Drying device, system comprising a drying device and method for operating a drying device for drying between inking units of a printing machine

System with a drying device for drying between inking units of a printing machine, by which a substrate is transportable via rotating cylinders and printable with colouring agents with

• an air supply unit for the supply of air in the direction of the substrate to effect a drying of the colouring agent,
• a suction unit for discharging of air,
• a measuring unit adapted to:
• use an optical sensor for a degree of gloss at the surface with the applied colouring agent by measuring a reflection of light during the operation of the printing machine;
• and
• a control unit, which at least controls or regulates the air supply unit according to an estimation of drying time of the colouring agent based on a degree of gloss and a calculation of a weighted combination of at least one operating parameter, for altering drying areas at the substrate, wherein each of said at least one operating parameter is a member of a group consisting of:
• a position and a size of a colouring agent application at the substrate or at the cylinder,
• a layer thickness of the colour application at the substrate,
• a printing degree,
• a colour formulation of said colouring agent,
• a type of material of the substrate,
• measured solvent amount in the air in the suction unit, and
• a transport speed of the substrate;
• wherein the printing machine comprises multiple inking units, wherein to each inking unit a drying device is assigned.

Method for the operation of a drying device for drying between inking units of a printing machine, by which a substrate is transported via rotating cylinders and is printed with colouring agents with

• an air supply unit for the supply of air in the direction of the substrate to effect a drying of a surface with the colouring agent,
• a suction unit for discharging of the air,
• an optical sensor adapted to determine a degree of gloss of the applied colouring agent by measuring a reflection of light at the surface with the colouring agent during the operation of the printing machine, and
• a control unit, which at least controls or regulates the air supply unit according to an estimation of drying time of the colouring agent based on a degree of gloss and a calculation of a weighted combination of at least one operating parameter, for alternating drying areas at the substrate, wherein each of said at least one operating parameter is a member of a group consisting of:
• a position and a size of a colouring agent application at the substrate or at the cylinder,
• a layer thickness of the colour application at the substrate,
• a printing degree,
• a colour formulation of said colouring agent,
• a type of material of the substrate,
• measured solvent amount in the air in the suction unit, and
• a transport speed of the substrate;
• wherein the drying device is controlled in dependence from the colouring agent applied to the substrate.