Web-fed printing press flexible processing unit positioning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Web-fed printing machines face limitations in processing printed material webs post-conventional printing, as downstream processing devices are positioned where production speed is slow, and not all printed pages or points are accessible for further processing.

Innovation Solution

Integrating flexible processing devices such as film transfer devices, inkjet printing systems, gluing, varnishing, drying, cutting, punching, and perforating devices along the entire web path, allowing for additional processing on any side or edge of the printing material web at various positions between the roll changer and the folding unit, enabling full-speed processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If processing devices are positioned downstream of a folder, then processing can be performed on printed material webs, but production speed decreases and not all printed pages or points are accessible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of printed pages for processingVSAvoidproduction speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions processing devices in the vertical dimension (between printing units) rather than only downstream horizontally, enabling access to web surfaces that would otherwise be inaccessible due to folding, thereby maintaining high production speed while achieving complete accessibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Processing is performed on the web surface before it enters the folding unit, ensuring that all areas are accessible and processed at high speed before the web is folded into formats that would limit subsequent access

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If processing devices are reassembled for production changes, then processing can be adapted to different requirements, but device complexity and setup time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility of processing operationsVSAvoidcomplexity of processing device assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The processing devices are designed with adjustable and repositionable mounting mechanisms that allow flexible positioning at different web running positions without requiring complex reassembly, enabling rapid adaptation to different production requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The processing device system is designed as a universal platform that can perform multiple processing operations (printing, gluing, varnishing, cutting, punching, perforating) at various positions along the web path, eliminating the need for specialized devices for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2065191B1Web-fed printing press

Publication Date: 2014.07.02 MANROLAND WEB SYST

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

A rotary printing machine (1) with at least one printing unit (13) for printing at least one substrate web (19), and with at least one processing unit for processing the at least one substrate web (19), control means for controlling the at least one processing unit and fastening means by which the at least one processing unit is arranged at any web travel position (A to K) between a roll changer (10) of the rotary printing machine (1) and an output of a folding unit (18) of the rotary printing machine (1) such that the at least one processing unit can process the substrate web (19) on a top side and/or on a bottom side and/or one or both edges of the same.