Abstract: Provided is an imprint method of performing an imprint process including a contacting step of bringing a mold into contact with an imprint material on a substrate, a curing step of curing the imprint material, and a separating step of separating the mold from the cured imprint material. The method includes acquiring global alignment information, performing a pre-alignment measurement including moving, based on the acquired global alignment information, a second shot region to a measurement position at which a measurement device performs measurement, and measuring a first relative positional shift between the second shot region and the mold using the measurement device, and moving, based on the global alignment information and the measured first relative positional shift, a first shot region to an imprint position at which the imprint process is performed, and starting the contacting step.

Abstract: In an example of the disclosure, first and second print jobs are received at a printer. The first and second print jobs each include production frames. The first and second print jobs are printed with a media roll change occurring during printing. A first finishing device information nonproduction (“FDIN”) frame and a second FDIN frame are printed. The first and second FDIN frames include coded information regarding the first print job and the second print job, respectively. The coded information is for reading by a scanner at a finishing device. A press calibration nonproduction (“PCN”) frame that includes a printer calibration diagnostic is printed. A scanner at the printer is caused to capture the printer calibration diagnostic. A calibration operation is performed at the printer utilizing data or attributes captured from the printer calibration diagnostic.

Abstract: A method of operating flexographic printing presses having an impression cylinder, printing cylinder carrying a sleeve with a flexographic printing forme or cylinder, uses a sensor adjusting print register of the printing forme or cylinder relative to a further printing forme or cylinder and/or adjusts color density and/or implements color inspection. An image of the sleeve surface with printing forme is recorded by a camera and processed before printing, locating a register mark and/or a color measurement field in terms of x-y positions. A sensor automatically moves for recording the register mark to the y-position of the register mark before adjusting to record the register mark and/or a sensor moves for recording the color measurement field to the y-position of the color measurement field before adjusting to record the color measurement field. Cost-efficient, high-quality industrial printing and further automation is provided.

Abstract: Provided is an imprint method of performing an imprint process including a contacting step of bringing a mold into contact with an imprint material on a substrate, a curing step of curing the imprint material, and a separating step of separating the mold from the cured imprint material. The method includes acquiring global alignment information, performing a pre-alignment measurement including moving, based on the acquired global alignment information, a second shot region to a measurement position at which a measurement device performs measurement, and measuring a first relative positional shift between the second shot region and the mold using the measurement device, and moving, based on the global alignment information and the measured first relative positional shift, a first shot region to an imprint position at which the imprint process is performed, and starting the contacting step.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lithography apparatus for performing a process of transferring a pattern of an original to each of shot regions two-dimensionally arrayed on a substrate, including a stage that moves while holding one of the substrate and the original, a measurement unit configured to measure, when performing the process, a positional shift amount between a mark provided on the original and a mark provided in each of the shot regions, and a control unit configured to control the process for the shot region so that after the process is performed successively for a plurality of first shot regions included in a first row, the process is performed successively for a plurality of second shot regions included in a second row adjacent to the first row.

Abstract: A print medium having a calibration pattern printed thereon for generating alignment data for a printhead. The calibration pattern contains rows of spaced apart fiducials, each fiducial having a plurality of concentric shapes representing a Barker code.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a flexible plate onto a print sleeve or cylinder, where the apparatus has at least two manipulator units located below the print sleeve or cylinder and support members provided on each manipulator unit and each support member has a curved profile for arching the flexible plate prior to its mounting onto the print sleeve or cylinder, is disclosed.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to efficiently perform a reading operation for printing position adjustment with high accuracy. A printing apparatus prints, on a print medium, adjustment patterns for adjusting a printing position on the print medium and corresponding respectively to printing position adjustment items. In this printing, the printing apparatus prints the adjustment patterns while conveying the print medium in a forward direction with a conveying unit. Then, the conveying unit conveys the print medium in a backward direction until the adjustment patterns are moved beyond a reading position of a reading unit in the backward direction. Thereafter, the conveying unit conveys the print medium in the forward direction again to cause the adjustment patterns to reach the reading position. Thereafter, the reading unit reads the adjustment patterns continuously at the reading position while the conveying unit conveys the print medium in the forward direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus transfers toner images of respective colors, formed on photosensitive drums, onto an intermediate transfer belt conveyed in a predetermined direction to thereby form a color toner image. A steering roller tilts the intermediate transfer belt in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction. A first sensor detects a position of a belt lateral end of the belt, and when controlling driving of the steering roller based on a detection result of the first sensor, a controller performs predetermined filtering on the detection result, to thereby control the driving of the steering roller according to the detection result subjected to the predetermined filtering.

Abstract: A web printing system automatically detects the location of a wrinkle in a moving web. The web has a plurality of marked reference positions including an inboard position, a center position, and an outboard position. A plurality of contact image sensors detect the reference positions after the web passes through a spreader and an inboard distance and an outboard distance are respectively measured from the center position. If the inboard distance is less than a nominal inboard distance, the wrinkle is identified as inboard of the center position. If the outboard distance is less than a nominal outboard distance, the wrinkle is identified as outboard of the center position. The machine operator is notified of the fault condition and takes action to remedy the situation.

Abstract: An imaging part in a screen printing device which images a board and a screen mask includes a single camera which is disposed with a posture of horizontally facing towards an incidence optical axis, a half mirror which makes an imaging light, which is incident through a lower imaging optical axis, to be incident on a camera, and a mirror which makes an imaging light, which is incident through an upper imaging optical axis, to pass through the half mirror and to be incident on the camera, and further has an upper illuminating part and a lower illuminating part which individually illuminate respective imaging objects. Imaging light is taken in the camera in a state that the upper illuminating part and the lower illuminating part are individually operated in a mask imaging step and a board imaging step, respectively.

Abstract: A multi-station flexographic printing system includes a plurality of flexographic printing stations. Each flexographic printing station includes a flexo master. Each flexo master comprises a Fresnel zone pattern in a unique position. A method of aligning a plurality of flexographic printing stations includes printing a Fresnel zone pattern on a substrate in a unique position for each flexographic printing station. Light is directed through the Fresnel zone patterns on the substrate. The light focused by the Fresnel zone patterns is captured with a sensor device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for positioning and aligning one or more pre-punched printing plates on a cylinder for imaging a plate in a computer-to-plate drum imaging device. The apparatus includes an imaging cylinder and a registration device connectable to the cylinder. The apparatus includes at least one groove and one pair of register pins, with a first register pin in a fixed position, and a second register pin movable in the groove to a second position, and collinear with the first register pin in the axial direction of the cylinder, arranged such that when connected to the cylinder, the registration device allows a plurality of pre-punched printing plates with variable widths to be positioned and aligned on the cylinder with simplicity.

Abstract: A method for controlling register settings of a printing press, includes rotating imaging cylinders of a first print unit and a second print unit, located downstream of the first print unit in a movement direction of a print medium, at a rotational speed to print an image on the print medium. The method includes of changing a length of the print image to a pre-determined length. The method further includes changing a register setting of the imaging cylinder of the second print unit based on the predetermined change in length of the print image to avoid misalignment of the print image printed by the first and the second print units on the print medium. Changing the register setting is dependent on a length of a section of the print medium between the first and the second print units. A device for controlling register settings of a printing press is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing proof prints on which the correctness of page impositions can be checked comprises a stand configured to receive a roll of paper. A first printer and a second printer are provided for printing pages on the front side and the rear side, respectively, of a paper web fed from the paper roll. An optical sensor is arranged between the first printer and the second printer. The optical sensor is configured to detect the position of an alignment mark which has been printed by the first printer on the front side of the paper. A control unit modifies the spatial relationship between the rear side of the paper and what is printed on the rear side of the paper depending on the detected position of the alignment mark. This can be accomplished either by electronically modifying the second pages as such, or by mechanically modifying the paper position with respect to a printing head contained in the second printer.

Abstract: A method for controlling register settings of a printing press, includes rotating imaging cylinders of a first print unit and a second print unit, located downstream of the first print unit in a movement direction of a print medium, at a rotational speed to print an image on the print medium. The method includes of changing a length of the print image to a pre-determined length. The method further includes changing a register setting of the imaging cylinder of the second print unit based on the predetermined change in length of the print image to avoid misalignment of the print image printed by the first and the second print units on the print medium. Changing the register setting is dependent on a length of a section of the print medium between the first and the second print units. A device for controlling register settings of a printing press is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present application is directed to systems and methods for print alignment by a continuous feed printer. A sensor of a printer detects a first line of a pattern on a non-printing side of a printing medium, the pattern comprising two non-parallel lines separated by a predetermined distance at a predetermined position of the printing medium. The printer advances the printing medium a first distance, and the sensor detects a second line of the pattern. The printer identifies a horizontal offset of the printing medium from an expected location of the predetermined position proportional to the difference between the first distance and the predetermined distance.

Abstract: A method for controlling a printing operation includes detecting at least one position and/or an extent of a register mark located on a printing material by means of a register mark sensor, and using the detected at least one position and/or the extent of the register mark for register control. The method further includes acquiring at least one item of color information by means of the same register mark sensor during the printing operation, carrying out color monitoring with at least the at least one item of color information, and determining a color deviation with respect to a reference value. Furthermore, the method includes defining a threshold value for the color deviation, and outputting a warning and/or automatically making a change from good to poor products when the threshold value for the color deviation is exceeded.

Abstract: A method of aligning a multi-station flexographic printing system using Moiré interference includes printing, using a first flexographic printing station, at least one Moiré interference pattern in a unique location on a first side of a substrate for each of at least one subsequent flexographic printing stations of the system. For each of the at least one subsequent flexographic printing stations, at least one inverted Moiré interference pattern is printed on either side of the substrate in a location corresponding to that station's unique location on the substrate. An alignment of at least one of the at least one subsequent flexographic printing stations is adjusted when at least one Moiré interference pattern interferes with a corresponding at least one inverted Moiré interference pattern.

Abstract: A rotary die apparatus and method for determining a registration error of a pattern applied to a strip of material by a rotary die. The rotary die apparatus may comprise the rotary die and a control system which senses signals from a sensor and a rotary encoder to determine an actual position of the rotary die when a fiducial on the strip of material is sensed. The control system may calculate the registration error by comparing the actual position with a registration target corresponding to a pattern length. The pattern length may correspond to the number of encoder pulses output per revolution of the rotary die divided by the number of patterns spaced apart around the circumference of the rotary die. An encoder count used to determine the actual position of the rotary die may reset each time it reaches the pattern length.

Abstract: A method of making structured microdots (154) for printing plate registration includes forming a first plurality of square spots (156) less than or equal to 11 microns; wherein a first group (157) of the first plurality of square spots is formed in a first pattern (158); and wherein the first pattern is less than or equal to 66 microns and comprises a first microdot.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for closed loop control of an untensioned product length of a web moving through a printing press under tension during production. While a printing press is printing on the web, a controller receives a calculated untensioned product length Lo(t) of the web in the span of the printing press while the web is moving through the printing press under tension, compares L0(t) to a previously stored untensioned product length setpoint Lsetpoint, maintains closed loop control of the untensioned product length by controlling one or more components on the printing press as a function of said comparing step, and repeats the steps receiving, comparing, maintaining and controlling over time while the printing press is printing on the web.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical disc with a first area to store data for playback and that is reflective or opaque to visible light, and a second area that is transparent to visible light and includes first and second concentric rings. In one embodiment, a method of printing information on the optical disc includes: printing an inverse first text pattern in the first ring during a first printing on a first side, where the first text pattern is formed in reverse as viewed from the first side; printing a second text pattern in the second ring during a second printing on the first side, where the second text pattern is correctly visible from the first side; and printing, during the second printing, a first solid pattern to overlay at least a portion of the first text pattern, where the first text pattern is correctly visible as viewed from a second side.

Abstract: A multi-station flexographic printing system includes a plurality of flexographic printing stations. Each flexographic printing station includes a flexo master. Each flexo master comprises a Fresnel zone pattern in a unique position. A method of aligning a plurality of flexographic printing stations includes printing a Fresnel zone pattern on a substrate in a unique position for each flexographic printing station. Light is directed through the Fresnel zone patterns on the substrate. The light focused by the Fresnel zone patterns is captured with a sensor device.

Abstract: A web printing system automatically detects the location of a wrinkle in a moving web. The web has a plurality of marked reference positions including an inboard position, a center position, and an outboard position. A plurality of contact image sensors detect the reference positions after the web passes through a spreader and an inboard distance and an outboard distance are respectively measured from the center position. If the inboard distance is less than a nominal inboard distance, the wrinkle is identified as inboard of the center position. If the outboard distance is less than a nominal outboard distance, the wrinkle is identified as outboard of the center position. The machine operator is notified of the fault condition and takes action to remedy the situation.

Abstract: A multi-station flexographic printing system includes a first flexographic printing station that includes a first flexo master. The system includes one or more additional flexographic printing stations, wherein each of the one or more additional flexographic printing stations includes a flexo master. The first flexo master includes one or more alignment boxes in one or more unique positions. Each flexo master of the one or more additional flexographic printing stations includes an alignment box completion in a predetermined position. A method of marking a substrate for visual alignment includes printing one or more alignment boxes in one or more unique positions on a substrate. One or more alignment box completions are printed in one or more predetermined positions on the substrate. The one or more predetermined positions correspond to the one or more unique positions.

Abstract: A device for the alignment of an ink stamp over a substrate comprising a single plate with a handle and an alignment aperture for securely but removeably placing the ink stamp over a substrate wherein the ink stamp can he removed and replaced in the same alignment over the substrate by holding the plate in place.

Abstract: An impression medium usable with an impression member of a printing system is disclosed. The impression medium includes a top layer and a backing layer disposed between the top layer and the impression member.

Abstract: Prior to a mark imaging process executed for the purpose of detecting a position of recognition marks for positioning the substrate and the mask, an optical axis calibration processing process of detecting a horizontal relative position between imaging optical axes, and a surface correction data creation processing process of detecting a local positional deviation of the imaging optical axes, which is caused by the travel of the imaging unit, are executed. Before starting production, a production pre-start precision evaluation process for evaluating a substrate positioning precision is executed by using a verification substrate and a verification mask, and after starting the production, a production post-start precision evaluation process for evaluating a substrate positioning precision after starting the production is executed by using a commercial production substrate and a commercial production mask.

Abstract: A method and a device for determining color register and lateral register deviations on printing material during production in multi-color printing presses, include a computing unit which takes into consideration the influence of ghosting effects when measuring the deviations on the printing material. The ghosting effects of at least one preceding and/or one succeeding printed image are recursively taken into consideration in the computing unit, when measuring on the printing material.

Abstract: A system of aligning a stamp to a stamp backing plate includes a fixture with a first alignment feature mount on a platen; a first stamp with a second alignment feature which matches the first alignment feature; aligning the first stamp to the fixture using the first and second alignment features; transferring the first stamp from the fixture to a first stamp backing plate maintaining registration; a second stamp with a third alignment feature which matches the first alignment feature; aligning the second stamp to the fixture using the first and third alignment features; and transferring the second stamp from the fixture to a second stamp backing plate while maintaining registration.

Abstract: A method for setting position register and color register in a sheet-fed printing press having a control computer, which provides for one setting operation, in which both position and color register are set by the control computer. For the purposes of the setting, both the register setting elements in the printing units and the setting elements in the feeder are used. The invention is distinguished by the fact that before carrying out the setting operations, during the calculation of the travels for the register setting elements and setting elements in the feeder, an optimization comprising the travels of the register setting elements and the setting elements in the feeder is carried out in the computer.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus for treating and a process for positioning a cylindrically-shaped element. The apparatus includes means for supporting the element adapted to contact a first part of an interior surface of the element, the supporting means having an axial length; and means for moving the element along the axial length of the supporting means.

Abstract: A mandrel position analyzer (108) in an imaging device (100) includes a head stock (144) for a first side of the mandrel; a tail stock (104) for a second side of the mandrel; a first encoder (212) attached to the head stock adapted to measure first signals wherein the first signals are generated by movement of the mandrel; a second encoder (208) attached to the tail stock adapted to measure second signals wherein the second signals are generated by movement of the mandrel; an analyzer (224) which compares measured results of the first signals and results of the second signals; and if the measured results do not match generating an abnormal state of the mandrel signal alarm (260).

Abstract: The method for screen printing improves accuracy during a plurality of screen printing steps. After a first layer and an alignment mark are printed on a workpiece, the alignment mark is imaged by a camera so that the alignment mark is stored as image data in an image processing device adapted to deliver reference data for subsequent printing, and the image data is used to renew the reference data in the image processing device.

Abstract: A method for phase adjusting a plurality of printing units in a variable format printing press is provided which includes for each of the plurality of printing units (P1 to Pn), determine an angular position (MBPosx) of a motor shaft of the motor driving the blanket cylinder of the printing unit when a plate edge of a plate mounted on the plate cylinder of the printing unit is in a nip formed between the plate cylinder and blanket cylinder of the printing unit, and for each of the printing units P2 to Pn, phase adjusting MBPosx relative to MBPos1 so that when edge E1 reaches a nip between the blanket cylinder and impression cylinder of printing unit Px, edge Ex is printed on the web.

Abstract: A printing system includes a frame. A first printer component is mounted to the frame. A second printer component is compliantly mounted to the frame such that the second printer component is free to move in a plane. A first alignment mechanism is kinematically coupled to the first printer component and is kinematically coupled to the second printer component. A second alignment mechanism is kinematically coupled to the first printer component and is kinematically coupled to the second printer component.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a mandrel (108) operation in an imaging device (100) includes installing the mandrel into the imaging device; securing the mandrel between a head stock (144) and a tail stock (104); attaching a first encoder (212) to the head stock and a second encoder (208) to the tail stock; rotating the mandrel; reading signals from first encoder; reading signals from second encoder; comparing the first results and the second results; and if the first results do not match with the second results stopping the imaging device.

Abstract: In a printing press of a lenticular lens sheet, a cocking adjustment unit adjusts the relative angle between a plate on which a pattern formed from a plurality of pattern portions is formed such that boundary lines between the adjacent pattern portions become parallel and a transparent lenticular lens sheet on which a plurality of lenses are formed such that groove lines between the adjacent lenses become parallel. An adjustment amount calculation unit calculates an adjustment amount for the cocking adjustment unit based on the relationship between the boundary lines and the groove lines in a state in which the lenticular lens sheet is overlaid on the plate. A printing method of a lenticular lens sheet is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a printing press operation for alignment of plural images as are superposed onto one another. Plural images are aligned to one another as part of a color printing operation utilizing plural printing stations where registration marks associated with the plural respective images can be aligned to one another based upon an open loop feedback of registration information. One or more data sources, such as cameras, capture the registration marks and digitize the data so that alignment or misalignment can be determined based upon tolerance limits. Systems and methods of the present invention provide for real-time monitoring of image alignment so that an operator can quickly and easily make adjustments to printing cylinders to correct image alignment.

Abstract: A method for setting up printing presses includes providing cylinders, a drive for at least one cylinder, a register adjustment device for at least one cylinder and at least one control unit. During set-up operations on the printing press, the control unit actuates the register adjustment device while the printing press is being accelerated or decelerated or while washing operations in the printing press are being carried out and while a production run is switched off and cylinders are rotating. A printing press carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a correction device for correcting the consequences of a deviation in the position of a movable camera which is placed in a positioning device for flexible printing plates, wherein the camera is configured to detect at least the carrier and the device comprises display means for displaying the image detected by the camera, wherein the correction device is provided with a position reference member detectable by the camera, with position signal generating means for generating a signal representing the actual position of the camera from the signal detected by the camera, with comparing means for comparing the signal representing the actual position of the camera to the signal representing the target position of the camera and generating a correction signal, and with image correction means for correcting the image displayed by the display means using the correction signal. Positioning errors in the display of the image recorded by the camera are hereby avoided.

Abstract: A digital printing device for the dynamic printing of a substrate web statically printed in a reel-fed printing press is disclosed. The digital printing device includes a position sensor which measures the substrate web for regulating a print position for the dynamic printing. The digital printing device is provided with a signal from a signal source of the reel-fed printing press. A position sensor control generates a synchronization signal and provides the synchronization signal to a digital printing head control. A speed signal transformer generates a feed signal and provides the feed signal to the digital printing head control. The digital printing head control activates the digital printing head dependent on the synchronization signal and the feed signal.

Abstract: A sleeve segment for flexography has the shape of a sleeve with a first circular side containing a female registration element and a second circular side containing a male registration element. Also a method for manufacturing a flexographic sleeve segment, segmented sleeves and methods of flexographic printing.

Abstract: A method for setting the pressure of a printing station includes at least one cylinder, from acquired images of the printed area of the printed web. The method includes displacing the at least one cylinder in accordance with a pre-defined displacement scheme, and acquiring the acquired images of the web throughout the displacement of the at least one cylinder, for each of the at least one cylinder, determining according to the acquired images, a left side print distance and a right side print distance, and determining for the each of the at least one cylinder a left actuator working distance and a right actuator working distance for the left actuator and the right actuator, respectively, according to the left side print distance and according to the right side print distance.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for evaluating control marks on printing materials by an optical sensor connected to a computer, which interprets overshooting of a predefined intensity threshold as it registers the printing material being a line of a printed control mark. The apparatus is distinguished by the fact that the control mark is registered by a color measuring instrument and that the intensity threshold of the optical sensor is calculated by the computer in dependence on the measured color value registered by the color measuring instrument.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for automatically feeding printing plates to a rotary printing press include conveying devices spaced apart from each other transversely to a conveying direction for feeding the printing plate to a clamping device having register pins. One of the conveying devices is lifted briefly off the printing plate in the event of a lack of in-register contact while the other conveying device remains in contact with the printing plate and thus ensures a forward drive of the printing plate, while the lifting of one conveying device promotes stress relief in the printing plate. A sheetfed rotary printing press having the apparatus, is also provided.

Abstract: A system for registering printing presses includes printing stations for printing color images on a web includes an imager acquiring images of a web common area. The acquired image includes a portion of a color image associated with a printing station and a portion of one other color image associated with an un-registered printing station and a processor, coupled with the imager. A portion of the color image is registered with a portion of the other color image according to two monochrome images, each corresponding to a color image printed on the common area and determined according to the location of each pixel of the acquired image in a color separation space, the location is determined according to the projected location on a color projection plane. The portion of the one color image is registered with the portion of the one other color image with a reference image.

Abstract: This invention discloses a registration method for a printing press. The method includes the steps of storing the conditions of a sheet, and the position of at least one of a plurality of plate cylinders at the time of final printing in a storage unit in association with each other. The plurality of plate cylinders are configured to print images of different colors. The method also includes the steps of, in printing on a sheet to be printed, searching the information stored in the storage unit for a sheet with conditions, at least some of which are common to those of the sheet to be printed, and moving at least one plate cylinder to the position associated with the found conditions of the sheet. A registration apparatus for a printing press is also disclosed.

Abstract: The subject matter of the document is a method for setting an optimized operating distance between at least two cylinders of a printing unit, said comprising at least two cylinders, wherein said cylinders transport ink in an ink-transporting direction during the printing process, wherein the method sets the distance between the at least two cylinders, of which a first cylinder transfers ink during the printing process and a second cylinder receives ink from the first cylinder during the printing process, wherein the optimized operating distance between the at least two cylinders is set based on the measured values from a sensor device, and wherein the sensor device records the change in the film of ink which occurs on at least one cylinder which is involved in transporting ink to the printing material, characterized in that the at least one cylinder, at which the change in the film of ink is recorded, is a cylinder which is mounted upstream, when viewed in the ink-transporting direction of the second cylin