Zerand Corporation

Anthony W Pautzke

Register control apparatus for a rotogravure color printing press positions an adjustably movable web (or cylinder) compensator mechanism to, in effect, adjust the web length between printing roller nips in successive printing decks to correct for printing registration errors. The register control apparatus employs the principle that there is a predetermined position of the compensator mechanism for any given length of web wherein register error is eliminated. The register control apparatus, which is initially provided or programmed with electronic signal information representative of web length and compensator mechanism position (null position) wherein no registration error occurs, also includes electrical devices and circuitry for sensing and electronically processing incoming signal information relative to web speed; direction, magnitude and rate of registration error; and change of position of the compensator mechanism. The register control apparatus performs computing operations on the programmed signal information and incoming signal information and provides an output signal which locates the compensator mechanism in a position wherein register error is eliminated. The computing operation includes: ascertaining the proportion between the register error and compensator mechanism position; ascertaining the derivative (i.e., relationship) between the rate of change of register error and the rate of change of compensator mechanism position; and integrating to establish the average magnitude of register error and relating it to the average (optimum) position requirement of the compensator mechanism.

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Dousman, WI, United States of America

Anthony W Pautzke