Abstract: For fitting a printing sleeve in a printing roll the outer surface of the roll core and preferably the inner surface of the sleeve are made at least partly tapered; the sleeve is slightly undersize diametrically. Remote from the ends of the core are orifices whereby gas under pressure may be blown radially outwardly from the core. The tapers allow the sleeve to be passed freely along the core until it jams up against an increased diameter portion of the tapered outer surface of the roll, at which time it covers the orifices. Gas is then blown from the orifices to expand the sleeve which can then be moved into its working position on the core. A sleeve specially suitable for this treatment is made by laying-up a seamless GRP layer on a former which is undersize for the designed core and either curing a rubber layer in situ onto the layer, or adhesively securing a flexible plate to a true cylindrical outer surface of the GRP layer.

Abstract: For fitting a printing sleeve in a printing roll the outer surface of the roll core and preferably the inner surface of the sleeve are made with one end of a lesser diameter than the other; the sleeve is slightly undersize diametrically. Remote from the ends of the core are orifices whereby gas under pressure may be blown radially outwardly from the core. The difference in diameter allows the sleeve to be passed freely along the core until it jams up against an increased diameter portion of the outer surface of the roll, at which time it covers the orifices. Gas is then blown from the orifices to expand the sleeve which can then be moved into its working position on the core. A sleeve specially suitable for this treatment is made by laying-up a seamless GRP layer on a former which is undersize for the designed core and either curing a rubber layer in situ onto the layer, or adhesively securing a flexible plate to a true cylindrical outer surface of the GRP layer.