Abstract: A bearing assembly for use on a printing press is disclosed. The printing press includes a frame. A support shaft is mounted to the frame and includes a pair of ends, with the support shaft defining a longitudinal axis. A cylinder is provided, and the bearing assembly rotatably supports the cylinder on the support shaft. The bearing assembly is adapted to permit angular adjustment of the cylinder relative to the longitudinal axis of the support shaft. The angular adjustment of the cylinder is effected about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support shaft.

Abstract: A printing system for drying ink deposited upon a printable medium. The system including at least one print head for directing ink onto the medium as the print head moves over the printable medium. Moving with the print head is at least one halogen lamp that generates electromagnetic radiation having a sufficient wavelength to penetrate the ink. The at least one halogen lamp may irradiate the printable medium and/or the platen, with one or both of the printable medium and the platen aiding with drying the ink deposited upon the printable medium.

Abstract: Systems and methods for curing inks with radiation. An apparatus includes a housing that includes a pair of reflectors and/or two separate lamps of different power that direct ultraviolet radiation onto the inks being cured. The pre-cure reflector only reflects a portion of the radiation such that the inks are not fully cured. The pre-cure reflector causes the inks to change or thicken slightly such that they do not move on the media or merge with other inks while still retaining a liquid or wet nature. All colors of ink can then be placed in a single layer before the cure reflector fully cures the UV inks by reflecting sufficient UV radiation onto the single layer of UV ink.

Abstract: A printing system includes a printing device fluidly communicating with a main ink reservoir and a vacuum pump. The main ink reservoir refills one or more reservoirs mounted within the printing device when the ink contained therein falls below a defined tolerance level. The vacuum pump varies a level of a vacuum or partial vacuum within the reservoir to maintain a pressure level at one or more nozzles of one or more print heads mounted in the printing device. Variations in the level of the vacuum or partial vacuum can be based upon the desired pressure at the nozzles, the particular volume or level of ink stored within the reservoir, and the type of ink stored within the reservoir. Through creating the vacuum or partial vacuum, the inks stored within the reservoir are degassed before being delivered to the print head.

Abstract: A tension control device for a printing press having an adjustment roller, with a web of the press passing from a supply roll of the web to the adjustment roller. Means are provided for measuring the tension on opposed sides of the web passing downstream from the adjustment roller, and means are provided responsive to the measuring means for automatically approximately equalizing the tension of the web by adjustment of the adjustment roller on one end only of the adjustment roller.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining a minimum amount of ink in an ink fountain (10) of a printing press includes an ink fountain level sensor (28) and ink dispenser (26) mounted on a carriage (30) for lateral movement on a track (32) across the ink fountain. The carriage traverses the ink fountain. When the ink in the fountain develops a spot below a preset minimum level, a preset amount of ink is immediately dispensed upon detection of the low spot by the sensor.

Abstract: A system and method of a combination and sequencing of a first cleaner around a blanket cylinder, a second cleaner around one of the rollers in an ink form roller assembly, and a fluid applicator around another one of the rollers in the ink form roller assembly effectively clean the press rollers and the blanket cylinder used in a printing machine.

Abstract: A printing press ink scraping blade is disclosed. The ink scraping blade is of a unitary construction and includes a working end as well as a mounting end. The working end is preferably substantially thicker than the mounting end to provide substantially more material at the working end. As the scraping blade engages a scraping roller of a printing press, the blade is exposed to abrasive action and the additional material provided increases the serviceable life of the blade. To ensure that the blade maintains sufficient flexibility and deflection characteristics, the remainder or mounting end of the blade, is of a substantially reduced thickness. The blade may be manufactured from spring steel to further enhance flexibility.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting the level of circulating fluid in a tank comprises a paddle blade disposed at a particular height and oriented generally radially from a rotating shaft in the tank. A sensing device, such as a strain gauge, is attached to the paddle blade to detect when the paddle blade is in at least one of a normal and a displaced position, thereby indicating that fluid is absent or present at a particular level. Additional sensors may be used in the same tank to provide fluid level feedback at more than one height.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining a minimum amount of ink in an ink fountain (10) of a printing press includes an ink fountain level sensor (28) and ink dispenser (26) mounted on a carriage (30) for lateral movement on a track (32) across the ink fountain. The carriage traverses the ink fountain. When the ink in the fountain develops a spot below a preset minimum level, a preset amount of ink is immediately dispensed upon detection of the low spot by the sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining a minimum amount of ink in an ink fountain (10) of a printing press includes an ink fountain level sensor (28) and ink dispenser (26) mounted on a carriage (30) for lateral movement on a track (32) across the ink fountain. The carriage traverses the ink fountain. When the ink in the fountain develops a spot below a preset minimum level, a preset amount of ink is immediately dispensed upon detection of the low spot by the sensor.

Abstract: An ink management system for an offset printing press includes a cartridge of offset printing press ink, wherein the cartridge has an exit opening in one end through which ink is dispensed and an open end opposite said exit opening. A movable member is disposed within said ink cartridge for dispensing ink from said ink cartridge. Movement of the movable member dispenses ink into an ink fountain through the exit opening. The displacement of the movable member is determined in order to track an amount of ink dispensed during, for example, a printing run.

Abstract: A gap adjusting device for a rotary press comprises a frame and a fountain roller and a metering roller which are both rotatably mounted relative to the frame. A gap is defined between the metering roller and the fountain roller, and an adjustment member is provided which has an actuator for alternatively moving the rollers toward and away from each other, thereby decreasing or increasing, respectively, the size of the gap. Additionally, the gap adjusting device includes a stabilizing member for stabilizing the metering roller.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for rotatably supporting the cylinder on a printing press is disclosed. The printing press comprises a frame, a support shaft, a cylinder, and the bearing assembly. The support shaft includes an inner fixed end attached to the frame, a free end disposed outwardly away from the frame, and an interconnecting central portion. The bearing assembly rotatably supports the cylinder on the support shaft The bearing assembly includes an inboard bearing set secured to the support shaft adjacent the central portion, and further includes an outboard bearing set secured to the support shaft adjacent the free end. A portion of the bearing assembly is adapted to permit angular adjustment of the cylinder about an axis perpendicular to the support shaft longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supplying emulsion ink to a printing plate on a printing press is disclosed. The apparatus includes an ink feed and recirculation system and associated control system to quickly and reliably form a high quality emulsion ink. The control system utilizes both feedback and feedforward control strategies. The recirculation of the emulsion ink ensures that the emulsion ink remains stable and makes it possible to reformulate the emulsion ink, if necessary, without waiting for the exhaustion of all of the emulsion ink that is in need of reformulation.

Abstract: A modular sign comprises a magnetic backing sheet, a chassis for supporting the backing sheet to provide a stable platform, and one or more sign inserts which may be coated on one side with a magnetically attractive coating so that the inserts can be held magnetically on the backing sheet. The magnetically attractive coating comprises a mixture of hydrogen reduced iron of, preferably about 325 mesh, mixed with a clear enamel printing ink in approximately equal proportions.

Abstract: A modular sign comprises a magnetic backing sheet, a chassis for supporting the backing sheet to provide a stable platform, and one or more sign inserts which may be coated on one side with a magnetically attractive coating so that the inserts can be held magnetically on the backing sheet. The magnetically attractive coating comprises a mixture of hydrogen reduced iron of, preferably about 325 mesh, mixed with a clear enamel printing ink in approximately equal proportions.

Abstract: A printing press having a jaw mode assembly and a rotary mode assembly with a single folding cylinder adapted to feed either the jaw mode assembly or the rotary mode assembly is disclosed. A moving web of material is initially trained about the folding cylinder and cut into a signatures which are then temporarily held on the folding cylinder. A folding blade extends from the folding cylinder to initiate a fold in each signature and direct each signature to either the jaw mode assembly or the rotary mode assembly. The timing of the folding blade is coordinated and adjusted using an indexable spider assembly to feed either the jaw mode assembly or the rotary mode assembly.