Abstract: An illumination system for a web travelling from upstream to downstream in a longitudinal direction in a printing press is described. The illumination system includes a first and a second illuminator for emitting light, each illuminator having a long axis arranged in a lateral direction. Further, the system includes a first and a second reflector, with the second reflector being arranged downstream from the first reflector. Each reflector has a surface for reflecting light from a corresponding illuminator toward the web, wherein a cross-section of each reflecting surface is a portion of a parabola having a focal point, or a portion of an ellipse, having two focal points. An illuminator is located at a corresponding focal point.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of printing presses, and specifically to a method and apparatus for visually inspecting a web moving on a printing press using a CMOS based image recording device and preferably a LED light source.

Abstract: The invention recites a gate that is selectively operable to pass a stream of printed products to one of a first path and a second path. The waste gate includes a frame and a first roller member supported by the frame for rotation about a first axis. The first axis is fixed with respect to the frame. A second roller member is supported by the frame for rotation about a second axis. The second roller is movable with respect to the first roller between a first position and a second position. A conveyor belt is supported by the first roller and the second roller such that when the second roller is in the first position, the stream of printed products pass along the first path and when the second roller is in the second position, the stream of printed products pass along the second path.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method for measuring spatial and spectral information from an image of a printed substrate. The image processing apparatus processes the spatial and spectral information from the same acquired image using first and second processors. One of the first or second processors includes a large format sensor and the other of the first or second processors includes a small format sensor. Both the first and second processors are capable of processing both the spatial and spectral information and neither the first or second processor is necessarily dedicated to processing only the spatial or spectral information.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method for measuring spatial and spectral information from an image of a printed substrate. The image processing apparatus processes the spatial and spectral information from the same acquired image using first and second processors. In some embodiments, the image processing apparatus processes the spatial information from a first acquired image and the spectral information from a second acquired image, the first and second acquired images being of the same point on the printed substrate, acquired at separate times during the travel of the printed substrate. In other embodiments, the image processing apparatus processes the spatial and spectral information from the same acquired image using the same processor.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of printing presses, and specifically to a method and apparatus for visually inspecting a web moving on a printing press using a CMOS based image recording device and preferably a LED light source. The LED light source includes at least two colors of light, such as white and blue, for highlighting various ink colors with respect to the web.

Abstract: By inclusion of a register target within a colorpatch, a colorbar is used for controlling color register as well as controlling color density on a printing press.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is described wherein a printing press is profiled during production press runs and wherein ink color is controlled.

Abstract: A control system for a printing press which integrates a color control subsystem and a defect detection subsystem.

Abstract: The invention recites a gate that is selectively operable to pass a stream of printed products to one of a first path and a second path. The waste gate includes a frame and a first roller member supported by the frame for rotation about a first axis. The first axis is fixed with respect to the frame. A second roller member is supported by the frame for rotation about a second axis. The second roller is movable with respect to the first roller between a first position and a second position. A conveyor belt is supported by the first roller and the second roller such that when the second roller is in the first position, the stream of printed products pass along the first path and when the second roller is in the second position, the stream of printed products pass along the second path.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of printing presses, and specifically to a method and apparatus for visually inspecting a web moving on a printing press using a CMOS based image recording device and preferably a LED light source.

Abstract: The folder of a printing press includes an air knife assembly to reduce damage to signatures as they travel through the folder and to guide signatures through the folder.

Abstract: A color registration control system for a printing press including an area scanner for acquiring an image of a paper substrate and an image processing system adapted to receive the image and process the image to determine any color register error.

Abstract: A camera assembly for use in scanning a paper substrate of a printing press including a housing, a camera mounted within the housing, a light source, and at least one mirror.

Abstract: A method for decreasing the time spent searching for color register marks including acquiring an image of the paper substrate on a printing press and processing the image using an FPGA.

Abstract: A camera assembly for a printing press including a housing, a camera positioned within the housing and image processing hardware positioned within the housing.

Abstract: Provided is a sheet diverter for directing signatures moving in serial fashion along a diverter path to one of a plurality of collation paths. The sheet diverter includes a pair of diverter rolls for directing a signature to one of the plurality of collation paths and a diverter wedge for deflecting the signature to a selected one thereof. The diverter wedge is positioned between the diverter rolls so as to reach high into the diverter path thereby providing increased support to the signature as it travels from between the diverter rolls to the diverter wedge. The diverter rolls are permitted to intermesh with the diverter wedge so as to allow the diverter wedge to be so positioned.

Abstract: A signature slow-down section in a folder of a printing press for slowing down signatures is provided. The folder is driven by a folder drive mechanism and the signature slow-down section includes a frame, a slow-down mechanism supported by the frame, and a motor connected to the slow-down mechanism for rotatably driving the slow-down mechanism separately from the folder drive mechanism. The motor is selectively operable to drive the slow-down mechanism at a speed in response to the position of the signatures relative to the slow-down mechanism.

Abstract: By inclusion of a register target within a colorpatch, a colorbar is used for controlling color register as well as controlling color density on a printing press.

Abstract: An improved delivery section of a folder of a printing press in which the bucket assemblies and side guides are adjustable to accommodate varying widths of signatures.