Abstract: An offset printing press is provided. The offset printing press includes an image cylinder, a blanket cylinder having an axially convex outer surface, and a printing blanket disposed over the axially convex outer surface, the printing blanket including a carrier sleeve layer having at least one axially convex surface. An axially profiled shim is also provided.

Abstract: A variable cutoff printing press is provided. The variable cutoff printing press includes a first plate cylinder, a second plate cylinder, a continuous belt blanket contacting the first and second plate cylinders and a movable support cylinder supporting the belt blanket. The first and second plate cylinders, the continuous belt blanket and the movable support cylinder form a first print section and the movable support cylinder is movable to change the print length of the first print section. A method of printing images with a printing press is also provided.

Abstract: A variable cutoff printing unit is provided including a first upper plate cylinder carrying a first upper image, a first upper blanket cylinder including a first upper blanket print area for transferring the first upper image to a web and a first upper blanket non print area, a second upper plate cylinder carrying a second upper image, a second upper blanket cylinder including a second upper blanket print area for transferring the second upper image to the web and a second upper blanket non print area, a first lower plate cylinder carrying a first lower image, a first lower blanket cylinder including a first lower blanket print area for transferring the first lower image to the web and a first lower blanket non print area, a second lower plate cylinder carrying a second lower image and a second lower blanket cylinder including a second lower blanket print area for transferring the second lower image to the web and a second lower blanket non print area.

Abstract: An offset printing press is provided. The offset printing press includes an image cylinder, a blanket cylinder having an axially convex outer surface, and a printing blanket disposed over the axially convex outer surface, the printing blanket including a carrier sleeve layer having at least one axially convex surface. An axially profiled shim is also provided.

Abstract: A printing blanket includes a carrier sleeve layer having at least one axially convex surface and a print layer disposed over the carrier sleeve layer. A blanket cylinder with a convex outer surface and a convex shim is also provided. An offset printing press is also provided.

Abstract: A variable cutoff printing unit is provided including a first upper plate cylinder carrying a first upper image, a first upper blanket cylinder including a first upper blanket print area for transferring the first upper image to a web and a first upper blanket non print area, a second upper plate cylinder carrying a second upper image, a second upper blanket cylinder including a second upper blanket print area for transferring the second upper image to the web and a second upper blanket non print area, a first lower plate cylinder carrying a first lower image, a first lower blanket cylinder including a first lower blanket print area for transferring the first lower image to the web and a first lower blanket non print area, a second lower plate cylinder carrying a second lower image and a second lower blanket cylinder including a second lower blanket print area for transferring the second lower image to the web and a second lower blanket non print area.

Abstract: A variable cutoff printing press is provided. The variable cutoff printing press includes a first plate cylinder, a second plate cylinder, a continuous belt blanket contacting the first and second plate cylinders and a movable support cylinder supporting the belt blanket. The first and second plate cylinders, the continuous belt blanket and the movable support cylinder form a first print section and the movable support cylinder is movable to change the print length of the first print section. A method of printing images with a printing press is also provided.

Abstract: A tubular printing blanket having an axial center has a carrier sleeve layer having a uniform thickness, a compressible layer, a reinforcing layer over the compressible layer, and a print layer disposed over the reinforcing layer. At least one of the reinforcing layer and the compressible layers has a non-uniform thickness so as to be thicker in the axial center. An outer surface of the print layer is convex.

Abstract: A printing blanket includes a carrier sleeve layer having at least one axially convex surface and a print layer disposed over the carrier sleeve layer. A blanket cylinder with a convex outer surface and a convex shim is also provided. An offset printing press is also provided.

Abstract: A printing unit including a rigid cylinder rotatable about an axis of rotation, a plurality of inflatable bladders disposed on a circumferential surface of the cylinder, and a first fluid supply regulation unit configured to supply a first fluid to a first set of inflatable bladders of the plurality of inflatable bladders and to regulate a first fluid pressure inside the first set inflatable bladders. In addition, a method for mounting a sleeve-shaped printing sock onto a blanket cylinder of an offset printing press, in which a set of inflatable bladders disposed at an outer region of the blanket cylinder are at least partially deflated. The sleeve-shaped printing sock is slid over one end of the blanket cylinder so that the printing sock at least partially surrounds a circumference of the blanket cylinder. The set of inflatable bladders are then inflated so that the printing sock fits tightly around the circumference of the blanket cylinder.

Abstract: A printing unit including a rigid cylinder rotatable about an axis of rotation, a plurality of inflatable bladders disposed on a circumferential surface of the cylinder, and a first fluid supply regulation unit configured to supply a first fluid to a first set of inflatable bladders of the plurality of inflatable bladders and to regulate a first fluid pressure inside the first set inflatable bladders. In addition, a method for mounting a sleeve-shaped printing sock onto a blanket cylinder of an offset printing press, in which a set of inflatable bladders disposed at an outer region of the blanket cylinder are at least partially deflated. The sleeve-shaped printing sock is slid over one end of the blanket cylinder so that the printing sock at least partially surrounds a circumference of the blanket cylinder. The set of inflatable bladders are then inflated so that the printing sock fits tightly around the circumference of the blanket cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an apparatus for cutting webs of material (1) and includes a cutting cylinder (8) having at least one knife assembly (12, 13) assigned to its circumference (9). A supporting element (23) is assigned to said cutting cylinder (8) forming a cutting region (3) there between and a transport belt (20) having cut rubber portions (20.1, 20.2, 20.3) integrated therein is assigned to said supporting element (23).

Abstract: The present invention is related to an apparatus for cutting webs of material, including a first revolving member and a second revolving member having cutting elements integrated therein. Said revolving members, respectively, define a cutting region therebetween and supporting elements, respectively, assigned to said revolving elements within said cutting region. Said second revolving member comprises a belt assembly having a layered structure, said cutting elements mounted within said layered structure.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for absorbing lateral sideframe vibration in printing units. A member is connected between two sideframes of a printing unit. According to one embodiment, the member is a rod and a mass slides on the rod. The mass is biased between two springs and a unit frame tie surrounds the rod. According to another embodiment, collars are disposed on the rod for adjusting the preload of the springs and additional masses may be placed on the mass sliding on the rod. A further embodiment includes a unit frame tie acting as the member and a rod connected to the unit frame tie. A mass is movable on the rod.

Abstract: A spray dampening device for a printing apparatus, the spray dampening device comprising a plurality of spray nozzles. The spray nozzles are each cycled at a predetermined frequency and at an individual nozzle phase shift with the individual phase shifts being synchronized so that an effective frequency of spray bursts applied to target surface of the printing apparatus is greater than the predetermined frequency. Dampening system performance may be improved without the implementation of new individual nozzle technology. The benefits of a pulsed dampener system are maintained while system performance approaches that of a continuous dampener.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an apparatus for cutting webs of material, including a first revolving member and a second revolving member having cutting elements integrated therein. Said revolving members, respectively, define a cutting region therebetween and supporting elements, respectively, assigned to said revolving elements within said cutting region. Said second revolving member comprises a belt assembly having a layered structure, said cutting elements mounted within said layered structure.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to transporting signatures within a folding apparatus. Exemplary embodiments include at least one pair of cooperating cutting cylinders, each having at least one of a knife and an anvil. A conveying plane extends in substantially vertical direction. A right and a left conveyor assembly are assigned to the conveying plane. The cooperating cutting cylinders are integrated into the paths of conveying elements of the left and right conveyor assemblies, seizing a web of material prior to a cutting operation.

Abstract: A mist containment system including shieldings (6, 7) assigned to a rotating surface (2). Gaps (4, 5) are created between the shielding (6, 7) and the rotating surface (2). Mist contained within the shieldings (6, 7) is kept within the shielding (6, 7) and prevented from escaping through the gaps (4, 5) either by a negative pressure differential device creating a negative pressure differential across the gaps (4, 5) or in alternative by a condensation device (17) condensing solution which is collected by gravity or by electrostatic charging the spray particles contained in the mist as well as the rotating surface (2).

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method and apparatus for flexible guiding of conveyed products (i.e., signatures) from one location to another. In order to reduce the impact forces imparted onto a conveyed product, a flexible guide is deformable when receiving a signature to increase the time interval during which collision during a signature direction change occurs. With the increase in the time interval during which the collision of the signature and flexible guide occurs, the average impact forces are reduced thereby eliminating damage to the signature.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to severing a running material web in a folding apparatus of a web-fed rotary printing press. In one exemplary embodiment, a severing element is moved in the traveling direction of the web with a speed which is substantially equal to the speed of the running web and is simultaneously moved across the width of the web in a substantially lateral direction. The severing element can be a sled with a blade, a laser source, a high-pressure fluid jet or a heated wire. The severing element is received and guided by a guiding rail coupled to a pair of endless parallel transport chains.