Abstract: A positive piece engagement indicator for marking tool is provided in which a metal workpiece is contacted with a workpiece contact probe for providing physical contact with, as well as electrical communication with the metal surface of a workpiece. A test voltage and indicator means are placed in series between the workpiece and marking tool. Upon physical contact of the marking tool engagement surface with the surface of the metal workpiece, a circuit is completed by the electrical communication there between, thereby engaging the indicator means. This allows positive verification of actual engagement of worktool to workpiece.

Abstract: A printer is provided with a buffer to receive document data. Document data is read from the buffer by a control system and information is printed by one or more printhead assemblies in accordance with document data read by the control system from the buffer. The printer operates to print a first set of document data whilst simultaneously receiving second document data. Thus different documents may be printed without pausing.

Abstract: A stencil printing ink container includes an ink container body. An ink charge port is provided in an end wall of the ink container body and an inner plug is mounted on the ink charge port. The inner plug is provided with an ink discharge port smaller in the outer diameter than the inner diameter of the ink charge port and gives an ink suction nozzle of an ink pump access to the ink discharge port.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for digitally building up flexographic plates by ink jetting plate pre-cursor material onto a substrate via an offset blanket and forming the plates by successively polymerizing the ink jet fluid.

Abstract: A transfer cylinder sleeve is provided for an offset printing machine including an inner carrier layer, a compressible layer and a covering layer, where at least one of the layers has a joint or a gap and provided that when a joint or a gap is used in the covering layer, then the transfer cylinder sleeve is applied to a transfer cylinder in register so that the joint in the covering layer rests opposite a tension channel of a plate cylinder during rolling contact of the transfer cylinder with the plate cylinder. Optionally, a non-stretchable layer is provided between the compressible layer and the covering layer, or alternatively, a non-stretchable material is provided in the compressible layer itself.

Abstract: To modify an existing printing press from its original length/cut off to a different cut off, a sub-frame may be mounted on an existing frame of a printing press. The sub-frame permits the relocation of bearing supports for various printing cylinders, such as, for example, the plate cylinders and blanket cylinders. In addition to mounting the sub-frame on the existing frame, new plate and blanket cylinders having different sizes than the plate and blanket cylinders used in the existing printing press may be mounted in the sub-frame to provide different printing lengths/cut offs. Suitable sleeves, such as the eccentric mounting sleeves may be provided as necessary in order to mount the cylinders to the sub-frame.

Abstract: A plurality of curved plates which are adapted to be mounted on an embossing roll are identically engraved with an embossing pattern that matches the plate dimensions, permitting them to be interchanged or replaced without disrupting pattern discontinuity. In one embodiment, the pattern is created to match a given plate by laying out a skew grid matching plate corners, and using grid parallelograms as pattern unit cells. In another embodiment, an existing doubly periodic pattern is minimally distorted to match the plate geometry.

Abstract: A continuous media printer has a printer mechanism that prints on one or both surface of continuous print media. A media conveyor conveys media past the printer mechanism and includes rollers downstream of the printer mechanism. The rollers are located at a sufficient distance to provide a sufficient travel time from the printer mechanism to the rollers for material printed to be substantially dry when it reaches the rollers.

Abstract: A page width print head assembly has a page width printhead comprising two or more printhead modules arranged end on end. A controller module is provided for each printhead module. The printhead modules and controller modules are arranged end on end and a printhead assembly may be made of suitable width by combining suitable numbers of printhead and controller modules.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for printing on material in web form print images are successively applied to the web by a transfer cylinder. The web is continuously drawn into the printing station and the speed at which the web is moved in the printing station during a printing operation is greater than the speed at which it is drawn into the printing station. After the printing operation the web is positioned in the printing station for the following printing operation relative to the transfer cylinder which is not in contact with the web during a part of a revolution of 360°, and at the same time the path of the web is altered in accordance with the change in the speed thereof. The web is driven by the impression cylinder which is associated with the transfer cylinder and around the peripheral surface of which the web partially passes. Positioning of the web for the respectively following printing operation is implemented by a change in the rotary movement of the impression cylinder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a printing machine by intaglio engraving comprising a rack (01; 11; 14) with a stationary part (01) and a moving part (11; 14). A plate cylinder (07) is rotationally mounted inside the stationary part, and an Orlof-type cylinder (12) is mounted inside the moving part. The moving part is mounted on a rail (04) in a suspended manner.

Abstract: A printer having a hopper without shaft which performs a print operation on a roll of continuous paper. Detection marks are provided in flanges provided in supported members removably attached to the continuous paper, and the presence/absence of the detection mark in a detection position of an optical sensor is determined. A rear end of the continuous paper in the hopper is determined if the result of determination of the presence/absence of the detection mark during conveyance of the continuous paper is the same. A passage length from the position of the determined rear end of the continuous paper to a print unit is equal to or longer than a predetermined maximum print size. By this arrangement, the rear end of the continuous paper can be detected without upsizing the apparatus and without complicating the structure, and the continuous paper can be effectively utilized without causing shortage of the continuous paper during execution of print operation.

Abstract: A device for holding a golf ball during printing of indicia thereon. The device includes a base, a stationary member attached to the base and having a surface for engaging a portion of the golf ball, a clamping member slidably mounted on the base and having a surface for engaging a portion of the golf ball, and positioning members having springs that urge the clamping member toward the stationary member.

Abstract: An ink distribution assembly for a printhead has a duct cover in which is formed a number of ink inlet ports. Each inlet port is associated with a cross flow channel that extends from a port to a duct opening. The duct cover seals against a distribution molding and the distribution molding has a longitudinal axis and a number of ducts running in parallel along the axis. Each duct opening of the duct cover is located in registry with a duct so that each port is in fluid communication with only one duct. All of the ducts having a lower duct portion which is in fluid communication with an upper layer of a laminated ink distribution structure. The laminated ink distribution structure having a first layer and a number of subsequent layers, each subsequent layer having vertical passages and transverse channels for bringing a fluid from a duct, via the first layer, to one of a number of printhead chips.

Abstract: Improvements that facilitate loading of supply items into data bearing identification or financial document production equipment. Supply items include web materials that are used in data bearing identification or financial document production equipment, and which are supplied from a supply cylinder and wound onto a take-up cylinder after use. Examples of supply items include monochromatic and multi-color print ribbons, webs that carry laminate patches, cleaning tape, and other web materials that are used up during use of the equipment. Data bearing identification or financial document production equipment include thermal printers, laminators and combinations thereof, and other equipment that utilize supply items.

Abstract: A method of distributing ink and air to an array of print chips in a printhead assembly. The method includes supplying different inks from respective sources to a longitudinal distribution housing. The housing has a respective duct for each ink that extends longitudinally along the housing. The ink is then transferred from each duct to a laminated ink distribution structure fixed to the distribution housing, so such inks are supplied to the print chips as required. The method also includes supplying air from an air source to an air duct extending longitudinally along the distribution housing. Air is then transferred along the air duct to a space between the print chips and a nozzle guard.

Abstract: A displacement device for a machine for processing flat printing materials includes a slide displaceable along a displacement path in and counter to a thrust direction, and being divided along the thrust direction into two slide parts. A drag joint forms a mutual connection between the slide parts. The drag joint has a joint axis extending perpendicularly to the displacement path. A machine for processing flat printing materials, such as a sheet-processing rotary printing press, is provided with the displacement device.

Abstract: Provided is a printhead chassis assembly for a chip based printhead. The chassis supports two spaced apart bearing moldings between which extend a feed roller and an exit roller. The chassis supports a duct cover in which is formed a number of inlet ports which are adapted to receive liquid ink. The duct cover seals against a distribution molding. The distribution molding has a longitudinal axis and a number of elongated ducts running in parallel along the axis. Each duct is associated with a port. All of the ducts are sealed against and in fluid communication with an upper layer of a laminated ink distribution structure. The laminated ink distribution structure has a first layer and a number of subsequent layers, each subsequent layer having vertical passages and transverse channels for bringing a fluid from a duct, via the first layer, to one of a number of printhead chips.

Abstract: A commercial printer for use in a scalable printing system, that has a housing with a media web inlet, a media web outlet and a media feed path there between, a printhead adjacent the media web inlet, and a drying fluid supply duct extending along one side of the feed path to direct a drying fluid flow across the media web generally transverse to the feed path and parallel to the plane of the media web. The casing has ink, power and drying fluid inlets configured such that the printer is stackable with other printers. The system is then scalable to suit the particular needs of individual print runs.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustable keyboard to be used, for example, at a computer terminal (12). The preferred embodiment is in the form of a keyboard having a number of keys (5), the keyboard being formed in at least two segments (2, 3) which are mutually movable relative- to one another using a hinge or joint (6). Each of the segments (2, 3) of the keyboard has mounted thereon some of the keys (5). The relatively movable nature of the keyboard aims at reducing stress and discomfort to the user by eliminating contortion to the user's wrists. More particularly, discomfort to the user caused by pronation of the wrists and/or ulnar deviation of the wrists is reduced. The hinge or joint (6) may be in the form of a ball and socket-type joint with a locking mechanism, which preferably includes a pivoted handle (100), in the form of a lever, used for locking and unlocking the hinge or joint (6).