Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for use in three-dimensional printing are shown and described. Various embodiments of the invention allow for more precise and controlled delivery of heat to achieve interlayer drying; isolation of the working region from the outside for reasons of cleanliness and in connection with the vapors of organic solvents; better control of the temperature of the working region; better accuracy in the flowrates of binder fluid dispensed; matching of delivered flowrates for multiple dispensers; verification of delivered flowrate or drops; provision for easier changeover of the machine from one powder to another; cleanability; and other needs.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling impurity levels in an enclosed printing press environment are disclosed. A disclosed system controls impurity levels by using variable speed fans to control the intake of air into the enclosed environment and the exhausting of air from the enclosed environment. The exhaust fan is used to control the impurity levels within the enclosed environment. Adjustments to the speed of the exhaust fan are based on sensors which measure impurity levels in the enclosed environment. The intake fan is used to maintain a constant static pressure level within the enclosed environment. Adjustments to the intake fan speed are based on static pressure sensors within the enclosed environment.

Abstract: Densities of detecting patches also called control scales printed on prints in a first print job are used to control the feed rate of dampening water in a second print job following the first print job. Specifically, densities of detecting patches on the prints obtained from the first print job are measured, and a feed rate of dampening water is calculated from the densities of the detecting patches. A base feed rate of dampening water is calculated based on the feed rate calculated and a humidity and temperature occurring when the first print job is performed. A proper feed rate of dampening water is calculated based on the base feed rate and a humidity and temperature occurring when the second print job is performed.

Abstract: There is provided a method for restraining deformation of a nip roll, in which polygonal deformation of nip rolls that are in contact with each other is restrained, so that vibration produced by the deformation is decreased. The diameter ratio between the first and second nip rolls 1 and 2 is set at a value different from 1, by which both of the numbers of polygon sides of the rolls 1 and 2 are prevented from becoming integers or values close to integers. Thereby, polygonal deformation of nip rolls that are in contact with each other, so that vibration produced by the deformation is decreased.

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

Abstract: A method and a device for controlling drive units in a printing machine are disclosed. During continuous production, and in anticipation of a foreseeable disruption, one or more measuring values that are suitable for characterizing the disruption, are determined. The measuring values are used to estimate the expected variations caused by the disruptions in the variables affecting the printing process. The variables are preregulated or precontrolled directly before the start of the disruption or during the disruption.

Abstract: Tension of a web in a rotary printing press is regulated. The web passes through at least two printing groups in the printing press. A change in the extension of the web during the print run is determined based on a phase shift between a first phase position of a printing group and a second phase positioned measured after a last printing group. The change in phase position is compensated for by a change in the web tension prior to the first printing group.

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

Abstract: Controlling a sensor mechanism for a printing machine, in which the sensor mechanism in a printing machine detects, in an initial operational mode, at least one mark and the detection of the mark initiates a second operational mode in which the optical density and the color of the mark are detected by the sensor mechanism.

Abstract: Spot colors are reproduced with a combination of the primary printing inks cyan, magenta, yellow, black and at least one secondary printing ink red, green, blue. A first test form is printed with the primary printing inks and measured calorimetrically. Further test forms, in which one of the colored primary printing inks is replaced by a substantially complementary secondary printing ink, are printed and measured calorimetrically. An International Color Consortium (ICC) color profile is calculated from the measured data of each test form. For each spot color to be reproduced, the proportions of printing inks of the ICC color profile achieving the lowest deviation between the spot color and the reproduced color are determined. The printing ink combination belonging to that ICC profile is selected for the reproduction of the spot color. It is possible to reproduce as many spot colors as desired with four primary printing inks and a maximum of three secondary printing inks.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing UV exposure to edges of a printing plate which occurs when the printing plate is subjected to UV illumination. The method involves a spray head comprising one or more spray nozzles for spraying edge masking material toward the printing plate and a controller connected to control relative movement between the spray head and the printing plate. The method comprises receiving, at the controller, information related to the locations of the edges of the printing plate. In response to the information received at the controller, the controller provides controlled relative movement between the spray head and the printing plate causes the spray nozzles to spray edge masking material onto the edges of the printing plate. The method may be performed by a variety of apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is described wherein a printing press is profiled during production press runs and wherein ink color is controlled.

Abstract: A method for issuing a label, including feeding a first label sheet including a support and a thermosensitive adhesive layer located overlying one side of the support, wherein the first label sheet has a timing mark on the thermosensitive adhesive layer; detecting the timing mark; and cutting or semi-cutting the first label sheet to produce a second label sheet, wherein the timing mark is present at a position other than corners of the second label sheet, and wherein a ratio of an area of the timing mark to an area of the second label sheet is from 0.5 to 35%.

Abstract: A method of coordinating the utilization of a color control system and a defect detection system on a printing press includes acquiring image data and processing the data by a comparison to template image data and the generation of color error data and print defect data. The method further includes the steps of selectively enabling and disabling the color control system and selectively enabling and disabling the defect detection system based upon the color error data and the print defect data.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for printing on material in web form print images are successively applied to the web by a transfer cylinder. The web is continuously drawn into the printing station and the speed at which the web is moved in the printing station during a printing operation is greater than the speed at which it is drawn into the printing station. After the printing operation the web is positioned in the printing station for the following printing operation relative to the transfer cylinder which is not in contact with the web during a part of a revolution of 360°, and at the same time the path of the web is altered in accordance with the change in the speed thereof. The web is driven by the impression cylinder which is associated with the transfer cylinder and around the peripheral surface of which the web partially passes. Positioning of the web for the respectively following printing operation is implemented by a change in the rotary movement of the impression cylinder.

Abstract: A process is provided for measuring the inking in web printing, wherein a measuring head or a plurality of measuring heads performs/perform an integrating measurement of the light remitted from a printed web of material in the direction of run of the web of material. A device is also provided for measuring the inking in web printing. The device includes at least one sensor element for receiving light, which is remitted by a running, printed web of material, an adding or integrating device, which is connected to a sensor element, of which there is at least one, in order to determine the intensity of the light received and a control, which presets the duration of reception of light and/or the duration of the addition or integration by means of the adding or integrating means for an adding or integrating intensity measurement of the remitted light in the direction of run of the web.

Abstract: The plate-making printing press is constructed by installing a plate-making apparatus in a printing press that supplies ink and dampening water to a printing plate and performs printing on a medium. In order to realize a high-precision plate-making operation, the printing press is equipped with a target disposed on the printing cylinder and a sensor for detecting the target and provided on the writing device, and the zero point of the encoder is corrected. Furthermore, at the time of plate-making, the adjustment mechanism is operated so that the printing cylinder is returned to the position of the point of origin.

Abstract: A plate-recording and printing system is provided with a printing plate recording device for recording an image on a printing plate based upon binary image data formed in an image data processing device, a printing press for carrying out a printing operation by using the printing plate, an image pickup device for picking up an image of a printed object and a profile forming device for forming profile data of the printing press from picked up image data. A printing operation is carried out under reference conditions by using predetermined ink and sheet of printing paper. An image of a color chart on the printed object is picked up by the image pickup. Print color of the color chart is determined in the Lab color system based upon image data. Printing press profile data is generated as a function of print color and predetermined reference color of the color chart. This profile data is stored in association with kinds of ink and sheets of printing paper used in the printing press.

Abstract: Color densities of patches included in a control strip are measured to perform printing control based on the color densities. The patches are arranged in the same direction as the arrangement of ink keys of a printing device. The patches include four typical patches of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow at area rates of 60 to 85% in the width of each ink key. The printing control is the control for keeping the color densities of the four typical patches of the width of each ink key in predetermined color-density ranges.

Abstract: In a drying apparatus equipped with a light source to dry a drying matter of a print by irradiating light of the light source to the print, a correlation between information relating to the time for which the light source is lit and information relating to the amount of light of the light source is preset. Then, the information relating to the elapsed time for which the light source is lit during the light source is lit is detected so that light of the light source is controlled to a constant amount, regardless of the elapsed time for which the light source is lit, based on information relating to a reference amount of light, which information is obtained from the preset correlation between the information relating to the time for which the light source is lit and the information relating to the amount of light with reference to the information relating to the elapsed time at the time of the detection.

Abstract: An ink feeding rate control method includes a reference print preparing step for making a printing plate by recording an image thereon based on first image data for recording a reference chart, and obtaining a reference print, a reference print colorimetric step for obtaining color data by reading the reference print, a conversion table preparing step for preparing a conversion table from the first image data and the color data of the reference print, a reference color data converting step for converting second image data for recording an image into reference color data by using the conversion table, a print preparing step for making a printing plate by using the second image data, and printing a print, a print colorimetric step for obtaining print color data by reading the print, and an ink feeding rate adjusting step for comparing the reference color data and the print color data, and adjusting ink feeding rates.

Abstract: A method for deriving and implementing one or more motion profiles is provided. In the method, at least one time constraint between a first motor controlled system in an automated device and a second motor controlled system in the automated device are identified. Known parameters of the first motor controlled system and the second motor controlled system are identified and supplied. A first motion profile for the first motor controlled system is created. A second motion profile for the second motor controlled system is created. The identified at least one time constraint is applied to the first and second motion profiles to constrain the first and second motion profiles to one another. The first and second motion profiles are solved to complete a solution having solution information to prepare for use by said first and second motor controlled systems. The solution information is post-processed for use by the first and second motor controlled systems.

Abstract: A plate changing method and an apparatus for rotating all plate cylinders of a plurality of printing units by a drive device, and performing plate changing by plate changing unit provided in correspondence with the plate cylinders has an abnormality detection step of detecting presence or absence of a plate changing abnormality by detectors provided in correspondence with the plate cylinders, a step of stopping the drive device when the plate changing abnormality is detected in the abnormality detection step, a return step of controlling at least one of the drive device and the plate changing unit of a normal unit, other than an error unit in which the plate changing abnormality has been detected, in accordance with the status of progress of plate changing in the normal unit after the stop step, and an error elimination step of eliminating the plate changing abnormality in the error unit after the stop step.

Abstract: In order to create preconditions, in a web-fed rotary press, for good format variability of the printed products and economic utilization of the printing material, at least two printed pages of different heights are arranged in the circumferential direction on a form cylinder.

Abstract: A representative point determining method for determining representative points to be compared when adjusting color tones of a print made by a printing machine, by comparing image data serving as a reference and image data obtained by reading an image on the print. The method includes a representative point setting step executed by an operator for setting a representative point to at least one of a plurality of areas corresponding to ink keys of the printing machine, and a representative point determining step for determining representative points for other areas corresponding to the ink keys based on the representative point set by the operator and by using setting conditions for setting representative points to the other areas.

Abstract: For manufacturing security documents, a plurality of security documents are printed on a sheet. The sheets are being processed in batches (15a, 15b). Each sheet carries a unique, machine readable identifier. During manufacturing, the batches are processed by several printing stations (10). At each printing station, the identifiers are read by a local computer (13) attributed to the printing station. The results are transferred upon request in data packets to a central data base (16). Each data packet contains the information for several sheets, which obviates the need to transfer the corresponding data in real time over the network. To increase security and decrease network dependence, each local computer is equipped with apparatus to check the processing status of a batch autonomously.

Abstract: An improved method of and an improved apparatus for detecting and correcting unsatisfactory patterns of adhesive is applied to a running web of paper or the like in a tobacco processing machine by a cyclically operated paster. A linear scanning camera is employed to take pictures of groups of at least some of the patterns which are applied during successive cycles of the paster, and such pictures are displayed and compared with a reference image of satisfactory patterns and preferably also with additional reference images. The results of comparison are relied upon for the making of corrections, for example, by changing the operation of the paster and/or by changing the direction of advancement of the web between the paster and the camera.

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: It is an object of the invention to provide a method for forming printing inspection data in which the use of a mask plate makes it possible to simply and efficiently form the inspecting data. In a method for forming printing inspection data for obtaining mask opening data from an image got by picking-up the image of a mask plate to form the inspecting data, when an image pick-up visual field 20a is sequentially moved to visual field positions having a grid-shaped arrangement to obtain a plurality of images, if incomplete opening parts 16b (X) and (Y) in which parts of the opening parts protrude are detected, ranges BX2 and BY2 which are excluded from an object of data in this image are determined based on these sizes BY1 and BY2. When the image pick-up visual field is moved to an adjacent visual field position, the image pick-up visual field is overlapped on the adjacent image pick-up visual field by BX2, BY2 to include these opening parts in the adjacent image pick-up visual field.

Abstract: A novel damping control method permits improved reliability and higher accuracy when registering scumming during printing with an offset press. Signals are obtained by at least one sensor aimed at a revolving printing form cylinder. The signals are processed in a control device, actuating signals for a dampening solution metering device are produced, and the dampening solution is metered in accordance with the actuating signals by a dampening solution applicator roll in rolling contact with the surface of the printing form. The sensor provides a signal which reproduces an actual value of a width of an ink stripe that is induced by the process and located in the circumferential direction of the printing form cylinder. The stripe is formed in the printing image-free region of the printing form immediately after the trailing edge of the channel accommodating the edges of the printing form.

Abstract: A method for register correction in machines for processing webs of material includes providing at least one transport shaft and at least one processing shaft cooperating with the at least one transport shaft, driving the shafts synchronously with one another each by an individual drive mechanism, obeying by at least one shaft a chronological guide shaft function which corresponds to an instantaneous position of a guide shaft, correcting a plurality of register-tracking shafts formed by the transport shafts in accordance with a scan of register marks or the web of material relative to the guide shaft function, effecting only one common scanning for one group of the register-tracking shafts which correspond to one another in term of the register correction, and deriving from the only one common scanning a common correction function that all of the register-tracking shafts of the group obey.

Abstract: A method for automatically exchanging a printing plate (500) in a print unit of a rotary press having a blanket cylinder (250) and a plate cylinder (260) carrying the printing plate includes disengaging the plate cylinder from the blanket cylinder; reducing the speed of the plate cylinder (v_P) to a rendezvous speed (v_R) which is greater than 0; automatically clamping the printing plate onto the plate cylinder at the rendezvous speed (v_R); and increasing the speed of the plate cylinder (v_P) to a printing speed (v_DG).

Abstract: A mechanism is used for mounting a dressing on a cylinder of a printing press. The mechanism is fitted with at least one stop which is effective in an axial direction of the cylinder. The stop allows the cylinder dressing to be arranged on the cylinder with pressure in the axial direction. The stop is situated outside of the cylinder.

Abstract: A processing system according to the present invention includes a printer that receives unprocessed marker tubing stock (i.e., multiple rows of uncut and unprinted tubing mounted on a carrier) for simultaneous printing of the marker tubing and the carrier with a single print head. A cutting device is configured to sever the marker tubing rows into sections, regardless of the width of the tubing and regardless of whether there are two rows or four rows of tubing. Since the tubing has its longitudinal axes aligned with a longitudinal axis of the carrier, activation of the cutting device can be controlled to sever sections of marker tubing in varying customized widths. In the same cutting stroke, the carrier can be scored or perforated (“perfed”). A rewinder or the like then takes up the severed and perfed stock.

Abstract: When a single print job is divided into a plurality of distributed jobs and the distributed jobs are printed using a plurality of printers, whether any of the plurality of printers is abnormal is detected. If at least one of the printers is abnormal, at least part of the distributed job that was to be printed by the abnormal printer is assigned to another printer by control that facilitates the collection and sorting of the printouts produced by the printers.

Abstract: A print screen tonal control and compensation system and method are provided in which a compensated density curve is utilized to increase press predictability, performance, resources consumption, color variation, and quality. A computerized test pattern is generated, and by applying computer to plate technology, a printed press produces a printed test pattern. The test pattern is subsequently analyzed to identify the plugging point of the production run, and a compensated density curve is created to eliminate plugging within the production pattern. The density curve is then used to generate a compensated printing plate for use in a production press run.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming system which is capable of performing image formation operations in an order identical or close to the order of reception of inputted print jobs even when some printers cannot output print jobs due to maintenance to thereby raise the operational efficiency. Scheduling is carried out to assign an inputted plurality of jobs to a plurality of image forming apparatuses. Respective maintenance times of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are monitored. When the result of monitoring is that the maintenance time of an image forming apparatus has been reached, scheduling is carried out to reassign unprocessed jobs out of the assigned jobs to image forming apparatuses other than the image forming apparatus for which the maintenance time has been reached. A CPU causes the other image forming apparatuses to perform image formation based on the reassigned unprocessed jobs.

Abstract: A plate-making system, in which a light-sensitive lithographic printing plate carrying an interleaf paper superimposed thereon and/or an original plate for making a dummy plate carrying an interleaf paper superimposed thereon are processed in a plate-setter provided with an automatic interleaf paper-removing mechanism and an automatic developing machine, is characterized in that it comprises a means for detecting the presence of any interleaf paper on the lithographic printing plate and/or the original plate or a means for discriminating the interleaf paper, the light-sensitive lithographic printing plate and the original plate.

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

Abstract: In an ink supply amount control method for a printing press, ink is supplied from the gap between a plurality of ink fountain keys and an ink fountain roller to an ink supply path in accordance with rotation of the ink fountain roller. The swing operation of an ink ductor roller is temporarily stopped. When the swing operation should intermittently be stopped, the operation of the ink fountain key or the ink fountain roller is controlled to control the ink supply amount to the ink ductor roller. Ink in a corrected amount is supplied to a printing plate attached to a plate cylinder through the ink supply path by the swing operation of the ink ductor roller. An ink supply amount control apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A screen printing apparatus prints cream solder through a pattern hole of a mask plate, to which a substrate is brought into contact, by sliding a squeegee head. A three dimensional detector, such as a laser, is used to determine the extent to which the pattern hole is filled with the cream solder. Based on the determination result, the printing operation is modified, with respect to the positioning of the mask plate and substrate, to maintain the printing quality.

Abstract: A printer generates a public key with a passphrase containing at least printer position information, and holds the public key in a public key storage. When transmission of a public key is requested by a print client, the printer reads the public key from the public key storage and transmits the public key. The print clients transmits print transmitting data generated by encrypting print data with the previously acquired public key. The printer which has received the print transmitting data generates a private key with a passphrase containing at least printer position information. The printer decrypts the received print transmitting data with the private key.

Abstract: Faulty useful units printed on a sheet of useful units are separated from the acceptable useful units. A first cutting device cuts the sheet into a plurality of longitudinal strips, each of which contains several of the useful units. A quality control device detects the faulty useful units prior to a second cutting device that cuts the strips into individual units. A filtering unit is placed between the two cutting units and filters out strips with one or more faulty units. Strips with no faulty units replace the filtered out faulty unit strips. This simplifies further processing of the strips.

Abstract: In a web-fed rotary printing machine having a plurality of cylinders rolling on one another, each cylinder is driven by a respective drive motor, and a control device synchronizes the motors to run at the same speed. The control device has stored therein a control program which can be activated in the event of a web break. The control program has an emergency stop ramp which brakes the motors to a standstill by jerked stop, preferably within five revolutions, the program driving the motors along the stop ramp in the event of a web break.

Abstract: A machine for stencil printing includes: a control panel for setting stencil making conditions and printing conditions; a stencil making section making a stencil sheet based on the stencil making conditions; a stencil winding section wrapping the perforated stencil sheet around a printing drum, the printing drum comprising a storage section; a printing section including a printing conditions adjustment section, the printing conditions adjustment section adjusting the printing section based on the printing conditions; and a control section storing the stencil making conditions of the stencil sheet and the printing conditions into the storage section at the time when the perforated stencil sheet is wrapped around the printing drum, the control section adjusting the printing condition adjustment section to print based on the stencil making conditions and the printing conditions in response to a direction of start of the printing processing.

Abstract: A method is known of compensating for misregistration during operation of a printing press, in particular a sheet-fed offset printing press, in which misregistration occurring in the individual printing units are countered by register corrections. In order to provide a simple method to reduce misregisters after a pause in printing and in particular after washing of the rubber blanket cylinder, the pattern of the misregistration (PD) after a pause in printing is determined in a calibration phase over a sufficient number of sheets, data as a function of the pattern of the misregistration is stored in a memory unit (15) so that register correction values (Ki) may be determined and the register correction values are applied to the printing press upon restart after the pause in printing in order to compensate for the misregistration.

Abstract: There are disclosed methods and systems for the process of on-press plate imaging, including automatic processes for plate preparation, that compensate for registration and print-length errors (plate loading is performed before imaging). As a result of these processes, the position accuracy is determined by the imaging system. The system of the present invention creates deformed images on the plates during the imaging stage, these deformed images, being such that the separations will be in register (coordinated) after printing.

Abstract: A device for cooling a material web in a web-fed rotary printing machine, includes a heating device for producing waste heat for evaporative cooling of a cooling medium, and a cooling configuration through which the cooling medium is directable for web cooling. A first quantity of the cooling medium is evaporated and a second quantity is cooled by removal of heat of evaporation. A vapor generator produces vapor at least partly by the waste heat from the heating device. At least one vapor-jet vacuum nozzle is operatable by the vapor for producing a negative pressure. The cooling medium is to be subjected to negative pressure in a negative-pressure chamber for at least partial evaporation and for cooling. A dryer including the cooling device, a printing machine including the cooling device or the dryer and a cooling method are also provided.

Abstract: A positioning device for functional devices of printing presses, having at least one guide unit and one drive for moving and positioning the functional device for throwing-on/throwing-off movements with regard to impression cylinders. Weight compensation means are provided for the vertical displacement, so that the drive can be at least partially relieved of the weight of the functional device.

Abstract: A printing apparatus can be easily initialized, and can easily know an error correcting method. Upon first power-up, a storage unit stores in the apparatus the initialization item data indicating the items to be initialized, and prints out the stored initialization item data. Since the contents to be initialized are printed out, the operation can be performed according to the contents without reading impossible instruction manual, thereby improving the initializing operation efficiency. Additionally, the storage unit stores the error correcting operation data indicating the operating method for correcting an error when the error occurs in the apparatus, and prints out the stored error correcting operation data. Since the error correcting operation method is printed out, an occurring error can be easily corrected by referring to the output method.