Former and Turn Bar Position Control for Web Printing Press Signatures

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Solution Overview

Problem

In offset rotary printing presses, manual adjustments are required for the air blowing amount and positions of the former or turn bar, leading to increased operator burden and paper waste due to changes in press state, such as rotational speed, which affects web bulging and signature positioning.

Innovation Solution

A control apparatus and method that includes paper end detecting means and control means to automatically adjust the position of the former or turn bar in response to detected changes, maintaining a constant signature position during changes in press state, thereby reducing operator intervention and paper waste.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual adjustment of former or turn bar position is performed, then signature position can be corrected, but operator burden increases and response time delays causing paper waste

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignature position accuracyVSAvoidoperator response time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-adjustment through automatic detection and control. The detection means monitors signature position deviations, and the control means automatically adjusts the former or turn bar position without operator intervention, enabling the system to correct its own positioning errors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements closed-loop feedback control where detection means continuously monitors signature position, compares it with the target position, and feeds this information back to the control means which adjusts the former or turn bar to eliminate position deviations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If manual monitoring and adjustment is performed, then signature position can be maintained, but operator burden increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignature position consistencyVSAvoidoperator workload
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically maintains signature position through self-monitoring and self-adjustment mechanisms. The detection means continuously tracks position deviations and the control means executes corrections without requiring operator attention or manual operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment operations with an automated control system that uses detection means (optical or sensor-based) and control means (actuated positioning mechanisms) to eliminate the need for operator intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of substance

If adjustment response is delayed, then system simplicity is maintained, but paper waste increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaper wasteVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous feedback control where detection means实时监控 signature position and control means immediately responds to position deviations, enabling rapid correction before significant paper waste occurs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system autonomously detects and corrects position deviations without external intervention, maintaining optimal signature positioning continuously and preventing paper waste through automatic real-time adjustment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3406553B1Control method and apparatus for strip-shaped material printing press
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 KOMORI CORP
  • EP3406553B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3406553B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3406553B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

A control apparatus for a web rotary printing press includes: a detector (29), located downstream of a former (108) and provided halfway through a transport path for a web (Wb) or a signature (Sb1) from the former (108) to a chopper (107b), for detecting the position of an end portion of the web (Wb) on a side folded by the former (108); and a former and turn bar control device (10) for adjusting the position, in the paper flow direction, of the former (108) or the position, in a lateral direction, of the chopper (107b) in response to an output from the detector (29).