Abstract: An offset printing press is provided with a novel dual form planetary inker having improved printing characteristics. In use, a plate cylinder rotates to initially contact an ink/water form roller and subsequently contact a second form roller which is devoted exclusively to ink. The ink form roller is operable to insure that voids caused by lint, dust and other debris in the ink train are covered by the second form roller; additionally, the ink form roller provides a second working nip through which a second layer of ink is averaged with the previously deposited ink layer, such that ghosting is substantially eliminated. Both of the form rollers as well as numerous distributor rollers are rotatably carried by a shiftable frame which is pivotally interconnected with a support that carries the plate cylinder.

Abstract: A punch ring apparatus particularly useful in a printing operating involving web fed paper is provided which is easily adapted for punching file holes, line holes, or a wide variety of hole patterns in the moving paper web, thereby substantially reducing makeready times and associated costs. The punch ring hereof preferably includes a plurality of radially-oriented, spaced-apart punches mounted in the punch ring and radially shiftable between an outermost punch position and a retracted position, with the punches being spring biased into the retracted position. The punch ring preferably includes an annular concentric groove in an axial face thereof, with the proximal ends of the punches extending into the groove when the punches are in the retracted position. One or more annular camming rings are received in the groove and configured such that axial rotation of a camming ring will outwardly shift one or more of the punches into the punch position to produce the desired hole punch pattern.

Abstract: A dual harmonic gear phasing device forming a part of a web-forming printing tower or other web-handling station is disclosed which allows static or dynamic, 360.degree. infinite phase alterations of web-contacting rollers for coarse and fine tuning of the registration of a multiple-station printing press. The phasing device comprises an enclosed, oil filled structure having a pair of tandem coupled harmonic drive gears respectively connected through gearing or the like to the press drive and to a desired roller for phase changing purposes. Each phasing device also includes a selectively operable stepper motor coupled to one of the harmonic gears for effecting phase alterations. The harmonic gears serve as a 1:1 gear ratio transmission during normal running operations. The phasing device can be used on hard impression or perfecting printing towers, and on other types of web-handling equipment where proper registration is important, such as numbering and punching units.