Printing Modes

The rotary printer control prints on a continuous web or on precut fed sheets. Three different modes offer the choice of printing relative to a leading-edge sheet sensor, relative to registration marks using a mark detector to scan the web, or at a settable repeat interval. Windowing features minimize spurious mark errors during registration printing.

Constant-Velocity or Cyclic Modes

Master/slave control simulates line shafting and can replace traditional mechanical gearing in constant-velocity applications. A cyclic mode allows single or multiple printing plates per revolution of the cylinder, giving the flexibility to run repeat registers longer than the register repeat length of the machine.

Dynamic Register Correction

A dynamic correction feature ensures repeated registration on the fly, eliminating the traditional trial and error as well as the associated scrap. In constant-velocity mode, this feature may or may not be used depending upon the web and printing dies on the cylinder. Small corrections are possible within the revolution when the printing dies are not in contact with the web or where there is minimal contact without web or die damage. In cyclic mode, correction is automatic and occurs during disengaged angle(s) of the printing plates on the cylinder. The maximum correction per cylinder revolution is a scalable variable.

Simulators

Simulation tools facilitate setting up, testing, and troubleshooting a rotary printer system. A line simulator makes it possible to run the printer without material by simulating material feedback. A mark detector simulator provides marks at a specified separation to allow testing in print-to-mark or repeat print modes.

Micro Advance/Retard Adjustment

A micro adjust feature compensates for errors caused by slippage or register mark variation.

Maximum Line Velocity Calculation

The program calculates the maximum velocity at which the line can operate in cyclic mode. The velocity is computed using a number of parameters that describe the angles of engagement and number of stops per revolution of the print cylinder.

Cam Outputs

Software-generated programmable limit switch (PLS) outputs replace mechanical cams by electronically following the position of the print cylinder. These cams can be used to trigger/cycle external devices with each cylinder revolution.

Smart AC Digital Drives

Unico’s 1000 and 2000 drive families provide powerful, flexible digital flux vector control for sophisticated, performance-oriented applications. The drives have been designed for complete flexibility and offer a variety of feedback, programmable I/O, and communication options. They incorporate a number of energy-conserving features, including line regenerative capabilities for exporting energy back to the power grid. Both drive families can take advantage of a modular DC bus configuration for sharing or recirculating energy among multiple drives.

Communication Protocols

The drive supports a variety of serial communication protocols for connecting to virtually any PLC or HMI. The drive can also operate in a stand-alone mode using the built-in keypad/display or using an ANSI or RTU protocol connection to a simple serial display unit.

Inputs/Outputs

All inputs and outputs are user-enabled and are mapped to hardware I/O points to allow customization of the control. They are also accessible through a high-speed serial communication link.