Abstract: A folder superstructure includes a former, a first nip roll located downstream of the former and having a compressible outer layer, and a second nip roll forming a nip with the first nip roll. A nip roll for nipping a plurality of superimposed printed ribbons or webs is also disclosed, the nip roll including a roll body and a compressible layer disposed about the roll body. A method for operating a printing press is also provided.

Abstract: A folder superstructure includes a former, a first nip roll located downstream of the former and having a compressible outer layer, and a second nip roll forming a nip with the first nip roll. A nip roll for nipping a plurality of superimposed printed ribbons or webs is also disclosed, the nip roll including a roll body and a compressible layer disposed about the roll body. A method for operating a printing press is also provided.

Abstract: A folder superstructure includes a former, a first top of former roll located upstream of the former and having a compressible outer layer and a second top of former roll forming a nip with the first top of former roll. A method for operating a printing press is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for determining an untensioned product length of a web moving through a printing press under tension. A controller determines a tensioned repeat length of the web in a span of the printing press while the web is moving through the printing press under tension; determines an elastic strain of the web in the span of the printing press while the web is moving through the printing press under tension; and calculates an untensioned product length of the web in the span of the printing press while the web is moving through the printing press under tension as a function of the tensioned repeat length and the elastic strain.

Abstract: A roller assembly is provided for spreading and chilling a web in a printing press. The roller assembly includes a roller for chilling and spreading a web and a trolley roller contacting the roller, the trolley roller configured and arranged to impart a deflection in the roller. Also provided is a roller assembly for counteracting web loading on a roller in a printing press. This roller assembly includes a roller for transporting a web, the roller having an axis; a web wrapped partially around the roller and applying a load on the roller transverse to the axis; and a trolley roller contacting the roller, the trolley roller configured and arranged to impart a sufficient force on the roller to keep the axis of the roller linear under said load.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for closed loop control of an untensioned product length of a web moving through a printing press under tension during production. While a printing press is printing on the web, a controller receives a calculated untensioned product length Lo(t) of the web in the span of the printing press while the web is moving through the printing press under tension, compares L0(t) to a previously stored untensioned product length setpoint Lsetpoint, maintains closed loop control of the untensioned product length by controlling one or more components on the printing press as a function of said comparing step, and repeats the steps receiving, comparing, maintaining and controlling over time while the printing press is printing on the web.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for determining an untensioned product length of a web moving through a printing press under tension. A controller determines a tensioned repeat length of the web in a span of the printing press while the web is moving through the printing press under tension; determines an elastic strain of the web in the span of the printing press while the web is moving through the printing press under tension; and calculates an untensioned product length of the web in the span of the printing press while the web is moving through the printing press under tension as a function of the tensioned repeat length and the elastic strain.

Abstract: A roller assembly is provided for spreading and chilling a web in a printing press. The roller assembly includes a roller for chilling and spreading a web and a trolley roller contacting the roller, the trolley roller configured and arranged to impart a deflection in the roller. Also provided is a roller assembly for counteracting web loading on a roller in a printing press. This roller assembly includes a roller for transporting a web, the roller having an axis; a web wrapped partially around the roller and applying a load on the roller transverse to the axis; and a trolley roller contacting the roller, the trolley roller configured and arranged to impart a sufficient force on the roller to keep the axis of the roller linear under said load.

Abstract: A noncontact web stabilizer is provided in which members located on opposite sides of a web reduce out-of-plane web vibrations. Specifically, a first member is located on one side of a web and a second member is located on the opposite side of the web. Both members are positioned so that the distance between the web and the members decrease in the direction that the web is moving, creating opposing regions of high pressure that force the web toward its nominal running position, thereby reducing out-of-plane web instability.

Abstract: An adjustable delivery web conversion apparatus is provided. The adjustable delivery web conversion apparatus includes a variable cutting apparatus cutting a printed web into a first signature and a second signature, a first assembly receiving the first signature and a second assembly downstream of the first assembly receiving the second signature. Also included are a first delivery section for receiving the first signature from the first assembly, a second delivery section for receiving the second signature from the second assembly and a stack receiving conveyor for receiving the first signature and the second signature. The first delivery section is movable between a first delivery and a first non-delivery position. The second delivery section is movable between a second delivery position and a second non-delivery position. The stacking receiving conveyor is movable between a conveying position and a non-conveying position. A method of producing and delivering signatures is also provided.

Abstract: An adjustable delivery web conversion apparatus is provided. The adjustable delivery web conversion apparatus includes a variable cutting apparatus cutting a printed web into a first signature and a second signature, a first assembly receiving the first signature and a second assembly downstream of the first assembly receiving the second signature. Also included are a first delivery section for receiving the first signature from the first assembly, a second delivery section for receiving the second signature from the second assembly and a stack receiving conveyor for receiving the first signature and the second signature. The first delivery section is movable between a first delivery and a first non-delivery position. The second delivery section is movable between a second delivery position and a second non-delivery position. The stacking receiving conveyor is movable between a conveying position and a non-conveying position. A method of producing and delivering signatures is also provided.

Abstract: An adjustable delivery web conversion apparatus is provided. The adjustable delivery web conversion apparatus includes a variable cutting apparatus cutting a printed web into a first signature and a second signature, a first assembly receiving the first signature and a second assembly downstream of the first assembly receiving the second signature. Also included are a first delivery section for receiving the first signature from the first assembly, a second delivery section for receiving the second signature from the second assembly and a stack receiving conveyor for receiving the first signature and the second signature. The first delivery section is movable between a first delivery and a first non-delivery position. The second delivery section is movable between a second delivery position and a second non-delivery position. The stacking receiving conveyor is movable between a conveying position and a non-conveying position. A method of producing and delivering signatures is also provided.

Abstract: An adjustable delivery web conversion apparatus is provided. The adjustable delivery web conversion apparatus includes a variable cutting apparatus cutting a printed web into a first signature and a second signature, a first assembly receiving the first signature and a second assembly downstream of the first assembly receiving the second signature. Also included are a first delivery section for receiving the first signature from the first assembly, a second delivery section for receiving the second signature from the second assembly and a stack receiving conveyor for receiving the first signature and the second signature. The first delivery section is movable between a first delivery and a first non-delivery position. The second delivery section is movable between a second delivery position and a second non-delivery position. The stacking receiving conveyor is movable between a conveying position and a non-conveying position. A method of producing and delivering signatures is also provided.

Abstract: A web conversion and collating apparatus is provided. The web conversion and collating apparatus includes a cutting apparatus cutting a printed web into a first signature and a second signature, a transport conveyor for transporting the first signature and the second signature away from the cutting apparatus and a first diverter for diverting the first signature from the transport conveyor. The second signature passes by the first diverter on the transport conveyor. A first assembly receives the first signature from the first diverter and a second assembly downstream of the first assembly receives the second signature. A stack receiving conveyor downstream of the first assembly and the second assembly is also included. The stack receiving conveyor receives the first signature and the second signature and the first signature is stacked on the second signature on the stack receiving conveyor. A printing press and a method of producing and collating signatures are also provided.

Abstract: An adjustable delivery web conversion apparatus is provided. The adjustable delivery web conversion apparatus includes a variable cutting apparatus cutting a printed web into a first signature and a second signature, a first assembly receiving the first signature and a second assembly downstream of the first assembly receiving the second signature. Also included are a first delivery section for receiving the first signature from the first assembly, a second delivery section for receiving the second signature from the second assembly and a stack receiving conveyor for receiving the first signature and the second signature. The first delivery section is movable between a first delivery and a first non-delivery position. The second delivery section is movable between a second delivery position and a second non-delivery position. The stacking receiving conveyor is movable between a conveying position and a non-conveying position. A method of producing and delivering signatures is also provided.

Abstract: A folder superstructure includes a former, a first top of former roll located upstream of the former and having a compressible outer layer and a second top of former roll forming a nip with the first top of former roll. A method for operating a printing press is also provided.

Abstract: An adjustable delivery web conversion apparatus is provided. The adjustable delivery web conversion apparatus includes a variable cutting apparatus cutting a printed web into a first signature and a second signature, a first assembly receiving the first signature and a second assembly downstream of the first assembly receiving the second signature. Also included are a first delivery section for receiving the first signature from the first assembly, a second delivery section for receiving the second signature from the second assembly and a stack receiving conveyor for receiving the first signature and the second signature. The first delivery section is movable between a first delivery and a first non-delivery position. The second delivery section is movable between a second delivery position and a second non-delivery position. The stacking receiving conveyor is movable between a conveying position and a non-conveying position. A method of producing and delivering signatures is also provided.

Abstract: A web conversion and collating apparatus is provided. The web conversion and collating apparatus includes a cutting apparatus cutting a printed web into a first signature and a second signature, a transport conveyor for transporting the first signature and the second signature away from the cutting apparatus and a first diverter for diverting the first signature from the transport conveyor. The second signature passes by the first diverter on the transport conveyor. A first assembly receives the first signature from the first diverter and a second assembly downstream of the first assembly receives the second signature. A stack receiving conveyor downstream of the first assembly and the second assembly is also included. The stack receiving conveyor receives the first signature and the second signature and the first signature is stacked on the second signature on the stack receiving conveyor. A printing press and a method of producing and collating signatures are also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling web tension in a web printing press having a plurality of sets of deformable nip rollers, each set driven by a separate driver, the web passing sequentially through each set of deformable nip rollers and forming a web segment therebetween. The driver of a downstream set of deformable nip rollers is adjusted to set the tension of a first web segment and a controller adjusts a first characteristic of the driver of the upstream set of deformable nip rollers to maintain the tension of a second web segment constant. Alternatively, a sensor measures a second characteristic of the second web segment and the controller adjusts the first characteristic of the driver of the upstream set of deformable nip rollers based on the measurement from the sensor.

Abstract: A web print unit includes a first plate cylinder, a first blanket cylinder for contacting the first plate cylinder, a second blanket cylinder, and a second plate cylinder for contacting the second blanket cylinder. A web to be printed passes between the first blanket cylinder and the second blanket cylinder at a blanket to blanket location, the first and second blanket cylinders are capable of being thrown apart. An air source is located on a side of the web and oriented to blow air upstream toward the blanket to blanket location while the blanket cylinders rotate.