Abstract: A printing press central control console of a web-fed printing press is disclosed. An operator console includes several operating elements for ink-zone adjusting elements of inking couples. Two groups of operating elements are positioned on one side of the row of operating elements for the ink-zone adjusting elements. A further group of operating elements is positioned next to the first group of operating elements at the distance of the widest newspaper printing format. The three groups of operating elements extend perpendicular to the row of operating elements for the ink-zone adjusting elements. The total number of operating elements in the row is designed for a commercial web printing format, and the number of operating elements in the row, which is arranged between two of the groups of operating elements, is designed for a newspaper printing format, which features a fraction of the axial width of the commercial web printing format.

Abstract: A printing quality control method and apparatus are disclosed for a printing press including an ink fountain for storing ink, and a motor for driving an ink fountain roller which adjusts the amount of ink supplied from the ink fountain. According to the method and apparatus, a face side distance measuring instrument measures the ink film thickness of a printing product of printing by the printing press, and control means controls the motor for driving the ink fountain roller based on the ink film thickness measured.

Abstract: In a double-sided color printing press, first and second color bars of a print are scanned to acquire alignment information of control patches, so that the first and second color bars are recognized whether they are printed on the first or second side of the print based on the alignment information. The alignment information of the patches acquired is compared with alignment information previously stored in a memory means so that when they are matched, information on the print quality of the patches evaluated is transmitted to the printing press in the order in which they are scanned in scanning directions, and when they are not matched, the information is transmitted to the printing press in the reversed scanning order. The amount of ink is thus controlled based on the information on the print quality in the order in which they are transmitted.

Abstract: A process for adjusting the print image of a rotating machine equipped with transfer rollers and actuators assigned to them includes changing the position of the rollers. During the printing operation, at least one camera records the intensity of light reflected from the printed material. The camera also feeds the recorded measured values to a control and regulation unit that compares the recorded measured values with set values, and generates corrective signals for the actuator of at least one part of the rollers involved in the printing process. Based on the corrective signals, the actuator of the relative position of the roller assigned to it is actuated until the measured values once again lie within a tolerance range.

Abstract: In an initial state, a key control switch for adjusting opening degrees of ink keys and a display changeover switch are displayed on a display screen of a touch sensitive control panel. The key control switch is a collection of key control switches individually arranged in areas corresponding to the ink keys, and for each ink color. The individual key control switches indicate color densities of control strips on a print measured by a color density measuring device and the opening degrees of the ink keys. When the changeover switch is operated in this state, the control panel simultaneously displays the key control switches and an image of the print being processed.

Abstract: A color measuring unit measures color tone of an image printed on a test sheet. An arithmetic unit compares color tone set based on print production format (PPF) data with the color tone measured by the color measuring unit to set a color-adjustment amount. An operator selects an ink key zone for color adjustment while viewing the image using an operating unit, and sets a corrected color-adjustment amount for the ink key zone. Based on the color-adjustment amount and the corrected color-adjustment amount, an ink- supply amount is adjusted for the ink key zone.

Abstract: In an implementation of a configurable H-bridge circuit, a high switch is connected to a voltage source and a low switch is connected to ground. The configurable H-bridge circuit includes a first configuration as a motor drive circuit in which the high switch and the low switch are connected together and coupled to drive a motor. The configurable H-bridge circuit also includes a second configuration in which the high switch and the low switch are each configured as a discrete switch that can be coupled as a component switch.

Abstract: A method of applying a control strip having an appropriate size in accordance with the size of a print image is provided. Print image data is rasterized or RIP-processed in Step S1. Image layout data is acquired from the print image data in Step S2. The size of control strip image data is adjusted based on the image layout data in Step S3. The size of the control strip is determined to be a positive integral multiple of an ink key size, based on a previously established equation. Based on the size of the control strip image data, a previously prepared control strip having a maximum size is cut. The adjusted control strip image data and the print image data are combined together in Step S4. In Step S4, blank data are added to the left and right of the print image to extend the size of the print image to the size of the control strip.

Abstract: A process is disclosed to measure or monitor ink concentration or ink thickness of an ink film as printed on a printing press, which consists of measuring light reflected from the ink film and the ink substrate.

Abstract: An image is created from PPF data and the image is displayed. An operator selects one or more areas from the displayed image in which color adjustment is to be performed. An arithmetic unit adjusts a quantity of each ink component to be supplied to the areas selected by the operator based on standard quantities of ink for each ink component. The arithmetic unit, for example, adds or subtracts certain values from the standard quantities. An ink supply device correspond to each ink component prints the image on a paper based on the quantity of each ink component adjusted by the arithmetic unit.

Abstract: An image is created from PPF data and the image is displayed. An operator inputs a total amount of color adjustment as a pre-set value from a color-adjustment-quantity operation screen. An arithmetic unit adjusts a quantity of each ink component to be supplied to the areas based on the pre-set value. The arithmetic unit, for example, adds or subtracts certain values from the standard quantities. An ink supply device correspond to each ink component prints the image on a paper based on the quantity of each ink component adjusted by the arithmetic unit (12).

Abstract: In an ink supply amount adjustment method for a printing press, one of a density value and a color value of a printing product is measured. The difference between the measurement value and a preset reference value related to one of the density value and the color value is obtained. The relationship between the obtained difference and at least one of a preset first allowable difference and a preset second allowable difference larger than the first allowable difference is determined in accordance with a set allowance mode. The ink supply amount is adjusted in accordance with the determination result. An ink supply amount adjustment apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An ink fountain assembly for a printing press has, or can be retrofitted with, a removable template and ink blade adjustment screws having pointer-like knobs. When the template is installed on the assembly, the knobs point to scales printed on the template.

Abstract: A non-tilt cheek assembly is provided for use in an ink fountain assembly. An ink fountain mechanism for adjustably metering the thickness of the layer of ink in a plurality of zones axially across a fountain roller for a printing press. The ink fountain mechanism includes a plurality of metering blocks, horizontally aligned and axially adjacent to one another with side-by-side upper support surfaces forming a substantially continuous support surface along the length of the fountain roller. Each upper surface of the metering blocks is adjustably spaced from the fountain roller to control the amount of ink, in a zone corresponding to the side-to-side length of the support surface of each metering block. A plurality of adjustment bolts are each separately and threadably engaged with each of the plurality of metering blocks. The adjustment bolts are slideably supported in a main beam that extends the length of the fountain roller.

Abstract: An integrated ink rail assembly includes at least one page pack mounted directly to a manifold, an ink rail mounted to the manifold, and an orifice rail mounted to the ink rail. An ink source is connected to the page pack. The page pack, manifold, ink rail, and orifice rail define a plurality of ink passages to deliver ink from the ink source to a drum. The ink passage may be directed towards the middle of the assembly such that a web smaller than the page pack can be printed.

Abstract: An ink feeding method includes a density reading step for reading density data obtained by measuring densities of detecting patches on a first image, before an end of a printing operation, a first computing step for computing, from the density data, an ink feed film thickness remaining after prints having the first image are made, a second computing step for computing an ink feed film thickness required for making prints having a second image, from a target density for the prints having the second image, a third computing step for computing a preset ink feeding rate from the ink feed film thickness remaining after the prints having the first image are made, computed in the first computing step, and the ink feed film thickness required for making the prints having the second image, computed in the second computing step, and an ink feeding step for feeding the preset ink based on the preset ink feeding rate computed in the third computing step.

Abstract: A roll for a printing press has at least two circular partial areas (25, 33) made of an ink-friendly material and at least one circular partial area (23, 34) made of an ink-repellent material, which is arranged between the at least two circular partial areas (25, 33) made of ink-friendly material. A process is provided for manufacturing such a roll, wherein at least two annular structures (25, 33) made of an ink-friendly material and, located between these annular structures, at least one annular structure (23, 34) made of an ink-repellent material are formed on a blank roll body (20, 30).

Abstract: A method for setting optimal pre-inking before the start of printing in an inking unit in a press having at least one printing unit. The settings for the pre-inking are determined by an electronic control device belonging to the press. At least one standard characteristic curve for controlling the pre-inking before the start of printing is stored in the electronic control device of the press for at least one combination of parameters of a print job. On the basis of this stored standard characteristic curve, a current characteristic curve is calculated as a function of the job data of a current print job. Finally, the the pre-inking before the start of printing the current print job is controlled by using this current characteristic curve.

Abstract: A spray device for a printing press includes a liquid inlet orifice for receiving a liquid, a gas inlet orifice for receiving a gas disposed downstream from the liquid inlet orifice, and an exit orifice disposed at a distance from a surface of the printing press. In addition, a method for applying a liquid to a surface of a printing press, includes the steps of providing a liquid to a liquid inlet orifice of a spray device, providing a gas to a gas inlet orifice of the spray device; and spraying a mixture of the liquid and gas onto the surface of the printing press.

Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling the amount of ink to be supplied to a printing plate mounted on a printing cylinder, which ink is reserved in an ink fountain and transferred by an ink transfer roller to the printing plate via plural ink rollers, where an average value of image area ratios is not less than a given value, a normal mode is selected so as to preset, prior to starting printing operation, each of the opening degrees of the plural ink fountain keys based on a main conversion curve and the number of times at which the ink transfer roller touches the ink fountain roller per a given number of rotations of the plate cylinder to a given touching frequency, and where the average value is less than the given value, a small image mode is selected so as to preset, prior to starting printing operation, each of the opening degrees of the plural ink fountain keys based on a modified conversion curve and the number of times at which the ink transfer roller touches the ink fountain roller to a touching frequency

Abstract: In a printing press, ink fountain keys are disposed to be movable toward and away from an ink fountain roller of an ink fountain to allow them to have a predetermined gap therebetween and hence the amount of ink to be fed to a downstream roller to be determined. The ink fountain roller is rotated while ink is prevented from being fed to the downstream roller. At least one of the ink fountain keys is moved so as to allow the at least one of the fountain keys to change a position thereof relative to the ink fountain roller of the ink fountain with time. With this arrangement, it is possible to improve an ink kneading effect produced by the rotation of the ink fountain roller without the necessity to manually knead ink in the ink fountain by the operator and the necessity to provide any ink kneading device or unit independently of the printing press.

Abstract: A method of controlling printing presses includes setting inking by determining setting values for at least one of pre-inking and ink metering, which encompass inking zone opening and ink stripe width, and transmitting the determined setting values to controls of the printing press. The method includes presetting the inking by setting values of earlier print jobs stored in the machine and, for optimizing the printing results, correcting for each print job and storing the corrected setting values for subsequent print jobs.

Abstract: An ink feeding method for a printing machine includes a first color density measuring step for measuring color density of prints at selected times, an expected color density computing step for computing, based on the color density of prints measured in the first color density measuring step, an expected color density of prints occurring after a predetermined number X of prints are made, an ink feeding rate correcting step for correcting the ink feeding rate based on the expected color density of prints computed in the expected color density computing step and a target color density of prints, a second color density measuring step for measuring color density of an Xth print in the predetermined number X of prints after the ink feeding rate is corrected, and a number of prints correcting step for varying the predetermined number X of prints based on the color density measured in the second color density measuring step and the target color density of prints.

Abstract: A method for monitoring printed material which is produced by a printing press and includes images printed on a paper web. The method includes the steps of determining, in an original, reference values for chosen parameters of the printed material, detecting the values of these parameters in the corresponding printed image, comparing the detected values to the reference values, and performing a correction when a difference in these values is found during the comparison. The chosen parameters may include the colours in the printed material, the location of the images in the printed material and/or the colour register of the printed material. A system for performing this method includes a reference value determining device, a detecting device and a comparing and correcting device connected to the reference value determining device and the detecting device.

Abstract: An ink fountain assembly for use in duplicating machines, such as rotary lithographic machines. The assembly comprises a fountain trough defined by an elongated blade and an ink fountain roller defining a gap therebetween. A proximal edge of the blade is rigidly retained and a distal edge of said blade, adjacent said roller, engaging a portion of the frame and being initially flexed and prestressed toward said roller to define the gap. The gap may be varied to control ink flow therethrough.

Abstract: In an ink supply amount control method for a printing press, the number of ink fountain keys whose gap amount with respect to an ink fountain roller falls within a predetermined range is counted. On the basis of the count value, the swing operation of an ink ductor roller which is arranged in an ink supply path and swings in synchronism with rotation of the printing press is controlled. Ink is supplied from the gap between the plurality of ink fountain keys and the ink fountain roller to the ink supply path in accordance with rotation of the ink fountain roller at the time of printing. The ink is supplied to a printing plate attached to a plate cylinder through the ink supply path by the swing operation of the ink ductor roller. An ink supply amount control apparatus and a printing press are also disclosed.

Abstract: An integrated ink rail assembly includes at least one page pack mounted directly to a manifold, an ink rail mounted to the manifold, and an orifice rail mounted to the ink rail. An ink source is connected to the page pack. The page pack, manifold, ink rail, and orifice rail define a plurality of ink passages to deliver ink from the ink source to a drum. The ink passage may be directed towards the middle of the assembly such that a web smaller than the page pack can be printed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for numerically adjusting the home position of a plurality of ink fountain blades in a printing press. In the printing press, apparatus is provided for adjusting the ink feed amount to be supplied from an ink fountain into an ink fountain roller by adjusting the position of these ink fountain blades, supplying ink to a printing plate through the ink fountain roller, and printing the ink supplied on the printing plate on a printing sheet. The present method and apparatus first position each ink fountain blade at its home position, then set the indication of the position of each ink fountain blade at a predetermined value. Each ink fountain blade is then adjusted by the same amount while observing the indication of the position of each ink fountain blade. Finally, the position of each ink fountain blade as so adjusted is stored as a new home position.

Abstract: A cardboard sheet printing apparatus including: a rotating body that freely rotates inside an ink circulation passage through which ink flows, and a rotation-imparting assembly which is magnetically coupled with the rotating body outside the ink circulation passage and imparts rotation to the rotating body. When the rotating body is caused to rotate by the rotation-imparting assembly, the variation in the load current value that occurs upon changes in the viscosity of the ink that contacts the rotating body is detected; and this variation is compared with load current values that correspond to respective changes in the ink viscosity value stored in memory beforehand and is converted into an ink viscosity value and then displayed, so that the viscosity of the ink is adjusted based upon the calculated results.

Abstract: An automatic printer 1 prints a portion of a pattern onto an allocated region of a print medium 3, picks up the image of this printed pattern using an image pickup device 6, and after the image pickup, forwards the printed region portion to position a next allocated region in an effective printing region 16. Then, the automatic printer 1 again picks up the image of the above-described printed pattern using the image pickup device 6, and compares these two images. When these images deviate from each other, the automatic printer 1 makes a correction, and performs printing in a state where the joint position of the pattern precedently printed and that of a pattern to be next printed conformed to each other.

Abstract: A conversion curve setting system comprises an initial data storage device, a conversion curve display device, a setting device, a past data storage device and a past data display device. The initial data storage device stores the initial data. The initial data define setting conditions for amounts of supplied ink of an ink supply adjusting apparatus relative to an image area ratio. The conversion curve display device displays a conversion curve on a display device on the basis of the initial data stored by the initial data storage device. The setting device sets the setting conditions for the amounts of supplied ink of the ink supply adjusting apparatus relative to the image area ratio, through operation by an operator. The past data storage device stores past data of the setting conditions for the amounts of supplied ink of the ink supply adjusting apparatus relative to the image area ratio, which setting conditions have been set by the setting device.

Abstract: An ink feeding method for a printing machine includes a color density measuring step for measuring color density of prints at intervals of time, a variation coefficient computing step for computing a variation coefficient for varying the ink feeding rate based on the color density of prints and a target color density of prints, a color density gradient computing step for computing, based on the color density of prints, a color density gradient representing a rate of variation in the color density of prints occurring with an increase in the number of prints, an expected color density computing step for computing, based on the color density gradient, an expected color density of prints occurring after a predetermined number of prints are made, a determining step for determining whether the expected color density of prints occurring after the predetermined number of prints are made exceeds the target color density of prints, and a variation coefficient correcting step for correcting the variation coefficient whe

Abstract: A printing press performs offset color printing. A blanket cylinder having four image segments selectively contacts a plate cylinder having four image segments and an impression cylinder having five image segments for carrying print media. A pair of eccentric bushings for independently controlling the impression cylinder engages same to blanket cylinder. A print media feed system and a delivery system are located on the same side of the press and cooperate with each other via a means for moving feed and delivery trays in a generally vertical direction. Print media are gripped only once and travel in the same direction until let go by the impression cylinder. An image forming system forms four images on a plate cylinder to be inked by four respective inking units oriented therearound. All four plate image sections can be inked during one rotation of the plate cylinder. Four inking units including a minimal number of rollers for inking the plate image sections.

Abstract: A non-tilt cheek assembly is provided for use in an ink fountain assembly. An ink fountain mechanism for adjustably metering the thickness of the layer of ink in a plurality of zones axially across a fountain roller for a printing press. The ink fountain mechanism includes a plurality of metering blocks, horizontally aligned and axially adjacent to one another with side-by-side upper support surfaces forming a substantially continuous support surface along the length of the fountain roller. Each upper surface of the metering blocks is adjustably spaced from the fountain roller to control the amount of ink, in a zone corresponding to the side-to-side length of the support surface of each metering block. A plurality of adjustment bolts are each separately and threadably engaged with each of the plurality of metering blocks. The adjustment bolts are slideably supported in a main beam that extends the length of the fountain roller.

Abstract: First, densities are measured of a set of detecting patches having an equal number of lines and different area ratios between a printing area and a non-printing area, a set of detecting patches having an equal area ratio between a printing area and a non-printing area and different numbers of lines, and solid patches. Next, area ratios S relating to quantities of dampening water are calculated by using density of the set of detecting patches having the equal number of lines and different area ratios between the printing area and non-printing area, and density of the solid patches. Then, coefficients N relating to emulsification rates of ink are calculated by using density of the set of detecting patches having the equal area ratio between the printing area and non-printing area and different numbers of lines, and the density of the solid patches. Finally, a feed rate of dampening water is adjusted by using the area ratios S and coefficients N.

Abstract: A printing system includes an ink-amount control unit for controlling the amount of ink to be supplied to a printing press based upon an image area rate contained in a pre-press data, and at least one ink-amount calculation unit for calculating the image area rate. The ink-amount control unit is connected to the at least one ink-amount calculation unit on a network.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a quantity of ink supplied to a printing material by a printing machine includes adjusting the quantity of ink as a function of the printing speed and, upon the occurrence of a change in the printing speed, making a change in the quantity of ink as a function of area coverage to be printed; and an adjusting device for performing the method.

Abstract: A printing press having a number of identical inking systems for delivering ink to said press. The individual inking systems comprises an ink source including an ink reservoir held under a positive pressure. The ink travels from the manifold through a valve mechanism and to one or more piston mechanisms which undergo rotary and reciprocating motion, and thence to the ink outlets. Two piston and single-piston mechanisms are described.

Abstract: An ink fountain mechanism for adjustably metering the thickness of of ink in a plurality of zones axially across a fountain roller for a printing press includes a plurality of metering blocks, horizontally aligned and axially adjacent to one another with side-by-side upper support surfaces forming a substantially continuous support surface along the length of the fountain roller. Each upper surface of the metering blocks is adjustably spaced from the ink receiving fountain roller. A plurality of adjustment bolts are each separately and threadably engaged with each of the plurality of metering blocks. The adjustment bolts are slideably supported in a main beam that extends the length of the fountain roller. A plurality of lever actuated cams are pivotably held adjacent to the heads of each of the adjustment bolts.

Abstract: An ink furnishing apparatus comprises an ink fountain storing ink, an ink furnishing roller engaged with the ink fountain, withdrawing the ink in the ink fountain by rotations thereof and furnishing the ink to a printing plate, and an ink contacting member formed at substantially an entire length of the ink fountain in a width direction thereof and contactable with the ink in the ink fountain.

Abstract: A printing apparatus has a manual control mode. The manual control mode has a proportion indication, a proportion adjustment key, a selected range adjustment key, and region selection keys. In the manual control mode, an operator selectively touches the region selection keys to select a region in which an ink key opening is to be changed. Next, the operator touches the selected range adjustment key to change the ink key opening of the selected region. The ink key opening is increased or decreased by the percentage indicated at the proportion indication the number of times the selected range adjustment key is touched. The settings made in the manual control mode are stored in a storage section, and are used to control the amount of ink supply during automatic control. Thus, the printing apparatus having the function of automatically controlling the printed density can make partial tone changes.

Abstract: The invention concerns an assembly for printing on a substrate having a camera for recording a reference pattern; a computer connected to said camera to store and modify, if required, data (N) concerning the reference pattern; and a printer whereof at least the print head is controlled by a printer file (FI) generated by the computer. The invention is characterised in that it includes a system for supporting and moving the substrate; for analysing and comparing a pre-recorded pattern with a pattern located on the substrate, and for adapting or not the data (N) concerning the reference pattern as a result of the comparison; and for generating a printer file (FI) based on the data whether or not modified.

Abstract: A cradle for a spreading device, such as a rotatable rod, to which a spreading organ to be pressed against a movable surface has been attached. The cradle is fastened to a holder, and a gasket is provided between the cradle and the holder (9).

Abstract: After an ink feeding rate or a dampening water feeding rate is varied, a variation in the ink feeding rate or dampening water feeding rate is prohibited for a waiting period. The waiting period for prohibiting a variation in the ink feeding rate is determined by a pattern area rate of a corresponding region. The waiting period for prohibiting a variation in the dampening water feeding rate is determined by an average pattern area rate of all regions or a minimum pattern area rate among pattern area rates of all regions. When one of the ink feeding rate and dampening water feeding rate is varied, a variation in the other feeding rate is prohibited for a set period of time.

Abstract: An inking control system for a printing machine has an operating panel with operating and display elements for adjusting the zonally acting ink distribution devices in the printing machine. A spacing distribution along a given direction and a number of the operating and display elements corresponds to a spacing distribution and a number of the ink zones in the printing machine. A full size color monitor is integrated in the operating panel. The color monitor is enabled to display a full-size printed image on a scale of 1:1 and to spatially correlate the display of the printed image with the operating and display elements to directly visually associate the inking zones in the displayed printed image with the operating and display elements. One or more image recording devices in the printing machine record printed images while the printing material is conveyed through the printing machine.

Abstract: An ink fountain mechanism is disclosed for adjustably metering the thickness of the layer of ink in a plurality of zones axially across a fountain roller for a printing press. The ink fountain mechanism includes a plurality of metering blocks, horizontally aligned and axially adjacent to one another with side-by-side upper support surfaces. forming a substantially continuous support surface along the length of the fountain roller. Each upper surface of the metering blocks is adjustably spaced from an ink receiving fountain roller. A plurality of adjustment bolts are each separately and threadably engaged with each of the plurality of metering blocks. The adjustment bolts are slideably supported in a main beam that extends the length of the fountain roller. A plurality of lever actuated cams are pivotably held adjacent to the heads of each of the adjustment bolts.

Abstract: A method for presetting an ink feed in multi-color printing derives presetting values for zonal ink metering devices and for ink metering rollers acting over a printing width from a set value for a weight per unit area of a full tone area, zonal area coverage values and an ink stripe width. For each of a plurality of printing inks, the zonal ink metering devices and the ink metering rollers are preset in dependence of an ink demand for an image to be printed.

Abstract: A method of controlling the supply of ink in a printing machine wherein the ink is differently guided zonally on an ink-fountain roller transversely to the printing direction, and is transferred by a vibrator roller to a distributor roller, includes metering the ink zonally for counteracting ink transfer disturbances caused by a stroke movement of the distributor roller, so as to minimize the disturbances automatically to at least an effective extent; and a printing machine for performing the method.

Abstract: In a first printing process in Steps S1 through S6, ink supply is controlled so that a measured printed density (Vn) is approximately equal to a first target density (V1). This provides a uniform amount of ink remaining on ink rollers after the first printing process. Thereafter, in a second printing process in Steps S7 through S11, printing is performed using a second target density (V2) lower than the first target density (V1). This provides a slightly reduced, uniform amount of ink remaining on the ink rollers. Thus, a novel method of presetting ink is provided which facilitates the formation of a distribution of the new amount of ink at the beginning of the next printing operation and which stabilizes the early start of printing.

Abstract: An ink supply controller capable of generating a proper ink curve from a result of printing even when there is a small difference in image area percentage between ink key regions is provided. The ink supply controller includes an old job data storing element for storing old job data; a new job data acquiring element for acquiring new job data; an ink curve generating element for generating an ink curve based on the old job data and the new job data; an ink curve display element for displaying the generated ink curve; and an updating element for updating the old job data by using the generating ink curve. The ink curve generating element acquires data parameters for generation of the ink curve from both the old job data and the new job data to set an approximate curve obtained from a distribution of these data parameters as a new ink curve.