Abstract: There are provided damping water circulators (3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d) for circulating damping water among printing presses (2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d) to purify the damping water. The damping water circulator includes upper and lower tanks(8, 9) and a purification unit (10) provided between the upper and lower tanks (8, 9). The damping water returning from the printing presses (2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d) is purified by the purification unit and stored in the lower tank 9. The damping water is then transferred from the lower tank 9 to the upper tank 8 and is supplied to the printing presses (2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d). Water supply for replenishment to the damping water is stopped at a predetermined time before ending of print operation of the printing presses (2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d) and the damping water remaining in the upper and lower tanks (8, 9) is consumed during the predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A spray head is provided in which fluid flow is redirected by an insert before the fluid exits a spray nozzle. Specifically, the spray head includes an insert located within its valve body that changes the path of fluid moving through the valve body and spray nozzle cavity, resulting in increased mixing of fluid in the spray nozzle cavity and thus, improved lateral spray distribution when the fluid exits the spray nozzle.

Abstract: It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a spray dampener which prevents the foreign matter such as ink mist from being introduced into the spray dampener and prevent the dampening water in the spray dampener from being leaked outside that. The spray dampener includes a pair of partitioned spaces. The partitioned spaces are formed along the edges. The spray dampener includes a plurality of air nozzles. The air nozzles are received in the partitioned spaces and spaced from each other longitudinally of the dampening water roller to spout compressed air toward the outer surface of the dampening water roller.

Abstract: A dampening solution circuit for a printing machine, includes a dampening unit, a dampening solution main reservoir, a dampening solution supply for feeding the dampening solution to the dampening unit from the dampening solution main reservoir and a dampening solution return for returning the dampening solution from the dampening unit into the dampening solution supply and a cleaning branch with a dampening solution cleaning apparatus is provided in the region of the dampening solution return, which cleaning branch is configured in such a way that during the operation of the dampening solution circuit a first dampening solution partial flow from the dampening solution main flow can be passed through the dampening solution cleaning apparatus, and the cleaning branch is connected in such a manner that the dampening solution cleaned in the dampening solution cleaning apparatus can be returned into the dampening solution supply.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a roller or a rubber blanket with a covering made of elastomeric material with an outer surface for indirect or direct transfer of a damping solution and/or a printing agent to a print carrier of a printing press. In order to enable a virtually optimum printing result, even in the presence of changing process conditions, and to display improved back-transfer properties with unchanging properties over the service life, it is proposed that a roller/rubber blanket be used which has an outer surface that constitutes an elastomeric surface coating of the covering and contains, or completely consists of, a fluoroelastomer, particularly an elastomeric fluorinated rubber. The fluorinated rubber can, in particular, be a tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-vinylidene fluoride copolymer.

Abstract: A printing unit of a rotary printing press includes a forme cylinder. An inking unit interacts with the forme cylinder and has a plurality of inking rolls. A dampening unit also interacts with the forme cylinder and has a plurality of dampening rolls. A washing device interacts with at least one of the inking rolls and dampening rolls for washing the inking unit and/or the dampening unit. The inking unit includes a plurality of ink applicator rolls which can be placed directly onto the forme cylinder during printing operation. The dampening unit has at least one dampening rotation applicator roll that can also be placed directly onto the forme cylinder during printing operations. In a washing position, one of the plurality of ink application rolls and the dampening rotation applicator roll are brought directly into contact with each other.

Abstract: A printing-press driving apparatus and method capable of printing that employs a processless plate in order to suppress an increase in waste paper by properly performing a water process on the processless plate. In a water process in the case of employing the processless plate, control is performed so that while a plate cylinder with the processless plate placed thereon is being rotated without actual contact with continuous paper, the water process is performed only for a predetermined period of time, and continuous paper travels at a lower speed than a peripheral speed of the plate cylinder.

Abstract: An offset printing process is carried out in an offset printing unit. Offset printing ink pre-emulsified with a dampening solution is supplied to the offset printing unit through an ink metering device and further dampening solution is supplied in the offset printing unit. The offset printing ink is applied to a printing form with at least one ink applicator roller and a printing material is printed with the offset printing ink. In this way, a subject-independent, constant margin from the smearing limit for offset printing is obtained.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present method and apparatus may have: a printing unit having a plurality of spraybar assemblies; each of the spraybar assemblies having a respective plurality of spray valves; a controller that outputs respective predetermined control signals of a plurality of control signals for the plurality of spray valves in each of the spraybar assembly; and each control signal of the plurality of control signals having a series of positive and negative pulses; wherein residual magnetism is substantially minimized in the spray valves by the occurrence of positive and negative pulses.

Abstract: A method for producing a dampening system housing, includes the steps of providing a longitudinal housing element prepared from a flat component, making available two side parts with grooves for accommodating the longitudinal housing element, inserting the longitudinal housing element in the grooves and sealing the longitudinal housing element in the grooves, as well as a correspondingly produced dampening system housing.

Abstract: A printing unit having a press unit is disclosed. Damping solution is applied to a form cylinder by way of direct damping-solution supply via a damping unit in such a way that a damping-solution applicator roll which is set away from an ink distributor roll and is driven by way of friction by the form cylinder rolls only on the form cylinder and thus applies the damping solution to the form cylinder only directly via the damping-solution applicator roll. In the event of indirect damping-solution supply in which the damping-solution applicator roll rolls exclusively on the ink distributor roll and is driven by way of friction by the ink distributor roll, in order to switch over to direct damping-solution supply, the damping-solution applicator roll is set away from the ink distributor roll more quickly than the damping unit, and thus the damping-solution applicator roll, is set against the form cylinder.

Abstract: A dampening device of a spray-dampening unit includes a dampening-unit housing, with a positioning element and a spray bar, the positioning element having a mounting region and an abutment region, and being mounted exchangeably on the dampening-unit housing via the mounting region, and the abutment region configured such that the spray bar can be brought to abut against the abutment region, so that a defined position of the spray bar in relation to the dampening-unit housing can be ensured, and also to a method for positioning a spray bar in a dampening device of this type, including the steps of providing a set of positioning elements which each have a mounting region and an abutment region, the set having different positioning elements, selecting a positioning element suitable for a desired position of the spray bar in the dampening-unit housing from the set, and mounting the selected positioning elements.

Abstract: Device for performing the wetting operation for offset printing, comprising a main receptacle (1) which contains a wetting solution; an outlet pipe (2) with a pump (3) which pushes the solution towards an outlet nozzle (4) to project it inside a recipient (5) housed in the main receptacle; a feed pipe (6) which joins said recipient to the wetting system of the offset printing machine; and a pipe (8) through which the wetting solution returns to the main receptacle. The outlet pipe of the solution has a Venturi device (9) whose main pipe (14), through which the wetting solution passes, forms part of said outlet pipe and has at least one side air-intake pipe (10) joining the main pipe at an oblique angle.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for conditioning dampening solution for an offset printing press, include a cation exchanger for the removal of salt-forming ions from the dampening solution. The operation of the cation exchanger leaves the pH of the dampening solution unchanged. The apparatus includes a control device based on measuring the water hardness of the dampening solution for the supply of the dampening solution to the cation exchanger. A dampening system and an offset printing press are also provided.

Abstract: An offset lithography printing press and method wherein dampening structure applies a thin moisture layer directly to a blanket cylinder to facilitate separation between the blanket cylinder and paper or other printable sheet material when passing through a nip between the blanket cylinder and an impression cylinder.

Abstract: There is described a printing unit and a method for printing with flexographic inks. The printing unit includes a screen roller engaging a doctor blade system (3), and which is in continuous operation, either by engaging a motor (10) or by operation by the transmission (2) of the printing machine. The screen roller (1) of the printing unit interacts with a rubber sheet (16) which is disposed on a rubber sheet cylinder (4) at a position between a printing plate cylinder (5) and a back-pressure cylinder (6). A slot (7) is provided in the rubber sheet, used when the screen roller (1) is to be engaged with the rubber sheet (17).

Abstract: A method for developing printing plates in a printing press having at least one printing unit includes loading an imaged, undeveloped printing plate with dampening solution before a start of printing for dampening in at least one printing unit of the printing press for an active duration corresponding at least to one and one half times a time duration or number of machine revolutions provided before a start of printing when an already developed printing plate is used in the same printing press. A printing press for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: A system for driving the damping roller in rotary printing machines. The system has a driving mechanism for the damping roller, while the plate cylinder is being driven separately by an individual driving mechanism, for realizing the delta mode of operation. In this mode of operation, the driving mechanism of the damping roller can be disengaged through a switchable transmission from the driving gear train and connected with the individual driving mechanism of the plate cylinder.

Abstract: The invention involves a printing press comprising a spray dampening unit 2 having a spray nozzle cleaning device 3, a spray dampening unit 2 having a spray nozzle cleaning device 3 and a spray nozzle bar 22 having a spray nozzle cleaning device 3. Said spray nozzle cleaning device 3, respectively, was produced with fluid nozzles 34 using a fluid line system 31, the use of a fluid line system with fluid nozzles to produce such a spray nozzle cleaning device and a procedure to clean the spray nozzles 23 of a spray dampening unit by means of such a spray nozzle cleaning device 3. Said spray nozzle cleaning device has been or can be assembled in a spray dampening unit, comprising a fluid line system 31 having several fluid nozzles 34 by means of which a cleaning fluid can be sprayed on the spray nozzles 23.

Abstract: Apparatus for dampening a printing press comprises a spray bar (26) with solenoid operated nozzles (29) for dispensing a dampening fluid to the press, a controller (30) that sets the flow rate of the dampening fluid to the press through the nozzles, and workstation (31) operable to drive the controller (30). The nozzles (29) are to set an initial flow rate for the commencement of a print run, corresponding to an initial setting value (IS) dependent on a default value (D) and a stored value (AVOFS) derived during at least one preceding print run, and then the setting is updated during the print run by updated data (AS) corresponding to an updated flow rate for the commenced print run. An offset value (OFS) is then calculated based on the difference between (IS) and (AS). The stored value (AVOFS) is then calculated based on a running average of (OFS) for successive print runs.

Abstract: An embodiment may have a stationary valve seat having a predefined surface and having at least one protruding portion, and a moveable plunger assembly having a seal assembly, the seal assembly having at least a deformable end surface. In a closed position the predefined surface of the stationary valve seat substantially contacts a first predetermined area of the end surface of the moveable plunger assembly. Also, in the closed position the at least one protruding portion of the stationary valve seat engages a second predetermined area of the end surface of the moveable plunger assembly.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present method and apparatus may have: a spraybar assembly having a plurality of spray valves; a unique identification associated with the spraybar assembly; response profile having a plurality of characteristic profiles, characteristic profiles of the plurality of characteristic profiles correspondingly respectively to spray valves of the plurality of spray valves; and the response profile being associated with the spraybar assembly.

Abstract: A medium, typically a fluid, is supplied at a level of a rotatable body and is dispensed by a dispenser, such as a spray dispenser. The spray dispenser includes at least one spraying nozzle which applies a dampening agent to the roller. A spraying frequency of the spraying nozzle is adjusted with respect to a rotation frequency of the roller that is receiving the dampening agent. This makes it possible to avoid superposition of the dampening agent, at least for a defined number of rotations of the roller receiving the dampening agent.

Abstract: A process for the offset printing of a receiving medium with a functional pattern comprising in any order the steps of: applying a printing ink to a printing plate and wetting the printing plate with an aqueous fountain medium containing a solution or a dispersion containing at least one moiety having at least colouring, pH-indicating, whitening, fluorescent, phosphorescent, X-ray phosphor or conductive properties.

Abstract: An installation for preparing dampening solutions for offset printing with a device (10, 62, 72) for preparing a dampening solution and a device (40, 60, 70 for feeding one or more basic liquid materials (42) for preparing the dampening solution into the device (10, 62, 72) for preparing the dampening solution, in which the feeding device (40, 60, 70) is provided for cooling the basic material or materials (42) or a mixture thereof, which is to be supplied.

Abstract: An air cap for keeping a spray nozzle with a flat spray clean is presented. The air cap contain the nozzle and has a slit for the spray from the nozzle, through which opening an air flow is flowing in the same direction as the flat spray from the nozzle. The air cap is divided into a back component comprising an internal thread, and a front component comprising the slit. The components are rotatable relative to one another.

Abstract: In a method for controlling the temperature of a first printing unit by way of a temperature control medium, the temperature control medium used is a dampening solution from a second printing unit.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for extending the life of fountain solutions used in commercial printing presses comprises withdrawing fountain solution from the dampener recirculation system of a printing press and directing the withdrawn fountain solution through a sediment prefilter, a separation filter, and a post treatment filter. The sediment prefilter preferably comprises a melt blown polypropylene filter; the separation filter preferably comprises a diatomaceous earth filter; and the post treatment filter preferably comprises a zeolite filter.

Abstract: A dampening system has at least one dampening ductor or roller; a dampening agent bin or trough, which holds a dampening agent, a feeding device, and a return device. The feeding device includes at least one dampening agent distributing pipe that has a number of spaced openings. A number of these dampening agent distributing pipes are assigned to the dampening ductor or roller.

Abstract: A roll for a printing press has at least two circular partial areas (25, 33) made of an ink-friendly material and at least one circular partial area (23, 34) made of an ink-repellent material, which is arranged between the at least two circular partial areas (25, 33) made of ink-friendly material. A process is provided for manufacturing such a roll, wherein at least two annular structures (25, 33) made of an ink-friendly material and, located between these annular structures, at least one annular structure (23, 34) made of an ink-repellent material are formed on a blank roll body (20, 30).

Abstract: A printing material processing machine has an oscillating roll with a roll shaft, a roll barrel rotatably and translatorily mounted on the roll shaft, and an oscillating mechanism for moving the roll barrel to and fro along the roll shaft. The oscillating roll is mountable on a roll lock. A fixing device is provided and constructed in such a way that, in a dismantled state of the oscillating roll, in which the latter is released from the roll lock, the fixing device secures the roll barrel against displacement along the roll shaft and, in an installed state of the oscillating roll, in which the latter is mounted in the roll lock, permits the axial to and fro movement of the roll barrel.

Abstract: A method of printing is disclosed which comprises the steps of (i) providing a lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a support and a heat- or light-sensitive coating; (ii) image-wise exposure of the coating to heat or light; (iii) prior to step (ii) or (iv), mounting the lithographic printing plate precursor in a printing unit of a printing press, said printing unit comprising a dampening system and an inking system; (iv) development by supplying a processing liquid to the coating by means of the dampening system, thereby obtaining a lithographic printing plate; (v) printing by supplying single-fluid ink or driographic ink to the lithographic printing plate by means of the inking system. This method allows on-press processing of printing plate materials that require wet processing.

Abstract: A spray device for a printing press includes a liquid inlet orifice for receiving a liquid, a gas inlet orifice for receiving a gas disposed downstream from the liquid inlet orifice, and an exit orifice disposed at a distance from a surface of the printing press. In addition, a method for applying a liquid to a surface of a printing press, includes the steps of providing a liquid to a liquid inlet orifice of a spray device, providing a gas to a gas inlet orifice of the spray device; and spraying a mixture of the liquid and gas onto the surface of the printing press.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for extending the life of fountain solutions used in commercial printing presses comprises withdrawing fountain solution from the dampener recirculation system of a printing press and directing the withdrawn fountain solution through a sediment prefilter, a separation filter, and a post treatment filter. The sediment prefilter preferably comprises a melt blown polypropylene filter; the separation filter preferably comprises a diatomaceous earth filter; and the post treatment filter preferably comprises a zeolite filter.

Abstract: A printing machine includes a printing form cylinder, a first roller, a second roller, a third roller, a fourth roller, and a dampener roller. The machine has a defined roller control position, wherein the first roller engages with the dampener roller, the third roller and the fourth roller, the second roller engages with the dampener roller, and the dampener roller engages with the printing form cylinder. In this same roller position, the second roller further engages with the third roller.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for extending the life of fountain solutions used in commercial printing presses comprises withdrawing fountain solution from the dampener recirculation system of a printing press and directing the withdrawn fountain solution through a sediment prefilter, a separation filter, and a post treatment filter. The sediment prefilter preferably comprises a melt blown polypropylene filter; the separation filter preferably comprises a diatomaceous earth filter; and the post treatment filter preferably comprises a zeolite filter.

Abstract: Densities of detecting patches also called control scales printed on prints in a first print job are used to control the feed rate of dampening water in a second print job following the first print job. Specifically, densities of detecting patches on the prints obtained from the first print job are measured, and a feed rate of dampening water is calculated from the densities of the detecting patches. A base feed rate of dampening water is calculated based on the feed rate calculated and a humidity and temperature occurring when the first print job is performed. A proper feed rate of dampening water is calculated based on the base feed rate and a humidity and temperature occurring when the second print job is performed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a printing unit (1) for use in an offset machine. The printing unit allows a broader use of offset machines (1). This is achieved in that the lacquer application means and the water application means comprise a unit (28) consisting of a doctor blade chamber device (30) and at least one roller (29, 32) for transferring lacquer or water from the doctor blade chamber device (30) to the plate cylinder (15) of the printing unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a printing method employing a planographic printing plate material capable of being developed on a printing press, the method comprising the step of imagewise exposing a planographic printing plate material comprising a support, and provided thereon, an image formation layer containing hydrophobic precursor particles, developing the exposed planographic printing plate material with dampening water and/or printing ink to obtain a printing plate, the dampening water being re-circulated for re-use and filtered with a filter during re-circulation, and carrying out printing employing the resulting printing plate.

Abstract: A method of operating a press that has a damping unit which contains a damping unit roller is performed during a printing interruption. During the printing interruption, the damping unit roller is supplied discontinuously with damping solution replenishment and, as a result, the damping unit roller is kept ready for a printing operation.

Abstract: A plate-recording and printing system is provided with a printing plate recording device for recording an image on a printing plate based upon binary image data formed in an image data processing device, a printing press for carrying out a printing operation by using the printing plate, an image pickup device for picking up an image of a printed object and a profile forming device for forming profile data of the printing press from picked up image data. A printing operation is carried out under reference conditions by using predetermined ink and sheet of printing paper. An image of a color chart on the printed object is picked up by the image pickup. Print color of the color chart is determined in the Lab color system based upon image data. Printing press profile data is generated as a function of print color and predetermined reference color of the color chart. This profile data is stored in association with kinds of ink and sheets of printing paper used in the printing press.

Abstract: There is described a printing unit (1) for use in an offset machine. The printing unit enables wider application of offset machines (1). This is achieved by the coating means and the water application means comprising a unit (28) consisting of a doctor blade (30) and at least one roller (29, 32) for transferring coating or water from the doctor blade (30) to the plate cylinder (15)/blanket cylinder (14) of the printing unit. The unit (28) is arranged for pivoting so that water is transferred to plate cylinder, and coating is transferred directly to the blanket cylinder.

Abstract: Keyless inking and dampening systems and methods are disclosed which employ application, subtractive and dampening roller systems to control the ink/dampening fluid film on the form roller. A clean-up roller removes residual ink from non-image areas on the printing plate.

Abstract: A spray-type dampening water supply apparatus having a spray whose nozzles are protected against adhesion of any foreign matter to the nozzle surfaces and in which at least orifices of the nozzles can be easily cleaned out. Each nozzle of the spray has a guide surface slanting from an upstream outer peripheral edge toward a downstream central orifice. A partition of the spray is disposed downstream of the nozzle assembly and has a plurality of apertures confronting the respective nozzles. The spray is equipped with means for opening and closing the apertures of the partition.

Abstract: First, densities are measured of a set of detecting patches having an equal number of lines and different area ratios between a printing area and a non-printing area, a set of detecting patches having an equal area ratio between a printing area and a non-printing area and different numbers of lines, and solid patches. Next, area ratios S relating to quantities of dampening water are calculated by using density of the set of detecting patches having the equal number of lines and different area ratios between the printing area and non-printing area, and density of the solid patches. Then, coefficients N relating to emulsification rates of ink are calculated by using density of the set of detecting patches having the equal area ratio between the printing area and non-printing area and different numbers of lines, and the density of the solid patches. Finally, a feed rate of dampening water is adjusted by using the area ratios S and coefficients N.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spray damping unit for printing machines, with a spray housing attached to a machine frame which extends parallel to and along the roller to be dampened, and a spray bar carrying spray valves, which is adjustably attached on the spray housing in a direction radial to the roller. The spray bar can be additionally adjusted in its longitudinal direction parallel to the roller.

Abstract: An optical instrument for determining properties of the imaging and non-imaging areas of offset printing plates is disclosed. A laser light source (30) directs a laser beam (35) at the surface layer (50) of an offset printing plate (60). A specularly reflected beam (45) is detected by a light detector (40). Additionally. scattered light (55) is detected by a light detector (50). The detectors (40, 50) produce light intensity signals for the reflected and scattered light, respectively. A data processor (70) processes the intensity signals to determine various properties relating to the dampening solution and ink present on the non-imaging and imaging areas of the printing plate, respectively. These properties include the thickness of dampening solution in non-imaging areas, the image density in imaging areas of a moving printing plate, and the occurrence of scumming in non-imaging areas of a printing plate.

Abstract: A fountain for a dampening unit of an offset printing machine includes a container having an inlet for dampening solution and a return for the dampening solution. The container is formed with a base, at least one side wall connected to the base and a dam disposed on the base. The dam is formed with an upper edge that is lower than an upper edge formed on the one side wall. A dividing wall has a run-off edge and an infeed edge. The dividing wall is seated on the upper edge of the dam and, starting from the dam, extends over the base to as far as the infeed edge. The infeed edge defines the level of the dampening solution in the fountain.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spray damping unit for printing machines, with a spray housing attached to a machine frame which extends parallel to and along the roller to be dampened, and a spray bar carrying spray valves, which is adjustably attached on the spray housing in a direction radial to the roller. The spray bar can be additionally adjusted in its longitudinal direction parallel to the roller.

Abstract: A color density measuring step is executed for measuring color densities of unprinted areas on prints. Then, a determining step is executed for determining from the color densities of the unprinted areas on the prints whether ink tinting has occurred. When the determining step determines that ink tinting has occurred, a dampening water adjusting step is executed for adjusting a dampening water feeding rate after feeding dampening water in an increased rate once. A variation in the ink feeding rate is prohibited for a predetermined waiting time after feeding dampening water in the increased rate once in the dampening water adjusting step.