Abstract: A flexographic printing machine having a counter pressure cylinder, which is mounted in a printing machine frame and is intended for several printing units, each printing unit including a printing roller and related inking unit disposed on a bracket in such a manner that each printing unit can be moved in relation to the others and can engage with the counter pressure cylinder. To set arbitrary lengths of print, the brackets are held movably in a guide ring on the printing machine frame which is concentric to the axis of the counter pressure cylinder and can be fixed in desired positions along the guide ring.

Abstract: A printing machine for printing a substrate web, which printing machine comprises at least one printing module, such a printing module being provided with an impression roller and ink application means, the ink application means comprising a cylindrical element, which cylindrical element extends parallel to the impression roller and abuts against the impression roller at a contact line with interposition of the substrate web, the cylindrical element being arranged to apply a desirable ink printing pattern to the substrate web, wherein a relevant printing module is provided with a circumferential bearing which engages an outer surface of a relevant cylindrical element, which can be brought into a locking position and into an exchange condition, the circumferential bearing being arranged to receive cylindrical elements intended for different printing techniques, such as silk-screen printing, flexographic printing, letterpress printing, intaglio printing, offset printing and the like.

Abstract: An apparatus for positional adjustment of a plate cylinder in both lateral and circumferential directions thereof for image registration in a multicolor, offset rotary printing press. A lateral adjustment mechanism includes a spur gear which is motor driven bidirectionally, and which travels laterally back and forth, to cause lateral displacement of the plate cylinder. The gear has a pin erected eccentrically thereon for abutment against a fixed limit stop on the press frame in order to limit the bidirectional rotation of the gear and hence to prevent the plate cylinder from being driven laterally beyond limits. A circumferential adjustment mechanism includes another spur gear which is motor driven bidirectionally, and which also travels laterally back and forth, to cause circumferential displacement of the plate cylinder. This second gear has a double-ended pin extending eccentrically therethrough and having its ends projecting in opposite directions therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the register coordination of cylinders of a web-fed rotary printing press which print on a web, wherein a first cylinder printing on one side of the web is driven by a first motor and a second cylinder printing on the same side of the web is driven by a second motor. An angular position of the second cylinder is coordinated with the first cylinder in good register by a controller. In the case of a change in a production condition, at least one controller parameter (kP, kD, kI, kf) of the controller is changed and the controller setting is adapted to the production condition as a result.

Abstract: A web-fed offset printing machine includes printing units having at least one form cylinder and one transfer cylinder; and at least one folder unit; and wherein, for each printing unit, at least one of the form and transfer cylinders has a drive connection to a separate electric motor, the at least one cylinder has either no mechanical drive connection to a further one of the cylinders in case the further cylinder is driven directly or indirectly by a further separate electric motor, or a mechanical drive connection to one of the further cylinders in case the further cylinder is non-driven; the printing machine further includes a motor control system for the at least one electric motor for adjusting a printing group and for presetting the printing units for adaptation to either a different web path or production configuration, the motor control system has an input side; and a computing and memory unit for storing a plurality of cylinder positions connected to the input side of the motor control system.

Abstract: An image exposure control apparatus includes a memory and an adjustment section. The memory stores a correction amount for each color in accordance with a stretch amount of a printing paper sheet in multicolor printing operation. The adjustment section adjusts an exposure position of a pixel of an image to be exposed for each color, on the basis of the correction amount read out from said memory means, in exposing the image on a printing plate.

Abstract: Introduced are a device and a process for setting the printed image of a rotary press by adjusting the relative position of the rollers (3, 7, 8) involved in the ink transfer. In this respect at least one part of these rollers (7, 8) can be moved toward each other both together and also independently of each other by means of their own actuating drives (M1 to M4), so that the rollers (3, 7, 8) involved in the printing process can be set into motion in relation to each other, In addition, there is at least one camera (K) that scans the printed image (10) on the printed material web (17) and that feeds the images shot in succession to an electronic control and regulating unit (13). This control and regulating unit (13) generates signals for the actuating drives of at least one part of the rollers (3, 7, 8) involved in the printing and inking process until or as the printed image is reproduced without area loss.

Abstract: A printing machine that has a plurality of form cylinders and in which an imaging device images at least two of the form cylinders. The imaging device is arranged in stationary fashion. Laser pulses are deflected onto the form cylinders by light diversion components.

Abstract: At specific time intervals register commands are fed to a plate cylinder in a printing machine in the circumferential direction and/or the lateral direction and adjust the cylinder by a small amount. All the remaining plate cylinders can be readjusted with the aid of the register control. Alternatively, the same control commands may also be fed to all the plate cylinders involved in printing, in order to carry out a desired continuous or stepwise adjustment of the cylinders in the lateral direction and/or the circumferential direction.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to automatically adjust cutting and printing registers based on the detection of predetermined mark for different colors in a rotary press using a paper web, thereby eliminating the need for skills and reducing time for adjusting cutting registers. A driving reference setting section, a feedback signal output section, a mark detecting section and a register correction value output section are provided, and a control section for controlling the driving section of the printing mechanism effects control so that the driving reference phase is synchronized with the feedback phase of the plate cylinder by each driving means.

Abstract: A device for detecting register marks includes at least one receiver for scanning register marks along a track disposed in a direction of movement of the register marks, and a device for positioning the receiver transversely with respect to the track, in order to determine an offset of the receiver with respect to the track, at least one positioning mark being disposed upline of the register marks in the direction of movement thereof, the positioning mark having at least one edge extending at an angle to the track, having an extent transverse to the track, which is a multiple of the extent of the register marks, and having a predetermined positional relationship to the track which is transverse to the track.

Abstract: A reference medium is scanned both with a medium sensor (44) capable of detecting a low-transmittance printing medium with high accuracy and with a medium sensor (45) capable of detecting a high-transmittance medium with low accuracy so as to find edge positions Ry0, Ry1 of the reference medium. The difference Diff0 between the edge positions is calculated and stored as a correction value. If it is hard to detect a printing medium by means of the medium sensor (44), the medium sensor (45) is used to detect the medium, and the resulting edge position is corrected using the correction value Diff0. In addition, for any given printing medium, a first driving level of a light source for outputting a predetermined output amount of the sensor (44) and a second driving level of a light source for outputting a predetermined output amount of the sensor (45) are calculated and, based on the difference between the two driving levels, the type of the printing medium is determined.

Abstract: In a color management method for a printing press, the first profile representing color reproduction characteristics of a first printing press is generated using color data of a number of patches printed by the first printing press and the dot area percent of each of a plurality of ink colors defined for each patch. The second profile representing color reproduction characteristics of a second printing press is generated using color data of a number of patches printed by the second printing press and the dot area percent of each of a plurality of ink colors defined for each patch. The dot area percent of each ink color to be used to print a printing product by the second printing press is obtained on the basis of the first and second profiles. A color management apparatus for a printing press is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the regulation of a web tension in a rotary print machine, whereby the web (B) passes through at least two printing groups (06, 07, 08, 09). A change in the extension of the web during the run, is determined by means of a change in a phase shift between a first phase position of a printing group and a second phase position measured behind a last printing group. The change in phase position is compensated by means of a change in the tension (S) of the web before the first printing group.

Abstract: A method of avoiding register differences during the operation of a printing machine having a plurality of individual printing units includes counteracting, at least by circumferential register corrections, respective register differences in the individual printing units, determining the register differences for different printing speeds and storing them in a memory, and determining the various register differences at different printing speeds by an automatic register measuring and register control device and, in the event of changes in the printing speed, superimposing the previously determined magnitude of the register correction on the adjusted variable of the automatic register measuring and register control device; and a device for performing the method.

Abstract: In web-fed rotary printing machines having a plurality of operating units arranged one after another, each unit having synchronously driven elements that interact directly or indirectly with the printing-material web, high reliability and short response times are achieved by a torque monitoring device having inputs for signals corresponding to the torque on at least one element of each operating unit. Upon the occurrence of an abrupt torque change on at least one monitored element, the monitoring device generates an output signal associated with a web break.

Abstract: In a color management method for a printing press, colorimetic values of a first patch for generating a profile printed by the printing press are measured, so that a printing press profile representing a color reproduction characteristic of the printing press is generated from the measured colorimetic values of the first patch and a dot area percent of each ink color predetermined in correspondence with the first patch. Colorimetic values of a second patch for determining stability of the printing press printed by the printing press are measured. The measured colorimetic values of the second patch is compared with colorimetic values, in the printing press profile, having a dot area percent substantially equal to a dot area percent of each ink color predetermined in correspondence with the second patch. A warning is generated on the basis of a comparison result. A color management apparatus for a printing press is also disclosed.

Abstract: A color registration control system for a printing press including an area scanner for acquiring an image of a paper substrate and an image processing system adapted to receive the image and process the image to determine any color register error.

Abstract: To provide a synchronous control apparatus in a rotary press having a plurality of multicolor printing units to print the synchronous control apparatus including a printing image allocation setting section for allocating printing images which printing couples are to print, a drive unit for driving the printing couples, an inking transmission unit, a first moving unit for moving blanket cylinders of two sets of printing couples, a second moving unit for making it possible to supply ink, slave control sections for controlling rotation of the drive unit, a transmission unit related to the printing couples and inking devices, operation control sections for controlling operations of the first moving unit and second moving unit according to output signals of the slave control sections, and a master control section connected to the printing image allocation setting section and each of the slave control sections via a network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for more simply and efficiently coupling and decoupling a cylinder in a printing machine. The coupling and decoupling apparatus includes a bearing bushing (11) in a fixed bushing (28). The bearing bushing (11) carries an axial force loaded spindle (10) that is axially displaceable within the bushing (11) between a coupling position in a centering portion (9) of the cylinder and a decoupling position in which a braking system (24, 25) is engaged.

Abstract: A printing press may be provided with a first rotatable printing roller that prints ink of a first color on a web of material and causes a first pair of registration marks to be periodically printed in the first color on the web, a second rotatable printing roller that prints ink of a second color on the web of material and causes a second pair of registration marks to be periodically printed in the second color on the web, a third rotatable printing roller that prints ink of a third color on the web of material and causes a third pair of registration marks to be periodically printed in the third color on the web, an imaging device positioned to detect the registration marks printed on the web that generates image data representing the registration marks, and a controller operatively coupled to the printing rollers and the imaging device.

Abstract: A method of producing screen data for imaging units of a printing machine includes the steps of breaking down raw image data into a plurality of partial images, respectively, corresponding to one printing ink; outputting the partial images to a plurality of screen processors, respectively, corresponding to the number of colors to the printed; and processing the partial images simultaneously for forming screen data by the screen processors for output to a respective one of the imaging units; and a system for performing the method.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to automatically adjust cutting and printing registers based on the detection of predetermined marks for different colors in a rotary press using a paper web, thereby eliminating the need for skill of an operator and reducing time for adjusting cutting registers. A driving reference setting section, a feedback signal output section, a mark detecting section and a register correction value output section are provided and a control section for controlling the driving section of the printing mechanism effects control so that the driving reference phase is synchronized with the feedback phase of the a plate cylinder driven by each driving means.

Abstract: A method for sensing a register discrepancy (r) in a multi-color printed item, the position of at least one register mark (1, 1′) that is associated with one color being sensed with respect to the position of at least one register mark (2, 2′) that is associated with at least one further color, and any density register discrepancy (r) using a measurement window being ascertained from discrepancies in the actual relative position (3) with respect to the reference relative position (4). The invention, furthermore, concerns an apparatus, a register control system, and register marks (1, 1′, 2, 2′).

Abstract: A multi-color printing press comprising a first print form cylinder; second print form cylinder; at least one first inking unit for inking the first and second print form cylinders; third print form cylinder; fourth print from cylinder; at least one second inking unit for inking the third and fourth print form cylinders with an ink color different from the at least one first hiking unit; a common blanket cylinder, the first and third print form cylinders contacting the common blanket cylinder during a first mode of operation and the second and fourth print form cylinders contacting the common blanket cylinder during a second mode of operation.

Abstract: A series of offset perfecting press units are stacked for printing multicolor images on both surfaces of a web traveling successively therethrough. Each printing unit has two plate cylinders each split into a pair of halves, and two blanket cylinders in rolling contact with the respective plate cylinders and, via the web, with each other. The plate cylinder halves are capable of independent displacement both axially and circumferentially of the plate cylinder for image registration both transversely and longitudinally of the web. The four plate cylinder halves are driven independently from as many drive motors via respective drive linkages. Two of the four drive motors are further coupled via two associated ones of the drive linkages to the blanket cylinders. Motor power is first transmitted to the blanket cylinders, which are less in diameter than the plate cylinders, then to the two plate cylinder halves.

Abstract: The invention relates to a printing machine in unitized configuration with an imaging system for imaging printing plates.

Abstract: An offset printing press includes a plurality of printing units. These printing units are typically each so-called five cylinder printing units. The spacing distance between two adjacent ones of these five cylinder printing units can be adjusted or modified.

Abstract: In a rotary press intended to perform the synchronous control of driving means with high precision, quickly stabilize rotation, and reduce spoilage caused by phase shifts, comprising a plurality of printing mechanisms in which driving means M rotate N turns while plate cylinders P rotate one turn, so that printing images can be printed on a paper web sequentially passing through each printing mechanism in such a manner that the printing images are matched with a predetermined reference, in which a control section 3 replaces the rotational phase of the plate cylinder with the rotational phase of the driving means M corresponding to that rotational phase so as to match the printing images with a predetermined reference, converts a shift between the rotational phase of the driving means M for matching and the rotational phase of the driving means M in a normal state into the number of outputs of the first pulse signals, set it as a correction value, and obtains a virtual feedback value by shifting the rotational

Abstract: Device and method for the automatic register setting of printings printed by plate cylinders in a rotary machine using inks of a plurality of colors. The printing machine particularly comprises a succession of printing units, at least one pulse generator, two pull rollers located downstream of the printing units, a combination of plate cylinders and compensating rollers to correct some register errors, scanning heads each located near and downstream to the respective printing units. Each printing unit particularly includes one of the plate cylinders as well as one of the pressing cylinders. Each pressing cylinder is controlled by a control unit.

Abstract: A multi-color printing press comprising a first print form cylinder; second print form cylinder; at least one first inking unit for inking the first and second print form cylinders; third print form cylinder; fourth print from cylinder; at least one second inking unit for inking the third and fourth print form cylinders with an ink color different from the at least one first hiking unit; a common blanket cylinder, the first and third print form cylinders contacting the common blanket cylinder during a first mode of operation and the second and fourth print form cylinders contacting the common blanket cylinder during a second mode of operation.

Abstract: An image exposure control apparatus includes a memory and an adjustment section. The memory stores a correction amount for each color in accordance with a stretch amount of a printing paper sheet in multicolor printing operation. The adjustment section adjusts an exposure position of a pixel of an image to be exposed for each color, on the basis of the correction amount read out from said memory means, in exposing the image on a printing plate.

Abstract: A method for registration of print separations in a printer comprising: (a) printing a first pattern, for which at least one image characteristic varies relatively weakly with misregistration, using at least one of first and second separations; (b) printing a second pattern, for which said at least one image characteristic varies relatively strongly with misregistration, using said at least one first and second separations; (c) determining said at least one image characteristic for the first and second patterns; and (d) correcting the mutual registration of said at least one first and second separations responsive to a difference in the determined at least one image characteristic for the first and second patterns.

Abstract: A drive system for use with a printing apparatus is disclosed. The drive system includes a plurality of process units, with each unit being adapted for effecting a respective repeat operation on a web of material fed along a path defined at least in part by the process units. The drive system further includes an electrically powered rotary motor corresponding to each of the process units or to one or more rotary elements within a process unit. A control system operates to regulate the running speed and angular phasing of each of the motors individually in relation to a predetermined master standard programmed into the control system. The control system is adapted to vary the relative phase angles of the outputs of one or more of the rotary motors by a preselected factor proportionate to the overall running speed of the apparatus in order to maintain accurate registration of each of the process units relative to the web material throughout a substantial range of operating speeds.

Abstract: Drive for a printing press with a plurality of printing units mechanically interconnected through the intermediary of a gear train, the printing units being associated with respective drive motors for supplying power to the gear train in a preset torque ratio, includes a control device, a device for supplying to the control device information regarding printing-specific variables, said control device including a device for determining, from the printing-specific variables, load-torque changes in the printing units, individually, and for energizing the drive motors so that power flow in the gear train is constant when averaged over time.

Abstract: A printing machine for printing a substrate web, which printing machine comprises at least one printing module, such a printing module being provided with an impression roller and ink application means, the ink application means comprising a cylindrical element, which cylindrical element extends parallel to the impression roller and abuts against the impression roller at a contact line with interposition of the substrate web, the cylindrical element being arranged to apply a desirable ink printing pattern to the substrate web, wherein a relevant printing module is provided with a circumferential bearing which engages an outer surface of a relevant cylindrical element, which can be brought into a locking position and into an exchange condition, the circumferential bearing being arranged to receive cylindrical elements intended for different printing techniques, such as silk-screen printing, flexographic printing, letterpress printing, intaglio printing, offset printing and the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing vignettes includes the use of a rotary printing member having an outer surface with a series of elongated printing dots. The lengthwise dimension of the dots extends substantially in the machine direction of the printing press, i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the printing member. For producing vignettes, the dots increase in density in a direction parallel to the linear direction and have a width which is substantially less than the length. For process printing operations, each color of the process printing is laid down by a series of dots extending substantially in the machine direction, although the screen angles of each series of dots may vary.

Abstract: A reading time setting section (44) determines a read area for an imaging section (25) on the basis of color chart positional data (id). The imaging section (25) reads an image on printing paper during the reading time and readout image data (rd) is stored in an image data storage section (45). A reference mark detecting section (46) detects the positions of reference marks from the readout image data (rd). A color chart actual position calculation section (47) corrects a tilt of a color chart determined from the positions of the reference marks and calculates an actual position of each of color chart fields (cr). An image data readout section (48) reads out image data on a color chart field corresponding to the calculated actual position. At the same time, image data on a white color field immediately above the color chart field is also read out.

Abstract: A network-type synchronous control system for rotary printing presses in which a driving means of a printing section P and the driven part thereof are combined into a block, and control is exercised so that several sets are brought into synchronous rotation by each set, the improvement comprising master control sections 1 and 2 that can independently control each of sets formed from arbitrary combinations of blocks, slave control sections 3 for controlling each block in the set upon receipt of control information from the master control sections 1 and 2, and a network line 5 connecting the master control sections 1 and 2 to each of the slave control sections 3: the master control sections 1 and 2 having a processing section, an input operation section for entering information, a master value setting section for setting a master phase and a master speed and a master network connecting section; so as to have a high degree of flexibility to ensure flexible response to the circumstances.

Abstract: The rotation angle position of a moveable component, such as a cylinder, is detected or determined through a method in which the detected rotation angle position is modified using a correction value when the moveable component is in a second position.

Abstract: A web-fed offset printing press has printing units each comprising a plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder, and an impression cylinder, the impression cylinder being movable into and out of rolling engagement with the blanket cylinder via the web. A first printing unit prints a first image portion on the web at prescribed spacings, by moving the impression cylinder away from the blanket cylinder each time one first image portion is printed. A second printing unit prints a second image portion on the spacings left on the web by the first printing unit, also by moving the impression cylinder away from the blanket cylinder each time one second image portion is printed. A variable speed motor rotates each blanket cylinder, while each time the associated impression cylinder is held away to create a space on the web for causing printing of the first or the second printing portion at required spacings.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for printing and embossing elongated substrates provide for both length and position registration with respect to the printed and embossed patterns. The ink pattern to embossed pattern error is corrected by stretching or relaxing the substrate between the printing and embossing assemblies.

Abstract: Several printing units are arranged in a row for printing on as many separate webs traveling in centerline alignment and in phase with one another. At least one preselected web, on issuing from one printing unit, is directed over an angled guide rod thereby to be turned 90 degrees out of phase with the other, unselected webs. Subsequently traveling over a triangular shaped former, the preselected web is folded along a centerline thereof, back into phase with the unselected webs. The preselected web, already formed, and the unselected ones, yet unfolded, are then all superposed one upon another, with the fold of the preselected web in register with the aligned centerline of the unselected webs. The superposed webs are then folded by another former along the aligned centerline of the unselected webs. Subsequently fed into a cutting and folding device, the webs are cut and folded transversely into individual multiple-page signatures each having one center spread in addition to the usual inmost center spread.

Abstract: A method of printing using a press having first and second printing units and responsive to electronic data includes the steps of running the press to cause first and second printing units to produce first and second printed components, respectively, on a substrate, stopping the press and inspecting the first and second printed components to determine a degree of misregistration of the first printed component relative to the second printed component caused by substrate growth. Original electronic data representing an image to be printed by the press are modified in dependence upon the degree of misregistration. The press is subsequently operated in accordance with the modified electronic data to print the image with a reduced degree of misregistration.

Abstract: A single space rotary printing press for newspapers includes a plurality of printing units arranged at different elevations, the printing units each having a plate cylinder with an annular gear at one end, a first transmission gear box and at least one second transmission gear box driven to rotate the printing units, the first transmission gear box having a power input shaft for receiving external rotary driving force and a power output shaft for transmitting external rotary driving force to one printing unit, the at least one second transmission gear box each having a power input shaft for receiving external rotary driving force, a power output shaft for transmitting external rotary driving force to one printing unit, and a transmission shaft for transmitting external rotary driving force to the power input shaft, and an adjustment mechanism coupled between the transmission shaft and the power input shaft for adjusting the position of the plate cylinder of the corresponding printing unit, and coupling means

Abstract: A printing press includes a pair of in-line central impression cylinders which rotate about parallel axes. A web which is printed on the central impression cylinders is advanced from one of the cylinders to the other along a path which is perpendicular to the axes. The web is advanced from an unwind to the first central impression cylinder along a path which is parallel to the axes, and the web is advanced from the second central impression cylinder to a rewind along a path which is parallel to the axis. The web path between the central impression cylinders is relatively short, and the printed side of the web does not contact any rolls except possibly a laydown roll before the second impression cylinder. The central impression cylinders and the plate rolls are driven by different servo motors, and a controller controls the servo motors for adjusting the repeat of the printed images.

Abstract: In a rotary rotogravure printing press for accomplishing the multicolor printing of first and second sides of a material to be printed, first side printing units and second side printing units are arranged in an alternating form. Dryers are located between the alternating first and second material side printing units, which may be configured as tower printing units.

Abstract: An apparatus in a multicolor rotary printing machine for determining register deviations, including a scanning device disposed behind a print gap of a last printing unit of the printing machine; at least one register mark line disposed on printing material movably disposed relative to the scanning device, wherein the scanning device is directed to the register mark line; a control circuit connected with the scanning device for processing signals from the scanning device, and a measuring, steering and regulating device receiving inputs from the control circuit in operative engagement with registers of the printing machine, and a plurality of section reference marks on the printing material, in alignment with the register mark line within scanning range of the scanning device for correcting the register deviations.

Abstract: A measuring field group for detecting quality data in the multicolor printing of single editions has measuring fields printed on a printed product in an optically scannable manner with at least one color-measuring surface (F) for determining a color density, a surface coverage or a tristimulus value for each of the measuring fields. To obtain register mark as well as shifting and doubling values simultaneously, the measuring fields have at least one lateral color strip (S) each, which is printed in the same print together with the color-measuring surface (F) of its measuring field, is narrow in relation to the dimensions of the color-measuring surface (F) of its measuring field, and extends at a likewise short lateral distance from the color-measuring surface (F) in relation to the dimensions of this color-measuring surface (F).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a multicolor web fed rotary printing press having printing units that can be moved along a linear section of a web by a positioning mechanism to allow easy access to each of the printing units. The easy access to the printing units significantly reduces maintenance costs and downtime of the press. In addition, the invention provides a printing press that has a reduced overall size and allows the printing units to be arranged in a nested formation during printing operations. This nested formation reduces fanout and paper waste. The linear web section can be oriented vertically or horizontally.