Variable Sheet Length Printing Press with Modular Units

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing web-fed printing presses require significant time and effort for converting between different print image lengths, necessitating complex mechanical interventions and storage of multiple components to minimize downtime and waste.

Innovation Solution

A printing press design that includes at least one first printing unit and one second printing unit with different print image lengths, along with a cross-cutting mechanism to separate the printing material web into sheets of variable length, allowing for multiple print image lengths without mechanical interventions or extensive retrofitting, and a folding device for producing folded products.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If printing units with different print image lengths are used, then adaptability to different sheet lengths is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple components with different formats

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different sheet lengthsVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing printing units that can handle multiple print image lengths through a standardized interface. The cross-cutting means serves multiple functions by accommodating different sheet lengths produced from the same printing units, eliminating the need for separate specialized components for each format.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the printing press into modular printing units that operate independently but share common infrastructure. Each printing unit can be configured for different print image lengths while the cross-cutting means and web handling system remain standardized, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If conversion between different print image lengths is performed, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time increases due to mechanical interventions and setup adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconversion between print image lengthsVSAvoidconversion time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by enabling flexible configuration of printing units to different print image lengths without physical reassembly. The system allows dynamic adjustment of print parameters while maintaining continuous web-fed operation, eliminating downtime associated with mechanical conversions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring printing units with different print image length capabilities before operation. This allows seamless switching between formats without requiring on-site mechanical interventions or setup adjustments during production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple components for different formats are stored and maintained, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time and effort increases for personnel training and component management

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport for multiple formatsVSAvoidtime for personnel training and component management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for multiple specialized components by designing a universal printing unit that can handle different print image lengths through software-controlled parameters. The cross-cutting means is designed to work with all formats produced by the printing units, reducing component inventory requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the format-specific configuration from physical components and relocates it to control parameters. This allows the system to support multiple formats without requiring physical storage or maintenance of different hardware configurations, reducing personnel training requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS20240343036A1Printing press and method for producing variable sheet lengths

Publication Date: 2024.10.17 MANROLAND GOSS WEB SYST GMBH

AI summary

A printing press and a method for printing a printing material web wherein the change of the print image length and/or of the sheet length is possible in the shortest time. The printing press includes at least one first printing unit for at least one-sided printing of the printing material web with a first print image with a first print image length, at least one second printing unit for at least one-sided printing of the printing material web with a second print image with a second print image length deviating from the first print image length, and a cross-cutting means for separating the printing material web into sheets with a sheet length that corresponds to the first print image length or to the second print image length or to the quotient of the first print image length or of the second print image length and an integer greater than zero.