Abstract: A universal magazine mounts to a hand-operated power tool that will automatically feed a hidden deck board clip to the tool head from a strip of such clips and position the clips one at a time under the power tool's driving mechanism. The strip includes multiple hidden clips separated by a frangible section or tab located between adjacent clips. Each hidden clip can be formed of a plastic material and include a locating tab defined on each side of the clip's body and fastener aperture defined in a center of the body. Further, strips can be adapted for manual use and manipulation rather than for use with a power tool.

Abstract: An ink proofing system may include a hand holdable support member, an anilox roll coupled to the support member and an impression roll coupled to the support member. A photopolymer printing plate with an etched outer surface can be coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the impression roll. An adjustment device coupled to the support member can be provided to set a fixed nip between the printing plate and the ink-receiving substrate.

Abstract: An ink fountain apparatus, method of method of adjusting printing characteristics in flexographic printing and a printing press system are disclosed. A printing press system creates an ink image on a substrate. The system includes an ink fountain apparatus and scanner. The ink fountain apparatus includes an ink roller and an ink throttle disposed adjacent the ink roller. The ink throttle is movable with respect to the ink roller to adjust a gap formed between the ink roller and a front surface of the throttle. The scanner is located downstream of the ink fountain apparatus and is configured to read an image quality characteristic of the ink image.

Abstract: An ink fountain apparatus, method of method of adjusting printing characteristics in flexographic printing and a printing press system are disclosed. The apparatus may include a side plate, a roller disposed adjacent a first end of the plate, a back plate disposed adjacent a second opposing end of the side plate and a throttle disposed between the roller and the back plate. The throttle is mounted to the side plate and includes a back surface facing towards the back plate and a front surface facing towards the roller. The front surface includes a curved portion forming a tapering gap between the roller and the front surface of the throttle. A position controller is coupled to the throttle to selectively move the curved portion towards and away from the roller to adjust the volume of ink being transferred to the outer surface of the roller.

Abstract: An ink proofing system may include a hand holdable support member, an anilox roll coupled to the support member and an impression roll coupled to the support member. A photopolymer printing plate with an etched outer surface can be coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the impression roll. An adjustment device coupled to the support member can be provided to set a fixed nip between the printing plate and the ink-receiving substrate.

Abstract: A hand holdable ink proofing tool including an anilox roll and an ink transfer roll, supporting a resilient printing plate. A metering roll adjacent the anilox roll is shiftable to be in contact with the anilox roll and to force ink into cells of the anilox roll; and a leading edge doctor blade is positioned to shear excess ink from a surface of the anilox roll.

Abstract: A hand holdable ink proofing tool including an anilox roll and an ink transfer roll, supporting a resilient printing plate. A metering roll adjacent the anilox roll is shiftable to be in contact with the anilox roll and to force ink into cells of the anilox roll; and a leading edge doctor blade is positioned to shear excess ink from a surface of the anilox roll.

Abstract: An ink fountain apparatus, method of method of adjusting printing characteristics in flexographic printing and a printing press system are disclosed. The apparatus may include a side plate, a roller disposed adjacent a first end of the plate, a back plate disposed adjacent a second opposing end of the side plate and a throttle disposed between the roller and the back plate. The throttle is mounted to the side plate and includes a back surface facing towards the back plate and a front surface facing towards the roller. The front surface includes a curved portion forming a tapering gap between the roller and the front surface of the throttle. A position controller is coupled to the throttle to selectively move the curved portion towards and away from the roller to adjust the volume of ink being transferred to the outer surface of the roller.

Abstract: A method of predicting the performance of a printing press for a printing job includes preparing a first printing plate and securing the printing plate to a proofing device then adjusting the proofing device to optimize ink transfer from an anilox roll to the printing plate and from the printing plate to a substrate. An operator then prepares a printing proof on the substrate and evaluates the printing proof to predict the performance of a second printing plate on the printing press. The invention may also include a plate for printing that includes a printing press portion that is dimensioned to be secured to a printing press and a proofing portion that is dimensioned to be secured to a proofing tool that are separable.

Abstract: A proofing tool including an anilox roll and a transfer roll that are shiftable relative to each other between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The invention further includes a positive rotational linkage between the transfer roll and a drive roll whereby a pitch velocity of the transfer roll and a pitch velocity of the transfer roll are substantially matched.

Abstract: A hand holdable ink proofing tool including an anilox roll and an ink transfer roll, supporting a resilient printing plate. A metering roll adjacent the anilox roll is shiftable to be in contact with the anilox roll and to force ink into cells of the anilox roll; and a leading edge doctor blade is positioned to shear excess ink from a surface of the anilox roll.

Abstract: A proofing tool including an anilox roll and a transfer roll that are shiftable relative to each other between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The invention further includes a positive rotational linkage between the transfer roll and a drive roll whereby a pitch velocity of the transfer roll and a pitch velocity of the transfer roll are substantially matched.

Abstract: A hand holdable ink proofing tool including an anilox roll and an ink transfer roll, supporting a resilient printing plate. A metering roll adjacent the anilox roll is shiftable to be in contact with the anilox roll and to force ink into cells of the anilox roll; and a leading edge doctor blade is positioned to shear excess ink from a surface of the anilox roll.

Abstract: A proofing tool including an anilox roll and an impression roll that are shiftable relative to each other between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The invention further includes a positive rotational linkage between the anilox roll and the impression roll whereby a pitch velocity of the anilox roll and a pitch velocity of the impression roll are substantially matched.

Abstract: A proofing tool, including an anilox roll and an impression roll shiftable relative to each other from an engaged position and a disengaged position and a positive stop nip adjustment mechanism. operably connected to the anilox roll and the impression roll and being adjustable whereby when the anilox roll and the impression roll are in the engaged position the positive stop prevents the nip distance from being smaller than a set value.

Abstract: A method of predicting the performance of a printing press for a printing job includes preparing a first printing plate and securing the printing plate to a proofing device then adjusting the proofing device to optimize ink transfer from an anilox roll to the printing plate and from the printing plate to a substrate. An operator then prepares a printing proof on the substrate and evaluates the printing proof to predict the performance of a second printing plate on the printing press. The invention may also include a plate for printing that includes a printing press portion that is dimensioned to be secured to a printing press and a proofing portion that is dimensioned to be secured to a proofing tool that are separable.

Abstract: An ink proofer arrangement includes an ink proofer tool, a cylindrical drum roller, a drive motor adapted to rotate the roller and a first movable mounting assembly to retain the ink proofer tool adjacent to and in a non-contact position with the roller, a first variable pressure assembly coupled to the mounting assembly and adapted to move the ink proofer tool between a contact with pressure position and a non-contact position with the roller. The ink proofer arrangement also includes a UV light source positioned downstream of the ink proofer tool to more quickly and uniformly dry the inks on the proof substrate. The UV light source may be pivotable to permit access to the proof substrate. The UV light source may be selectively positionable at different distances from the ink proofer tool so as to provide for adjustability of a dwell time for the proof.

Abstract: An ink proofer arrangement to generate consistent and reliable ink draw-downs irrespective of the size of the substrate or the user preparing the ink sample. One example embodiment includes an ink proofer arrangement and an ink proofer tool. The ink proofer arrangement includes a cylindrical roller and a drive motor adapted to rotate the roller. In addition, a first movable mounting assembly is included that retains the ink proofer tool adjacent to and in a non-contact position with the roller. The proofer arrangement further includes a first variable pressure assembly coupled to the mounting assembly and adapted to move the ink proofer tool between the non-contact position and a contact with pressure position with the roller, wherein a transfer roller of the ink proofer tool is adapted to transfer ink to a substrate that is inserted between the roller and the transfer roll when the drive motor is engaged.

Abstract: An ink proofer arrangement to generate consistent and reliable ink drawdowns irrespective of the size of the substrate or the user preparing the ink sample. The ink proofer arrangement includes an ink proofer tool, a cylindrical drum roller, a drive motor adapted to rotate the roller and a first movable mounting assembly to retain the ink proofer tool adjacent to and in a non-contact position with the roller, a first variable pressure assembly coupled to the mounting assembly and adapted to move the ink proofer tool between a contact with pressure position and a non-contact position with the roller. The transfer roller is adapted to transfer ink to a substrate that is inserted between the roller and the transfer roll of the ink proofer tool when the drive motor is engaged. Additionally, the ink proofer arrangement includes a substrate roll tensioner to control the rotation of the substrate roll.

Abstract: The present ink proofer arrangement generates consistent and reliable ink draw downs irrespective of the size of the substrate or the user preparing the ink sample. In one example embodiment, an ink proofer arrangement adapted to be used with an ink proofer tool, the ink proofer tool including an ink transfer roller. The ink proofer arrangement further includes a cylindrical roller and a drive motor adapted to rotate the roller. In addition, a first movable mounting assembly is included that retains the ink proofer tool adjacent to and in a non-contact position with the roller.