Abstract: The invention relates to a direct drive for a cylinder of a converting machine, in particular a printing press or coating machine that converts sheet-type printed materials. The aim of the invention is to develop a direct drive for a cylinder of the afore-mentioned type in such a way that the required lateral corrections are significantly reduced. To this end, the direct drive includes a rotor (14) that is detachably mounted on the end of the cylinder (6, 10) and a stator (15) that is concentric with the rotor and is detachably fixed to the side frame (13). A register motor (16), which is fixed to the frame, is coupled to gearing (17, 18) and this gearing (17, 18) is coupled to a helical gear or screw drive (19, 2, 21, 22), which is in turn coupled to the cylinder (6, 10) by means of an axial/rotative coupling (23, 24).

Abstract: The invention relates to a direct drive for a cylinder of a converting machine, in particular a printing press or coating machine that converts sheet-type printed materials. The aim of the invention is to develop a direct drive for a cylinder of the afore-mentioned type in such a way that the required lateral corrections are significantly reduced. To this end, the direct drive includes a rotor (14) that is detachably mounted on the end of the cylinder (6, 10) and a stator (15) that is concentric with the rotor and is detachably fixed to the side frame (13). A register motor (16), which is fixed to the frame, is coupled to gearing (17, 18) and this gearing (17, 18) is coupled to a helical gear or screw drive (19, 2, 21, 22), which is in turn coupled to the cylinder (6, 10) by means of an axial/rotative coupling (23, 24).

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for controlling a machine for processing sheet material that has at least one individually driven cylinder. The method involves interrupting a pressure contact in a contact zone between a plate cylinder 10 as a directly driven cylinder and a neighboring rubber blanket cylinder 8. The plate cylinder 10 is then turned by the direct drive from its particular angular position into an angular position in which a first printing plate located on the plate cylinder 10 can be removed. The first printing plate is then removed from the plate cylinder 10 and a second printing plate is brought up and secured to the plate cylinder 10. The plate cylinder 10 with the second printing plate is then turned by the direct drive into an angular position appropriate for the printing process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling a processing machine for sheet-like material having at least one cylinder that can be driven individually and that carries a printing form. The method involves, inter alia, eliminating the pressurized printing contact between the plate cylinder 10 and adjacent rubber blanket cylinder 8 and for cleaning processes the inking unit rollers are separated on the drive side from the main drive and gear train of the sheet-guiding cylinder 6 and temporarily coupled with the directly driven plate cylinder 10. The plate cylinder 10 and inking unit rollers are driven at a first rotational speed and the rubber blanket cylinder 8 and the adjacent sheet-guiding cylinder 6 are driven at a second rotational speed by the main drive and gear train.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for changing a printing plate on a plate cylinder in a sheet-fed offset printing machine is provided. The printing plate is first fed to the plate cylinder with its print-end edge leading the print-start edge. The print-end edge of the printing plate is then fixed in a first fixing device on the plate cylinder assigned to the print-end edge of the printing plate. The plate cylinder is then rotated in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation used during a printing operation to draw the printing plate around the outer circumference of the plate cylinder. The print-start edge of the printing plate is then fixed to a second fixing device on the plate cylinder that is assigned to the print-start edge of the printing plate and tensioned on the plate cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention generally describes register control equipment for the cylinder of a printing machine. It specifically pertains to the printing plate of sheet-fed offset printing machine that has fitted register pins. The register pins are electrically insulated with respect to the cylinder and emit a signal when a printing plate is resting in register on one or more of the pins. The signal is communicated to a stationary evaluation unit by an electrical contact adapted to contact the printing plate. The evaluation unit uses the communicated signal to determine whether or not insertion was properly performed.

Abstract: A drive for a sheet-fed printing machine, in particular a sheet-fed offset printing machine is described, in which the individual cylinders and/or drums and the plate or form cylinders are driven by a common drive train. In order to allow automated operations to proceed simultaneously, clutches are arranged in the drive trains of the individual plate or form cylinders and, furthermore, the individual plate or form cylinders are assigned drive motors which can be controlled separately and by means of which the plate or form cylinders can be driven in the intended manner after corresponding disengagement.

Abstract: A printing machine is disclosed, in particular a sheet-fed offset printing machine, in which a plurality of cylinders are coupled to one another via a continuous drive train, and at least two cylinders include a controllable drive. The controllable drive stresses the drive train in order affect the tooth-flank contact of the gear train, which affects the angular position of the printing cylinders. By controlling the angular positions of the printing cylinders, precise registration is maintained during dynamic changes in the load on the gear train during the printing process. More specifically, blanket cylinders in the printing machine are each coupled to a position-controllable drive, which is controlled by applying a preferred position value in such a way that the gear train placed between two drives is stressed by a predefined angular amount.

Abstract: An device for adjusting the tension applied on a printing plate on a plate cylinder of a sheet fed offset printing machine is provided. The device includes a clamping bar comprising at least one clamping bar section and having a clamping gap which receives an end of the printing plate. Moreover, the clamping bar is arranged so that it can move approximately in the circumferential direction of the plate cylinder. The device further includes a spring element which acts on the clamping bar so as to apply a tensile force on the printing plate. The device also includes an adjusting element pivotally supported on the cylinder such that it can be pivoted counter to the force of a spring from a disengaged position into engagement with the clamping bar in order to selectively reduce the tensile forces exerted on the printing plate by the spring element.

Abstract: A drive is provided for a sheet-fed offset printing press having multiple printing units. Each printing unit has printing cylinders which are independently driven. Transfer drums are driven mechanically uncoupled from the printing cylinders, and may be interconnected by a single gear train, or the transfer cylinders of each printing unit may be independently driven by a respective drive. Other rollers in the printing units may have individual controllable drives also. The invention minimizes disturbances caused by load fluctuations in conventional printing presses wherein the printing and transfer systems are mechanically intercoupled. The invention also is cost effective, particularly for register corrections. According to the invention, at least the plate cylinders are driven individually with respect to the sheet-transfer system or the corresponding blanket cylinder.

Abstract: A releasable connection assembly couples fluid supply lines in a printing machine with the use of first and second coupling parts. The first coupling part is part of a subassembly fastened to the printing machine frame and adapted for pivotal movement about the frame. The second coupling part is arranged on a movable assembly, such as a washing unit.

Abstract: A device for drawing a printing plate onto a plate cylinder of a printing machine is disclosed. In order to precisely position the folding strip relative to the printing cylinder during the drawing-on procedure, the folding strip of the device is provided with two pairs of adjustable stops. When inserting the printing plate into the clamping rail, a pair of adjustable clamping stops position the folding strip relative to the plate cylinder so that the leading edge of the printing plate is precisely aligned with the clamping rail. On the other hand, when inserting the printing plate into the tension rail, a pair of tensioning stops position the folding rail relative to the plate cylinder so that the trailing edge of the printing plate is bent to the precise angle necessary for its introduction into the tension rail.

Abstract: An apparatus for the print throw-on and throw-off of the rubber blanket cylinder in the printing unit of a sheet-fed offset printing machine is described. For the throw-on and throw-off of the rubber blanket cylinder in relation to the impression cylinder and to the plate cylinder, the rubber blanket cylinder is mounted pivotably on both sides in eccentric bearings. The pivoting of the eccentric bearings takes place via two individually switchable actuating means, a print regulation mechanism being connected in series up from the actuating means. The two actuating means act on the eccentric bearings via a ternary member for the pivoting of the eccentric bearings, this arrangement selected in this way making it possible, in the case of larger thicknesses of printing material, to throw off the rubber blanket cylinder only from the plate cylinder. The print throw-off and throw-on thus causes lower torque jolts because of the smaller pivoting travel.

Abstract: A suspension system which is used to mount a plate nipping element on the frame of a printing machine is provided. The suspension system includes a setting arrangement adapted to move the nipping element between a position where it is engaged against the circumferential surface of a plate cylinder and a position where the nipping element is disengaged from the plate cylinder after first executing an idle stroke. The suspension system also includes a spring means adapted to support the weight of the nipping element on the frame of the printing machine when the nipping element is disengaged from the plate cylinder. In addition, the setting arrangement and the spring are adapted to allow the disengaged nipping roller to pivot away from the plate cylinder further biasing the spring when an object contacts the nipping element.

Abstract: A magazine for the automated changing of printing plates of a sheet-fed offset printing machine. The magazine includes a guiding apparatus which can be put into place on the plate cylinder for purposes of conveying used printing plates out of the plate cylinder and for feeding new printing plates to the cylinder. The guiding apparatus may be formed by a sheet-metal profile. Provision is made of further guiding surfaces and a holder so that the used printing plate may be locked by the holder. An operator then only need pull the plate a short distance out of the gripping region of a leading edge clamping rail. Stops are provided for a printing plate so that the new printing plate can be deposited on the stops. By virtue of putting the guiding apparatus into place, the new printing plate is shifted toward the plate cylinder and can be fed into the front clamping rail by the operator.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling an automated printing plate change process in a sheet-fed offset printing machine, in which a used printing plate is removed from the gripping portion of a clamping rail allocated to the leading edge of the plate cylinder and thereupon a new printing plate is guided into the opened gripping portion. Position sensors are used to determine, first, whether the front end of the used printing plate, and subsequently, whether the front end of the new printing plate, is in register in the leading edge clamping rail. Such information is used to control the plate change process. During the plate change process, the sensors are interrogated to determine whether the used plate has been removed from the plate cylinder, and whether the new printing plate is properly loaded.

Abstract: An apparatus for the automatic changing of new and used printing plates in sheet-fed offset printing machines, having a plurality of printing units, includes a central printing plate storage container and a printing plate transport apparatus. Mounted on each plate cylinder of a printing unit is a guide device which is pivotable so as to be capable of being thrown onto the plate cylinder and off from the latter and via which a new printing plate can be fed from above to the plate cylinder and, with the plate cylinder slowly rotating backwards, a used printing plate can also be conveyed out and upwards. Mounted above the printing machine is a guide rail on which a travelling carriage of the transport apparatus, having plate gripping and lifting devices, can be moved along all the printing units of the printing machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for checking the in-register bearing of a printing plate on the plate cylinder of printing machines possesses measuring sensors in the tension rail receiving the printing plate, by which the in-register position can be detected in the form of electrically scannable signals. Contact faces are mounted in the region of the tension rail so that the signals can be scanned directly by machine control, for example in conjunction with an automatic or manual printing-plate feed. The contact faces are placed in contact with the frame sensing heads which are mounted movably relative to the plate cylinder and which are pressed against the contact faces after an appropriate angular positioning of the plate cylinder. When a new printing plate is introduced, an evaluation unit receiving the signals is coupled to the measuring sensors.

Abstract: A clamping device for attachment of a printing plate having registry defining notches in the leading edge thereof in proper registry on the plate cylinder of a sheet-fed printing machine is provided. The clamping device includes a clamping rail disposed in an axis-parallel recess in the plate cylinder and has a closable plate receiving gap therein for fastening the leading edge of the printing plate to the clamping rail. A plurality of adjustable stops are disposed in the plate receiving gap of the clamping rail for abutting the corresponding registry defining notches in the leading edge of the printing plate for locating the printing plate on the cylinder in proper registry.

Abstract: A device for introducing printing plates more simply into the opened gripping region of a tension rail assigned to the print start of a plate cylinder. The device includes an introduction rail extending over the format width of the plate cylinder and adapted to be moved against the outer circumference of the plate cylinder into a specific angular position in the region of the print start. When the introduction rail is so positioned, the front edge of the printing plate may be introduced directly into the gripping region of the print-start tension rail via an introduction face formed on the introduction rail. The outer circumference of the plate cylinder coacts with the introduction face of the introduction rail to define a funnel-shaped region for receiving the front edge of the printing plate just prior to the latter being inserted into the tension rail.