Abstract: The system of the present invention controls the temperature of ink so as to enhance print quality. An ink roller has a circulation path therein. A circulation system circulates fluid, such as water, through the ink roller and through a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is part of a refrigeration and heating system that selectively cools and heats the circulating water. The refrigeration and heating system uses a compressor, an expansion valve and the heat exchanger. To provide refrigeration, refrigerant fluid is circulated in the refrigeration and heating system through the expansion valve and to the heat exchanger. To provide heating, the expansion valve is bypassed by a conduit, wherein hot fluid from the compressor flows directly to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A printing press has a plate cylinder, an inking system and a dampening system. A bridge roller provides a path between the inking and dampening systems. The bridge roller is in contact with a dampening form roller, which in turn is in contact with the plate cylinder. The dampening form roller is driven by an arrangement that allows the dampening form roller to rotate at a differential speed with respect to the plate cylinder in order to clean hickies off of the plate cylinder. The speed of the bridge roller is controlled so as to provide a slip nip between the bridge roller and the dampening form roller and so as to control the ink-water balance, even when the dampening form roller is rotating at a differential speed.

Abstract: A dampening system has a pan for containing dampening fluid, and transfer and metering rollers for bringing dampening fluid up out of the pan. A transition roller contacts one of the transfer and metering rollers. The transition roller is movable between first and second positions. In the first position, the transition is off of the plate cylinder and dampening fluid is applied to the plate cylinder by ink form rollers. In the second position, the transition roller is on the plate cylinder. Another version of the dampening system has a bridge roller between the transition roller and a ink form roller, which bridge roller is movable between third and fourth positions. In the third position, the bridge roller is on the transition roller. In the fourth position, the bridge roller is off of the transition roller. The dampening system can dampen the plate cylinder without the use of alcohol. The transition roller is rotated by a separate motor so that its speed is controlled independently of the other rollers.

Abstract: A dampening system has a pan for containing dampening fluid, and transfer and metering rollers for bringing dampening fluid up out of the pan. A transition roller contacts one of the transfer and metering rollers. The transition roller is movable between first and second position. In the first position, the transition is off of the plate cylinder and dampening fluid is applied to the plate cylinder by ink form rollers. In the second position, the transition roller is on the plate cylinder. Another version of the dampening system has a bridge roller between the transition roller and a ink form roller, which bridge roller is movable between the third and fourth positions. In the third position, the bridge roller is on the transition roller. In the fourth position, the bridge roller is off of the transition roller. The dampening system can dampen the plate cylinder without the use of alcohol. The transition roller is rotated by a separate motor so that its speed is controlled independently of the other rollers.