A conveyor conveys a sheet along a conveyance path provided with an ultrasonic sensor, and includes: an updating member that successively updates a parameter indicating aged deterioration of the conveyor; a searcher that searches a look-up table storing pieces of noise data of noises predicted to be superimposed on a detection signal of the ultrasonic sensor in accordance with a degree of the aged deterioration, and obtains a piece of noise data corresponding to a current parameter value of the conveyor; and a signal processor that uses, for signal processing, a remaining portion of the detection signal of the ultrasonic sensor excluding a portion corresponding to the piece of noise data obtained by the searcher.

A conveyor conveys a sheet along a conveyance path provided with an ultrasonic sensor, and includes: an updating member that successively updates a parameter indicating aged deterioration of the conveyor; a searcher that searches a look-up table storing pieces of noise data of noises predicted to be superimposed on a detection signal of the ultrasonic sensor in accordance with a degree of the aged deterioration, and obtains a piece of noise data corresponding to a current parameter value of the conveyor; and a signal processor that uses, for signal processing, a remaining portion of the detection signal of the ultrasonic sensor excluding a portion corresponding to the piece of noise data obtained by the searcher.

Printing machine, for printing a laminar web, comprising a feeding unit (10) defining a printing area (A); an inkjet printing station (20) comprising a plurality of inkjet printing modules (21) slidably arranged along a transverse guide (22); a positioning device (30) adapted to precisely slide the inkjet printing modules (21) along the transverse guide (22); wherein each inkjet printing module (21) includes a first coupling (31) and is independent from other inkjet printing modules (21) allowing an independent movement of each inkjet printing module (21) along the transverse guide (22); and the positioning device (30) includes a second coupling (32) complementary to each first coupling (31), the second coupling (32) being releasably engageable to each first coupling (31) in an automatic manner, the positioning device (30) being configured to precisely slide each inkjet printing module (21) engaged thereto, along the transverse guide (22).

Printing machine, for printing a laminar web, comprising a feeding unit (10) defining a printing area (A); an inkjet printing station (20) comprising a plurality of inkjet printing modules (21) slidably arranged along a transverse guide (22); a positioning device (30) adapted to precisely slide the inkjet printing modules (21) along the transverse guide (22); wherein each inkjet printing module (21) includes a first coupling (31) and is independent from other inkjet printing modules (21) allowing an independent movement of each inkjet printing module (21) along the transverse guide (22); and the positioning device (30) includes a second coupling (32) complementary to each first coupling (31), the second coupling (32) being releasably engageable to each first coupling (31) in an automatic manner, the positioning device (30) being configured to precisely slide each inkjet printing module (21) engaged thereto, along the transverse guide (22).

Devices and methods for identifying categories or types of print media in image forming apparatuses are disclosed. In an example method print media are advanced in a feeding direction to reach a cutting position, a cutter is advanced in a cutting direction, perpendicular to the feeding direction to cut the print media, friction between the cutter and the print medium is measured, and the print media are identified based on the measured friction.

Devices and methods for identifying categories or types of print media in image forming apparatuses are disclosed. In an example method print media are advanced in a feeding direction to reach a cutting position, a cutter is advanced in a cutting direction, perpendicular to the feeding direction to cut the print media, friction between the cutter and the print medium is measured, and the print media are identified based on the measured friction.

A processing machine for processing sheets comprises at least one application unit and at least one sheet sensor associated with that application unit. The at least one sheet sensor is arranged upstream of the associated application unit, along a transport path for sheets. The at least one sheet sensor is configured to detect the arrival time of sheets as the position of the sheet sensor. The at least one application unit, in each case, comprises at least one printing couple having a forme cylinder and an individual drive which is associated to that forme cylinder. The at least one sheet sensor is configured to control the position or the rotational speed of the forme cylinder in one of a closed loop or an open loop. The invention also relates to a method for processing sheets.

A processing machine for processing sheets comprises at least one application unit and at least one sheet sensor associated with that application unit. The at least one sheet sensor is arranged upstream of the associated application unit, along a transport path for sheets. The at least one sheet sensor is configured to detect the arrival time of sheets as the position of the sheet sensor. The at least one application unit, in each case, comprises at least one printing couple having a forme cylinder and an individual drive which is associated to that forme cylinder. The at least one sheet sensor is configured to control the position or the rotational speed of the forme cylinder in one of a closed loop or an open loop. The invention also relates to a method for processing sheets.

Automated inspection technology is integrated with a cylindrical container print decorator machine to optimize the decoration process by making critical process and machine information properly and immediately available for corrective adjustments to the process. With this information, a high speed decoration machine operator will be made directly aware of the portions or subsystems of the decorator machine not functioning properly. The information directly facilitates, and can even recommend, corrective adjustments that are necessary to the decorator to better optimize printing functions. It is possible to use this information to optimize the operation of the decorator. It is possible to use this information by way of a properly configured control system, after specific augmentation capabilities are added to the decorator machine, to automatically close the loops with specific decorator printing machine parts or subsystems to dramatically improve the decorating process even while the machine is printing.

Automated inspection technology is integrated with a cylindrical container print decorator machine to optimize the decoration process by making critical process and machine information properly and immediately available for corrective adjustments to the process. With this information, a high speed decoration machine operator will be made directly aware of the portions or subsystems of the decorator machine not functioning properly. The information directly facilitates, and can even recommend, corrective adjustments that are necessary to the decorator to better optimize printing functions. It is possible to use this information to optimize the operation of the decorator. It is possible to use this information by way of a properly configured control system, after specific augmentation capabilities are added to the decorator machine, to automatically close the loops with specific decorator printing machine parts or subsystems to dramatically improve the decorating process even while the machine is printing.