Abstract: A printing system comprises a print station and print medium transport system. The print medium transport system comprises a track and a transport apparatus engaged with the track. The track defines a transport path past the print station, the transport path has a print medium entry point and a print medium exit point. The transport apparatus comprises: a drive for moving the transport apparatus along the track; and a gripping system. The gripping system can be moved between a first position in which a sheet of print medium is gripped and a second position in which the sheet of print medium is released. In use, the gripping system is configured to be in the first position when the transport apparatus is in motion along the track from the print medium entry point to the print medium exit point.

Abstract: A printer is provided, which include: a pick-up roller; a capstan roller; a platen roller; and a cartridge, wherein the cartridge incudes: a cartridge housing, which includes a printing medium receiving groove in which the printing medium is loaded; a feeding bobbin on which a ribbon is wound, a take-up bobbin for winding up the ribbon, a first opening accommodated between the feeding bobbin and the take-up bobbin for guiding the printing medium to sequentially feed from a top stacked printing medium to pass between the feeding bobbin and the take-up bobbin therethrough; and a cam unit configured to install at a lower portion of the printer to pass the printing medium through the first opening after loading the printing medium if the cartridge is loaded, and to print the printing medium by loading the platen roller.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a printing apparatus comprises a band capable of holding hot melt ink thereon, rollers configured and arranged to hold and transport the band with respect to a substrate, a printhead configured to thermally transfer a portion of hot melt ink from the band to the substrate to print on the substrate, an ink feed device configured to add hot melt ink to the band and to heat the hot melt ink on the band, and a rigid blade configured and arranged to cause hot melt ink to pass between a blade edge of the rigid blade and the band, wherein the rigid blade is shaped to minimize a contact area between the rigid blade and the band while controlling ink thickness of the hot melt ink on the band.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a printing apparatus comprises a band capable of holding hot melt ink thereon, rollers configured and arranged to hold and transport the band with respect to a substrate, a printhead configured to thermally transfer a portion of hot melt ink from the band to the substrate to print on the substrate, an ink feed device configured to add hot melt ink to the band and to heat the hot melt ink on the band, and a rigid blade configured and arranged to cause hot melt ink to pass between a blade edge of the rigid blade and the band, wherein the rigid blade is shaped to minimize a contact area between the rigid blade and the band while controlling ink thickness of the hot melt ink on the band.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer comprising: first and second spool supports each being configured to support a spool of ribbon; a ribbon drive configured to cause movement of ribbon from the first spool support to the second spool support; a printhead configured to selectively transfer ink from the ribbon to a substrate, the printhead pressing the print ribbon and substrate together against a print roller; a substrate drive configured to cause movement of a substrate past the printhead; a sensor configured to monitor rotation of the print roller and generate a signal indicative thereof; and a controller configured to determine a measure of movement of the substrate and/or ribbon past the print roller based on the signal output by the sensor.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a transfer member that rotates, a printhead configured to form an image on the transfer member, and a transfer unit configured to transfer, to a print medium, the image formed on the transfer member. A detection unit is configured to detect a surface condition of the transfer member, and a specifying unit is configured to specify a region of the transfer member in which the surface condition is poor, based on a detection result output by the detection unit. In addition, a prohibiting unit is configured to prohibit image formation by the printhead for the region of the transfer member, specified by the specifying unit, for which the surface condition is poor.

Abstract: A lock device is disclosed, which includes: a holder which is provided with a through hole running through the holder and a slide intersecting with the through hole; a guide bar, which is provided with an outer threaded area on at least a portion of a surface and passes through the through hole, and the outer threaded area is located where the through hole intersects with the slide; a lock component received in the slide, and the end of the lock component facing toward the guide bar is provided with a lock threaded area which can engage with the outer threaded area of the guide bar; and a drive assembly which drives a lock assembly to move toward or away from the guide bar in the slide. The guide bar is locked when threads on the lock threaded area engage with outer threads on the outer threaded area.

Abstract: A squeegee device for a printing press, which prints a printing material, at at least one printing point, in accordance with a screen printing process, comprises a screen printing screen, a squeegee which is one of set against the screen printing screen in a thrown-on position and can be set against the screen printing screen In a thrown-on position, a bearing device which makes a throwing-on and throwing-off movement possible between the thrown-on position of the squeegee and a thrown-off position, and a drive device, by the use of which, the squeegee can be set against the screen printing screen and can be set away from the latter during operation in a manner which is correlated to a press or printing material phase position. The drive device is set up to one of bring about and to make possible throwing-on and throwing-off of the squeegee in sequences which differ from one another in one of different positions and the phase lengths in relation to the length of the screen printing screen.

Abstract: A sheet-guiding drum in a sheet-processing machine, comprises a gripper system, a gripper shaft, and a gripper tube. A method for producing a gripper system is also disclosed. The sheet-guiding drum further improves the sheet transport process, in particular the turning process, in sheet-processing machines. The problem addressed by the invention is in particular the provision of a low-wear rolling-element bearing that preferably eliminates the aforementioned disadvantages and, in particular, meets all further boundary conditions. This problem is solved in that the gripper tube is assembled from tube segments.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a digital printing system comprising two independently operable printing towers, each tower having a respective endless intermediate transfer member, a respective image forming system serving under digital control to deposit ink onto the intermediate transfer member to form an ink image on the respective endless intermediate transfer member, a drier for drying the ink image while it is being transported by the intermediate transfer member to form a residue film and a respective impression station at which the residue film is impressed onto a sheet substrate.

Abstract: A sheet-like member holding device includes a first holding unit disposed between a gripper receiving portion and a side wall of a gap, and configured to hold a base of a non-metal sheet. The first holding unit includes a space in which the base is inserted while the non-metal sheet extends inward in a radial direction from an outer surface side of a printing cylinder, and an abutment wall configured to restrict movement of the base to the outside in the radial direction. An end portion of the space in an axial direction of the printing cylinder is open to the outside. This makes it possible to attach and detach the non-metal sheet by a simple method without moving a gripper member or gripper pad.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide enhanced radiant drying capabilities for a printing system utilizing temperature control of a thermally conductive drum. One embodiment comprises a radiant dryer and a control system. The radiant dryer includes a thermally conductive drum and a plurality of radiant energy sources disposed along an outside surface of the drum. The energy sources dry a colorant applied to a print medium in contact with the drum. The radiant dryer further includes a cooling system that applies a coolant to the drum to remove heat from the drum. The control system measures the temperature of the drum, determines a difference between the temperature of the drum and a target temperature, and directs the cooling system to vary an application of the coolant to the drum based on the difference to maintain the drum at the target temperature.

Abstract: According to the present invention a sheet handling apparatus is provided which comprises a rotary drum with openings at its peripheral wall. A strip with perforations formed therein spirals circumferentially over an outer surface of the drum in a circumferential spiralling direction, such that a screen is formed over the drum. A suction system controls a flow of air through the perforations thereby to attract sheets towards the drum. The strip is biased by means of a tensioning assembly, which exerts a tensioning force on the strip substantially parallel to the circumferential spiralling direction of the strip.

Abstract: A method substantially as shown and described in the detailed description and/or drawings and/or elsewhere herein. A device substantially as shown and described in the detailed description and/or drawings and/or elsewhere herein.

Abstract: A removable flexible jacket for use in a printing press having a transfer cylinder for transferring a freshly printed substrate comprises a sheet of woven fabric, a beaded film sheet coupled to the sheet of woven fabric, and an image disposed between the sheet of woven fabric and the beaded film sheet. The image is visible through the beaded film sheet, and wherein the image divides at least a portion of a surface of the beaded film sheet into a plurality of zones.

Abstract: Image forming apparatus and methods are disclosed which include an intermediate transfer member to transfer images to media, an impression roller including a gripping device to receive the media, and a determination module to determine the length of the media held by the at least one gripper unit based on respective detections by first and second set of sensors.

Abstract: A cam follower is affixed to a rotary component that is in mechanical communication with a rotary source such that the cam follower travels along a path when the first rotary source is operating. The cam follower is in mechanical communication with a mechanical component such that, when the cam follower is engaged with a retract dwell section of either of a dynamic cam or a static cam, the mechanical component is retracted. The static cam may be positioned to allow the mechanical component to retract for a predetermined portion of the path.

Abstract: Provided is a jacket to be installed on a surface of one of impression cylinders and transport cylinders. The jacket is produced by the following process. Super hard particles, such as ceramic particles, are scattered on a surface of a sheet-shaped base member. A plating layer is then formed on the surface of the base member in a way that a convex and concave profile formed of the super hard particles is left. In the plating layer, fine particles of low surface energy resin are uniformly dispersed.

Abstract: Image forming apparatus and methods are disclosed which include an intermediate transfer member to transfer images to media, an impression roller including a gripping device to receive the media, and a determination module to determine the length of the media held by the at least one gripper unit based on respective detections by first and second set of sensors.

Abstract: A printing device for printing on a printable media. The printing device comprises a rotating component (1), a gripper mechanically coupled to the rotating component (1) and configured for loading and unloading the printable media to and from the rotating component (1), an actuating element (5) configured for actuating the gripper, the actuation resulting in a disturbance to the rotation of the rotating component (1), and a compensating element (6) shaped such as to reduce the disturbance by applying a compensating mechanical force to the rotating component (1) during the rotation of the rotating component (1).

Abstract: A method and apparatus of securing and tensioning a printing form in an apparatus having a rotatable drum includes securing a first portion of the printing form to a first means for receiving that is coupled to a surface of the drum, and securing a second portion of the printing form to a second means for receiving that is disposed on a rotatable member that extends over a portion of the drum. The rotatable member is rotated so that the circumferential distance between the first receiving means and the second receiving means is about the same as a length of the printing form. A rotary torque means is coupled to the rotatable member to apply a substantially constant torque on the member and tension the printing form about the surface of the drum. The rotary torque means adjusts torque on the member which adjusts tension on the printing form.

Abstract: An independently driven symmetric cam individually opens and closes two different gripper shafts attached to an impression surface to grip and release leading edges of two different media sheets. Also disclosed is a single drive system for controlling multiple independent gripper shafts includes an impression cylinder, at least two gripper shafts on the impression surface of the impression cylinder to hold at least two media sheets to the impression surface, a dynamic cam to independently actuate each of the at least two gripper shafts, and a single drive motor to mechanically rotate the dynamic cam with respect to the impression surface.

Abstract: A clamp mechanism for fixing a printing medium is disclosed in the present invention. The clamp mechanism includes a base, a drum pivotably disposed on the base, a frame disposed on the drum, a clamping component movably disposed on the frame for clamping an end of the printing medium with the drum, and a resilient component disposed between the frame and the clamping component for pressing the clamping component on a surface of the drum so as to clamp the end of the printing medium.

Abstract: A device is presented for adjustment of height in a transport cylinder gripper pad. The device includes a first notch, a gripper pad which is equipped in the first notch, a gripper pad bar, a first adjusting bar, a biasing member which biases the bottom surface of the gripper pad bar against the upper surface of the first adjusting bar, a drive shaft, and a driving unit which moves the drive shaft in the cylinder axial direction. A first connecting portion is interposed between the drive shaft and the first adjusting bar, and moves the first adjusting bar in the cylinder axial direction as the drive shaft moves.

Abstract: A mechanism includes an impression member having an impression surface and impression media covering a portion of the impression surface. In one embodiment, the impression media includes one or more apertures. In one embodiment, the impression media is held by an impression media holding mechanism.

Abstract: A printing press for printing on both sides of sheets is developed with low expenditure on costs and material, makes it possible to print on both sides of sheets in one pass and which has a small overall size. The printing press for printing on both sides of sheets, has at least one printing unit, in which in each case at least one form cylinder and at least one sheet-guiding impression cylinder are provided. A feeder feeds sheets individually one after another to the printing unit. A delivery guides the sheets away from the printing unit, and grippers convey the sheets individually one after another along a path which runs back and forth, the paths crossing one another.

Abstract: Provided is a quality inspection apparatus including: gripper units provided to each delivery chain, each gripper unit configured to hold an end portion of a sheet; an arc-shaped track portion provided in a part of a movement track of the gripper units and formed by the movement track; an inspection unit installed at an opposite side of the arc-shaped track portion from an arc center of the arc-shaped track portion; and a vacuum cylinder installed at the same side of the arc-shaped track portion as the arc center. In the apparatus, while running along the arc-shaped track portion, the sheet is inspected by the inspection unit under a guidance of the vacuum cylinder.

Abstract: A transfer drum between printing units in a sheet-fed printing press includes gripper systems which can be switched to a desired mode of operation by simple measures and ensure stable and reliable transport of a sheet between printing units when in a respective operating position. A drum body has journals for supporting the drum body in side walls and two gripper systems provided on the drum body. The gripper systems are radially extendable into an operating position depending on a selected mode of operation for printing on only one side or for printing on both sides of the sheet. The gripper systems are disposed diametrically opposite each other relative to an axis of rotation of the drum body and are attached to a support disposed in the drum body to move in radial direction.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet-fed printing press that prevents occurrence of troubles, such as damages of a surface treatment member such as a film for the surface treatment of, for example, a sheet of paper, by a simple structure. A gripping surface of a claw block provided in a cylinder of a treatment section is formed into an inclined surface that comes closer to the rotational axis as it advances downstream in a sheet conveying direction of the cylinder, so as not to have the gripper of the cylinder contacting the treatment means. A gripping surface of a claw block provided in a cylinder most adjacent to the treatment section, of plural cylinders, is formed into an inclined surface that, projects further through an outline of this cylinder as it advances downstream in the sheet conveying direction.

Abstract: A centering bush for connecting components includes a bush head having a construction generally in accordance with that of a blade pin. A combination, a system and a printing press having the centering bush, are also provided.

Abstract: An imaging cylinder includes a clamping device embodiment with a pair of independent adjacent clamping elements, and a method embodiment includes placing end edges of a flexible plate between each of the clamping elements of the clamping device and a surface approximately flush with the outer surface of the cylinder. One or more biasing devices, e.g., springs are used to impart a force onto the placed plate towards the surface approximately flush with outer surface of the cylinder. For each independent clamping element, a crank and lever mechanism or other means to translate rotative motion to approximately rectilinear motion is used to open a space between the clamping element and the outer surface when a rotative force is manually applied to provide for mounting and unmounting an end of a plate.

Abstract: A method and a device for converting a mode of operation from straight printing to perfecting in a sheet-processing machine, includes a cam/follower control for operating a gripper system, in which cam followers are maintained in a position in which they are disengaged from control cams before a conversion of the mode of operation is performed. The method and the device convert a gripper system of a reversing drum between a straight or one-sided printing mode and a perfecting or recto-verso printing mode, by controlling pivoting and opening movements of grippers of the gripper system with a control cam. Initially, a cam follower is locked in a position in which it is disengaged from the control cam. Subsequently, a further cam follower is locked in a position in which it is disengaged from a further control cam. Then the gripper system is converted.

Abstract: Various embodiments and methods relating to a drum having a polymer layer with channels on a metal cylinder are disclosed.

Abstract: A medium clamping device includes a device main unit that includes: a first circularly moving body that has a surface circularly moving and harder than a recording medium; a second circularly moving body that has a surface moving circularly and harder than the recording medium passing between the both surfaces of the two circularly moving bodies; and a load applying section that applies a load to at least one of the first circularly moving body and the second circularly moving body, to sandwich the recording medium by the load with two moving bodies. The medium clamping device further includes: a support section that supports the device main unit and is secured to a fixed body; and an alleviating system that alleviates transmission of a shock from the device main unit to the fixed body and is incorporated in the support section.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting sheets to or in a sheet-processing machine includes a gripper device having at least one gripper with a gripper housing and a gripper pad. The gripper is actuatable by a pivoting movement of a gripper shaft. The gripper housing and the gripper pad are pivotably disposed on the gripper shaft and are jointly pivotable about an axis of the gripper shaft under a prescribed periphery.

Abstract: A nip roller is provided that includes a shaft, a first nip disk portion, a second nip disk portion and an attachment section for removably securing the first nip disk portion and the second nip disk portion to the shaft.

Abstract: A transport cylinder gripper pad height adjustment device includes a first notch formed in the outer peripheral portion of a transport cylinder in the cylinder axial direction, a gripper pad which is equipped in the first notch and grips a sheet in cooperation with a gripper, a gripper pad bar which has a bottom surface inclined with respect to the cylinder axial direction, has the gripper pad fixed on it, is supported to restrict in movement in the cylinder axial direction and to be movable in the cylinder radial direction, a first adjusting bar which has an inclined upper surface in contact with the bottom surface of the gripper pad bar, and is supported to be movable in the cylinder axial direction in the first notch, a biasing member which biases the bottom surface of the gripper pad bar against the upper surface of the first adjusting bar in the direction to bring them into press contact with each other, a drive shaft which is supported to be movable in the cylinder axial direction at the center of rotat

Abstract: A device for transporting sheets in recto or verso printing operation has tongs grippers each with upper and lower grippers. The upper gripper, or rigid gripper, that forms the gripper pad can be locked directly or indirectly in recto printing operation.

Abstract: The present invention aims at full-automatic adjustment apparatus for gripper-base height in regularly engaging condition without clutch means. Apparatus according to the invention comprises operation shaft 28 which is co-centered with cylinder axis 16 and is movable in the axial direction of cylinder; the shaft being equipped with rack portion 32 at optional position in the axial direction of cylinder and rotation engagement portion 36 at the extruded end from cylinder axis; adjustment shaft 54 which is rotary provided at the optional position in the axial direction of cylinder to the radial direction and is rotated upon receiving the force from the rack portion 32; the shaft 54 being connected by way of rotation displacement means 58 to gripper-base 22 which is adjustably provided in the radial direction; and drive means 44 which is connected to said rotation engagement portion 36 and moves said operation shaft 28 in the axial direction of cylinder.

Abstract: A printing device for printing on a printable media. The printing device comprises a rotating component (1), a gripper mechanically coupled to the rotating component (1) and configured for loading and unloading the printable media to and from the rotating component (1), an actuating element (5) configured for actuating the gripper, the actuation resulting in a disturbance to the rotation of the rotating component (1), and a compensating element (6) shaped such as to reduce the disturbance by applying a compensating mechanical force to the rotating component (1) during the rotation of the rotating component (1).

Abstract: A printing press for printing on both sides of sheets is developed with low expenditure on costs and material, makes it possible to print on both sides of sheets in one pass and which has a small overall size. The printing press for printing on both sides of sheets, has at least one printing unit, in which in each case at least one form cylinder and at least one sheet-guiding impression cylinder are provided. A feeder feeds sheets individually one after another to the printing unit. A delivery guides the sheets away from the printing unit, and grippers convey the sheets individually one after another along a path which runs back and forth, the paths crossing one another.

Abstract: In the case of a sheet-transporting gripper configuration in a sheet-processing machine, e.g. printing machine, it is provided that a low-mass gripper housing contains thin side walls enclosing a gripper shaft such that imaginary extensions of leaf springs provided intersect at a point on a straight line which passes through gripper tips and a gripper-shaft axis. The point of intersection is located on the far side of the gripper-shaft axis, as seen from the gripper tips.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting and demounting a materials sheet onto and from a cylindrical surface of a drum (10) has clamps (40) pivotably arranged upon the sheet materials drum. The clamps have a first region (80) and a second region (70) either side of a pivot axis. The second region (70) clamps the materials sheet to the cylindrical surface (20) of the drum. A backbone (120) extends along the length of the drum and is removably attached to the drum. Push rods (90) movably arranged on the backbone are capable of being operated to push against the first region of the clamps to pivot the clamps to move the second region of the clamps. Any existing clasped materials sheet is thereby unclasped from the cylindrical surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a clamping device (02) for fastening a plate (03) to the periphery of a cylinder (01). Said clamping device (02) comprises a first clamping element (04), a pivotally mounted second clamping element (06), a spring part (07), and a bracing element that is embodied as a pivotable spindle (08) and is movable between a clamping position in which the bracing element maintains the plate in a clamped state between the clamping elements and a released position in which the clamping elements release the plate. The spindle (08) is mounted in a groove so as to be displaceable, is fixed in an intermediate space between the spring part (07) and the second clamping element (06), and is pressed against the second clamping element by means of the spring part in the clamping position.

Abstract: A mechanism for transferring an image from a first surface to printing media comprising: an impression member having an impression surface; printing media grippers associated with said impression surface adapted for holding an edge of the printing media on the impression member during said transfer and then controllably releasing the printing media after transfer; impression media held on the impression surface such that the impression media extends past the edge of the printing media held by the printing media grippers.

Abstract: In a sheet gripper, a dimensionally stable base material and an elastic clamping surface material are connected to each other in a form-fitting manner. The elastic clamping surface material functions as a clamping surface of the sheet gripper. This forms a sheet gripper having a long service life and is easy manufacture.

Abstract: A transfer drum for conveying a sheet in a printing press improves the accuracy of a sheet transfer. The transfer drum includes a drum body which is supported for rotation in a frame and a gripper system on the drum body for holding an edge of the sheet. The gripper system is formed of a row of spaced-apart gripper fingers jointly pivotable about an axis which is parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum body. A device for actuating the gripper fingers during a revolution of the drum body includes an actuating element which is displaceable in the direction of the axis and on which at least two drive elements of cam joints are formed. Each of the drive elements is in operative connection with a group of the gripper fingers.

Abstract: To record images accurately regardless of rigidity and size of a recording medium, each rear end clamp has a clamp rubber element for engaging a variable margin of the recording medium mounted peripherally of the recording drum. The margin is varied according to the rigidity of the recording medium. The margin is enlarged when the recording medium is highly rigid, and reduced when the recording medium is low in rigidity.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying or guiding a printing material sheet on an air cushion between a nozzle surface and the printing material sheet. The apparatus has first nozzle pairs which are arranged in a first row and second nozzle pairs which are arranged in a second row for generating the air cushion. The first nozzle pairs and the second nozzle pairs in each case have a blower nozzle and a suction nozzle, which are paired in such a way that one and the same air flow is blown out by the respective blower nozzle and is aspirated, at least predominantly, by the suction nozzle that is paired with the blower nozzle. The suction nozzles of the first nozzle pairs are arranged in such a way between the blower nozzles of the second nozzle pairs and the suction nozzles of the second nozzle pairs such that the air flows of the second nozzle pairs flow past the suction nozzles of the first nozzle pairs.

Abstract: A printing cylinder, including: a cylinder body defining at least one tensing channel for tensing with at least one printing block; a tensing jaw arranged in the tensing channel; and a tensing counter jaw which is arranged next to the tensing jaw in the tensing channel and is tiltable about a rotational axis relative to the tensing jaw and the cylinder body, and comprises a tilting area on an outer circumferential area; wherein the tensing jaw and the tensing counter jaw define at least a portion of a gap, into which one end of the at least one printing block can be inserted; and wherein the tensing counter jaw is supported during a tilting movement via its tilting area on a supporting area formed in the tensing channel.