Abstract: A card supply for use with an identification card printing system includes a card hopper and a supply circuit. The card hopper contains a stack of cards. The supply circuit is mounted to the card hopper that includes a memory containing supply information relating to parameters of the card supply.

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

Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing rubber-covered cylinder sleeves for offset printing for rotary printing machines permits an identified rubber-covered cylinder sleeve to be found easily. The apparatus is equipped with an electronic memory device into which, for each rubber-covered cylinder sleeve, characteristic data can be entered and stored. As the rubber-covered cylinder sleeve is introduced into a storage, the characteristic data from the rubber-covered cylinder sleeve are read into the memory device, and the rubber-covered cylinder sleeve can be removed from the storage apparatus in accordance with predefined data.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to providing a printing press interface which permits the operator to walk freely about the press during operation, and to input voice commands and to receive press status information as recognizable voice feedback. Exemplary embodiments permit the operator to initiate voice commands and to receive voice status information when the operator is located anywhere in a vicinity of the press. For example, the operator can communicate with the press via a wireless headset which transmits voice commands from the operator to the press, and which receives voice status information transmitted from the press.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing mailing-ready printed products, that consist of at least one sheet printed on at least one side and mailed in a closed state, printing data, originating from a client, are transmitted through a network to a printing facility. The transmitted printing data are printed onto the at least one sheet. A mailing-ready printed product is produced from the at least one printed sheet. The envelope for the mailing-ready printed product is produced from at least one printed sheet folded so as to form an envelope without producing waste portions.

Abstract: A printing press for newspaper production comprises several printing units each having two plate cylinders for concurrently printing on both sides of a web, each plate cylinder having several predefined plate-mounting positions. The control system includes an assignment controller for putting out ASSIGNMENT INFO indicative of how all the printing plates to made for each newspaper issue are assigned to the plate-mounting positions on the plate cylinders. A plate-maker controller provides CONTENTS INFO indicative of at least the page number of each printing plate being made. In response to the ASSIGNMENT INFO and CONTENTS INFO a printer controller produces POSITION INFO indicative of the desired plate-mounting positions on each plate cylinder to which the printing plates are to be mounted, causing a printer to print the POSITION INFO on each printing plate that has been made.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting register on a multicolor printing machine (1) having color printing units (6, 6′, 6″, 6′″) assigned to various printing inks, at least one image cylinder (2, 2′, . . . ), image production equipment (3, 3′, . . . ) for producing color separations (7, 7′, . . . ) on the at least one image cylinder (2, 2′, . . . ) and a carrier (4) for printing substrates (15). An assignment of the image production points (11, 11′, . . . ) on the at least one image cylinder (2, 2′, . . . ) is carried out in order to achieve coincidence of register between the color separations (7, 7′, . . . ) in the print, by both the production of the image starts (10) and the production of areas (10′, 10″, . . . , 10n) of the color separations (7, 7′, . . . ) set on the basis of the print and the evaluation of register marks (9, 9′, 9″, 9′″).

Abstract: An image forming process for forming a protective layer of thermoplastic resin particles on a recording medium comprising the steps of conducting recording on a recording medium with an image-receiving layer, providing a thermoplastic resin particles onto the image-receiving layer and heating and pressurizing the thermoplastic resin particles on the image-receiving layer, and an image forming apparatus comprising an ink-jet head for conducting recording on a recording medium, a providing means for providing thermoplastic particles to a recorded recording medium, and heating and pressurizing means for heating and pressurizing the thermoplastic particles to flatten.

Abstract: A self-diagnosis device includes a diagnosing unit for diagnosing the condition of a printer which prints on record sheets and a displaying unit for displaying a diagnosis result based on the condition of the printer.

Abstract: The temperature of a portion that belongs to a stencil and is located in the vicinity of a portion retaining a printing paste is increased to reduce the viscosity of printing paste that adheres to the portion retaining the printing paste, thereby allowing the printing paste to be easily separated from the retaining portion for the achievement of easy printing on an object on which a print is to be formed.

Abstract: An ink key control system comprises a data processor, a local area network connected to the data processor, and a plurality of ink keys connected directly to the local area network. Each of the plurality of ink keys includes a protocol controller for receiving an input from the local area. network and a setpoint controller for receiving an input from the protocol controller. Also provided is a method for setting ink keys in a printing press comprising the steps of determining a desired setpoint for an ink key, transmitting the desired setpoint over a LAN to the ink key, receiving the desired setpoint at the key, and setting the key as a function of the desired setpoint.

Abstract: In an ink film thickness control method for a multi-color printing press having a plurality of printing units for continuously performing designated color printing on a printing paper by means of ink supplied to a printing plate through an ink roller group, when in at least two of the printing units are plate exchange printing units, exchange to new printing plates are simultaneously performed, the number of printing sheets to be printed for ink removing is set in units of plate exchange printing units. The ink feed operation in each plate exchange printing unit is turned off. Printing for ink removing is performed in each plate exchange printing unit on the basis of the set number of printing sheets while keeping the previous printing plate mounted, thereby forming a first ink film thickness distribution minimum and necessary for printing on the ink roller group of the plate exchange printing unit. An ink film thickness control apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a print service method for a printing system, text data contained in a mail received by a mobile phone owned by a user, and attachment file data attached to the received mail are downloaded into the printing system from the mobile phone. Application software corresponding to the attachment file data is selected from application software stored in the printing system, thereby opening the attachment file data by using the selected application software. The text data and the attachment file data opened by the selected application software are printed onto a printing medium.

Abstract: A sheet processing device is provided in a sheet-fed printing press. Sheets are conveyed to a sheet transport cylinder and are processed on the sheet transport cylinder. The sheets are each removed twice from the sheet transport cylinder.

Abstract: In the data processing apparatus which performs a predetermined process over data to be printed on a printer according to the printer, and then transfers the data, groups of various printing setting values and registration names each identifying each group are mutually correlated and registered in setting-registration files for each user who uses the apparatus. When a printing request is received from one of the users, a setting window displays registration names indicating the groups of the setting values which are registered for each user and correspond to the user so that the user can select one of groups. One of the registration names displayed on the setting window is selected by the user. The apparatus performs the predetermined process for printing to the data to be printed in accordance with the various setting values included in the group corresponding to the selected registration name.

Abstract: Coded retrievable signal information is applied to a paper web leading end prior to the paper web being directed to a print unit in a rotary, web-fed printing press. This signal information is scanned by signal reading devices and is forwarded to adjusting elements along the path of travel of the web through the press. These adjusting elements set the path of web travel to its final destination and also synchronize the printing units and the cutting units for the paper web.

Abstract: An image forming method for developing a negative type image forming material after image exposure by an infrared laser. The negative type image forming material is provided with a photosensitive layer, which has sensitivity to an infrared laser. The negative type image forming material is developed with a weak alkaline aqueous solution having a pH in a range from 7 to 12 and containing a carbonate and a surfactant.

Abstract: An image is printed on a substrate by means of a computer driven printer using heat activated dyes, without activating the dyes during the process of printing onto the substrate. The dyes are subsequently activated by applying sufficient heat and pressure to the substrate to activate the dyes.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to prevent waste when printing is made on a paper web threaded through a detour web path from a printing unit to a folding unit via other printing units in such a manner that printing images are changed while the web is being transported by changing over a plurality of printing units through which the web is passed. The control section of each printing units having a detour web path is adapted so that it can produce a phase correction value so as to correct a drive reference speed signal with a signal relating to the difference between a drive reference phase and a corrected phase and a feedback speed signal.

Abstract: A method apparatus for printing a customer image order containing at least one image captured underwater. A digital record of a customer image order containing at least one image captured underwater is obtained. The image captured underwater is determined and the digital record of the underwater captured image is modified in a predetermined manner. The determination of the existence of an image captured underwater may be provided by analyzing the image record or obtained by reading information received from the customer image order. Thereafter modified image may be printed and/or displayed.

Abstract: A method for detecting faults during transport of a web in a web-fed printing machine, wherein web speed is determined by contact-free measurement, in accordance with the Doppler principle, includes the steps of: by applying microwaves, determining a first local speed of the web at a first measurement position; by applying microwaves, determining at least a second local speed of the web at a second measurement position spaced apart from the first measurement position in a direction of web transport; determining an actual value from the first local speed and at least the second local speed; determining any deviation of the actual value from a predefined desired value; and comparing the deviation of the actual value from the predefined desired value with a predefined threshold; a detecting device for performing the method; and a printing machine including the detecting device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to both a textile article and a method of making the textile article. The textile article is a two-sided multicolor Jacquard or Dobby woven textile with a graphic impression on at least one side thereof. In one embodiment, the front side of the textile has a dark color border and a light color area within said border. The light color area is the area receiving the graphic impression. It is sometimes advantageous to reverse the textile. Therefore, in another embodiment the front side has a light color border with a dark central area, and the dark central area will receive the graphic impression. The graphic impression may be applied by screen printing, image dyeing, digital imaging, or heat transfer (heat applied graphics).

Abstract: A printer characterized in that it has a web handling unit comprising a web conditioning means (4) for providing fixed control of the moisture within the web being fed, a skew correction means (10) for adjusting the traveling position of the web which has been passed through the web conditioning means, and a tension assigning means (8) for assigning fixed tension to the web, and an image forming means (12) that forms an image on the web sent from the web handling unit.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing mailing-ready printed products, that consist of at least one sheet printed on at least one side and mailed in a closed state, printing data, originating from a client, are transmitted through a network to a printing facility. The transmitted printing data are printed onto the at least one sheet. A mailing-ready printed product is produced from the at least one printed sheet. The envelope for the mailing-ready printed product is produced from at least one printed sheet folded so as to form an envelope without producing waste portions.

Abstract: An approach is provided for identifying black and white pages in a color document stream. This approach may be utilized in digital printing systems. This approach examines a small portion of the color data for a page to identify whether the color data is indicative of the page being a black and white page or a full color page. This approach also examines the relative sizes of compressed color separations for the pages. Pages that are determined to be black and white pages may be printed in a black and white mode, whereas full color pages may be printed in a full color page mode.

Abstract: A dampener activation apparatus is disclosed for engaging and disengaging a dampener with a plate cylinder of a printing press and for engaging and disengaging a drive gear with a roller in the dampener. The drive gear is driven to rotate about a shaft supporting the roller by a press drive train. The drive gear is also axially moveable on the shaft to engage and disengage the form roller. A first actuator is mounted to a dampener side frame and configured to translate the drive gear on the shaft to engage and disengage the form roller. A second actuator is attached to the printing press and configured to engage and disengage the dampener with the plate cylinder. A compressed air supply is in fluid communication with and configured to control the first and second actuators.

Abstract: A spray dampening device for a printing apparatus, the spray dampening device comprising a plurality of spray nozzles. The spray nozzles are each cycled at a predetermined frequency and at an individual nozzle phase shift with the individual phase shifts being synchronized so that an effective frequency of spray bursts applied to target surface of the printing apparatus is greater than the predetermined frequency. Dampening system performance may be improved without the implementation of new individual nozzle technology. The benefits of a pulsed dampener system are maintained while system performance approaches that of a continuous dampener.

Abstract: The colors of a print as a target are easily and reliably equalized with the colors of a proof generated by a proofer. A printed color chart Cpa is colorimetrically measured by a colorimeter, and an original printing profile as a target for converting CMYK image data into colorimetric data is produced. Then, using the original printing profile and a printer profile, a color chart Cpa′ of the proof is outputted from a printer based on the CMYK image data. The color chart Cpa′ is colorimetrically measured to generate a printing color reproduction profile. In the printing color reproduction profile, weighting is set in view of color reproduction ranges of a printing press and the printer, and a corrected printing profile is generated. The corrected printing profile and the printer profile are set as a color converting means. It is possible to perform easily corrected color matching by using the corrected color converting means.

Abstract: A device for automatically catching a torn material web running through a rotary printing machine includes a pair of clamping rollers, respectively, disposed beneath and above the material web, the rollers being rotatingly entrainable and being able to clamp the web when a web tear is detected, at least one of the clamping rollers having variable outer main dimensions, and an actuator connected to the at least one clamping roller for causing the outer main dimensions thereof to increase upon detection of a web tear, so as to clamp the torn material web between the clamping rollers.

Abstract: A printing press includes an ink roller group, image exposing section, pre-inking controller, and CPU. The ink roller group supplies ink stored in an ink fountain to a printing plate mounted on a plate cylinder. The image exposing section exposes an image on a printing plate before plate making which is mounted on the plate cylinder. The pre-inking controller forms an ink film thickness distribution corresponding to the image to be exposed on the printing plate on the ink roller group. The CPU performs image exposing and ink film thickness distribution formation concurrently at least partly by controlling the image exposing section and the pre-inking controller. A control method for a printing press is also disclosed.

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

Abstract: A method and a control for a drive which is devoid of a sprocket feed and located in an electrographic printer which outputs information on a striplike recording medium divided up into pages. It is possible to determine in a start mode whether perforated or non-perforated paper has been inserted into the printer. A recording medium with marginal perforation is initially conveyed in steps according to a control grid until it fits tightly into a larger conveyor grid which corresponds to a fraction of the distance between perforations. Subsequently, the recording medium is conveyed in normal operating mode in steps according to the conveyor grid.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying information to a medical slide or histology cassette comprises print heads for applying a printing medium directly onto a surface portion of a slide or cassette to define an organized array of printed data. The printing medium is sealable onto said surface portion of the slide or cassette so that said organized array of printed data is proof against removal or damage during subsequent handling or treatment of the slide or cassette.

Abstract: A method of controlling parameters of an ink layer at a selected location in a printing unit of a printing machine, the printing machine including at least one ink source for producing the ink layer on a transport device, whereon metering variables for regulating the application of ink to the transport device are zonally settable, and further including the transport device for transferring the ink layer to the selected location.

Abstract: A method is provided of modifying pulsed image data signals for controlling an acousto-optic modulator in an image setter system. The method comprises modifying the pulse widths of the image data signals in accordance with predetermined parameters so as to improve the correspondence between the data representing the image and the data recorded on the record medium. Following modification the data signals are supplied to the acousto-optic modulator.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing a broken printing web from wrapping about or otherwise fouling the blanket cylinders of printing press units. The system and method includes a web tensioning device located downstream of the printing press units for maintaining tension upon a broken web and pulling the web from the printing press units. The device includes a plurality of web disturbance detectors for detecting a wave, ripple or other disturbance indicative of a web break. A pair of anti-wrap rollers located above and below the web are engaged upon detection of a web break to engage the web between them to exert tension onto the web and pull it from the printing units. The anti-wrap rollers are rotated at a surface speed nominally greater than the surface speed of the printing rolls. The anti-wrap rollers include a plurality of opposed peak and valley portions which enable them to interlock and grip the web along a line of contact.

Abstract: A stencil printing apparatus includes a main body, a drum unit having a drum substantially in a cylindrical shape and attachable to and detachable from the main body, a drum detecting device for detecting a kind of the drum unit mounted to the main body and a control device for carrying out an auto idling operation prior to a successive perforating operation in a case when a non-operational time period of the main body exceeds a previously set time period or when the drum detecting device detects interchanging of the drum unit.

Abstract: An image of a design pattern of wallpaper stored in a data base (DB) is viewed by a user computer of a user who is a general consumer or a contractor from a server computer provided in a head office of a wallpaper manufacturer through the Internet. Further, upon accepting an order of wallpaper from the user who saw the image by the user computer, the server computer fetches the image of the design pattern from the DB. A wallpaper printer then prints the image on a wallpaper sheet, thereby manufacturing the wallpaper desired by the user. The produced wallpaper is delivered to the user who gave out the order by, for example, a door-to-door delivery service.

Abstract: An automatic deceleration and stoppage controller for a rotary press includes an input unit, a detection unit, a copy-number management unit, a printing-speed detection unit, and a processing unit. The input unit inputs a scheduled copy number indicating the number of signatures to be printed by and discharged from the rotary press. The detection unit detects the signatures discharged from the rotary press and outputs detection signals corresponding to the signatures. The copy-number management stores the scheduled copy number, subtracts from the scheduled copy number the total number of the detection signals successively output from the detection unit to thereby calculate a remaining copy number, and outputs a remaining-copy-number signal representing the remaining copy number. The printing-speed detection unit detects the operation speed of the rotary press and outputs an operation-speed signal representing the operation speed during printing.

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

Abstract: A printing system includes a printing apparatus and a computer. The printing apparatus and the computer each include a density setting section. The printing system further includes a data processing section, which is at least adapted to transfer printing density data for a predetermined printing object from the computer to the printing apparatus so as to set printing density on the printing apparatus and to transfer printing density data for a predetermined printing object from the printing apparatus to the computer in order to store the printing density data in a database. Since printing density can be set on either of the printing apparatus and the computer, for example, in a trial printing mode, printing density data are transferred from the database stored in the computer to the printing apparatus so as to set printing density on the printing apparatus, thereby enabling trial printing.

Abstract: A method of metering dampening solution when printing with a printing form for offset printing, including, with a control device, setting an amount of dampening solution on the surface of the printing form to a predetermined value before starting to print, further includes, following one interruption in the printing, determining the number of interruptions which have occurred previously in a predefined time interval, and varying in accordance with the number of interruptions the amount of dampening solution supplied to the surface of the printing form during the one interruption.

Abstract: A method of adjusting an air guide system having various actuators, in a sheet-fed printing machine, includes the method steps of providing characteristic curves containing conveying parameters which are critical for sheet conveyance, plotted against a printing machine-specific parameter, and which are optimal for sheet-specific parameters; storing the characteristic curves in a memory; feeding the actual sheet-specific and printing machine-specific data of a print job to a CPU; accessing by the CPU the characteristic curve which is optimal for the actual data from the memory; outputting the appropriate commands to the individual actuators; and, if necessary, providing operator intervention; and a device for performing the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method of eliminating wrinkling, tearing and web-breaks of a web in an offset printing press as the web contacts the chill rollers on start-up. The system operates to eliminate the wrinkling that generates the tearing. During startup, a spreader roller impinges the web, stretching out wrinkles. During acceleration of the press, when thermal contraction of the paper also achieves the desired stretching, the spreader roller is retracted to prevent smearing of ink on the web. Uneven pressure of the spreader is utilized to implement steering of the web to enhance web centering.

Abstract: A maintenance and diagnostic system for a printing machine, preferably a sheet-fed offset printing machine, includes a control system having at least one computer and is connected to signal transmitters that are sensors and/or limit switches. The main drive and other drives of the printing machine are activated via the sensors and/or limit switches. The control system is operatively connected to a control-desk computer containing data on print jobs that are carried out. The control system is arranged to provide a diagnostic and inspection system for printing machines to be used for planning necessary maintenance work in advance to the greatest possible extent such that the downtimes of the printing machine required for maintenance work are minimized. The control system includes a maintenance and inspection computer which is operatively connected to the control system and to the control-desk computer. Signals can be recorded by the control system onto the maintenance and inspection computer.

Abstract: A device is described for the state display for a printing machine, more specifically a sheet offset printing machine. The printing machine has a control, which is usually a computer, that communicates with several sensors and with a display device/computer. These sensors are located throughout the printing machine and can detect the position of certain elements of the machine. The invention extends the traditional printing machine state display so that it not only displays the simple state of the machine but also monitors previous states and can accomplish complex analysis of machine malfunctions. To accomplish this, the invention uses a storage device, which contains data on the representation and configuration of the machine and the sensors located in the printing machine. The control receives the data from the sensors and the storage device and sends graphical data to another computer that may process the information and present it to a display device.

Abstract: A stencil printer includes a printing drum which is rotated bearing thereon a stencil master, and a press roller which is pressed against the printing drum. A paper supply system supplies a printing paper to between the printing drum and the press roller so that the printing paper is conveyed pinched between the printing drum and the press roller. A paper supply controller controls the paper supply system so that the paper supply system supplies the printing paper to between the printing drum and the press roller at a first predetermined angular position of the printing drum for each rotation of the printing drum. The paper supply controller controls the paper supply system so that the printing paper supplied next by the paper supply system does not collide with the printing paper under printing when the printing paper is overlong.

Abstract: The temperature of a portion that belongs to a stencil and is located in the vicinity of a portion retaining a printing paste is increased to reduce the viscosity of printing paste that adheres to the portion retaining the printing paste, thereby allowing the printing paste to be easily separated from the retaining portion for the achievement of easy printing on an object on which a print is to be formed.

Abstract: A method of operating a printing machine and a printing machine apparatus in which basic knowledge about the interaction between operating media in the printing machine is obtained through printing trials or during production. This knowledge is stored in an expert system and made available for the printing operation or else for the production of the printing plate. The expert system is preferably a self-teaching system. For color reproduction, basic calibrations are carried out in a first quality step, in a second step, the imaging operation is adapted to the areas and half tones to be imaged, and ink-density regulation is carried out in a third step.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting collisions in a printing machine having at least one rotationally driveable rotary body (18; 20) and an actuator (28; 30) for adjusting the rotary body in a direction normal to the axis of rotation, the apparatus including a torque sensor (T) and/or an angle increment sensor (&OHgr;) for detecting the driving torque and/or the rotary speed of the rotary body (18; 20), and a control unit (38) adapted to detect a collision of the rotary body with another component member on the basis of the signal of the torque or angle increment sensor and to stop the actuator (28; 30) thereupon.