1. An improved auto-paster (100) in a printing press, the improved auto-paster (100) comprising: at least one web edge sensor (202) configured to: continuously monitor edge of web, with respect to deviation from a central position, unwinding from a reel (102) mounted on a shaft of the improved auto-paster. provide a predefined signal to a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) (204) when the edge of the web deviates from the central position due to wobbling of the reel (102), such that the predefined signal is based on direction of the deviation and distance of deviation of the edge of the web from the central position. the PLC (204) configured to: interpret the received predefined signal to capture the direction and distance of deviation of the edge of the web from the central position. control a side lay motor (208) associated with at least one alignment apparatus to align the unwinding reel (102) horizontally along the shaft, such that the edge of the web is repositioned at the central position.

2. The improved auto-paster (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the web edge sensor (202) is ultrasonic web edge sensor and is C-shaped such that a part of the web unwinding passes through the web edge sensor.

3. The improved auto-paster (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central position is indicative of a pre-specified position of the web to align with center of the printing press, such that when the reel(102) unwinds while positioned at the central position, various operations of the printing press, such as printing within specified margins, cutting, pasting and folding occur as desired and the printed output meets pre-determined requirements.

4. The improved auto-paster (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predefined signal is an analog signal within a range of 0 to 10 volts.

5. The improved auto-paster (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein when the edge of the web deviates from the central position inwards towards the web edge sensor (202) the analog signal within a range of 0 to 5 volts is provided by the web edge sensor (202) based on the distance of deviation.

6. The improved auto-paster (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein when the edge of the web deviates from the central position outwards away from the web edge sensor (202) the analog signal within a range of 5 to 10 volts is provided by the web edge sensor (202) based on the distance of deviation.

7. The improved auto-paster (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alignment apparatus (206) comprises: the side lay motor (208) mounted on at least one arm of the improved auto-paster; a gear assembly coupled with the side lay motor (208), the gear assembly comprising: a bevel gear (210); and a worm wheel (212) coupled with the bevel gear (210) via a worm shaft (212); and a mechanical link to align the reel (102) horizontally, the mechanical link is coupled between the worm wheel and at least one arm of the improved auto-paster.

8. The improved auto-paster (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising input panels (402, 404) configured to: facilitate an operator to provide pre-specified information such as details of the central position and control the operation of the side lay motor (208) and the alignment apparatus (206) manually.

9. The improved auto-paster (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the web edge sensor (202), the PLC (204) and the alignment apparatus (206) are connected to at least one arm of the improved auto-paster.

10. A method for alignment of reel in an improved auto-paster in a printing press, the method comprising: continuously monitoring, by at least one web edge sensor, edge of web, with respect to deviation from a central position, unwinding from a reel mounted on a shaft of the improved auto-paster; providing, by the at least one web edge sensor, a predefined signal to a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) when the edge of the web deviates from the central position due to wobbling of the reel, such that the predefined signal is based on direction of the deviation and distance of deviation of the edge of the web from the central position; interpreting, by the PLC, the received predefined signal to capture the direction and distance of deviation of the edge of the web from the central position; controlling, by the PLC, a side lay motor associated with at least one alignment apparatus to align the unwinding reel horizontally along the shaft, such that the edge of the web is repositioned at the central position.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the central position is indicative of a pre-specified position of the web to align with center of the printing press, such that when the reel unwinds while positioned at the central position, various operations of the printing press, such as printing within specified margins, cutting, pasting and folding occur as desired and the printed output meets pre-determined requirements.

Description:AN IMPROVED AUTO-PASTER IN A PRINTING PRESS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a printing press. In particular, the present invention relates to an improved auto-paster in a printing press.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A printing press has one or more auto-pasters depending on desired printing press size and capacity. An auto-paster has a shaft loaded with reel of paper supported by arms of the auto-paster. There is a generally an operational gap between edges of the reel on the shaft and the arms of the auto-paster to enable seamless rotation of the reel during its unwinding at a high speed. However, during the high-speed unwinding, the reel tends to wobble horizontally along the shaft, towards operational gap of one of the arms resulting in deviation from the desired position of the reel. This wobbling or horizontal movement misaligns web of the paper in the printing press, amounting to plurality of printing errors, such as out of margin printing, improper cutting and improper folding. These printing errors eventually provide a faulty printed product, amounting to wastage of resources, time and energy and monetary loss as well.
[0003] Conventional mechanisms to shift the reel on the shaft to its original position and away from the operational gap are manual means arranged on both the arms of the auto-paster. Accordingly, when an operator detects the printed product with printing errors, the operator halts the printing press and manually rotates the manual means on the arms of the auto-paster to re-align the reel. Upon manual re-alignment of the reel, the printing press is restarted. Thus, conventional mechanisms require constant manual intervention for monitoring and adjustment of the reels resulting in poor printing performance and cumbersome operations. Further, in the conventional mechanisms the re-alignment is initiated after complete printing of printed products with errors, amounting to wastage of resources associated with the printed products with errors. Furthermore, due to the requirement of the manual intervention the printing press operation is stopped for the adjustment, amounting to downtime.
[0004] In light of the above, there is a need for an improved system that automatically detects deviation in the reel from the desired position of the reel and automatically align the reel without stopping of the printing press.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An embodiment of the present invention discloses an improved system of controlling newsprint rolls in an auto-paster of a printing press. The improved auto-paster includes at least one web edge sensor configured to continuously monitor edge of web, with respect to deviation from a central position, unwinding from a reel mounted on a shaft of the improved auto-paster and provide a predefined signal to a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) when the edge of the web deviates from the central position due to side way movement of the reel. The predefined signal is based on direction of the deviation and distance of deviation of the edge of the web from the central position. The PLC configured to interpret the received predefined signal to capture the direction and distance of deviation of the edge of the web from the central position and control a side lay motor associated with at least one alignment apparatus to align the unwinding reel horizontally along the shaft, such that the edge of the web is repositioned at the central position.
[0006] In an embodiment of the present invention, the web edge sensor is ultrasonic web edge sensor and is C-shaped such that a part of the web unwinding passes through the web edge sensor.
[0007] In an embodiment of the present invention, the central position is indicative of a pre-specified position of the web to align with center of the printing press, such that when the reel unwinds while positioned at the central position, various operations of the printing press, such as printing within specified margins, cutting, pasting, and folding occur as desired and the printed copies meets pre-determined requirements.
[0008] In an embodiment of the present invention, the predefined signal is an analog signal within a range of 0 to 10 volts. When the edge of the web deviates from the central position inwards towards the web edge sensor the analog signal within a range of 0 to 5 volts is provided by the web edge sensor based on the distance of deviation. Further, when the edge of the web deviates from the central position outwards away from the web edge sensor the analog signal within a range of 5 to 10 volts is provided by the web edge sensor based on the distance of deviation.
[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, the alignment apparatus includes the side lay motor mounted on at least one arm of the improved auto-paster and a gear assembly coupled with the side lay motor. The gear assembly has a bevel gear and a worm wheel coupled with the bevel gear via a worm shaft. Further, a mechanical link to align the reel horizontally, the mechanical link is coupled between the worm wheel and at least one arm of the improved auto-paster.
[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, rotational motion of the side lay motor is converted into a linear motion of the mechanical link by the gear assembly.
[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the side lay motor operates the gear assembly by rotating the worm shaft and worm wheel via the bevel gear and wherein the movement of the bevel gear facilitates in a lateral movement of the mechanical link.
[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, an encoder installed with the side lay motor to measure the resting position of the mechanical link and give feedback to the PLC.
[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, input panels configured to facilitate an operator to provide pre-specified information such as details of the central position and control the operation of the side lay motor and the alignment apparatus manually.
[0014] In an embodiment of the present invention, the web edge sensor, the PLC and the alignment apparatus are connected to at least one arm of the improved auto-paster.
[0015] An embodiment of the present invention discloses a method for alignment of reels in an improved auto-paster in a printing press. The method includes continuous monitoring by web edge sensor with respect to deviation from a central position, unwinding from a reel mounted on a shaft of the improved auto-paster. Providing, by one web edge sensor, a predefined signal to a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) when the edge of the web deviates from the central position due to wobbling of the reel. The predefined signal is based on direction of the deviation and distance of deviation of the edge of the web from the central position. Interpreting, by the PLC, the received predefined signal to capture the direction and distance of deviation of the edge of the web from the central position and controlling, by the PLC, a side lay motor associated with at least one alignment apparatus to align the unwinding reel horizontally along the shaft, such that the edge of the web is repositioned at the central position.
[0016] In an embodiment of the present invention, the central position is indicative of a pre-specified position of the web to align with center line of the printing press, such that when the reel unwinds while positioned at the central position, various operations of the printing press, such as printing within specified margins, cutting, pasting, and folding occur as desired and the printed output meets pre-determined requirements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The present invention is described by way of embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein:
[0018] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an improved auto-paster in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0019] Figure 2(a) illustrates an expanded view of a section of the improved auto-paster with a running web in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0020] Figure 2(b) illustrates a perspective view of a web edge sensor mounted on an improved auto-paster in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0021] Figures 3(a) and 3(b) illustrate different views of the alignment apparatus in an improved auto-paster in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0022] Figure 4(a) illustrates an individual input panel for a single improved auto-paster of the printing press in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] Figure 4(b) illustrates a central input panel for all the improved auto-paster s of the printing press in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0024] Figure 5 shows a flowchart illustrating a method for alignment of reels in an improved auto-paster in a printing press in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The following disclosure is provided in order to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention. Exemplary embodiments are provided only for illustrative purposes and various modifications will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications, and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For the purpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
[0026] The present invention would now be discussed in the context of embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
[0027] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an improved auto-paster 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Figure 2(a) illustrates an expanded view of a section of the improved auto-paster with a running web in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 (b) illustrates a perspective view of a web edge sensor mounted on an improved auto-paster with a running web in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. For the sake of brevity figures 1, 2(a) and 2(b) have been described together.
[0028] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the reel 102 of paper may correspond to paper for printing newspapers. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the reel 102 of paper may correspond to paper for printing of books.
[0029] Further, a printing press may include one or more automated auto-pasters disclosed by the present invention. Each improved auto-paster 100 has a shaft loaded with reel 102 of paper supported by the two arms of the improved auto-paster. In an embodiment of the present invention, the improved auto-paster 100 is configured to monitor deviation of a web unwinding from the reel 102 from its central position and align the reel 102 back to the central position on shaft. The web may be understood as a sequential paper trail unwinding from the reel 102 of paper and being fed to other sections of the printing press.
[0030] As mentioned above, when the printing press initiates its operation, paper from the reel 102 of the improved auto-paster 100 continuously unwinds. It may be apparent to a person of skilled in the art that the speed of unwinding is directly proportional to the speed of operation of the printing press. In an embodiment of the present invention, the monitoring and alignment based on result of the monitoring by the improved auto-paster 100 may start operating after 3000-6500 Impressions Per Hour (IPH). However, the machine operates smoothly between 5500-6000 IPH. The Impression per hour (IPH) can be understood as the number of printed copies per hour.
Further, the improved auto-paster 100 may include a web edge sensor 202, a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) 204 and an alignment apparatus. In an embodiment of the present invention, the components of the improved auto-paster 100 may be connected to one of the two arms for the monitoring and alignment purpose. Accordingly, a web edge sensor 202, a PLC 204 and an alignment apparatus 206 may be mounted on the said arm of the improved auto-paster. Furthermore, the auto-paster may include a braking system to control the web tension in the moving roll. In an embodiment of the present invention, the braking system is connected to the second arm of the autopaster.
[0031] Further, the web edge sensor 202 may be configured to continuously monitor edge of web unwinding from a reel 102 of the improved auto-paster 100 with respect to a central position. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the central position is indicative of a pre-specified position of the web to align with central axis of the printing press, such that when the web unwinds while positioned as the central position, various operations of the printing press, such as printing within specified margins, cutting, pasting and folding occur as specified or desired and the printed output meets pre-determined requirements. The web edge sensor 202 may also provide a predefined signal to the PLC 204 when the edge of the web deviates from the central position. The predefined signal may be based on direction of the deviation and distance of deviation of the edge of the web from the central position.
[0032] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the predefined signal may be an analog signal within a range of 0 to 10 volts. In an embodiment of the present invention, when the edge of the web deviates from the central position inwards towards the web edge sensor 202 the analog signal within a range of 0 to 5 volts may be provided by the web edge sensor 202 based on the distance of deviation. Further, when the edge of the web deviates from the central position outwards away from the web edge sensor 202 the analog signal within a range of 5 to 10 volts may be provided by the web edge sensor 202 based on the distance of deviation.
[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, the web edge sensor 202 may be an ultrasonic web edge sensor. Further, the web edge sensor 202 may be C-shaped, or fork shaped such that a part of the web unwinding passes through the web edge sensor.
[0034] The PLC 204 may be configured to interpret the received predefined signal to capture the direction and distance of deviation of the edge of the web from the central position. The PLC 204 may also control a side lay motor 208 associated with the alignment apparatus 206 to move the unwinding web, such that the edge of the web is repositioned at the central position. In an embodiment of the present invention, the side lay motor 208 may be a Permanent Magnet Direct Current (PMDC) motor of 0.18KW.
[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention, the PLC 204 may be configured to control operation of the improved auto-paster. Further, the PLC 204 may include a PLC communication module for communication with central PLC of the printing press and controlling operation of all the improved auto-paster s in the printing press. The PLC may also include PLC analog to digital module for converting analog signal from web edge sensor 202 into digital form.
[0036] Figures 3(a) and 3(b) illustrate different views of the alignment apparatus in an improved auto-paster in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. For the sake of brevity figures 3(a) and 3(b) have been described together.
[0037] The alignment apparatus 206 includes a side lay motor 208, a gear assembly and mechanical link. The gear assembly may include a bevel gear 210 and a worm wheel 212. The side lay motor 208 is mounted on the arm of the improved auto-paster 100 and the gear assembly is coupled with the side lay motor 208. Further, the worm wheel is coupled with the bevel gear 210 via a worm shaft 212. The mechanical link may be configured to adjust the reel 102 horizontally. The mechanical link is coupled between the worm wheel and the arm of the improved auto-paster.
[0038] Further, rotational motion of the side lay motor 208 is converted into a linear motion of the mechanical link by the gear assembly. The side lay motor 208 operates the gear assembly by rotating the worm shaft and worm wheel via the bevel gear. The movement of the bevel gear 210 facilitates a lateral movement of the mechanical link.
[0039] In an embodiment of the present invention, the alignment apparatus 206 further includes an encoder installed with the side lay motor 208 to measure the central position of the mechanical link and give feedback to the PLC 204. The encoder 500 Pulses per revolution (PPR) hollow shaft encoder 214 installed with side lay motor 208. It gives feedback to PLC 204 in the form of digital pules and measures the real central position of mechanical link which moves paper reel 102 in both the directions.
[0040] The alignment apparatus 206 may also include an electrical rotary switch. The rotary switch may be 8 pin electrical rotary switch for transferring fixed electrical signal from improved auto-paster PLC 204 to 360-degree rotating reel arm assembly. It gives electrical signal to the side lay motors and the encoder 214.
[0041] Further, a mechanical hollow shaft may be configured to house electrical cable of rotary switch. It transfers fixed electrical signal into rotary electrical signal.
[0042] When the automatic side lay adjustment is initiated, the side lay motor 208 is operated by the PLC 204 and moves the mechanical link via the gear assembly. The movement of the mechanical link facilitates moving the reel 102 mounted on the improved auto-paster 100 in the horizontal direction. The side lay motor 208 rotates in one of: clockwise and counterclockwise direction, based on direction of deviation of the edge of the web and for alignment of the reel 102 to the central position in view of the deviation. In an embodiment of the present invention, the side lay motor 208 may move the reel 102 horizontally by 8 mm in either direction on the shaft, depending on direction and distance of deviation of the edge of the web. For example, if the direction of deviation of the reel 102 on the shaft is towards right hand side, the side lay motor 208 may move the reel 102 horizontally towards left hand side to compensate for the deviation.
[0043] Figure 4(a) illustrates an individual input panel for a single improved auto-paster of the printing press in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4(b) illustrates a central input panel for all the improved auto-paster s of the printing press in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The input panel may be understood as a touch panel graphics operator terminal for controlling, adjusting and calibrating the automated system in automatic as well as manual mode.
[0044] The input panels may be configured to facilitate an operator to provide pre-specified information such as details of the central position and control the operation of the side lay motor 208 and the alignment apparatus 206 manually.
[0045] It may be understood that while individual input panel may be associated with a single improved auto-paster and its associated PLC 204, the central input panel may be associated with central PLC associated with all the improved auto-paster and associated with microcontroller of the printing press. Thus, the central input panel may enable the operator to monitor and control all improved auto-paster s via a single touch panel graphics operator terminal.
[0046] In operation, paper reels may be mounted on shaft of the improved auto-paster with the help of reel shaft and loading trolley. Further, an operator may select HOME command from the input panel, amounting to alignment of the reel 102 in the central position. Upon initiation of the printing press paper from reel 102 unwinds and the web passes through multiple guide rollers and tension-controlled nip rollers to infeed section of printing tower.
[0047] During printing process, the printing press speed increases gradually and at 5500-6500 IPH automated system may start working in auto mode. Printing operator may check printed copies for various printing requirements, such as margin and check count values as well as its variation on input panel of improved auto-paster. According to count values and variation, operator adjusts or sets central position and relationship between deviation direction and deviation distance and analog signal from web edge sensor on the input panel. The operator may also adjust or set the relationship between the analog signal and the count value for the PLC to seamless analog to digital conversion. In an embodiment of the present invention, the operator may check the specified settings only during the starting of press and if the operator finds deviation in the count range during the automated printing, the operator may adjust the settings on the input panel again.
[0048] The web edge sensor may continuously monitor edge of web unwinding from a reel 102 of the improved auto-paster with respect to a central position. Further, when the edge of the web deviates from the central position, the web edge sensor may provide a predefined signal to the PLC. The predefined signal may be based on direction of the deviation and distance of deviation of the edge of the web from the central position. For example, in a scenario the web edge sensor 202 may be mounted on the right arm of the improved auto-paster, with the open end of the web edge sensor 202 enabling a part of the web and its right edge passing through the web edge sensor. The predefined signal may be an analog signal within a range of 0 to 10 volts. When the edge of the web deviates from the central position towards right hand side the analog signal within a range of 0 to 5 volts is provided by the web edge sensor 202 based on the distance of deviation. For example, 0.1v signal may be provided when the edge of the web deviates to right by 0.0625mm and 5 volts is provided when the edge of the web deviates to right by 8mm.
[0049] Similarly, when the edge of the web deviates from the central position towards left hand side the analog signal within a range of 5 to 10 volts may be provided by the web edge sensor 202 based on the distance of deviation. For example, 5.1v signal may be provided when the edge of the web deviates to left by 0.0.625mm and 10 volts is provided when the edge of the web deviates to left by 8mm.
[0050] The analog signal received by the PLC communication module is converted to count value by the PLC analog to digital converter. For example, a 5 Volt output from the sensing means may be converted into 5000 counts/pulses. The digital signal is then transmitted to the alignment apparatus 206 via a rotary switch. The converted digital signal is interpreted by the PLC to capture the direction and distance of deviation of the edge of the web from the central position. Based on the interpreted signal the PLC controls the side lay motor 208 associated with the alignment apparatus 206 on the arm of the improved auto-paster via the rotary switch to move the unwinding web, such that the edge of the web is repositioned at the central position.
[0051] The side lay motor 208 rotates the worm shaft and worm wheel by way of bevel gears, thereby moving the mechanical link laterally. Mechanical link slides on fixed pin and moves the paper reel 102 in gear side or operating side as per command received to motor from improved auto-paster PLC. The encoder 214 fixed with side lay motor 208 gives feedback to improved auto-paster PLC for side lay motor’s actual central position between available physical side lay limit of 8mm in either direction.
[0052] Figure 5 shows a flowchart illustrating a method for alignment of reels in an improved auto-paster in a printing press in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. At step 502, the edge of web unwinding from a reel of the improved auto-paster is continuously monitored by a web edge sensor with respect to a deviation from a central position. The central position is indicative of a pre-specified position of the web to align with center of the printing press, such that when the web unwinds while positioned as the central position, various operations of the printing press, such as printing within specified margins, cutting, pasting and folding occur as specified and the printed output meets pre-determined requirements.
[0053] At step 504, a predefined signal is provided by the web edge sensor to a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) when the edge of the web deviates from the central position due to wobbling of the reel. The predefined signal may be based on direction of the deviation and distance of deviation of the edge of the web from the central position.
[0054] At step 506, the received predefined signal is interpreted by the PLC to capture the direction and distance of deviation of the edge of the web from the central position. At step 508, a side lay motor associated with at least one alignment apparatus may be controlled by the PLC to move the unwinding web, such that the edge of the web is repositioned at the central position.
[0055] Accordingly, the present invention provides the following effects or advantages.
[0056] The invention provides a system and method for automatic side laying adjustment in the printing press. The proposed invention automatically maintains specified printing product requirements, such as margins on both sides of running newsprint webs during printing process. This automatic adjustment process significantly reduces constant manual effort in maintaining the central position of the running web during printing. Further, the proposed invention enhances print quality, folding quality and makes the printing operation simple and hassle free. Additionally, the claimed invention also has a positive impact on the environment by substantial reduction of waste generation, as the adjustment is carried out before obtained printing products with unacceptable printing errors. Further, the adjustment by the present invention is carried out during runtime and the printing press does not need to be stopped.
[0057] While the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described and illustrated herein, it will be appreciated that they are merely illustrative. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications in form and detail may be made therein without departing from or offending the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. , Claims:We claim:
1. An improved auto-paster (100) in a printing press, the improved auto-paster (100) comprising:
at least one web edge sensor (202) configured to:
continuously monitor edge of web, with respect to deviation from a central position, unwinding from a reel (102) mounted on a shaft of the improved auto-paster.
provide a predefined signal to a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) (204) when the edge of the web deviates from the central position due to wobbling of the reel (102), such that the predefined signal is based on direction of the deviation and distance of deviation of the edge of the web from the central position.
the PLC (204) configured to:
interpret the received predefined signal to capture the direction and distance of deviation of the edge of the web from the central position.
control a side lay motor (208) associated with at least one alignment apparatus to align the unwinding reel (102) horizontally along the shaft, such that the edge of the web is repositioned at the central position.
2. The improved auto-paster (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the web edge sensor (202) is ultrasonic web edge sensor and is C-shaped such that a part of the web unwinding passes through the web edge sensor.
3. The improved auto-paster (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central position is indicative of a pre-specified position of the web to align with center of the printing press, such that when the reel(102) unwinds while positioned at the central position, various operations of the printing press, such as printing within specified margins, cutting, pasting and folding occur as desired and the printed output meets pre-determined requirements.
4. The improved auto-paster (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predefined signal is an analog signal within a range of 0 to 10 volts.
5. The improved auto-paster (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein when the edge of the web deviates from the central position inwards towards the web edge sensor (202) the analog signal within a range of 0 to 5 volts is provided by the web edge sensor (202) based on the distance of deviation.
6. The improved auto-paster (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein when the edge of the web deviates from the central position outwards away from the web edge sensor (202) the analog signal within a range of 5 to 10 volts is provided by the web edge sensor (202) based on the distance of deviation.
7. The improved auto-paster (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alignment apparatus (206) comprises:
the side lay motor (208) mounted on at least one arm of the improved auto-paster;
a gear assembly coupled with the side lay motor (208), the gear assembly comprising:
a bevel gear (210); and
a worm wheel (212) coupled with the bevel gear (210) via a worm shaft (212); and
a mechanical link to align the reel (102) horizontally, the mechanical link is coupled between the worm wheel and at least one arm of the improved auto-paster.
8. The improved auto-paster (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising input panels (402, 404) configured to:
facilitate an operator to provide pre-specified information such as details of the central position and
control the operation of the side lay motor (208) and the alignment apparatus (206) manually.
9. The improved auto-paster (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the web edge sensor (202), the PLC (204) and the alignment apparatus (206) are connected to at least one arm of the improved auto-paster.
10. A method for alignment of reel in an improved auto-paster in a printing press, the method comprising:
continuously monitoring, by at least one web edge sensor, edge of web, with respect to deviation from a central position, unwinding from a reel mounted on a shaft of the improved auto-paster;
providing, by the at least one web edge sensor, a predefined signal to a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) when the edge of the web deviates from the central position due to wobbling of the reel, such that the predefined signal is based on direction of the deviation and distance of deviation of the edge of the web from the central position;
interpreting, by the PLC, the received predefined signal to capture the direction and distance of deviation of the edge of the web from the central position;
controlling, by the PLC, a side lay motor associated with at least one alignment apparatus to align the unwinding reel horizontally along the shaft, such that the edge of the web is repositioned at the central position.
11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the central position is indicative of a pre-specified position of the web to align with center of the printing press, such that when the reel unwinds while positioned at the central position, various operations of the printing press, such as printing within specified margins, cutting, pasting and folding occur as desired and the printed output meets pre-determined requirements.