Abstract: The present invention provides a printing press. The printing press includes a frame, a plate cylinder, a plate cylinder support supporting the plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder for receiving an image from the plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder support supporting the blanket cylinder, an impression cylinder for supporting a printing substrate between the blanket cylinder and the impression cylinder, an actuator connected to and controlling a position of the plate cylinder support or the blanket cylinder support and a controller providing the actuator with a position setpoint, the actuator receiving position feedback signals to maintain the position setpoint during a printing operation. The present invention also provides a method for operating a printing press.

Abstract: A printing press includes an assembly and a cam mechanism for moving at least one part of the assembly. A cam of the cam mechanism has a curvature course with points, in particular bends or jumps, which are not constantly differentiable within a movement region of the cam. The cam mechanism can include an actuator for the temporal displacement of jolts which are induced by the points that are not constantly differentiable to the at least one part of the assembly. An adaptation of the movement which is produced to the operating state of the printing press is possible, with the result that a considerable reduction can be achieved in vibrations for all printing speeds.

Abstract: In a cylinder throw-on/off apparatus for a printing press, a cylinder throw-on/off motor is driven while the notch of a blanket cylinder opposes the notch of a plate cylinder to throw on/off the blanket cylinder with respect to the plate cylinder, and driven while the notch of the blanket cylinder opposes the notch of an impression cylinder to throw on/off the blanket cylinder with respect to the impression cylinder. A throw-on operation control unit drives the cylinder throw-on/off motor, to control throw-on operation of the blanket cylinder for the plate cylinder and the impression cylinder. A motor drive amount calculation unit obtains a drive amount of the cylinder throw-on/off motor, while controlling the throw-on operation of the blanket cylinder, in accordance with the rotation phase of the printing press.

Abstract: A compact printing unit includes a plate cylinder, an impression cylinder, and an ink applicator roller in a printing press, in particular a label printing press. In the printing unit, the plate cylinder is disengageable from cylinders contacting the plate cylinder for the purpose of format variation. The plate cylinder is pivotable about the impression cylinder about a pivot axis which is parallel to the axis of rotation of the impression cylinder and a distance between the axes of rotation of the plate cylinder and the impression cylinder is variable. A printing press and a method of producing labels or self-adhesive labels in a printing press are also provided.

Abstract: A printing unit of compact construction includes an impression cylinder and a printing form cylinder to be pivoted around the impression cylinder about a pivot axis running parallel to an axis of rotation of the impression cylinder. A spacing between the axes of rotation of the printing form cylinder and of the impression cylinder can be varied and the printing form cylinder and the impression cylinder can be set against each other, to form a press nip in which a substrate can be printed. A first drive for producing a rotational movement of the printing form cylinder is connected to the printing form cylinder through a drive train. At least one component of the drive train has a torque axis running through the impression cylinder. A printing press having at least one printing unit and a process for producing labels or self-adhesive labels in a printing press, are also provided.

Abstract: An offset print unit includes a plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder having an end and a blanket gear coaxial with the blanket cylinder, a drive axle or pinion supporting a gear driving the blanket gear and a blanket lift arm for selectively supporting the end to cantilever the blanket cylinder, the blanket lift arm being rotatable about the drive axle or pinion. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A proofing tool including an anilox roll and a transfer roll that are shiftable relative to each other between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The invention further includes a positive rotational linkage between the transfer roll and a drive roll whereby a pitch velocity of the transfer roll and a pitch velocity of the transfer roll are substantially matched.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sheet-guiding device in a printing machine. The object of the invention is to provide such a sheet-guiding device which in a printing/varnishing unit that is not involved in the printing/varnishing process, permits the smear-free passage of the printing material in a printing/varnishing nip. This is achieved in that on the blanket/plate cylinder 12, 2 there is arranged a printing plate with an ink/varnish-repellent surface coating, it being possible for the blanket/plate cylinder 12, 2 to be driven at the machine speed, and the sheet-carrying cylinder 1 conveying the printed or varnished printing material.

Abstract: A roller holding apparatus of a printing press comprises roller arms swingably supported by a metal roller, holders swingably supported by the roller arms for holding a rubber roller so as to be detachably mounted on the roller arms, and pressing members provided in the holders for pressing the rubber roller against the metal roller. The roller holding apparatus can perform roller replacement easily and quickly with a simple structure, and can always retain a set nip pressure.

Abstract: A method of operating a sheet-processing rotary printing press provided with a die cutting or punching unit and a delivery for forming processed sheets into a sheet pile or stack includes, in a first method step, moving the punching or die cutting unit, during production printing by the rotary printing press, from a first operating state of the unit wherein the sheets are punched or die cut, into a second operating state of the unit wherein the sheets are not punched or die cut as they pass the punching or die cutting unit, and after a given number of non-punched or non-die cut sheets have passed through the unit. In a second method step, the punching or die cutting unit is moved back into the first operating state thereof. The invention also includes a method of operating the printing press.

Abstract: In order to provide a rotary printing machine for direct printing, in which the printing-assembly cylinders are guided in a stable manner by means of a cost-effective device, the forme cylinder and the impression cylinder of a printing assembly are mounted, adjustably in terms of their mutual spacing, in side walls. At least one of the two cylinders is mounted on both sides in slides movable on straight guide elements which are arranged in each case on at least one of two opposite panels of an aperture in the side walls.

Abstract: In a rotary printing machine, in particular a web-fed rotary printing machine, having at least one printing unit including a plurality of printing-unit cylinders, of which at least one can be brought into and out of operative connection with at least one functional unit which is associated with a function needed to operate the printing unit, is provided with a drive device and is fitted on a linear guide device, a high level of operating convenience and working accuracy being achieved by the functional unit being assigned a positioning device, which has a controller which can be fed with at least one position-dependent signal which can be generated by means of a sensor arrangement associated with the functional unit and by which the drive device can be controlled.

Abstract: The control apparatus, in a rotary press having a plurality of printing units, performs a first calculation of subtracting the number of effective copies from the required number of copies for an operating printing unit and a second calculation of subtracting the number of copies of the operating printing unit from the result of the first calculation until a standby printing unit being ready to be operated, then outputs a first signal when the second calculation results 0 or less, a second signal when the first calculation results 0 or less, a control message to accelerate the printing unit to a predetermined operation speed to the printing control unit of the standby printing receiving the first signal, and a control message to decelerate and stop the printing unit to the printing control unit of the operating printing unit receiving the second signal.

Abstract: A rotary printing machine includes at least one form cylinder, at least one further cylinder, and a gear transmission via which the form cylinder and the further cylinder are drivable together during a printing operation. A device is provided for setting an image on a printing form located on the form cylinder. A switchable speed-change gear mechanism is disposed between the form cylinder and the gear transmission for driving the form cylinder during the printing operation.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a cylinder in a printing machine includes, in a first step, rotating a first cylinder into a rotary position wherein a cylinder gap formed in the first cylinder is directed towards a second cylinder of the printing machine and, in a second step, displacing one of the two cylinders, with the second cylinder dipping into the cylinder gap; and a printing machine for performing the method.

Abstract: A link mechanism is provided for setting and maintaining a minimum spacial distance between a blanket cylinder and a plate cylinder of a rotary printing press. The link mechanism includes a first link arm that is rotatably mounted on an axle of the blanket cylinder at one of the blanket cylinder. A second link arm rotatably is mounted on an axle of the plate cylinder. The first link arm and the second link arm are pivotably connected to each other for single axis pivoting about a point offset to one side of an imaginary line drawn through centers of the plate cylinder axle and the blanket cylinder axle. An adjustment mechanism is positioned between the first and second link arms on projections offset to the other side of the imaginary line so that the set minimum spacial distance between the plate cylinder axles and the blanket cylinder axle can be adjustably set and maintained throughout impression rotation of the rotary printing press.

Abstract: A retractable impression cylinder coater printer known as the “Lithoflex I™” combines lithographic and flexographic printing and coating in a single pass operation. The apparatus is adapted for installation on any printing station of a multi-color lithographic press, and is not limited to the last printing station. Ink or coating materials are applied from a printing plate or a blanket mounted on the plate cylinder of the retractable printer-coater unit and applied directly onto the surface of a substrate passing over the impression cylinder of the lithographic printing station just after being lithographically printed on that station. The combination printed substrate is passed to the next or a following lithographic printing station where it is lithographically overprinted.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a cylinder in a printing machine includes, in a first step, rotating a first cylinder into a rotary position wherein a cylinder gap formed in the first cylinder is directed towards a second cylinder of the printing machine and, in a second step, displacing one of the two cylinders, with the second cylinder dipping into the cylinder gap; and a printing machine for performing the method.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a printing unit including a frame (2) and an upper plate cylinder (12) mounted in the frame (2). An upper blanket cylinder (16) is in selective contact with the upper plate cylinder (12), and a lower blanket cylinder (18) forms a nip with the upper blanket cylinder (16). A web (8) passes through the nip. A lower plate cylinder (14) contacts the lower blanket cylinder (18). Impression setting means (60, 62, 82) are assigned to movable housings (40, 44) of the movable cylinders (12, 14, 16). The impression setting means (60, 62, 82) are provided to adjust forces exerted on bearers (20) of the printing unit cylinders (12, 14, 16).

Abstract: A process and device for synchronizing a cylinder of a printing press, which is pivoted up to its countercylinder, and to a shaft encoder suitable for carrying out this process.

Abstract: A device for mounting an applicator roller of a dampening unit in a printing machine is disclosed. The device is adapted for rotatably receiving a roller journal of the applicator roller and for fixing that journal relative to the frame part of the printing machine to provide jolt-free operation of the applicator roller. The device is also adapted to provide linear movement of the applicator roller relative to its adjacent plate and dipping cylinders. The device preferably includes adjusting eccentrics mounted one in the other. The adjusting eccentrics are independently adjustable. The eccentricities of the adjusting eccentrics are arranged such that the applicator roller can be thrown-on, thrown-off and set approximately radially both to the plate cylinder and to the dipping roller. As a result of the independent adjustability of the eccentrics, the applicator roller can be optionally thrown-on to the plate cylinder without contacting the dipping roller or vice versa.

Abstract: In a rotary printing machine, a device for the print setting of a printing cylinder equipped with a slip-on sleeve. The printing cylinder is supported in a bearing to which an eccentric bushing is secured for reciprocating the printing cylinder between print engagement and disengagement positions. The device includes a coupling rod secured to the eccentric bushing for reciprocating the latter, and the coupling rod is joined to the eccentric bushing by a separable joint such that the coupling rod may be swung out of the area of the frame opening to accommodate changing of the sleeve without removing the printing cylinder from the printing machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the impression of an impression cylinder, equipped with a tube that can be slipped on, in a rotary press, the mounting of which apparatus has an eccentric bush equipped with a gearing, which is engaged in the operating state by an eccentric adjustment, which can be shifted out of the region of an opening enabling an exchange of tubes and is equipped with a gearing. A toothed quadrant, engaging the gearing of the eccentric bush, and a working cylinder, which is operated by a pressure medium and linked to the toothed quadrant, are pivotably connected with a rocking lever, which is mounted in the supporting frame and engaged by a two-membered driven toggle joint, which is pivotably connected at the other end with the supporting frame.

Abstract: In a sheet-fed offset press having at least one printing unit in which the blanket cylinder can be thrown on and off the impression cylinder and plate cylinder by a pressure-medium-energized actuating arrangement, the pressure medium energization is triggered by a control unit in accordance with the position of grip edge zones of the cylinders being in registration. In order to ensure that throwing on and throwing off take place when the grip edge zones of the cylinders are positioned immediately opposite one another, the control unit detects the position of the printing unit cylinders relatively to one another by way of an angular position sensor and also detects the actual speed of the press via a speed sensor. The control unit forms speed-dependent throw-on and throw-off actuating times which are advanced in the direction of rotation of the printing unit cylinders so that the reaction time is outside the time slot for grip edge zone registration.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for displacing shaft-mounting bearing stands, which are secured to carriages, in carriage guides, preferably for displacing the bearing stands of plate cylinders and inking rollers of a printing unit in carriage tracks of the inking unit supports of a multicolor rotary press, comprising screw drives, which are driven by electric motors. To solve the object to provide such an apparatus in which shafts and particularly plate cylinders and associated inking rollers can mutually independently be displaced relative to each other and, e.g., relative to an impression cylinder, the invention resides in that a screw that extends parallel to a single carriage track is rotatably mounted in the machine frame or on the inking unit support and is provided with a drive. A nut which is non-rotatably and axially immovably connected to a bearing stand or to a carriage is mounted on the screw.

Abstract: A portable manually operated flexographic proofer device is provided which comprises a base; a top plane, mounted on the base, on which a printing substrate is received and which has an aperture therein; a cylindrical drive roll, having an elastomer covering on the cylindrical surface thereof, mounted within the base so that a portion of the cylindrical surface thereof is exposed through the aperture in the top plate; a drive motor for the impression roll for providing rotation thereof at a constant speed; and a pivotable applicator unit which carries an aniulox cylinder and a transfer roller. In the operative position of the unit, the transfer roller exerts pressure on the portion of the drive roll exposed through the aperture in the top plate. A weight device of a calibrated weight is mounted on the applicator unit so that the pressure exerted by the transfer roller on the drive roll is substantially constant.

Abstract: A device for selectively controlling the manual or automatic operation of inking or damping rollers of a printing press wherein the torque which produces the adjusting movement is transmissible through a non-positive coupling and a spring-biased manually releasable and automatically engaging connecting element, characterized in that a first start-stop lever is connected to an input coupling member for the automatic starting and stopping of printing, an operating lever is connected to a handle for manual control of the starting and stopping of printing and a second start-stop lever is connected to an output coupling member and is operative to engage and disengage the rollers.

Abstract: Auxiliary form roller apparatus is provided for rotary offset lithographic duplicating machines to increase the number of form rollers and more uniformly distribute the ink over the master cylinder. The apparatus has a frame formed by a pair of oppositely-disposed, substantially J-shaped support arms which are separated and joined by laterally extending support members. One end of each support arm is bifurcated to receive the main frame support rod of the duplicating machine and the other end of the arm is slotted to slidably receive and support one of the end bearings of a rotatable, auxiliary form roller which is disposed between the arms and is adapted to bear against the master cylinder at a location which is spaced a peripheral distance from the existing form rollers of the machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to printing machines with paper reversers.The purpose of the invention is to mitigate the necessity of adjusting or checking the correct position of paper in the paper reverser.The above purpose is achieved by the present invention where a paper feeding scanner, together with a scanner for checking the angle of displacement of the machine cylinders are connected, via a first coincidence gate, to the input of a first memory. The output of the first memory is connected to the serial input of a first shift register. To the clock pulse input of the first shift register is connected a pulse scanner for scanning pulses which are synchronous with the revolutions of the printing machine parts upstream of the paper reverser. To the first used storage location of the first shift register is connected a first circuit for engaging printing sets under pressure.

Abstract: A lithographic sheet fed press having means for clearing a jamming condition in which a plurality of sheets become wedged between the blanket and impression cylinders. The blanket cylinder is journaled in eccentric bushings having respective operating arms. Toggle linkages are respectively interposed between each arm and the associated frame plate and settable in a slightly overcenter operating condition for maintaining normal printing pressure between the blanket cylinder and the impression cylinder. A toggle-breaking power actuator is laterally coupled to the toggle linkages for breaking the same to the opposite side of dead center. A back-off power actuator is coupled to the bushings for imparting substantial rotation to the bushings accompanied by relief of pressure and full collapse of the toggle linkages with scissoring action. The actuators are energized in sequence to secure (a) release of the toggle linkages and (b) backing off of the blanket cylinder from the impression cylinder.