Abstract: A web printing press is provided. The web printing press includes at least one printing unit printing images on a web, at least one press component in direct contact with the web, a cutting device for cutting the web into sheets and a controller transmitting a virtual master signal to the at least one printing unit and at least one press component. A sensor senses the at least one press component or directly senses the web downstream of the at least one print unit and generates a sensor signal. A processor receives the sensor signal and the virtual master signal, the processor transmits a modified virtual master signal to the cutting device as a function of the received sensor signal. Methods are also provided.

Abstract: A printing press is provided. The printing press includes a print unit printing a stream of printed products having a first pitch, a pitch changing device and a controller. The pitch changing device includes an upper roller mounted on an upper axle, a lower roller mounted on a lower axle, the upper and lower rollers forming a roller nip and at least one motor driving the upper and lower rollers in opposite directions. The roller nip receives the stream of printed products. The controller is connected to the at least one motor and is configured to decrease an initial velocity of the roller nip to a final velocity using an electronic cam velocity profile and to increase the final velocity of the nip to the initial velocity after releasing the printed products over a longer period of a cycle of the electronic cam velocity profile than decreasing the initial velocity to the final velocity. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A printing press is provided. The printing press includes a print unit printing a stream of printed products having a first pitch, a pitch changing device and a controller. The pitch changing device includes an upper roller mounted on an upper axle, a lower roller mounted on a lower axle, the upper and lower rollers forming a roller nip and at least one motor driving the upper and lower rollers in opposite directions. The roller nip receives the stream of printed products. The controller is connected to the at least one motor and is configured to decrease an initial velocity of the roller nip to a final velocity using an electronic cam velocity profile and to increase the final velocity of the nip to the initial velocity after releasing the printed products over a longer period of a cycle of the electronic cam velocity profile than decreasing the initial velocity to the final velocity. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A multi-drive printed product processing device is provided that includes a processing component and a motor driving the processing component. A motor control controls the motor. An encoder measures a position of the motor and sends an encoder feedback signal indicating the position. The motor control receives the encoder feedback signal. An encoder feedback signal verification circuit verifies the integrity of the feedback signal. A printing press is also provided.

Abstract: A multi-drive printed product processing device is provided that includes a processing component and a motor driving the processing component. A motor control controls the motor. An encoder measures a position of the motor and sends an encoder feedback signal indicating the position. The motor control receives the encoder feedback signal. An encoder feedback signal verification circuit verifies the integrity of the feedback signal.

Abstract: A device for diverting printed products is provided. The device includes a first rotating support having a first pad mounted thereon, a second rotating support having a second pad mounted thereon, a third rotating support having a third pad mounted thereon and a fourth rotating support having a fourth pad mounted thereon. The first pad has a different thickness than the second pad and the first and second rotating supports rotate together. The third pad has a different thickness than the fourth pad and the third and fourth rotating supports rotate together. A method for diverting printed products is also provided.

Abstract: A web printing press is provided. The web printing press includes at least one printing unit printing images on a web, at least one press component in direct contact with the web, a cutting device for cutting the web into sheets and a controller transmitting a virtual master signal to the at least one printing unit and at least one press component. A sensor senses the at least one press component or directly senses the web downstream of the at least one print unit and generates a sensor signal. A processor receives the sensor signal and the virtual master signal, the processor transmits a modified virtual master signal to the cutting device as a function of the received sensor signal. Methods are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for decelerating a signature comprises a movable belt arrangement, and a motor coupled to the movable belt arrangement for controllably moving the movable belt arrangement through a cyclical velocity profile. The movable belt arrangement is moved through a signature engaging section with the cyclical velocity profile causing the motor to decelerate the movable belt arrangement from a first speed to a second speed while engaging a signature in the signature engaging section. The signature enters the signature engaging section at the first speed, and leaves the signature engaging section at the second speed, lower than the first speed. The cyclical velocity profile causes the movable belt arrangement to accelerate upon the signature leaving the signature engaging section, back to the first speed, prior to a next signature entering the signature engaging section.

Abstract: A folder for a web printing press includes a cut cylinder cutting a web into signatures; a first transport belt having a first raised section; a second transport belt having a second raised section, the signatures being received from the cut cylinder so as to be located between the first and second raised sections; and at least one variable speed motor driving the first and second transport belts. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A multi-drive printed product processing device is provided that includes a processing component and a motor driving the processing component. A motor control controls the motor. An encoder measures a position of the motor and sends an encoder feedback signal indicating the position. The motor control receives the encoder feedback signal. An encoder feedback signal verification circuit verifies the integrity of the feedback signal.

Abstract: A device for diverting printed products is provided. The device includes a first rotating support having a first pad mounted thereon, a second rotating support having a second pad mounted thereon, a third rotating support having a third pad mounted thereon and a fourth rotating support having a fourth pad mounted thereon. The first pad has a different thickness than the second pad and the first and second rotating supports rotate together. The third pad has a different thickness than the fourth pad and the third and fourth rotating supports rotate together. A method for diverting printed products is also provided.

Abstract: A device is provided for determining incorrectly sized or manufactured blankets includes a first blanket on a first blanket cylinder independently driven by a first motor, a first controller for determining torque values of the first motor, a second blanket on a second blanket cylinder independently driven by a second motor, a second controller for determining torque values of the second motor. A processor determines the existence of a size difference between the first and second blankets as a function of the torque values of the first and second motors. A method for comparing blankets is also provided.

Abstract: A printing press is provided. The printing press includes a print unit printing a stream of printed products, the printed products having a first pitch. The printing press also includes a pitch changing device. The pitch changing device includes an upper roller mounted on an upper axle, a lower roller mounted on a lower axle, the upper and lower rollers forming a roller nip, and a motor driving the upper and lower rollers in opposite directions. The nip receives the stream of printed products. The motor varies the velocity of the nip and the printed products using an electronic cam velocity profile so as to alter the first pitch. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A folder for a web printing press includes a cut cylinder cutting a web into signatures; a first transport belt having a first raised section; a second transport belt having a second raised section, the signatures being received from the cut cylinder so as to be located between the first and second raised sections; and at least one variable speed motor driving the first and second transport belts. A method is also provided.

Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method for operating a multi-unit printing arrangement, including multiple individual motors is provided. The method comprises the steps of operating the multi-unit printing arrangement, stopping the multi-unit printing operation by braking the multiple motors in stop operations, and staggering impression throw operations for individual units by a preselected time delay between commencement of each impression throw operation, a duration of the time delay between commencement of sequential impression throw off operations being selected to be of sufficient duration such that there is no overlap of large torque disturbances experienced at the multiple motors.

Abstract: A device is provided for determining incorrectly sized or manufactured blankets includes a first blanket on a first blanket cylinder independently driven by a first motor, a first controller for determining torque values of the first motor, a second blanket on a second blanket cylinder independently driven by a second motor, a second controller for determining torque values of the second motor. A processor determines the existence of a size difference between the first and second blankets as a function of the torque values of the first and second motors. A method for comparing blankets is also provided.

Abstract: A device for controlling delivery of an amount of fluid has a first rotating device having at least one peripheral first fluid transfer section, a second rotating device having at least one peripheral second fluid transfer section, and a device for setting a phase between the first and second fluid transfer sections. The device may be used for providing ink or dampening solution in a printing press.

Abstract: A device for controlling delivery of an amount of fluid has a first rotating device having at least one peripheral first fluid transfer section, a second rotating device having at least one peripheral second fluid transfer section, and a device for setting a phase between the first and second fluid transfer sections. The device may be used for providing ink or dampening solution in a printing press.

Abstract: A web tension measurement device includes a roller for a web of material, the movable roller having an axis of rotation moveable in a first direction by the web; a counteracting device connected to the movable roller, the counteracting device for forcing the axis of the roller in a second direction opposite the first direction; and a controller connected to the counteracting device for measuring the web tension. Also included is a method for measuring tension in a web which comprises the steps of running a web over a roller, an axis of the roller being movable in a first direction, counteracting the movement of the roller in a second direction opposite the first direction, and measuring a counteracting force or a variable so as to be able to determine a web tension.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of slipping of a driven nip roller relative to the web in a web printing press includes systematically changing the speed of the nip driver while monitoring the corresponding change in web tension difference across the nip. The linearity and a slope of the relationship between the tension difference and the speed of the nip driver are determined. When the tension difference is non-linear relative to the speed of the driver or the slope of the relationship is substantially less than an expected slope, then slipping is determined to be present. An operator slip indication may be provided which includes the direction of the slip, positive or negative. The operator may then take corrective action to re-establish a non-slip condition, or automatic corrective actions may ensue.