Modular digital printing press with linking perfecting assembly

Modular apparatus for printing on a printing substrate, the apparatus comprising:

• a. first and second printing presses each comprising:
• 1) a rotatable impression cylinder;
• 2) a plurality of print stations distributed circumferentially around the cylinder, each print station comprising means for supporting a lithographic printing member;
• means for forming, on the surface of a lithographic printing member carried on the support means, a pattern corresponding to an image;
• means for applying a printing liquid to the lithographic printing member in accordance with the pattern;
• and means for transferring the printing liquid to the substrate on the impression cylinder;
• 3) means for receiving the substrate;
• 4) means for releasably gripping the substrate flush against the impression cylinder in a facewise orientation;
• 5) means for stripping the substrate from the impression cylinder after it has been advanced past all of the print stations;
• and
• 6) handoff means for controllably ejecting the substrate from the press;
• 7) a plurality of electrical contacts;
• 8) means defining a signal and control path for the press and accessible via the electrical contacts;
• b. means for selectably connecting the electrical contacts of the first press with the electrical contacts of the second press, thereby establishing a continuous signal and control path through both presses;
• c. a controller for controlling the operation of each press via the path;
• d. means associated with at least one of the presses for facilitating operative connection to the controller, the connection, when established, connecting the4 controller to the signal and control path,
• wherein
• e. with the electrical contacts of the first press connected to the electrical contacts of the second press, the second-press receiving means is engageable to, so as to receive the substrate from, the handoff means associated with the first press.