Abstract: A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display includes: loading an upper substrate or a lower substrate on a stage; positioning a printing roll on the loaded substrate; measuring the printing roll, the measurement being indicative of a size change of the printing roll; compensating the operation of the printing roll relative to the stage according to the measurement of the printing roll; supplying an alignment solution to the printing roll; driving the printing roll under the compensated operation to print the alignment solution onto the loaded substrate; attaching the upper substrate and the lower substrate; and forming a liquid crystal layer between the upper substrate and the lower substrate.

Abstract: A printing blanket assembly for a blanket cylinder of a rotary printing press includes a dimensionally stable support plate, and a printing blanket fastened to the outside of the support plate. A leading end of the support plate and a trailing end of the support plate are fastened to the blanket cylinder by the provision of an angled or beveled, printing blanket free end. A filler is provided between the beveled end of the support plate and the inner edge of the leading and trailing ends of the printing blanket.

Abstract: A pattern transcription apparatus comprises a cliché including a concave portion, a convex portion and a printing stopper, the printing stopper formed on a bottom surface of the concave portion; and a blanket, on which a resist material layer is coated, rotatable on the cliché, wherein a surface energy density of the blanket is greater than a surface energy density of the printing stopper and is smaller than a surface energy of the cliché.

Abstract: A device for pressing on a flexible printing form when it is being pulled onto a form cylinder of an offset printing press. The device makes it possible to use an offset cylinder which is not in phase. The device for pressing on a flexible printing form when it is being pulled onto a form cylinder of an offset printing press, has a switching-on or switching-off apparatus of an offset cylinder with respect to the axially parallel form cylinder and an axially parallel impression cylinder, the offset cylinder having a channel, above which a cover is arranged, and the impression cylinder having a gripper system for sheets. The gripper system protrudes beyond the circumferential contour of the impression cylinder and dips into the channel of the offset cylinder during printing.

Abstract: Apparatus for cold transfer printing by means of rollers, comprising: a pair of rollers consisting of a main roller and a pressure roller, the center lines thereof being parallel with each other, the pressure roller being in close contact with the circumferential surface of the main roller, the main roller being connected with the transmission mechanism of a cold transfer printing machine, a spindle of the main roller being fixedly coupled with a frame of the machine through bearings, bearing supports and positioning and adjusting means disposed on the two ends of the spindle, and a spindle of the pressure roller being provided with bearings on the two ends thereof and connected with pressing means, with the pressure direction being directed toward the center of the main roller; and at least one auxiliary roller, situated on the side of a line joining centers of the main and pressure rollers and being in close contact with the circumferential surface of the main roller, a spindle of the auxiliary roller being

Abstract: A printing blanket and method of reducing corrosion and abrasion of printing blankets and printing blanket cylinders is provided. The printing blanket includes a metal base ply having first and second surfaces, a surface layer on the first surface of the base ply, and a polymer on the second surface of the base ply. The polymer functions to protect the metal base ply as well as a blanket cylinder surface from abrasion and exposure to moisture and corrosive agents used during a printing process. The polymer preferably comprises ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, nylon, polyester, polyurethane, or polyethylene. The polymer may be applied to the in the form of an emulsion which is coated or sprayed onto the base ply, or the polymer may be provided in the form of a film or sheet which is adhered to the base ply with an adhesive. Preferably, the polymer includes corrosion inhibiting additives which are released when the blanket is compressed during a printing operation, further reducing corrosion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sleeve, particularly a rubber blanket sheath, for a printing machine. The sleeve (10) has a two-layer structure comprising an internal layer designed as support layer (11), and an external layer designed as cover layer (12) and used for the print transfer, with the external or cover layer (12) being connected directly to the internal or support layer (11). A three layer composite sheath also is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for printing in a web-fed printing press is disclosed. A printing unit has several printing couples, where each printing couple includes a transfer cylinder, an inking system, and a dampening system, if applicable. Each printing couple includes a plate cylinder unit featuring at least two plate cylinders, where, when a plate cylinder of the plate cylinder unit is engaged on the transfer cylinder of the respective printing couple during a printing operation, the, or each, other plate cylinder of the corresponding plate cylinder unit is disengaged from the transfer cylinder of the respective printing couple.

Abstract: A printing press includes gear driven rollers, such as, for example, a plate cylinder and a blanket cylinder, and a pivotable gear train adapted to synchronize rotation of the cylinders, and is able to accommodate a range of cylinder sizes. Changing cylinder sizes may be accomplished without the need for changing any gears in the gear train.

Abstract: A device is used to set a contact pressure between a displaceable roller and another roller or for moving the displaceable roller with respect to the other roller. At least one actuator is subjectible to the action of a pressure medium and presses the displaceable roller toward the other roller with an adjustable force. The pressure of the pressure medium can be adjusted by a valve. A switchover device is provided for use in connecting the valve to different actuators, as desired.

Abstract: A process for the offset printing of a receiving medium with a functional pattern comprising in any order the steps of: applying a printing ink to a printing plate and wetting the printing plate with an aqueous fountain medium containing a solution or a dispersion containing at least one moiety having at least colouring, pH-indicating, whitening, fluorescent, phosphorescent, X-ray phosphor or conductive properties.

Abstract: Printing units are supported between side frames of a web-fed rotary printing press. Each such printing unit includes at least one transfer cylinder and at least one cooperating printing cylinder, which is embodied as a forme cylinder. These cylinders are rotatably mounted between the spaced side frames. The printing unit is provided with an inking unit that includes a roller.

Abstract: Systems and methods for modifying, altering, constructing, or retrofitting an existing newspaper press having a first cut-off length, to have a second cut-off length which is different from and generally less than the first. These systems and methods generally provide for the machining of new bore holes into the existing press unit frame. The new bore holes will generally completely encompass the old bore holes and allow for linear translation of the axes of rotation of the new cylinders relative to the positions of the axes for the old cylinders.

Abstract: A digitally controlled can decorating apparatus (40) including digitally controlled print heads (50) arrayed around the blanket cylinder (20) of an offset type decorating apparatus for delivering ink in a selected pattern from each print head (50) to each blanket section (17) of the blanket cylinder (20), and the blanket cylinder sections (17) thereafter transferring the ink to the cans (22) being decorated.

Abstract: A printing machine utilizes several printing couples to produce at least one printed image on a printed material. Compensation for at least one of a longitudinal elongation and a transverse elongation of the printed material is accomplished. An anticipated elongation of the printed material is compensated for by matching of a printed image placement, with respect to length, width or position, with an imaging system generating the printed image placement on a printing forme.

Abstract: A printing unit consists of at least two printing groups, which are placed vertically above each other, in a printing machine. Each of the printing groups includes a printing cylinder, an inking unit with at least one inking roller, a dampening unit with several dampening rollers arranged in a line, and a transfer cylinder that cooperates with the printing cylinder. The inking cylinder and the dampening roller, in an operational state in which they are adjacent the printing cylinder, form an obtuse opening angle with the printing cylinder. The rollers of the dampening unit are arranged with at least the first and last rollers in the roller train arranged inside an acute angle depending from the transfer cylinder. A horizontal line extending from the transfer cylinder defines an opening angle of less than 45° with the rollers of the dampening unit. A printing forme is fed to the printing cylinder through an obtuse angle between the dampening roller and the inking roller.

Abstract: A method for making a multilayer printing blanket whereof at least an outer layer is provided with embedded particles has the embedded in the surface of the outer layer by exerting pressure on said particles. Such a printing blanket is useful in the field of printing machines.

Abstract: A filling member for filling the concave portion of a blanket face which is generated along the opening portion of a groove of a blanket cylinder comprises a wedge-shaped limb portion and a head portion capable of filling the concave portion. The limb portion is inserted between the surface of the terminal and initial winding end side of the blanket which is approximately parallel with the surface in a condition in which one face of the limb portion is brought in contact with the terminal winding end side of the blanket and is pushed on both surfaces in which one face and another face forming a wedge shape for the one face oppose approximately parallel to at least a site adjacent to the head portion. The head portion can fill the concave portion when the limb portion is inserted between the initial winding end side and the terminal winding end side of the blanket.

Abstract: A rotary pad printing system comprises a compressible pad wheel (105), one or more inkjet or other image applicator heads (400), optional treatment stations (500), a shaft encoder (535), a control unit (540), and an image source (565). The image applicator heads apply an image to the wheel and the treatment stations can supply treatments such as heat, gas, light, overcoats, and undercoats. The image is then transferred to a receiving surface (532). An optional cleaning station (510) cleans the rotary pad prior to application of the next or a continuous image. Each image can be different and can be applied to a moving surface. Since the rotary pad can continuously receive updated image information, the area printed can range from a single pixel to an image of indefinite length. In an alternative embodiment, a domed pad is used. In another alternative embodiment, a flexible belt (1000) is used instead of a rotary wheel. In another alternative embodiment, a segmented pad (2205) is used.

Abstract: A printing device has a support roll and a sleeve having at least one sleeve element and detachably mounted on the support roll, wherein the sleeve, when mounted on the support roll, surrounds at least partially the support roll. At least one printing plate is adapted to be detachably mounted on the sleeve. A securing device for securing the at least one printing plate on the sleeve is provided, wherein the securing device has at least one magnetic element and a ferromagnetic material interacting with the at least one magnetic element.

Abstract: An apparatus, a method and a transfer foil for transferring a transfer layer onto a printing material in a transfer unit. In order to avoid the adhesion, and simultaneously retain the flexibility of the transfer cylinder, it is proposed that the transfer unit has at least one material application device for applying friction-reducing material onto the transfer cylinder and/or the carrier foil reverse side. Furthermore, a transfer foil is proposed, the carrier foil of which has a rear-side coating of friction-reducing material. The friction-reducing material may be a fluid or powder.

Abstract: An offset rotary printing machine which includes a first printing cylinder and a second printing cylinder in which printing is performed on a web at a nip between the pair of printing cylinders, the second printing cylinder contacting the first printing cylinder and being shifted downstream from the first printing cylinder. The printing machine includes an angle adjustment mechanism for adjusting an angle of a plane connecting center axes of the pair of printing cylinders which is inclined to a plane perpendicular to the moving direction of the web, and a controller for controlling the angle adjustment mechanism, based on parameters interrelating to a delamination occurrence probability that is caused as printing is performed by the downstream second printing cylinder.

Abstract: A printing blanket comprising a rigid carrier plate on which an elastic layer is arranged is provided. The elastic covering layer has a surface that can be inked and by which a printing image can be transferred onto a printing material. An end of the carrier plate is not covered by the elastic covering layer, and an end of the elastic covering layer is covered by a sealant. The sealant covered end of the elastic covering layer has a sealing geometry that provides a greater surface area to which the sealant can adhere than a smooth flat surface at the end of the elastic covering layer.

Abstract: A printing couple of a printing unit for a web-fed rotary press includes a transfer cylinder, a form cylinder, and an inking couple having at least one roller. The transfer cylinder is coupled to the form cylinder, and the form cylinder is coupled to at least one roller of the inking couple, by side-by-side straight gears arranged in a first gear plane. The drive motor is coupled to the transfer cylinder by side-by-side helical gears arranged in a second gear plane.

Abstract: An offset lithographic printing press combined with a gapped or seamed cylindrical offset printing blanket having pre-made blanket material mounted on a cylindrical sleeve is disclosed, wherein conventional, manufactured blanket material in flat form is adhered to a cylindrical sleeve to economically produce a cylindrical sleeved blanket. The leading and trailing ends of the flat blanket material are joined in close proximity such that a small gap is formed. A seam may be made with a filler material that fills the remaining gap resulting in a seamed sleeved blanket. In use, the blanket's printing surface, which excludes the gap or seam, is aligned with the printing plate's image-bearing surface. Consequently, no loss of print length results from the gap or seam.

Abstract: In a printing press, an adjustment system for positioning a rolling element such as a form roller or an impression cylinder relative to a first cylinder having a first diameter and relative to at least a second cylinder adapted to replace the first cylinder and having a second diameter different than the first diameter, the system comprising an actuating member operable to displace the rolling element relative to the first cylinder and having a pivotable fixed first end and a second end mechanically linked to the rolling element, the actuating member providing sufficient displacement to bring the rolling element into contact with the first cylinder such that a predetermined contact pressure therebetween is reached, the actuating member also being operable to bring the rolling element into contact with the second cylinder such that the predetermined contact pressure therebetween is reached. A method for displacing a rolling element is also presented.

Abstract: The contact pressure between an adjustably mounted first cylinder and a second cylinder in a printing machine, and particularly in a web-fed printing machine can be adjusted. An actuator is usable to force the first cylinder toward the second cylinder with an adjustable force. A fixing device is usable to fix the first cylinder in a desired position relative to the second cylinder.

Abstract: A printing group of a rotary printing press includes at least one forme cylinder and at least one transfer cylinder. The forme cylinder has at least two printing forme end receiving channels. These two channels are spaced circumferentially. At least one of these forme cylinder end receiving channels rolls off against a channel in the transfer cylinder. One of the forme cylinder end receiving channels is at least partially covered by a printing forme carried by the forme cylinder.

Abstract: A method for influencing lateral web spreading in a printing unit in a rotary printing press, the printing unit having first and second transfer cylinders contacting each other along a contact zone for receiving a web to be printed on therebetween and undergoing a deflection during operation, and at least one plate cylinder which is respectively settable against one of the first and second transfer cylinders for printing on at least one side of the web receivable in the contact zone.

Abstract: An easy to manufacture and install sound dampening pad for a printing blanket sleeve is provided. The pad effectively attenuates noise emanating from the sleeve during air pressurized mounting and dismounting of the blanket sleeve to an underlying cylinder. The sound dampening pad is fabricated from a flexible polymeric material and in one embodiment has a generally J-shaped configuration with inner and outer surfaces. At least a portion of the inner surface of the J-shaped configuration includes a pressure sensitive adhesive thereon to secure the pad to the inner surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: A method for driving a satellite offset press, and a satellite offset press which, with little expenditure, permits multicolor printing in one pass. A satellite offset press, in which form cylinders and associated transfer cylinders are driven synchronously, while in each case segments located in the circumferential direction of the form cylinders and of the transfer cylinders and also of the transfer cylinders and of an impression cylinder interacting with the latter roll on one another in accurate register with a sheet held thereon, following each full revolution. The speed of the impression cylinder is reduced and increased again, so that the transfer cylinders lead by at least one segment length in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A method of producing a printing plate on a cylindrical printing-plate carrier includes subdividing the printing-plate carrier by computation in terms of its width and axial length into at least two circumferential subareas. Then an actual transfer characteristic curve for each subarea is determined and compared by computation with a predetermined desired printing characteristic curve for each subarea to find a deviation. The method further includes calculating a correction to compensate for each deviation; receiving a digital image data in a first data format using a raster image processor; converting the digital image data into machine-specific image data including the position and the tonal value in the form of a bitmap; applying the correction for a predetermined desired printing characteristic curve for the edition print to the machine-specific image data using the raster image processor; and supplying the corrected machine-specific image data to an imagesetting unit.

Abstract: The transfer blanket (10), in particular a rubber blanket, for a printing press, has a carrier layer (11), a covering layer (12) and at least one intermediate layer (13, 14, 15) which is positioned between the carrier layer and the covering layer, the carrier layer protruding, compared with at least one intermediate layer, at at least one end of the transfer blanket (10), using which end the said transfer blanket (10) can be fastened at a clamping point (17) of a printing press, and ends of the or each intermediate layer, which are of shortened configuration compared with the carrier layer (11), being sealed with the aid of a sealing layer (16). The sealing layer (16) extends over the carrier layer (11) in such a way that the transfer blanket can be fastened at the clamping point of the printing press at least via the carrier layer and the sealing layer.

Abstract: A blanket is located on an outer surface of a roller, such as printing unit roller. The blanket has an elastic and/or a compressive layer with a surface pressure that depends on the degree of the impression. The layer is selected so that a depending of the surface pressure on the impression has, at least in some areas, a slope of less than 700 (N/cm2)/mm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a printing unit, comprising at least two pairs of two cylinders each, namely a transfer cylinder and an associated forming cylinder, whereby the transfer and forming cylinders are each embodied with a width sufficient for printing six newspaper pages, arranged axially next to each other and the transfer cylinder co-operates with a printing cylinder embodied as a satellite cylinder to form a printing head in a print-in-place arrangement.

Abstract: The rubber-blanket plate comprising a carrier plate (2) on which functional layers (3) are arranged. The functional layers (3) include a covering layer (4), a woven-fabric layer (5) and a compressible layer (6). At the two ends of the rubber-blanket plate (FIG. 4a), only the ends of the covering layer (13) extend to the carrier plate (2), whereas the functional layers end before that. As a result, effective protection of the functional layers (3) is attained, and it is possible to use a relatively narrow channel (FIG. 4a) in the printing press cylinder upon which the rubber-blanket plate is mounted. Alternatively, all of the functional layers can extend to the end of the carrier plate.

Abstract: An offset lithographic printing press combined with a gapped or seamed cylindrical offset printing blanket having pre-made blanket material mounted on a cylindrical sleeve is disclosed, wherein conventional, manufactured blanket material in flat form is adhered to a cylindrical sleeve to economically produce a cylindrical sleeved blanket. The leading and trailing ends of the flat blanket material are joined in close proximity such that a small gap is formed. A seam may be made with a filler material that fills the remaining gap resulting in a seamed sleeved blanket. In use, the seam is aligned with the non-print area on the adjacent printing plate, or the adjacent plate cylinder gap of the printing press. Being narrower than the plate cylinder gap, no loss of print length results from the seam.

Abstract: A printing unit for influencing lateral web spreading in particular in rotary presses, which makes constant contact conditions possible across the width in the rubber-rubber nip and improves the lateral-register quality and the web run without using concave or convex blanket cylinders, has a blanket cylinder and plate cylinders which can be set against the former for printing on one or both sides of a web. The web passes through between the blanket cylinders in a contact zone, it either being possible to skew at least one of the blanket cylinders with respect to the respective plate cylinder or it being possible to skew at least one of the plate cylinders with respect to the respective blanket cylinder, for producing a concave velocity profile on the web.

Abstract: The forces exerted by actuators are detected and devices are provided, which use those detected forces to regulate a pressure force exerted by one cylinder against another cylinder in a printing machine. The several forces can also be used for placing or removing one cylinder with respect to another cylinder. One cylinder may be mounted in a cylinder holder which is, in turn, mounted in a frame holder. At least two actuators are arranged between the cylinder holder and the frame holder. These actuators exert a radially directed force against the cylinder holder when they are actuated by a control signal.

Abstract: A printing group of a printing press is comprised of at least one pair of cylinders which include a form cylinder and a transfer cylinder. The transfer cylinder cooperates with an impression cylinder to apply ink to a web of material, with the web being guided vertically. The circumference of at least one of the transfer cylinders and the impression cylinder is an integral multiple, greater than one of the circumference of the form cylinder. The transfer cylinder and the form cylinder have respective drive motors that are mechanically independent from the drive of the respective other cylinder.

Abstract: A printing group includes at least one printing group cylinder and one inking system with at least one roller. The printing group cylinder and the inking system are driven for rotation by different drive motors via respective mechanically independent transmissions. Every rotational transmission is configured as a transmission that is closed off from the exterior of the printing group.

Abstract: A support sleeve made of a metallic material, preferably of nickel, is provided at at least one longitudinal end with a chamfer running all around in the inner circumference. This prevents damage to a film-like coating or thin intermediate sleeve, which surrounds the cylinder core to which the sleeve is fitted. A device for chamfering and deburring the longitudinal ends of the sleeve include a supporting body having a cylindrical journal with a diameter only slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the sleeve to be machined, in order to accommodate a longitudinal end of the sleeve and to guide the cut. A cutting holder is machined on the supporting body by means of which holder a cutter can be brought up to the inner circumference of the longitudinal end of the sleeve to be machined, and the supporting body can be rotated relative to the sleeve to be machined and pushed onto the journal.

Abstract: A printing blanket includes a carrier sleeve layer having at least one axially convex surface and a print layer disposed over the carrier sleeve layer. A blanket cylinder with a convex outer surface and a convex shim is also provided. An offset printing press is also provided.

Abstract: A variable cut-off offset press system and method of operation which utilizes a continuous image transfer belt is provided. The offset printing system comprises at least two plate cylinders adapted to have thereon respective printing sleeves. Each of the printing sleeves is adapted to receive colored ink from a respective ink source. An optional coating source may be provided to fully or partially coat the image transfer belt before inking. The system further comprises at least a impression cylinder, wherein the image transfer belt is positioned to contact each of the printing sleeves at respective nips formed between respective ones of the plate cylinders and the at least one impression cylinder. An image belt cleaning station adapted to remove residual ink or coating from the surface of the image transfer belt after image transfer of a multicolored image from the image transfer belt to a substrate is also provided.

Abstract: A printing group of a rotary printing press includes at least one forme cylinder and at least one transfer cylinder. The forme cylinder has at least two printing forme end receiving channels. These two channels are spaced circumferentially. At least one of these forme cylinder end receiving channels rolls off against a channel in the transfer cylinder. One of the forme cylinder end receiving channels is at least partially covered by a printing forme carried by the forme cylinder.

Abstract: A system for determining the location of an edge of a sheet of media for alignment purposes utilizes a beam of light directed at the media surface to produce a reflected light beam. The reflected light beam intensity varies in response to the reflectivity of the surface on which it impinges and the beam position shifts in accordance with the datum of the surface at which the reflected beam is originated. By monitoring both intensity and positional information of the reflected beam as it is scanned across the media edge, the edge location can be determined using a weighted combination of the intensity and positional information.

Abstract: A printing group of an offset rotary printing machine includes at least one forme cylinder, one transfer cylinder and at least one inking system. Two of these printing groups are arranged opposite to each other. The arrangement of the printing group in relation to each other can be arranged in an axial direction which is parallel to the axes of rotation of the cylinders.

Abstract: A system and method for managing the tension and maintaining registration between multiple webs in a web finishing system. The method involves transporting a first web and at least second web toward a finishing apparatus, comparing relative positions of registration marks on the webs, severing lengths of the second web in response to the relative positions, aligning each length of the second web with the first web, and then performing a finishing operation on the webs with the finishing apparatus. The system includes the finishing apparatus, devices for transporting the webs toward the finishing apparatus, devices for comparing the relative positions of the registration marks on the webs, a device for severing lengths of the second web in response to the relative positions, and a device for individually aligning each length of the second web with the first web before the webs encounter the finishing apparatus.

Abstract: A rubber blanket for covering a transfer cylinder of a printing machine is provided. The transfer cylinder includes a cylinder channel for receiving an end of the rubber blanket to secure the rubber blanket to the transfer cylinder. The rubber blanket includes a rigid carrier plate and a plurality of layers that are arranged on the carrier plate. The plurality of layers include a cover layer, a non-expandable layer arranged underneath the cover layer and at least one other layer. A first end portion of the rubber blanket is adapted for insertion into a cylinder channel. The cover layer and the non-expandable layer extend into the first end portion and the at least one other layer does not extend into the first end portion such that when the rubber blanket is secured to a transfer cylinder the cover layer and the non-expandable layer are inserted into the cylinder channel and the at least one other layer is not inserted into the cylinder channel.

Abstract: A printing blanket sleeve is provided having two separable sections including a carcass sleeve and a face sleeve. The face sleeve is mounted over the carcass sleeve such that, when the printing blanket sleeve is installed on a blanket cylinder, the carcass sleeve and the face sleeve form an integral unit in use. The printing blanket sleeve is provided in separable sections so that the printing surface may be replaced in a manner wherein the carcass sleeve, including preferably at least some portion of the inner layers, can be reused with new printing surfaces. Further, the printing blanket sleeve is arranged such that the user of the printing blanket sleeve can change the printing surface of the printing blanket sleeve on-site so that there is no longer a need to discard the entire printing blanket sleeve, or alternatively send the printing blanket sleeve back to the manufacturer to be reconditioned.