GB1454821A - Printing apparatus controls - Google Patents

Abstract

1454821 Controlling series printers ADDRESSOGRAPH MULTIGRAPH CORP 2 Jan 1974 [26 Jan 1973] 00074/74 Headings B6C and B6D A series-printing machine which is cyclically operating and is which the sheet and printing plate feed motions take place during the first half of each cycle with the impression movements taking place during the second half of each cycle includes a mid-cycle checking system wherein the signals from sheet sensors are analysed to determine whether a previously printed sheet has exited from the printing station and a succeeding sheet is correctly located at the printing station. A similar check can be performed on the printing plates. The timing diagram, Fig. 16, illustrates a typical cycle initiated by closing of a start cycle switch, curve 780; this results in energization of a registration motor over a period indicated by curve 782 which causes a sheet or form, e.g. an envelope, printed in the previous cycle to exit from the machine, curve 784; simultaneously a ribbon feed solenoid is energized, curve 788, to index an ink ribbon at the printing station. Next a sheet-feed solenoid is energized, curve 788, and subsequently detectors indicate that the new sheet has arrived at the printing station, curve 790. Similarly, the movement of the printing plate used in the previous cycle and of a succeeding printing plate is shown by curve 792, the plates being moved by feed fingers, curve 676. At the mid-cycle check, curve 794, the various signals from sensors are analysed before allowing the second half-cycle to commence; during this second period the printing stroke takes place, curve 674. This timing diagram represents an automatic mode of operation; if desired, each cycle can be initiated manually, with provision for allowing a second half-cycle to exclude the printing stroke, e.g. when it is desired not to print from one plate in the sequence. Addressing machine, Fig. 3.-The invention is particularly applicable to an addressing machine wherein envelopes 18 are fed through a printing station (20), Fig. 4 (not shown), to a receiver 36, each envelope receiving an impression via inkribbon 274 from an appropriate printing plate 26; the plates are removed in sequence from a drawer 28, travel upwards through an intermediate station 140 to an illumination station where they can be read by an operator before deciding whether to print during their downward travel through station (20) back to drawer 28.