Abstract: An apparatus for remote ink control fountain selection comprising a video camera for reading a signature image, an image digitizer, an image comparator for comparing the signature image to a sample image set and a memory device for storing the sample image set in digitized form, as well as a method for remote ink fountain selection comprising the steps of digitizing sample images and providing each said sample image with an identification; digitizing a printed signature image from a printing press which corresponds to at least one of the sample images; comparing the digitized printed signature image to the digitized sample images; and outputting the identification of the digitized sample image upon a match with the digitized signature image.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for adjusting the circumferential register in a web-fed rotary printing press having a plate cylinder with a sleeve-shaped printing plate. Exemplary embodiments include a variable speed drive box which is controlled by a central control unit in dependence on a measured difference between the speed of a plate sleeve and the press speed. The drive box produces a slight overspeed of a plate cylinder body used to support the sleeve-shaped printing plate, such that a difference between the speed of the plate sleeve and the speed of the printing press is reduced to zero.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for replacing elements of a product delivery fan wheel which is rotatably mounted. The fan wheel has a plurality of fan blades which include attaching devices for replaceably mounting fan blade tips on the fan blades.

Abstract: A web-up system is provided for a web-fed printing press, the web fed printing press having a plurality of components including a slitter mechanism. The web-up system includes either or both a web-up device and a ribbon winder. The web-up device is located adjacent to an output of a first component of the web-fed printing press, the first component located upstream from the slitter mechanism. The web-up device includes a splicing mechanism and a secondary web roll rotatably mounted on a shaft. The splicing mechanism receives a first web of material from the first component, receives a second web of material from the secondary web roll, splices the first web of material to the second web of material, and outputs a spliced web of material to the next downstream component of the press, e.g., the slitter mechanism. The ribbon winder is coupled to an output of the slitter mechanism. The slitter mechanism slits the web of material into at least a first and second ribbon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a deceleration device for flat products, such as signatures. A deceleration device has a plurality of seizing elements attached thereto for seizing signatures at their respective leading edge while the signatures are emerging from a conveying device. The leading edge of a signature travels on a first path, whereas the trailing edge of the signature travels on a second path, which creates a larger air-drag coefficient on the signature than the first path.

Abstract: A printing unit with a rotatable print cylinder and a rotatable blanket cylinder is provided. A tubular printing blanket is removably mounted on the blanket cylinder. The printing unit may have an imaging unit mounted therein. A printing member, which is mountable on the print cylinder, is imaged by the imaging unit inside the printing unit. The printing member has a continuous surface and may be removed axially from the print cylinder. The printing unit may be configured as a cantilever printing unit, or, alternatively, may be configured with both a gear side frame and a work side frame for supporting the print and blanket cylinders. In order to provide a variable-cutoff capability, a plurality of print cylinder saddles may be provided. Each print cylinder saddle has the same inner diameter for mounting on the print cylinders. However, in order to provide a variable cut-off, the print cylinder saddles may have a variety of outer diameters.

Abstract: A cylindrical rotating body (1) of low inertia is provided including a cylindrical body (1) having a large length/diameter ratio. The cylindrical body (1) is of thin wall thickness and is sealed at the opposite ends by sealing means (3, 8). The hollow interior (9) of the cylindrical body (1) is loaded with a pressurized medium (10).

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing marking of a web which locally cools the web and thereby raises the viscosity of the ink imprinted thereon downstream of an initial cooling of the web. The cooling device may include liquid cooling of rolls in the press, air cooling of a contained environment of the press, or forcing a cooling gas onto a surface of the printed web.

Abstract: A cylinder in a folding apparatus includes a plurality of product seizing devices. Each product seizing device includes a cam and a shaft having a plurality of product seizing devices attached thereto. A cam follower is mounted to the shaft and a torsion bar is coupled to the cam follower. A torque preloading element for applying a preloaded torque to the torsion bar is provided which maintains the cam follower in contact with the cam. Finally, mechanism for incrementally adjusting and maintaining the preloaded torque on the torsion bar is provided. A variety of mechanisms for incrementally adjusting the preloaded torque are possible. For example, the mechanism may include a first facial toothing on an interior face of the torque preloading element and a second facial toothing on an exterior face of an opposing element. The opposing element is mounted to a work side end of the cylinder and the first facial toothing engages the second facial toothing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for passing a printed web through the separated printing or blanket cylinders of a motionless downstream printing unit of a lithographic rotary printing press. First and second blast air devices are arranged on the first and second sides of the web, directing blast air into respective spaces formed between the running web and the cylinders, at a position located upstream of the cylinders. The blast air applies forces to both sides of the running web to thereby center the web on a path which is similar to the path taken by the web through the blanket cylinders during normal printing operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method which allows a printing plate to be mounted onto a plate cylinder in a quick and efficient manner. The apparatus includes a lock-up mechanism which is removable from the plate cylinder, and which is preferably slidably received in an axial slot in the plate cylinder. The axial slot may include a mechanism for retaining the lock-up mechanism once it is inserted in the axial slot, and for tensioning the plate on the plate cylinder. The method of the invention includes a first step of removing the lock-up mechanism from the plate cylinder and unlocking the lock-up mechanism. A flat plate has both its ends bent approximately 90.degree., and then the plate is bent into a cylindrical shape. The bent ends of the plate, which after the cylindrical bending are approximately parallel to one another, are then inserted into the lock-up mechanism. The lock-up mechanism is thereafter locked, clamping the ends of the plate into the previously-bent cylindrical shape.

Abstract: A superstructure of a folding apparatus for feeding at least two webs of flat material to a cylinder unit of the folding apparatus. The superstructure including at least two take-off roller assemblies, each take-off roller assembly including a corresponding take-off roller rotatably mounted on the superstructure. At least one mantling is provided for mounting on an outer surface of each take-off roller in order to adjust a diameter of the corresponding take-off roller assembly. A drive assembly is provided for driving the at least two take-off roller assemblies, each of the at least two take-off roller assemblies having a respective circumferential velocity which is a function of the adjusted diameter of the take-off roller assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for transporting a flat printed material being conveyed, such as a printed web of material, a ribbon, a signature, or the like. An exemplary apparatus includes a pair of seizing elements for transporting a web of material, and corrugation inducing elements arranged along a linear path adjacent to each other. The corrugation inducing elements are provided in a non-contacting manner on both sides of a transition area within which the flat printed material is conveyed, the corrugation inducing elements substantially extending along the transition area which is located between an output of the pair of seizing elements and the input to further processing elements to corrugate the flat printed material.

Abstract: A self-compensating tensioner, particularly a self-compensating tensioner for use in a folder of a web offset printing press, includes a plurality of rollers designed to tension tapes. Each roller is mounted on a tensioner arm. The tensioner arms are mounted on a rotatable shaft via one-way clutches with a weight attached to each tensioner arm so that the center of mass of the tensioner arm is offset from the rotatable shaft. The force of gravity may therefore rotate the tensioner arm about the shaft, applying a minimum tension to the tape through the roller. A lever arm is connected to the shaft through an engagement clutch, with an actuator connected to the lever arm. When the actuator and the engagement clutch are activated, the lever arm can apply a torque to the tensioner arms through the shaft, thereby increasing the tension in the tapes to a working level.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to transporting signatures within a folding apparatus. Exemplary embodiments include at least one pair of cooperating cutting cylinders, each having at least one of a knife and an anvil. A conveying plane extends in substantially vertical direction. A right and a left conveyor assembly are assigned to the conveying plane. The cooperating cutting cylinders are integrated into the paths of conveying elements of the left and right conveyor assemblies, seizing a web of material prior to a cutting operation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a conveying device for flat printed products. Exemplary embodiments include a transport device for transporting signatures. A plurality of arms, each having a seizing device, are assigned to the transport device for seizing signatures emerging from the transport device. Upon rotational movement of the arms, the seizing devices dive into non-raised portions of a transporting element of the transporting device for seizing a leading edge of respective signatures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for normalizing the zero points for each ink key in an ink fountain. The method and apparatus are useful in an ink fountain using an inker roll and a meter roll which are spaced by a gap, which gap can have possible variations in width. The method is performed when an operator programs the ink fountain controller with a reference point corresponding to the position of the ink key where ink is first transferred from the inker roll to the meter roll - - - the zero points for the ink keys. The reference points for all the ink keys are then normalized within the ink fountain controller, such that an operator display shows a uniform value for the individual reference points for all the ink keys.

Abstract: Apparatus for preventing backlash between a first gear and a second gear of a gear train. Exemplary embodiments include a supplementary gear rotatably mounted adjacent to the first gear and rotatable about the same rotational axis as the first gear, the teeth of the supplementary gear being in meshing engagement with the teeth of the second gear. The apparatus further includes a support element formed on at least one of the first gear and the supplementary gear, and a leaf spring assembly extending essentially radially with respect to the rotational axis of the first gear. The leaf spring assembly is bent out of its zero-position and engages the support element at its second end portion, thereby applying a force to the support element for biasing the supplementary gear and the first gear to rotate in opposite directions.

Abstract: A printing unit with a rotatable print cylinder and a rotatable blanket cylinder is provided. A tubular printing blanket is removably mounted on the blanket cylinder. The printing unit may have an imaging unit mounted therein. A printing member, which is mountable on the print cylinder, is imaged by the imaging unit inside the printing unit. The printing member has a continuous surface and may be removed axially from the print cylinder. The printing unit may be configured as a cantilever printing unit, or, alternatively, may be configured with both a gear side frame and a work side frame for supporting the print and blanket cylinders. In order to provide a variable-cutoff capability, a plurality of print cylinder saddles may be provided. Each print cylinder saddle has the same inner diameter for mounting on the print cylinders. However, in order to provide a variable cut-off, the print cylinder saddles may have a variety of outer diameters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a folder apparatus including a first cylinder for transporting a product and a folding cylinder rotatably engaged with the first cylinder at a nip. A product guiding device is assigned to a transition area between surfaces of the first cylinder and the folding cylinder, the guiding device having a smoothing element which includes different sections of product contacting elements being angled in opposite directions.