A screen-printing unit in a printing machine comprises a screen cylinder which carries a screen-printing stencil and in which a squeegee is moved, from the inside, into contact with, and away from the screen-printing stencil. The screen cylinder is moved into contact with an impression cylinder, such that a printing position is formed, and is moved away therefrom, such that a gap is formed. The screen cylinder is moved away from the impression cylinder, in a first phase, when the squeegee is in a non-contacting position. In a second phase, at least one sheet of printing material is passed through the printing position when the squeegee continues to be in a non-contacting position and the screen cylinder is at least temporarily in a contacting position. For subsequent sheets of printing material, in a third phase, the screen-printing unit is operated with the squeegee one of permanently and cyclically, such as at least once for each sheet of printing material, in a contacting position.

A method for operating a device for printing hollow cylinder is provided. The device comprises a rotating segmented wheel with a plurality of printing cylinders arranged successively along the periphery of the device. A plurality of plate cylinders are provided in association with the segmented wheel. According to a printing process to be performed, a selected quantity of plate cylinders is thrown onto the segment wheel or is thrown off the segment wheel. In a first printing process, a first partial quantity of thrown-on plate cylinders transfers printing ink to a plurality of the printing blankets arranged on the segment wheel. At the end of the printing process, at least some of the plate cylinders, that were thrown on the segment wheel in the first printing process, are thrown off the rotating segment wheel. During constant uninterrupted rotation of the segment wheel, for the implementation of a second printing process, a second partial quantity of plate cylinders is thrown onto the segment wheel and respectively transfer printing ink to a plurality of the printing blankets arranged on the segment wheel. The respective printing forme of at least one plate cylinder involved in the first printing process, and uninvolved in the ongoing second printing process, is changed during the ongoing printing process.

Correction values (1-n) according to image area ratios in ranges of a printing plate of a preceding print job corresponding to ink fountain keys (4-1-4-n) are obtained. Opening amounts (1b-nb) of the ink fountain keys (4-1-4-n) corresponding to the image of the printing plate (7) of a next print job are corrected by correction values (1-n) to obtain corrected opening amounts (1b-nb). In a state in which ink in an ink roller group (6) has been decreased by scraping and removing it by an ink scraper blade (15) and in a state in which the opening amounts of the ink fountain keys (4-1-4-n ) have been set to the corrected opening amounts (1b-nb), an ink film thickness distribution corresponding to the image of the printing plate of the next print job is formed on the ink roller group (6).

Correction values (1-n) according to image area ratios in ranges of a printing plate of a preceding print job corresponding to ink fountain keys (4-1-4-n) are obtained. Opening amounts (1b-nb) of the ink fountain keys (4-1-4-n) corresponding to the image of the printing plate (7) of a next print job are corrected by correction values (1-n) to obtain corrected opening amounts (1b-nb). In a state in which ink in an ink roller group (6) has been decreased by scraping and removing it by an ink scraper blade (15) and in a state in which the opening amounts of the ink fountain keys (4-1-4-n ) have been set to the corrected opening amounts (1b-nb), an ink film thickness distribution corresponding to the image of the printing plate of the next print job is formed on the ink roller group (6).

A decorator press for printing on metal cans has a pump unit, a distribution head, a sensing device and a processing circuit. The pump unit comprises a plurality of inlet ports, a first inlet port configured to receive an ink of a first color from a first ink source and a second inlet port configured to receive an ink of a second color darker than the first color. The distribution head is coupled to the pump unit and configured to spread fluid received from the pump unit across zones of a print roller. The sensing device is coupled to the press and configured to sense a characteristic of fluid flowing out of the distribution head. The processing circuit is configured to receive the sensed characteristic, compare the sensed characteristic to a predetermined threshold, and to provide an indication to a display based on the comparison.

A flexible-electronic-device manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an electronic device including a flexible base material and a plurality of functional layers provided thereon includes: an impression cylinder configured to hold and transport the base material; impression-cylinder driving means for rotating the impression cylinder; processing means for performing a plurality of processes for providing the plurality of functional layers by a printing method or a coating applying method on the base material held on the impression cylinder; impression-cylinder phase detecting means for detecting the phase of the impression cylinder; and controlling means for controlling the impression-cylinder driving means and the processing means based on the result of detection by the impression-cylinder phase detecting means.

A flexible-electronic-device manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an electronic device including a flexible base material and a plurality of functional layers provided thereon includes: an impression cylinder configured to hold and transport the base material; impression-cylinder driving means for rotating the impression cylinder; processing means for performing a plurality of processes for providing the plurality of functional layers by a printing method or a coating applying method on the base material held on the impression cylinder; impression-cylinder phase detecting means for detecting the phase of the impression cylinder; and controlling means for controlling the impression-cylinder driving means and the processing means based on the result of detection by the impression-cylinder phase detecting means.

A dampening water amount regulating apparatus 40 includes a plurality of air supply boxes 41 disposed in a line in an axial direction of a water transfer roller 8 and each defines one air blowing portion. The air supply box 41 includes a substantially U-shaped air passage 67 that allows air in an air supply chamber 57 to pass along an outer peripheral surface of the water transfer roller 8 and supplies the same into an air discharge chamber 60. A valve mechanism 44 that increases and decreases an air amount is provided at a midsection of the air passage 67.

A dampening water amount regulating apparatus 40 includes a plurality of air supply boxes 41 disposed in a line in an axial direction of a water transfer roller 8 and each defines one air blowing portion. The air supply box 41 includes a substantially U-shaped air passage 67 that allows air in an air supply chamber 57 to pass along an outer peripheral surface of the water transfer roller 8 and supplies the same into an air discharge chamber 60. A valve mechanism 44 that increases and decreases an air amount is provided at a midsection of the air passage 67.

A dampening water amount regulating apparatus 40 includes a plurality of air supply boxes 41 disposed in a line in an axial direction of a water transfer roller 8 and each defines one air blowing portion. The air supply box 41 includes a substantially U-shaped air passage 67 that allows air in an air supply chamber 57 to pass along an outer peripheral surface of the water transfer roller 8 and supplies the same into an air discharge chamber 60. A valve mechanism 44 that increases and decreases an air amount is provided at a midsection of the air passage 67.