A device found in the infeed section of printing presses used in web offset lithography which splices a fresh roll of paper to an expiring roll.
A flying splicer, in contrast to a zero-speed splicer, operates while the web is unwinding at the speed of the press. Sensing devices keep track of the roll diameter and, when it shrinks to below G inch, the splicing function is initiated. The position of the leading edge of the new roll, which has been accelerated to press speed, is monitored. An adhesive is applied to this nose end and, whern it is in the proper position relative to the expiring roll, a pressure roller drops and the two edges are pressed together, ensuring that the splice is perfectly straight and that there are no air bubbles or wrinkles. The remainder of the expiring roll is cut away, and the old roll replaced with a new one to await the next splice. On a flying splicer, the whole operation, from initiating the splicing equipment to the actual splice, takes only several minutes, while the splice itself is effected in a mere fraction of a second.
Flying splicers can either be two-arm splicers—on which two rolls can be mounted—or three-arm splicers—on which threee rolls can be mounted. A flying splicer is also known as a flying paster. (See also zero-speed splicer and Web Offset Lithography: Infeed and Web Control.)