Abstract: In a printing press, an adjustment system for positioning a rolling element such as a form roller or an impression cylinder relative to a first cylinder having a first diameter and relative to at least a second cylinder adapted to replace the first cylinder and having a second diameter different than the first diameter, the system comprising an actuating member operable to displace the rolling element relative to the first cylinder and having a pivotable fixed first end and a second end mechanically linked to the rolling element, the actuating member providing sufficient displacement to bring the rolling element into contact with the first cylinder such that a predetermined contact pressure therebetween is reached, the actuating member also being operable to bring the rolling element into contact with the second cylinder such that the predetermined contact pressure therebetween is reached. A method for displacing a rolling element is also presented.

Abstract: An offset printing press having plate and blanket cylinder retention mechanisms, each retention mechanism having at least one trunnion axially displaceable between an operative position and a disengaged position. Said trunnion is freely disconnected from an associated cylinder end in the disengaged position such that the plate cylinder and the blanket cylinder are removable from the printing press from between the frame structure. One of the cylinder retention mechanisms is selectively displaceable relative to the frame structure such that a distance between the cylinder axes of rotation is variable. The plate and blanket cylinders are thus removable from the printing press and substitutable with replacement cylinders having a different outer circumference. The press comprises a gear drive system which remains in gear meshed engagement with both the plate cylinder and the blanket cylinder regardless of the variable relative positions thereof.

Abstract: A high speed rotary cutter assembly for transversely cutting a moving web, comprising a cutting roll and an anvil roll rotating at web speed which are selectively movable toward and away from one another to set the rotary cutter assembly in operative and idle modes, respectively. The invention also extends to a web handling device for forming a continuous multi-form web into a stack, comprising a folder assembly laying successive forms of the web in a superposed relationship on a table to form a stack. A temporary stack support assembly is extended along an arcuate descending path between the folder assembly and the table when the stack is completed for temporarily holding the incoming folded product until the completed stack on the table has been ejected.

Abstract: Interchangeable cassettes containing a blanket cylinder and a plate cylinder of varying circumferences can be located in a printing tower of an offset printing apparatus. An impression roller is journaled to a pair of sub-frame arms pivoted to the frame by means of a pivot shaft which extends through the gear side frame wall. The impression roller shaft extends through the gear side frame wall in an arcuate slot, and the impression gear meshes with the pivot shaft gear at all angles of displacement of the impression gear. A pivoting sub-frame includes exterior plates mounted to the pivot shaft and on the exterior of the frame walls. Hydraulic clamping devices can clamp the exterior sub-frame plates and the sub-frame arms to the frame wall.

Abstract: A high speed rotary cutter assembly for transversely cutting a moving web, comprising a cutting roll and an anvil roll rotating at web speed which are selectively movable toward and away from one another to set the rotary cutter assembly in operative and idle modes, respectively. The invention also extends to a web handling device for forming a continuous multi-form web into a stack, comprising a folder assembly laying successive forms of the web in a superposed relationship on a table to form a stack. A temporary stack support assembly is extended along an arcuate descending path between the folder assembly and the table when the stack is completed for temporarily holding the incoming folded product until the completed stack on the table has been ejected.

Abstract: A system for controlling the connection and disconnection of a drive to a rotary cylinder of a printing press. The system comprises a position encoder coupled to a first cylinder of the press for generating at different instants in time two pulses when the first cylinder is rotated to increment its peripheral position by a predetermined amount. A validation gate receives the pulses and generates a single position increment pulse in response thereto. A counter, coupled to the validation gate, counts the position increment pulses and generates a revolution pulse every time the first cylinder effects a complete revolution with respect to a fixed reference point. The system also comprises a coupling unit in an operative relationship with the drive and with a second cylinder.