Abstract: A method for controlling a printing machine including a revolving transport device for transporting a substrate, includes continuously scanning the surface of the transport device using a detection device, evaluating measured results to find defects on the surface, saving the defects in a data memory and outputting information on the defects. The method advantageously provides an operator with targeted information on defect type, defect location and defect frequency and thus allows a targeted elimination of defects, which may increase the overall productivity of the printing machine.

Abstract: A sheet-transporting drum includes sheet-supporting areas each being formed of a first comb segment and a second comb segment having segment teeth. At least one of the comb segments is rotatable for adaptation to a sheet format. A mechanical leading-edge gripper is provided on the first comb segment and a pneumatic trailing-edge gripper is provided on the second comb segment. A mechanical trailing-edge gripper is additionally disposed on the second comb segment and is deactivatable in particular by format adjustments. This advantageously allows either the trailing edge of a sheet to be securely held down mechanically or a full-bleed print to be applied to the sheet when the trailing edge of the sheet is held down pneumatically. A sheet-fed printing machine is also provided.

Abstract: A sheet-transport drum includes at least two sheet-supporting surfaces with suction openings. Each respective sheet-supporting surface is formed of first and second comb segments with segment teeth. Suction grooves are provided in the segment teeth and a trailing-edge suction groove is provided in the sheet-supporting surface of each respective second comb segment. A rotary valve is provided for a timed supply of suction air. A plurality of vacuum sources is provided and a trailing-edge suction groove is assigned to each respective vacuum source by the rotary valve. This ensures that the vacuum provided by a respective trailing-edge suction groove at the trailing edge of a respective sheet is reliably maintained even if a previous or following sheet is missing. A sheet-fed printing machine with the sheet-transport drum is also provided.

Abstract: A sheet-transport drum includes at least two sheet-supporting surfaces with suction openings. Each respective sheet-supporting surface is formed of first and second comb segments with segment teeth. Suction grooves are provided in the segment teeth and a trailing-edge suction groove is provided in the sheet-supporting surface of each respective second comb segment. A rotary valve is provided for a timed supply of suction air. A plurality of vacuum sources is provided and a trailing-edge suction groove is assigned to each respective vacuum source by the rotary valve. This ensures that the vacuum provided by a respective trailing-edge suction groove at the trailing edge of a respective sheet is reliably maintained even if a previous or following sheet is missing. A sheet-fed printing machine with the sheet-transport drum is also provided.

Abstract: A sheet-transporting drum includes sheet-supporting areas each being formed of a first comb segment and a second comb segment having segment teeth. At least one of the comb segments is rotatable for adaptation to a sheet format. A mechanical leading-edge gripper is provided on the first comb segment and a pneumatic trailing-edge gripper is provided on the second comb segment. A mechanical trailing-edge gripper is additionally disposed on the second comb segment and is deactivatable in particular by format adjustments. This advantageously allows either the trailing edge of a sheet to be securely held down mechanically or a full-bleed print to be applied to the sheet when the trailing edge of the sheet is held down pneumatically. A sheet-fed printing machine is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for turning a sheet during transport through a printing press provides better printed results as a result of improved sheet guidance. A transfer drum has gripper systems disposed in channels for holding the sheet at the leading and trailing sheet edge, and guide elements covering the channels.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for turning a sheet during its transport through a printing press permit improved printing results as a result of improved sheet guidance. A sheet is tautened following a transfer from a first transport device to a second transport device.

Abstract: A printing unit configuration includes an accessory and a connection mechanism moveably fastening the accessory thereto, throwing the accessory thereon into a working position, and removing it therefrom into maintenance positions. A linear guide can be connected to the accessory and disposed perpendicular to a pivot axis, with the mechanism pivoting the accessory away from the unit about the axis and displacing it along the guide. The mechanism can have two pivot axes disposed parallel to the unit rotation axis and can pivot the accessory away from the unit first about the first axis then about the second. The mechanism can pivot the accessory about an axis perpendicular to the unit rotation axis and/or about a single pivot axis disposed below the accessory. The mechanism can connect the accessory to the unit to project into a recess of a side wall of the printing machine at a side opposite an operator side in a maintenance position.

Abstract: A rotary printing machine includes at least one form cylinder, at least one further cylinder, and a gear transmission via which the form cylinder and the further cylinder are drivable together during a printing operation. A device is provided for setting an image on a printing form located on the form cylinder. A switchable speed-change gear mechanism is disposed between the form cylinder and the gear transmission for driving the form cylinder during the printing operation.

Abstract: A method for driving a printing press includes driving, in a printing operation, via a gear train by at least a first motor, at least one drum for advancing printing material and a printing-form cylinder, processing angle-of-rotation signals of the drum in a control device for controlling the driving of the drum and the form cylinder, and driving, in a printing-form production operation in the printing press, a printing-form cylinder by a separate motor. The method further includes, in an operation for producing the printing form, synchronously actuating the first motor and the separate motor by providing a gear allocated to the driving of the printing-form cylinder, and an adjacent gear allocated to the driving of the drum of the gear train, the gears being disposed relative to one another at the most out of contact with one another, and at the least barely in engagement with one another so as to exert a slight pressure on one another, and a device for performing the method.

Abstract: A method for driving a printing press includes driving, in a printing operation, via a gear train by at least a first motor, at least one drum for advancing printing material and a printing-form cylinder, processing angle-of-rotation signals of the drum in a control device for controlling the driving of the drum and the form cylinder, and driving, in a printing-form production operation in the printing press, a printing-form cylinder by a separate motor. The method further includes, in an operation for producing the printing form, synchronously actuating the first motor and the separate motor by providing a gear allocated to the driving of the printing-form cylinder, and an adjacent gear allocated to the driving of the drum of the gear train, the gears being disposed relative to one another at the most out of contact with one another, and at the least barely in engagement with one another so as to exert a slight pressure on one another, and a device for performing the method.

Abstract: A novel, inexpensive and compact printing press is provided, having a central plate cylinder (1) including at least two printing plates (5) mounted on the peripheral side, around which are arranged in a satellite configuration at least two blanket cylinders (3) having assigned inking units (7), including a transport device (13), which loops around the blanket cylinder (3) on the outside, in the manner of a closed, continuous belt, having printing sheets, which are pressed for the printing operation by compensating rollers (15) against blanket cylinders (3), and having a control unit (11), which engages the particular inking unit (7) and the blanket cylinder (3) on the corresponding printing plate (5) and lifts it off of the other printing plate(s) (5).

Abstract: A novel, inexpensive and compact printing press is provided, having a central plate cylinder (1) including at least two printing plates (5) mounted on the peripheral side, around which are arranged in a satellite configuration at least two blanket cylinders (3) having assigned inking units (7), including a transport device (13), which loops around the blanket cylinder (3) on the outside, in the manner of a closed, continuous belt, having printing sheets, which are pressed for the printing operation by compensating rollers (15) against blanket cylinders (3), and having a control unit (11), which engages the particular inking unit (7) and the blanket cylinder (3) on the corresponding printing plate (5) and lifts it off of the other printing plate(s) (5).

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for guiding a print carrier upon feeding the print carrier to and guiding the print carrier away from a form cylinder of a rotary printing machine. Guide elements for the print carrier are disposed axially parallel to the form cylinder. The guide elements are disposed in two groups. One group serves to pull the print carrier into the printing unit, while the other group assists in the removal of the print carrier from the printing unit of the rotary printing machine. The guide elements assisting the feeding-in and exchanging of the print carrier are protected against contact with the print carrier by throw-on elements during exchange of a print carrier. A printing unit in a rotary printing machine having the apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A printing-unit accessory engaged with a printing unit of a printing press, in an operating position of the accessory, and removed from the vicinity of the printing unit, in at least one maintenance position of the accessory, includes a pivoting mechanism securing the accessory to the printing press, the pivoting mechanism being disposed in a region of a side wall of the printing unit in a manner that the accessory is movable into a vertical position adjacent the side wall, and at least one linear guide disposed in front of the side wall so that the accessory is displaceable into a horizontal position thereof distal from the printing unit.