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.

In one example, an elevator for a roll of print media includes rotatable shafts oriented parallel to one another and translatable supports to support a roll of print media. Each support is operatively connected to the shafts such that rotating the shafts in a first direction raises the supports and rotating the shafts in a second direction opposite the first direction lowers the supports.

A print quality examination device is provided in a printing machine (1) provided with a printing unit (3) that performs printing on a mirror-reflection member (5a) of a sheet (5) to which the mirror-reflection member (5a) is added. The print quality examination device of the printing machine is provided with an examination camera (18a) that images a picture printed on the sheet (5), a light source (18h) that irradiates the sheet (5) with light, and a print quality examination unit (18g) that examines the quality of the picture printed by the printing unit (3) based on image data imaged by the examination camera (18a). The examination camera (18a) or the light source (18h) is configured to be movably supported on an arc about a detection point (P) imaged by the examination camera (18a) for the sheet (5).

A print quality examination device is provided in a printing machine (1) provided with a printing unit (3) that performs printing on a mirror-reflection member (5a) of a sheet (5) to which the mirror-reflection member (5a) is added. The print quality examination device of the printing machine is provided with an examination camera (18a) that images a picture printed on the sheet (5), a light source (18h) that irradiates the sheet (5) with light, and a print quality examination unit (18g) that examines the quality of the picture printed by the printing unit (3) based on image data imaged by the examination camera (18a). The examination camera (18a) or the light source (18h) is configured to be movably supported on an arc about a detection point (P) imaged by the examination camera (18a) for the sheet (5).

An assembly of a first and a second printing or converting apparatus is each at least provided with a number of printing or converting modules disposed one after the other in a main direction, through which in use a substrate web can be guided. The first and the second printing or converting apparatuses are respectively provided with a first and a second rail assembly each extending in a main direction next to or above the associated printing or converting modules and over which at least one processing station is movable. The assembly further includes a transfer assembly which is provided with rail assemblies which are configured to move the at least one processing station from the first rail assembly to the second rail assembly and vice versa and to buffer processing stations.

A web-fed printing machine that is highly variable in terms of its configuration, provides a high degree of positioning accuracy of processing modules and has a cost-efficient machine frame, includes a plurality of the processing modules fixed to the machine frame. Each respective processing module is advantageously fixed to the machine frame by a respective carrier module. Every carrier module includes two parallel longitudinal beams extending in the machine direction and two parallel crossbars which are oriented at right angles to the longitudinal beams and which interconnect the two longitudinal beams.

A system including a non-contact plate sensor and a processor configured to characterize a configuration of a plate based upon information received from the sensor, such as position on a press or plate quality. The processor is configured to initiate a responsive action based upon the characterized configuration. A related method includes setting pressure of a printing plate relative to an ink-receiving substrate and register of a printing plate relative to another printing plate on a press, without generating printed waste. The non-contact plate sensor measures a distance of the printing surface of the plate relative to the sensor in locations along the plate longitudinal axis to characterize a starting configuration of the plate. The plate longitudinal axis is adjusted to correspond with a desired position of the plate for exerting a desired pressure on the substrate, based upon a difference between the measured starting position and the desired position.

In order to provide a numbering and imprinting machine capable of minimizing the amount of wasted paper produced, the numbering and imprinting machine is provided with: a first-number inspection camera (124B) that is arranged downstream of the position of contact between an impression cylinder (112) and a first-number cylinder (113) of a first-number printing unit (111) in the direction of rotation of the impression cylinder (112), and images a first number printed on paper (W) held on the impression cylinder (112); a second number inspection camera (124C) that is arranged downstream of the position of contact between an impression cylinder (117) and a second-number cylinder (118) of a second-number printing unit (116) in the direction of rotation of the impression cylinder (117), and images a second number printed on paper (W) held on the impression cylinder (117); and a printing-press control device (10) that controls first- and second-number-cylinder throw-on and throw-off devices (38, 39) based on signals from the first- and second-number inspection cameras (124B, 124C) to cause the first-number cylinder (113) and the second-number cylinder (118) to make separating movements.

The invention relates to an apparatus and method for cutting, printing or embossing a continuous sheet of material. The apparatus comprises a tool element, at least two anvils, which are co-operable with the tool element, and a phase adjustment device. The tool element is configured to have a constant surface speed during operation of the apparatus. The apparatus is adapted to receive the continuous sheet at a constant speed into the apparatus, and being adapted to output the continuous sheet at a constant speed from the apparatus. The phase adjustment device is operable to adjust a speed of the continuous sheet within the apparatus in order to adjust a phase of alternate parts of the continuous sheet to be cut, printed or embossed by each anvil as it co-operates with the tool element.

A printing device, a printing machine, and a box making machine are provided with printing cylinders on which printing plates can be mounted, ink supply rolls that are placed on the upstream or downstream sides of the printing cylinders in a sheet-conveying direction and that can be in contact with the printing cylinders, ink supply units that can supply ink to the ink supply rolls, first covers that cover the upper parts of the printing cylinders in the vertical direction and that can be opened and closed, and footholds that cover the vertically upper parts of the ink supply rolls and that can be operated by an operator.