Printing Machines
Precise drives for format adjustment, wash units and more
Everything in sync – drives for the printing industry
In modern printing machines, drive systems have to operate high-precision, synchronised and reliably over many hours. Requirements range from accurately controlled format adjustments through fast blanket and roller feed movements to automated cleaning functions. Every motion must be precise and repeatable – even under high load and at high cycle rates. Long service life, low maintenance and a compact drive design are essential.
Compact drives for intelligent printing processes
SPAT® supplies compact, intelligent drives specifically engineered for tasks in the printing industry – for both OEM machine builders and retrofit projects. Based on the SPAT MDS Platform, motor, gearbox, controller and encoder are combined into tailor-made drive systems.
With integrated control electronics, precise closed-loop control and multiturn absolute encoders, they are ideal for positioning tasks. Decentralised integration reduces control cabinet space and shortens installation time. Our systems are bus-capable (e.g. CANopen, EtherCAT, PROFINET) and optimised for synchronous motion of complex assemblies.
Proven over decades – drive technology with industry DNA
SPAT® has its roots partly in the printing industry. Our drives have been used in printing machines worldwide for decades – for example for format adjustment, wash-unit movements or cleaning cloth feed. They operate reliably even at up to 3,600 cycles per hour.
Thanks to their robust design, encoder feedback and service-friendly replacement concepts, they are ideally suited for continuous operation in demanding environments.
Your advantages with SPAT® compact drives
with high process stability
ideal for tight installation spaces
CANopen, EtherCAT, PROFINET, and more
for customer-specific requirements
with integrated diagnostics and monitoring
designed for high cycle rates in continuous operation
Typical applications in printing technology
Industry-Specific Drive Solutions
Precise DC positioning drive (SDC62 with spur gearbox) with integrated analogue absolute encoder – compatible with CS31 (ABB) for straightforward machine integration.
Compact DC drive (SDC42 + SPG32) for unregulated continuous operation in the lubrication circuit of printing machines – reliable, oil-tight and designed for demanding environments.
Brushless feed drive (SEC62 + planetary gearbox) for wash units – robust and long-lasting, optimised for CS31 systems.
DC motor solution (SDC62 + planetary gearbox) for precise cloth transport in printing machines – proven in CS31-based control systems.
Robust drive for the positioning of washing beams – designed for high repeatability and long service life in continuous operation.
Planning a new printing system or looking to modernise existing machines? SPAT® drive systems provide the right motion – reliable, powerful and low-maintenance.
FAQ
Drive Technology in Printing Machinery
Answers to frequently asked questions about precise and high-performance drive solutions for printing systems.
Yes. Our drives are designed for continuous operation with several thousand cycles per hour and still deliver precise positioning movements under load. With the right combination of motor, gearbox and controller, they are optimised for multi-shift operation and long production runs.
Absolutely. Our modular drive systems are ideal for retrofit projects and can be adapted to existing machines and control systems. We support you with mechanical adaptation, the selection of suitable interfaces and parameterisation – for example as a replacement for existing drives with CS31, PLC or fieldbus connections.
Yes. SPAT® provides robust, compact drive solutions specifically developed for the movement and feed of cleaning systems in printing machines. This includes drives for cloth feed, wash bars and wash units, designed to withstand oil, moisture and cleaning agents and to integrate seamlessly into ongoing production.
Our drives are engineered for long service life and low maintenance – many solutions have been proven in printing machines for decades. We focus on long-term availability of key components and, where design changes are required, we generally offer backward-compatible variants so that replacements and retrofits remain straightforward in the future.
Depending on the application, we offer traditional feedback systems (e.g. analogue absolute encoders) as well as digital encoders and fieldbus interfaces. Via our SMC motor controllers, drives can be connected using CANopen, EtherCAT, PROFINET and other systems. This allows SPAT drives to be integrated both into existing control concepts and into modern Industry 4.0 architectures.
Yes. In addition to standard flanges and shafts, we offer customer-specific adaptations, such as special flange patterns, shaft geometries, mounting points or cable lengths. The goal is to design the drive so that it fits your machine mechanically as directly as possible, minimising installation effort on site.
Yes. 1:1 replacement of discontinued drives in existing printing machines is one of our core strengths. We design replacement drives to be mechanically, electrically and interface-compatible (e.g. encoder, I/O, bus) with the existing components – so that no changes to machine hardware or control software are required.
Internally, we consistently rely on the SPAT MDS Platform, which often allows us to improve efficiency, diagnostics and service life while keeping the external interface fully compatible. The result is modernised drive technology that ideally behaves as a “plug-and-run” replacement in the field.