In some embodiments, a printer system may include a location sensor, a motor and driver assembly configured for adjusting a print position of a subsequent image on a substrate having a first side and a second side and at least one wireless communication device, and an optical sensor. Adjustment of the print position may be based on detection of the wireless communication device using the location sensor and a subsequent determination of whether the corresponding printed image is properly aligned with the wireless communication device using the optical sensor.

In some examples, a machine for generating optically variable image elements on a substrate includes a printing substrate infeed and a printing unit including a printing mechanism by which a substrate guided on a transport path is printed with a coating agent containing magnetic or magnetizable particles. A device for aligning the magnetic or magnetizable particles includes a first alignment device in the transport path and a further alignment device arranged upstream therefrom. During normal operation, the further alignment device is fixed to a frame at the transport path. The further alignment device includes a plurality of magnets that are spaced apart from one another transversely to the transport direction and, during operation, remain stationary. The number of magnets included in the further alignment device correspond to a number of columns of image-producing print motifs or groups of image-producing print motifs around a circumference of a forme cylinder.

An application unit includes an application mechanism having an application cylinder, a forme cylinder, and a supply roller, along with a positioning device. The positioning device has a linear guide and the application unit has a magazine for supply rollers, preferably located below the application mechanism, the magazine having magazine receptacles each for receiving one supply roller. The magazine has a repositioning device, by the use of which the magazine receptacles can be placed in different magazines positions. By the use of the positioning device, a supply roller can be moved along a linear roller positioning path, one end of which is identical to a supply position and the other end of which is identical to a magazine position of the magazine that is configured as a change position. The positioning device preferably has at least one transfer supporting member, which is arranged to be movable in and counter to a positioning direction relative to the frame of the flexographic application mechanism, guided along the at least one linear guide, and on which at least one component of a bearing seat can be arranged, which is configured to receive a rolling bearing arranged on the at least one supply roller.

An application unit includes an application mechanism having an application cylinder, a forme cylinder, and a supply roller, along with a positioning device. The positioning device has a linear guide and the application unit has a magazine for supply rollers, preferably located below the application mechanism, the magazine having magazine receptacles each for receiving one supply roller. The magazine has a repositioning device, by the use of which the magazine receptacles can be placed in different magazines positions. By the use of the positioning device, a supply roller can be moved along a linear roller positioning path, one end of which is identical to a supply position and the other end of which is identical to a magazine position of the magazine that is configured as a change position. The positioning device preferably has at least one transfer supporting member, which is arranged to be movable in and counter to a positioning direction relative to the frame of the flexographic application mechanism, guided along the at least one linear guide, and on which at least one component of a bearing seat can be arranged, which is configured to receive a rolling bearing arranged on the at least one supply roller.

A device for the alphanumeric labeling of printed products comprises a shaft mounted in a frame, and around which shaft at least one wheel-shaped or ring-shaped labeling tool is rotatably mounted, which tool carries a number of alphanumeric characters, one behind the other, on its outer circumference. A drive motor, in the form of, for example, a stepper motor, is provided and by which the labeling tool can be rotated around the shaft. The drive motor is linked for signals transmission to one of a data processing and a data storage of a control device, in which an assignment specification between the working positions of the alphanumeric characters or the fields carrying the alphanumeric characters, and step numbers of the stepper motor, is provided. The drive motor is or can be controlled by the control device in terms of a number of steps to be traveled, using this provided assignment specification, to move an alphanumeric character to be printed or the relevant field into a working position.

An image control system for a can decorator includes an electronic can decorator control assembly, a mechanical can decorator control assembly and a number of sensors. The electronic can decorator control assembly includes a programmable logic circuit and a number of modules. The mechanical can decorator control assembly is structured to be, and is, operatively coupled to at least one of an ink fountain ink application adjustment assembly, a ductor roll assembly duty cycle adjustment assembly, a printing plate cylinder assembly axial adjustment assembly or a printing plate cylinder assembly circumferential adjustment assembly. The electronic can decorator control assembly is structured to be operatively coupled to the mechanical can decorator control assembly. Each sensor in the number of sensors is structured to measure a can body applied image characteristic and to generate an image signal including data representing the can body applied image characteristic.

A mobile handling carriage for handling a rotary roll in a printing unit includes a mobile chassis; a support member for supporting the roll; a first drive device configured to drive the support member in translation in a vertical direction; an actuator mounted on the support member and configured to collaborate with the roll positioned a distance above the support member; a second drive device configured to drive the actuator in translation in a longitudinal direction; a control circuit configured to control a first sequence including, in succession: a raising of the support member; a longitudinal translation of the support member in a first direction; a lowering of the support member; a longitudinal translation of the actuator in the first direction.

A flexographic printing unit is provided for a sheet along a printing line, including a plurality of printing assemblies, each including a printing roller apt to include a printing block, automatic and programmable movement apparatus for the printing rollers, apt to distance at least one of the printing rollers from the printing line during the printing procedure, so that the printing roller does not print the sheet, wherein each of the printing assemblies includes a structure fixed to the floor, at least one frame, which is movable with respect to the structure fixed to the floor, including at least one printing roller and apt to be moved by the displacement apparatus and damping apparatus arranged between the frame and a fixed point so as to damp the movement of the frame.

An apparatus is disclosed for printing images on generally cylindrical objects. The apparatus comprises an impression station that includes a movable imaging surface for bearing an ink image; and a transport mechanism for advancing the objects through the impression station, comprising a drive member rotatably connected to a plurality of rotatable mandrels, each for mounting a respective one of the objects, the transport mechanism being configured to cause each object to rotate during passage through the impression station such that, within a nip region of the impression station, the surface of the object makes rolling contact with the imaging surface, thereby causing the ink image to be impressed on the object. An impression platen is provided opposite the imaging surface within the nip region, the impression platen being configured to apply a force, directly or indirectly, to the objects to ensure rolling contact between the objects and the imaging surface.

Plate cylinder driving devices of a printing machine are provided with a drive shaft driving the plate cylinder, a drive helical gear fixed to the drive shaft, and an anti-backlash helical gear rotatably connected to the drive shaft and is biased by at least a spring towards a direction for preventing backlash. Both the drive helical gear and the anti-backlash helical gear are engaged with the main gear, and a plate provided with plural holes accommodating rollers is provided between the drive helical gear and the anti-backlash helical gear. Friction between the anti-backlash gear and the drive gear is reduced by a simple mechanism in the plate cylinder driving devices in a printing machine.