Abstract: An image exposure apparatus has a rotating drum for winding a printing plate on which an image is recorded; a punch unit for forming punched holes to be used for positioning in printing processing on the printing plate; a conveying guide unit having a guide section that selectively moves to a first position facing the punch unit and a second position facing the rotating drum to guide a printing plate to the selected position so as to supply the printing plate; a width direction moving unit for moving in a width direction while a conveying pin is in contact with a width direction edge of the printing plate that is put on the conveying guide unit; a reference pin moving unit having a reference pin disposed at an opposite side of the width direction moving unit for defining the width direction edge of the printing plate, the reference pin moving unit moving the reference pin in accordance with a size of the printing plate; and a home position sensor mounted on a fixing portion independently of the conveying guid

Abstract: A method for exposing print media formed as printed plates with the use of UV light from a light source that is modified by a projection unit with respect to direction and/or intensity, the method comprising the steps of in a first process appearing an image of a calculated and stored partial image from the projection unit on the print medium; in a second process positioning the projection unit relative to the print medium by a positioning unit; optimizing joining of partial images into one image by running the first process and the second process in parallel with coordination of the first process and the second process by a higher-level unit via control of lines, and by providing at least one unit in which one or more trigger signals are generated for starting and ending the second process to move the projection unit to a next partial unit, and for the first process for starting and ending an exposure, so that the trigger signals are evaluated by a receiver formed as the higher-level unit.

Abstract: Described is a method of positioning a male die member (34) on a backing roller (14) of a stamping station (10), which backing roller co-operates with a stamping roller (12), wherein the stamping roller (12) has a die (18). Temporarily fixed to the die (18) of the stamping roller (12) is a flexible transfer male die member (24) having a fitting window (32). The transfer male die member (24) is transferred from the stamping roller (12) to the backing roller (14) and fixed to the backing roller (14). The male die member (34) is then fixed in accurately fitting relationship in the fitting window (32) of the transfer male die member (24).

Abstract: A device for detecting the position of a printing plate on the plate cylinder of a printing machine has register equipment corresponding with an edge of the printing plate. The device includes at least one mechanical stress sensor assigned to the register equipment. The at least one mechanical stress sensor is a piezoelectric force sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a printing cylinder that includes a support cylinder, at least one printing sleeve for mounting the support cylinder, and a recess provided on a lateral face of the sleeve and emerging from an interior wall, and at least one indexing device borne by the support cylinder and that can project from it, the recess and each indexing device cooperating in order to mount the sleeve on the support cylinder while registering its position. According to the invention, the printing sleeve has at least one ring in an extension of an interior wall and which projects from the lateral face. The ring protects the sleeve from impacts between it and the indexing device during mounting of the sleeve on the support cylinder.

Abstract: A method for the transformation of digital print data streams, in which an input print data stream (2) is read in, this is analyzed by means of a parser (4) for graphically representable objects (5, 5a) and is split up into these graphically representable objects (5, 5a), and the graphically representable objects (5, 5a) are stored in a memory (6) in an object-oriented format, and the graphically representable objects (5, 5a) stored in the memory (6) in an object-oriented format are transformed into a format for the control of an output device (9), preferably a printer, and the objects thus transformed are combined into an output print data stream (10) and are output, graphically representable objects (5, 5a) being stored in the memory (6) in an object-oriented format, to which at least one stored script (5a) is assigned, which is executed in the cases defined in the script (5a).

Abstract: A method of determining the area coverages of a printing plate for controlling the quantities of ink in inking zones of a printing press, includes, to produce the plate from existing printed-sheet data, producing color-value printing data based upon a standard raster system, converting the printing data by a raster generator into rastered printing data, exposing the rastered printing data onto film material or a printing plate by an exposer, using various raster systems with different dot gains on the plate, in the raster generator, depending on the raster system used, applying an associated dot gain correction curve and a linearization correction curve to the color-value printing data, and supplying an area coverage calculation unit with coarse color-value image data derived from the color-value printing data, a dot gain correction curve for each raster system used, and correction location data describing in which areas of the plate which raster system is used.

Abstract: A press plate mounting apparatus has a press plate placement portion capable of holding a press plate having a partially formed print face region, and a plate cylinder holding portion that rotatably holds a plate cylinder onto which the press plate is mounted. Positioning cross marks are provided in a non-print region of the press plate. The press plate placement portion includes a suction surface that sucks the print face region, and a scale member provided at a position outward of the suction surface and extending in a predetermined direction. The scale member is able to contact the locating cross marks when the press plate is held at a predetermined position. The scale member has a scale that makes it possible to visually check a positional deviation of the press plate in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: A rotary printing press for printing on different width paper. The printing press utilizes multiple rotating plate cylinders of different width size housed in an independently rotating magazine which allows for printing on sheet fed or web paper without having to change printing modules or ink transfer cylinders. The multiple rotating cylinders of different width size are engaged with a continuous ink transfer device which transfers the ink from the imaged inked plate to the paper or printed substrate. This press may be utilized to print on both sides of the paper or printed substrate by combining two printing presses on either side of the paper or printed substrate.

Abstract: A printing plate is held at one point thereof by a holding portion provided at a surface plate. When pushed by a pushing portion, the printing plate is only rotationally displaced. Thus, an angular error is substantially eliminated and displacement of the printing plate is small. Then, the pushing portion positions the printing plate in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the surface plate can be moved. Then, movement of the surface plate positions the printing plate in the direction in which the surface plate can be moved.

Abstract: There is provided a marking apparatus, a marking method, and a marking system that enable the position of a marking target to be accurately shown, and that reliably enable only that portion containing the marking target to be removed. The marking system has a detector that detects a marking target on a subject material and acquires the position thereof, a marking apparatus having heads capable of marking an optional position in the transverse direction of the subject material, and a control apparatus that sends a marking instruction to the marking apparatus when the position of the marking target in the transverse direction arrives at the marking apparatus, and the position of the marking target matches the position of a head of the marking apparatus.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and an article of manufacture for registration calibration of a printer. An application prints reticle patterns on a printed page. An imaging device creates a digital image of the printed reticle patterns. If color registration on the printer is improper, the digital image exhibits interference patterns. The application compares the interference patterns to the reticle patterns, and based on the results of the comparison adjusts the color registration of the printer.

Abstract: An image exposure control apparatus includes a memory and an adjustment section. The memory stores a correction amount for each color in accordance with a stretch amount of a printing paper sheet in multicolor printing operation. The adjustment section adjusts an exposure position of a pixel of an image to be exposed for each color, on the basis of the correction amount read out from said memory means, in exposing the image on a printing plate.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a guide which transports a recording medium and a roller which holds the recording medium in place to pull the recording medium through an imaging plane defined by a surface of the roller. A device forms an image onto the recording medium at the imaging plane. The roller is a vacuum roller that uses a vacuum produced at the imaging plane to hold the recording medium in place during transport and imaging.

Abstract: Method of producing multi-dimensional print media, comprising the following steps: Providing a substantially flat sheet of print media. Providing an image for printing on a first side of the sheet; the image including an active area that eventually separates from the rest of the sheet; the active area being bounded by a periphery. Performing one or both of cutting and microperfing a substantial portion of the periphery that adjoins an adjacent portion of the sheet. Scoring the first side of the sheet in the active area to provide at least one fold line for facilitating folding of the sheet into a multi-dimensional shape using only the at least one fold line for folding. Printing the image on the first side of the sheet with a printing device. The foregoing performing step is carried out in such manner as to keep the sheet sufficiently intact while passing through a printing device so as to prevent malfunction of the printing device. Die-pressed print media is also provided for use in the method.

Abstract: A reference medium is scanned both with a medium sensor (44) capable of detecting a low-transmittance printing medium with high accuracy and with a medium sensor (45) capable of detecting a high-transmittance medium with low accuracy so as to find edge positions Ry0, Ry1 of the reference medium. The difference Diff0 between the edge positions is calculated and stored as a correction value. If it is hard to detect a printing medium by means of the medium sensor (44), the medium sensor (45) is used to detect the medium, and the resulting edge position is corrected using the correction value Diff0. In addition, for any given printing medium, a first driving level of a light source for outputting a predetermined output amount of the sensor (44) and a second driving level of a light source for outputting a predetermined output amount of the sensor (45) are calculated and, based on the difference between the two driving levels, the type of the printing medium is determined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting register on a multicolor printing machine (1) having color printing units (6, 6′, 6″, 6′″) assigned to various printing inks, at least one image cylinder (2, 2′, . . . ), image production equipment (3,3′, . . . ) for producing color separations (7, 7′, . . . ) on the at least one image cylinder (2, 2′, . . . ) and a carrier (4) for printing substrates (15). An assignment of the image production points (11, 11′, . . . ) on the at least one image cylinder (2, 2′, . . . ) is carried out in order to achieve coincidence of register between the color separations (7, 7′, . . . ) in the print, by both the production of the image starts (10) and the production of areas (10′, 10″, . . . , 10n) of the color separations (7, 7′, . . . ) set on the basis of the print and the evaluation of register marks (9, 9′, 9″, 9′″).

Abstract: A plurality of flexible printing plates can be secured on a peripheral surface of a cylinder in a rotary printing press. The cylinder has several plate end clamping devices that can be actuated to release only selected ends of the flexible plates. This facilitates the sequential release or securement of the plates in a desired order.

Abstract: A pen alignment method for a multi-pen printer is provided, the method including directing a first pen to print a first pattern of a first color, directing a second pen to print a second pattern of a second color in a predetermined relative alignment with the first pattern to form a test block, determining an actual hue of the test block via spectral analysis of the test block using a color sensor, and comparing the actual hue of the test block with an expected hue of the test block to determine whether the first and second pens are misaligned relative to each other, wherein the expected hue of the test block is the hue that would be detected if the first pen and second pen were correctly aligned.

Abstract: This invention relates to a relatively thin cladded graphic arts impression graphic arts impression die plate (20) having a steel layer (22) which is integral throughout the extent thereof with a layer of copper (24) or bronze. A relieved design-defining surface may be formed in the copper or bronze layer by a chemical etching process or by chemical milling. In the case of chemical etching of the graphic arts impression die plate (20), a design-defining layer of photo-resist is applied to the outer surface of the copper layer (24) or the bronze layer and the relieved design is formed in the copper or bronze layer using a conventional ferric chloride etching solution. The etched graphic arts impression die plate may be mounted on an etchant-resistant backing or magnetic support member (28) to present an assembly which increases the thickness of the die assembly sufficiently to permit use thereof on standard stamping and embossing equipment without modification of the die-supporting chase.

Abstract: Laser beams 94 and 95 of laser emitters 74 and 75 are applied to work positioning marks 54 and 55 vertically before attaching a screen plate 60. Then, for attaching the screen plate 60 to frame fixing units 66 and 67, the screen plate 60 is fixed to the frame fixing units 66 and 67 so that the laser beams 94 and 95 are applied to plate positioning marks 64 and 65.

Abstract: A method for operating a printing machine having a positioning device with a cylinder that is adjustable into different positions along an adjustment path and cooperating with a cylinder for guiding printing material, which includes performing at least two of the following method steps of adjusting the rotational angle of the cylinder guiding the printing material into a given position; adjusting the rotational angle of the cylinder that is adjustable along the adjustment path into a given position; adjusting the circumferential register of the cylinder that is adjustable along the adjustment path; and adjusting the cylinder that is adjustable along the adjustment path, from a first cylinder position into a second cylinder position along the adjustment path.

Abstract: A printing cylinder has a first rotatable section having a central image area on the surface, and a first and second end. A first shell is disposed circumferentially about the first end, and a second shell is disposed circumferentially about the second end, the first and second shells having image areas on the surface and movable axially with respect to the central image area. Also provided is a printing press comprising a first sensor for detecting register marks, a second sensor for detecting fanout, and a rotatable cylinder with a first section axially adjustable with respect to a second section. A method for correcting fanout in a web printing press includes sensing register marks to provide overall circumferential and/or lateral register adjustments of a printing cylinder, sensing a section of the web other than the register marks to provide fanout information, and changing a lateral position of a first part of the printing cylinder with respect to a second part of the printing cylinder.

Abstract: A printing press for newspaper production comprises several printing units each having two plate cylinders for concurrently printing on both sides of a web, each plate cylinder having several predefined plate-mounting positions. The control system includes an assignment controller for putting out ASSIGNMENT INFO indicative of how all the printing plates to made for each newspaper issue are assigned to the plate-mounting positions on the plate cylinders. A plate-maker controller provides CONTENTS INFO indicative of at least the page number of each printing plate being made. In response to the ASSIGNMENT INFO and CONTENTS INFO a printer controller produces POSITION INFO indicative of the desired plate-mounting positions on each plate cylinder to which the printing plates are to be mounted, causing a printer to print the POSITION INFO on each printing plate that has been made.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detecting the locations of right and left register marks respectively burned onto right- and left-hand side portions of a printing plate based upon image data of images respectively captured within an image processing area with right and left vertical edges respectively extending in the Y-direction, and upper and lower horizontal edges extending in the X-direction.

Abstract: A method of detecting the positional accuracy of register and any of folding and cutting-edge positions, respectively, on flat copies, including scanning a prescribable recording field on the copy by a detector, which comprises determining the position of the printed image and of the folding and cutting edges, respectively, by contrast transitions extending through screen fields.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for imaging an overlying conductive pattern over an underlying conductive pattern on a substrate, by determining deviations between the actual locations and the nominal locations of predetermined reference targets in the underlying conductive pattern on the substrate; and utilizing the determined deviations for modifying the scanning control data used for imaging the image data of the overlying conductive pattern in order to reduce misregistration thereof with respect to the underlying conductive pattern. Preferably, the reference targets are predetermined connection sites in the underlying conductive pattern to be precisely located with respect to connection sites in the overlying conductive pattern. The reference features may be assigned different weights according to their registration importance, and the deviations may be determined according to a threshold which varies with the weight assigned to the respective reference feature.

Abstract: A method of dispensing a metal-backed printing blanket onto a printing press cylinder in a controlled fashion is provided. A carton containing the rolled printing blanket may be provided, and a lengthwise slit or opening is opened to withdraw a mounting end of the printing blanket. The alignment and tension of the printing blanket is controlled as it mounts on the printing press cylinder. Parallel reference lines on the carton may be used to draw alignment marks on the printing blanket such that it may be properly inserted into a locking device of the printing press cylinder. The alignment and tension may be controlled using graspable sides of the carton.

Abstract: In an apparatus for correctly registering mounting of a printing plate wherein the printing plate is mounted on a plate cylinder of a sheet fed press, the plate cylinder having a plate cylinder gap with a front plate clamping device, and a rear plate clamping and tensions device, and the front plate clamping device has registering punches, the registering punches being connected to means for securing and sensing the correct registration in a lateral and in a circumferential position in correspondence with registering punches in the printing plate, the improvement comprising the registering elements of front plate clamping device each having inserts insulated from the registering elements which contact the printing plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a stamp alignment device for use with a stamp having a height comprised of a base having first and second stamp guide edges. The first stamp guide edge and the second stamp guide edge connect in a substantially perpendicular manner creating an angled receiving area. At least one portion of each of the stamp guide edges is substantially higher than the height of the stamp mount. The stamp alignment device further comprises a non-slip surface attached to the bottom of the base and has a thickness. The non-slip surface has first and second non-slip surface guide edges that correspond to the first and second stamp guide edges of the base. Additionally, an image sheet is provided having a thickness less than the thickness of the non-slip surface. The image sheet has at least one substantially right angled corner configured to be placed into the first and second non-slip surface guide edges.

Abstract: A method and apparatus orient, position and spin print indicia on pellet shaped articles, such as pharmaceutical capsules and the like. More specifically, the method and apparatus use a rotating pick-up drum that receives and transports the pellet shaped articles to a rotating positioning drum that is synchronized with the pick-up drum. The positioning drum receives the pellet shaped articles from the pick-up drum and properly aligns the pellet shaped articles so that they may be transferred to a rotating printing drum which is also synchronized with the positioning drum. The printing drum contains a vacuum source that maintains the pellet shaped articles within pockets as the pellet shaped articles are passed through a printing station. The printing station contains a movable printing roller capable of being moved toward and away from the printing drum such that the printing roller accurately spin prints indicia onto the pellet shaped articles.

Abstract: A printer for printing onto substrates includes a housing that mounts a movable carrier for the substrates such as a compact disc or digital versatile disc. The carrier for the substrate is driven relative to the printhead while printing takes place, and a platen is provided to urge the substrate toward the printhead for printing and to a position to space the substrate from the printhead when raised surface areas of the substrate underlie the printhead. The force applied by the platen can be varied as a function of the position of the substrate as well, in addition the carrier can be driven at a variable speed selected as a function of the length of the line being printed.

Abstract: A plate cylinder comprising a cylinder body having at least one external slot extending axially with respect to the cylinder body, and at least one register pin slidable by an external registration device within the slot. Also provided is an external registration device comprising a base for attaching to a periphery of a plate cylinder, and a pin pusher interacting with a register pin in a slot of the plate cylinder, the pin pusher being axially movable relative to the base. A method is provided for registering plates on a plate cylinder comprising the steps of placing an external registration device on a plate cylinder having at least one register pin, and moving the register pin axially with the external registration device.

Abstract: A printer plate having an integral alignment target and a printing plate mounter having a vacuum cup with an alignment member thereon to permit visual alignment of the alignment target with the vacuum cup alignment member with the vacuum cup connectable to a vacuum source so that a vacuum can draw the printing plate alignment target and the alignment member on the vacuum cup from a state of state of misalignment, if any, into precise mechanical alignment for transfer to a printing cylinder while the vacuum cup supports the printing plate.

Abstract: A method for operating a printing machine having a positioning device with a cylinder that is adjustable into different positions along an adjustment path and cooperating with a cylinder for guiding printing material, which includes performing at least two of the following method steps of adjusting the rotational angle of the cylinder guiding the printing material into a given position; adjusting the rotational angle of the cylinder that is adjustable along the adjustment path into a given position; adjusting the circumferential register of the cylinder that is adjustable along the adjustment path; and adjusting the cylinder that is adjustable along the adjustment path, from a first cylinder position into a second cylinder position along the adjustment path.

Abstract: A printing press for newspaper production comprises several printing units each having two plate cylinders for concurrently printing on both sides of a web, each plate cylinder having several predefined plate-mounting positions. The control system includes an assignment controller for putting out ASSIGNMENT INFO indicative of how all the printing plates to made for each newspaper issue are assigned to the plate-mounting positions on the plate cylinders. A plate-maker controller provides CONTENTS INFO indicative of at least the page number of each printing plate being made. In response to the ASSIGNMENT INFO and CONTENTS INFO a printer controller produces POSITION INFO indicative of the desired plate-mounting positions on each plate cylinder to which the printing plates are to be mounted, causing a printer to print the POSITION INFO on each printing plate that has been made.

Abstract: A deformable stamp for patterning a surface. The stamp can be placed in contact with an entire 3-dimensional object, such as a rod, in a single step. The stamp can also be used to pattern the inside of a tube or rolled over a surface to form a continuous pattern. The stamp may also be used for fluidic patterning by flowing material through channels defined by raised and recessed portions in the surface of the stamp as it contacts the substrate. The stamp may be used to deposit self-assembled monolayers, biological materials, metals, polymers, ceramics, or a variety of other materials. The patterned substrates may be used in a variety of engineering and medical applications.

Abstract: An apparatus constructed which accurately guides and adjusts a cylinder axially in a rotary printing machine. For this purpose, an electromagnetic system, with which an axial force can be applied to the cylinder, is arranged on the frame of the rotary printing machine. The cylinder is mounted in mountings that permit axial displacement.

Abstract: A method for reducing cyclic print errors. Applicants discovered that the cause of certain cyclic print errors was inconsistent (i.e., unequal) line spacing on the linear encoder strip used by the printer to track the position of the print head. Such inconsistent line spacing was caused by the inability of the device which makes/prints linear encoder strips to consistently match the ideal consistent line spacing desired and expected by the printer. Applicants found that such cyclic print errors were eliminated by choosing, obtaining, and installing a linear encoder strip having a consistent line spacing within the resolution capabilities of the device and, in one example, closest to the ideal consistent line spacing.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling registration between different printing plates or printing cylinders in a printing press which includes a camera with a lens having at least two zoom settings and a control unit for changing the zoom setting of the camera in accordance with a distance between registration marks printed on a printed substrate found in at least one image acquired by the camera.

Abstract: In a method for determining the axial position of an engraving element in an engraving machine used for engraving impression cylinders, the engraving machine has a fixed toothed comb in which a significant tooth flank of each tooth presents an axial distance which is a multiple of the tooth spacing of the toothed comb to a reference point. A photoelectric barrier which serves as axial reference mark is positioned on the engraving element and the toothed comb serves as black-out element for said photo-electric barrier. The engraving element is displaced by means of the photoelectric barrier from a momentary position to the nearest relevant tooth flank of the toothed comb. The approximate distance between the reference mark and the reference point is measured by means of a distance meter.

Abstract: An apparatus for positional adjustment of a plate cylinder in both lateral and circumferential directions thereof for image registration in a multicolor, offset rotary printing press. A lateral adjustment mechanism includes a spur gear which is motor driven bidirectionally, and which travels laterally back and forth, to cause lateral displacement of the plate cylinder. The gear has a pin erected eccentrically thereon for abutment against a fixed limit stop on the press frame in order to limit the bidirectional rotation of the gear and hence to prevent the plate cylinder from being driven laterally beyond limits. A circumferential adjustment mechanism includes another spur gear which is motor driven bidirectionally, and which also travels laterally back and forth, to cause circumferential displacement of the plate cylinder. This second gear has a pin extending eccentrically therethrough and having its ends projecting in opposite directions therefrom.

Abstract: A printing press includes a plate cylinder, a plate making unit, a detection switch, and a control unit. The plate cylinder has an outer surface on which a plate is mounted. The plate making unit performs plate making for the plate mounted on the outer surface of the plate cylinder. The plate making unit is supported to be movable between an operative position where plate making is performed and a wait position to escape from the operative position. The detection switch detects the plate making unit positioned at the wait position. The control unit controls plate change operation in accordance with a detection output from the detection switch.

Abstract: The present invention provides a media handling system for an imaging system, such as an external drum platesetter. Separate input and output trays are provided, thereby allowing pre-staging of a second printing plate while a first printing plate is being imaged. The input tray is positioned over the output tray to reduce the floor space (i.e., footprint) of the imaging system.

Abstract: An article of manufacture and method for printing, using a non-impact printer, indicia less than ¼″ from an edge of the article of manufacture is disclosed. The article of manufacture and method can provide for positioning printed information on the article of manufacture in accordance with United States Postal Service specifications. The article of manufacture, e.g., a document such as an envelope or other form, includes an extension portion forming an edge detectable by a page detecting means of a non-impact printer wherein the detectable edge extends past the actual edge of the article so that the non-impact printer is directed to print less than ¼″, and preferably less than {fraction (1/8)}″, from an actual edge of the article of manufacture.

Abstract: A register control device for the cylinder of a printing machine that emits a signal when a printing plate is resting in register on one or more register pins associated with a print cylinder. The signal is communicated to a stationary evaluation unit by a magnetic field. In this regard, a magnetic field sensor is attached to the printing machine frame and is used to detect the signal and forward the signal to the evaluation unit. The evaluation unit uses the communicated signal to determine whether or not insertion of the printing plate was properly performed.

Abstract: A method of illuminating an object associated with a portable electronic or computing device with a pass-thru illumination apparatus includes providing a pass-thru illumination apparatus including a first plug with a second port, a body connected to the first plug, and an illumination device attached to the body; plugging the first plug of the pass-thru illumination apparatus into a port of the electronic or computing device to power the illumination device with a power source of the electronic or computing device to illuminate an object associated with the electronic or computing device; and plugging a second plug of a peripheral into the second port of the pass-thru illumination apparatus to accomplish at least one of powering the peripheral and communicating the peripheral with the electronic or computing device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for punching an image-recordable plate with a notch of variable depth or a hole at variable distance from a reference line, such that enable the plate to be mountable on the cylindrical surface of the drum of an imagesetter, with a pin thereon engaging the notch or the hole so that an edge of the recorded image will essentially parallel a reference edge of the plate. The apparatus consists of a punch that includes an edge guide for the plate, or pins to engage registration holes in the plate, and a punching die having a variable position with respect to the guide or the line of pins.

Abstract: A printhead is mounted in a support frame that has reference mounting members on the sides of the frame that establish a reference plane for mounting the support frame in a printer The printhead is adjustable on the support frame relative to the reference plane about a pivot axis on the support frame and also laterally of the reference plane. A fixture is used for mounting the support frame with the reference mounting members in a known location, and the position of a print line of the printhead relative to a reference location established by a camera and monitor is adjusted until the print line is in a predetermined position. The camera provides a view of the print line relative to the predetermined position, and the printhead is adjusted on the support frame until the location of the print line viewed by the camera is at the proper position The printhead is then fixed to the support frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image transfer section of a printer having a control system controlling the operation thereof, as well as a control system and method for controlling the operation of the image transfer section. In particular, the control system and method of the present invention ensures that horizontal and vertical registration of the card and web is attained. The control is adaptive, so as to automatically adjust to differing speeds and gear drives of the independent systems. The control system of the present invention also automatically adjusts the speed of the web take-up roll and the card drive rollers so as to match the speed of the applicator rollers, thereby eliminating the need for slip clutches in the various systems as well as guaranteeing speed matches between the independent systems.