Abstract: A method for operating a printer for printing a print job requiring at least one color ink. At least one printer operating parameter is chosen which may include a remaining ink volume of the at least one color ink. A first print density for one color ink is obtained for at least one future print job without regard to the obtained printer operating parameter(s). A different second print density for the one color ink is obtained for the at least one future print job based on at least the obtained printer operating parameter(s). A user prompt is issued for user approval or non-approval to use the second print density for the one color ink when printing the at least one future print job. The second print density is used upon receiving a user reply of approval. The first print density is used upon receiving a user reply of non-approval.

Abstract: A printing apparatus for forming an image on fabric is provided. The printing apparatus includes a plurality of exchangeable fabric holders, a recording head, which is driven according to printable data including image information representing the image to be printed and holder information concerning a type of the fabric holder to be used for forming the image, an obtaining unit to obtain the printable data from external environment, a storage unit with a storage area to store the holder information extracted from the printable data, an examination unit to examine as to whether the holder information for a current printing operation is identical with the holder information for a previous printing operation stored in the storage area, and an indication unit, which indicates a result of the examination obtained by the examination unit to notify a user of necessity of exchanging the fabric holders.

Abstract: The electric conductivity of the developer is measured every constant period, a development replenisher is replenished every constant time as a time lapse replenisher in an amount based on a set value of a time lapse replenishment rate, a development replenisher is replenished every processing of a constant area of a photosensitive lithographic printing plate precursor(s) as a processing replenisher in an amount based on a set value of a processing replenishment rate, a calculated value of electric conductivity is calculated from the amounts of the time lapse replenisher and the processing replenisher, the set values of the time lapse replenishment rate and the processing replenishment rate are increased or decreased according to the result of the comparison of the calculated value with the measured value, and the value of the difference between the calculated value and the measured value is displayed as a degree of a developer activity.

Abstract: A web printing press is provided including printing units and a vacuum cantilever lead roll having a vertical rotational axis. Methods are also provided.

Abstract: A mail processing machine is described including a recto-verso printer adapted to receive data to be printed and to produce printed documents based on the data, the documents being designed to be enclosed and franked; the processing machine includes a system upstream of the printer to optimize the process for franking the cover by recto-verso printing the documents at will in case a value related to the weight of said documents exceeds a postal threshold.

Abstract: A method for checking a correctness of impositions and correct mutual register of the print pages at a front side and a rear side of different types of printed matters using a check print apparatus comprising two co-operating printers. The method includes preparing impositions in a control unit of the front side and the rear side of a print original to be made, printing a plurality of print pages having a first imposition of the front side of the paper, printing a plurality of print pages having a second imposition on the rear side of the paper with the page in position turned 180°, checking that the first and second impositions of the front and rear sides coincide, correcting the first and second impositions using the control unit when the checking step determines the first and second impositions do not coincide, and preparing a print original with the first and second impositions coinciding.

Abstract: In a method for controlling the inking in at least one inking unit of an offset press, namely for controlling the zonal inking that can be adjusted by inking zone actuating elements of the respective inking unit, measurement regions are measured for this purpose and actual values determined in the process are compared with predefined intended values in order to generate actuating signals for the inking zone actuating elements on the basis of the comparison between the actual values and the intended values. Control deviations between the measured actual values and the predefined intended values are modified on the basis of a model of the respective inking unit and/or on the basis of data from the subject.

Abstract: Inherent reflectances and scattering coefficients of color materials to be used in producing a print are calculated, and target printing base solid predicted reflectances are calculated using the calculated inherent reflectances and scattering coefficients, and the spectral reflectance of a target printing base, according to the Kubelka-Munk theory. Colorimetric values are calculated from the target printing base solid predicted reflectances. Differences are determined between calculated target printing base solid predicted colorimetric values and standard printing base solid calorimetric values obtained from a color chart, whereupon target printing base halftone differential predicted calorimetric values are calculated from the determined differences. The target printing base halftone differential predicted colorimetric values and standard printing base halftone colorimetric values of the color chart are added, and a print predicting profile is generated.

Abstract: The present invention describes a device for measuring and setting the web tension on a printing press (8) comprising several inking units (Dn), in which device measuring means (Mm,n) for measuring the web tension and setting means (Fn) for setting the web tension are provided, using which the web tension can be set actively in the case of unsteady web tension conditions. The invention is characterized in that at least one measuring means (Mm,n) and at least one setting means (Fn) are disposed in such a manner that the web tension can be measured and set between the print areas of two inking units. A control device is provided, which controls the at least one setting means based on the measured values of the at least one measuring means (Mm,n).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of compensating for register deviations, which enables printing quality-reducing register deviations to be avoided at all printing or coating units of a rotary printing press. The method includes: a one-time determination of rotational vibrations in the driving gear train and of thereby caused register deviations between the printing or coating units only in the resonance regions of rotational speed under printing conditions within a rotary printing speed range; ascertaining counter-directed harmonic compensation moments from discrete harmonic portions of the rotational vibrations in the resonance range of rotational speeds; storing the parameters of the harmonic compensation moments and assigning them to the resonance ranges of rotational speed in the driving control system; and superimposing the stored compensation moments as a function of the rotational speed on the driving moment of the main drive motor in printing operation.

Abstract: Provided are an ink supply amount adjustment method and system for a relief printing press including: a first rotor, such as an ink form roller, to which ink is supplied; a second rotor, such as a plate cylinder, to which the ink is supplied from the first rotor; and adjustment means, such as a motor, for adjusting, for example, the nip pressure between the first rotor and the second rotor. The width of a line portion printed on paper W by the relief printing press is measured by a line-width measuring camera, and the adjustment means such as the motor is controlled on the basis of the line portion width obtained by the line-width measuring camera.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a deposition printing system which includes two or more print units capable of moving with respect to each other during printing, each of the print units having one or more print heads together forming a head arrangement; and a controller to control movement of the print units to dynamically change the head arrangement during the printing.

Abstract: A print control strip to be applied to printing material during a multicolor printing process, includes multiple measuring fields associated with one ink zone on the printing material. The measuring fields, which are associated with one ink zone, include at least two gray measuring fields. A method of measuring fields in print control strips on printing material with a measuring device and a control unit connected thereto, and a method of controlling metering of ink in offset printing presses including at least one ink metering device in each printing unit and a control unit, are also provided.

Abstract: A method for processing lenticular foil in sheet-fed printing presses is provided, the lenticular foil having lens strips adjacently disposed and extending transversely to the running direction of the sheets. The method ensures that the lens strips proceed parallel to the sheet's front edge For determining the actual position of a sheet aligned according to a front edge, the position of a contact line between two adjacent lens strips is determined, and compared with a nominal position. If the actual position deviates from the nominal position, an adjusting value is generated for realizing a leading or trailing movement of plate cylinders making possible the nominal position, of a gripper sheet-holding system of a sheet-accelerating device mounted in a drum.

Abstract: A printing machine has at least one machine element which can be adjusted by the use of a setting element. An adjustment of the one machine element has an effect on the quality of the printing performed by the printing machine. An optical detection device, which includes a sensor that is oriented toward the surface of a material which is being printed, detects the quality of the printing. A controlling device receives data from the optical sensor and adjusts, together with the setting element, the at least one machine element based on a difference between a quality of the printing which has been specified as a set value and the quality of the printing detected as an actual value by the optical detection device. This adjustment is done to manage the differences between the set value and the actual value.

Abstract: An image forming device has an image forming unit adapted to execute image formation on a recording medium, a writing unit adapted to be able to execute at least information writing in a non-contact manner to a non-contact IC chip added to the recording medium, and a control unit (i) capable of executing both a first mode of executing control so as to change an operation of the image formation by the image forming unit based on whether or not the information writing to the non-contact IC chip by the writing unit was correctly executed, and a second mode of executing control so as to cause the image forming unit to execute the image formation to the recording medium to which the non-contact IC chip has been added, irrespective of whether or not the information writing to the non-contact IC chip by the writing unit was correctly executed, and (ii) adapted to selectively execute one of the first mode and the second mode.

Abstract: A method for operating a printing press, which enables a uniform print quality to be achieved during long periods of operation without replacement of the impression cylinder. The printing press comprises several printing units having impression cylinders and a sheet turning device disposed between the printing units. The circumferential surface of the impression cylinder has an ink-repelling surface. The printing press is used to print sheets, until the ink-repelling surface of the circumferential surface of the impression cylinder has been worn away to an extent that the ink-repelling effect is less than a predetermined threshold value, after which a foil, of which the side facing away from the circumferential surface has an ink-repelling surface, is removably placed on the circumferential surface of the impression cylinder.

Abstract: A printing plate material having an aluminum support on which an image forming layer is provided, wherein a wireless IC tag is provided on a part of the printing plate material.

Abstract: There is described a method for detection of occurrence of printing errors on printed substrates during processing thereof on a printing press comprising the steps of providing multiple sensors on functional components of the printing press to monitor the behaviour of the printing press during processing of the printed substrates and performing an in-line analysis of the behaviour of the printing press to determine occurrence of a characteristic behaviour of the printing press which leads or is likely to lead to occurrence of printing errors on the printed substrates or which leads or is likely to lead to good printing quality of the printed substrates. In-line analysis of the behaviour of the printing press preferably includes performing fuzzy pattern classification of the behaviour of the printing press. According to one embodiment of the proposed method in-line analysis of the behaviour of the printing press is coupled with an in-line optical inspection of the printed substrates.

Abstract: An inspection system for inspecting an imprinted substrate on a printing press has a light source, a contact image sensor, and a processor. The light source is configured to illuminate a portion of the substrate which has been imprinted with different colors at a plurality of printing units of the printing press. The contact image sensor has a plurality of sensing elements. Each sensing element senses light reflected by a corresponding region on the substrate to produce data representative of the corresponding region printed on the substrate. The processor is configured to receive the data representative of the imprinted substrate and to compare the data representative of the corresponding region printed on the substrate with stored reference data.

Abstract: A method for automatically adjusting a pressure between rotary bodies in a printing press, includes measuring an image of a pressure strip on printing material. An image of a first pressure strip formed by a first rotary body together with a second body and an image of a second pressure strip formed by the second rotary body together with a third rotary body, are measured on the printing material. A printing press for carrying out the method is also provided.

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

Abstract: A method for detecting a type of one of plurality of devices attached to a graphics machine, each device being one of at least a first type and a second type. The method includes detecting at a controller the type of device attached to or to be attached to the machine. The controller is capable of preadjusting the device or machine as a function of the detection. A graphics machine includes a controller, a first device connected to the controller, the first device being categorizable as one of at least a first type and a second type, the controller detecting the type of the first device, and a memory accessible by the controller, the memory storing information regarding the first type and the second type.

Abstract: In a printed product color misregister amount detection method, a reference register mark including a first color area portion with a predetermined width and a blank portion in contact with the first color area portion is printed in a reference color on a printed product to be printed by a multi-color printing press. A positional shift detection register mark including a second color area portion with a width smaller than that of the first color area portion of the reference register mark is printed in a color other than the reference color to have as a target position a position where the width of the second color area portion falls within the width of the first color area portion of the reference register mark.

Abstract: A method for determining optimized ink presetting characteristic curves for the control of inking units in printing presses through the use of a computer, includes acquiring measured values on a printing material produced by a printing press within the context of a running print job, through the use of a color measuring instrument. The acquired measured values are compared with a color set point to be achieved, fluctuations in the acquired measured values are determined and, if fluctuations lie within a defined permissible tolerance band around the color set point, the computer generates a signal to adapt and store the ink presetting characteristic curves used for the running print job. A printing press for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: In a printing press abnormal state display method, the current states of a plurality of elements of a printing press are detected. The detected current state of each element is compared with a normal state predetermined for the element. It is determined on the basis of the comparison result whether the current state of the element is abnormal. The abnormal state of only an element determined to be abnormal is displayed on the basis of the determination result. A printing press abnormal state display apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a picture color tone control method and apparatus for a printing press, in order to make it possible to use an IRGB densitometer to perform color tone control even when printing is performed with a density which exceeds an estimated maximum color space, a target color mixture halftone density for each ink supplying unit width when a printing picture is divided with an ink supplying unit width of ink supplying apparatus 6, 7 is set, and an actual color mixture halftone density for each ink supplying unit width of an actually printed sheet obtained by printing is measured using an IRGB densitometer 1. The color mixture halftone densities are individually converted into tone values. Thereupon, for the conversion into actual tone values, the publicly known Neugebauer expression wherein the Yule-Nielsen coefficient n is set to such a value that the tone values and the color mixture halftone density value have a substantially linear relationship to each other is used.

Abstract: A damping unit for a press has means for applying a damping solution to a printing form and means for setting the quantity of damping solution applied. At least one sensor is provided for registering the quantity of damping solution actually applied to the printing form. By means of a comparison with a predefined quantity of damping solution, the quantity of damping solution on the printing form can be regulated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a contact-pressure adjusting method and a contact-pressure adjusting system, each of which automatically adjusts the contact pressure between two rotors, for a liquid application machine including: a first rotor to which liquid is supplied; a second rotor to which the liquid is supplied from the first rotor; and a contact-pressure adjusting unit for adjusting the contact pressure between the first rotor and the second rotor. By using a temperature measuring unit, measured is: the temperature of at least one of the surfaces of the first and second rotors; the temperature of at least one of the liquid on the surface of the first rotor and the liquid on the surface of the second rotor; or the temperature of at least one of the vicinity of the first rotor and the vicinity of the second rotor. The contact-pressure adjusting unit is adjusted in accordance with the measured temperature.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to deliver ink to printing systems are disclosed. In one example, a disclosed apparatus includes control valves which are coupled to a logic device. Together, the control valves and logic device control the flow of constituent components of press ready ink before the constituent components are mixed into press ready ink and sent to a gravure impression cylinder.

Abstract: A device for adjusting the position of a printing unit with respect to a printing web in a rotary printing machine comprising a control unit operable for controlling the movement of the printing unit from a predefined initial position Pi to a predefined end position Pf by successive steps T. A vision system is operable for capturing images of the formats (F) which are successively printed on the printing web between the initial position Pi and the end position Pf. A calculation unit is operable for evaluating the images and for determining the position Popt of the printing unit at which the images are identical and additionally the position at which the grayscale of the pixels of each image are identical.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for detecting ink errors in optical disk printing are provided. The apparatus, system and method include a sensor mount structure and a plurality of optical sensors mounted on the mount structure and in registration with a print table. A controller selectively activates the optical sensors in accordance with a relative motion between the optical sensors and the printing station such that the optical sensors each scan an assigned region of the print table to detect ink outside of an area where an object to be printed is placed.

Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method for operating a multi-unit printing arrangement, including multiple individual motors is provided. The method comprises the steps of operating the multi-unit printing arrangement, stopping the multi-unit printing operation by braking the multiple motors in stop operations, and staggering impression throw operations for individual units by a preselected time delay between commencement of each impression throw operation, a duration of the time delay between commencement of sequential impression throw off operations being selected to be of sufficient duration such that there is no overlap of large torque disturbances experienced at the multiple motors.

Abstract: A tandem printing system that can achieve stable web conveyance, regardless of the configuration of a tandem printing system or the type of a web, by preventing malfunctions including a broken web that may occur when slack in a web occurs at the time the printing operation stops and the slack is then eliminated after the printing operation has started. By executing low-speed conveyance of web by a web feeding mechanism before the printing operation begins, slack W22a, W10a, and W15a in the web located downstream of the guide rollers, and the slacked web is accumulated in the air loop portion, thereby completing the standby for printing. At that time, the amount of web conveyance (accumulation) is saved. Then, high-speed printing operation begins, and when the amount of printing has reached the amount of web conveyance saved, high-speed conveyance by the web feeding mechanism begins.

Abstract: A system for optimization of a regeneration schedule for a contact cleaning roller (CCR) used to remove particles from a substrate surface by being rolled along the substrate surface. In rolling along the surface, the CCR leaves a residual static charge. The level of leaving charge is sensed by a fieldmeter. When a CCR is first placed into service against a substrate, the leaving charge level is greater than the entering static charge level on the substrate ahead of the CCR. The entering charge is sensed by another fieldmeter, and the charge differential is determined and monitored. As the CCR becomes progressively loaded with particles during service, the leaving charge progressively diminishes. Thus the charge differential indicates inversely the particle loading of the CCR such that a charge differential limit can be set, below which the roller is removed from service and renewed by cleaning.

Abstract: Spectral, densitometric, or color measured values are detected on sheet printing materials during the printing process in a sheet-fed printing press. The measured values are determined on sheets as they are moving through the printing press and the measured values are used in real-time by a computer to control parameters for controlling the printing process in the sheet-fed printing press.

Abstract: A method is provided for a rotary press of the type including cylinders for printing and feeding a web to be printed, and at least one cylinder for feeding said web located downstream of the printing cylinders in the direction of movement of the web. According to this method, in normal operation, said printing and feed cylinders and the or each downstream feed cylinder are driven in a synchronized manner and, in the event of the web breaking, a step for the differential braking of said printing and feed cylinders and of the or each downstream feed cylinder is implemented.

Abstract: A method is provided for a rotary press of the type including at least one cylinder for printing and feeding a web to be printed, and a device for driving in rotation the or each printing and feed cylinder. In normal operation, the at least one cylinder is driven by applying thereto a positive drive torque and a positive drive power, and, in the event of the web breaking, the at least one cylinder is braked by the associated drive device. According to one embodiment of the invention, in an emergency shutdown step, the torque or the power applied to the at least one printing and feed cylinder by the associated drive device is limited in such a manner as not to exceed a predetermined torque threshold or power threshold.

Abstract: After the front surface of a web is printed by a first-side printing unit, the web is shifted in the direction of its width by a direction-changing unit, flipped over by rollers, and transported to a second-side printing unit, where the back surface of the web is printed. A sensor detects a displacement between the second-side printing unit and the web or marks printed on the web. According to the amount and direction of displacement detected by the sensor, a printing unit body is shifted in the direction of the web width, and the web traveling as opposed to the first-side printing unit is shifted in the direction of its width by an edge guide.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a roller (18) in a rotary printing press (10), includes the steps of a) mounting the roller (18) in a preparation rack (24) so as to be rotatably supported therein, b) scanning the peripheral surface of the roller, thereby to detect a topography of the roller surface, c) deriving set data for the adjustment of the roller from the topography, and storing the set data, d) mounting the roller in the printing press (10), and e) adjusting the roller in accordance with the set data.

Abstract: An object is to securely prevent incorrect reproduction of a highlight portion and an intermediate portion due to the change in condition of the printing press and incorrect reproduction of a shadow portion. The printing press includes a measuring means 12 for measuring the solid densities and the gray balance, of a printed color print image; a computing means 13 for computing respectively the differences between the solid density values and the gray balance measured by the measuring means 12 and their target values; a correction-value-computing means 14 for computing the correct values based on their differences respectively computed by the computing means 13; and an ink-supply-amount-adjusting means 15 for adjusting the amount of the ink of each of the basic colors to be supplied through each of plural ink fountain keys, based on the correction values computed by the correction-value-computing means 14.

Abstract: A media processing device has a printer error detection unit 40 that detects ink supply errors, such as the ink end, in the label printer, and a media retraction stacker for removing written media from the media drive, the label printer, and the media transportation path.

Abstract: A method of compensating for vibration-induced circumferential-register errors in a sheet-fed printing press includes compensating for at least one vibration-induced deviation of an actual angular position of a cylinder from a nominal angular position by adjusting the circumferential register of at least one printing unit, in particular of the cylinder. For this purpose, the current vibration state of the sheet-fed printing press is determined, the effect of the determined vibrations of an integer order on a position of color excerpts on a sheet of printing material is calculated, and the compensating circumferential-register adjustment required in accordance with the result of the calculation is carried out. A sheet-fed printing press for carrying out the method, is also provided.

Abstract: A printing machine utilizes several printing couples to produce at least one printed image on a printed material. Compensation for at least one of a longitudinal elongation and a transverse elongation of the printed material is accomplished. An anticipated elongation of the printed material is compensated for by matching of a printed image placement, with respect to length, width or position, with an imaging system generating the printed image placement on a printing forme.

Abstract: A reversing gripper system of a sheet-processing machine includes respective drive motors for driving cooperating fixed grippers and spring-loaded grippers to create pivoting and opening movements. The motors may be stationary or may be disposed inside the periphery of a reversing drum. A transmission between a drive motor and the gripper system preferably includes a belt drive. A reversing drum, a printing press and a method of automated electronic adjustment of a gripper position and of gripper opening and closing times, are also provided.

Abstract: A printing machine control method according to this invention includes a platemaking step for making a printing plate having, formed thereon, a test pattern with different dot percentages for areas corresponding to ink keys, a first printing step for making prints by using the printing plate; a first density measuring step for measuring and storing, at intervals of time, density of the test pattern on printing paper, a second printing step for making prints after changing opening of the ink keys, a second density measuring step for measuring and storing, at intervals of time, density of the test pattern on printing paper, and a control step for correcting an amount of change in the opening of the ink keys based on the density measured in the first density measuring step and the density measured in the second density measuring step, and correcting an interval between changes in the opening of the ink keys based on a time taken until stabilization of the density measured in the second density measuring step.

Abstract: A method of applying a registered pattern to a continuous web of material involves determining a position of a next pattern such that the next pattern is in registration with a previous pattern, adjusting the position to maintain a transverse location relative to the web, and adjusting a rotation of the pattern so that the pattern is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the web. Registration features of the web and registration features of the next pattern are used to determine longitudinal, transverse, and rotational errors between the registered position of the next pattern and the path of the web. The registered position of the next pattern is adjusted along a transverse axis of the web according to a transverse error to maintain the transverse location. A rotation of the registered position is adjusted according to an angle that is determined using the transverse error and a distance from a registration feature to a center of the pattern along a longitudinal axis of the pattern.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include a method of identifying sheets within a stack of printed sheets for sorting or further evaluation. In one embodiment the method comprises printing non-test production printing job(s) on sheets of media and outputting the printed sheets into a stack of sheets. The method monitors the printing of the non-test production printing jobs and, upon the occurrence of a “predetermined event” during the monitoring, adds a unique marking at an edge region of a printed sheet (of the non-test production printing jobs) being printed to create an identifier sheet from one of the sheets of the non-test production printing jobs. The unique marking is visible from the side of the stack of sheets. The identifier sheet is then output to the stack of sheets with the other sheets of the non-test production print job. During the remainder of the printing of the non-test production print job the method continues the printing of the sheets and the monitoring.

Abstract: Printing methods and systems that provide both a secure value label printing mode of operation and a non-secure mode of operation that allows generic printing of non-value items without compromising the security feature of the secure printing mode are described. If the printing system determines the image is a non-secure image such as an address label or other non-value graphic, the printing system utilizes the non-secure mode and disables the use certain printhead elements. In such a system, the enforced print disabled white bands are enforced in non-secure mode such as by actually disabling the print drive mechanism that allows a row to be printed or by populating certain regions of the print buffer with zero values.

Abstract: A method of configuring a printable item for use with a printer, where the printer has a maximum allowable item thickness and a maximum allowable item thickness variation, and where the thickness of the printable item varies by more than the maximum allowable item thickness variation. The method involves providing a conformable substrate material; placing the printable item in contact with the substrate material, forming a composite item; and treating the composite item such that the final thickness of the composite item is not more than the maximum allowable item thickness and such that the variation in thickness of the composite item is not more than the maximum allowable item thickness variation.