Abstract: A ductor roller for printing machines has a shaft provided with an air supply pipe, plural individual ductor rollers, and plural electromagnetic valves, both connected to the shaft. The individual ductor rollers advance pneumatically by the electromagnetic valves. The individual ductor rollers have housings that are associated with the shaft and configured to move forward and backward; roller members configured to contact with the ink fountain roller and an ink distribution roller; and bearings connecting the roller members to the housings. The electromagnetic valves are placed in the housings. Protection members for the electromagnetic valves are oil-resistant, have circularly cylindrical or arc-like covers, and are associated with the shaft. They cover the side ends of the housings and are placed in the clearance between the individual ductor rollers.

Abstract: This invention relates to thermal spray coatings and processes onto non-smooth surfaces. The coating and processes can coat non-smooth surfaces without substantial degradation of the underlying surface texture or profile of the non-smooth surfaces so as to sufficiently preserve the underlying surface texture or profile. The ability for coating fractional coverage to maintain the surface profile while maintaining wear resistance is unprecedented by conventional thermal spray processes.

Abstract: A roller includes a cylindrical outer surface of a hydrophobic material, an inner core of a hydrophilic material, and an inhomogeneous geometric pattern of grooves in the surface that expose the hydrophilic material. A method of manufacturing a roller, includes providing a cylindrical core of a hydrophilic material, covering the cylindrical core with a hydrophobic surface, creating grooves in the hydrophobic surface to form a geometrically inhomogeneous pattern of the hydrophilic material. A method of manufacturing a roller, includes forming a pattern of geometrically inhomogeneous grooves on a hydrophobic core, functionalizing the surface to make the surface hydrophilic, and removing a portion of a top layer of the hydrophobic core to expose the hydrophobic core, leaving hydrophilic grooves.

Abstract: To provide a conductive member capable of suppressing an increase in contact resistance, and a production method therefor. To solve the problem by providing a conductive member having a Ni plating layer 3 on the surface of contact parts 2 provided on a substrate 1, an arithmetic average roughness Sa of the surface of the Ni plating layer 3 being 20 nm or more. In the Ni plating layer 3, the full width half maximum of a peak at the position of a Ni (200) plane in an x-ray diffraction diagram is preferably 0.6 or less, and an indentation hardness HIT of the Ni plating layer 3 is preferably 5000 n/mm2 or less.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing and regenerating a functional surface of an anilox sleeve or anilox roller for a printing machine with a coating protecting against wear and corrosion. The anilox sleeve is preferably made out of a lightweight plastic on which an intermediate layer is applied and has a metal tube located above the intermediate layer. During a first phase, the worn engraving and the old layer are ground off from the cylindrical surface of the anilox sleeve, that is to say from the metal tube, and a coating, a carbidic tungsten carbide-cobalt-chromium layer (WC—Co—Cr) is subsequently applied. This carbidic layer is applied by a high-speed flame spraying (HVOF) process and subsequently functionalized by laser.

Abstract: A roll cover is particular suited for use in an apparatus for producing or surface finishing a fibrous web, such as a web of paper or of cardboard. The roll cover is formed on a roll core of metal or of a fiber-reinforced plastic and includes a matrix system wherein fillers are provided. The fillers provided are three or more in number and they have different median particle sizes.

Abstract: An optical device for a motor vehicle, notably a lighting and/or signaling device for a motor vehicle, comprising a surface light source, wherein the device comprises a light beam shaping member which deflects first light rays of the beam emitted by one face of the surface light source, this member not deflecting second light rays of the beam emitted by the same face of the surface light source.

Abstract: After the end of a preceding print job, a printing press is stopped, and ink form rollers (6-1 to 6-4) of an ink roller group (6) are thrown off. After that, a printing plate (7) is exchanged with a printing plate (7?) of a next print job, and a blanket (91) mounted on a blanket cylinder (9) is cleaned. The opening amounts of ink fountain keys (4-1 to 4-n) corresponding to the image of the printing plate (7?) of the next print job are obtained. The obtained opening amounts of the ink fountain keys (4-1 to 4-n) are corrected by correction values of the opening amounts of the ink fountain keys (4-1 to 4-n) considering the influence of cleaning of the blanket (91) to obtain corrected opening amounts. In a state in which the opening amounts of the ink fountain keys (4-1 to 4-n) have been set to the corrected opening amounts, a corrected ink film thickness distribution corresponding to the image of the printing plate (7?) of the next print job is formed on the ink roller group (6).

Abstract: After the end of a preceding print job, a printing press is stopped, and ink form rollers (6-1 to 6-4) of an ink roller group (6) are thrown off. After that, a printing plate (7) is exchanged with a printing plate (7?) of a next print job, and a blanket (91) mounted on a blanket cylinder (9) is cleaned. The opening amounts of ink fountain keys (4-1 to 4-n) corresponding to the image of the printing plate (7?) of the next print job are obtained. The obtained opening amounts of the ink fountain keys (4-1 to 4-n) are corrected by correction values of the opening amounts of the ink fountain keys (4-1 to 4-n) considering the influence of cleaning of the blanket (91) to obtain corrected opening amounts. In a state in which the opening amounts of the ink fountain keys (4-1 to 4-n) have been set to the corrected opening amounts, a corrected ink film thickness distribution corresponding to the image of the printing plate (7?) of the next print job is formed on the ink roller group (6).

Abstract: An anilox roll with low surface energy zone includes a cylinder having a curved contact surface, an ink transfer zone formed on a first portion of the curved contact surface, and a low surface energy zone formed on a second portion of the curved contact surface. The ink transfer zone includes a plurality of cells configured to transfer ink. The low surface energy zone includes a hydrophobic surface with a contact angle of at least 75 degrees and a surface roughness of less than 100 micrometers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adjusting a gap in a printing system in which a first roller and a second roller are provided, wherein at least one of said first roller and said second roller comprises a seam, said seam corresponding to a variation of the diameter of said first roller and said second roller, respectively, along a circumference thereof. An interaction zone is provided, wherein said second roller is in rolling contact with said first roller under pressure, said interaction zone defining a gap for inserting a media to be printed. A size of said gap is controlled by varying a relative position of said first roller and said second roller when said at least one seam passes through said interaction zone, and said gap is adjusted in accordance with a length of said media to be printed and/or in accordance with a length of an image to be printed.

Abstract: Use of a rigid roller obtainable by a method comprising the steps: providing a roller core; applying a liquid coating composition based on a polyimide or polyamide-imide prepolymer with a layer thickness of 1 to 1000 ?m; solidifying the liquid coating composition on the roller core; as an distributor or Rilsan roller.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adjusting a gap in a printing system in which a first roller and a second roller are provided, wherein at least one of said first roller and said second roller comprises a seam, said seam corresponding to in a variation of the diameter of said first roller and said second roller, respectively, along a circumference thereof. An interaction zone is provided, wherein said second roller is in rolling contact with said first roller under pressure, said interaction zone defining a gap for inserting a media to be printed. A size of said gap is controlled by varying a relative position of said first roller and said second roller when said at least one seam passes through said interaction zone, and said gap is adjusted in accordance with a length of said media to be printed and/or in accordance with a length of an image to be printed.

Abstract: A doctor blade for scraping printing ink from a surface of a printing plate, comprising a flat and elongated main body having a working edge area formed in a longitudinal direction, the working edge area being coated with at least one first coating on the basis of a nickel-phosphorus alloy, and is characterized in that the first coating contains at least one additional component for improving the wear behavior of the doctor blade.

Abstract: Provided are a member with recessed portions which solves the problem of fogging, and a method of manufacturing the same. The member with recessed portions, includes: a printing area in which a large number of recessed portions are formed on a surface thereof; and a non-printing area in which the recessed portions are not formed on the surface thereof, the surface being brought into contact with a viscous material so that the viscous material accumulates in the recessed portions, the excess viscous material being scraped off the surface by causing a doctor blade to horizontally stick up on the surface and relatively moving the doctor blade. The member with recessed portions further includes: a base member having the printing area in which the large number of recessed portions are formed on the surface and the non-printing area in which the recessed portions are not formed on the surface; and a DLC coating formed so as to cover the printing area and the non-printing area.

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 system for setting up a printing station (136), the printing station (136) includes printing rollers (110, 114, 116), the printing rollers (110, 114, 116) including at least one ink transferring roller (110, 114) and an impression roller (116). The system includes a camera (104), an actuator interface (106) and a processor (102), the actuator interface (106) being coupled with at least one actuator (108, 112), the processor (102) being coupled with the camera (104) and with the actuator interface (106), the actuator interface (106) directing the at least one actuator (108, 112) to move at least one printing roller (110, 114, 116) of the printing press (1OO). The processor (102) receives an output from the camera (104), the processor (102) determining at least one no print threshold respective of each adjacent pair of the printing rollers, according to the output respective of the absence or presence of the representative impression (132).

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: For sealing between a doctor blade chamber (3) and a rotatable roller (16, 23) in a printing unit, there is provided a gasket (4) having an elastomeric edge (17, 18) for sealing abutment against the roller. The gasket includes a rigid/supporting rail (7) which during operational conditions of the printing unit bears against the roller together with the elastomeric edge or which is spaced apart from the roller.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the distances between cylinders of an inking unit limiting at least two cylinder gaps and in which the distances are adjusted based on measurements, which are gathered from the surface of at least one of the cylinders of the inking unit. It is considered novel and inventive that information is used, which was gathered during the adjustment of the distance between the two cylinders limiting a first cylinder gap for adjusting the distance between the two cylinders limiting a second cylinder gap. A printing machine is also described and claimed for executing the above-described method.

Abstract: A coupling device facilitates coupling of an ink transfer roller in an inking unit or printing unit of a printing machine. The ink transfer roller includes at least a roller body to which an end pin is connected, with each end pin of the roller being mounted to rotate in a bearing housing of the inking unit or printing unit via at least one bearing. The end pins of the roller include couplings with which the roller can be coupled and fastened in the inking unit or printing unit, with at least one end pin of the roller being splined to a shaft piece of a drive. The coupling device includes an actuator, with which at least one end pin of the ink transfer roller can be positioned against the shaft piece of the drive.

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 apparatus for vacuum thermoforming and printing plastic articles from a continuous web of plastic material in which a rotatable vacuum thermoforming drum has a plurality of vacuum thermoforming dies mounted on circumferentially surfaces. The drum further comprises a gear path and a cam path, each with a plurality of substantially flat and curved sections. A print structure in a frame includes a device for imparting ink to the articles after they are formed, and a linear bearing adapted to allow the printing cylinder to move in a constrained motion substantially normal to the central axis. The printing cylinder comprises a shaft with a pinion gear to engage the gear path and a cam roller to engage the cam path. As the drum rotates, the articles are formed, printed and separated in substantially a single operation.

Abstract: A method and system to control ink keys for a printing machine is provided. The ink keys are adjustable to control ink feed to individual zones located across the width of an ink roller. Feedforward and feedback control loops adjust the ink supply dynamically based on a pixel count of the image content. The pixel count looks ahead in the video stream to allow time for the adjustment at the inker keys to propagate through the ink train to affect ink output onto the imaging drum. Feedback of the achieved ink density on control patches on the imaging drum is also used to command the inker key motors. Feedback is also used to update the inker propagation delay and dynamic model used to determine how much the inker keys need to be adjusted based on the pixel count stream.

Abstract: A modular decorator ink temperature control system for use with a blanket wheel, the blanket wheel having inker station configured with an inker station panel and at least one roller operatively mounted thereto. The modular decorator ink temperature control system includes a thermal transfer fluid conduit having an entry end distal to the blanket wheel and an exit end proximate to the blanket wheel with the thermal transfer fluid conduit in contact with the at least one roller and configured to convey at least one thermal transfer fluid therethrough. The modular decorator ink temperature control system also includes at least one control manifold device mounted on the inker station panel in operative communication with the thermal transfer fluid conduit.

Abstract: Use of a rigid roller obtainable by a method comprising the steps: providing a roller core; applying a liquid coating composition based on a polyimide or polyamide-imide prepolymer with a layer thickness of 1 to 1000 ?m; solidifying the liquid coating composition on the roller core; as an distributor or Rilsan roller.

Abstract: An ink roller (40) for a hand-held labelling device with a jacket-shaped ink receiving roller (42) and an ink roller axis (43), wherein the ink receiving roller (42) is disposed on the ink roller axis (43) in such a fashion that the free ends of the ink roller axis (43) project on both sides past the end faces of the ink receiving roller (42), and a hand-held labelling device having an ink roller (40) of this type. One gripping disk (46) that is spaced apart from the ink receiving roller (42) is thereby provided at each free end of the ink roller axis (43).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vacuum thermoforming disposable drink cups lids. The method and apparatus include the step of imparting printing to the lids in two or more colors. The step of imparting printing to the lids is done while the lids are in contact with the vacuum thermoforming platen.

Abstract: The printing device using energy-curable inks is applicable to a flexographic printer comprising a printing deck (21) adapted for printing an energy-curable printing ink containing as the components, resin, pigment and a non-reactive evaporable component selected from water or another solvent, on a substrate layer (23) supported on a backpressure roller (24), and an energy emitting unit for curing said ink printed on the substrate layer (23). The printing deck (21) includes an ink application chamber (13) for applying the ink to an inking roller (11) arranged for inking-up a printing roller (12), and means for supplying printing ink from a container (1) to the corresponding ink application chamber (13). The device comprises means for maintaining the ratio of the components of the printing ink substantially constant.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid applying apparatus that enables the viscosity of a liquid to be applied and the condition of supply of the liquid to be detected using conventional mechanisms and without the need for a viscometer or the like, thus allowing prevention of improper application of the liquid to a medium and mitigation of wear of an applying roller or the like, the apparatus having an inexpensive configuration. Thus, according to the present invention, a driving load on an applying roller driving motor is detected when an applying roller is driven. If the driving load is equal to or more than a preset threshold, an operation of re-supplying the liquid is performed by a pump, or an operation of the roller driving motor is stopped.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for an axially mobile cylinder in a printing press is provided. The bearing assembly includes an endpiece adapted so as to be mounted on a frame of the press and defining a central axis and a bearing arrangement for bearing a cylinder on the endpiece in rotation about the central axis and in translation along the central axis. The bearing arrangement includes a first bearing which is a radial bearing, notably an exclusively radial roller or needle bearing, and a second bearing which is either an axial/radial combined bearing or an only axial bearing. The second bearing is adapted so as to be fixed or attached with respect to the cylinder and connected to the endpiece via an axial spring with elasticity along the central axis. The second bearing is axially mobile with respect to the endpiece.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vacuum thermoforming disposable drink cups lids including the step of imparting printing to the lids in two or more colors while they are in contact with the vacuum thermoforming platen.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anilox roll for a printing apparatus. The anilox roll comprises a cylinder having a surface. The surface comprises a fluid distribution structure for receiving, distributing and transferring a fluid such as an ink. The fluid distribution structure comprises a channel formed in the surface having channel walls. This channel is arranged for distributing the fluid over the fluid distribution structure. The channel comprises channel parts, wherein the courses of connected channel parts are at an angle with respect to each other for preventing a linear distribution of the fluids to be received in a course direction of the channel, allowing a meandering distribution of the fluid to be received in the channel. Side walls of the channel are arranged for allowing a meandering flow of the fluid throughout the fluid distribution surface.

Abstract: A patterning apparatus for an electroluminescent display includes a molding plate provided with a plurality of convex portions and concave portions; a polymer supplying roller adjacent to the molding plate to apply an electroluminescent material to the molding plate via rotational movement; and a molding roller attached to the molding plate to apply the electroluminescent material on the molding plate to an adjacent substrate via rotational movement.

Abstract: The invention describes a device for gripping and transporting at least one ink-attracting cylinder of a printing machine, the device including support elements that can enter into contact with the pins of the cylinder in order to be able to raise the cylinder. Each support element includes at least two tong-like gripper arms with which a pin of the cylinder can be at least partially gripped.

Abstract: An inking roller for an inking system has, distributed over the surface on a ink-transferring surface (S), circumferential flutes (3). The longitudinal flutes (4) intersect the circumferential flutes (3) and elevated surface areas as said webs (5) and between the circumferential and longitudinal flutes (3, 4).

Abstract: A rotogravure printing unit includes a forme cylinder and an inker unit. The inker unit includes a trough which holds liquid or pasty ink. A first inking roller, which can rotate inside the trough, extends over a first width section of the trough and the forme cylinder. A second inking roller, which can also rotate inside the trough, extends over a second width section of the forme cylinder or the trough.

Abstract: An ink form roller in a printing press is provided including a core, a first layer surrounding part of the core, and a second layer surrounding part of the first layer, the second layer having a durometer hardness greater than the first layer. In addition, an ink form roller in a printing press is provided including a core, and a layer surrounding the core, the layer having a hardness between about 25 Shore A durometer and about 40 Shore A durometer, the layer having an outer surface, the outer surface having a surface roughness of about 30 micro-inches or less. Methods are also provided.

Abstract: An anilox printing unit includes, as inking unit rolls, an ink applicator roll and an engraved roll mounted in rapid change roll sockets, for removing the engraved roll from the roll sockets and inserting another engraved roll into the roll sockets by an operator. The engraved roll is hollow and a temperature control fluid flows therethrough. The engraved roll and the ink applicator roll each have bearer rings. A device which presses the bearer rings of one inking unit roll against the bearer rings of the other inking unit roll has springs for compensating for diameter differences as a result of manufacturing tolerances between the bearer rings of the engraved roll and the bearer rings of the other engraved roll and for compensating for thermally induced diameter changes of the bearer rings of the engraved roll. A printing press having an anilox printing unit is also provided.

Abstract: A ductor for a printing press having a rounded ductor profile (3) is distinguished by the fact that the radius of curvature of the ductor profile (3) is greater at the point (10) which corresponds to the ductor angle (?) than at a tangent point (11) which lies 20° further towards the tip and smaller than at a tangent point (12) which lies 15° further towards the flank.

Abstract: An ink-transfer roller is brought into contact with an ink-source roller so that ink is transferred from the ink-source roller to the ink-transfer roller. The ink-transfer roller includes an ink-transfer member, an ink-transfer roller body, an elastic member, and a rotation axis. The elastic member is provided between the rotation axis and the ink-transfer roller body.

Abstract: A printing unit of a web-fed rotary press, with several printing couples, wherein each printing couple has a form cylinder, a transfer cylinder, an inking couple and preferably a dampening unit. At least one printing couple of the printing unit is positioned on each side of the printing unit, wherein on both sides of the printing unit, the inking couple and possibly the dampening unit of the printing couple or of each printing couple arranged on the respective side of the printing unit form an inking module. Each inking module of the printing unit can be moved relative to the other assemblies of the printing unit by an air cushion conveyance device.

Abstract: A liquid ink imaging member having a top outer imaging surface is provided for receiving image forming ink droplets from a printhead. The liquid ink imaging member includes (a) a substrate member; (b) at least one elastomeric layer formed over the substrate member and including the top outer imaging surface; and (c) a surface texture formed into the top outer imaging surface and comprising asperities spaced apart at most from about one-half to about one pixel spot size for providing contact angle hysteresis to pin image forming ink droplets received thereon, thereby preventing ink droplet drawback, and resulting in quality images.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a housing that defines a receiving formation for a media tray assembly. A chassis is positioned in the housing. A media tray assembly is displaceably engageable with the chassis to permit the tray assembly to be received in, and withdrawn from, the receiving formation. The media tray assembly and the housing define a print medium feed path. The media tray assembly includes a media tray in which a stack of print medium sheets can be stored. A feed mechanism is positioned on the media tray to feed the sheets from the tray. A printhead assembly is positioned downstream of the media tray to carry out a printing operation on the sheets as the sheets are fed from the tray.

Abstract: A roller machine includes a rotatably mounted roller body which can be placed on or against one counter roller. The roller has at least one axis and at least one spring element which is arranged between the roller body and a machine frame. The spring element is disposed between the roller body and the part of the axis which is used to secure the roller.

Abstract: A phase change ink image producing machine including (a) a control subsystem for controlling operation of all subsystems and components of the image producing machine; (b) melting apparatus for melting solid phase change ink into melted molten liquid ink; (c) a printhead system located for receiving said melted molten liquid ink, said printhead system being connected to said control subsystem for ejecting droplets of melted molten liquid ink onto an imaging member to form an image and a liquid ink imaging member having a top outer imaging surface for receiving image forming ink droplets from a printhead.

Abstract: A roller for a printing machine includes a rotatably mounted roller body which can be placed on or against at least one counter roller. The roller has at least one axis and at least one spring element which is arranged between the roller body and a machine frame. The spring element is disposed between the roller body and the part of the axis which is used to secure the roller.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a housing that defines a receiving formation for a media tray assembly. A chassis is positioned in the housing. A media tray assembly is displaceably engageable with the chassis to permit the tray assembly to be received in, and withdrawn from, the receiving formation. The media tray assembly and the housing define a print medium feed path. The media tray assembly includes a media tray in which a stack of print medium sheets can be stored. A feed mechanism is positioned on the media tray to feed the sheets from the tray. A printhead assembly is positioned downstream of the media tray to carry out a printing operation on the sheets as the sheets are fed from the tray.

Abstract: A method for controlling a printing press having a first image cylinder for providing at least a first cylinder first image and a first cylinder second image to a printed material and a second image cylinder for providing at least a second cylinder first image and a second cylinder second image to the printed material. The method includes printing a book having individual pages with the first cylinder first image, first cylinder second image, second cylinder first image and the second cylinder second image and providing a first operational mode to an operator of the printing press. The first operational mode permits the operator to review the pages with the first cylinder first image and the first cylinder second image of the book at the same time and to alter the registration of the first image cylinder providing the first cylinder first image and first cylinder second image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a printing device for printing labels which have been removably affixed to a carrier strip, in particular goods labels, comprising at least one label feed device which comprises at least one wiper head, as well as comprising at least one printer with at least one print head for printing the label. Different label models can be printed in a continuous labelling process using only one printer, if at least one conveyor device is provided which conveys the labels, which have been peeled off at a wiper head, of which there is at least one, to the printer, of which there is at least one.