Abstract: A saddle stitcher for conveying a printed product is provided. The saddle stitcher includes a saddle chain conveyor, and a plurality of chain tops mounted on the saddle chain conveyor defining a chain top conveyance line for transporting a printed product. At least one of the chain tops includes a profiled top edge so the at least one chain top does not extend beyond the chain top conveyance line in a transition area. A method for transferring a printed product is also provided.

Abstract: A trimmer is provided. The trimmer includes an infeed for transporting a sheet material article at a first speed, a trimming station transporter for decelerating the sheet material article for trimming by a trimmer, and a decelerator between the infeed and the trimming station transporter. The decelerator forms a deceleration nip for transferring the sheet material article from the infeed to the trimming station transporter. A method of operating a trimmer is also provided.

Abstract: An ink delivery system includes a closed or closable ink container holding an ink supply. The ink container ink has an inlet and outlet. The inlet and outlet are arranged in the ink container to hold pressurized air when the ink container is closed and partially filled with ink. An air delivery system supplies pressurized air to the ink container via the inlet. A pump is connected to the outlet of the ink container, the pump receiving ink from the ink container; and an ink fountain receives ink from the pump. Preferably, the ink is ultraviolet or electron beam ink.

Abstract: A method for transporting printed products is provided. The method includes the steps setting a nip to a first size for printed products having a first thickness, sensing a printed product having a second thickness different from the first thickness, the printed product sensing occurring prior to the printed product entering the nip, adjusting the first size of the nip, to a second size different from the first size, to receive the printed product having a second thickness; and transporting the printed product having the second thickness through the nip.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjustably positioning a form roll having a form roll axis against at least two different sized plate cylinders in a variable cutoff printing unit is provided. The apparatus includes a plate cylinder support for interchangeably supporting the at least two different sized plate cylinders, the plate cylinder support including a plate cylinder axis at least two different sized plate cylinder cams. The at least two different sized plate cylinder cams are interchangeably removably connectable to the plate cylinder support and include a smaller plate cylinder cam and a larger plate cylinder cam that are removably connectable to the plate cylinder support as alternatives of each other. The apparatus also includes a form roll hanger for supporting the form roll that is configured for contacting the smaller plate cylinder cam if the smaller plate cylinder cam is coupled to the plate cylinder support to set a smaller distance between the plate cylinder axis and the form roll axis.

Abstract: A sheet material conveyor includes a pocket conveyor with at least one moving pocket for collecting printed sheet material, the pocket conveyor having a release area for releasing the printing sheet material in the pocket. The sheet material conveyor also includes an air supply device providing air to the pocket at the release area. A pocket with air supply holes and a method for releasing printed sheet material using pressurized air is also provided.

Abstract: A cover applier is provided. The cover applier includes a transport system transporting a book, a cover delivery delivering a cover to a book, the cover delivery driven by a servomotor, a book sensor detecting an image printed on the book prior to the cover being delivered to the book and a cover sensor detecting an image printed on the cover prior to the cover being delivered to the book. The servomotor adjusting the position of the cover with respect to the book as a function of the book sensor and cover sensor. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A multiplexing gathering device includes a first gatherer for forming first gathered printed products on a first line and a second gatherer for forming second gathered printed products on a second line. A collecting device collects the first and second gathered printed products. A first transporter transports the first gathered products from the first line to the collecting device and a second transporter for transports the second gathered products from the second line to the collecting device. At least one controller for controls the first gatherer and second gatherer so that second gathered products are selectively formed as a function of the formation of first gathered printed products. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A transport device for transporting printed products is provided including a first and a second tape for receiving and transporting the printed products, a first and second roller for guiding the tapes, a nip-adjusting device adjusting a nip formed by the first and second tapes at the first and second rollers and a sensor determining a thickness of the printed products, the nip adjusting device being actuated as a function of the sensor. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A book trimmer is provided. The book trimmer includes an infeed device supplying a plurality of books to be trimmed, an edge trimming knife for trimming the books which is movable back and forth in a book travel direction and a conveyor downstream of the edge trimming knife, the conveyor including a reciprocating section movable back and forth in the book travel direction, the conveyor positively controlling the books as the books are received from the infeed device. A method for trimming a book is also provided.

Abstract: A method for detecting a type of one of plurality of devices attached to a graphics machine, each device being one of at least a first type and a second type. The method includes detecting at a controller the type of device attached to or to be attached to the machine. The controller is capable of preadjusting the device or machine as a function of the detection. A graphics machine includes a controller, a first device connected to the controller, the first device being categorizable as one of at least a first type and a second type, the controller detecting the type of the first device, and a memory accessible by the controller, the memory storing information regarding the first type and the second type.

Abstract: A book trimmer is provided. The book trimmer includes an edge trimming knife movable back and forth in a book travel direction and a conveyor downstream of the edge trimming knife. The conveyor includes a reciprocating section movable back and forth in the book travel direction receiving books trimmed by the edge trimming knife. A method for trimming a book is also provided.

Abstract: A variable cutoff printing press is provided. The variable cutoff printing press includes a first cylinder printing on a web at a first longitudinal portion of the web and a second longitudinal portion of the web at the same time, the second longitudinal portion being downstream of the first longitudinal portion at least a distance equal to an effective circumference of the first cylinder. The variable cutoff printing press also includes a second cylinder forming at least one nip with the first cylinder, the first and second longitudinal portions of the web passing through the at least one nip. A method of variable cutoff printing is also provided.

Abstract: A pin conveyor for printed sheet material has a chain, a plurality of pins extending from the chain to push printed sheet material, and a receipt area for the printed sheet material, the chain and pins passing through the receipt area. The receipt area has at least one of the following a non-linear cross-section with the chain and pins passing through the receipt area, an inclined transport section of the chain, or a belt contacting the printed sheet material and running at or slower than a speed of the chain. A transfer unit with an overhead conveying unit and a method for delivering printed sheet material is also provided.

Abstract: A cover applier is provided. The cover applier includes a transport system transporting a book, a cover delivery delivering a cover to a book, the cover delivery driven by a servomotor, a book sensor detecting an image printed on the book prior to the cover being delivered to the book and a cover sensor detecting an image printed on the cover prior to the cover being delivered to the book. The servomotor adjusting the position of the cover with respect to the book as a function of the book sensor and cover sensor. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A printing press is provided that includes a printing section including at least one printing unit printing images on a web and at least one compensator unit for varying the direction of travel of the web in the printing section during operation of the at least one printing unit.

Abstract: A stitcher is provided including a carriage having a center of gravity, the carriage movable between an extended position and a retracted position; at least one bearing for supporting the carriage; and an operating link for driving the carriage, a driving force of the link being applied through the center of gravity or between the center of gravity and the bearing. Another stitcher also is provided including a movable carriage having a center of gravity, the carriage movable between an extended position and a retracted position; and an operating link for driving the carriage, a driving force of the link being applied through the center of gravity when the carriage is in the extended or retracted position. A saddle stitcher is also provided. Methods for stitching are also provided.

Abstract: A saddle stitching device including a saddle-back conveyor having a first printed product location and a second printed product location adjacent the first printed product location, a first stitcher adjacent the conveyor and driven by a first motor, and a second stitcher adjacent the conveyor and driven by a second motor.

Abstract: A saddle stitcher for conveying a printed product is provided. The saddle stitcher includes a saddle chain conveyor, and a plurality of chain tops mounted on the saddle chain conveyor defining a chain top conveyance line for transporting a printed product. At least one of the chain tops includes a profiled top edge so the at least one chain top does not extend beyond the chain top conveyance line in a transition area. A method for transferring a printed product is also provided.

Abstract: A saddle stitching device including a saddle-back conveyor having a first printed product location and a second printed product location adjacent the first printed product location, a first stitcher adjacent the conveyor and driven by a first motor, and a second stitcher adjacent the conveyor and driven by a second motor.