Abstract: A method for eliminating a rhythmic register error in a sheet-fed printing machine with a multiple-size sheet-conveying cylinder having at least one first and one second gripper device includes varying instants of closure of the gripper devices by adjusting adjusting devices assigned to the gripper devices so as to compensate for the register error; and a device for performing the foregoing method.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vibrator roller in a printing press during printing press stops and printing starts is disclosed. The cycle of the vibrator roller is controlled as a function of the point of time at which the vibrator roller contacts the ink fountain roller, in order to achieve a uniform inking after a printing press stop.

Abstract: A method for controlling inking during the printing process, in particular during the production run, in a printing press, the printing press having an imaging device coupled to a computing device operative for collecting image color measurement data from the imaging device, and numerically processing the image data, and in which color measurement data are obtained from printed images produced on an continuous basis, these data being used for control or regulation to influence image inking if a predetermined image color tolerance is exceeded, the method which comprises the steps of collecting the image color measurement data, over time using the image color measurement data for computing a color trend estimate; evaluating the color trend estimate and performing a corrective control of the inking if the color trend estimate data indicate that image coloring will move outside the allowable image color tolerance.

Abstract: A reconfigurable web processor, comprising: a first and a second base modules, each of the base modules including an external surface with at least one alignment structure disposed on the external surface; a plurality of pacing rolls, with a different one of the plurality of pacing rolls associated with each of the base modules to adjust the pace of a web moving within the associated base module; a plurality of transducers, with a different one of the plurality of transducers associated with a different one of the base modules and disposed to monitor a characteristic of the web at said associated base module and to generate a transducer signal in accordance therewith; a plurality of pacing servos, with a different one of the plurality of pacing servos associated with each different one of the pacing rolls, each of the pacing servos to adjust the pace of the web in accordance with a different pacing control signal for its associated the pacing roll; and a process head drive disposed to drive a drive roll in a

Abstract: Method of controlling imaging of a printing form includes producing on printing material or stock, with a printing press, control patches of an imaged printing form, generating image signals with an image-detecting device from the control patches of the imaged printing form produced on the printing material, and determining with an evaluating device any deviations of the generated image signals from respective reference image signals.

Abstract: A screen printing apparatus prints on a substrate with successive strokes, which may be of different lengths. An electrically programmable controller controls the operation of a servo motor for causing relative movement between the squeegee and the print head during a printing stroke. A programming apparatus is provided at the print head for programming the programmable controller to establish the starting point, and the end points of the printing stroke as well as the velocity of movement of the print stroke travel between the starting and ending points. The programming apparatus preferably includes a data entry device and a display for allowing the adjusting of the print stroke to absolute units of speed, e.g., inches per minute, to allow the printing inks to be sheared and spread in an optimal manner.

Abstract: A printing press includes a plurality of individual digital imaging units. A raster image processor receives image data in a machine-independent data format, generates machine-specific image data from the machine-independent image data and delivers the machine-specific image data to the individual imaging units. An error detection device ascertains register errors of the imaging units and generates corresponding register error signals. An image data modification circuit connected upstream of the raster image processor communicates with the error detection device, for modifying the image data in the machine-independent format on the basis of the register error signals and delivering the modified machine-independent image data to the raster image processor.

Abstract: A control system (60) for a printing press having a printed copy, a device (68 and 70) for manually using the copy to control operation of the press based on information on the copy, and device (80 and 82) for automatically reading the copy while excluding any control by target information on the copy, and controlling operation of the press based upon information on the copy.

Abstract: A method for regulating inking when printing with a printing press, which includes, by means of at least one sensor element directed towards the surface of a recording carrier at a given measurement site, deriving actual-value signals from at least one physical variable representing the inking; comparing the actual value signals with reference-value signals for the physical variable at the same measurement site; deriving, in accordance with a prescribed principle, control signals for control elements for the physical variable from the comparison-value signals obtained, and feeding the derived control signals to a control element; and placing the actual value in a range of reference values by means of the control element and holding it there automatically; further includes acting upon the control elements with defined control signals during a startup phase of the printing press; obtaining actual-value signals from a multiplicity of measurement sites in the entire printed surface of the recording carrier; deter

Abstract: Method of regulating inking when printing is performed with more than three printing colors, which includes comparing, in a control, actual value color locations derived from a color measuring arrangement with reference value color locations in a given user color space; deriving control signals from the attained comparison values, in accordance with a predetermined relationship, for an inking device containing ink distribution devices which influence the thickness of a layer of printing ink applied zonally in the form of halftone dots or solid full-tone areas to a material to be printed; and further deriving the actual value color locations from measurement locations in the printed image. When printing with n printing colors wherein n is greater than 3, deriving the actual value color locations from measurement locations of at least (n-2) regions, wherein vectors of area coverage of all of the n printing colors involved are, respectively, linearly independent of one another.

Abstract: A printing mechanism for waterless offset printing, including a form cylinder that carries a sleeve-shaped printing form and/or a transfer cylinder that carries a sleeve-shaped transfer form. The printing form and transfer form can be slipped onto or removed from the respective cylinder. At least one of the form cylinder and the transfer cylinder being provided with an internal channel through which fluid is circulated for internally cooling the cylinder.

Abstract: A printing machine having a plurality of printing mechanisms, a folding apparatus, and a control station with a video and audio communications system which provides for an exchange of data at any time between a printing plant in which the printing machine is installed and a remote diagnostic and maintenance station for purposes of maintenance, diagnosis and repair of the printing machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for detecting ink or lacquer films on metallic surfaces inside printing machines. In particular, to irradiate the surface with light and sensing of the intensity of the reflected light to detect whether an ink film or lacquer film on a roller has been completely removed by applying a metering element or doctor-blade element. This is achieved according to the invention by the irradiation of the metallic surface or of the film located thereon, and the reception of the light reflected from the surface or the film located thereon is performed at the Brewster angle with respect to the surface normal, the Brewster angle being defined by the refractive index of the material of the film to be determined and that liner polarization of the light is performed at least partially in the plane of incidence, at least in one of the two beam paths.

Abstract: A group of measured fields (as well as a process for using the measured fields) is provided for determining color data of a printed product, especially for color management in the rotary offset printing of single editions, with a plurality of measured fields, which are printed on a printed product to be checked or on a primary print in such a way that they can be optically scanned. The group of measured fields includes a first combination measured field, in which the fundamental colors are superprinted with their nominal degrees of surface coverage (F.sub.c1, F.sub.m1, F.sub.y1). Additional combination measured fields are provided, in which the fundamental colors are superprinted at varied nominal degrees of surface coverage {(F.sub.c2 =F.sub.c1 +.DELTA.F.sub.c2, F.sub.m1, F.sub.y1), (F.sub.c1, F.sub.m3 =F.sub.m1 +.DELTA.F.sub.m3, F.sub.y1), (F.sub.c1, F.sub.m1, F.sub.y4 =F.sub.y1 +.DELTA.F.sub.

Abstract: A date-setting method for use in a postage meter having date wheels includes the steps of setting the date wheels, printing a date on a mail piece, requesting an input indicating whether the date printed on the mail piece is correct, receiving a response in the negative, receiving information indicative of the date printed on the mail piece, resetting the date wheels, logging a record indicative of the negative response and the resetting action, printing another date on a mail piece, requesting an input indicating whether the date printed on the mail piece is correct, receiving a response in the negative, receiving information indicative of the date printed on the mail piece, resetting the date wheels, logging another record indicative of the negative response and the resetting action; and annunciating the records indicative of negative responses.

Abstract: A postage meter has an improved means of monitoring the position of the cover providing access to the print rotor. A mechanical latch and associated mechanism is provided responsive to a cam on the print rotor and responsive to the movement of the cover, and the mechanism has an electrical sensor output to the processor of the postage meter. In the event that the cover is opened at a time when the rotor is away from its home position, for example at a time when the power to the meter has failed, the latch enters a latched state. Upon the restoration of power the meter determines if the rotor is away from its home position, and if it is, the meter inspects the sensor output to determine if the latch has been caused to enter its latched state. This condition is annunciated, for example by rendering the meter incapable of printing postage.

Abstract: In a printing apparatus and method, printing material is printed on to-be-printed circuit boards in a predetermined pattern and a printing state of the material is inspected. The apparatus includes the following devices. A board supporting device has a rotary body supporting a plurality of board-fixed tables to which the boards are secured, and turns the rotary body together with the board-fixed tables intermittently at predetermined angular intervals so as to stop the board-fixed tables at each of a fixing, recognizing, printing, and inspecting position. A board feed device feeds the boards to the board-fixed tables arranged at the fixing position. A board discharge device discharges the boards from the board-fixed tables arranged at the fixing position. A recognizing device recognizes fixed positions of the boards relative to the board-fixed tables at the recognizing position. A printing device prints the printing material on the boards at the printing position.

Abstract: A stencil printing apparatus (100) is provided for printing a solder paste (108), through apertures (104) in a stencil (102), onto metallized portions of a printed circuit substrate (106). The printing apparatus contains a laser surface profiling device (114) which is used to produce 2- and 3-dimensional profiles of a portion of the surface of solder paste adjacent to a squeegee (110). Data is processed and sent to a controller (118) which is coupled to a solder paste dispenser (112). The controller automatically signals the dispenser (112) to dispense additional solder paste at deficient locations as needed.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for displacing at least one roller of an offset rotary printing press. An arrangement is provided for affording the displaceability of at least one roller in a highly versatile and adaptable manner. Displacement of the at least one roller in question can be undertaken in such a manner as to markedly facilitate the operation of a printing press.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling the sheet supply in a sheet-processing printing machine, in particular a sheet-fed offset printing machine. In order that, at the beginning of printing, before which a specific process for predamping and/or preinking the plate and/or blanket cylinders takes place, a first sheet always runs into the printing zone precisely on completion of the process, provision is made for a first sheet to be conveyed by means of the engagement and renewed disengagement of the feeder into a predetermined position from which the number of machine revolutions up to reaching the first printing zone is known. The feeder is disconnected and the separator and pull suckers remain pressurized, thereby continuing to hold a sheet gripped. The process for predamping and/or preinking is then started, whereupon the reengagement of the feeder takes place precisely at that moment after which a first sheet then runs into the first printing zone precisely on completion of the process sequence.

Abstract: A system for generating from unimaged plates a plurality of exposed lithographic plates to be provided to a press for use in printing. The system is for use with a film exposer for exposing a negative which includes an identifying code identifying the negative. An exposing station has a first reader for reading the identifying code and has an exposer for exposing a number of unimaged plates to generate an image thereon from the exposed negative. The number of exposed plates corresponds to the identifying code read by the reader. A bending station has a second reader for reading the identifying code on the exposed plates and has an optical punch bender for bending the exposed plates in accordance with information corresponding to the identifying code.

Abstract: In a stencil printing machine, when quantity of ink supplied into an ink supplying section in a rotary cylindrical drum is smaller than a predetermine value, ink complementing means is driven to supply ink from an ink storing container into the ink supplying section, and when the quantity of ink in the ink supplying section does not reach the predetermined value within an ink-complementing-means operation time, a determination is made that no ink is left in the ink storing container, and a warning signal is produced.

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 method and apparatus that uses chain delivery system to deliver printed sheets to one of two sheet stacks is disclosed. The sheets are grasped by chain gripper systems and are transported along an upper chain strand. A transfer cylinder is positioned in the path of sheet travel between the two sheet stacks. Sheets destined for the second sheet stack are removed from the upper chain strand by the transfer cylinder and delivered to the second sheet stack by a lower chain strand.

Abstract: A web error recovery divert system is provided. A web is printed and scanned for errors. An error is identified in a grouping of sections or pages. A replacement grouping of sections or pages is printed. The replacement grouping includes an identifying mark or banner page indicating the presence of a replacement section. The web is redirected through a cutter and diverter that identifies the banner page and, at the appropriate locations, cuts and removes the grouping having the error. The replacement grouping and the remainder of the web is driven to a post-processing unit for further operations.

Abstract: A method for controlling the sheet feed in an offset printing machine. A controller, in conjunction with various sensing devices, is utilized to determine the presence of double or misfed sheets as the sheets are removed from a sheet stack in a feeder unit of the printing machine. The controller then, through various actuating devices, shuts down various printing machine functions in order to complete the printing of the sheets ahead of the double or misfed sheets.

Abstract: In the context of a device for preventing damage to a rotary printing press comprising a dryer owing to tearing of the web being processed, a high degree of safety is achieved if such device comprises a web catching device, a severing and halting device arranged following the web catching device in the direction of web travel, such web catching device and such severing and halting device being arranged between a last printing unit of the printing press and the dryer, and a web tear detector adapted to cause operation in sequence of the web catching device and the severing and halting device.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the printing of foil webs in web offset printing are proposed in which strongly oxidatively drying inks are used, the printed foil webs are subjected to a heat-air drying, the printed foil webs are furthermore conducted over at least one cooling roll before they are wound up, and the tension of the web upon the winding is reduced as the diameter of the roll increases.

Abstract: In the production of a screen printing stencil, a thin-walled hollow cylinder having a light responsive layer on the outside is rotated about its cylinder axis and exposed by means of a laser beam impinging on it. The laser beam is focused in the region of the light responsive layer. The laser beam is moved in the direction of the cylinder axis, and is switched on and off in agreement with a desired stencil pattern. A radial deviation of the actual position of the wall of the hollow cylinder from its ideal position is determined from at least one measuring position fixed relative to the laser beam for a multiplicity of circumferential positions of the hollow cylinder. A first actuating signal is then derived from at least one of the radial positional deviations obtained at the measuring positions.

Abstract: A web width adjusting device can adequately adjust the width of paper web which is travelled through at least two printing sections. The travelling web is sandwitched by a pair of contact means including a plurality of contact members which are aligned in parallel to the axis of cylinders for driving the paper web. The contact members of one alignment are alternatively in contact with the web surface with respect to the other alignment.

Abstract: Device for damping mechanical vibrations of a printing press having rotating parts includes at least one actuating member assigned to the rotating parts of the printing press for applying adjusting forces thereto, and at least one vibration pick-up operatively connected to the actuating member for controlling the actuating member so that the adjusting forces applied by the actuating member damp the mechanical vibrations; and method of damping mechanical vibrations of a printing press.

Abstract: A printing mechanism for waterless offset printing including a form cylinder that carries a sleeve-shaped printing form and/or a transfer cylinder that carries a sleeve-shaped transfer form such that the forms can be slipped onto or removed from their respective cylinder. Both the transfer cylinder and the form cylinder having internal and external cooling arrangements.

Abstract: Contact-free double-sheet control device for a printing press having a capacitively-operating measuring sensor for determining sheet count, a counter-electrode adjacent thereto, and an evaluation circuit connected to the sensor, includes an eddy-current measuring sensor assigned to the capacitive measuring circuit for compensating for operating influences.

Abstract: The wear on printing forms in a printing machine is monitored in that the inking values at certain locations on the printed product are measured. At least two measurement locations are defined on the print image. The first measurement location has a defined tonal value above an upper tonal value, and the second measurement location has a tonal value below a lower tonal value. The printed product is scanned as it leaves the printing unit. The measured inking values at the measurement locations are compared with the setpoint values as defined by the tonal values at the defined locations. If the lower tone signal is below the setpoint signal while the upper tone signal corresponds or exceeds the setpoint inking values, the control unit deduces that the printing plate may be worn. The printed product count may be used as auxiliary information in the wear determination.

Abstract: A method for starting/restarting the production run on a sheet-processing printing machine in which the sheets to be printed are fed from a stack to the printing machine by a feeder assembly couplable to the printing machine and including separately actuable members causing removal of sheets from the stack, the method comprising the steps of: rotating the printing machine at a basic rotational speed; cutting in the feeder assembly; running-up the coupled printing machine and feeder assembly to a higher rotational speed, and cutting in the members causing removal of sheets from the stack to cause sheets to be conveyed into the printing machine.

Abstract: In a method and a device for controlling the blanket cylinder washing processes of a rotary offset printing machine with several printing units (d1) each assigned a washer unit (12-27) and several reel changers (33) each connected to a reel changer control unit (34), spoilage is reduced by simple, operator-friendly, cost-effective and universal means when washer units (12-27) are connected to the outputs of a washer unit control (40), a trigger signal (A) is applied at one output of the washer unit control (40) and at the output of a logical AND-function of the reel changer signal (R) and of a counting signal (Z) of a counting device (38) for the printed copies, and a memory is provided for the current data set with distances from the lead reel changer (33) to the first-triggered washer units (22, 23, 24, 25) assigned to the web coming from the lead reel changer, and the respective distances from all washer units (12-27) to the folder, the web speed and the web widths, so that the wash spoilage of all webs oc

Abstract: An automated printing press (10) is provided with a plurality of printing stations (13), each having a printing mechanism (60) which prints at least one component image at spaced apart locations along a web (11). Each printing mechanism (60) is positionable to one side of the press for servicing. The print roller (61) is driven through a swingable gear assembly (268) that maintains gear spacing as the print roller to impression roller spacing varies and that engages and disengages tangentially to improve meshing. Microprocessor based computer controllers (400, 405) at each station (13) precisely and repeatably control positions of the printing mechanism (60) and precisely register the component images being printed at the stations (13).

Abstract: The method includes loading a printed circuit board (PCB) to a printing machine; aligning a stencil to the PCB when the PCB has been loaded to the printing machine; setting a snap-off distance; dispensing a volume of solder paste onto the stencil, the volume of solder paste being dispensed onto the stencil regardless of whether the PCB has been loaded to the printing machine; placing a squeegee in contact with the stencil at a predetermined pressure; moving the squeegee across the stencil at a predetermined speed; waiting a constant period of time; and repeating.

Abstract: A method for controlling the ink guidance of a printing machine, especially a sheet-fed offset printing machine. Ink-density spectra are recorded by means of a spectral photometer at a plurality of image points of the original and of the printed copy and the differential ink-density spectra are determined from these values. These differential ink-density spectra are then represented as a linear combination of the individual ink-density spectra of the inks participating in the composite printing. Regulating commands for the ink-guide members of the printing machine are thereupon derived from the proportionality factors of this linear combination.

Abstract: Method of controlling inking in a printing press, wherein the inking is evaluated in non-image areas during printing with a printing form on printing material, includes generating with at least one image-detecting device image signals in the non-image areas on the surface of the printing material, feeding the image signals to a control or regulating device and, with a temperature-controlling device, varying the temperature of ink applied to the printing form in accordance with the image signals.

Abstract: A mimeographic printing machine including: a pair of first and second sheet supplying rollers, the first sheet supplying roller being movable into and out of contact with the second sheet supplying roller, the first and second sheet supplying rollers clamping a printing sheet when the first sheet supplying roller touches to the second sheet supplying roller, and the first and second sheet supplying rollers being rotatable to convey the printing sheet; a rotary cylindrical drum having a tubular wall on which a stencil paper is wound; a pushing device for pushing the printing sheet conveyed by rotating the first and second sheet supplying rollers against the stencil paper wound on the rotary cylindrical drum in order to perform a mimeographic printing operation; a jamming detector for detecting abnormal conveyance of printing sheets in a printing-sheet conveying path; a preventing device for preventing the first sheet supplying roller from approaching the second sheet supplying roller; and a controller for acti

Abstract: A description of a method and a device for monitoring the braking of a D.C. motor of a printing machine such as a sheet-fed offset printing machine is given. For safety purposes, in the case of an emergency stop an electrical braking should always be carried out with the maximum torque of the D.C. motor. For this purpose, the disclosed method provides that the actual value of the armature current is detected and compared to a maximum permissible value for the electrical braking. In the event of an impermissibly high deviation and, in particular, in the event of an undershoot of the armature current relative to the maximum permissible value, the power converter and motor are disconnected from the power supply and an electrically actuable brake is applied to the motor.

Abstract: Method of regulating an amount of dampening medium on a printing plate of an offset printing machine, includes determining the amount of dampening medium on the printing plate, adjusting the rotational speed of a dampening ductor and/or the like to a given set value so as to regulate the amount of dampening medium on the printing plate and, for regulation deviations wherein the set value is greater than an actual value, driving a controller with a greater amplification factor than for regulation deviations wherein the set value is smaller than the actual value.

Abstract: In a stencil printing device in which printing ink is supplied to the inner surface of a printing drum, and printing paper is pressed onto a stencil master plate sheet mounted on the outer circumferential surface of the printing drum by using a press roller for effecting a stencil printing on the printing paper, there are provided dip switches in the printing drum for identifying the type of the printing ink supplied to the inner surface of the printing drum, and the pressing force of the press roller against the printing drum is variably determined according to the detected type of the printing ink set on the dip switches so that a stencil printing is carried out with a prescribed printing density without regard to the type of ink, in particular the color of the printing ink used with the printing drum.

Abstract: Damage to rotating cylinders in a web-fed rotary printing machine, due to breaks or tears in the material web passing through the machine, is prevented by providing a web guide roller with a directionally switched coupling intermediate two spaced gripping locations. If the web breaks, the web guide roller becomes positively driven and prevents web roll up on one of the rotating cylinders.

Abstract: A printing system having a plurality of printing stations in series is provided with a web width sensor system that detects the change in width of a paper web by monitoring the position of both edges of the sheet after it leaves a printing station to determine the change in position of each side edge and thereby the change in width of the web.

Abstract: A printing apparatus employs a rotatable cam having an enclosed cam slot for controlling the rocking motion of an inking roll without the need for a cam follower spring. The apparatus also includes an articulated printing member support assembly which executes a complex curvilinear movement under the control of a fixed cam slot without the use of linear bearings. Complementary cam profiles are used on both cam surfaces in order to maintain tangency between the inking roll and printing element during inking. A yieldable connecting link is used to prevent excessive printing pressures from being applied, and a movable filler plate closes off a slot in a front cover of the printing apparatus through which a portion of the movable printing member protrudes.

Abstract: A screen printing machine in which a squeegee is driven to form a film of solder on a board through a screen, includes an automatic squeegeeing angle setter which includes a squeegeeing angle adjuster for adjusting a squeegeeing angle of the squeegee and a squeegeeing angle detector for detecting the angle thereof to set the squeegeeing angle of the squeegee by the squeegeeing angle adjuster based on a detection of the squeegeeing angle detector, an automatic pressing amount setter which includes a squeegee pressing amount adjuster for adjusting a squeegee pressing amount caused by the squeegee and a squeegee pressing force detector for detecting a squeegee pressing force to set the pressing amount in consideration of a change in height resulting from a change of the angle of the squeegee by the squeegee pressing amount adjuster based on a detection of the squeegee pressing force detector, and an automatic balancing amount setter which includes a pressing amount balance adjuster for adjusting a balance of the

Abstract: A printing press has at least one printing stand with a plate cylinder, an inking unit for providing ink to the plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder, an impression cylinder, a sheet feed device for feeding printing stock into the print stand, and a dampening unit for feeding dampening medium to the printing plate of the plate cylinder. The dampening unit has at least one form roller engageable with the plate cylinder, a dipping roller dipping into dampening medium contained in a dampening-medium tank, at least one intermediate roller provided between the form roller and dipping roller, adjusting means through which the form roller is engageable with the plate cylinder and the intermediate roller with the form roller and the dipping roller, and a device for preventing any permanent deformation on the elastic outer cylindrical surface when the printing press is at a standstill.

Abstract: An ink washing device is disclosed, for use in a printing machine having a deposit roller with a variable luminance outer surface. The washing device includes a blade disposed adjacent to the deposit roller, for removing excess deposit of ink on the outer surface of the deposit roller, thus causing its luminance to vary. A luminance sensor detects changes in the luminance of the outer surface. The washing operation is interrupted or continued based on the detected luminance changes.