Abstract: In a method for regulating a web tension and/or a register of a processing machine used to process a material web (101), in particular a shaftless printing press (100), the material web (101) is processed in at least one processing unit (111-114, 121-124, 131-134); the elasticity module of the material of the material web (101) is changed by moisture entering the material, and/or by moisture leaving the material, a quantity that represents the addition of moisture to the material and/or the loss of moisture from the material being taken into account in the regulation.

Abstract: A method and software for a consumer end user to print one or more, but generally less than all, labels of a label assembly without the need to run the label assembly though a printer multiple times. A boundary corresponding to the label is printed on a separate paper sheet to allow the label to be positioned for printing. The paper sheet with the label adhered within the boundary is run through a printer to print on the label. The printed label is removed from the paper sheet to applying to the intended object to be labeled. Software can be implemented on a data processor for printing the boundary and/or coordinating the label printing with the printed boundary.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing printing plates (8) having leading and trailing edges located in a lock-up slot in a plate cylinder (2) of a rotary printing press, from said plate cylinder (2) is disclosed. The apparatus comprises means for extracting the trailing edge from a lock-up slot which is also operable to partially extract the leading edge from a lock up slot. The apparatus further includes an extraction member for engaging, as the printing cylinder rotates, a portion of the leading edge (8a) of the printing plate protruding from the lock up slot (9) following its partial extraction, to complete the removal of the printing plates from the printing cylinder and leave the removed plates, hanging by their leading edge (8a), on the extraction member. A method of loading printing plates onto a plate cylinder (2) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A medium conveying apparatus includes: a conveying mechanism that conveys a recording medium that extends long continuously in one direction, a conveying direction of the recording medium being the same as the one direction; a detecting unit that detects a detection subject mark formed on the recording medium; and a moving mechanism that moves the detecting unit in a direction that crosses the conveying direction, and a plurality of detection subject marks are formed on the recording medium in such a manner that they are arranged in the direction in which the recording medium extends long continuously and that a mark width in the direction that crosses the conveying direction changes as the position goes along the conveying direction.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a mandrel (108) operation in an imaging device (100) includes installing the mandrel into the imaging device; securing the mandrel between a head stock (144) and a tail stock (104); attaching a first encoder (212) to the head stock and a second encoder (208) to the tail stock; rotating the mandrel; reading signals from first encoder; reading signals from second encoder; comparing the first results and the second results; and if the first results do not match with the second results stopping the imaging device.

Abstract: A method for registering color measured values on printing materials with a color sensor includes registering the color measured values on the printing materials at different angles of observation of the color sensor. The angular dependence of the color measured values registered on the printing materials at different angles of observation is corrected in a computer.

Abstract: A device for measuring and setting the web tension on a printing press with several inking units (Dn) has measuring means (Mm,n) for measuring the web tension and setting means (Fn) for setting the web tension, using which the web tension can be set actively in the case of unsteady web tension conditions. The measuring means (Mm,n) and the 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 setting means based on the measured values of the measuring means (Mm,n).

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a print media input holder; a print region; at least one media transport element for moving sheets of recording medium from the print media input holder to the print region; a scan element disposed along a printing path; and a print media output holder; and a controller including: a selectable media sort mode that includes: using the scan element to determine whether a sheet of recording medium has marks on a first side of the sheet; and moving the sheet of recording medium to a first location or a second location depending on whether the first side of the sheet is determined to have marks on it; and a selectable printing mode that does not include determining whether the sheet of recording medium has marks on it.

Abstract: A printing press includes at least one exchangeable cylinder (10, 12) that is rotatably supported in a machine frame, a movable bearing member (18) forming part of a bearing (44) for the exchangeable cylinder (12), and a sensor head (26, 28, 30) that is capable of receiving signals from a signalling device (22, 24, 32) that is mounted on one of the cylinders (10, 12) of the printing press, and the sensor head (26, 28, 30) is mounted on the movable bearing member (18) and is arranged to receive the signals from a signalling device (22, 24, 32) at least when the bearing member (18) is in a predetermined position.

Abstract: A method for registering at least two colors for a machine for printing plate elements equipped with at least two printing units: printing marks of different colors in spaced pairs on edges of the plate elements; detecting position errors between different marks of possibly the same color and comparing the position with respective theoretical relative positions; adjusting operation of the printing units to have both marks of a color overlie.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of printing panel material (2) with a printed image, whereby the panel material (2) is moved from a feeding station (5) into a printing station (3), in which an image is applied and out of which it is fed onwards in the transport direction (4) by means of a conveyor system (18). The panel materials (2) to be printed are disposed immediately one after the other in rows (36-38) in the transport direction (4) at least in an inlet region (32) to the printing station (3) and are fed jointly through the printing station (3) during the printing operation, and the printed image is applied by means of an inkjet printing device (13).

Abstract: A printer has a mask sheet 25, a movable print stage 3, a camera head 40 provided with a mask recognition camera 41 and a board recognition camera 42, and a controller that controls the foregoing members. The controller drives the camera head 40 under its control so that mark recognition on a board W is executed using the board recognition camera 42 and mark recognition on the mask sheet 25 is executed periodically a plurality of times using the mask recognition camera 41 while the same mask sheet is used. Also, in order to superimpose the board W on the mask sheet 25, the controller finds a correction amount corresponding to a displacement between the mask sheet 25 and the board W according to latest mask position information acquired through mark recognition on the mask sheet 25 and board position information of the board and drives the print stage 3 according to the correction amount under its control.

Abstract: A print section patterns a coating layer to form a pattern layer on a carrier and then transfers the pattern layer to a substrate. A controller obtains a first carrier thickness by measuring the thickness of the carrier carrying the coating layer and adjusts a gap between the carrier carrying the coating layer and the printing plate based on the first carrier thickness immediately before the coating layer is patterned. The controller also obtains a second carrier thickness by measuring the thickness of the carrier carrying the pattern layer and adjusts a gap between the carrier carrying the pattern layer and the substrate based on the second carrier thickness immediately before the pattern layer is transferred.

Abstract: Print verification is done by scanning the printed copies, thereby forming a stream of scanned images of the specific pages. Digitized images from the stream are then spatially aligned page by page, line by line and pixel (pel) by pixel (pel) with corresponding digitized images in a stream of source images. The source and scanned images are compared to find pel sequences that are different. These differences represent defects in the printed copies.

Abstract: A method is presented for automatically controlling the spacing between printer drums. The printer includes at least two print drums (920.1, 920.2) whose parallel rotation leads to image transfer, either between the drums or onto a printed surface. First the pressure a signal indicative of the pressure between the two print drums is obtained by a measurement unit (930), and then the gap between the drums is automatically adjusted in accordance with the indicator signal by a gap adjuster (940).

Abstract: Systems and methods for alignment of template and substrate at the edge of substrate are described.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a rotary printing press, in which a bearing structure for a printing cylinder is adjusted relative to another component of the printing press, and positions of the bearing structure are measured, including the steps of mounting a calibration tool on a mandrel that is supported in the bearing structure, the calibration tool having at least one contact sensitive switch, moving the bearing structure until the at least one switch contacts the other component, and upon detection of a signal from the at least one switch, storing a measured position of the bearing structure as a reference position.

Abstract: A printing device includes a head unit having a print head and a sensor that detects a presence or an absence of a sheet, a drive unit that causes the head unit to move to a width direction orthogonal to a feeding direction of the sheet, and a control unit controlling a position of the print head to the sheet based on a detection result of the sensor, wherein the control unit executes a first control that obtains the detection result of the sensor whenever the head unit moves only a first interval to a specific direction from a reference position and a second control that, when a change from the presence to the absence of the sheet is detected by the sensor during the first control, obtains the detection result of the sensor whenever the head unit moves only a second interval that is shorter than the first interval.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for changing the calibration of a recording apparatus (10) to adjust for geometric distortion, comprising: providing a media support (12) for receiving recording media (17); operating a recording head (16) comprising plurality of individually addressable recording channels (23) to form a first image feature (60) on the recording media while the recording media is positioned with a first orientation (50A) on the media support; operating a recording head to form a second image feature (62) on the recording media while the recording media is positioned with a second orientation (50B) on the media support, the second orientation being different from the first orientation; detecting variance in an expected separation between the first image feature and the second image feature; and making an imaging correction in accordance with the detected variance.

Abstract: A digital printer is provided with an automated printing sheet transport system, operating in an intermittent manner of feeding a printing sheet to the digital printer, halting the transport to allow printing onto the printing sheet while the printing sheet is maintained in a fixed position, and removing the printed sheet from the digital printer after printing. The digital printer may be combined with a screen print station, both operating on top of a single printing sheet transport system, to form an integrated multifunctional and hybrid printing press.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for controlling application of ink in a printing press include predefining a setpoint color value in a device-independent color space. An ink metering element is activated with an ink application value, producing an ink layer thickness, on printing material, associated with the setpoint color value. An actual color value from the ink layer thickness on the printing material is determined, measured or colorimetrically measured in the device-independent color space. Activation with a changed ink application value based on deviation of the actual color value from the setpoint color value, produces an ink layer thickness differing from the produced ink layer thickness. A necessary ink layer thickness change is calculated based on changes in the color values in the device-independent color space upon a change in the ink layer thickness at the point of the actual color value, to determine the changed ink application value.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a print job is received. The print job includes a first plot to be printed on a first side of a media, and a second plot to be printed on a second side of the media in registration with the first plot. The first plot and a fiducial are caused to print on the first side, the fiducial being a known distance from the first plot and including an identifier for the second plot. In response to detecting the identifier via a sensor and measuring a distance to the fiducial to discern a reference for printing the second plot, the second plot is caused to print on the second side in registration with the first plot.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a machine for aligning at least two flexographic printing plates on at least one printing cylinder. The method comprises the steps of capturing an image relating to a first plate, capturing the image relating to a portion of a second plate, reprocessing the image captured from the first plate so as to obtain a portion thereof corresponding to the image relating to the portion of the second plate, concurrently displaying said reprocessed image and the image captured from the second plate and aligning said two images.

Abstract: Imprint lithography benefits from precise alignment between a template and a substrate during imprinting. A moiré signal resulting from indicia on the template and the substrate are acquired by a system comprising a line-scan camera and a digital micromirror device (DMD) which provides a high bandwidth, low-latency signal. Once acquired, the moiré signal may be used directly to align the template and the substrate without need for discrete position/angle encoders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and equipment (1) for creating prints on non-woven-fabric and, particularly, relates to a process and to equipment (1) which allows the creation of color prints on non-woven fabrics at high speed while at the same time maintaining optimal print quality on wet or dry product, either in-line with production or off-line. The NWF may be printed over only a small percentage with respect to its surface (2-3%) up to a coverage of 100% of its surface, depending on the use of the NWF itself, i.e.: personal hygiene, domestic hygiene, matting, non-woven fabric for clothing, table-cloths, handkerchiefs, curtains (furnishings), bags, containers for items.

Abstract: A first printhead that prints on one side of the paper, a second printhead that prints on the other side of the paper, and a cutter are disposed to the paper conveyance path with a specific gap therebetween approaching the paper exit for the paper, and a conveyance unit that conveys the paper through the conveyance path in a device that prints duplex receipts. Based on reception of a transaction end statement, the printer prints part of the transaction information by the first printhead; prints the remaining part of the transaction information by the second printhead; prints store information, the length of which fits between the cutter and the first printhead, by the first printhead after printing the transaction information; and then cuts the paper by the cutter at a position between the area where the transaction information was printed and the area where the store information was printed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting a printing plate onto a printing cylinder, wherein the printing plate includes a first registration mark and a second registration mark centrally located along opposing edges thereof. The apparatus includes an optical system to transmit images of the registration marks to a user interface, wherein a user selects a desired location point location of each of the registration marks displayed on the user interface to facilitate an alignment of the printing plate in respect of a central axis of the printing cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for changing printing plates is disclosed. A printing plate cartridge for a printing press has multiple cases for accommodating printing plates to be removed during a printing plate change and for accommodating printing plates to be installed during a printing plate change. The printing plate cartridge is mounted in such a way that it may be moved in a rotationally pivotable fashion and in a linear fashion relative to a printing group of the printing press, such that the printing plate cartridge is able to service multiple printing units of the printing group during a printing plate change.

Abstract: A defacement degree determination apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention includes an alignment unit which aligns positions of an input image from one printed material printed using a plurality of printing plates with registered images registered in advance, a plate separation processing unit which separates the input image into a plurality of printed components corresponding to the plurality of printing plates, and extracts defacement features from the respective printed components, and a defacement degree determination unit which determines a defacement degree of the printed material based on the defacement features extracted from the respective printed components.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for registering printing plates (24) with a plurality of registration members (40A-40F), the apparatus (10) including a plate positioning system (64). The plate positioning system including a first member (50) adapted to pivot about a first pivot point and a plurality of second members (53A, 53B), each second member being pivotally coupled to the first member, and each second member comprising at least one element (58) adapted for engaging a printing plate. The apparatus includes a plurality of sensors (80A, 80B) adapted for detecting contact between the printing plates and the plurality of registration members. The plate positioning system includes a plurality of actuators (72A, 72B) coupled to the second members. An actuator in the plurality of actuators is selectively operated to apply force to an associated second member during a registration of a printing plate.

Abstract: A method for ejecting printing plates from an imaging apparatus includes providing a plurality of the printing plates to the imaging apparatus; forming an image on at least one of the printing plates; determining a desired tail-to-tip spacing between adjacent printing plates; ejecting a sequence of the printing plates from the imaging apparatus along a path; and adjusting a spacing between two adjacent printing plates in the sequence of the printing plates to reduce a variance between a projected tail-to-tip spacing and the desired tail-to-tip spacing.

Abstract: An image-forming device includes a conveying part, an image-forming part, first through third sensors, and a control part. The conveying part is configured and arranged to convey a continuous recording material. The image-forming part is configured and arranged to form an image on the recording material conveyed by the conveying part. The first through third sensors are configured and arranged to detect positions of an edge surface of the recording material conveyed by the conveying part. The control part is configured to calculate first through third shifting amounts based on the positions of the edge surface of the recording material simultaneously detected by the first through third sensors, respectively. The first shifting amount is generated by movement of the recording material, the second shifting amount is generated by rotation of the recording material, and the third shifting amount is generated by fluctuations in the edge surface of the recording material.

Abstract: A method for controlling a printing operation includes detecting at least one position and/or an extent of a register mark located on a printing material by means of a register mark sensor, and using the detected at least one position and/or the extent of the register mark for register control. The method further includes acquiring at least one item of color information by means of the same register mark sensor during the printing operation, carrying out color monitoring with at least the at least one item of color information, and determining a color deviation with respect to a reference value. Furthermore, the method includes defining a threshold value for the color deviation, and outputting a warning and/or automatically making a change from good to poor products when the threshold value for the color deviation is exceeded.

Abstract: A method for preparing lithographic printing plates for on-press development, including sequentially feeding the plates to an imaging station to produce a plurality of latent image reference marks allocated among at least two margins along a respective two sides of the plate, and a latent print image within the margins. The imaged plates are transported from the imaging station to a plate bending station where the short ends of the plate are bent over. Between the imaging station and the bending station, the unimaged areas of the coating in at least two of the margins are removed to reveal the reference marks without developing the latent print image. Preferably, the reference marks are revealed while the plate is temporarily aligned in landscape orientation at stop, such as at the feeder to the bending station.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for performing print jobs, whereby use is made of a flexographic printing press comprising a plurality of inking units to print print carriers, whereby at least two of these inking units each have a printing plate cylinder that has a printing form and a printing form carrier to produce printed images, and whereby the register between the printing plate cylinders located in the inking units is adjusted on the basis of measurement signals, related to the position of bodies or markings, which are carried by the printing form or the printing plate carrier. The body or the marking is applied to the surface of the printing form or the printing plate carrier, and the body or the marking in turn is at least a register mark or has a register mark.

Abstract: Color separations of a printing image are aligned on a printing material perpendicular to the transport direction of the printing material. A front edge and a rear edge of a register mark are detected. Their distances and, at least in some regions, their widths along the traveled distance of the transport belt between the detection of the front edge and of the rear edge of the register mark are determined. Misalignments of the imaging devices used for the color separations are determined and corrected using these distances and widths.

Abstract: A state of a print head is checked by printing a plurality of images in order on a sheet fed from a sheet feeding unit, and reading the printed images. A region that is inappropriate for performing printing on the fed sheet is detected. When the inappropriate region has been detected, printing the images is stopped and the sheet is cut. Of the cut sheets, the sheet at an upstream is sent back to the sheet feeding unit. Subsequently, the sheet is again fed to perform printing and conduct a test.

Abstract: There is provided a method of winding up a transfer film and a device for performing transfer printing on printed sheets of paper, capable of eliminating the need to frequently replace the transfer film, thereby allowing the transfer film to be used over a prolonged time. According to the method of winding up a transfer film, the transfer film fed from a feed roll through a feed path is pressed onto a fed printed sheet to transfer patterns of the transfer film, and then the transfer film is wound up onto a windup roll through a windup path. During the rewind of the transfer film from the windup roll to the feed roll, a lateral position of the transfer film running along the feed path is detected, and the feed roll is moved in its axial direction to follow a lateral positional change of the transfer film.

Abstract: An automated lenticular photographic system includes an interface that permits a user to upload image files and image processing and printing equipment that is in communication with the interface for receiving the uploaded image files and processing the uploaded image files to create an interlaced print image file that is used to produce an interlaced print sheet containing interlaced print images. A pair of registration marks is formed on the interlaced print sheet outside of borders of the interlaced print images to assist in aligning the interlaced print sheet with a lenticular lens sheet. A registration system detects whether the lenticular lens sheet is off-centered and skewed relative to the interlaced print sheet.

Abstract: The medium transport apparatus is provided with: a transport unit that transports a recording medium continuing in a direction, in the direction where the recording medium continues; a detection unit that detects a mark formed on the recording medium transported by the transport unit, by using a detection effective range smaller than a dimension of the mark in a direction crossing a transport direction of the recording medium; a positional relationship identification unit that identifies a relative positional relationship between the detection unit and the mark in the direction crossing the transport direction, from a detection result obtained by the detection unit; and a move unit that moves the detection unit in the direction crossing the transport direction, on the basis of the relative positional relationship identified by the positional relationship identification unit.

Abstract: A method of removing a printing plate, each having leading and trailing edges located in respective lock-up slots in a plate cylinder of a printing press, from said plate cylinder, is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of extracting a first of said leading and trailing edges, rotating the plate cylinder in a first direction such that an extraction element located proximal to the surface of the plate cylinder passes beneath the extracted first edge until the printing plate is lifted off the surface of the plate cylinder by the extraction element, with the second edge still in its lock-up slot, to cause the second edge to move within its lock-up slot as the plate is lifted to loosen said second edge within its lock-up slot, rotating the plate cylinder in a second direction so that said plate drops back and, rotating the plate cylinder in the first direction again so that the extraction element pulls said loosened second edge out of said lock-up slot.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for contacting a flexible sheet to a first element with improved lateral alignment. The method includes a step of measuring a first lateral misalignment after establishing a first contact between the flexible sheet and either of the first element and a sheet parking surface called anchor in the first stage. If the 5 misalignment exceeds a predetermined threshold the flexible sheet is parked at the anchor such that it is not in contact with the first element, and the relative position of the first element and the anchor is altered during the second stage for correcting the mismatch during a contact between the flexible sheet and the first element to be established within the next step of the method. During the steps of shifting the contact point to obtain the second stage 10 the contacting process is more accurate and reproducible than the process for establishing the initial contact.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nanoimprint method includes: performing imprinting by use of a first template, to form a pattern on a first substrate to be transferred; measuring an alignment deviation of the pattern with respect to the first substrate to be transferred; performing alignment-deviation correction based on the measured alignment deviation, to produce a third template by use of the first template; and performing imprinting by use of the third template, to form a pattern on a second substrate to be transferred.

Abstract: A printing machine with at least one inking unit which has at least two cylinders which are set against each other during the printing operation and can be rotated by at least one drive. The printing machine is provided with sensors for recording parameters of the rotary motion of the cylinders such as the torque and speed. A setting mechanism is provided for setting the at least two cylinders against each other in radial direction. The control unit is configured to trigger the setting mechanism to set the at least two cylinders against each other. The at least two cylinders are brought to different circumferential velocities and set against each other. The relative position of the two cylinders is recorded or maintained when at least one parameter of the rotary motion of the at least two cylinders exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for aligning at least two flexographic printing plates on at least one printing cylinder, which provides acquiring an image of a part of a first plate, memorising the acquired image, framing a part of a second plate, at the same time displaying the memorised image and the image relating to the part of the second framed plate in real time; and aligning the image framed in real time with the memorised image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the alignment of printing plate (14) mounted on an imaging drum (12), and applying an image to a printing plate while maintaining registration and alignment between the image and a reference edge (15) of the printing plate include mounting the printing plate on a plate-making machine (10) and then determining the locations of at least two points on the reference edge. The locations of two or more points are used to determine a transformation that is applied to image data to yield transformed image data (27). The transformed image data is used to image the printing plate. A method and apparatus for determining the locations of the points using backlighting avoids errors encountered in illuminating from the top.

Abstract: A variable cutoff printing unit is provided including a first upper plate cylinder carrying a first upper image, a first upper blanket cylinder including a first upper blanket print area for transferring the first upper image to a web and a first upper blanket non print area, a second upper plate cylinder carrying a second upper image, a second upper blanket cylinder including a second upper blanket print area for transferring the second upper image to the web and a second upper blanket non print area, a first lower plate cylinder carrying a first lower image, a first lower blanket cylinder including a first lower blanket print area for transferring the first lower image to the web and a first lower blanket non print area, a second lower plate cylinder carrying a second lower image and a second lower blanket cylinder including a second lower blanket print area for transferring the second lower image to the web and a second lower blanket non print area.

Abstract: A method for turning or laterally shifting a web in a printing machine includes guiding the web successively around four rollers. Roller 2 is rotated with respect to roller 1 by about 90°, so that a strand of the web extending between the first and second rollers performs a first twist by about 90°. Rollers 1 and 3 are substantially parallel so that the strand of the web extending between the second and third rollers is straight. Roller 4 is rotated with respect to roller 3 by about 90°, so that a strand of the web extending between rollers 3 and 4 performs a second twist by about 90°.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are used for providing information about printing plates to be manufactured for a new production of a printing press. A point of use of at least one of the printing plates is visualized on a display. Several different positions exist at the point of use of each respective printing plate. Each may relate to one of several installation positions on a plate cylinder disposed in the printing press. These can also relate to storage positions of a printing plate magazine. Using the display, several different points of use in the printing area, for a particular printing plate, are displayed. The display depicts which one of the positions of use is to be provided. The display additionally depicts different states or properties of at least one printing plate. It may also depict a print location of a printing plate on a transport path.

Abstract: An automated lenticular photographic system includes an interface that permits a user to upload image files and image processing and printing equipment that is in communication with the interface for receiving the uploaded image files and processing the uploaded image files to create an interlaced print image file that is used to produce an interlaced print sheet containing interlaced print images. A pair of registration marks is formed on the interlaced print sheet outside of borders of the interlaced print images. The system also includes a processing station where the interlaced print sheet is aligned with a lenticular lens sheet with a registration system that detects whether the lenticular lens sheet is off-centered and skewed relative to the interlaced print sheet. The system also includes means for controllably adjusting the position of the lenticular lens sheet relative to the interlaced print sheet until proper registration between the lenticular lens sheet and the interlaced print sheet is achieved.