Abstract: An apparatus for adjustably positioning a form roll having a form roll axis against at least two different sized plate cylinders in a variable cutoff printing unit is provided. The apparatus includes a plate cylinder support for interchangeably supporting the at least two different sized plate cylinders, the plate cylinder support including a plate cylinder axis at least two different sized plate cylinder cams. The at least two different sized plate cylinder cams are interchangeably removably connectable to the plate cylinder support and include a smaller plate cylinder cam and a larger plate cylinder cam that are removably connectable to the plate cylinder support as alternatives of each other. The apparatus also includes a form roll hanger for supporting the form roll that is configured for contacting the smaller plate cylinder cam if the smaller plate cylinder cam is coupled to the plate cylinder support to set a smaller distance between the plate cylinder axis and the form roll axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving a pair of nip rollers at a rotational velocity that varies within each revolution is provided. A first nip roller and a second nip roller form a nip therebetween for moving a sheet or signature. A drive configured and arranged to drive a drive shaft at a constant rotational speed. A pair of variable rotational speed couplings each have an input coupled to the drive, and an output connected to a respective one of the first and second nip rollers. Each coupling rotates its respective nip roller at a rotational speed that varies within each revolution.

Abstract: A folder superstructure includes a former, a first top of former roll located upstream of the former and having a compressible outer layer and a second top of former roll forming a nip with the first top of former roll. A method for operating a printing press is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting signatures is provided which includes a moving transport surface for transporting signatures; a pair of eccentric guide rollers, rotatable about respective axes, the pair of guide rollers positioned opposite one another to receive signatures therebetween from the moving transport surface; and a diverter positioned downstream of the guide rollers. The diverter is movable between a first position to divert signatures received from the guide rollers to a first downstream moving transport surface and a second position to divert signatures received from the guide rollers to a second downstream moving transport surface.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for determining an untensioned product length of a web moving through a printing press under tension. A controller determines a tensioned repeat length of the web in a span of the printing press while the web is moving through the printing press under tension; determines an elastic strain of the web in the span of the printing press while the web is moving through the printing press under tension; and calculates an untensioned product length of the web in the span of the printing press while the web is moving through the printing press under tension as a function of the tensioned repeat length and the elastic strain.

Abstract: A method for forming a printed product is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a first section and a second section of the printed product with an identical array of stitching locations, each stitching location receiving a stitch or being punched through. A hole is punched in the first section at a first stitching location. A hole is punched in the second section at a second stitching location. The stitching location arrays of the first and second sections are aligned with each other. Stitching material of a first stitch is passed through the hole in the second section at the second stitching location and the first section is stitched with the first stitch at the second stitching location. A printing press is also provided.

Abstract: A method of preventing damage in a printing press is provided. The method includes determining a minimum value at which tension in a web in the printing press is capable of damaging at least one web contacting component of the printing press; sensing a tension in the web in the printing press; and severing the web when the sensed tension reaches the minimum determined tension value. A printing press is also provided.

Abstract: A roller assembly is provided for spreading and chilling a web in a printing press. The roller assembly includes a roller for chilling and spreading a web and a trolley roller contacting the roller, the trolley roller configured and arranged to impart a deflection in the roller. Also provided is a roller assembly for counteracting web loading on a roller in a printing press. This roller assembly includes a roller for transporting a web, the roller having an axis; a web wrapped partially around the roller and applying a load on the roller transverse to the axis; and a trolley roller contacting the roller, the trolley roller configured and arranged to impart a sufficient force on the roller to keep the axis of the roller linear under said load.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving a pair of nip rollers at a rotational velocity that varies within each revolution is provided. A first nip roller and a second nip roller form a nip therebetween for moving a sheet or signature. A drive configured and arranged to drive a drive shaft at a constant rotational speed. A pair of variable rotational speed couplings each have an input coupled to the drive, and an output connected to a respective one of the first and second nip rollers. Each coupling rotates its respective nip roller at a rotational speed that varies within each revolution.

Abstract: A method and printing press for performing the method is provided for recording print processing conditions on a printed web of a rewind roll during operation of a printing press to print a print job, including associating sensed printing process parameters with tracked locations on the web at which the printing process parameters were sensed such that, for each tracked location, there is an associated set of printing process parameters; storing in memory, for each tracked location, the associated set of printing process parameters; and storing in memory an identification of the rewind roll, and an association of the rewind roll with the associated set of printing process parameters for each tracked location.

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 variable cutoff printing press includes a plate cylinder, a plate cylinder support removably supporting the plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder, a blanket cylinder support removably supporting the blanket, an impression cylinder and an impression cylinder support. An actuator for moving the blanket cylinder support accommodates different blanket cylinder sizes, the actuator further moving the impression cylinder support so that regardless of blanket cylinder size a gap exists between the blanket cylinder support and the impression cylinder support. An on impression actuator moves the impression cylinder support against the blanket cylinder support to set a desired print load. A method is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a printing press. The printing press includes a frame, a plate cylinder, a plate cylinder support supporting the plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder for receiving an image from the plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder support supporting the blanket cylinder, an impression cylinder for supporting a printing substrate between the blanket cylinder and the impression cylinder, an actuator connected to and controlling a position of the plate cylinder support or the blanket cylinder support and a controller providing the actuator with a position setpoint, the actuator receiving position feedback signals to maintain the position setpoint during a printing operation. The present invention also provides a method for operating a printing press.

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.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for determining an untensioned product length of a web moving through a printing press under tension. A controller determines a tensioned repeat length of the web in a span of the printing press while the web is moving through the printing press under tension; determines an elastic strain of the web in the span of the printing press while the web is moving through the printing press under tension; and calculates an untensioned product length of the web in the span of the printing press while the web is moving through the printing press under tension as a function of the tensioned repeat length and the elastic strain.

Abstract: A saddle stitcher for conveying a printed product is provided. The saddle stitcher includes a saddle chain conveyor, and a plurality of chain tops mounted on the saddle chain conveyor defining a chain top conveyance line for transporting a printed product. At least one of the chain tops includes a profiled top edge so the at least one chain top does not extend beyond the chain top conveyance line in a transition area. A method for transferring a printed product is also provided.

Abstract: A method of preparing cylinders for printing on a web during auto transfer operations is provided. The method includes the steps of printing images on a web with at least one first printing cylinder; accelerating at least one second printing cylinder so that the at least one second printing cylinder has a surface velocity that equals a velocity of the web; adjusting a phasing of the at least one second printing cylinder with respect to the web during the accelerating step and before the surface velocity of the at least one second printing cylinder equals the velocity of the web; moving the at least one first printing cylinder away from the web and moving the at least one second printing cylinder towards the web; and printing images on the web with the at least one second printing cylinder. A printing press configured for auto transfer is also provided.

Abstract: A variable cutoff printing unit is provided that includes a plate cylinder, a plate cylinder support removably supporting the plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder, a blanket cylinder support removably supporting the blanket cylinder, a frame, the plate cylinder support and the blanket cylinder support being coupled to the frame, a sliding element coupled to the blanket cylinder support for moving the blanket cylinder support toward and away from the plate cylinder support, and a stopping device for stopping movement of the sliding element to limit the movement of the blanket cylinder toward and away from the plate cylinder to a defined range. A method of operating a variable cutoff printing unit is also provided.

Abstract: A method for printing which includes the steps of: printing a web of material so as to define a printed web; winding the printed web onto at least one roll; cutting the printed web so as to define at least one printed roll; transporting the at least one printed roll in rolled form to a folder separate from a printing press; and processing the at least one printed roll in the folder into a finished printed product.

Abstract: A trimmer is provided. The trimmer includes an infeed for transporting a sheet material article at a first speed, a trimming station transporter for decelerating the sheet material article for trimming by a trimmer, and a decelerator between the infeed and the trimming station transporter. The decelerator forms a deceleration nip for transferring the sheet material article from the infeed to the trimming station transporter. A method of operating a trimmer is also provided.