Abstract: A control system for a printing machine and a safety device for scanning and displaying a hazardous area that cannot be looked at on a printing machine and method thereof includes permitting the printing machine to be started up only after an acknowledgement through a control device that the hazardous area displayed has been examined by an operator.

Abstract: A machine for stencil printing includes: a control panel for setting an ink-saving printing mode; a stencil making section including a thermal print head performing an ink-saving stencil making corresponding to the ink-saving printing mode, and a thermal print head driving controller controlling the thermal print head; a printing section including a printing conditions adjustment section configured to adjust printing conditions corresponding to the ink-saving printing mode; and a control section controlling the stencil making section to perform the ink-saving stencil making corresponding to the ink-saving printing mode by the thermal print head and the thermal print head driving controller, and further controlling the printing section to control the printing conditions corresponding to the ink-saving printing mode and performs the printing processing by the printing conditions adjustment section, when the ink-saving printing mode is set up via the control panel.

Abstract: An ink feeding method for a printing machine includes a color density measuring step for measuring color density of prints at intervals of time, a variation coefficient computing step for computing a variation coefficient for varying the ink feeding rate based on the color density of prints and a target color density of prints, a color density gradient computing step for computing, based on the color density of prints, a color density gradient representing a rate of variation in the color density of prints occurring with an increase in the number of prints, an expected color density computing step for computing, based on the color density gradient, an expected color density of prints occurring after a predetermined number of prints are made, a determining step for determining whether the expected color density of prints occurring after the predetermined number of prints are made exceeds the target color density of prints, and a variation coefficient correcting step for correcting the variation coefficient whe

Abstract: A method of operating a sheet-fed printing press having a sheet guide module, removable from the sheet-fed printing press and then inserted back into the sheet-fed printing press again, and a machine control system, includes the steps of monitoring a position of the sheet guide module with respect to its correct operating position with the machine control system, and, based upon results of the position monitoring, the machine control system keeping the sheet-fed printing process in a first operating mode when the sheet guide module is located in the correct operating position, and keeping it in a second operating mode with at least one operating function that is restricted as compared with the first operating mode when the sheet guide module is out of the correct operating position. Also provided is a sheet-fed printing press suitable for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for a flexographic printing press operation. The diagnostic system includes a generic database containing problem solving data and a specialized database containing customized, user-specific operations data. The generic database can be stored centrally, while the specialized database is stored locally. An interactive data entry interface permits an operator to indicate print faults and access the databases. The system generates possible solutions to the print faults based on the information in the databases and the fault indicated by the operator. Once a solution is chosen, the databases are updated to further enhance the knowledge available to the system.

Abstract: A method for controlling a drive (3) of a first subsystem of a printing press (1) which is mechanically decoupled from a second subsystem of the printing press (1). In the method, a motion sequence is determined for the second subsystem in advance, the motion sequence being used as a reference curve for controlling the drive (3) of the first subsystem.

Abstract: In a method of monitoring a printing parameter of a printer, as well as a corresponding printing system, printing data are printed out, before being transmitted to a printer, by means of a further printer. The further printer is coupled to a sensor arrangement and monitored by means of a control unit, for determining desired values by using the printout produced by the further printer. By using this printout, a predetermined criterion is determined for a comparison of the printing parameter.

Abstract: A method (40) and apparatus (30) is described for performing image rendering of high resolution computer generated images using limited memory and constrained rendering architectures. An image is segmented into a plurality of tiles (110). A graphics renderer (17), which is usually used for rendering low resolution images onto a display device (19), is used to render one tile (110) at a time. The rendered tile images are combined to form a band of the image (101) and the image data of the band (101) is transferred to a printer engine (20) for printing. Each band (101) is rendered and transferred to the printer engine (20) until the whole image is printed.

Abstract: A reading time setting section (44) determines a read area for an imaging section (25) on the basis of color chart positional data (id). The imaging section (25) reads an image on printing paper during the reading time and readout image data (rd) is stored in an image data storage section (45). A reference mark detecting section (46) detects the positions of reference marks from the readout image data (rd). A color chart actual position calculation section (47) corrects a tilt of a color chart determined from the positions of the reference marks and calculates an actual position of each of color chart fields (cr). An image data readout section (48) reads out image data on a color chart field corresponding to the calculated actual position. At the same time, image data on a white color field immediately above the color chart field is also read out.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to enable no-margin printing to be achieved without the need to cut off margins, while avoiding a discontinuous output result in which the areas between adjacent print images are missing even if poster printing is carried out. Print data outputted by an input section is stored in an input buffer. One page of print data from the input buffer is inputted to the dividing section. The dividing section divides the one page of print data in accordance with division numbers J and K indicated by an instructing section. The dividing section then outputs the divided print data to a printing section as a plurality of print images. The plurality of print images outputted to the printing section are printed on the respective sheets.

Abstract: A device for supplying radiant energy of a wavelength in the near infrared onto a printing substrate (14) in a planographic printing press, including at least one radiant energy source (10) whose light (12) impinges on the printing substrate (14) on the path (16) of the printing substrate (14) through the printing press at a position (116) downstream of at least one printing nip (18) in a printing unit is described which has the feature that the radiant energy source (10) emits light (12) only in a narrow band, the wavelength of the light being non-resonant to absorption wavelengths of water and preferably being between 700.00 nm and 2500.00 run. Also disclosed is a method for supplying radiant energy. By supplying energy in this frequency range while avoiding absorption resonances of water, an unwanted drying or unnecessary heating of the printing substrate are advantageously reduced while providing energy to the printing ink for its particular drying process.

Abstract: A pearlescent honeycomb material and an apparatus and method for making expandable pearlescent honeycomb structures suitable for use as window coverings. In one embodiment, a pearlescent material is prepared and then folded into tubular strips. These folded tubular strips with adhesive lines applied to them are fed continuously through a cutter which cuts them into predetermined lengths. The cut strips are then accelerated to a stacker for further processing before the next cut strip arrives. In another embodiment, webs of material are fed continuously in a downstream direction, adhesive lines are applied, a middle web is slitted into strips, and the strips bonded along opposite edges to the outer webs. By choosing for the outer webs transparent or porous material, and for the middle web opaque material, a light or air controlling honeycomb structure results.

Abstract: A label making inkjet printer applies print imaging directly to the adhesive side of a media provided in sheet-form and in reel-form. Because inkjet printing is a non-contact printing method, print imaging may be applied to the adhesive side of the media According to one embodiment, a user manually pulls tape-form media through the printer while encoding signals detect linear movement of the media and provide basis for synchronizing operation of an inkjet print head. According to another embodiment, a motorized media transport carries tape-form media on a pair of media transport belts past an inkjet print head. The resulting adhesive label when applied to a contact surface substantially disappears due to its transparent nature leaving visible only print imaging applied thereto and captured between the protective tape media and contact surface therebelow.

Abstract: A method and a device for automatically transmitting data from a pre-press stage (9) to a printing substrate processing machine (8) having at least one print unit (10) and one print form (11) for printing on a printing substrate (1). The method and the device are distinguished in that the data of the pre-press stage (9) to be transmitted to the printing substrate processing machine (8) are applied in an encoded form to the print form (11), and these data are able to be read out by the printing substrate processing machine (8). Also provided is a method and a device for automatically transmitting data from a first printing substrate processing machine (8) having at least one print unit (10) and one print form (11) for printing on a printing substrate (1), to a further printing substrate processing machine, in particular a folding machine.

Abstract: A device for torque compensation in a sheet-processing machine includes a cam-controlled compensating mechanism having an energy storage device for exerting a force, a cam disk, and a cam follower to be thrown onto the cam disk by action of the force from the energy storage device. At least one actuating element locks the cam follower in a rest position. A reversing drum with a torque compensation device is also provided.

Abstract: A designation information list 21 containing designation information is provided in a process designating apparatus 20, and a control mode table 31 which defines the actuation of the process designating apparatus, an information reader 33 which reads the designation information from the process designating apparatus 20, and a process controller 34 which acquires a prescribed control mode from the control mode table 31 to perform a prescribed process control are provided in a process control apparatus 30 so that the process designating apparatus 20 only represents the designation information and the process control apparatus 30 reads this designation information to perform the process control through the prescribed control mode.

Abstract: A control method for controlling a cut-off control apparatus in a printing press comprises a step of detecting an unstable factor such as a revolution number of a cylinder/a tensile value of a web in a printing press, a step for setting a stable factor such as a revolution number/a tensile value in an actual printing operation, and a control step for controlling the cut-off-control apparatus by comparing the detected unstable factor and the previously set stable factor to control a cutting position of a web in the printing press.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lithographic printing method which performs lithographic printing with emulsion ink as it is supplied from an ink fountain which is a reservoir of the emulsion ink to a lithographic printing plate, comprising the steps of: computing amounts of consumption of ink and aqueous components of the emulsion ink on the basis of a percent image area of the lithographic printing plate; and replenishing the ink fountain with at least one member of the group consisting of the ink component, the aqueous component and the emulsion ink in accordance with the computed amounts of consumption of the ink and aqueous components.

Abstract: An optical instrument for determining properties of the imaging and non-imaging areas of offset printing plates is disclosed. A laser light source (30) directs a laser beam (35) at the surface layer (50) of an offset printing plate (60). A specularly reflected beam (45) is detected by a light detector (40). Additionally. scattered light (55) is detected by a light detector (50). The detectors (40, 50) produce light intensity signals for the reflected and scattered light, respectively. A data processor (70) processes the intensity signals to determine various properties relating to the dampening solution and ink present on the non-imaging and imaging areas of the printing plate, respectively. These properties include the thickness of dampening solution in non-imaging areas, the image density in imaging areas of a moving printing plate, and the occurrence of scumming in non-imaging areas of a printing plate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining the optimal adjustment of imaging systems used to prepare lithographic printing surfaces for a printing press are described. A series of test patterns are imaged while varying a particular imaging parameter. This is followed, if necessary, by processing the plate in processing line. The plate is then returned to the digital imaging system where the reflectivity of the imaged test patterns is measured using a radiation source and detector, to determine the optimal setting for the parameter.

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: 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 carrying device of the present invention is provided with a carrying mechanism for carrying a medium according to a target carry amount. Here, the carrying device: stores first correction information for correcting the target carry amount according to the target carry amount; receives information on the target carry amount from an outside section; corrects the target carry amount based on the first correction information and second correction information that is stored in the outside section and that is for correcting the target carry amount according to the target carry amount; and carries the medium with the carrying mechanism based on a corrected target carry amount.

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: A print system receives an image file and a print order file from a customer, the image file having an image data area and an order data area. The print system copies information of the received print order file into the order data area of the received image file. The print system produces a print of the image data in the image file according to the information in the order data area of the image file. The print system has a printer capable of producing a print of a predetermined image data provided by a third party as well as that of the image data of the customer. The print system delivers to the customer the print ordered by the customer as well as the print of the predetermined image data. The print system selects a group of orders among all the orders in accordance with the destination of delivery for controlling the printer to give priority to the group of orders in producing the prints.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for eye marks in image processing are provided. A method includes providing an eye mark having at least two sections arranged along a longitudinal axis, wherein each section includes a border common to both sections and a unique characteristic relative to other sections. The method also includes encoding instructions in the eye mark based upon the combination of the at least two sections.

Abstract: Recognizing a print substrate in the vicinity of a sensor within a printing machine, whereby a change in the capacitance of the system formed by the sensor and a surface of an area in which a print substrate should be recognized, is recognized by the sensor. In this way, print substrates can already be identified on the basis of a dielectric constant that is different from that of air.

Abstract: The conventional print-controlling apparatus performs printing with CMY inks and additional inks having a lower lightness than CMY inks, which are mixed in a specific ratio when ejected from the print head, so that colors in the entire range from low to high lightness are expressed. Unfortunately, chromatic color inks differing in hue from CMY inks have a low lightness or a high density, and this leads to poor granularity in the region of high lightness. This disadvantage is eliminated if color conversion is accomplished by using the granularity improvement LUT 15c that limits the deposition of RV inks. In this way it is possible to limit the ejection of RV inks in the region of high lightness and to improve the ink granularity in the region of high lightness.

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: A method of measuring a down-web coordinate is provided. A time-interval, elapsed since a detection of a position-indicating mark applied on a web, is related to a measured velocity. Upon detection of a position-indicating mark, the measured down-web coordinate is synchronised with the indicated down-web coordinate of said mark. The down-web coordinate can be measured in an ascending or a descending mode, depending on a detected roll-orientation information originated from said mark on said web. A selected lane pattern used for registration of the cross web position can be reversed automatically, depending on said roll-orientation information, originated from said mark on said web. A measured down-web starting position of a quality problem area on the web is marked by an ISO-hole.

Abstract: A printing system includes an ink-amount control unit for controlling the amount of ink to be supplied to a printing press based upon an image area rate contained in a pre-press data, and at least one ink-amount calculation unit for calculating the image area rate. The ink-amount control unit is connected to the at least one ink-amount calculation unit on a network.

Abstract: A plate handling method and apparatus for a printing press that includes printing units, each having a plate cylinder, a main unit motor for driving the plate cylinders, and electromagnetic clutches disposed between the main unit motor and the printing units for transmitting and cutting off a drive force from the main unit motor to the printing units, and is adapted to rotate the plate cylinders upon the drive by the main unit motor and change plates. The electromagnetic clutch of the printing unit is disengaged, when an abnormality in changing of the plate was detected by any of sensors provided in each printing unit for detecting an abnormality in plate changing, to cut off the drive by the main unit motor, but continue plate changing in the other printing units by the drive force from the main unit motor.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a quantity of ink supplied to a printing material by a printing machine includes adjusting the quantity of ink as a function of the printing speed and, upon the occurrence of a change in the printing speed, making a change in the quantity of ink as a function of area coverage to be printed; and an adjusting device for performing the method.

Abstract: A printer 100 sends status information, ID information and the like to a network device 200 before entering an energy conservation mode in which it is unable to communicate with external devices, so that the network device 200 will respond to a status information request on its behalf. Where a PC 300 requests status information from the printer 100, the network device 200 in which substitute response setting was put in effect responds with the printer 100 status information on behalf of the printer 100. By receiving the status response from the network device 200, the PC 300 can verify that the printer is connected to the network 400. The PC 300 can also send a release order that releases the printer 100 from the energy conservation state so that it can initiate printing.

Abstract: A method and device for suppressing vibrations in a printing press includes placing, on at least one element of the press, a mass that vibrates freely with one degree of freedom, determining the rotational speed of the press and feeding the speed to a control device, and, in the control device, utilizing the rotational speed, determining an actuating variable and feeding the actuating variable to at least one actuator, at least one vibration parameter of the mass being changed in accordance with the rotational speed by the actuator.

Abstract: A system for exposing offset printing media with image data, which have been scaled to compensate for web growth, comprises an imaging engine for exposing the offset printing media in response to scaled image data and a print drive system that receives plate-level image data and generates the scaled image data to the imaging engine in response to web growth information. This system is distinguished from other systems that scale the source images, typically prior to halftoning. Instead, the scaling is performed to the plate-level image data, before it is feed to the imaging engine.

Abstract: When a color-difference exceeds an established color tolerance, spectral reflectance values of a test area are converted to colorimetric densities and compared with target colorimetric density values for the corresponding test area from which a colorimetric density difference is established. The colorimetric density difference is utilized to determine an ink correction value.

Abstract: A color density measuring step is executed for measuring color densities of unprinted areas on prints. Then, a determining step is executed for determining from the color densities of the unprinted areas on the prints whether ink tinting has occurred. When the determining step determines that ink tinting has occurred, a dampening water adjusting step is executed for adjusting a dampening water feeding rate after feeding dampening water in an increased rate once. A variation in the ink feeding rate is prohibited for a predetermined waiting time after feeding dampening water in the increased rate once in the dampening water adjusting step.

Abstract: A sheet-fed printing press includes a printing section for printing on sheets of paper, a sheet discharge section for discharging sheets of paper printed at the printing section from the printing section, a see-through part provided on the upper side of the sheet discharge section so that the inside of the sheet discharge section can be visually observed therethrough, and a color check table, on which a printed sheet of paper picked up from the sheet discharge section is placed for color checking thereof The color check table is located so as to at least partially cover the see-through part from above. The color check table is designed to be movable in a sheet transfer direction so that an area of the see-through part exposed to the outside on the downstream side of the color check table is increased as the color check table is moved towards an upstream side of the sheet transfer direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing information, such as postal indicia and other information, on a medium. The system is implemented by detecting a type of medium and entering a printing mode as a function of the type of medium detected. The printing mode is either an envelope printing mode or a tape/label printing mode. When in the envelope printing mode, a print module is positioned at a first position, and prints postal indicia data on a first area of the envelope. The print module is then positioned at a second position. Additional data is obtained and the additional data is printed on a second area of the envelope. The print module is then positioned at a third position and recipient address data is obtained and printed on a third area of the envelope. The print module is positioned at a fourth position, and sender address information is obtained and printed on a fourth area of the envelope.

Abstract: A method of printing with a rotary printing press having a plurality of printing cylinders that are adapted to be adjusted on and off from a running web, with a length of a printed image being larger than a peripheral length of the largest one of the printing cylinders, the method including the steps of subdividing the printed image into elements, printing these elements with different printing cylinders, and periodically shifting at least one of the printing cylinders off from the web, each time for at least a duration of one turn of the printing cylinder.

Abstract: By inclusion of a register target within a colorpatch, a colorbar is used for controlling color register as well as controlling color density on a printing press.

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 printing apparatus has a manual control mode. The manual control mode has a proportion indication, a proportion adjustment key, a selected range adjustment key, and region selection keys. In the manual control mode, an operator selectively touches the region selection keys to select a region in which an ink key opening is to be changed. Next, the operator touches the selected range adjustment key to change the ink key opening of the selected region. The ink key opening is increased or decreased by the percentage indicated at the proportion indication the number of times the selected range adjustment key is touched. The settings made in the manual control mode are stored in a storage section, and are used to control the amount of ink supply during automatic control. Thus, the printing apparatus having the function of automatically controlling the printed density can make partial tone changes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reproducing image data from a press output on another device. The present invention mimics color, resolution and frequency of dots used by varying the color saturation (amplitude) of the dots used to mimic the defining characteristics of the source output. By allowing adjustments in both frequency and amplitude to vary from the original output device, it becomes possible to match the resolution and color of the source device.

Abstract: A control system for a printing press which integrates a color control subsystem and a defect detection subsystem.

Abstract: An ink feeding rate control method for a printing machine includes a step of determining, from image data used in recording images, an average of image area ratios of images in areas on prints corresponding to ink keys, a step of determining, from the image data, an average of image area ratios of images in positions aligned in a printing direction with the detecting patches (i.e. rectangular areas having substantially the same width as the detecting patches and extending in the printing direction) printed in the areas on the prints corresponding to the ink keys, and a step of correcting the reference information based on the average of image area ratios of the images in the areas on the prints corresponding to the ink keys, and the average of image area ratios of the images in the positions aligned in the printing direction with the detecting patches printed on the prints.

Abstract: The invention relates to a quality control device (06), comprising a suction box (07), at least one gripper (22) displaced along a suction surface (19) of the suction box and used to draw the sheet (21) across the suction box, and a CCD camera (08).

Abstract: A reading time setting section (44) determines a read area for an imaging section (25) on the basis of color chart positional data (id). The imaging section (25) reads an image on printing paper during the reading time and readout image data (rd) is stored in an image data storage section (45). A reference mark detecting section (46) detects the positions of reference marks from the readout image data (rd). A color chart actual position calculation section (47) corrects a tilt of a color chart determined from the positions of the reference marks and calculates an actual position of each of color chart fields (cr). An image data readout section (48) reads out image data on a color chart field corresponding to the calculated actual position. At the same time, image data on a white color field immediately above the color chart field is also read out.

Abstract: A stencil printer of the present invention includes a print drum around which perforated part of a stencil or master is to be wrapped. A master making section make a master and includes a cutter for cutting the stencil paid out from a roll. A master discharging section removes the master wrapped around the print drum and then discharges it. A deciding device determines, on the turn-on of a power supply, whether or not the power supply has been turned off during an interval between the time when the stencil paid out from the roll starts being perforated and the time when the cutter cuts the stencil. When the deciding device determines that the power supply has been turned off during the above interval, the master discharging section discharges the master present on the print drum.