Abstract: A printing press includes an anilox roller having a rigid inner core and a replaceable, resilient, pliable sleeve having ink cells defined in the outer surface thereof. The anilox roller rotates in contact with two spaced doctor blades defining an opening into an ink reservoir whereby cells receiving ink enabled by a rotating ink roller within the reservoir. The anilox roller engages the plate cylinder of the press forming a nip therebetween for delivery of ink to the image areas of the plate. The invention finds utility in lithographic, flexographic, offset, gravure and letter press printing.

Abstract: An improved offset printing press includes microcontrolled continuous film dampening units in combination with a water take-up roller, a dampening distributor roller, and a dampening form roller of a conventional offset printing press. The microcontrolled continuous film dampening units replace alternating feed dampening units of the conventional offset printing press. A removable module of the improved printing press includes a regulator roller, transfer roller, a dampening distributor roller, and liaison roller.

Abstract: A printing-machine form cylinder having, in an interior space thereof, a winding reel and an unwinding reel for a printing film drawn around the outer casing surface of the form cylinder, respective ends of the printing film being fastened to the winding reel and the unwinding reel inside the form cylinder, the form cylinder being formed with a cylinder gap extending in the direction of a generatrix of the outer casing surface of the form cylinder, the cylinder gap being defined by cylinder gap edges which are formed on the form cylinder and around which the printing film is guidable into the interior of the form cylinder, includes a cover element closing the form cylinder gap, and at least one pressure roller disposed on the cover element and bearing against the printing film for guiding it out of the interior of the form cylinder over one of the cylinder gap edges.

Abstract: A printing mechanism for waterless offset printing, including a form cylinder that carries a sleeve-shaped printing form and/or a transfer cylinder that carries a sleeve-shaped transfer form. The printing form and transfer form can be slipped onto or removed from the respective cylinder. At least one of the form cylinder and the transfer cylinder being provided with an internal channel through which fluid is circulated for internally cooling the cylinder.

Abstract: There is provided a plate carrier mechanism A having an endless plate belt 3 hung on between a pair of pulleys 2p and 2q spaced from each other, and a blanket carrier mechanism B having an endless blanket belt 5 hung on between a pair of pulleys 4p and 4q spaced from each other, the blanket carrier mechanism B is adapted to be displaceable to a pressure-contacting position Pp or a separating position Pr to the place carrier mechanism A, also, a speed of an outer surface of the plate belt 3 is made greater than that of the blanket belt 5, and the plate carrier mechanism A is of a driving side and the blanket carrier mechanism B is of a driven side, and the plate carrier mechanism A and the blanket carrier mechanism B are connected to each other through a rotation transmitting gear mechanism 6 having a predetermined play which can absorb a difference of the speed of the outer surface of the plate belt 3 and the speed of the outer surface of the blanket belt 5.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drive for distributor rollers in an inking-unit of a rotary printing machine comprising a central gearwheel driven by a printing unit-cylinder, and distributor rollers the drive gears of which are in mesh with the central gearwheel, each of the distributor rollers performing a lateral stroke, and the central gearwheel being provided with an adjusting possibility of varying the timing point of starting the lateral stroke with respect to the front end of the printing plate, and thus influencing the inking of the printing plate according to the respective subject to be printed.

Abstract: Slave rollers 5x, 5y and 5z are attached to a co-axis of a treating roller, and releasing cams 8x, 8y and 8z contacting with the slave rollers 5x, 5y and 5z for separating the treating roller from the plate carrier 2 when a protruding portion protruding above the plate carrier 2 passes through the treating roller, so that the treating roller having contacted with the rotating carrier plate 2 is released from the plate carrier 2.

Abstract: A printing plate has an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface for receiving an image to be transferred to a printing blanket. The printing plate also includes a lead end and a tail end. A first bend and a second bend are formed at a first distance from the lead end of the printing plate, and a third bend is formed at a second distance from the lead end. A recessed portion is thereby formed between the second bend and the third bend, and an angular end portion is formed between the third bend and the lead end. The tail end of the printing plate is bonded to the recessed portion with an adhesive. In order to install the printing plate on the plate cylinder, the source of pressurized fluid is engaged to supply pressurized fluid, e.g. air, through the apertures of the plate cylinder. A press operator mounts an end of the printing plate onto the plate cylinder, aligning the angular end portion of the printing plate with the slot in the plate cylinder.

Abstract: Offset printing method wherein ink in the form of screened half-tone dots or pixels and unscreened printing-image elements is applied to a printing surface of a recording medium by means of a printing device; a printing form being generated from signals reproducing a printed image; the printing form being inked with an inking device; and the ink being transferred to the printing surface, upon transport of the recording medium relative to the printing device; the signals being processed in a control device for the printing device; includes, near the printing device and before the printing form is generated on a screen or monitor, forming a copy of the printed image from the signals reproducing the printed image and from signals containing parameters of the printing device; whenever the copy deviates from a desired printed image, manually inputting correction values for local inking into the control device, until the copy corresponds to the desired printed image; and generating the printing form and adjusting t

Abstract: A counter-pressure apparatus for offset sheet machines for effectuating perforations and/or punchings comprises a foil provided with strips at two opposing of its edges. This foil is arranged for being fastened within fixing structure of a rubber blanket cylinder or of a forme cylinder of a printing group or of a coating module of the printing machine. The use of the foil, made e.g. of chronium steel, instead of a prior art rubber blanket results in much better perforations or punching apertures. Further, the printing machine can maintain its usual printing speed.

Abstract: A printing mechanism for waterless offset printing including a form cylinder that carries a sleeve-shaped printing form and/or a transfer cylinder that carries a sleeve-shaped transfer form such that the forms can be slipped onto or removed from their respective cylinder. Both the transfer cylinder and the form cylinder having internal and external cooling arrangements.

Abstract: A guide device for moving sheet material in printing presses, which by means of blown air, presses the sheet material flat against the cylindrical surface of a transporting drum or a cylinder, essentially without any contact between the sheet material and the guide device. The guide device can have a guide plate which generates a stream of blown air in the direction opposite to the direction of travel of the moving sheet material.

Abstract: Oscillations caused by machine dynamics in a sheet-fed rotary offset printing machine affect the print quality. The disturbing oscillations are reduced in that printing units of the printing machine are offset relative to one another at a phase angle at which identical print events in at least two printing units occur simultaneously.

Abstract: A printing press having a device for uniformly providing a suction force on a plane body on a support, the device comprising a closed suction chamber having a supporting surface, the supporting surface featuring suction ports. A blower, assigned to the suction chamber, produces an underpressure or vacuum pressure in the suction chamber.

Abstract: A printing press has at least one printing stand with a plate cylinder, an inking unit for providing ink to the plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder, an impression cylinder, a sheet feed device for feeding printing stock into the print stand, and a dampening unit for feeding dampening medium to the printing plate of the plate cylinder. The dampening unit has at least one form roller engageable with the plate cylinder, a dipping roller dipping into dampening medium contained in a dampening-medium tank, at least one intermediate roller provided between the form roller and dipping roller, adjusting means through which the form roller is engageable with the plate cylinder and the intermediate roller with the form roller and the dipping roller, and a device for preventing any permanent deformation on the elastic outer cylindrical surface when the printing press is at a standstill.

Abstract: A plate cylinder for rotary printing presses, in which the printing plate inside the machine is manufactured digitally, e.g. by spark erosion, and in which the covering with printing foil and the changing of individual segments of the foil following printing is done simply, automatically and with maximum precision inside the machine, with the use of a replaceable cartridge for the printing foil.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a sheet between a plurality of printing units is disclosed. A transfer cylinder is provided between the adjacent units and is rotated by a motor. A drive gear mechanically connected to the motor and a driven gear mechanically connected to the transfer cylinder mate with each other. The press on a single surface and on both surfaces of the sheet are selectively performed, and a phase between the gears is adjusted by a phase adjusting mechanism. Stoppers are formed with the drive gear and driven gear respectively, for stopping relative rotation between the gears.

Abstract: Device for achieving a flat contact of stock on a curved surface of a cylinder for transporting the stock into a printing nip includes a plurality of blowing-air bars disposed in a region between an impression cylinder and a transfer drum and upstream of the printing nip in transport direction of the stock, the blowing-air bars being directed for blowing air in a direction opposing the transport direction of the stock, at least one of the plurality of blowing-air bars being stationary and, with the other of the plurality of blowing-air bars, respectively, having a plurality of air-blowing nozzle-shaped outlets disposed in a substantially arrow-shaped arrangement on the respective circumferences thereof, the arrangement of outlets including a central outlet disposed farthest upstream of the arrangement of outlets in the transport direction so as to be a first one of the outlets to act upon a sheet being transported in the transport direction.

Abstract: A compact, low-height offset press of simple construction is easy to use, needs no after-use maintenance such as cleaning the ink roller and is designed for fully automatic operation. Plate support 1 and blanket support 10 consist of endless belts. Etching unit 60, dampening unit 70 and inking unit 80 are placed along the periphery of the plate support. An unetched plate is supplied from the plate supply unit and etched automatically for printing. When the press is not in use, anti-drying tank 95 moves up, enclosing the roller(s) in liquid, to prevent any ink on the roller surfaces from drying.

Abstract: Foreign particles are removed from the plate cylinder of an offset press by interconnecting two ink form rollers friction driven by the plate roller and/or a vibrating roller to rotate in unison at different surface velocities. The connection between the form rollers maintains a fixed ratio between the surface velocities of the rollers which is other than 1:1 and causes the surface of at least one of the form rollers to wipe the surface of the plate.

Abstract: Method and device for automatically and semi-automatically starting and stopping a sheet-turning operation and for sheet-format adjusting during sheet transport through a recto-and-verso printing press, wherein the sheets are singly transported in succession, by at least one transport drum, between two printing units, wherein, with the aid of remotely operated actuating and position-locking elements, gripper-control elements and sheet-holding segments of a storage drum are disposed so that sheets are transfered from the storage drum to a turning drum by the leading or trailing edge of the sheets, depending upon the mode of operation thereof, the grippers being, with respect to a suction device, adjusted to an appropriate sheet format. Adjustment of the sheet format can be performed both in recto-printing mode as well as in recto-and-verso printing mode.

Abstract: An assembly including a holding bar disposed transversely to a sheet-conveying direction in a paper sheet-processing machine, includes a device on the holding bar for holding paper sheets; a device for guiding the holding bar in individual, laterally spaced-apart guiding planes and through at least one direction-changing region located outside the guiding planes; a device for transporting the holding bar; and, in the at least one direction-changing region outside the guiding planes, a connectible device for stiffening the holding bar; and a method of guiding and transporting the holding bar.

Abstract: A method of feeding, aligning and holding a sheet on a cylinder of a sheet-processing machine, which includes, prior to an occurrence of a gripping operation on a sheet at a cylinder of a sheet-processing machine, forcing a leading edge of the sheet into a contact position wherein the leading edge of the sheet is pressed against moving front lays which are guided over the cylinder, opening sheet grippers carried by the cylinder, inserting the leading edge of the sheet which is in the contact position into the sheet grippers, and maintaining the leading edge of the sheet in the contact position with the front lays until just before closing the sheet grippers; and a device for performing the method.

Abstract: A sheet reversing assembly for a rotary printing press utilizes one or more arcuately and radially movable gripper assemblies on an impression cylinder to elevate a gripped leading edge of a sheet to be reversed. As the trailing edge of the sheet is engaged by suction grippers on a reversing drum, air blast jets in the vicinity of the abutment surface of the gripper assembly direct air under pressure between the sheet and the surface of the impression cylinder.

Abstract: A chain operated sheet transport and transfer mechanism for sheet-fed printing machines having a plurality of printing units. The chain operated mechanism includes a plurality of gripper cars affixed to chains for movement between the printing units. The gripper cars each have a gripper impact strip and a pivotable gripper finger, with the gripper strip of each car extending the width of the gripper car and being of concave configuration. A bending device at the transfer zone of each printing unit is operable for acting on the gripper car to bend the concave gripper impact strips straight in order that sheets are transferred from one printing unit to the other without register deviation.

Abstract: An adjustable sheet guide assembly utilizes a plurality of individually shiftable sheet guide elements. Each of these sheet guide elements is carried by a sleeve which is concentric about a hollow profile body that carries a rotatable, helically fluted shaft. Guide pins on the sleeves are received in the shaft's flutes so that rotation of the shaft or movement of one sheet guide element causes movement of all of the sheet guide elements in the adjustable sheet guide assembly.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for making a decorative, essentially planar sheet of material having a design applied to one side, with the design being viewed through the sheet from the opposite side. A foreground component of the design is produced on a first resilient roller, and the first roller is rotated about its cylindrical axis. A second resilient roller rotates adjacent to the first resilient roller to form a nip with the first cylindrical roller. The planar sheet is fed through the nip formed between the first and second resilient rollers so that the foreground component of the design on the first resilient roller is transferred to the opposite side of the planar sheet. A background component of the design is produced on a third resilient roller, and the third roller is rotated about its cylindrical axis. A fourth resilient roller rotates adjacent to the third roller to form a nip with the third roller.

Abstract: An apparatus and process in which a carrier image is applied to paper and ink is attracted to the carrier to form a printed image. The process is readily adaptable to the conventional printing methods including offset lithography. An apparatus for carrying out the process of the invention may be retrofitted onto a lithographic printer.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the wetting behavior of the surface of a cylinder formed of passivatable metal. A wetting device is used to apply an electrolyte to the surface of the metal cylinder. A direct current source is connected between the wetting device and the cylinder and a control device is used to control the voltage necessary for passivating the surface of the cylinder as a function of the pH value of the electrolyte and the type of metal forming the surface of the cylinder. The oleophilic or oleophobic characteristics of the cylinder are thus controlled.

Abstract: An offset printing machine having a blanket sheet wrapped around an outer circumferential surface of a blanket cylinder 3 so as to come in contact with a master and having clamps 29 and 30 for releasably retaining opposite ends of the blanket sheet to the blanket cylinder 3. After ending a printing operation, the blanket sheet is removed from the clamps 29 and 30 and dumped. Accordingly, the cleaning of the blanket cylinder 3 can be omitted to prevent hands and clothes from being stained.

Abstract: A coating apparatus for use in a sheet-fed, offset rotary printing press to selectively apply a protective and/or decorative coating to the wet ink surface of freshly printed sheets and including a coating unit having a pick-up roller for supplying aqueous coating material from a reservoir to the surface of a delivery cylinder mounted on a press delivery drive shaft, the delivery cylinder performing the dual function of a coating applicator roller and a delivery cylinder during coating operations.

Abstract: A device for smoothly applying a sheet for printing onto an impression cylinder upstream of a printing gap of a sheet-fed rotary offset printing machine in travel direction of the sheet through the printing machine and including a jet nozzle device having at least one jet nozzle capable of being directed towards the circumference of the impression cylinder for pressing the sheet by blowing air force against the circumference, further includes a drive device couplable with the jet nozzle device for swingingly reciprocating the jet nozzle device in travel direction of the sheet during an operating cycle of the printing machine, the jet nozzle device being mounted at a spaced distance upstream from a printing gap and being swingable in a pendular manner about a pendulum axis extending parallel to an axis of the impression cylinder, the jet nozszle device being elongated and being formed with a middle region and ends offset upstream from the middle region in the travel direction of the sheet so that the sheet is

Abstract: A sheet-fed rotary offset printing press having a plurality of in-line conventionally mass-produced printing units with plate and blanket cylinders of given unitary diameter and sheet-guiding cylinders having respective diameters which are a multiple of the given unitary diameter, mechanically acting gripper systems carried by the sheet-guiding cylinders for in-line transfer of sheets at a given angular position of the sheet-guiding cylinders and for transporting the sheets in a given travel direction, the printing units having side walls with respective rear and forward edges having supporting and bolt-on surfaces for mutually connecting the side walls of the respective printing units, includes a conventionally mass-produced sheet-transfer cylinder having the given unitary diameter operatively connecting and maintaining an angular position of a point of tangency for sheet transfer both of a sheet-releasing cylinder of one of the printing units and a sheet-guiding cylinder of a succeeding printing unit, the s

Abstract: Apparatus for imaging a lithographic printing plate wherein structure is provided for removing debris generated by an imaging head and adhering to the plate. The debris removing structure may comprise a rotating brush which is selectively movable into and out of contact with the plate as necessary. Cleaning fluid may be delivered to the brush and suction may be used to aid removal of debris loosened by the brush.

Abstract: An imaging head for use in a spark-discharge recording apparatus, including a tracking system for monitoring and maintaining the head a fixed distance away from the surface of a recording blank. The tracking system preferably measures the distance between the head and the surface of the blank using a gas source oriented toward the blank's surface and a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of the gas reflected therefrom. The signal produced by the pressure sensor indicates the size of the gap. The pressue sensor is coupled to a servo system that alters the position of the head to maintain a preselected gap distance.

Abstract: A printing fluid input system (30) for use in a keyless lithographic printing press wherein a metering roller (20) has at least first and second ends mounted for rotation about an axis and has an oleophilic and hydrophobic surface (40) intermediate the first and second ends (32,34) which retains a natural quantity of printing fluid. A housing (42) has an open first side (46) which mates with at least a portion of the surface (40) of the metering roller (20) to define a closed chamber (44) containing the printing fluid under a predetermined pressure. End seal assemblies (48, 50) are mounted on opposed ends of the housing (42), each of the end seal assemblies (48,50) having at least a first surface (56) for mating with respective end sections (58,60) of the metering roller (20). A reverse angle doctor blade (62) on the housing (42) has an edge (66) for contacting the surface (40) of the metering roller (20) for removing excess printing fluid adhering to the surface (40) as the metering roller (20) rotates.

Abstract: In the context of a printing press inking unit with at least one pitted roll cooperating with two doctor blades offset from each other in the circumferential direction of the pitted roll and preferably carried on a mount so as to define an ink chamber between them into which the pitted roll extends, the wear of the doctor blade removing debris from the pitted roll is reduced if there is a forechamber outside the blade which is upstream in terms of the direction of rotation of the pitted roll, such roll dipping into such forechamber.

Abstract: During start-up or run-on of a printing machine, a printed image is transferred from a printing cylinder (2, 24, 34) on a control or test cylinder (5, 26, 35) which has a surface representative of the surface of a substrate (6, 25, 33) on which printing, later on, is to be effected, for example a white ceramic surface of roughness comparable to that of paper. The image transferred on the control or test cylinder is optically tested while the cylinder rotates over a first partial circumferential range (7, 27, 36), and data derived, either by human observation or by electro-optical sensors (8, 28, 37) to permit readjustment of operating systems of the printing machine in accordance with desired operating parameters, such as register, inking density, ink/damping fluid relationship in offset processes or the like.

Abstract: On a lithographic plate for printing, there is provided an identification mark which indicates for which color the lithographic plate is and in which printing press the lithographic plate is to be used. The identification mark of the lithographic plate is simultaneously recorded when image area rates of the lithographic plate are measured. When the measured lithographic plate is mounted in the printing press, the data of image area rates which have already been measured and recorded are read utilizing the result of reading the identification mark. The data are transmitted to the printing press and used for control of the ink supply amount of the printing press. In order to carry the lithographic plate keeping a flat state, there is provided a difference between air pressure acted upon one surface and another surface of the lithographic plate. A locating apparatus is also used so that the lithographic plate is set at a correct measuring position in order to measure image rates of the lithographic plate.

Abstract: An ink duct for applying ink to the surface of a roller mounted for rotation about its cylindrical axis comprises a chamber having an open side capable of being substantially closed by the roller surface and bounded by an axially extending doctor blade having an edge protruding towards the open side for contacting the roller surface, an axially extending sealing member having an edge protruding towards the open side, and end seals linking the blade and the sealing member at their ends and having edges protruding towards the open side for sealing engagement with the roller surface. The chamber includes an axially extending projection located between the blade and the sealing member and having an edge protruding towards the open side to divide the chamber into first and second zones while allowing ink to flow past the edge from the first zone to the second zone.

Abstract: A method of controlling unwanted degradation of overlapping image points in a sparked-imaged lithographic plate. A suitable conductive sheet having an appropriately selected volume resistivity is placed beneath the conductive metal sheet of the plate, thereby drawing off excess spark energy during the imaging process.

Abstract: A device for removing excess water from an aqueous emulsion of lithographic printing ink comprises a pair of rollers co-operating together to form a nip. Emulsified ink is fed to the nip and is broken down into an ink phase and an aqueous phase by the pressure exerted by the nip. The aqueous phase is displaced away from the ink phase by gas jets. The ink phase remains on the surface of one of the rollers and is removed and returned to the printing press.

Abstract: Ink is applied to a lithographic printing plate from an engraved roller provided with a plurality of cells in its surface. Ink is introduced into the cells by an inking device comprising a pressurized substantially closed ink duct defined by an axially extending sealing member contacting or close to the surface and an axially extending doctor blade in contact with the surface.

Abstract: A drive system between a master cylinder, a form roller and a distributor roller in a moisture system of a printing, duplicating or like machine. The surface of the master cylinder has a longitudinal gap within which master clamping hardware are disposed. The drive system includes a first gear train, including a lost motion mechanism, between the master cylinder and the form roller for rotating the form roller only during an interval of a revolution of the master cylinder when the surface of the form roller is juxtaposed in the gap of the master cylinder. A second gear train independent of the first gear train is disposed between the form roller and the distributor roller for rotating the distributor roller continuously at the same surface speed as the form roller.

Abstract: An image position adjusting device for controlling an imaging area in a longitudinal direction of a printing sheet. This position control is made by rotating one of the impression and blanket cylinders with respect to the other. A first intermediate gear is mounted on a shaft extending between the side frames of the printing machine, and a second intermediate gear is engaged with the first intermediate gear and a stationary gear of one of the impression and blanket cylinders. The second intermediate gear is swingable while meshingly moving along the first intermediate gear for rotating the gear of the impression or blanket cylinder. During movement of the second intermediate gear, it is always held between the first intermediate gear and the stationary gear.

Abstract: A roller transfer device for use in sheet fed rotary printing presses of the type employing a one and one half to one delivery system, the transfer device comprising a frame mounted to a drive shaft adjacent the press impression cylinder, and supporting diametrically disposed fabric covered rollers arranged to engage and support a printed sheet during transfer from the impression cylinder to a further processing station within the press.

Abstract: A transfer or delivery cylinder for a sheet-fed rotary printing press having an endless chain conveyor carrying gripper bars and grippers and driven by a sprocket wheel concentrically mounted on a drive shaft for pulling freshly printed sheets from the impression cylinder onto the transfer or delivery cylinder for movement to a further processing station within the press, wherein the transfer or delivery cylinder is a right circular cylinder eccentrically mounted to the drive shaft so that upon initial engagement of the freshly printed sheet by the grippers, the leading edge of the cylinder is spaced below the sheet which is thereafter pulled smoothly and uniformly into contact tangentially with the sheet support surface of the transfer or delivery cylinder.

Abstract: A mechanical apparatus for modifying an individual sheet feed offset duplicator to print impressions on continuous form pre-punched and perforated paper. A first tractor module is attached to the input of the duplicator for delivering the paper into the duplicator and an indexing mechanism is provided in the first tractor module for providing precise indexing to the paper as it is delivered into the duplicator. A device for adjusting the registration of the impression on the paper is provided in the first tractor module adjustment while the machine is operating. A rear tractor module is also connected at the output of the duplicator and engages the continuous form paper to maintain a predetermined amount of tautness on the paper by providing supplementary pulling on the paper while the paper is pulled through the duplicator. The present invention can also be used to collate multiple streams of continuous form paper into a single output stream as part of the printing process.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting the printing cylinders of an offset printing unit against damage that can be caused by paper wrapping around on the blanket cylinder when there is a break in the web after it has left the printing unit. The apparatus includes a pair of web capturing inertial rollers between which the web passes, each of the rollers being freely rotatable and each have a plurality of circular web gripping rings which are in constant contact with the web so that the rollers are rotatably driven solely by the web. The gripping rings are laterally adjustable along the axis of rotation of their respective roller so as to permit the traveling web to be gripped in preselected positions in non-print areas.

Abstract: A plate cylinder for rotary printing presses, in which the printing plate inside the machine is manufactured digitally, e.g. by spark erosion, and in which the covering with printing foil and the changing of individual segments of the foil following printing is done simply, automatically and with maximum precision inside the machine, with the use of a replaceable cartridge for the printing foil.