Abstract: A method for detecting a type of one of plurality of devices attached to a graphics machine, each device being one of at least a first type and a second type. The method includes detecting at a controller the type of device attached to or to be attached to the machine. The controller is capable of preadjusting the device or machine as a function of the detection. A graphics machine includes a controller, a first device connected to the controller, the first device being categorizable as one of at least a first type and a second type, the controller detecting the type of the first device, and a memory accessible by the controller, the memory storing information regarding the first type and the second type.

Abstract: An improved printing press includes a tubular-shaped printing blanket removably disposed on a blanket cylinder rotatably supported by a frame and having an outer circumferential surface. The printing blanket is disposed in rolling engagement with a conventional printing plate disposed on a plate cylinder having an axially extending gap in which opposite ends of the printing plate are secured. The printing blanket is removed by opening a portion of the frame and axially sliding the printing blanket off of the blanket cylinder. The blanket cylinder has passages which deliver a stream of air to the outer surface of the blanket cylinder which expands the inner circumferential surface of the printing blanket so that the blanket can be axially removed or inserted onto the blanket cylinder. The printing blanket has a metal inner surface which is tensioned by the blanket cylinder to retain the printing blanket on the blanket cylinder during operation of the press.

Abstract: A device for wrapping multi-sheet printed products includes a conveyor carrying a multi-sheet printed product, a first rotating drum having a first exterior surface with at least one surface indentation, and a second rotating drum having a second exterior surface, the second roattaing drum interacting with the first rotating drum at a first nip. A first wrapping supply provides first wrapping to the first nip on one side of a multi-sheet printed product and a second wrapping supply provides second wrapping to the first nip on another side of the multi-sheet printed product. A method for wrapping a multi-sheet printed product is aslo provided.

Abstract: An improved printing press includes a tubular-shaped printing blanket removably disposed on a blanket cylinder rotatably supported by a frame and having an outer circumferential surface. The printing blanket is disposed in rolling engagement with a conventional printing plate disposed on a plate cylinder having an axially extending gap in which opposite ends of the printing plate are secured. The printing blanket is removed by opening a portion of the frame and axially sliding the printing blanket off of the blanket cylinder. The blanket cylinder has passages which deliver a stream of air to the outer surface of the blanket cylinder which expands the inner circumferential surface of the printing blanket so that the blanket can be axially removed or inserted onto the blanket cylinder. The printing blanket has a metal inner surface which is tensioned by the blanket cylinder to retain the printing blanket on the blanket cylinder during operation of the press.

Abstract: A sheet material conveyor includes a pocket conveyor with at least one moving pocket for collecting printed sheet material, the pocket conveyor having a release area for releasing the printing sheet material in the pocket. The sheet material conveyor also includes an air supply device providing air to the pocket at the release area. A pocket with air supply holes and a method for releasing printed sheet material using pressurized air is also provided.

Abstract: A pin conveyor for printed sheet material has a chain, a plurality of pins extending from the chain to push printed sheet material, and a receipt area for the printed sheet material, the chain and pins passing through the receipt area. The receipt area has at least one of the following a non-linear cross-section with the chain and pins passing through the receipt area, an inclined transport section of the chain, or a belt contacting the printed sheet material and running at or slower than a speed of the chain. A transfer unit with an overhead conveying unit and a method for delivering printed sheet material is also provided.

Abstract: A printing unit with a rotatable print cylinder and a rotatable blanket cylinder is provided. A tubular printing blanket is removably mounted on the blanket cylinder. The printing unit may have an imaging unit mounted therein. A printing member, which is mountable on the print cylinder, is imaged by the imaging unit inside the printing unit. The printing member has a continuous surface and may be removed axially from the print cylinder. The printing unit may be configured as a cantilever printing unit, or, alternatively, may be configured with both a gear side frame and a work side frame for supporting the print and blanket cylinders. In order to provide a variable-cutoff capability, a plurality of print cylinder saddles may be provided. Each print cylinder saddle has the same inner diameter for mounting on the print cylinders. However, in order to provide a variable cut-off, the print cylinder saddles may have a variety of outer diameters.

Abstract: A printing unit with a rotatable print cylinder and a rotatable blanket cylinder is provided. A tubular printing blanket is removably mounted on the blanket cylinder. The printing unit may have an imaging unit mounted therein. A printing member, which is mountable on the print cylinder, is imaged by the imaging unit inside the printing unit. The printing member has a continuous surface and may be removed axially from the print cylinder. The printing unit may be configured as a cantilever printing unit, or, alternatively, may be configured with both a gear side frame and a work side frame for supporting the print and blanket cylinders. In order to provide a variable-cutoff capability, a plurality of print cylinder saddles may be provided. Each print cylinder saddle has the same inner diameter for mounting on the print cylinders. However, in order to provide a variable cut-off, the print cylinder saddles may have a variety of outer diameters.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a cylinder within a processing unit is provided, the cylinder having a releasable end portion and a removably sleeve mounted thereon. A counterpoise assembly is assigned to one end of the cylinder. The cylinder is supported on both ends by support housings. One of the support housings is supported, during throw-off of the cylinder, by a horizontally movable supporting device. A sliding device is assigned to the supporting device on the respective side frame.

Abstract: A tubular printing blanket for a blanket cylinder in an offset printing press comprises a cylindrical sleeve, a compressible layer over the sleeve, and an inextensible layer over the compressible layer. The cylindrical sleeve is movable telescopically over a blanket cylinder. The compressible layer comprises a first seamless tubular body of elastomeric material containing compressible microspheres. The inextensible layer comprises a second seamless tubular body of elastomeric material containing a tubular sublayer of circumferentially inextensible material. A seamless tubular printing layer over the inextensible layer has a continuous, gapless cylindrical printing surface. Methods of manufacturing the tubular printing blanket are also disclosed.

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: A method of lubricating a bearing (58) in a printing unit (14) includes the step of directing a quantity of grease into the bearing (58), and the step of directing pressurized air into contact with the grease. The bearing (58) supports a printing cylinder (16) for rotation in the printing unit (14), and includes a plurality of rolling elements (100) between a pair of opposed bearing race surfaces (94, 88). A predetermined quantity (160) of grease is directed to flow from a hydraulic pump (114) to the space between the bearing race surfaces (94, 88). The pressurized air is directed to flow from a pneumatic pump (132) into contact with the grease to remove a first portion of the predetermined quantity (160) of grease from the space between the bearing race surfaces (94, 88). The pressurized air further spreads a second portion of the predetermined quantity (160) of grease into coatings (190) which extend over the rolling element surfaces (104) and the bearing race surfaces (94, 88).

Abstract: A tubular printing blanket for a blanket cylinder in an offset printing press comprises a cylindrical sleeve, a compressible layer over the sleeve, and an inextensible layer over the compressible layer. The cylindrical sleeve is movable telescopically over a blanket cylinder. The compressible layer comprises a first seamless tubular body of elastomeric material containing compressible microspheres. The inextensible layer comprises a second seamless tubular body of elastomeric material containing a tubular sublayer of circumferentially inextensible material. A seamless tubular printing layer over the inextensible layer has a continuous, gapless cylindrical printing surface. Methods of manufacturing the tubular printing blanket are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved printing press includes a tubular-shaped printing blanket removably disposed on a blanket cylinder rotatably supported by a frame and having a continuous outer circumferential surface which is free of gaps. The printing blanket is disposed in rolling engagement with a conventional printing plate disposed on a plate cylinder having an axially extending gap in which opposite ends of the printing plate are secured. The printing blanket is removed by opening a portion of the frame and axially sliding the printing blanket off of the blanket cylinder. To assist in the removal or insertion of the printing blanket the blanket cylinder has passages which deliver a stream of air to the outer surface of the blanket cylinder which expands the inner circumferential surface of the printing blanket so that the blanket can be axially removed or inserted onto the blanket cylinder.

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: An offset printing apparatus rotates the plate cylinder steadily with a minimum of torsional interference caused by impact of the reciprocating ductor roll with the vibrator roll. The ductor roll is reciprocated at a rapid rate to impart a rapid succession of torsional shocks to the vibrator roll and thereby to urge the gear train toward a steady-state condition wherein a level of torsional loading is maintained without substantial change in response to reciprocation of the ductor roll.

Abstract: A tubular printing blanket for a blanket cylinder in an offset printing press comprises a cylindrical sleeve, a compressible layer over the sleeve, and an inextensible layer over the compressible layer. The cylindrical sleeve is movable telescopically over a blanket cylinder. The compressible layer comprises a first seamless tubular body of elastomeric material containing compressible microspheres. The inextensible layer comprises a second seamless tubular body of elastomeric material containing a tubular sublayer of circumferentially inextensible material. A seamless tubular printing layer over the inextensible layer has a continuous, gapless cylindrical printing surface. Methods of manufacturing the tubular printing blanket are also disclosed.

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 tubular printing blanket for a blanket cylinder in an offset printing press includes a cylindrical sleeve, a compressible layer over the sleeve, and an inextensible layer over the compressible layer. The cylindrical sleeve is movable telescopically over a blanket cylinder. The compressible layer includes a first seamless tubular body of elastomeric material containing compressible microspheres. The inextensible layer includes a second seamless tubular body of elastomeric material containing a tubular sublayer of circumferentially inextensible material. A seamless tubular printing layer over the inextensible layer has a continuous, gapless cylindrical printing surface. Methods of manufacturing the tubular printing blanket are also disclosed.

Abstract: A printing unit (10) includes a frame (22), first and second brackets (50, 54), and upper and lower plate cylinders (14, 18). The first bracket (50) is supported on the frame (22) for movement relative to the frame (22). The upper plate cylinder (14) has an end supported to move with the first bracket (50). The second bracket (54) also is supported on the frame (22) for movement relative to the frame (22), and the lower plate cylinder (18) has an end supported to move with the second bracket (54). The printing unit (10) also includes a skewing mechanism and a throw-off mechanism. The skewing mechanism moves the brackets (50, 54) transversely relative to the frame (22) independently of each other. The throw-off mechanism moves the brackets (50, 54) pivotally relative to the frame (22).