A value of a variable characterizing the inking state of printing material is determined and a plurality of sets of values for the variable are predefined, into which the determined value can be grouped. The temporary metering quantity is carried out: at a first rate and/or during a first time period if the value of the variable lies in a first set of values, and at a second rate and/or in a second time period if the value of the variable lies in a second, different set of values.

Abstract: Methods of improving image quality by reducing grain and texture in a printed image are provided. According to one embodiment, a method of reducing grain and texture in an image includes the steps of providing a light color toner and a dark color toner, providing an aperiodic micrononuniformity map, using the aperiodic micrononuniformity map to determine an acceptable domain that includes a plurality of combinations of the light color toner and the dark color toner, and forming an image by selecting one combination of the light color toner and the dark color toner from the plurality of combinations of the light color toner and the dark color toner.

Abstract: A series of pumps for precise metering of ink to all zones of a web press. One set of the ink pumps is operated by a set of motors, one motor for every two zones. The motors are reversible, preferably with a toothed belt driving each pump. The other units include one motor for each pump, with the motor driving a shaft which drives a link arm, the link arm driving a pivot shaft with a variable stroke, ranging from zero to a full output. The link arms are driven individually or as a group, and each has its own stroke. In one case, the pivot shafts are operated by link arms which can be in or out of phase with each other. In another case, an eccentric on the drive shaft can be adjusted to produce a variable stroke of the link arms and the pivot shafts.

Abstract: A printing machine includes a high-speed print device configured to receive a print media and discharge a printed product that includes a printed image. An image capturing device is positioned adjacent the print device and is configured to capture an image of the printed image on the printed product. A computer includes a monitor, a processor, an input device, and a communication device configured to communicate with the print device. The monitor is configured to display the captured image, the input device is configured to allow a user to vary the displayed image, and the processor is configured to calculate an adjustment to the print device in response to the varied image.

Abstract: A printed tone control method for adjusting a printed color tone by comparing image data serving as a reference and image data obtained by reading an image from a print actually made by a printing machine. The method includes a representative point setting step for setting a representative point for use in control of the color tone based on image data, an alternative representative point setting step for setting an alternative representative point that satisfies a predetermined condition when a point inappropriate for tone measurement is selected as the representative point, and a tone adjusting step for adjusting the color tone by using the alternative representative point.

Abstract: An ink dosing device of a printing group, that includes a printing group cylinder which is configured as a plate cylinder, includes an inking unit. The ink dosing device has a number of physical zones which are arranged next to each other in a longitudinal direction. These physical zones can be individually adjusted by the use of dosing elements in order to individually adjust, section by section, the amount of ink that is applied. A control station is provided with a number of operator elements which are assigned to virtual zones of a printed page. These operator elements are usable to trigger the dosing elements.

Abstract: A quantity of ink is dosed in an inking system of a printing machine, which inking system is provided with at least one dosing device that can be used to modify the quantity of ink which is transferred by the inking system. The dosing device can be adjusted by the use of an adjusting element to modify the quantity of ink that is to be transferred. A modification of the quantity of ink is defined by an adjustment of the adjusting element. The dosing device is adjusted in accordance with a pre-determined correlation between the amount of the adjustment of the adjusting device and the current state of the dosing device. The adjustment of the dosing device is carried out in accordance with the correlation in such a way that a relation between the modification of the quantity of ink caused by the adjustment of the dosing device, and the ink quantity transferred by the dosing device remains essentially constant.

Abstract: An inking system for an offset printing press having a stationary portion and a movable portion that is movable toward and away from a roller. A plurality of hinge pins form a pivot axis between the stationary and movable portions. Each of the hinge pins having at least one hollow end portion communicating axially with one of the stationary and movable portions permitting ink flow. Each of the hinge pins also having a radial passage for ink, whereby the ink may pass from the stationary portion to the movable portion, and whereby the ink may be supplied to the movable portion during change of the relative positions of the stationary and movable portions.

Abstract: A device for determining the wear of ink fountain films in an ink fountain has at least one ink metering element and a ductor in a printing press. The ink metering element can be moved in the direction of the ductor. A closed position of the ink metering element with an ink fountain film inserted can be determined, and that deviations from the closed position determined are registered by a sensor and the deviations registered can be supplied to a computer as a basis for determining the wear of the ink fountain film.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus of the present invention is capable of matching an image of a printed matter with a desired image with high accuracy by adjusting tints even when tints change while printing.

Abstract: A cooling system and method for a paper coating device, especially for cooling a coating blade of the coating device and a coating color to be coated on paper web, whereby a streaking and/or bleeding phenomena caused by accumulation of the coating color at the end of the coating blade are effectively inhibited. The cooling system comprises a cooling means equipped at a back surface of the coating blade, interconnecting hoses for communicating coolant to the cooling means, a circulating unit, and a heat-exchanging unit.

Abstract: In a method for controlling the inking in at least one inking unit of an offset press, namely for controlling the zonal inking that can be adjusted by inking zone actuating elements of the respective inking unit, measurement regions are measured for this purpose and actual values determined in the process are compared with predefined intended values in order to generate actuating signals for the inking zone actuating elements on the basis of the comparison between the actual values and the intended values. Control deviations between the measured actual values and the predefined intended values are modified on the basis of a model of the respective inking unit and/or on the basis of data from the subject.

Abstract: A system and processes for the accurate measurement and control of image color values on a printing press with or without the presence of a color bar. More particularly, a barless color control system and processes for controlling the color quality of color images printed on a substrate online or offline, with or without a color bar printed on the substrate. The system provides an efficient and inexpensive method for barless closed loop color control and the processes are conducted without pixel-by-pixel comparisons.