Abstract: A phase control system for a fan blade assembly of a folder is provided which includes a fan blade assembly, a folded product transport assembly, and a control system. The fan blade assembly includes a first and second rotating fan blade assembly. The first rotating fan blade assembly has a plurality of first fan blades and has a first circumference. The second rotating fan blade assembly includes a plurality of second fan blades and has a second circumference. A product receiving area is defined at an intersection of the first and second circumferences such that only one of the first and second fan blades can occupy the product receiving area at any instant. The folded product transport assembly is provided for delivering folded products to the product receiving area. The control system includes a first sensor, a second sensor, and a fan blade assembly motor actuator.

Abstract: In a rotary printing press, an apparatus for adjusting the lateral and circumferential position of the plate cylinder is provided. The apparatus includes a sleeve having an inner surface with threads disposed thereon; a shaft disposed within the sleeve, and connected to the machine element such that when the shaft moves laterally the machine element is moved laterally, the shaft having an outer surface with threads disposed thereon which engage the threads disposed on the inner surface of the shaft; a gear assembly coupled to the sleeve, such that a rotational movement of the sleeve causes a circumferential movement of the machine element; a first drive for rotating the shaft, such that when the shaft is rotated, the shaft moves the machine element laterally; and a second drive for rotating the sleeve, such that when the sleeve is rotated, the sleeve moves the gear, and the gear rotates the machine element circumferentially.

Abstract: A device for delivering flat products, such as signatures or the like, having a plurality of fan wheels rotatably mounted on a fan wheel shaft. The fan wheels each have a plurality of fan pockets for receiving signatures emerging from a transporting device, the fan wheels being mounted on the fan wheel shaft in spaced relation to one another in an axial direction. Adjustably mounted deceleration devices, each having a curvature for diving between the spaced-apart fan wheels, allow for a desired deceleration of the signatures upon rotation of the fan wheels.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus, such as a folder apparatus of a web-fed printing press, having a printed product delivery with two fan wheel arrangements overlapping each other. An exemplary embodiment includes a mechanism for continuously conveying flat products. The mechanism has devices attached thereto in a timed arrangement for positioning each flat product to be delivered, in its entirety, off a centerline of the fan wheel arrangements prior to the entry of the flat product into a pocket of the fan wheel arrangements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the delivery of products out of fans for forming a shingled product stream. The invention uses at least one endless chain lead around a drive shaft of a fan arrangement. The chain links of the chain are equally spaced from one another. The fan arrangement uses multiple fans disposed on a drive shaft in spaced relation. The invention has at least one endless chain, having chain links with a projection, and which chain is arranged between the fans. The projections of the chain links touch and guide the front edges of printed products in the pockets and, during common movement of the fans and chain, change the position of the products in the pockets of the fans.

Abstract: A device for diverting signatures into pockets of at least two slow-down devices is provided. The device includes a set of high-speed tapes (3) arranged downstream of a pair of cutting cylinders (2). A set of diverting belts (6) comprises raised surface portions (6.3) and non-raised surface portions (6.4). The set of high-speed tapes (3) is assigned to the diverting belts (6) to ride on the raised and non-raised surface portions (6.3, 6.4) thereof, thus, periodically altering a signature conveying path (1) of signatures.

Abstract: A device for automatically advancing the end of a web in a priming press. The device is particularly useful for advancing the web end over a former and into a folder unit in a press. The device includes at least one endless belt which moves from a retracted position to an engaged position, to thereby grip the web end and, upon rotation of the endless belt, advance the web end to the desired location in the press. The device of the present invention can also be used to advance a web end over a former roll, as well as over an angle roll, in a printing press.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for removing ink, water and contamination build-up on an ink roller in a printing press. The present invention also relates to a device for scavenging unused ink from an ink roller in a printing press, to allow the return the unused ink to the ink fountain. One embodiment of the invention includes a movable scraper blade having a gap corresponding to the lithographic or printing area of the ink roller. In this embodiment, the blade scrapes ink and/or water off of the ink roller only in the areas adjacent the lithographic or printing area. In another embodiment, a scraper blade is constructed of a series of blade segments, with each blade segment being independently actuatable through an actuator. This embodiment allows the scraping area or areas to be adjusted by simply controlling the appropriate actuators for the blade segments corresponding to the scraping area.

Abstract: A scanner senses the position of the individual images on the web. A cutting cylinder position is monitored by a signal generator, and may be altered by mechanically changing the phase of the cutting cylinders in relation to the image on the web based on commands relating to the image registration error, the first derivative of the image registration error and/or the second derivative of the image registration error.

Abstract: A folder apparatus is disclosed which has a removable mounting plate supporting both of the corresponding exit rollers of a single lead-in tape assembly. The modular cartridge formed by the mounting plate and exit rollers allows for easy replacement of these parts in the folder.

Abstract: A web printing press and a method of reducing ink build-up on a printing cylinder of a web printing press are described. The web is moved sideways, either by web guides or by moving a web roll stand, during a printing cylinder wash operation to aid in removing ink build-up.

Abstract: A folder apparatus is disclosed which has at least one lead-in tape mechanism having a left lead-in tape and left exit roller and a corresponding right lead-in tape and right exit roller, the right and left lead-in tapes forming a signature passage for delivery of a signature, and the left exit rollers being at a different height than the right exit rollers. A signature aiming device controls the direction of the signature path by moving one or both sets of exit rollers.

Abstract: In a rotary printing press, an apparatus for adjusting the lateral and circumferential position of the plate cylinder is provided. The apparatus includes a sleeve having an inner surface with threads disposed thereon; a shaft disposed within the sleeve, and connected to the machine element such that when the shaft moves laterally the machine element is moved laterally, the shaft having an outer surface with threads disposed thereon which engage the threads disposed on the inner surface of the shaft; a gear assembly coupled to the sleeve, such that a rotational movement of the sleeve causes a circumferential movement of the machine element; a first drive for rotating the shaft, such that when the shaft is rotated, the shaft moves the machine element laterally; and a second drive for rotating the sleeve, such that when the sleeve is rotated, the sleeve moves the gear, and the gear rotates the machine element circumferentially.

Abstract: A device (10) and a method for positioning a rotatable printing cylinder (16) for a printing press (12). A drive (24) can rotate the cylinder (16) about a cylinder axis (52) at relatively high and low speeds. A sensor (68) is positioned adjacent to the cylinder (16) for detecting rotational positions of the cylinder (16) and providing a signal which varies in response to detected rotational positions of the cylinder (16). A sensor exciting target (66) has first and second edges (74 and 76) at first and second ends, respectively, of a sector of the cylinder (16). The sensor (68) is aligned with the first edge (74) at a first rotational position of the cylinder (16) and is aligned with the second edge (76) at a second rotational position of the cylinder (16).

Abstract: A folder apparatus is disclosed which has at least one lead-in tape mechanism having a left lead-in tape and left exit roller and a corresponding right lead-in tape and right exit roller, the fight and left lead-in tapes forming a signature passage for delivery of a stream of signatures. One of the exit rollers is spring-loaded in the direction of a fixed exit roller. The spring loading takes place with two springs acting opposite one another, the springs having different spring rates or modula. This dual spring action reduces pounding caused by the signatures as they pass through the lead-in tapes.

Abstract: A web printing press and a method of reducing ink build-up on a printing cylinder of a web printing press are described. The web is moved sideways, either by web guides or by moving a web roll stand, during a printing cylinder wash operation to aid in removing ink build-up.

Abstract: A folder apparatus is disclosed which has at least two side-by-side lead-in tape mechanisms having a left lead-in tape and left exit roller and a corresponding right lead-in tape and right exit roller, the right and left lead-in tapes forming a signature passage for delivery of a signature, and the left exit rollers being at a different height than the right exit rollers. The rollers of the side-by-side tape mechanisms have alternating heights. The exit rollers may be fixed or spring-loaded in the direction of the corresponding roller.

Abstract: A tubular printing blanket for a blanket cylinder in an offset printing press comprises a cylindrical sleeve, a compressible layer over the sleeve, and an inextensible layer over the compressible layer. The cylindrical sleeve is movable telescopically over a blanket cylinder. The compressible layer comprises a first seamless tubular body of elastomeric material containing compressible microspheres. The inextensible layer comprises a second seamless tubular body of elastomeric material containing a tubular sublayer of circumferentially inextensible material. A seamless tubular printing layer over the inextensible layer has a continuous, gapless cylindrical printing surface. Methods of manufacturing the tubular printing blanket are also disclosed.

Abstract: An offset printing apparatus rotates the plate cylinder steadily with a minimum of torsional interference caused by impact of the reciprocating ductor roll with the vibrator roll. The ductor roll is reciprocated at a rapid rate to impart a rapid succession of torsional shocks to the vibrator roll and thereby to urge the gear train toward a steady-state condition wherein a level of torsional loading is maintained without substantial change in response to reciprocation of the ductor roll.

Abstract: A tubular printing blanket for a blanket cylinder in an offset printing press comprises a cylindrical sleeve, a compressible layer over the sleeve, and an inextensible layer over the compressible layer. The cylindrical sleeve is movable telescopically over a blanket cylinder. The compressible layer comprises a first seamless tubular body of elastomeric material containing compressible microspheres. The inextensible layer comprises a second seamless tubular body of elastomeric material containing a tubular sublayer of circumferentially inextensible material. A seamless tubular printing layer over the inextensible layer has a continuous, gapless cylindrical printing surface. Methods of manufacturing the tubular printing blanket are also disclosed.