Convertible buffers for web presses

A buffer for a web press, comprising;

• a first set of idlers and a second set of idlers;
• and
• a standing platform comprising a floor plate,
• wherein the buffer being convertible between an operating configuration in which spacing among the idlers is altered to change a web path length and the standing platform is not deployed and a non-operating configuration in which the standing platform is deployed for accessing an adjacent web press station,
• in which the buffer, when in the operating condition, coordinates different web speeds by dynamically adjusting a length of a substrate path within the buffer, and in which the stand platform comprises a floor plate, the first set of idlers being disposed beneath the floor plate.

A method for performing web press maintenance comprising:

• converting a buffer of a web press from an operating configuration to a non-operating configuration with a deployed standing platform that comprises a floor plate, the buffer being directly adjacent to and interposed between two web press stations of the web press;
• and
• standing on the standing platform to access sides of the two web press stations for maintenance, in which the buffer alters a substrate path length to coordinate web speeds between the adjacent web press stations during operation of the web press in the operating configuration, in which the buffer occupies all the area between two adjacent machines, and in which the standing platform provides access to the sides of the two web press stations in the non-operating configuration
• wherein the buffer comprises a first set of idlers and a second set of idlers that are brought together in the non-operating configuration to deploy the standing platform.