Patent GB-998672-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to multiple correction registration systems for multicolor printing presses
IPC: B41F33/02
Filed: 1962-04-03
Abstract: 998,672. Photo-electric controlled multi-colour printing press. BOBST-CHAMPLAIN S.A. April 3, 1962 [April 3, 1961], No. 12742/62. Heading G1A. [Also in Divisions B6 and G3] In a multicolour printing press, Fig. 1, having a series of colour units, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, a photoelectric scanner 52 on one (2) of the units detects any error in registration therein and uses the error signal so produced to operate a reversible correction motor 46, Fig. 3. forming part of the registration correction gearing of the said unit, and also the connection motors on all the succeeding units. Alternatively or as well the error signal can be used to control the correction motor of the unit itself alone on of the preceding unit 1. The photoelectric scanner 52 scans marks made by the preceding colour unit and compares them for phase, in a computer 60, Fig. 4, with reference signals generated by a phase micrometer 59, mounted on the printing cylinder shaft and fully described in U.S.A. Specification 2,888,260, the two signals being first brought together in connector 58 and fed to the computer by cable 62. The units 3, 4, 5 and 6 are similarly constructed and feed computer 60, such that the computer gives out retard on advance signals for each unit, for feeding, via manual control 64, to a switch control 66 whereby the feed forward, feed backward on self feed operations may be chosen and set for each unit. The switch unit 66 (Fig. 6) comprises four three-position switches each associated with two relays controlled respectively by the retard on advance signals fed into the unit by socket 100. The three positions of the switches give, self feed (left), foreward feed (middle) and backward feed (right), the switches being shown in the self feed position. In this position an advance signal from unit 2 enters the switch unit by wire 104, and operates advance relay 108 to close its five contacts and feed 110 V from wires 122, 120 and 118 to the left band contacts in the upper-row. A 110 V control signal is thus sent from the first to the second switch contact and then via wires 232 to the output socket 102 for feeding an advance signal to the correction motor of unit 2. Similarly a retard signal from unit 2 travels via wire 130 to operate the lower retard relay 136 to send a control signal out via wires 231 and 240. All the other left hand contacts are open circuit. In the middle (feed forward) position of the switches an advance signal from unit 2 operates the relay 108 as before and advance signals are fed to the correction motor of unit 2 also as before. The middle switch contacts however are not open circuit and are connected via socket 102 to the correction motor of units 3, 4, 5 and 6 such as to give them an advance signal. The procedure is similar for a retard signal, the lower row of middle contacts now being used. In the right (feedback) position of the switches all the righthand contacts are open circuit except for the first, i.e. the third along the row, the said first righthand contacts being connected via socket 102 to the correction motor of the preceding unit. In this case however an advance signal from say unit 2 results in a retard signal being fed to the correction motor of unit 1. Various control arrangements can be made, a forward one being feed forward from unit 3 and feed backward from unit 2.