Abstract: A printing machine (10) comprises a doctor blade (14), a drive system (20) for urging the doctor blade (14) against a printing cylinder (16) of the printing machine (10), a sensor (32) adapted for sensing a force with which the doctor blade (14) is urged against the printing cylinder (16), and a mechanical locking element (34) adapted for locking the drive system (20) in its operating position. Further, a method of operating a printing machine (10) is presented.

Abstract: A refrigeration unit (26) for a printing machine is presented. It comprises a dryer interface (28) connectable to a dryer unit (18) of the printing machine in a heat conductive manner and a print interface (30) connectable to a printing unit (14) of the printing machine in a heat conductive manner, wherein the refrigeration unit (26) is adapted to transfer heat (32, 34) from the print interface (30) to the dryer interface (28). Furthermore, a printing machine is described. It comprises a printing unit (14) adapted for printing on a web of carrier material, a dryer unit (18) being adapted for drying printed web of carrier material, and a refrigeration unit (26) as mentioned above.

Abstract: A printing system (10) is provided for printing on a material, comprising an ink formulation module (12) comprising at least one ink reservoir (14) and an ink adjustment system (16), a printing unit (18) for applying ink to the material, a sensor module (22) comprising at least one probe (24) for generating color measurement data, and a control module (25) being connected to the ink formulation module (12), the sensor module (22) and the printing unit (18). The color measurement data comprises at least one ink color value of the ink before being applied on the material by the printing unit (18). The control module (25) is configured to receive the color measurement data from the sensor module (22) and to transmit an ink adjustment request to the ink formulation module (12), wherein the ink formulation module (12) is configured to adjust the ink composition of the ink in the at least one ink reservoir (14) based on the ink adjustment request.

Abstract: A method is provided for automatically exchanging a sleeve (18a) of a printing tool (14, 16, 18, 22, 24) mounted in a printing machine (12), in particular a flexographic printing machine, by means of a printing tool handling unit (28) comprising a coupling interface (36). In one step of the method the printing tool handling unit (28) is temporarily coupled to a coupling interface (46) located at the end of a shaft (54, 56, 58, 60) of the printing tool (14, 16, 18, 22, 24) with its coupling interface (36). In a further step, the printing tool handling unit (28) transports the printing tool (14, 16, 18, 22, 24) to a separation unit (78) comprising at least one clamping device (80, 82, 84) and places the printing tool (14, 16, 18, 22, 24) in the clamping device (80) of the separation unit (78).

Abstract: A dryer unit (26), especially an intracolor dryer unit, for a printing machine is presented. It comprises a web inlet edge (34) and a web outlet edge (36) being substantially parallel to one another and defining a drying area (28) therebetween. Additionally, an air inlet and a first air outlet (38) being connected to the air inlet in an air-ducting manner are provided. The first air outlet (38) is positioned adjacent to one of the web inlet edge (34) and the web outlet edge (36) and a middle axis of the first air outlet (38) is inclined towards the respective other of the web inlet edge (34) and the web outlet edge (36) with respect to the drying area (28). Furthermore, a printing machine is described, comprising an impression drum, at least two ink application units and at least one dryer unit (26) as described above.

Abstract: A doctor blade system of a printing machine comprises a doctor blade (12), a blade support (14) and a clamping element (16), wherein the doctor blade (12) is arranged at a contact surface (24) on a front side (20) of the blade support (14) and pressed against the contact surface (24) by a pressing area (34) of the clamping element (16). The clamping element (16) has a bearing surface (40) arranged at a backside (27) of the blade support (14).

Abstract: A printing plate (10) having at least one optical marker (12, 14) for detecting a position of the printing plate (10) is described. The optical marker (12, 14) comprises an optically detectable structure (18) being positioned within a periphery (20) of the marker (12, 14). Furthermore, a method for detecting a position of a printing plate (10) is presented. Additionally, a control unit (38) for a system (36) for detecting a position of a printing plate (10) and a system (36) for detecting a position of a printing plate (10) are explained. Moreover, a computer program comprising computer readable program code means for causing steps of the method is defined.

Abstract: A printing machine comprises a printing module (28) having a flexographic printing mode and a gravure printing mode, wherein the printing module comprises at least two printing cylinders (34, 36) defining the printing mode of the printing module, and a printing tool handling unit being configured for withdrawing and inserting the at least two printing cylinders (34, 36) from and into the printing module, respectively. The printing tool handling unit comprises a coupling interface and the at least two printing cylinders each comprise a complementary coupling interface such that the printing tool handling unit can at least temporarily be coupled to one or more of the at least two printing cylinders (34, 36) via the respective coupling interfaces.

Abstract: A method for attaching a printing plate (12), especially a flexographic printing plate, to a printing cylinder (14) is described. In a first step, the printing plate (12) is provided in a substantially flat condition. Thereafter, an outer circumference of the printing cylinder (14) is arranged adjacent to an edge of the printing plate (12). Subsequently, the printing cylinder (14) is translatorily moved over the printing plate (12) while rotating such that the printing plate (12) is rolled-up on the printing cylinder (14). Additionally, an apparatus (10) for attaching a printing plate (12) to a printing cylinder (14) is presented. The apparatus (10) comprises a printing plate support unit (16) having a substantially flat support surface (18) for supporting the printing plate (12) to be mounted on the printing cylinder (14), and a printing cylinder support unit (36) for supporting and moving the printing cylinder (14).

Abstract: A printing machine (10) comprises a doctor blade (14), a drive system (20) for urging the doctor blade (14) against a printing cylinder (16) of the printing machine (10), a sensor (32) adapted for sensing a force with which the doctor blade (14) is urged against the printing cylinder (16), and a mechanical locking element (34) adapted for locking the drive system (20) in its operating position. Further, a method of operating a printing machine (10) is presented.

Abstract: A doctor blade system of a printing machine comprises a doctor blade (12), a blade support (14) and a clamping element (16), wherein the doctor blade (12) is arranged at a contact surface (24) on a front side (20) of the blade support (14) and pressed against the contact surface (24) by a pressing area (34) of the clamping element (16). The clamping element (16) has a bearing surface (40) arranged at a backside (27) of the blade support (14).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dryer for treating a moving printing web in a rotary printing press with gas, having a nozzle body. The dryer according to the invention is characterized in that the nozzle body has at least one opening for the exit of heated gas and has at least one opening for recirculating the cooled gas.

Abstract: A refrigeration unit (26) for a printing machine is presented. It comprises a dryer interface (28) connectable to a dryer unit (18) of the printing machine in a heat conductive manner and a print interface (30) connectable to a printing unit (14) of the printing machine in a heat conductive manner, wherein the refrigeration unit (26) is adapted to transfer heat (32, 34) from the print interface (30) to the dryer interface (28). Furthermore, a printing machine is described. It comprises a printing unit (14) adapted for printing on a web of carrier material, a dryer unit (18) being adapted for drying printed web of carrier material, and a refrigeration unit (26) as mentioned above.

Abstract: A printing machine comprises a printing module (28) having a flexographic printing mode and a gravure printing mode, wherein the printing module comprises at least two printing cylinders (34, 36) defining the printing mode of the printing module, and a printing tool handling unit being configured for withdrawing and inserting the at least two printing cylinders (34, 36) from and into the printing module, respectively. The printing tool handling unit comprises a coupling interface and the at least two printing cylinders each comprise a complementary coupling interface such that the printing tool handling unit can at least temporarily be coupled to one or more of the at least two printing cylinders (34, 36) via the respective coupling interfaces.

Abstract: A dryer unit (18) for applying a dryer gas to a sheet material inside a printing machine comprises a dryer body (20) having a first set (26) of dryer gas output openings (28). These openings (28) are arranged in a substantially regular pattern covering an application width (20a) of the dryer unit (18). Additionally, at least one dryer gas output slot (38) is arranged upstream the first set (26) of dryer gas output openings (28). Furthermore, a printing machine is presented which comprises such a dryer unit (18).

Abstract: A dryer unit (26), especially an intracolor dryer unit, for a printing machine is presented. It comprises a web inlet edge (34) and a web outlet edge (36) being substantially parallel to one another and defining a drying area (28) therebetween. Additionally, an air inlet and a first air outlet (38) being connected to the air inlet in an air-ducting manner are provided. The first air outlet (38) is positioned adjacent to one of the web inlet edge (34) and the web outlet edge (36) and a middle axis of the first air outlet (38) is inclined towards the respective other of the web inlet edge (34) and the web outlet edge (36) with respect to the drying area (28). Furthermore, a printing machine is described, comprising an impression drum, at least two ink application units and at least one dryer unit (26) as described above.

Abstract: A drum support assembly (30, 32) for a printing machine is presented. It comprises a drum support body (30a, 32a) having a bearing interface (30b, 32b) for a drum, a lower guide (34) supporting the drum support body (30a, 32a) at a lower end thereof, and an upper guide (36) supporting the drum support body (30a, 32a) at an upper end thereof. Additionally, a pre-tensioning unit (50) is provided pre-tensioning the drum support body (30a, 32a) against the lower guide (34) and/or the upper guide (36). Furthermore, a printing machine is described, comprising a drum and a drum support assembly (30, 32) as described above.

Abstract: A bearing assembly (26) is described. It is suitable for supporting a printing cylinder or an anilox roll in a printing machine and comprises at least one roller bearing (28, 30) being configured for receiving a shaft (12b, 14b, 16b) associated with the printing cylinder or the anilox roll. Additionally, it has a first support part (32) carrying the roller bearing (28, 30) and a second support part (34) being a carrier element of the printing machine or being configured for being mounted to a carrier element of the printing machine. Furthermore, a fluid chamber (36) is provided acting between the roller bearing (28, 30) and the second support part (34). Moreover, a printing machine is presented wherein a shaft (12b, 14b, 16b) associated with a printing cylinder or an anilox roll thereof is supported by such a bearing assembly (26).

Abstract: A printing system for printing on a material has an ink formulation module (18) for providing an ink recipe, a printing unit (12), a sensor for generating color measurement data (CMD), and a control module (16) being connected to the sensor (14) and to the printing unit (12). The color measurement data (CMD) comprises at least one actual ink color value and the control module (16) is configured to receive at least one unit parameter (UP) from the printing unit (12), to receive the color measurement data (CMD) from the sensor (14) and to transmit the at least one unit parameter (UP) and the color measurement data (CMD) to the ink formulation module (18). Moreover, the ink formulation module (18) is configured to create at least one adjusted recipe (AR). Furthermore, a method for adjusting an ink recipe of a printing system (10) is provided.

Abstract: A clamping shaft (12) for a rotationally driven part (14) is described. It comprises at least one fluid chamber (28a, 28b) being located inside a shaft body (16) and being delimited by a piston (30a, 30b) and a cylinder part (32a. 32b). Additionally, the fluid chamber (28a, 28b) is delimited by an elastic clamping region (24a, 24b) having a first diameter if the piston (30a, 30b) and the cylinder part (32a, 32b) are in a first relative position, and a second diameter if the piston (30a, 30b) and the cylinder part (32a, 32b) are in a second relative position. Furthermore, a preloading unit (38) is provided, biasing the piston (30a, 30b) and the cylinder part (32a, 32b) towards the second relative position. Moreover, a printing cylinder unit (10) of a printing machine is presented comprising such a clamping shaft (12). Also, a method for operating a clamping shaft (12) is explained.