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.

An apparatus and methods of decorating a metallic container are provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods used to provide a decoration on a predetermined portion of a metallic container body. The decorator includes a sensor that senses decorations on metallic containers. A control system receives information related to the sensed decorations from the sensor and then determines if the decorations at least meet predetermined color, density, thickness, orientation, and consistency targets. The control system can automatically adjust elements of the decorator to correct a deficient decoration. In one embodiment, the control system can automatically adjust ink blades associated with a plurality of inking assemblies of the decorator to adjust the color, density, orientation, positioning, and consistency of decorations transferred to the metallic containers. In another embodiment, the control system can adjust a position of an inking assembly, an ink roller, a plate cylinder, a printing plate, a blanket cylinder, and a transfer blanket of the decorator.

A registration system for a printing device and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. For example, the registration system includes a lead screw motor, a lead screw coupled to the lead screw motor, and a carriage coupled to the lead screw. The carriage includes two drive rollers, wherein each drive roller is coupled to a respective splined shaft coupled to a respective yoke, wherein the respective yoke is coupled to a drive pulley and a drive motor that is in a fixed position, wherein movement of the carriage causes the respective splined shaft of the two drive rollers to move guided by the respective yoke.

A registration system for a printing device and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. For example, the registration system includes a lead screw motor, a lead screw coupled to the lead screw motor, and a carriage coupled to the lead screw. The carriage includes two drive rollers, wherein each drive roller is coupled to a respective splined shaft coupled to a respective yoke, wherein the respective yoke is coupled to a drive pulley and a drive motor that is in a fixed position, wherein movement of the carriage causes the respective splined shaft of the two drive rollers to move guided by the respective yoke.

Techniques for manufacturing a light field print using a printing press. The techniques include: identifying at least one characteristic of the printing press at least in part by printing at least one calibration pattern; obtaining content to be rendered using the light field print, the content comprising multiple scene views; generating, based at least in part on the content and the at least one characteristic of the printing press, a front target pattern and a back target pattern; and using the printing press to: print the front target pattern on a first side of a substrate; and print the back target pattern on a second side of the substrate.

Techniques for manufacturing a light field print using a printing press. The techniques include: identifying at least one characteristic of the printing press at least in part by printing at least one calibration pattern; obtaining content to be rendered using the light field print, the content comprising multiple scene views; generating, based at least in part on the content and the at least one characteristic of the printing press, a front target pattern and a back target pattern; and using the printing press to: print the front target pattern on a first side of a substrate; and print the back target pattern on a second side of the substrate.

A baler implement includes a print system selectively configurable to print a plurality of available alpha-numeric characters on the bale. A marker controller is operable to receive data from a sensor related to a characteristic of the bale and then select a desired alpha-numeric character from the available alpha-numeric characters based on the data from the sensor. The marker controller may then configure the print system to select the desired alpha-numeric character, and actuate the print system to imprint the desired alpha-numeric character onto the bale, thereby marking the bale with the desired alpha-numeric character to communicate the characteristic of the bale.

A method for mounting one or more printing plate segments on a carrier sheet. The method comprises importing a file into a computer associated with a mounting unit. For each printing plate segment, the file includes a printing plate segment identifier, information regarding alignment of registration marks relative to the carrier sheet; and image data corresponding to a characteristic pattern associated with each printing plate segment. A composite image depicting the image data corresponding to the characteristic patterns is then displayed on a display in the predetermined arrangement of one or more printing plate segment locations and orientations. A mounting unit and a printing system and computer readable media programmed with instructions for performing the method are also described.

A method for mounting one or more printing plate segments on a carrier sheet. The method comprises importing a file into a computer associated with a mounting unit. For each printing plate segment, the file includes a printing plate segment identifier, information regarding alignment of registration marks relative to the carrier sheet; and image data corresponding to a characteristic pattern associated with each printing plate segment. A composite image depicting the image data corresponding to the characteristic patterns is then displayed on a display in the predetermined arrangement of one or more printing plate segment locations and orientations. A mounting unit and a printing system and computer readable media programmed with instructions for performing the method are also described.

According to examples, an apparatus may include a processor and a nontransitory computer readable medium on which is stored machine readable instructions that are to cause the processor to generate a linear piecewise control signal based on an internal resistance of a heating lamp to control a rate of change of a phase angle of an applied voltage in the heating lamp until a peak current in the heating lamp is within a predefined threshold of a maximum current rating of an alternating current (AC) power source of a circuit.