Abstract: A system for use with a web printing press for providing overall control of the operations of multiple systems, including a system for measuring the reflective density of printed ink in real time during high speed operation and for controlling the color density and registration of the press. The system digitizes images of targets located in the test print area within an impression and analyzes the images to determine a multiplicity of print characteristics of multiple colors and also determines and controls registration among the various print stations. The system is adapted for use with modern presses having extremely small gap size and extremely small test print area size by initially searching for and locating a registration target pattern and after any necessary adjustment then analyzes digitized images of targets located across the web.

Abstract: A system for use with a web printing press for measuring the reflective density of printed ink in real time during high speed operation. The system digitizes images of color block sets of the web, analyzes the images to determine reflective density of cyan, magenta, yellow and black. The system compensates for light scattering, light discontinuities and strobe intensity variation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for longitudinally folding a printed web upstream of the former or other finishing device in an in-line printing press. The invention permits plow folding to be accomplished upstream of the former by carefully controlling the tension of the web while it is in the plow folding apparatus.

Abstract: A microprocessor-controlled web guidance system which automatically implements and maintains a proper lateral web alignment of a continuous web in a web printing press. A steering mechanism is provided which is controlled by a microprocessor system which utilizes infrared radiation for edge detection wherein multiple sensors are driven by means of stepper motors driving on a flexible linear cogged belt system. The system includes novel functions, and diagnostic and maintenance modes which may be programmed by the operator. A plurality of control panels are provided to enable the operator to select and program desired functions and to access desired modes. Self calibration and testing of the steering mechanism and the edge sensors is also provided.

Abstract: Silicone application apparatus and method for applying a controlled amount of silicone emulsion to the surface of a moving web such as a continuous web in a printing press. The applicator comprises a silicone supply tank, a silicone emulsion applicator tray, a pump for pumping silicone emulsion from the supply tank to the applicator tray, and applicator rollers in contact with the silicone emulsion in the tray and the moving web to apply the silicone emulsion to the moving web. The application tray includes an operating level drain to maintain an operating level of silicone emulsion in the tray, a overflow drain at a higher level which prevents overflow of the application tray in the event that the operating level drain is clogged.

Abstract: Apparatus and method particularly suitable for use with the closed loop color to color registration system of a commercial web printing apparatus providing automatic monitoring of user selected press conditions and disturbances and corresponding user defined outputs. The apparatus comprises a processor and other hardware for detecting press conditions and disturbances, for permitting operator selection of press conditions to be monitored and for permitting operator assignment of selected press conditions to a selected output port. Multiple types of outputs can be selected for each assigned port including latched, non-inverted, inverted, pulsed and delayed outputs. The selected press conditions are monitored and the selected output type is generated on the assigned port in response to occurrence of the selected press condition. Temporary and permanent masks may be assigned to any selected condition to inhibit output and a selection of active time windows may also be specified.

Abstract: A web break detector which utilizes sonic signals to detect the occurrence of a break in a moving web in web handling machinery. A separate sonic transmitter and receiver transducer are utilized to provide improved speed of detection, and enhanced reliability. The dual transducer detector can also be placed closer to the web to enhance reliability and efficiency. Multiplexing is utilized to permit multiple detectors to be operated with reduced complexity and minimal mutual interference. The transmitting transducer is triggered to emit a sonic burst for a predetermined time period and at a predetermined rate. The receiving transducer is activated for a predetermined time duration beginning a predetermined delay period after the sonic burst is triggered and generates a detection signal in response to receiving the reflected burst. The absence of the detection signal causes generation of a control signal to stop the web handling machinery.

Abstract: Apparatus and method particularly suitable for use with the close loop color to color registration system of a commercial web printing apparatus utilizes a CCD camera for identifying registration marks. The registration mark composed of a pattern of dot pairs is acquired by the camera and each dot pair of the mark is identified by scoring various attributes of possible dot pairs including color, size and position. This results in highly stable and reliable acquisition of a registration mark on a printed web which may then be processed by an automated registration control system.

Abstract: A microprocessor-controlled web guidance system which automatically implements and maintains a proper lateral web alignment of a continuous web in a web printing press. A steering mechanism is provided which is controlled by a microprocessor system which utilizes infrared radiation for edge detection wherein multiple sensors are driven by means of stepper motors driving on a flexible linear cogged belt system. The system includes novel functions, and diagnostic and maintenance modes which may be programmed by the operator. A plurality of control panels are provided to enable the operator to select and program desired functions and to access desired modes. Self calibration and testing of the steering mechanism and the edge sensors is also provided.

Abstract: A control system and method for acquiring and automatically maintaining a register condition for successive repeat lengths of a moving web relative to a cut-off apparatus or the like in a web operating apparatus of the type which includes an adjusting means for adjusting the web. The system operates in manual and automatic mode, and while in the manual mode an image profile of the web is digitized, stored and processed to locate at least one suitable control mark. After the register condition is obtained and at least one control mark indentified during the manual mode, the system can be switched to automatic mode to automatically maintain the registration condition using at least one control mark to detect deviation from the register of the web.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for acquiring and maintaining a register condition for successive repeat lengths of a moving web relative to a cut-off apparatus or the like in a web operating apparatus of the type which includes an adjustment means for advancing or retarding the web relative to the cut-off apparatus. The system operates in manual and automatic modes and while in the manual mode, an operator manipulates the adjustment means to obtain the register condition and then switches to the automatic mode which maintains the register condition.

Abstract: An improved web monitoring and control apparatus is disclosed for use with web handling machinery, such as printing presses and the like which are of the type that have a generally continuous web of material being printed or otherwise processed. The apparatus directs modulated infrared energy onto the web and detects the reflection of the energy from the web. The apparatus detects the occurrence of a web break and shuts down the machinery. The apparatus includes an automatic arming control which activates the apparatus when the machinery moves the web at some preselected percentage of its total speed and also includes apparatus for detecting when the detector lens has become soiled and provides a warning to the operators that conditions are approaching which may result in a false web break detection which would shut down the machinery.