Abstract: In a printing press having a transfer cylinder for transferring a freshly printed substrate, an anti-marking device is provided. The anti-marking device comprises a flexible jacket comprised of fluoropolymer to engage the freshly printed substrate as it is transferred over the transfer cylinder, the anti-marking device removably attached with free play to the transfer cylinder. In an embodiment, a base cover is installed on the transfer cylinder between the anti-marking device and the transfer cylinder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of securing and tensioning a printing form in an apparatus having a rotatable drum includes securing a first portion of the printing form to a first means for receiving that is coupled to a surface of the drum, and securing a second portion of the printing form to a second means for receiving that is disposed on a rotatable member that extends over a portion of the drum. The rotatable member is rotated so that the circumferential distance between the first receiving means and the second receiving means is about the same as a length of the printing form. A rotary torque means is coupled to the rotatable member to apply a substantially constant torque on the member and tension the printing form about the surface of the drum. The rotary torque means adjusts torque on the member which adjusts tension on the printing form.

Abstract: Printing forms are prepared in assembly positions on one of several printing cylinders in a printing press. Several such printing forms are made available at a distance from the printing press, at the end of at least one sheet extruder with a sheet exposure device. A particular printing form for the printing cylinder is distributed among mobile collector containers that are standing ready on the sheet extruder. Different mobile collection containers, with printing forms for the same printing cylinders are supplied to that printing cylinder. At a particular time, and on an operating side of the printing press, several such mobile collection containers are provided and are positioned adjacent each other in the axial direction of the print cylinder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting a printing plate onto a printing cylinder, wherein the printing plate includes a first registration mark and a second registration mark centrally located along opposing edges thereof. The apparatus includes an optical system to transmit images of the registration marks to a user interface, wherein a user selects a desired location point location of each of the registration marks displayed on the user interface to facilitate an alignment of the printing plate in respect of a central axis of the printing cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for changing printing plates is disclosed. A printing plate cartridge for a printing press has multiple cases for accommodating printing plates to be removed during a printing plate change and for accommodating printing plates to be installed during a printing plate change. The printing plate cartridge is mounted in such a way that it may be moved in a rotationally pivotable fashion and in a linear fashion relative to a printing group of the printing press, such that the printing plate cartridge is able to service multiple printing units of the printing group during a printing plate change.

Abstract: A variable-diameter printing press cylinder is provided. The variable-diameter printing press cylinder includes a cylinder body, a first shell segment having a first circumferential end portion and a second shell segment having a second circumferential end portion. The first and second shell segments are mounted on the cylinder body via the first and second circumferential end portions. A method of varying a circumference of a cylinder in a printing press and a printing press are also provided.

Abstract: In a printing press having a transfer cylinder for transferring a freshly printed substrate, an anti-marking device is provided. The anti-marking device comprises an assembly of at least two flexible jackets, the assembly removably attached with free play to the transfer cylinder, wherein an outermost flexible jacket supports the freshly printed substrate as it passes over the transfer cylinder and wherein the outermost flexible jacket is removable from the assembly while the assembly remains attached to the transfer cylinder. In an embodiment, a base cover is attached to the transfer cylinder, and the assembly is removably attached with free play to the transfer cylinder over the base cover.

Abstract: A blanket/plate mounting apparatus includes a leading edge holding unit, trailing edge holding unit, and first drive unit. The leading edge holding unit is movably supported by a cylinder and holds the leading edge of a blanket/plate. The trailing edge holding unit is movably supported by the cylinder and holds the trailing edge of the blanket/plate. The first drive unit moves the leading edge holding unit and the trailing edge holding unit that respectively hold the leading edge and trailing edge of the blanket/plate mounted on the circumferential surface of the cylinder, thus tightening the blanket/plate.

Abstract: A plate inserting apparatus includes a plate cylinder, press roller, and braking unit. A plate is to be mounted on the outer surface of the plate cylinder. The press roller is rotatably supported to oppose the outer surface of the plate cylinder, and inserts the leading edge bent portion of the plate, supplied to the plate cylinder upon rotation of the plate cylinder, into a groove portion formed in the outer surface of the plate cylinder. The braking unit is arranged in a plate storing portion for storing the plate supplied to the plate cylinder, and brakes the plate with the leading edge bent portion inserted in the groove portion of the plate cylinder.

Abstract: A form cylinder of a printing machine includes a plurality of sections in series in an axial direction of the cylinder surface. At least one printing form is arranged in each one of these sections. The form cylinder has at least one channel, also extending in the axial direction of the cylinder. That channel has an opening on the surface of the form cylinder. At least one holding device for each of the sections is arranged in this channel. Each such holding device can be pneumatically actuated in sections. At least one recess, open to the cylinder surface, is formed outside of these sections. A device that is usable to distribute compressed air to the respective sections of the form cylinder is provided in this at least one recess. The device for distributing the compressed air is configured as a plurality of valves. At least one control device is provided outside of the form cylinder and is used to activate the plurality of valves in a non-contact manner.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for changing printing plates is disclosed. A printing plate cartridge for a printing press has multiple cases for accommodating printing plates to be removed during a printing plate change and for accommodating printing plates to be installed during a printing plate change. The printing plate cartridge is mounted in such a way that it may be moved in a rotationally pivotable fashion and in a linear fashion relative to a printing group of the printing press, such that the printing plate cartridge is able to service multiple printing units of the printing group during a printing plate change.

Abstract: A printing plate handling device for holding a printing plate (11) adjacent to one edge (12) of the plate, especially adjacent to a bent-over leading edge or a bent-over trailing edge of the printing plate, with a mechanism for holding the printing plate (11) in a flat, frictionally-engaged manner along a surface area of the printing plate adjacent to one edge (12) of the printing plate.

Abstract: Provided is a pair of plates for a rotary processing machine having the following configuration and a method of mounting the same by which the pair of plates can be mounted on the respective outer circumferential surfaces of a pair of cylinders with high precision. When a female recessed plate and a male raised plate are overlapped with each other so as to make processing portions of the female plate correspond to those of the male plate, fitting protrusions are fitted into respective fitting portions. Accordingly, the movement of the fitting protrusions is restricted both in the width direction of the plates and in the mount direction of the plates. Concurrently, guiding protrusions are respectively inserted between corresponding pairs of guide protrusions in the guiding portions. Accordingly, the guiding protrusions are guided so that relative movement of the guiding protrusions is allowed only in the mount direction.

Abstract: A plate inserting apparatus includes a plate cylinder, press roller, and braking unit. A plate is to be mounted on the outer surface of the plate cylinder. The press roller is rotatably supported to oppose the outer surface of the plate cylinder. When the leading edge bent portion of the plate to be supplied to the plate cylinder abuts against the press roller and the distal end of the leading edge bent portion abuts against the outer surface of the plate cylinder, the press roller inserts the leading edge bent portion of the plate into a groove portion formed in the plate cylinder upon rotation (with a pressing force) of the plate cylinder. The braking unit keeps braking the plate at least since the leading edge bent portion of the plate abuts against the outer surface of the press roller and until the leading edge bent portion is completely inserted in the groove portion of the plate cylinder.

Abstract: An imaging cylinder includes a clamping device embodiment with a pair of independent adjacent clamping elements, and a method embodiment includes placing end edges of a flexible plate between each of the clamping elements of the clamping device and a surface approximately flush with the outer surface of the cylinder. One or more biasing devices, e.g., springs are used to impart a force onto the placed plate towards the surface approximately flush with outer surface of the cylinder. For each independent clamping element, a crank and lever mechanism or other means to translate rotative motion to approximately rectilinear motion is used to open a space between the clamping element and the outer surface when a rotative force is manually applied to provide for mounting and unmounting an end of a plate.

Abstract: Exposed printing plates are bent in the area of a bending device to form a leading end and a trailing end. Each exposed and bent printing plate is grasped in the area of the bending device at the leading end or at the trailing end of the printing plate by means of a gripping bar and transferred together with the gripping bar to a transporting device. The transporting device transports the printing plate together with the gripping bar toward a printing press, where the printing plate is removed together with the gripping bar from the transporting device in the area of the printing press. While grasped by the gripping bar, the plate is transferred to a form cylinder of a printing mechanism of the printing press.

Abstract: A handling device of a printing press, in particular for handling printing plates during an automated change of printing plates on a printing unit of a printing press, is disclosed. The handling device has a manipulator arm, where a manipulator head is allocated to one end of the manipulator arm, which head features a handling element, in particular a holding element for printing plates. The manipulator arm is of a multi-piece design of several segments, where a swivel axis is included on each end of each segment, around which axis at least the respective segment can be swiveled, and where a separate drive for providing the respective swivel motion is allocated to each swivel axis.

Abstract: A printing group of a printing press includes at least one form cylinder that has at least one axially extending opening on the external surface of the cylinder. That at least one axially extending opening forms a channel in the cylinder and in which channel several printing form end retaining assemblies are provided. These retaining assemblies are provided in the channel on both sides of a center plane which bisects the form cylinder perpendicularly to its axis of rotation. A first one of these retaining assemblies that adjoins the center plane cooperates with a second retaining assembly, located on the other side of the center plane, to both engage the same printing form, in a first mode of operation. In a second mode of operation, the first retaining assembly cooperates with a third retaining assembly, that is located further away from the center plane, and on the same side thereof as the first retaining assembly, to engage a second printing form.

Abstract: A device for clamping and tensioning an edge of a printing plate on a plate cylinder of a printing press includes a single actuating shaft for releasing clamping and tensioning forces. The actuating shaft has a control cam for releasing the tensioning forces and a control roller for releasing the clamping forces. A printing unit having the device and a printing press having the printing unit are also provided.

Abstract: A device and method for performing a printing plate change on a plate cylinder of a printing press is disclosed. The device includes a rolling element featuring several rollers for pressing at least one printing plate on the plate cylinder during a printing plate change. A strip bearing several alignment elements extends parallel to the rolling element, where a printing plate can be aligned true-to-register between every two adjacent alignment elements before the printing plate is clamped in a lockup slot of the plate cylinder.

Abstract: Devices for converting a printing plate cylinder from a first configuration that provides a first printable length to a second configuration that provides a second printable length greater than the first printable length

Abstract: An apparatus and method for clamping printing plates on a plate cylinder is disclosed. A clamping element is integrated into a lockup slot of a plate cylinder with an actuating element. The clamping element is transferred by the actuating element between a first position, where the clamping element clamps the leading end and/or the trailing end of the printing plate, and a second position, where the clamping element releases the leading end and/or the trailing end of the printing plate. The clamping element can be adjusted exclusively in the radial direction of the plate cylinder and the actuating element exclusively in the axial direction of the plate cylinder such that, depending upon the relative axial position of the actuating element with respect to the clamping element, the clamping element is displaced either radially outwardly for clamping the printing plate or is displaced radially inwardly for releasing the printing plate.

Abstract: A printing unit has at least one press unit having a plate cylinder with at least one printing plate that can be mounted on the plate cylinder and which carries a printing image. The plate cylinder has at least one cylinder channel in which ends of the printing plate can be fixed or positioned. The printing plate has a leading angled end and also has a trailing angled end, as viewed in the direction of rotation of the printing cylinder during operation of the printing press. The printing plate can be secured to the plate cylinder by insertion of the plate leading end into the cylinder channel and by insertion of the plate trailing end into the same, or another cylinder channel. Initially, the plate trailing end is fixed in its associated cylinder channel and the plate cylinder is rotated in a rotational direction counter to a production direction. The leading plate end is then fixed in its associated cylinder channel during continued rotation of the plate cylinder opposite to a production direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting sheets to or in a sheet-processing machine includes a gripper device having at least one gripper with a gripper housing and a gripper pad. The gripper is actuatable by a pivoting movement of a gripper shaft. The gripper housing and the gripper pad are pivotably disposed on the gripper shaft and are jointly pivotable about an axis of the gripper shaft under a prescribed periphery.

Abstract: A cylinder of a printing machine is provided with at least one axially extending channel located beneath the circumferential surface of the cylinder. At least one plate end holding device is arranged in the channel and usable to exert a clamping force on an end of at least one printing forme or plate positioned on the assembly's circumferential surface. At least one control assembly is utilized to counteract the clamping force exerted on the plate end by the at least one holding device. A force that is exerted by the control assembly can be set to a value which is different either a maximum force or a minimum force which the control assembly can exert. Preferably, the circumferential surface of the cylinder can be divided, in its axial direction, into several adjacent sections. Several of the plate end holding devices are then arranged in the cylinder channel or groove and are positioned adjacent each other.

Abstract: An offset web print unit includes a plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder, the plate cylinder being movable during a throw-off operation, and a tucker bar for tucking plates into the plate cylinder, the tucker bar having an axis movable with respect to the plate cylinder axis for reducing a gap during the throw-off operation. A method is also provided.

Abstract: It is proposed to provide a printing die clamp which can clamp a printing die by rotating the take-up shaft without rotating the printing cylinder. A printing die clamp is proposed for clamping a printing die 1 wrapped around an outer periphery of a printing cylinder 2 of a printing press against the outer periphery of the printing cylinder 2 by engaging one end of the printing die 1 with the printing cylinder 2 through an engaging means 18 provided on the printing cylinder 2, engaging the other end of the printing die 1 with a take-up shaft 3 rotatably mounted in a receiving groove 19 formed in the outer periphery of the printing cylinder 2, and rotating the take-up shaft 3. The printing cylinder 2 has a tubular printing cylinder shaft 9 in which a control shaft 5 is inserted so as to be rotatable relative to the printing cylinder shaft 9.

Abstract: A method for aligning the leading edge of printing plate (110) to an axially disposed slot (70) in a cylindrical surface (30) of an imaging drum (20) comprising at least one printing plate clamp (90) having a clamp surface (100) disposed parallel to the slot, the method comprising straightening (210) the leading edge against the clamp surface and positioning (220) the leading edge to protrude over the slot by rotating the imaging drum under the plate. The straightening comprises resting (200) the leading edge of the plate on the cylindrical surface of the imaging drum and rotating the imaging drum about its cylindrical axis (60) to contact with the clamp surface a point along the leading edge of the plate and to rotate the plate until its leading edge is in alignment with the clamp surface.

Abstract: A means for removably attaching a printing plate to a printing cylinder using an intermediate sheet of photopolymer. The tack of the photopolymer is used to attach itself to the printing cylinder and to attach the printing plate to it. Microspheres are incorporated into the photopolymer sheet to provide a cushioning effect when in use on the printing press.

Abstract: A rotating member of a printing press is typically a cylinder that is provided with a circumferential area. A securement channel or a flow channel, which is at least partly open toward the circumferential area of the cylinder, is formed in the cylinder. A profiled member, which at least partly covers the securement channel or flow channel, with respect to its circumferential area, is inserted into the cylinder to form an integrated joint with the cylinder.

Abstract: Printing plate material supply spool (PMSS) for a printing machine or plate-imaging machine and a method of loading it is provided. An exemplary PMSS can comprise a printing plate material film that is wrapped around a hollow core (HC), wherein the HC is adapted to be engaged with a heavy duty core (HDC) prior to be placed in the printing machine. The method for loading the printing plate material supply spool (PMSS) in a printing machine or plate imaging machine may comprise inserting a heavy-duty core (HDC) inside the HC of the PMSS forming an integrated core. Then the PMSS and the integrated core can be placed in the printing machine.

Abstract: This printing plate (6) for a rotary press includes a head (22) for fastening to an impression cylinder, and a tail (24) for fastening to the impression cylinder. The fastening head (22) includes a holding projection (28) suitable for mating with an element (34) for holding the impression cylinder.

Abstract: A reliable method of aligning a printing plate against a stop includes moving the printing plate and the stop relative to each other, detecting temperature changes occurring at a temperature sensor connected to the stop, when the printing plate comes into contact with the stop, deriving signals indicating the position of the printing plate relative to the stop from the signals of the temperature sensor, and deriving a signal indicating the thermal conductivity between the printing plate and the stop from a speed of change of the temperature sensor signal. A signal indicating incorrect alignment of the printing plate against the stop is output if the thermal conductivity drops below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A holding apparatus holds a flexible plate wound on a circumferential surface of a holder of a printing machine. A holding apparatus includes a hole section made in the holder along an axial direction of the holder, a groove section made by notching the circumferential surface of the holder along the axial direction to establish a connection with the hole section and accept insertion of a leading edge end portion and trailing edge end portion of the plate, a tension bar inserted and fitted into the hole section for engaging the trailing edge end portion of the plate, and a rotating mechanism provided in the hole section for rotating the tension bar.

Abstract: A plurality of longitudinal channels for supplying pressure medium are arranged within a carrier having a closed profile. A plurality of operating cylinders have pressure spaces which are flow-connected to the channels for moving the pressure rollers inward and outward in order to press coverings onto a printing unit cylinder.

Abstract: A printing form is either raised or is lowered by the use of a pressure device which includes a roller. The roller is arranged on a cross-beam in such a way that the roller can selectively be placed on, or taken off the forme cylinder, or a forme that is supported on the forme cylinder, by a device. The pressure device, or the cross-beam which supports the roller can be displaced in a manner such that the distance of the roller from the cylinder can selectively be increased.

Abstract: A filling member for filling the concave portion of a blanket face which is generated along the opening portion of a groove of a blanket cylinder comprises a wedge-shaped limb portion and a head portion capable of filling the concave portion. The limb portion is inserted between the surface of the terminal and initial winding end side of the blanket which is approximately parallel with the surface in a condition in which one face of the limb portion is brought into contact with the terminal winding end side of the blanket and is pushed on both surfaces in which one face and another face forming a wedge shape for the one face oppose approximately parallel to at least a site adjacent to the head portion. The head portion can fill the concave portion when the limb portion is inserted between the initial winding end side and the terminal winding end side of the blanket.

Abstract: In the case of a blanket holding rail for the releasable attachment of a blanket (12) on a printing mechanism roll comprising two holding limbs (13a and 13b) having an elongated configuration, and joined together by way of a back portion (14) and between which the blanket (12) may be clamped and be so fixed by means of additional securing means that the blanket (12) is secured to avoid its being pulled out athwart the longitudinal direction of the rail, the additional securing means are constituted by a claw means (16), which digs into the material of the blanket on clamping the blanket (12) in position.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting and demounting a materials sheet onto and from a cylindrical surface of a drum (10) has clamps (40) pivotably arranged upon the sheet materials drum. The clamps have a first region (80) and a second region (70) either side of a pivot axis. The second region (70) clamps the materials sheet to the cylindrical surface (20) of the drum. A backbone (120) extends along the length of the drum and is removably attached to the drum. Push rods (90) movably arranged on the backbone are capable of being operated to push against the first region of the clamps to pivot the clamps to move the second region of the clamps. Any existing clasped materials sheet is thereby unclasped from the cylindrical surface.

Abstract: A rotating element of a printing machine is connected to a rotation transmitter that is usable to introduce a liquid or a gaseous medium into the rotating element. The rotation transmitter includes a rotor that is rotatable with the rotating element, and a stator that is secured against rotation. At least one stator channel section cooperates with at least one rotor channel section to provide a fluid flow path for the medium into the rotating element. Axially oriented and mutually opposite contact surfaces, which are against one another when the liquid or gaseous medium is introduced into the rotating element of the printing machine, are provided on the rotor and on the stator.

Abstract: A blanket fastening assembly for securing an image transfer blanket to an intermediate transfer member drum of an electrostatic printer comprising a resilient biasing arrangement adapted to be connected to an end of the blanket to act in use so as to resiliently tension the blanket, with at least one end portion of the blanket being held in use by a resilient biasing clamping member which is adapted to move during the operational life of the drum so as to accommodate stretching of the blanket whilst maintaining tension in the blanket.

Abstract: Disclosed is a clamping device (02) for fastening a plate (03) to the periphery of a cylinder (01). Said clamping device (02) comprises a first clamping element (04), a pivotally mounted second clamping element (06), a spring part (07), and a bracing element that is embodied as a pivotable spindle (08) and is movable between a clamping position in which the bracing element maintains the plate in a clamped state between the clamping elements and a released position in which the clamping elements release the plate. The spindle (08) is mounted in a groove so as to be displaceable, is fixed in an intermediate space between the spring part (07) and the second clamping element (06), and is pressed against the second clamping element by means of the spring part in the clamping position.

Abstract: A drum for conveying a sheet has a cohesive sheet-guiding surface provided at little effort or cost and includes a drum body, a jacket forming a circumferential surface and a device for fixing the jacket onto the drum body. The jacket is located above a gap formed in the drum body so as to extend parallel to a longitudinal axis. The device for fixing the jacket includes at least one tensioning body that acts on the jacket in the region of the gap and is adjustable in radial direction.

Abstract: A method according to the invention of changing the mounting condition, in particular of mounting or dismounting of a printing master on a printing master cylinder having a first receiving element for the leading edge and a second receiving element for the trailing edge of the printing master includes rotating the printing master cylinder at a first speed, actuating the first receiving element in at least one first phase position and actuating the second receiving element in at least one second phase position. At least between a third phase position and a fourth phase position, the printing master cylinder may be rotated at a second speed, which differs from the first speed. Due to the reduced speed, the window of time for actuating one or both receiving elements can be extended to increase the precision and reliability of the locking and release.

Abstract: Exposed printing plates are bent in the area of a bending device to form a leading end and a trailing end. Each exposed and bent printing plate is grasped in the area of the bending device at the leading end or at the trailing end of the printing plate by means of a gripping bar and transferred together with the gripping bar to a transporting device. The transporting device transports the printing plate together with the gripping bar toward a printing press, where the printing plate is removed together with the gripping bar from the transporting device in the area of the printing press. While grasped by the gripping bar, the plate is transferred to a form cylinder of a printing mechanism of the printing press.

Abstract: In a balancing system and a method for balancing a drum of a printing plate exposer, at least one mass element is provided which can be moved substantially in the circumferential direction of the drum in order to reduce an imbalance of the drum. Previous devices and methods either needed the expertise and the knowledge of a user or external actuators which had to be driven by corresponding devices, for example computers, in order to compensate for an imbalance by moving the mass elements. The balancing system is simple and automatic balancing of the drum is achieved by a mass element being coupled to a positioning element and by its position being adjusted automatically on the basis of the circumferential extent of the printing form.

Abstract: A cylinder for processing sheets of printing material includes a clamping channel having a central region and edge regions. A tool plate punches and/or scores and/or perforates the sheets. A support plate carries the tool plate. A first clamping system clamps the support plate and has a first holding device for holding a front end of the support plate and a second holding device for holding a rear end of the support plate. The first holding device and the second holding device are disposed in the edge regions. A second clamping system clamps the tool plate and has a third holding device for holding a front end of the tool plate and a fourth holding device for holding a rear end of the tool plate. The third holding device and the fourth holding device are disposed in the central region. A printing press having the cylinder, is also provided.

Abstract: A plate inserting apparatus includes a plate cylinder, press roller, and braking unit. A plate is to be mounted on the outer surface of the plate cylinder. The press roller is rotatably supported to oppose the outer surface of the plate cylinder, and inserts the leading edge bent portion of the plate, supplied to the plate cylinder upon rotation of the plate cylinder, into a groove portion formed in the outer surface of the plate cylinder. The braking unit is arranged in a plate storing portion for storing the plate supplied to the plate cylinder, and brakes the plate with the leading edge bent portion inserted in the groove portion of the plate cylinder.

Abstract: An ink transfer device which can be clamped on a rubber covered cylinder in a printing press includes a rubber blanket for transferring ink from a printing forme to a printing material, the blanket having a leading end and a trailing end which are separated by a non-ink transferring gap when the device is clamped on the cylinder; a carrier element fixed to the rubber blanket; and a pair of fixing elements for clamping the blanket on the cylinder, the fixing elements being positioned on the carrier adjacent to respective ends of the blanket. In order to minimize the non-ink transferring gap, the fixing elements and the carrier element are formed as separate subassemblies which are joined together.

Abstract: A plate inserting device includes a plate cylinder, roller, and rotation braking unit. The plate cylinder has a groove portion in its outer surface to extend in an axial direction. A plate is to be mounted on the outer surface of a plate cylinder. The roller is rotatably supported to be able to come close to and separate from the outer surface of the plate cylinder. The roller comes into contact with the outer surface of the plate cylinder, when a distal end bent portion of a new plate is to be inserted in the groove portion of the plate cylinder, to press the distal end bent portion of the new plate. The rotation braking unit brakes rotation of the roller in relation to insertion operation of the distal end bent portion of the new plate into the groove portion of the plate cylinder.