Patent ID: 6598531
Filing Date: 2003-07-29
Classification: B23K,B41J,Y10T

Abstract:
In an apparatus including a web printing assembly operable to print individual images on a continuously moving web, and a web cutting and handling assembly having a web cutting mechanism operable to cut the images from the continuously moving web and a handler for handling the cut images, an improved web printing assembly comprising:a rotatable impression drum presenting an outer surface; at least one digital print head adjacent said drum outer surface; and a web guidance system operable to guide a continuous web around at least a portion of said drum outer surface and between the drum outer surface and said at least one print head for printing of the web with successive images, and to thereafter guide the web into said web cutting and handling assembly, said web guidance system comprising: a pair of nip rollers located at circumferentially spaced locations about said drum surface and defining, with the drum surface, a web infeed nip and a web exit nip; and a servo roller adjacent said web infeed and web exit nips respectively for tensioning the web and assisting in maintaining the desired speed thereof.