Abstract: The present invention is related to a trimming station for sheet like articles comprising a first conveyor assembly (2) conveying sheet material (3) in a first orientation (4) having a first trimming section (16) with vibrating trimming elements (19, 20). Further, a sheet material reorienting section (23) is provided for the sheet material (3). Reoriented sheet material articles (3) are conveyed in a second orientation (25) to a second conveyor assembly (24) having a second trimming section (33) with trimming elements (34, 35).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing condensation in machines for processing web-like material includes locating a condensation prevention device to reduce the amount of moisture near selected components to be protected and/or maintaining the surface temperature of components of a processing unit above the dew point of the surrounding air.

Abstract: An industrial local area network module comprises a transceiver for supporting communication between the module and a communications network in a first data format. The module further comprises a parallel interface for supporting communication between the module and a respective embedded controller in a second data format. A microcontroller is provided for (i) controlling the orderly flow of messages between the module and the communications network through the transceiver and (ii) controlling the orderly flow of messages between the module and the embedded controller through the parallel interface. A memory stores program instructions to be retrieved by the microcontroller and then executed by the microcontroller to control the orderly flow of messages between the module and the communications network through the transceiver and to control orderly flow of messages between the module and the embedded controller through the parallel interface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for holding a printing plate on a plate cylinder in a rotary printing press, and to a rotary printing press including such a device. The printing plate, retained by an anterior edge on the external surface of the plate cylinder, is furthermore retained by fastening a posterior end fold onto a hook which can move, with respect to the plate cylinder between a front limiting position in which it forms a projection on the external surface to allow this posterior end fold to be fastened or unfastened, and a rear limiting position in which it is retracted with respect to this external surface and retains the printing plate in tension, in the wound state on this cylinder. The mounting and dismantling of the printing press are thereby facilitated, and the printing gap is reduced to a minimum.

Abstract: A device (10) and a method for positioning a rotatable printing cylinder (16) for a printing press (12). A drive (24) can rotate the cylinder (16) about a cylinder axis (52) at relatively high and low speeds. A sensor (68) is positioned adjacent to the cylinder (16) for detecting rotational positions of the cylinder (16) and providing a signal which varies in response to detected rotational positions of the cylinder (16). A sensor exciting target (66) has first and second edges (74 and 76) at first and second ends, respectively, of a sector of the cylinder (16). The sensor (68) is aligned with the first edge (74) at a first rotational position of the cylinder (16) and is aligned with the second edge (76) at a second rotational position of the cylinder (16).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the aligning of printing plates (78) on a printing plate cylinder (10) for a rotary printing press. At least one bore (16) extends through the printing plate cylinder (10) in an axial direction. A movable actuating shaft (26) is disposed in the bore (16). Located in the shaft (26) are a plurality of ring-shaped tensioning and adjustment elements which are spaced apart from one another. The adjustment elements (36) have movable aligning elements/register pins (56) arranged thereon. The invention is characterized in that, for at least one adjustment element (36), an eccentric pin (21) extends between the adjustment element (15) and the register pin (19). The eccentric pin (21) is rotatable to move the register pin (19) along the adjustment element (15).

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring heat from a web includes a chill roll having a cylindrical outer side surface. The web moves along a path which extends part way around the chill roll. A nozzle extends between opposite edge portions of the web and extends circumferentially around a portion of the cylindrical outer side surface of the chill roll. A central portion of the nozzle directs a flow of air against a central portion of the web upstream of a location where the web normally engages the chill roll to deflect the central portion of the web into engagement with the chill roll. Opposite side portions of the nozzle extend away from the central portion of the nozzle and extend downstream from the location where the central portion of the web is deflected toward the chill roll. This results in a smoothing action which extends across the web and downstream along the web from the central portion of the web.

Abstract: A lock-up assembly (20) for securing a printing plate (22) on a plate cylinder (10) includes a rotatable lock bar (32) and a spring biased linkage mechanism (36). The linkage mechanism (36) has a first over-center condition in which it rotates the lock bar (32) toward a locked position, and has a second over-center condition in which it rotates the lock bar (32) toward an unlocked position. A movable blocking member (82) blocks the linkage mechanism (36) from switching to the second over-center condition under the influence of centrifugal force when the cylinder (10) is rotating during a printing operation. A hand held tool (40) engages the linkage mechanism (36) to switch it between the first and second over-center conditions upon manual manipulation of the tool (40). The tool (40) also engages the blocking member (82) to move the blocking member (82) from the first position to the second position when the tool (40) is moved into engagement with the linkage mechanism ( 36).

Abstract: The invention relates to an actuating device for clamping arrangements for printing plates in rotary printing presses. The printing unit cylinders receiving the printing plates are provided with at least one opening extending in the axial direction. Through actuating means fastened to the ends of the printing unit cylinder the printing plates can be tightened on the surface of the printing unit cylinder. The actuating means are operable by an actuating unit provided at one end of the printing unit cylinder. The invention is characterized in that the actuating unit (32) includes an overrunning clutch (30) which determines the rotational position of an actuating shaft (9), the actuating unit being spring-biased and comprising an axially movable component (27).

Abstract: A web offset printing press (10) includes a motor and a gear train (106) for moving a web (14) along a path of movement extending through the press (10). The press (10) further includes an elongated punch member (130), a die member (30), and a pressure cylinder (112) for moving the punch member (130) back and forth between a retracted position and an extended position. The punch member (130) is spaced from the path of movement of the web (14) when in the retracted position, and extends across the path of movement of the web (14) and into an opening (122) in the die member (30) when in the extended position. The punch member (130) is moved from the retracted position to the extended position in response to detection of a fault condition by a web fault detecting assembly (100). The punch member (130) thus punches a hole (150) through the web (14) when a fault condition is detected in the web (14).

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing circumferential separation of the meshing teeth (86, 72) of a blanket cylinder gear (84) and a plate cylinder gear (70) includes a first gear (92) having gear teeth (94) in meshing engagement with the gear teeth (86) of the blanket cylinder gear (84). The first gear (92) is rotatable about an axis. A second gear (108) is coaxial with the first gear (92) and is rotatable about the axis relative to the first gear(92). A third gear (136) has gear teeth (134) in meshing engagement with the gear teeth (132) on the second gear (108). A fourth gear (76) is coaxial and rotatable with the plate cylinder gear (72), and has gear teeth (78) in meshing engagement with the gear teeth (134) on the third gear (136). The apparatus further includes spring means (122) for biasing the first and second gears (92, 108) about their common axis in respective directions that are opposite to each other.

Abstract: A printing apparatus (10) comprises a plurality of ink distributor rolls (20) supported for rotation about their axes (48, 50, 52), a rotatable shaft (90), and a vibrating means (32) for reciprocating the rolls (20) axially in response to rotation of the shaft (90). The vibrating means (32) comprises a plurality of eccentric members (116) fixed to the shaft (90) for rotation with the shaft (90). Each of the eccentric members (116) applies an individual torque to the shaft (90) in response to axial movement of a respective one of the rolls (20) when the eccentric member (116) rotates with the shaft (90). The fixed positions of the eccentric members (116) relative to each other on the shaft (90) minimize the sum of the individual torques and the fluctuations in the sum of the individual torques during rotation of the eccentric members (116). The detrimental effects of the torques on the printed image are thereby minimized.

Abstract: A sealing device for a dampening unit on an offset printing press having a channel for receiving a dampening-solution supply and defined by a dampening-solution applicator roller and a metering roller which roll on one another, and having a seal holder mountable on a side part of the dampening unit and being in contact engagement with a sealing element, closing off one end of the channel, the sealing element having formed with an overflow opening for excess dampening solution, comprising a drain passage located between the sealing element and the seal holder and formed by a cutout on a side of the sealing element facing away from the channel, the cutout being connected with the overflow opening.