GB2083798A - Registration of apparatus handling webs - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus for printing, perforating crimping or folding webs in which units (15a to 15h) operating upon a receiving web (10) at respective longitudinal positions, and which may include rotary processing elements, are provided with digital signal responsive means for positional adjustment relatively to the web (10) to bring about lateral or longitudinal adjustment of the location at which the operation is performed. The adjustment is effected by electrical stepping motors fed from a pulse generator, and in the case of longitudinal adjustment continued indefinitely as required by imparting lead or lag to the rotary element concerned. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Method and apparatus for printing This invention relates to printing and concerns both a method of printing and apparatus for printing.

The invention has been developed primarily in relation to the printing of forms. A particular example of the form in question is of a type which is known as a continuous computer form and which is a long web of paper which is required to have certain characteristics of which the following are typical but not exhaustive:: (1) holes of a predetermined size and spacing forming a row which extends longitudinally along each lateral margin of the web at a predetermined distance inset from the adjacent edge, these holes being of a size and spacing suitable for meshing with drive sprockets on a computer output printer when the form is in use; (2) holes of a smaller size set at a smaller spacing with each other, form a row also at the inner boundary of each margin of the web at a predetermined position inset from the sprocket drive holes to permit the margin readily to be torn off from the remaining central portion of the web without damage to the latter;; (3) a predetermined width for the web formed by slitting the initial margins of the web longitudinally at a predetermined position laterally outwardly of the row of sprocket holes to provide the outer boundaries of the final margins and hence also predetermined distance referred to in (1) above; (4) crimping of the web along each of two longitudinally extending zones, in the margins, the crimping being done for the purpose of securing a number of webs together including for example one or more carbon coated webs; (5) printed material proper such as a series of longitudinally spaced laterally elongate zones of a distinctive colour (possibly defined by closely spaced lines of that colour) and intervening uncoloured zones, one or both set of zones possibly being serially numbered longitudinally of the web with the numbers situated inwardly of the tear off margin.

(6) a widthwise extending row of closely spaced holes in a row forming what is known as a "cross perforation"; (7) a zig-zag folded configuration.

One of the problems in producing such forms is that the distances applicable to the characteristics listed above vary according from one country to another and also within a given country to meet specific customer requirements.

Thus, printing machines in which, for forming the transversely extending rows of "pitch perforations" may have operating elements in the form of perforating cylinders of fixed circumferential size differing from one machine and another. To meet a typical British requirement of perforation pitch lengths of 24", 12", 8" or 6", the circumference of the pitch perforation cylinder may be 24", whereas to meet a requirement which is common in the U.S.A. and Australia, for pitch lengths of 11" or 81/2" the cylinder may have a circumference of 17"or11".

Further, although there are various standards throughout the world regarding the width of the forms and the dimensions between rows of sprocket holes and the overall width of the main central portion of the form, after removing the tear off margin, the actual value of these dimensions called for in practice are almost inumerable.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a method of printing, and an apparatus therefor, which enables these differing requirements to be met more expeditiously and/or without the exercise of such a high degree of skill on the part of the operator as has been the case up to now.

The invention is however of more general application to printing and printing apparatus and may be utilised where similar or analogous problems arise.

According to a first aspect, the invention resides in the provision of a method of printing wherein the positional relationship between a datum location and each of one or more desired locations at which a printing operation is to be performed by a respective operating means on a receiving web is determined by generating a position controlling electrical or other digital signal, representing in the or each case, the distance, of the desired location from the datum location, or from the present location of the operating means concerned, and positionally adjusting operating means concerned in accordance with the digital value of said signal.

According to a second aspect, the invention resides in a method of printing comprising the steps of: (a) feeding a web longitudinally of a feed path past a number of operating means for performing respective printing operations at stations spaced along the feed path; (b) positionally adjusting at least one of the operating means by imposing an angle of lead or lag up to at least one complete revolution on a rotational operating element of said operating means to adjust the location of the printing operation performed on the web longitudinally thereof with respect to a datum location; (c) generating a digital signal comprising drive pulses corresponding in number to the magnitude of the angle of lead or lag required to be imposed; (d) supplying said number of pulses to a stepping motorforeffecting said positional adjustment.

A third aspect of the invention resides in the provision of printing apparatus for performing printing operations on a receiving web comprising: (a) one or more operating means for performing the printing operation or respective printing operations required; (b) mounting means permitting of positional adjustment of the operating means, or so many thereof as are required to be positionally adjusted, relatively to a feed path through the apparatus for the web;; (c) signal generating means for generating an digital signal representing the distance of a desired location on the web at which the operating means concerned is required to operate from a datum location, or from the present location of said operating means, (d) drive means responsive to said digital signal to effect positional adjustment of the operating means concerned in accordance with the digital value of said signal.

A fourth aspect of the invention resides in the provision of printing apparatus for performing printing operations on a receiving web comprising: (a) means defining a feed path through the apparatus for longitudinal feed of the web; (b) operating means corresponding in number to the number of printing operations to be performed at respective printing stations spaced along the feed path and including at least one operating means comprising an operating element rotatable about an axis extending transversely of the feed path to bring circumferentially successive portions of said operating element into operative engagement with the web; (c) feed means for feeding the web longitudinally of the feed path; (d) drive means for driving said operating element at a speed conforming to that of the web;; (e) adjustment means comprising a stepping motor for positionally adjusting said operating element rotationally about its axis to impose an angle of lead or lag up to at least one complete revolution with respect to a datum location and thereby adjust the location of the printing operation longitudinally of the web; (f) drive pulse generating means for supplying energising drive pulses to said stepping motor representing the distance between a datum location on the web and desired location on the web at which said operating element is required to perform a printing operation thereon.

In the foregoing definitions of the invention in its broader aspect and hereafter, the term "printing" is used in a generic sense to mean the operation of making a mark, hole, deformation including folding, attaching an element, or cutting or weakening the web on which the operation is performed.

The term "location" means the place at which the printing operation is effective on the web.

The term "web" means a length of paper or other flexible sheet material for the reception of printing operations and including a long web normally drawn from a roll and individual sheets normally stored in or fed from a stack or like assemblage.

The invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure lisa diagrammatic view in side elevation of one embodiment of a printing machine in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale and in transverse vertical cross-section through one of the operating means of the machine, namely means for forming sprocket holes; Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but in vertical cross-section through an operating unit for effecting length perforations; Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of the operating means of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2 in vertical cross-section through the operating means for effecting longitudinal slitting of the web;; Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 2 but in vertical cross-section through the operating means for effecting crimping of a supplementary web to the main web; Figure 7 is a schematic circuit and diagrammatic view showing one arrangement for effecting drive of adjusting motors for the various operating means; Figure 8 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view showing one embodiment of drive means for the operating means for printing and/or cross perforating the web; Figure 9 is a schematic circuit diagram and diagrammatic view showing one arrangement for controlling the stopping position of the adjustment drive means; Figure 10 is a schematic circuit diagram of a control circuit embodying a computer for controlling adjustment of the various operating means provided on the machine and for controlling the machine as a whole;; Figures 1 lA and 11B show a flow chart representing the programming of the computer embodied in the current of Figure 10; Figure 12 is a diagrammatic plan view of a folder unti which may be incorporated in the apparatus.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, the machine comprises a number of serially arranged operating means for performing different printing operations on a web 10 which is fed along a feed path extending generally longitudinally of the array of operating means from a supply reel 11 supported in a suitable terminal unit 12 at one end of the machine and delivered to a receiving unit 1 5h at the opposite end of the machine.

Byway of example, but not exhaustively, the various operating means are identified as follows starting from the left-hand end of Figure 1. Three printing units 15eel, 15e2, 15e3 for printing zones, numerals, or the like are followed by a draw-wheel unit 15go, an edge trim or slitter unit 15c, a length perforation hole punching unit 1 sub, a head punching unit 15h for punching holes suitably positioned to enable the web or sections thereof to be filed in use, a sprocket hole punching unit 15a, a further draw-wheel unit 15g2, a cross perforation unit 15fand a crimping unit 1sod.

The working parts of the various units are driven in synchronised relation with each other, preferably from a common drive shaft 16 itself driven from a motor 17.

After receiving the printing operations entailed in the operation of the various units, the web is delivered in a zig-zag folded mode to a receiving unit 15h. A folder unit for effecting folding in this mode is not shown in the diagrammatic view of Figure 1 but is shown in Figure 12 and would be positioned beneath the crimping unit 1 Sd from which the web descends substantially vertically.

Each unit may embody a display device providing for indication or read out of the present position of adjustment of the relevant adjustably mounted operating element or elements embodied in the unit. Further, each unit may embody a drive element which may be a drive motor such as a stepping motor, or a rotary in put element for receiving drive from an external motor, or a manually operable element for effecting adjustment of said adjustably mounted operating element or elements. For simplicity display and adjustment devices are described with reference only in relation to those units hereinafter more specifically described but it will be understood that they may be provided for each of the units 15a to 15g2 separately identified in Figure 1.

The operating element or elements of each unit 1 5a to 15g2 may be adjusted to meet particular user requirements, either manually as by use of the adjustment member 20a, or under power from a drive motor.

In the latter case a single drive motor may be employed to effect all adjustments of a like kind, e.g. widthwise of the web as shown in Figure 7. Alternatively, individual adjustment motors may be provided for the various units, for example as shown in Figure 8 for the units 15a to 15d. A separate adjustment motor would in any case be provided for any unit or units which entail a different form of adjustment, e.g. adjustment of the plate carrying roll of any of the units 15el - 15e3 or the cross perforated element of unit 1 Sfto operate at different longitudinal positions on the web as hereinafter more fully described.

For simplicity only certain of the units will be described in some detail. For unit 15a the suffix a will be applied to reference numerals designating different parts and these same reference numerals with suffixes b, c, d and e are shown on the Figures of the drawings applicable to the units 156, 15c, 15d, 15e which will be further described only where necessary to explain the functioning of these units, or where the various elements which make up these units do not have exact or close counterparts in previously described units.

Referring now to Figure 2, the unit 15a includes side plates 21 a, 22a connected to a base plate and to each other by transverse tie members to form a body or frame supporting the working parts of the unit.

Two pairs of operating elements for operating upon the web are provided, these comprising punch holders 23a, 24a in the form of roller-like or spider- shaped bodies equipped with radially projecting circular section rod-like punches 25a, 26a which cooperate with corresponding apertured dies 27a, 28a carried by the rim of a respective one of die holders 29a, 30a which are also of roller or spider shape.

The punch and die holders are carried on respective shafts 31a, 32a which are coupled to each other through meshing gear elements 33a, 34a at a 1:1 ratio, the upper shaft 31a being driven by appropriate gearing meshing with drive gear 34a operatively connected with the back shaft 16.

In the particular embodiment illustrated the punch holder body 23a and the die holder 29a are axially fixed on their respective shafts 31 a, 32a, but the corresponding punch and die holders 24a and 30a are carried by mounting means which permit of axial movement along their shafts, the mounting means comprises respective sleeves 35a, 36a to which the holders are fixed. The sleeve 36a is slidable along the shaft 32a but driven therefrom through the intermediary of key 38a. Sleeve 36a serves to drive sleeve 35a through the intermediary of meshing 1:1 ratio gear elements 39a, 40a.

The axial positions of the sleeves 35a, 36a along their respective shafts is determined by yokes 41a, 42a carrying ball races 43a, 44a located between a shoulder on each sleeve and the hub of the driving gear for such sleeve.

The yokes 41 a, 42a are themselves movable along lead screws 45a, 46a through the intermediary of nuts 47a, 48a carried on the lead screws. The latter are coupled to each other by a chain and sprocket drive, the sprodkets being shown at 49a, 50a and the chain omitted for simplicity.

The upper lead screw is rotatable by means of a drive element 20a which may, as illustrated, be a manually operable knob but can be a toothed element such as a sprocket or toothed pulley for receiving positive drive from a motor or may be constituted by the rotary output element, e.g. armature, of an electrical drive motor.

Associated with the drive element is an indicator means 19a. This may comprise a drum or boss which is rotatable with the lead screw 45a past an index mark carried on the side frame member 22a or some other suitable part of the unit.

The lead screw 45a can be locked in an adjusted position by means of a manually operable locking device such as a split clamping plate 51a which can be set in a release position or a locking position by means of a manually operable clamping handle 52a operating screw means to contract or expand the aperture of the clamping plate as desired.

Typically the scale on the indicator element 1 9a may have 200 divisions 19awl in its circumference and the lead screws 45a, 46a may have an axial pitch of 0.2 inches (5.08mm) so that each division corresponds to 0.001 (0.0254mm) inches movement of the yokes 41a, 42a producing a corresponding axial adjustment of the punch and die holders 24a, 30a. This velocity ratio effective between axial shift of the sleeves and rotation of the indicator element through an angle corresponding to one digit or division is not limiting as to the scope of the invention, but it is considered that the ratio should be such that for each division or digit of the indicator means the axial shift of the sleeves should be not more than about 0.002 inches or 0.05mm. to preserve the ability to achieve highly accurate adjustment if effected manually.

Aithough, as shown in Figure 2, the punch and die holders 23a, 29a are axially fitted, it would be possible for these to be mounted in a manner similarto the punch and die holders 24a, 30a and for the lead screws 45a, 46a to bear left and right-hand thread portions outwardly from their centers so that rotation of the operating element 28 produces movement of the two pairs of punch and die holders towards and away from the centre line ofthe unit.

It will be noted that the punches 25a, 26a and the respectively associated dies 27a, 28a are removably mounted on their holders. Typically the punches shown may be for punching 5/32 inch holes but they may be exchanged for punching other standard sized holes as required.

In the further units now described, parts which correspond functionally to those described in a preceding one of the units are designated by a corresponding reference numeral with a distinctive suffix, e.g. b, c etc.

and the preceding description is to be deemed to apply.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4 illustrating the length perforation, the web may typically require to be perforated one quarter of an inch laterally inwardly from the centre line of each row of sprocket holes. The perforating tools comprise hardened sharpened wheels 55b,56b rotatably carried on pins 57b,58b between the limbs of bifurcated arms 59b.

The arms are pivotally mounted on pins 63b, 64b spanning recesses 65b, 66b in the upper end of yokes 61b, 62b. The arms 59b and 60b are spring loaded for angular movement about the pins 63b, 64,b as shown by arrow 66b to bring the perforating wheels into contact with a backing or resistance roller as seen at 67b for the wheels 56b.

The yokes 61h, 62b are keyed to the spindle 32b. The yoke 61b has a fixed axial position relatively to lead screw 46b but the yoke 62b is adjustable axially by rotating the lead screw by means of operating element 20b. Drive is established through meshing gear elements 68b, 69b, the former being fixed on a bush 70b rotatably mounted in the frame member 22b and the latter being keyed to the adjacent end of lead screw 46b which is carried by bearings 70h1, 71b1, arms 70b, 71b depending from and rotatable with the spindle 32b.

The yoke 62b is adjusted axially through cooperation of the nut 48b with the lead screw 46b and serves to move perforating wheel 56b The perforating wheels may typically have circumferentially interrupted cutting edges to punch perforating holes of 5/32" diameter.

The perforating wheel 56b may be moved out of its operating position shown by means of an eccentric 72b rotatable by a handle 73b and mouted in a slide block 74b itself mounted in a vertical guideway 75b in an upward extension of the arm 716. This serves to move the perforating wheel 56b at the right hand side of Figure 3 away from the resistance or backing roller 67b and permits of lateral adjustment should the web be stationary.

Referring now to Figure 5 showing the unit for effecting slitting to determine overall width of the web, the lateral adjustment means for the slitting elements at the right hand side of the machine is closely similar to that provided for the punching devices for sprocket holes.

In this case however, sprung knife elements 77c, 78c are carried by stub spindles 31c and co-operate with fixed i.e. unsprung knife elements 79c, 80c.

The co-operating knife elements 78c, 80c are collectively adjusted laterally by means of a lead screw 46c and nut 48c carried by a yoke 42c.

The knives may typically be set to form slits outwardly of the sprocket holes by a distance of 1/4" in the centre of these holes.

As in the case of the two units already described, adjustment may if desired be provided both sides of the machine for moving the operating elements towards and away from the centre.

Referring to the crimping unit shown in Figure 6, the lateral adjustment arrangement is similar to that of the sprocket hole perforating unit.

When two or more webs, one or more of which may be carbon coated, are to be run through the press, these webs may be crimped together to secure the webs to each other.

This is achieved by passing the webs collectively between grooved crimping elements 85d, 86d in the form of rollers, and crimping or punching rollers 87d, 88d. The former are supported on stub spindles 31d and the latter on a spindle 32d.

The right-hand pair of co-operative crimping elements are adjustable laterally by means of lead screw 46d, nut 48d, yoke 42d. The adjustment may be performed by rotating operating elements 20b, drive being transmitted through sprockets 49d, 50d, the latter being driven through bevel gear elements 89d, 90d.

The crimping may take place in longitudinally extending zones which are in the unprinted (tear off) margins of the web outwardly of the perforation hole. The crimp punches may be set in phased relation with the punches which form the sprocket holes so that crimping takes place in between adjacent sprocket holes either in all these spaces, or selected spaces.

In order to provide for delivery of the web in a zig-zag folded mode at the unit 15h, a further unit may be provided beneath the crimping unit 1 sod shown in Figure 1 but omitted from that figure for the sake of simplicity. This is a folding unit, a diagrammatic plan view of which is seen in Figure 12.

In this unit, the web 10 descends substantially vertically in the space 90i and the cross perforations already provided define lines about which the web can be folded in a zig-zag mode, such mode being promoted and thereafter established by the combination of patters or beaters 91ir to 91i4 rotatable about horizontal axes, and helical plates 92ir to 92i4 rotatable about vertical axes in synchronism with rotation of the pattes or beaters. These devices are of known form and do not form part of the invention as such.

The beaters and patters form four units of which one pair, 93it and 93i2, are spaced apart laterally from each other and collectively are spaced longitudinally as seen in Figure 12 from the remaining pair 93i2 to 93i4, and the units in each pair are required to be adjustable laterally with respect to each other in accordance the width of the web to undergo folding.

In certain cases, it is desirable that one lateral boundary of the web should be located with respect to a plate or fence 95i2, 95i4 and it is also desirable that each pair of units should be positioned symmetrically about the median centre line of the web and their lateral spacing from each other should bear a relation to the lateral separation of one or both of the units from its nearest lateral boundary of the web, which is constant or approximately so.

For this purpose a lead screw 46il, 46i2 is provided for two of the units as shown which the axial pitch of the screw from the portion 46il is greater than the axial pitch of the thread on the portion 46e2. A typical ratio of these pitches being in the range 3:1 to 6:1.

A single stepping motor 100i1 is provided which is common to both the units 93i1 and 93i2 and this serves to drive the lead screw 46il, 46i2 through a gear train 33i11 34i1. Similarly, motor 100i2 is common to and drives the lead screw 46i3, 46i4, for units 9113, 9114.

The pair of units 93il, 93i2 is adjustable towards and away from the web and the pair of units 93i3, 93i4 are likewise adjustable to maintain symmetry in respect of the first pair at the other side of the web by means of lead screws 96li, 96i4 operable by a hand wheel 971 through bevel wheel gear boxes 98it, 98i4 which co-operate with nut formations in the housings 99i1 to 99i4.

The patters or beaters and the helical plates are driven from an input gear 190iforming part of a gear train coupled to the shaft 16, through bevel wheel gear boxes 1911 and 192i2 and 192i4 and shafts 193iand 195i2 and 195i4.

The adjustment reqired in the case of units 15eel to 15e3 is of a fundamentally different character in that it is lengthwise of the direction of travel of the web indicated by the arrow rather than laterally. If each of the units 15eel, 1 5e2 comprises a printing unit, for example for printing a succession of coloured zones in the form of closely spaced lines separated by unprinted zones, possibly accompanied in the case of the printed zones, or the unprinted zones by numbering adjacent to the lateral margins. It is important that the registration of these zones and the numbering lengthwise of the sheet with the sprocket holes.

The printing unit seen diagrammatically in Figure 8 may comprise a printing roller 91e, a blanket roller 92e and an impression roller 93e with the web 10 fed between the two latter.

Drive from the backshaft 16 to the impression roller may be effected through a gear box 94e having an upward shaft 95e driven in fixed relation with the backshaft 16 and forming one input to a differential gearbox 96e.

The term "differential" is used herein generically to include gear boxes performing arithmetical addition or subtraction of two inputs to generate a sum or difference output and includes, for example, an epicyclic gearbox.

Afurther input to the gearbox 96e may be by way of a shaft 97e driven by a drive element 98e which may be in the form of a motor or alternatively manually operable adjustment member such as those indicated schematically at 20a to 20d.

The output shaft 99e from which the impression roller 93e is driven has a "phase" relation with the backshaft 16 dependant upon the angular position of shaft 97e and the point at which a given location of the image on the blanket cylinder comes into contact with the web relatively to a given sprocket hole can be varied by rotational adjustment ofthe drive elemtn 98e.

An arrangement for effecting drive to the various operating elements 20a to 20d shown in Figure 7.

In this the lead screws 46a to 46b are driven by stepping motors 1 00a to 100b, each of which rotates by a predetermined amount on receipt of an electrical driving pulse, these pulses are supplied respectively through drive units 103a to 103d.

An electrical driving pulse generator 101 for energising units 1 03a to 103d is itself energised in response to closure of a relay A/1 having contacts Al which can be brought into operation by a normally open push button switch S1 and stopped manually when required by an emergency push button switch S2 which is normally closed.

A control circuit 102 determines the direction of rotation of each stepping motor 1 00a to 1 00d and also the direction of rotation of a follow up motor 103 which drives a lead screw 104 carrying a switch operating element 105 associated with switch S3 having contacts S3a (normally open) S3b (normally closed) and S3c (normally open). This switch is connected in circuit with relays B/3, C/3.

Finally a selector switch S4, which may be a rotary switch having contacts S4a to S4d, enables the user to select which of the units 1 03a to 1 03d are to be brought into use for adjustment purposes.

Assuming that all four units shown are required to undergo adjustment consequent upon variation of the width of the paper, or the distance between the sprocket hole, perforation holes and crimping zones, switch S4 is rotated to a position wherein, potentially, each ofthemotors100ato 100dcan beenergised.

Switch S1 is then closed and depending upon the position of the element 105 relay A/1 is energised closing contacts Al and either relay B/3 or relay C/3 is energised, the non-selected relay in each case being then automatically shut out by the cross connections between the sets of relay contacts.

Circuit 102 is energised and provides an output either pulsed, or of wave form derived from generator 101 to rotate motor 103 in the appropriate direction which will move element 105 towards switch contacts S3a to S3c from the left or the right as the case may be. Simultaneously the stepping motors 1 00a to 1 00dwill be energised to rotate the lead screws stepwise.

An indicator scale 106 associated with switch S3 is provided to enable the element 105 to be set at an appropriate position on the lead screw 104 in accordance with the "width" adjustment required. When the element 105 reaches a predetermined position in relation to the switch S3, the latter is operated to open the normally closed contacts S3b to de-energise relay Al and stop the motors 1 00a to 1 00d and the motor 103. If there is "overshoot" the role of the relays B/3 and C/3 will be inter-changed and motor driven adjustment in the opposite direction will start until the adjustable switch element 105 arrives at the required position when contact S3,' will open and stop all motors in the required position.

This mode of operation may be arranged to take place by providing an initial period of operation of the -motor 103 and the motors 1 00a to 1 00d at a slow speed followed by a faster speed. Adjustment to the region of the desired position is thus achieved rapidly but overshoot is corrected at low speed finally bringing the motors to rest at the desired position.

Thus, as illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 9, adjustable element 105 on lead screw 104 approaches a sensor 105A associated with switch S3. The switch S3 may be a Hall-effect type in which the contacts are operated in response to proximity of the element 105 to the element 106. Thus the arrows 107 and 108 denote overshoot beyond a desired stopping position 109 and from either side of this position stopping at the desired position takes place at slow speed represented by the arrow 110.

The stepping motors 1 ova to 100d and the motor 103 are of a form and their drive units 102, and 103a-103d are so connected to the control circuit as a whole to receive an output from the main supply holding or locking these motors in each adjusted position in which they are brought to rest by cessation of drive output from the control circuit 102. The lead screws 46a to 46d may have operatively associated therewith proximity elements similar to 105 for operating associated switch relay circuits similar to S3, B/3, C/3 for bringing the associated operating devices, e.g. sprocket hole punching device, to rest at a "home" or datum position.

Drive of the web through the machine may be effected by draw-wheels which may be provided either separately from the units illustrated in Figure 1 or incorporated in any suitable one of these units, for example unit 15e.

The draw-wheels are generally provided with rubber or plastics tyres in contact with the web supported on its opposite side with a driven roller. It may be required to adjust the distance between the draw wheel and such means for lateral adjustment may be the general form already described with reference to one of theforegoing units, for example the slitter unit 1 sic.

Control of the various adjustments provided may be effected through the intermediary of a more elaborate control circuit, one of embodiment of which is illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 10.

The main component of this control circuit is a computer 130 which is programmed to carry out the operations hereinafter described. It receives instructions and furnishes display along lines 131, 132 connected to a keyboard circuit 133 and through that circuit to a display panel 134 and if required directly to a printer 135.

Input to the computer 130 is effected by a master switch unit 136 and subordinate switch units herein called a production switch unit 137 and a numeric switch unit 138.

Output from the computer to the stepping drive motors is through an interface unit 139. Feed-back from the stepping drive motors, in particular from homing switches similar in principle to those described with reference to Figure 7 is brought into operation as a result of operation of these motors through a further interface unit 140.

Further interface units 141 and 142 connected to the computer provide for the feed of outgoing instructions for various press operations and for feed-back on switches and sensors on the press to check compatibility between operation instructed and the current status of the press.

All of these interface units may be of the opto-isolator type.

Finally, a record means such as a tape cassette 143 may also be provided to feed instructions or data to the computer 130.

The general functions and manner of operation of this circuit are as follows: Assuming that the operator wishes to bring an adustment device on one or more, possibly all of the units into operation, he would press the appropriate button or number of buttons on the master keyboard unit 136, designations of which are shown in the drawing. These designations bring about the performance of the following operations: Print Adjustment of location of matter to be printed Slit Adjustment of lateral position of one or both slitting devices L.Perf.Lateral adjustment of one or both perforating wheels S.Punch Lateral adjustment of one or both sprocket hole punching devices Draw Lateral adjustment of one or both draw-wheels (driving the web) Crimp Lateral adjustment of one or both crimping devices Folder Width adjustment of a folder unit for different widths of a continuous web of paper to deliver it in a zig-zag folded mode and which may be provided beneath the crimping unit 15d.

Home Adjustment of all devices, or the selected one or more into a datum or home position Re-set Moves any/all devices to their home positions and thereafter to the positions corresponding to existing instructions in the computer Interrogation of computer as to compatibility or all adjustment All All adjustments instructed Width Adjustment mode in a direction laterally of the web Circ. Adjustment circumferentially i.e. longitudinally of the web Delete Cancel any previous instructions "?" Interrogates computerfor display of existing positions of adjustable operating devices Go Start operation of adjustment device.

The numeric keyboard unit on the right includes a series of push buttons marked 0 to 9 signifying the number of adjustment steps to be effected, either from a home or datum position, or between present position and desired position. The "+" and "-" push buttons designate the amount of adjustment from a present position. If the "+" and "-" push buttons are not operated the numerical value previously instructed designates an "absolute" position with reference to a datum position and means provided in the computer will operate to compensate for the fact that any of the devices may occupy a present position different from the datum position. "Enter" is pressed at the end of sequence of operations involving pressing of the foregoing buttons.The keyboard unit 137 (production) has the following buttons providing for entry of particulars or characteristics to be established for ensuing operation Date Self-explanatory Time Self-explanatory Copies Numberofcopies Speed Speed at which the web is to be passed through the press Store A record is to be made on the record device 143 e.g. tape cassette.

When the appropriate number of instruction buttons have been pressed, signals pass along line 131 to the computer, the computer checks against data fed in from interface units 140 and 142 that the instructions given are compatible with the existing status of the press, the word Go ? will then be furnished by the display 134. The significance of the "?" is that it constitutes a final interrogation of the operator as to whether he wishes the instruction given by way of the keyboard to be carried out. If the operator so decides, he then presses the "Go" button of the main keyboard 136 and the requisite signals are developed by the pulse generator incorporated in the computer and fed out through interface unit 139 to the drive signal generator, for each of the stepping motors.When the correct position of adjustment has been achieved, the requisite outputs are fed through interface unit 141 e.g. "inch".

If there is incompatibility between the instructions given by the operator and the present status of the machine, an appropriate legend indicating the nature of the incompatibility is furnished by the display 134.

For example if a "width" adjustment of a numerical value exceeding that of which the slitter is capable, were instructed by the operator, the display would read "out of range". A main switch 144 is provided for switching the keyboard and associated circuits on and an indicator lamp 145 is provided to indicate the "On" and "Off" conditions of the switch 144.

The flow chart illustrated in Figures 1 1A and 11 B shows the programming of the computer and is in a notation with regards the shape of the boxes or steps comprising an action or process (square boxes) input/output (parallelogram boxes) decision (diamond shaped boxes) connectors (circles) terminals (oval shaped boxes).

The following additional explanation is given for better understanding of the programme.

At the start (box 150) preparatory internal setting up of the computer (box 151) is effected to make this ready for operation and inputting at connector 1. Completion of this operation will be displayed as "ready" (box 152).

Box 153 signifies awaiting operator input which when made, will be interrogated (box 154) to determine whether the operator has entered a complete string of commands. If not, a read-out or display is provided (box 155) and the nature of the "error" determined by the decision box 156 e.g. maximum permitted length of command being 30 characters. An error in this regard is displayed (box 157).

In the event of a correct command string being provided, this is analysed (box 158) and subjected to interrogation as to presence of a valid unit, e.g. does the apparatus incorporate a unit to which all instructions apply (box 159). If not, error is displayed or printed out (box 160). If so, there is interrogation as to whether the position of the unit is being asked for (box 161) and if so, the current position is displayed (box 162). If this information is not required, there is interrogation as to whether units are required to be brought to the Home or Datum position (box 163). In the event of a positive answer, apparatus is set in a condition suitable for "Homing" (box 164), e.g. it may be set to run slowly to adjust for sprocket hole position. Output is passed to the stepping motors (box 165) until the Home position is achieved (box 166).

In the event of the instructions containing one increment (positive or negative) from an existing position (decision box 167) the positive output is tested for "validity" in decision box 168, e.g. that the number is not defective by inclusion of two decimal points or some similar error. Processing is then carried out (box 169) to determine the final position and the latter is tested for being out of range-(decision box 170). If the decision is positive, output is generated (box 171) for display or print-out as to the error, and if the decision is negative, a decision under the control of the operator (box 172) having an operator input "go" at 3 produces setting up the apparatus in a suitable condition to carry out the adjustment (box 173) followed by output (box 174) to the stepping motors.

If the decision (box 167) is negative signifying that the input is not an increment, but a number signifying an "absolute" position, it is tested for validity (decision box 175) e.g. is not a number defective in some respect. A negative output from either decision box 168 or 175 is translated into an error message in output box 176 providing a read-out or print out.

For a positive decision (box 175) the absolute position of adjustment is determined by process box 177, the result of which is tested as to being out of range (decision box 178). A positive decision is transformed into an error message (box 179), and a negative decision to process of calculating the steps to arrive at the new position (process box 180) preparatory to feeding the result to output 3 (circle 181) for effecting the necessary performance.

Whilst apparatus above described utilises electrically energised motors for adjusting the positions of the various operating devices, such adjustment is effected through lead screws, other forms of energisation or drive, and other mechanical devices may be employed.

Thus, rack and pinion units may be substituted for lead screws and associated nuts.

The drive motors may be pressure fluid energised, for example air motors may be employed, and fluid logic devices may be substituted for the electrical devices shown and described with reference to the control circuits of Figures 7 to 9.

Claims (31)

1. A method of printing wherein the positional relationship between a datum location and each of one or more desired locations at which a printing operation is to be performed by a respective operating means on a receiving web is determined by generating a position controlling electrical or other digital signal, representing in the, or each case, the distance, of the desired location from the datum location, or from the present location of the operating means concerned, and positionally adjusting operating means concerned in accordance with the digital value of said signal.

2. A method of printing comprising the steps of: (a) feeding a web longitudinally of a feed path past a number of operating means for performing respective printing operations at stations spaced along the feed path; (b) positionally adjusting at least one of the operating means by imposing an angle of lead or lag up to at least one complete revolution on a rotational operating element of said operating means to adjust the location of the printing operation performed on the web longitudinally thereof with respectto a datum location; (c) generating a digital signal comprising drive pulses corresponding in number to the magnitude of the angle of lead or lag required to be imposed; (d) supplying said number of pulses to a stepping motor for effecting said positional adjustment.

3. A method according to either of Claims 1 and 2 wherein: (a) at least one of the operating means is positionally adjustable laterally of the web to adjust the location of the printing operation performed on the web laterally thereof with respect to a datum location; (b) drive pulses are generated corresponding in number to the magnitude of the lateral adjustment required; (c) said pulses are supplied to a further stepping motor for effecting said lateral adjustment independently of any longitudinal adjustment.

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein one of the printing operations is perforating the web to form holes (herein called sprocket drive holes) of a predetermined size and spacing forming a row extending longitudinally in and along each of the lateral margins of the web for engagement, in use of the web, by a sprocket drive means, and the positional adjustment effected is the lateral separation between the rows of sprocket drive holes.

5. A method according to Claim 4 wherein another of the printing operations is forming a row of holes (herein called perforation holes) of a smaller size than the sprocket drive holes and at closer spacings and extending along each lateral margin of the web at a position laterally inset from the adjacent row of sprocket drive holes to form the inner boundaries of the margins and to permit the margins readily to be torn off from the remaining central part of the web, the positional adjustment being the lateral distance between the rows of perforation holes.

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein one of the printing operations is slitting the web lengthwise to form the outer boundary of one or both of the lateral margins thereof, the positional adjustment determining the lateral distance between the slits or between the slit and an existing edge of the web.

7.- A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein one of the printing operations is crimping or otherwise adhering the web to one or more supplementary webs along laterally spaced longitudinally extending zones, and the positional adjustment is the lateral distance between the zones.

8. A method according to any one of Claims 3 to 7 as appendant to Claim 2 wherein adjustment of said phase angle is capable of being continued indefinitely.

9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the or any of the operating means is adjustable into a predetermined home position preparatory to effecting adustmenttherefrom in accordance with the digital value of said signal.

10. A method according to Claim 3 or any one of Claims 4 to 9 as appendant thereto wherein laterally spaced devices collectively forming one of the operating means are respectively adjusted laterally in response to said digital signal by different amounts to maintain a predetermined relation between their lateral separation and the distance of at least one of them from the lateral boundary of the web adjacent to that one of the devices.

11. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a comparison is made between the position controlling digital signal, and the compatibility is determined of effecting said adjustment of the operating means to which such signal is to be applied preparatory to effecting said positional adjustment.

12. Printing apparatus for performing printing operations on a receiving web comprising: (a) one or more operating means for performing the printing operation or respective printing operations required; (b) adjustment means permitting of positional adjustment of the operating means, or so many thereof as are required to be positionally adjusted, relatively to a feed path through the apparatus for the web; (c) signal generating means for generating a digital signal representing the distance of a desired location on the web at which the operating means concerned is required to operate from a datum location, or from the present location of said operating means, (d) drive means responsive to said digital signal to effect positional adjustment of the operating means concerned in accordance with the digital value of said signal.

13. Printing apparatus for performing printing operations on a receiving web comprising: (a) means defining a feed path through the apparatus for longitudinal feed of the web; (b) operating means corresponding in number to the number of printing operations to be performed at respective printing stations spaced along the feed path and including at least one operating means comprising an operating element rotatable about an axis extending transversely of the feed path to bring circumferentially successive portions of said operating element into operative engagement with the web; (c) feed means for feeding the web longitudinally of the feed path; (d) drive means for driving said operating element at a speed conforming to that of the web;; (e) adjustment means comprising a stepping motor for positionally adjusting said operating element rotationally about its axis to impose an angle of lead or lag up to at least one complete revolution with respect to a datum location and thereby adjust the location of the printing operation longitudinally of the web; (f) drive pulse generating means for supplying energising drive pulses to said stepping motor representing the distance between a datum location on the web and desired location on the web at which said operating element is required to perform a printing operation thereon.

14. Apparatus according to Claim 13 wherein: (a) at least one of said operating means is carried by mounting means providing for positional adjustment laterally of the feed path; (b) adjustment means is provided for effecting said lateral adjustment comprising a further stepping motor; (c) said drive pulse generating means includes means for supplying energising drive pulses to said further stepping motor to effect lateral adjustment independently of any longitudinal adjustment.

15. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 12 to 14 wherein for one or more of the operating means comprises at least one laterally adjustable yoke or other support on which is provided a bearing for supporting a rotary element of the operating means driven from a shaft on and relatively to which it is axially movable, and the drive means is operatively connected with said yoke or support for effecting lateral adjustment.

16. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 12 to 15 wherein one of said operating means comprises means for forming holes (herein called sprocket holes) of a predetermined size and spacing in a row which extends longitudinally along each lateral margin of the web, and of a size and spacing to provide for meshing engagement with drive sprocket means when the web is in use, and wherein the means for effecting positional adjustment adjusts the lateral position of the means for forming one of these rows of sprocket holes, relatively that which forms the other row of sprocket holes.

17. Apparatus according to Claim 16 wherein another of the operating means comprises means for forming a row of holes (herein called perforation holes) smaller than the sprocket holes but at closer spacing, along each lateral margin of the web at a position laterally inset from the adjacent row of sprocket holes to form the inner boundaries of the margins to permit of tearing off of these margins from the remaining central portion of the web and wherein the means for effecting positional adjustment serves to bring about lateral adjustment of the means for forming one or both of these rows of perforation holes.

18. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 12 to 17 wherein one of the operating means comprises slitting means for longitudinally slitting the web to determine the overall width thereof, and wherein the means for effecting positional adjustment serves to vary the lateral distance between the slits or between an existing edge and one formed by said slitting means.

19. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 12 to 18 wherein one of the operational means comprises means for crimping or adhering the web to one or more supplementary webs along laterally spaced longitudinally extending zones, and wherein the means for effecting positional adjustment is so arranged as to vary the lateral distance between the zones.

20. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 12 to 19 wherein one of the operating means comprises laterally spaced devices, and wherein these are operatively connected with the drive means which is common to the devices through the intermediary of mechanism serving to effect positional adjustment of the devices by different amounts in response to a digital signal of a given value while maintaining a predetermined rotation between the lateral separation of the devices and the distance of at least one of them from the lateral boundary of the web adjacent to that one of the devices.

21. Apparatus according to Claim 20 wherein the mechanism maintains directly proportional but different lateral adjustment of the devices.

22. Apparatus according to Claim 13 or any one of Claims 14 to 21 as appendantthereto wherein the operating element which is longitudinally adjustable, is driven from the drive means through the intermediary of a differential gear means adapted to perform arithmetic addition or subtraction and having an output element of which is connected to the operating element, an input element which is connected to a drive means for transmitting drive to the rotary operating element, and a further input element which is connected to said stepping motor rotated by an amount corresponding to the digital value angle of lead or lag to be applied to the operating element.

23. Printing apparatus according to any of Claims 12 to 22 wherein there is provided indicator means for indicating the position occupied by said operating means and the drive means for said adjustment is arranged to bring about a corresponding change in the indication furnished by said indicator means.

24. Printing apparatus according to Claim 23 wherein: (a) the adjustment means provides for positional adjustment laterally of said feed path; (b) the drive means comprises lead screw and nut mechanism rotatable by means of a rotary operating element; (c) said operating element also serves to drive said indicator means; (d) drive connections between the operating element, the lead screw and nut mechanism, and the indicator means are through positively acting transmission means providing a step-up velocity ratio between the housing means driven from the lead screw and nut mechanism and the indicator means of a value such that one digit or division readable on the indicator means corresponds to a shift of the mounting means of not more than 0.05mm or 0.002 inches.

25. Apparatus according to Claim 24 wherein the indicator means and a manually operable drive element for operating the drive means are mounted at adjacent positions at least some of each of the operating means concerned.

26. A method of printing substantially as herein described with reference to and illustrated by Figures 1 to 6,8 and Figures 7 and 9 or 10 of the accompanying drawings.

27. A printing apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 6,8 and 12 of the accompanying drawings.

28. A printing apparatus according to Claim 27 including a control circuit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 7 and 9 of the accompanying drawings.

29. A printing apparatus according to Claim 27 including a control circuit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 10 and 1 1A, 1 1 B of the accompanying drawings.

30. A method of printing including any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed in the foregoing description or drawings.

31. A printing apparatus including any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed in the foregoing description or drawings.