A drying system and method of operating the drying system to dry a printed shrinkable web are disclosed. A web transport is adapted to convey the printed web between a heating apparatus and a cooling apparatus. The heating apparatus directs heat toward the web and the cooling apparatus concurrently chills the web. A temperature sensing device is adapted to develop an indication of a temperature of the web and the controller is adapted to adjust a temperature of at least one of the heating apparatus and the cooling apparatus in accordance with such indication.

In some examples, a transport cylinder for transporting a sheet-format substrate includes at least one channel extending on an outer surface of the transport cylinder in an axial direction. Each channel includes at least one gripper, which is supported on a shaft, for holding a substrate on the outer surface of the transport cylinder. Each channel is covered by a respective cover at the outer surface of the transport cylinder. The cover and/or a shaft supporting the at least one gripper may include a cooling unit. In some examples, a drying unit that includes the transport cylinder may further include an electron beam for curing a printing fluid on a substrate on the transport cylinder. In some examples, a printing press may include the drying unit including the transport cylinder.

An active energy radiation unit includes a light source which radiates ultraviolet rays onto a target object, and a main gas supply mechanism which is disposed to be adjacent to the light source and ejects an inert gas. The main gas supply mechanism includes a receiving part which receives nitrogen gas, a first ejection port which is provided at a position between the receiving part and the light source in a transfer direction and closer to the target object than the receiving part and a second ejection port which is provided between the receiving part and the first ejection port in the transfer direction.

The disclosure relates to methods of manufacturing surface materials for construction or manufacturing use and the surface materials produced by such methods. Substrate materials, such as synthetic or engineered stone or fiber-reinforced resinous panels, can be formed in conventional ways such as casting, molding, or pressing. Layers are printed onto substrate materials to form textures, which may include inks to selectively color the printed texture, thereby enabling a wide variety of high-resolution appearances. A clear, protective topcoat is then applied to the surface materials and cured to provide a finished material.

A dryer unit (26), especially an intracolor dryer unit, for a printing machine is presented. It comprises a web inlet edge (34) and a web outlet edge (36) being substantially parallel to one another and defining a drying area (28) therebetween. Additionally, an air inlet and a first air outlet (38) being connected to the air inlet in an air-ducting manner are provided. The first air outlet (38) is positioned adjacent to one of the web inlet edge (34) and the web outlet edge (36) and a middle axis of the first air outlet (38) is inclined towards the respective other of the web inlet edge (34) and the web outlet edge (36) with respect to the drying area (28). Furthermore, a printing machine is described, comprising an impression drum, at least two ink application units and at least one dryer unit (26) as described above.

A dryer unit (26), especially an intracolor dryer unit, for a printing machine is presented. It comprises a web inlet edge (34) and a web outlet edge (36) being substantially parallel to one another and defining a drying area (28) therebetween. Additionally, an air inlet and a first air outlet (38) being connected to the air inlet in an air-ducting manner are provided. The first air outlet (38) is positioned adjacent to one of the web inlet edge (34) and the web outlet edge (36) and a middle axis of the first air outlet (38) is inclined towards the respective other of the web inlet edge (34) and the web outlet edge (36) with respect to the drying area (28). Furthermore, a printing machine is described, comprising an impression drum, at least two ink application units and at least one dryer unit (26) as described above.

A light-irradiating device of the disclosure comprises: a light-irradiating unit comprising a housing in which a light-emitting element is disposed, the housing comprising a light irradiation surface through which light from the light-emitting element can be transmitted; and a gas supply unit comprising a flow channel connected to a part of the light irradiation surface of the housing. A printing device of the disclosure comprises: the light-irradiating device mentioned above; a conveying unit which conveys a medium to be printed while causing the medium to face the light irradiation surface of the light-irradiating device; and a printing unit which is disposed adjacent to and upstream from the light-irradiating device in a conveyance direction of the medium to be printed.

A light-irradiating device of the disclosure comprises: a light-irradiating unit comprising a housing in which a light-emitting element is disposed, the housing comprising a light irradiation surface through which light from the light-emitting element can be transmitted; and a gas supply unit comprising a flow channel connected to a part of the light irradiation surface of the housing. A printing device of the disclosure comprises: the light-irradiating device mentioned above; a conveying unit which conveys a medium to be printed while causing the medium to face the light irradiation surface of the light-irradiating device; and a printing unit which is disposed adjacent to and upstream from the light-irradiating device in a conveyance direction of the medium to be printed.

A flexographic printing press for printing a substrate web comprises at least one printing unit and at least one central cylinder. A plurality of printing couples are arranged around the periphery of the at least one central cylinder. A horizontally aligned dryer unit, having at least one guide element, is arranged above the printing unit in a vertical direction. The at least one horizontally aligned dryer unit has at least two dryer sections with one dryer section being arranged separated from the next dryer section by at least one diverting assembly. The at least one flexographic printing press has at least one roll unwinder and at least one roll winder. The at least one roll unwinder and the at least one roll winder are arranged on opposite sides of the at least one central cylinder.

A dryer unit (18) for applying a dryer gas to a sheet material inside a printing machine comprises a dryer body (20) having a first set (26) of dryer gas output openings (28). These openings (28) are arranged in a substantially regular pattern covering an application width (20a) of the dryer unit (18). Additionally, at least one dryer gas output slot (38) is arranged upstream the first set (26) of dryer gas output openings (28). Furthermore, a printing machine is presented which comprises such a dryer unit (18).