Patents Assigned to Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
  • Patent number: 9815307
    Abstract: A method for avoiding collisions in a digital inkjet printing machine, a method and a device for actuator-based lifting movement of inkjet heads. A sensor/camera monitors the sheets as they travel towards the inkjet heads. In order to avoid collisions, the inkjet heads are raised and lowered again individually and in an oscillation-optimized manner when a defective sheet is detected. The machine does not need to be stopped in the event of defective sheets. Advantageously, rejects can thus be reduced and the performance of the machine can be exploited better.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Andreas Mueller, Jochen Renner, Matthias Zapf, Ralf Steinmetz, Michael Oestreicher, Burkhard Wolf, Manfred Haeussler, David Ehrbar, Alexander Knabe
  • Patent number: 9802420
    Abstract: A method and a device for detecting ink leakage during a printing process are used in an inkjet printing machine including a workflow system on a computer for print job control, an ink supply unit including an ink reservoir with an ink level sensor, a control unit running software for controlling the ink supply and print heads capable of creating ink drops of different sizes. A theoretical amount of ink to be consumed is calculated based on prepress printing data by adding drop volumes using the workflow system. The theoretical amount to be consumed is transmitted to the ink supply control software using the workflow system. An actual amount of ink having been consumed is detected by the ink level sensor. The theoretical ink consumption amount and the actual ink consumption amount are compared and a leakage alert is displayed if the actual amount is greater than the theoretical amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Matthias Guelck
  • Patent number: 9796530
    Abstract: A cylinder for conveying printed sheets along a UV or electron beam drier has inert-gas openings to which an inert gas is supplied at least temporarily during operation. A method for conveying printed sheets is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Albert Maul, Jens Friedrichs
  • Patent number: 9770924
    Abstract: A printing unit in a sheet-fed printing machine includes a printing cylinder, an upstream transfer cylinder and a downstream transfer cylinder. The transfer cylinders each include a device for decelerating/accelerating a sheet. The device, in particular, includes at least one gripper bar being movable in a substantially radial direction to change the tangential speed of the gripper bar and thus of the sheet. A printing unit of this construction allows the sheets to be transported at a lower speed and at a shorter distance from one another during the printing process, resulting in a better print quality and a higher throughput of the machine. A sheet-fed printing machine including such a printing unit is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Stefan Mutschall
  • Patent number: 9764571
    Abstract: A device for feeding sheets to a digital sheet-processing machine includes a feed drum for transporting the sheets to the printing machine. At least two transport paths are provided to convey the sheets to be processed to the feed cylinder in at least two different positions from where the sheets are taken over by a gripper device of the feed cylinder and accelerated to processing speed. A digital sheet-fed printing machine having the device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Andreas Mueller, Burkhard Wolf
  • Patent number: 9764573
    Abstract: A method for printing at least one section of a flat or preferably curved surface of an object includes using a relative movement between an inkjet head and the object to move the inkjet head along a first path and print a first track in the process and to move the inkjet head along a second path and print a second track in the process. A first track edge of the first track and a second track edge of the second track meet at a point and enclose an angle between about 1° and about 179° at the point. The method permits the curved surface to be printed without perceptible track connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Heiner Pitz, Matthias Schloerholz
  • Patent number: 9758331
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for holding down a sheet on a feed table of a sheet-processing machine include a lowerable smoothing bar which can be driven according to a speed profile in time with the sheet-processing machine, which results in a targeted deflection of the smoothing bar. The deflection is preserved for the purpose of smoothing the sheet from the middle to the side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: David Ehrbar, Andreas Mueller
  • Patent number: 9762750
    Abstract: A method automatically parameterizes error detection of an image inspection system by a computer. The method includes digitizing a reference image in order to determine desired values and subdividing the reference image into homogeneous image regions with few edges, and inhomogeneous image regions with strongly structured image areas and many edges. Lower tolerance values for the homogeneous image regions, and higher tolerance values for the inhomogeneous image regions of the digitized reference image are determined by statistical image analyses. The determined tolerances are assigned to their respective desired values in dependence on a position of the desired values in homogeneous or inhomogeneous image regions. An inspection sensitivity is calculated from desired values and their respective tolerances. The parameters of the image inspection system are set with the aid of the inspection sensitivity configuration of the image inspection system using the parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Werner Huber, Thomas Roos
  • Patent number: 9744776
    Abstract: A device for printing on multi-dimensional objects includes an object carrier for holding and moving the object to be printed on, a tool carrier for receiving stationary processing tools, and a frame to which the tool carrier is fixed. The object carrier has three guide tracks which are disposed perpendicular to one another and each of which is oriented along a respective axis of movement. Carriages are movable on the guide tracks for executing a translatory movement of the object relative to the stationary processing tools. The device may have a modular construction, allowing the device to be adapted to a variety of objects to be printed on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Markus Moehringer, Henning Niggemann
  • Patent number: 9741132
    Abstract: A method of correcting measured image data deviations of an image inspection system determining image data using a single measuring head and image measuring unit, by using a computer, includes measuring color spectrums of color fields using the head and unit, creating a color set from color spectrums of the head and unit, calculating spectrums from overprinting color combinations for the head and unit using a color model and the respective color set, calculating Lab color values for the head and unit based on spectrums of the head and unit, determining deviations between color values of the head and unit for supporting points, adding determined deviations to the color values of the measuring unit at the supporting points, creating an ICC profile based on corrected color values of the measuring unit for converting imprecise measured values thereof into accurate color values, and correcting imprecisely measured values of the measuring unit using the profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Uwe-Jens Krabbenhoeft
  • Patent number: 9738472
    Abstract: A sheet-transporting drum includes sheet-supporting areas each being formed of a first comb segment and a second comb segment having segment teeth. At least one of the comb segments is rotatable for adaptation to a sheet format. A mechanical leading-edge gripper is provided on the first comb segment and a pneumatic trailing-edge gripper is provided on the second comb segment. A mechanical trailing-edge gripper is additionally disposed on the second comb segment and is deactivatable in particular by format adjustments. This advantageously allows either the trailing edge of a sheet to be securely held down mechanically or a full-bleed print to be applied to the sheet when the trailing edge of the sheet is held down pneumatically. A sheet-fed printing machine is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Juergen Rothaug, Arno Juenger, Albert Maul, Sven Goll, Thomas Schmidt, Alexander Knabe, Daniel Conzelmann, Wolfgang Dolz, Kai Oskar Mueller, Raimund Schroeder
  • Patent number: 9731500
    Abstract: A method for testing the reliability of an error detection of an image inspection method by using a computer includes producing a defective test image by superposing specific error elements on an error-free reference image, carrying out the image inspection method with the defective test image, comparing the errors found by the image inspection method with the error set to be expected with the aid of the known errors added to the test image, and evaluating the reliability of the image inspection method with the aid of the difference between found and expected errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Frank Schumann, Frank Soltwedel, Daniel Blatt
  • Patent number: 9734596
    Abstract: A method for generating executable applications with dynamic, scalable vector graphics by using a compiler operated by a computer includes marking the dynamic elements of the scalable vector graphics by an attribute. During the compilation process, on the basis of the attribute, the compiler translates the dynamic elements of the scalable vector graphics into program code that is part of the program code of the executable applications. A compiler is also provided for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Volkhard Franke, Edelbert Koenig, Markus Sailer
  • Patent number: 9718286
    Abstract: A sheet-transport drum includes at least two sheet-supporting surfaces with suction openings. Each respective sheet-supporting surface is formed of first and second comb segments with segment teeth. Suction grooves are provided in the segment teeth and a trailing-edge suction groove is provided in the sheet-supporting surface of each respective second comb segment. A rotary valve is provided for a timed supply of suction air. A plurality of vacuum sources is provided and a trailing-edge suction groove is assigned to each respective vacuum source by the rotary valve. This ensures that the vacuum provided by a respective trailing-edge suction groove at the trailing edge of a respective sheet is reliably maintained even if a previous or following sheet is missing. A sheet-fed printing machine with the sheet-transport drum is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Dolz, Raimund Schroeder, Arno Juenger, Daniel Conzelmann
  • Patent number: 9676176
    Abstract: A method for controlling the inking in a printing press includes compensation of an ink requirement in an inking unit and/or compensation of a dampening solution requirement in a dampening unit of the printing press in the event of a change in the printing speed. The printing speed profile or machine state prevailing before the instant of the change in the printing speed is taken into consideration in the compensation of the metering of ink or dampening solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Peter Elter, Nikolaus Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 9636936
    Abstract: A device for printing on at least one region of a surface of a so-called 3D object, for instance a curved auto body part, includes a manipulator, for instance an articulated-arm robot with six degrees of freedom. The device also includes a system for vibration compensation for the print head. The system includes an active component and a passive component. Manipulator vibration which creates defects in a printed image may thus be effectively avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Steffen Neeb, Roland Stenzel
  • Patent number: 9636928
    Abstract: An apparatus for the printing and radiation treatment of a curved surface of an object, such as a body part, includes a printing unit, preferably an inkjet print head, a radiation unit, preferably a UV dryer, and a movement unit, preferably a robot, either for moving the printing unit and the radiation unit at a working distance along the surface or for moving the object at a working distance along the printing unit and the radiation unit. A shielding unit can be adjusted and/or deformed relative to the printing unit and/or relative to the radiation unit and during the printing. Scattered radiation is shielded and damage to the printing unit is prevented as a result of the special configuration of the shielding unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Matthias Noell
  • Patent number: 9641700
    Abstract: A method for automatically selecting test parameters for an image inspection system using a computer, includes digitizing a reference image or a scanned printed image to determine target values, categorizing the image elements that are present, determining tolerances for the target values based on the categorization, calculating the inspection sensitivity based on target values and the respective tolerances thereof, setting the parameters of the image inspection system based on the inspection sensitivity, and configuring the image inspection using these parameters. An image inspection system for implementing the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Frank Schumann, Winfried Berg
  • Patent number: 9626604
    Abstract: A method for the dynamic printing process calibration of a printing press includes determining a calibration dataset for the colored halftones of the process colors, determining a calibration dataset for the gray halftones of the process colors, determining a weighting factor for the two calibration datasets as a function of the original print and calculating a combined calibration dataset from the two determined calibration datasets, with reference to the weighting factor. The calculated combined calibration dataset is applied to the calibration of the printing process of a printing press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Guenter Bestmann
  • Patent number: 9616680
    Abstract: A device for printing on a surface of an object contains a stationary printing unit for printing on the object. The printing unit contains an inkjet print head for creating a print on the surface of the object in an operating area of the print head. A movable holding unit is provided for receiving the object in a receiving region and for a rotary movement of the object from the receiving region into the operating area of the print head and for a linear movement of the object in the operating area of the print head during the creation of the print. At least one control unit is provided for controlling the movements of the holding unit and the creation of the print.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Markus Moehringer, Henning Niggemann