Abstract: The invention relates to a toothing processing machine comprising a machine frame and a spindle carrier having a first spindle. The spindle comprises a first spindle housing and a first spindle shaft, which is arranged in the first spindle housing such that it can rotate about a first spindle axis, and a free end for receiving a work piece or a tool. A second spindle is also provided having a second spindle housing and a second spindle shaft for receiving a tool or work piece, wherein the second spindle shaft is mounted in the second spindle housing such that it can rotate about a second spindle axis. In addition, at least one wall of the machine frame forms a part of the casing of a closable working chamber, in which the work piece can be processed and which can be closed in order to prevent the release of a material removal, a processing liquid and/or a processing mist from the working chamber into other machine regions or to the outside.

Abstract: A machine for honing gears comprises a workpiece spindle, the spindle axis of which is oriented vertically, wherein a workpiece to be machined is attachable in the region of a free end of the workpiece spindle, a honing ring carrier in which a honing ring for machining the workpiece attached to the workpiece spindle is clampable and is drivable in rotation about its central axis, and a machine frame on which the workpiece spindle and the honing ring carrier are mounted. The machine frame surrounds the honing ring carrier. The honing ring carrier is additionally mounted at two bearing points on the machine frame, said bearing points being substantially diametrically opposite one another with regard to the honing ring carrier, so as to be movable linearly along a horizontal axis which extends through the bearing points and so as to be movable in rotation about this axis. The machine has a simple and compact structure.

Abstract: A machine for honing gears comprises a workpiece spindle, the spindle axis of which is oriented vertically, wherein a workpiece to be machined is attachable in the region of a free end of the workpiece spindle, a honing ring carrier in which a honing ring for machining the workpiece attached to the workpiece spindle is clampable and is drivable in rotation about its central axis, and a machine frame on which the workpiece spindle and the honing ring carrier are mounted. The machine frame surrounds the honing ring carrier. The honing ring carrier is additionally mounted at two bearing points on the machine frame, said bearing points being substantially diametrically opposite one another with regard to the honing ring carrier, so as to be movable linearly along a horizontal axis which extends through the bearing points and so as to be movable in rotation about this axis. The machine has a simple and compact structure.

Abstract: A machine for machining workpieces includes a machine frame (110, 120), a honing ring carrier (60) which is mounted on the machine frame and in which a honing ring or a honing ring blank is clampable and rotationally drivable about its central axis, and a workpiece spindle module (50) having a workpiece spindle (54), wherein a workpiece which is to be machined with the honing ring clamped in the honing ring carrier (60) is mountable in the region of a free end of the workpiece spindle (54). The machine further includes a grinding module (130) for profiling a honing ring as a result of grinding a honing ring blank, wherein the grinding module (130) is arranged in such a manner on the machine frame (110, 120) that a grinding wheel of the grinding module (130) can be positioned relative to the honing ring carrier (60) inside a truly three-dimensional space. The profiling of a honing ring and the honing of a workpiece can consequently be effected in the same clamping setup of the honing ring.

Abstract: An error detection apparatus and method for use with engravers, such as gravure engravers. An error value E corresponding to the difference between a set of predetermined setup parameters and actual measurement of a portion of an engraved area on the cylinder is determined. The error value E is then used to adjust the engraver to engrave an actual cut or etch in accordance with the set of predetermined setup parameters. Advantageously, an error detection and correction system is suitable for providing a closed-loop system for engraving a cylinder. The apparatus and method may be used during initial setup or during normal operation of the engraver. Other features include an autofocus routine to facilitate the auto-focus procedure. Also, image processing is further enhanced by gap filling, discontinuity removal, and light calibration methods which may be used alone, in combination with each other, or in combination with the automatic focus system and/or automatic shoe system.

Abstract: An engraving method and apparatus for engraving a cylinder for printing an intaglio pattern and/or non-intaglio pattern on a web of material. The engraver includes a driver for rotatably driving the cylinder and a computer for controlling the operation of the engraver and for generating an intaglio engraving signal corresponding to an intaglio pattern and a non-intaglio signal for a gravure pattern. The engraver also uses an engraving head for engraving the cylinder with the intaglio pattern and the gravure pattern during the rotation of the cylinder in response to the intaglio engraving signal and non-intaglio signal. The invention includes an intaglio engraved pattern and method for engraving engraved areas having bottoms which are generally planar.

Abstract: An engraver having an engraving signal generating system for engraving a workpiece. The engraver includes a setup circuit enabling direct dimensional control of the cavities engraved by the engraver. Controls are provided for setting at least one of a plurality of parameters, such as a black cell width. These parameters are fed to the setup circuit which translates them into multiplication factors for an AC signal and a videosignal. The multiplied signals are combined with an offset signal to produce an engraving signal.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for intelligently placing in a periodic and/or random manner a plurality of whetting areas which facilitate lubricating and/or cooling a doctor blade in a printing press when the cylinder is placed therein. The system and method includes one or more routines which analyzes engraving/etching data and any associated white-span length. One or more whetting areas are placed in a periodic or random pattern in response thereto. The whetting areas facilitate lubricating and/or cooling the doctor blade so that it does not heat beyond a predetermined level, thereby avoiding scoring of the cylinder and problems associated with deterioration of print quality or length of cylinder life resulting from thermo-dynamic expansion and/or undesired evaporation of ink associated with areas which make up the image.

Abstract: An error detection apparatus and method for use with engravers, such as gravure engravers. An error value E corresponding to the difference between a set of predetermined setup parameters and actual measurement of a portion of an engraved area on the cylinder is determined. The error value E is then used to adjust the engraver to engrave an actual cut or etch in accordance with the set of predetermined setup parameters. The error detection and correction system is suitable for providing a closed-loop system for engraving a cylinder. The apparatus and method may be used during initial setup or during normal operation of the engraver.

Abstract: An error detection apparatus and method for use with engravers, such as gravure engravers. An error value E corresponding to the difference between a set of predetermined setup parameters and actual measurement of a portion of an engraved area on the cylinder is determined. The error value E is then used to adjust the engraver to engrave an actual cut or etch in accordance with the set of predetermined setup parameters. Advantageously, an error detection and correction system is suitable for providing a closed-loop system for engraving a cylinder. The apparatus and method may be used during initial setup or during normal operation of the engraver. Other features include an autofocus routine to facilitate the auto-focus procedure. Also, image processing is further enhanced by gap filling, discontinuity removal, and light calibration methods which may be used alone, in combination with each other, or in combination with the automatic focus system and/or automatic shoe system.

Abstract: A platform for supporting an engraving head in a manner accommodating translational movement without any associated rotation. The platform has a deck which is supported by a pair of flexible support columns. In operation the platform is situated alongside a rotating printing cylinder. The engraving head is mounted on the deck of the platform and is provided with a guide shoe which rides against the surface of the printing cylinder. As the cylinder rotates to angular positions having different radii, the engraving head responds with a purely linear reaction. Consequently the engraving head is able to engrave uniform-depth cavities in the surface of the printing cylinder. In two alternative embodiments the deck is driven by a resilient link arrangement which is coupled to a leadscrew and carriage assembly.