Abstract: A signature hopper loader apparatus and method for delivering signatures in a shingled stream to the hopper.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for sorting a single stream of signatures into two or more streams, the apparatus includes two counter-rotating bucket assemblies. Each bucket assembly includes a plurality of buckets spaced from one another along a common axis. The respective common axis of each bucket assembly is disposed parallel to the common axis of the other. Each of the buckets of one of the bucket assemblies is disposed adjacent to and in a respective common plane with a respective one of the buckets of the other of the bucket assemblies. Further, each of the buckets includes a plurality of blades, the tips of the blades of each bucket defining a circumference. A respective circumference of one bucket overlaps the circumference of the other bucket disposed in the common plane. Two neighboring blades have respective surfaces defining a slot therebetween.

Abstract: A hopper loader apparatus and method for delivering signatures to a binding line, the hopper loader including a first conveyor having a horizontal entry portion and an arched exit portion. During operation of the hopper, the signatures are loaded onto the horizontal entry portion and moved toward the arched exit portion such that the signatures are fanned or deblocked as they travel over the arched exit portion. A second conveyor connected to the first conveyor receives signatures from the arched exit portion of the first conveyor and moves the signatures to the binding line. The arched exit portion is preferably less than 25% of the total length of the first conveyor. The horizontal portion of the first conveyor is located between 30 and 34 inches above a platform on which the hopper loader is standing to facilitate loading of the signatures onto the horizontal portion by an operator.

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: An apparatus for decelerating signatures moving in tandem fashion through sheet processing equipment is provided. A pair of counter-rotating cams lying in general face-to-face relation along a travel path of the signatures reach into the travel path of the signatures to effectively grab the trailing end of each signature so as to decrease the speed of each signature as the signature continues or to further processing equipment in the sheet handling system. Also provided is a guide assembly which increases control over the signatures during the decelerating process and during transport of the signatures to further downstream processing equipment. The guide assembly includes grooved rollers which act as pulleys for belts near the exit stream of the slow-down equipment, wherein the protruding segments between belt grooves act to push the signatures away from the belt.

Abstract: A method for simulating one of a plurality of web-up configurations for a press line in order to provide web length information associated with the selected web-up configuration (32) to a product tracking system (16). The method includes providing a drawing of a press line on a touch screen (24) and pulling a virtual web through the drawing to illustrate a selected web-up configuration (32). Web length information is calculated based on the selected web-up configuration (32) and is communicated to the product tracking system (16).

Abstract: An apparatus for decelerating signatures moving in tandem fashion through sheet processing equipment is provided. A pair of counter-rotating cams lying in general face-to-face relation along a travel path of the signatures reach into the travel path of the signatures to effectively grab the trailing end of each signature so as to decrease the speed of each signature as the signature continues or to further processing equipment in the sheet handling system.

Abstract: A printed product slow down apparatus and method for slowing down printed products, the apparatus and method utilizing a slow down member to absorb the kinetic energy of the printed product thus slowing down the printed product.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining ink key control settings for a plurality of ink keys in a printing press. Each of the ink keys controls the amount of ink supplied to a roller and then to a respective ink key zone on a substrate to print an image. A press model relates image requirements to ink key control settings. The press model includes a gain and a respective offset associated with each ink key. The offset represents the amount a value represented by the ink key control setting varies from the actual ink key opening. The drift in the respective offsets of the ink keys is tracked by comparing control settings predicted by the press model with final control settings after a press job has been satisfactorily completed.

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.

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 delivery apparatus for sorting a single stream of signatures into two or more streams, the apparatus includes two counter-rotating bucket assemblies. Each bucket assembly includes a plurality of buckets spaced from one another along a common axis. The respective common axis of each bucket assembly is disposed parallel to the common axis of the other. Each of the buckets of one of the bucket assemblies is disposed adjacent to and in a respective common plane with a respective one of the buckets of the other of the bucket assemblies. Further, each of the buckets includes a plurality of blades, the tips of the blades of each bucket defining a circumference. A respective circumference of one bucket overlaps the circumference of the other bucket disposed in the common plane. Two neighboring blades have respective surfaces defining a slot therebetween.

Abstract: A diverter wedge for a pinless folder is adapted for cooperative association with a diverter guide mechanism operating to direct the lateral disposition of the leading edge of a signature relative to the wedge to one of a plurality of collation paths. The diverter wedge includes an elongated bar having a longitudinal axis and a generally triangular cross section transverse to said longitudinal axis. The bar is fixed in position and also includes a base, a vertex edge opposite the base, and planar diversion surfaces diverging from the vertex edge, an air inlet port connectable to a source of pressurized air, and a plurality of air discharge ports connected to the air inlet port and intersecting one of the planar diversion surfaces. At least one air discharge port intersects the vertex edge.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for sorting a single stream of signatures into two or more streams, the apparatus includes two counter-rotating bucket assemblies. Each bucket assembly includes a plurality of buckets spaced from one another along a common axis. The respective common axis of each bucket assembly is disposed parallel to the common axis of the other. Each of the buckets of one of the bucket assemblies is disposed adjacent to and in a respective common plane with a respective one of the buckets of the other of the bucket assemblies. Further, each of the buckets includes a plurality of blades, the tips of the blades of each bucket defining an outer circle. A respective outer circle of one bucket overlaps the outer circle of the opposing bucket disposed in the common plane. Two neighboring blades have respective surfaces defining a slot therebetween.

Abstract: Provided is a sheet diverter for directing signatures moving in serial fashion along a path to one of a plurality of collation paths. The sheet diverter includes a non-uniform angular velocity drive mechanism, the function of which is to improve the collation process such that the quality of signatures is improved as the signatures move along one of the plurality of collation paths and to increase the speed of the folder.

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.

Abstract: A folder of a printing press wherein the bucket assemblies are mounted on shafts cantilevered from the folder frame, and wherein each shaft is rotatably driven and positionally controlled by a motor that is mechanically independent of the folder drive mechanism.

Abstract: An adaptive control system is intended for use in conjunction with a printing press to control the setting of an ink control device that regulates the amount of ink applied to a substrate. The control system includes a controller for calculating a new setting for the ink control device based on a measured ink color value and a target ink color value. The controller has at least one gain parameter. The control system also includes a sensitivity adapter in communication with the controller. The sensitivity adapter modifies the gain parameter in response to the sensitivity of the ink control device to a correction in setting issued by the controller. The control system operates so that a measured ink color value on the substrate converges toward a target ink color value.

Abstract: An adjustable signature stripping mechanism for stripping signatures from a rotating bucket assembly in a folder of a printing press. The mechanism includes a stripper shaft having a mounting portion and a pivot axis and a plurality of strippers mounted on the stripper shaft for stripping signatures from the bucket assembly and wherein the strippers are non-rotatable relative to the stripper shaft and slidable positionable along the stripper shaft.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining color registration in a multi-color printing press having a plurality of printing stations. A process black registration mark is formed in an identified area by positioning a plurality of color registration marks on top of each other. The process black registration mark is position in a portion of the image that is intended to be printed black, and preferably adjacent to a black ink image. The identified area is examined to determine whether the process black registration mark is properly positioned.