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 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: Method and apparatuses for measuring and regulating the strain of a material web is disclosed. A material web is passed through a first and second non-slip roller pair. The first and second roller pair form a predefined span. In some embodiments, the angular positions of the first and second roller pair are monitored, and the phase angle between the roller pairs is calculated. The phase angle is directly related to the level of strain in the web, and the velocity of the web is controlled to maintain a phase angle which corresponds with the desired strain level. This maintains a constant strain level in the predefined span. In one embodiment, the strain entering a non-slip roll pair is controlled to be zero. The roll pair then introduces a predefined strain to the span entering subsequent processes.

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 offset print unit includes a first plate cylinder, a first blanket cylinder selectively in contact with the first plate cylinder, a second blanket cylinder, the web passing between the first and second blanket cylinders, the second blanket cylinder and first blanket cylinder being selectively disengageable from the web in a throw-off position to permit the web to pass between the first and second blanket cylinders, and a second plate cylinder selectively engageable with the second blanket cylinder. A single drive motor drives the first plate cylinder, first blanket cylinder, second blanket cylinder and second plate cylinder when the first and second blanket cylinders engage the web and the single drive motor rotates the first and second plate cylinders when the first and second blanket cylinders are in the throw-off position. Autoplating during the throw-off position thus is possible.

Abstract: A single level web conversion apparatus is provided. The single level web conversion apparatus includes a web guiding apparatus guiding a web, a former longitudinally folding the web downstream of the web guiding apparatus and a cutting apparatus cutting the folded web into a first signature and a second signature. The web guiding apparatus includes rolls having axes of rotation aligned with a vertical direction that guide the web in a vertical on-edge orientation. The former receives the web in a vertical on-edge orientation and folding the web such that the folded web has a horizontal orientation and travels in a horizontal plane. The first and second signature each travel in the horizontal plane. A method of producing and delivering printed products is also provided.

Abstract: A web conversion and delivery apparatus is provided. The web conversion and delivery apparatus comprises a first delivery for transporting printed products, a second delivery for transporting printed products and a cutting apparatus upstream of the first delivery and the second delivery. The cutting apparatus is capable during a first print job of cutting first images of the fixed image length into first printed products for delivery to the first delivery. The second delivery is inactive during the first print job. The cutting apparatus is capable during a second print job of cutting second images of the fixed image length into second printed products for delivery to the first delivery and the second delivery. The second printed products have a length that is different from the first printed products. A printing press and a method of producing and delivering printed products of variable lengths 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 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: A printing press folder is provided. The folder includes a cutting pair cutting a web at a cutting location to form signatures, a pair of transport cylinders forming a first nip and a pair of acceleration cylinders forming a second nip. The pair of transport cylinders receives the signatures downstream of the cutting pair at the first nip and transports the signatures away from the cutting pair. The first nip is separated from the cutting location by a first distance. The pair of acceleration cylinders receives the signatures from the pair of transport cylinders at the second nip and transports the signatures away from the pair of transport cylinders. The second nip is separated from the first nip by a second distance. The pair of transport cylinders is movable with respect to the pair of acceleration cylinders and the pair of acceleration cylinders is movable with respect to the pair of transport cylinder so the first distance and the second distance are selectively variable.

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 single level web conversion apparatus is provided. The single level web conversion apparatus includes a web guiding apparatus guiding a web, a former longitudinally folding the web downstream of the web guiding apparatus and a cutting apparatus cutting the folded web into a first signature and a second signature. The web guiding apparatus includes rolls having axes of rotation aligned with a vertical direction that guide the web in a vertical on-edge orientation. The former receives the web in a vertical on-edge orientation and folding the web such that the folded web has a horizontal orientation and travels in a horizontal plane. The first and second signature each travel in the horizontal plane. A method of producing and delivering printed products 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 web conversion and delivery apparatus is provided. The web conversion and delivery apparatus comprises a first delivery for transporting printed products, a second delivery for transporting printed products and a cutting apparatus upstream of the first delivery and the second delivery. The cutting apparatus is capable during a first print job of cutting first images of the fixed image length into first printed products for delivery to the first delivery. The second delivery is inactive during the first print job. The cutting apparatus is capable during a second print job of cutting second images of the fixed image length into second printed products for delivery to the first delivery and the second delivery. The second printed products have a length that is different from the first printed products. A printing press and a method of producing and delivering printed products of variable lengths are also provided.