Abstract: A sheet processing device has a moveable beam (36) that moves in the vertical direction, a gripper bar (30) for gripping a sheet that travels through the sheet processing device (10), and a gripper bar locking device (40) that can lock the gripper bar (30) in a precise position. The gripper bar locking device (40) has a locking lever (68) that is pivoting between a rest position and a locking position. The locking lever (68) is connected to a vertical linear guide coupled with the moveable beam (36) resulting in a precise, compact and simple system to lock the gripper bar.

Abstract: A vision system is used in a stencil printer configured to print an assembly material on an electronic substrate. The vision system includes a housing, a dual camera assembly supported by the housing and a prism assembly supported by the housing and configured with the dual camera assembly to provide a first optical path that looks vertically up at a bottom of a stencil and a second optical path that looks vertically down on an electronic substrate.

Abstract: An imprint system includes a replica mold manufacturing apparatus which manufactures a replica mold of a master mold by performing a first imprint process using the master mold, an imprint apparatus which performs a second imprint process using the replica mold, and a controller which controls a first imprint condition that is an imprint condition of the first imprint process and a second imprint condition that is an imprint condition of the second imprint process. The controller corrects the first imprint condition based on an overlay state between a pattern formed on a shot region by the second imprint process and the shot region.

Abstract: A template includes: a base material having a surface including a first pattern, a second pattern and a third pattern, the first pattern including a first recess, the second pattern including a second recess. The base material containing a first material having a first refractive index; a first layer disposed in the first recess and containing a second material, the second material having a second refractive index different from the first refractive index; and a second layer disposed in the second recess, containing the second material, and being thicker than the first layer.

Abstract: A printing system including a printer that sends a printed print medium to a post-processing machine is provided with: a job sorting unit that sorts a plurality of jobs into a plurality of groups; a required printing time calculation unit that calculates a required printing time per set required for printing for each job; a short job determination unit that determines, as a short job, a job for which the required printing time is shorter than a minimum processing time that is a minimum time required for processing for one set in the post-processing machine; and a job group generation unit that generates, on the basis of a plurality of jobs sorted into the same group, a job group obtained by grouping standard jobs (jobs not determined as short jobs) and a job group obtained by grouping short jobs.

Abstract: An image control system for a can decorator includes an electronic can decorator control assembly, a mechanical can decorator control assembly and a number of sensors. The electronic can decorator control assembly includes a programmable logic circuit and a number of modules. The mechanical can decorator control assembly is structured to be, and is, operatively coupled to at least one of an ink fountain ink application adjustment assembly, a ductor roll assembly duty cycle adjustment assembly, a printing plate cylinder assembly axial adjustment assembly or a printing plate cylinder assembly circumferential adjustment assembly. The electronic can decorator control assembly is structured to be operatively coupled to the mechanical can decorator control assembly. Each sensor in the number of sensors is structured to measure a can body applied image characteristic and to generate an image signal including data representing the can body applied image characteristic.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a display device includes a moving part including a belt that circulates, a roller that circulates the belt, and at least one meandering prevention portion that moves in a first direction parallel to a direction of a rotation shaft of the roller and prevents meandering of the belt, and a polishing head disposed corresponding to the moving part, the polishing head polishing a surface of a base material disposed on a first surface of the belt. A part of the at least one meandering prevention portion faces a second surface of the belt, the second surface being a side surface of the belt.

Abstract: Provided are: an imprinting method which suppresses volatilization of a photocurable resin applied on a transfer-receiving substrate by an inkjet method, satisfactorily maintains the wet-spreading property of the resin at the time of transfer, maintains cleanness of the environment for transfer, and can fill the environment for transfer with a particular gas appropriate for transfer; and an imprinting apparatus. Disclosed is an imprinting method of using a template having a concavo-convex pattern formed thereon, and transferring the pattern of the template by imprinting to a photocurable resin on a transfer-receiving substrate, characterized in that, in a space where the template and the photocurable resin are brought into contact, clean air is sent to the space through an air blowing port during a standby mode of not performing imprinting, and the flow rate of clean air in the space is reduced or clean air is not sent during an imprinting mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multiple image registration of images of a scene or an object. Receiving image data, the image data includes images collected from different measurements of a single modality or multiple modalities, either at different rotation angles, horizontal shifts, or vertical shifts, of the scene or the object. Estimating registration parameters, using pairs of images, each pair of images includes a reference image and a floating image. Generating parameter matrices corresponding to registration parameters using an image registration process for all pairs of images. Decomposing each parameter matrix into a low-rank matrix of updated registration parameters and a sparse matrix corresponding to the registration parameter errors for each low-rank matrix, to obtain updated registration parameters for robust registration. Using the updated registration parameters to form a transformation matrix to register the images with at least one reference image, resulting in robust registration of the images.

Abstract: A method of detecting an input of an input marking apparatus includes generating and outputting a number signal to be written to the input marking apparatus, detecting the input marking apparatus in which the number signal is written, by detecting a response signal output from the input marking apparatus, and detecting a position of the input of the input marking apparatus of which the response signal is detected.

Abstract: A base material processing apparatus includes first and second edge sensors and a displacement amount calculation part. The first edge sensor acquires a first detection result (R1) by detecting the position of an edge of a base material in a width direction at a first detection position. The second edge sensor acquires a second detection result (R2) by detecting the position of the edge of the base material at a second detection position. The displacement amount calculation part calculates the amount of displacement in the position of the base material in the transport direction or the amount of difference in the transporting speed of the base material on the basis of the first and second detection results (R1, R2). Thus, the amount of displacement in the position or the amount of difference in the transporting speed can be detected without depending on images such as register marks.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a template includes providing a substrate having a first protrusion portion, forming, on the first protrusion portion of the substrate, a first film including a plurality of first pattern portions and a second pattern portion surrounding the first pattern portions and having a thickness thicker than the first pattern portions, covering at least a portion of the first film with a second film, removing the second pattern portion and exposing one or more of the first pattern portions by removing a portion of the second film from an upper surface of the first pattern by a first etching process, and forming a second protrusion portion by etching the first protrusion portion using the second film as a mask. The method further includes removing the first pattern portions and processing the first protrusion portion and the second protrusion portion by a second etching process.

Abstract: A media tracking sensor (MTS) apparatus for performing a calibration procedure to determine a resolution calibration factor includes: a full sensor array including: a first virtual array, having a first width, for capturing a calibration reference image; and a second virtual array having a third width equal to the first width, for capturing a plurality of images and comparing the captured images with the calibration reference image. The MTS apparatus further includes a print media positioned below the full sensor array; and a host system for moving the print media below the full sensor array. When the first virtual array captures the calibration reference image, motion data of the full sensor array will be set to zero, and when an image captured by the second virtual array matches the calibration reference image, total motion data will be recorded and used to determine the resolution conversion factor.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a volatile memory and a nonvolatile memory. An area setting unit sets, upon detection of an abnormality in the information processing apparatus, a work area in a storage area except a collection target area of investigation information used for investigation of a cause of the occurrence of the abnormality, in a storage area of the volatile memory. An information collection unit executes a procedure of collecting investigation information from the volatile memory and storing the same into the nonvolatile memory by using the set work area.

Abstract: There is provided a droplet drying device including: a light source that irradiates, with light, and dries a droplet ejected to a recording medium by a forming unit that ejects the droplet to form an image; a reading unit that reads a specifying image in which a light emitting condition of the light source is specified and which is formed by the forming unit in a region out of an image forming region on the recording medium; and a light source controller that controls the light source such that the light source emits light in accordance with the light emitting condition specified in the specifying image read by the reading unit so as to irradiate the droplet with the light.

Abstract: The invention relates to a non-stop printing processing system with a plurality of stations, comprising a first processing unit and second processing unit; each of the processing units comprises a set of film supply devices, a pressure roller, a stripped roller and a cured device; the pressure roller, the stripped roller and the cured device are mounted by a lift type; the system comprises an impression barrel, when a substrate is processed, the impression barrel is positioned under the substrate, a processed substrate is positioned between a processing unit processing the substrate and the impression barrel. The invention also relates to a non-stop printing process with a plurality of stations. The invention utilizes one or more film supply devices of a processing device to alternately supply a film to achieve the effect of automatic roll change and simulation positioning.

Abstract: The present invention provides a printing assembly which includes a printing drum such as an impression drum, a pair of eccentric bearings between and on which the drum is mounted for rotation, a pair of self aligning bearings on which the eccentric bearings are supported, and a pair of frameless motors directly connected to the eccentric bearings in order to effect the rotation thereof through closed loop feedback control, in order to facilitate the automatic and accurate control of pressure level and uniformity along the nip of a printing press.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a table including multiple rows to accommodate redundant field information is described. A table creation module receives a completed form, generates field images, determines a set of unique field images, redundant fields and associated fields in the completed form, populates a first row of the table in a first column with a first unique field image, adds remaining field images from the set of unique field images to the first row, populates the first row with a first redundant field image and remaining field images from a first set of associated fields. The tables can be used to create an organized report.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes: recording modules for conveying a recording medium along a first conveyance path and including a recording device; a storage tray storing a recording medium; at least one first output tray; a second conveyance path connecting between the storage tray and one end portion of each of the recording modules; a third conveyance path connecting between the second conveyance path and the other end portion of each of the recording modules; and at least one fourth conveyance path each connecting between the other end portion and a corresponding one of the at least one first output tray. One recording medium on which all of at least one image has been recorded by a recording device is discharged onto the at least one first output tray via the third conveyance path, the second conveyance path, the recording module, and the fourth conveyance path.

Abstract: Alignment markers are added to each layer of a multiple layer substrate for proper alignment. Optical alignment markers are applied on the surface of each substrate layer. Groups of alignment markers are arranged in localized areas on each substrate layer. Each localized group of alignment markers are referred to as alignment target areas. The alignment markers in a first alignment target area on the first substrate layer are to be aligned with corresponding alignment markers in a second alignment target area on the second substrate layer. In some embodiments, the first alignment target area includes an alignment marker configured for manual alignment and another alignment marker configured for machine alignment. The second alignment target area has a corresponding manual alignment marker and machine alignment marker.

Abstract: A packaging laminate includes at least one material layer provided with magnetizable particles. A roller can be configured to apply crease line patterns on the packaging laminate while also applying magnetic fields for magnetizing at least some of the magnetizable particles in the packaging laminate. A method of controlling working operations on a packaging laminate in a filling machine involves supplying a packaging laminate to a filling machine, wherein the packaging laminate includes at least one material layer comprising magnetizable particles, with at least some of the magnetizable particles being magnetized particles. The method also involves controlling working operations of the filling machine on the packaging laminate supplied to the filling machine by reading information provided by the magnetized particles.

Abstract: A system can comprise a memory to store machine readable instructions and a processing unit to access the memory and execute the machine readable instructions. The machine readable instructions can comprise a press color state (PCS) estimator to calculate an optical density for each of four single separation solid colors based on a color measurement provided by a scanner. The color measurement can characterize material printed on a substrate and scanned by a scanner. The PCS estimator can also provide an updated LUT for each of the four single separation colors based on the color measurement provided by the scanner. The machine readable instructions can comprise a print controller to provide the optical density for each of the four single separation solid colors and the updated LUT to a printer to facilitate color calibration of the printer.

Abstract: On a printing relief plate, which is produced by a printing relief plate producing apparatus and a printing relief plate producing method, convexities and detecting portions are set to be lower than a solid area of the printing relief plate. In the event that a detecting portion image and a solid area image are printed on a print medium using the printing relief plate by a printing apparatus and by carrying out a printing method, in a printing pressure determining apparatus and a printing pressure determining method, it is determined whether a printing pressure is an appropriate printing pressure or not by comparing an optical density of the detecting portion image and an optical density of the solid area image.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing a variable pattern on a substrate, a method using the apparatus, a product produced by using the apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus includes an ink bath containing a printing agent to be applied to the substrate, a roller that picks up ink from the ink bath, a doctor blade to wipe of excess printing agent on the roller, and a means for intentionally varying the design printed on the substrate from the roller.

Abstract: The present disclosure involves absorbent articles having customized graphics disposed inside packages labeled as containing customized articles. During the manufacturing process, customized absorbent articles are constructed with article identity graphics, and the packages to contain the customized articles are labeled with package identity graphics. A controller uses article and package identity graphics to track the manufacture of the customized articles and synchronize placement of the customized articles in the appropriately labeled packages. The methods disclosed herein provides for the manufacture of customized absorbent articles in series with the manufacture of absorbent articles having non-custom graphics. The substrates and/or components having the custom graphics in the manufacturing process are detected by a sensor that provides a feedback signal to a controller.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying an unknown individual from a plurality of enrolled individuals is provided. In an embodiment, the method comprises comparing at least two parameters of the unknown individual to at least two enrolled parameters of the enrolled individuals. The method then determines a score correlating to the closeness of the comparison and then stores the score.

Abstract: A multi-station flexographic printing system includes a plurality of flexographic printing stations. Each flexographic printing station includes a flexo master. Each flexo master comprises a Fresnel zone pattern in a unique position. A method of aligning a plurality of flexographic printing stations includes printing a Fresnel zone pattern on a substrate in a unique position for each flexographic printing station. Light is directed through the Fresnel zone patterns on the substrate. The light focused by the Fresnel zone patterns is captured with a sensor device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for positioning and aligning one or more pre-punched printing plates on a cylinder for imaging a plate in a computer-to-plate drum imaging device. The apparatus includes an imaging cylinder and a registration device connectable to the cylinder. The apparatus includes at least one groove and one pair of register pins, with a first register pin in a fixed position, and a second register pin movable in the groove to a second position, and collinear with the first register pin in the axial direction of the cylinder, arranged such that when connected to the cylinder, the registration device allows a plurality of pre-punched printing plates with variable widths to be positioned and aligned on the cylinder with simplicity.

Abstract: A digital sheet-fed printing method includes providing one cycle of printing to print on a series of sheets of paper whose number is equal to the least common multiple of respective numbers of allocated positions; producing a reference signal on the basis of which an image in each color is printed on the sheet of paper; detecting with an image detection sensor means a mutual out of register between images in different colors printed on each sheet of paper in the series, furnishing the printing control means with a detection signal for each sheet of paper from the image detection sensor, and correcting the timing at which each image is printed on each sheet of paper in one cycle of printing so that timings to print the images in different colors on each sheet of paper coincide with one another; and printing images in the different colors.

Abstract: A method for controlling register settings of a printing press, includes rotating imaging cylinders of a first print unit and a second print unit, located downstream of the first print unit in a movement direction of a print medium, at a rotational speed to print an image on the print medium. The method includes of changing a length of the print image to a pre-determined length. The method further includes changing a register setting of the imaging cylinder of the second print unit based on the predetermined change in length of the print image to avoid misalignment of the print image printed by the first and the second print units on the print medium. Changing the register setting is dependent on a length of a section of the print medium between the first and the second print units. A device for controlling register settings of a printing press is also disclosed.

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: An apparatus for producing proof prints on which the correctness of page impositions can be checked comprises a stand configured to receive a roll of paper. A first printer and a second printer are provided for printing pages on the front side and the rear side, respectively, of a paper web fed from the paper roll. An optical sensor is arranged between the first printer and the second printer. The optical sensor is configured to detect the position of an alignment mark which has been printed by the first printer on the front side of the paper. A control unit modifies the spatial relationship between the rear side of the paper and what is printed on the rear side of the paper depending on the detected position of the alignment mark. This can be accomplished either by electronically modifying the second pages as such, or by mechanically modifying the paper position with respect to a printing head contained in the second printer.

Abstract: A printing unit (1) has a first roller (2) and a second roller (3) provided substantially parallel and facing each other for transporting of printing sheets between the first roller (2) and the second roller (3). The first roller (2) is rotationally mounted at only one end (10) of the first roller (2) and this end (10) is mounted to a deflector (9). The deflector (9) has a connection (11) to a support (12) for resiliently changing the angle of the first roller (2) relatively to the second roller (3) by bending the connection (11).

Abstract: A flexible manufacturing system includes a printing system, a projection system and a remote device. The projection system is calibrated with the printing system and helps with aligning graphics to be printed on an article. The remote device receives information from an optical device corresponding to a projection area of the projection system. The remote device can be used to control the alignment of a projected graphic on the article when the article is inside the projection area.

Abstract: A method for controlling register settings of a printing press, includes rotating imaging cylinders of a first print unit and a second print unit, located downstream of the first print unit in a movement direction of a print medium, at a rotational speed to print an image on the print medium. The method includes of changing a length of the print image to a pre-determined length. The method further includes changing a register setting of the imaging cylinder of the second print unit based on the predetermined change in length of the print image to avoid misalignment of the print image printed by the first and the second print units on the print medium. Changing the register setting is dependent on a length of a section of the print medium between the first and the second print units. A device for controlling register settings of a printing press is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of aligning a multi-station flexographic printing system using Moiré interference includes printing, using a first flexographic printing station, at least one Moiré interference pattern in a unique location on a first side of a substrate for each of at least one subsequent flexographic printing stations of the system. For each of the at least one subsequent flexographic printing stations, at least one inverted Moiré interference pattern is printed on either side of the substrate in a location corresponding to that station's unique location on the substrate. An alignment of at least one of the at least one subsequent flexographic printing stations is adjusted when at least one Moiré interference pattern interferes with a corresponding at least one inverted Moiré interference pattern.

Abstract: A method for regulating a web tension in a processing machine for processing a product web, in particular a shaftless printing press, includes separating a first product-web section from a second product-web section by a delay section. The web tensions in the first and second product-web sections are influenced by first and second actuators, respectively. To regulate the web tension in the first product-web section, the method further includes defining a regulation output value from which an actuating command for the first actuator is derived. An actuating command for the second actuator is defined from the regulation output value and a delay element to decouple the web tension in the second product-web section from the regulation of the web tension in the first product-web section. The delay element delays the effect of the regulation output value on the actuating command for the second actuator by a delay time.

Abstract: Prior to a mark imaging process executed for the purpose of detecting a position of recognition marks for positioning the substrate and the mask, an optical axis calibration processing process of detecting a horizontal relative position between imaging optical axes, and a surface correction data creation processing process of detecting a local positional deviation of the imaging optical axes, which is caused by the travel of the imaging unit, are executed. Before starting production, a production pre-start precision evaluation process for evaluating a substrate positioning precision is executed by using a verification substrate and a verification mask, and after starting the production, a production post-start precision evaluation process for evaluating a substrate positioning precision after starting the production is executed by using a commercial production substrate and a commercial production mask.

Abstract: A method and programmed apparatus for cutting graphics from substantially-identical sheets with graphics and registration marks printed thereon using a plotter and controlled cutter and sensor movable over the sheets, including: (1) sensing work-surface positions of the marks of a sheet and calculating an expected work-surface position for each such mark based on the work-surface positions of other marks of the sheet; (2) classifying each mark as active or inactive based on a first error criterion and applying the classification to corresponding marks of a subsequent sheet, the active marks being fewer than the total number of printed marks; (3) sensing the work-surface positions of the active marks of the subsequent sheet; and (4) cutting the graphics from the subsequent sheet based on the sensed positions of the active marks, thereby reducing the time for accurate cut-processing of the subsequent sheet.

Abstract: A method receives a multi-page print job comprising content to be printed on sheets to produce a stack of printed sheets. Each of the sheets comprises sheet sides and sheet edges between the sheet sides, wherein the content is printed on at least one of the sheet sides. The method identifies a side mark to appear on at least one stack side of the stack of printed sheets (the stack side comprises the sheet edges). The method determines locations within the print job of side markings to be printed simultaneously with the content on the sheet sides (a combination of the side markings create the side mark). The method prints the multi-page print job to produce the stack of printed sheets with the side mark on the stack side.

Abstract: A mark detecting device detects a positioning mark on a transfer medium based on light that is emitted to and then reflected from the transfer medium. The mark detecting device includes a light emitting unit that emits light to a target position on the transfer medium; a light receiving unit that receives light reflected from the target position; and an adjusting unit that rotatably supports a detecting unit including at least one of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit about a center of rotation, which passes through the target position, on the transfer medium and adjusts the rotation angle of the detecting unit with respect to the center of rotation.

Abstract: A rotary die apparatus and method for determining a registration error of a pattern applied to a strip of material by a rotary die. The rotary die apparatus may comprise the rotary die and a control system which senses signals from a sensor and a rotary encoder to determine an actual position of the rotary die when a fiducial on the strip of material is sensed. The control system may calculate the registration error by comparing the actual position with a registration target corresponding to a pattern length. The pattern length may correspond to the number of encoder pulses output per revolution of the rotary die divided by the number of patterns spaced apart around the circumference of the rotary die. An encoder count used to determine the actual position of the rotary die may reset each time it reaches the pattern length.

Abstract: A method of producing and distributing printed product applies aqueous solution to a print medium to define non-image and image areas of the print medium, and contacts the non-image area and the image area with ink. Ink is transferred substantially only to the image area of the print medium to produce the printed product. The printed product is distributed to an end user.

Abstract: A print section patterns a coating layer to form a pattern layer on a carrier and then transfers the pattern layer to a substrate. A controller obtains a first carrier thickness by measuring the thickness of the carrier carrying the coating layer and adjusts a gap between the carrier carrying the coating layer and the printing plate based on the first carrier thickness immediately before the coating layer is patterned. The controller also obtains a second carrier thickness by measuring the thickness of the carrier carrying the pattern layer and adjusts a gap between the carrier carrying the pattern layer and the substrate based on the second carrier thickness immediately before the pattern layer is transferred.

Abstract: Systems and methods for aligning preprinted images on a roll of substrate to the moving components of a web press are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment includes determining the speed of the moving components of the press, determining the speed of the web of preprinted images and adjusting the speed of the web of preprinted image to match the speed of the web. In particular embodiments, a press which produces rolls of preprinted material can be modified to change the equivalent cutoff length of the press. In further embodiments, a method of pasting new rolls of material to expiring rolls of material is accomplished by modulating the drive speed of the new roll of material to match the expiring roll of material while at the same time aligning the images on the new roll with the expiring roll.

Abstract: A method of making structured microdots (154) for printing plate registration includes forming a first plurality of square spots (156) less than or equal to 11 microns; wherein a first group (157) of the first plurality of square spots is formed in a first pattern (158); and wherein the first pattern is less than or equal to 66 microns and comprises a first microdot.

Abstract: A color measurement on printed materials produced by a printing press is performed by at least a first color measuring device installed in the printing press and at least a second color measuring device. A signal is output by the first color measuring device in the printing press when the measured color values registered on the printing materials are located within a predefined tolerance limit for a predefined period and that, after the signal has been output, a color measurement on one of the printed materials thus produced is performed with the second color measuring device.

Abstract: A method of printing a printed output of a press comprising ink on a print medium applies ink to a surface, places individually controlled drops of aqueous solution onto the print medium in a drop pattern, and transfers ink from the surface to areas of the print medium that are free of aqueous solution to produce the printed output of the press. A method of variable printing is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for laying out labels and other printable items in a gang of print jobs that comprises a first print job and a second print job; laying out the first type of labels consecutively in a first lane, from a start point until one of (a) the end of the first lane is reached and (b) the end of the number of labels is reached for the first type; continuing laying out the first type of labels consecutively in a second lane if the end of the number of labels for the first type is not reached in the first lane; and laying out labels consecutively of the second type starting at the end point of the labels of the first type; and printing the gang of labels according to the layout for the gang of label print jobs. Efficient label printing is enabled.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for closed loop control of an untensioned product length of a web moving through a printing press under tension during production. While a printing press is printing on the web, a controller receives a calculated untensioned product length Lo(t) of the web in the span of the printing press while the web is moving through the printing press under tension, compares L0(t) to a previously stored untensioned product length setpoint Lsetpoint, maintains closed loop control of the untensioned product length by controlling one or more components on the printing press as a function of said comparing step, and repeats the steps receiving, comparing, maintaining and controlling over time while the printing press is printing on the web.