Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling the operation of a printing press and a flexographic printing press for implementing said method, wherein the method comprises performing the following steps: a) capturing information from at least one image printed by said printing press; and b) comparing said information captured from said printed image with at least some digital-format information predetermined in prepress, or digital prepress information, including at least one part of the image to be printed. The method comprises adjusting the pressure and/or register setting of one or more printing units of the printing press, using at least the result of the comparison in said step b). The press is designed in order to implement the method.

Abstract: Printing facility for the manipulation of a plurality of sleeve assemblies (52) each composed by a printing sleeve (50) having a cylindrical internal surface (61) with a diameter larger than the diameter of a printing shaft (12) and an independent tubular cylindrical intermediate sleeve (51) inserted into the cylindrical printing sleeve (50), said printing sleeve comprising a printing machine (10) comprising cylindrical printing shafts (12), and a robotic unit (20) comprising a sleeves handling device (21), the facility further comprising a first storage (30) for store a plurality of printing sleeves (50), which include retaining elements (31) for the immobilization of the stored printing sleeves (50) in geometrical interference with the printing cylindrical external surface (60) and/or with at least one of the annular faces (62) of the printing sleeves (50).

Abstract: An automatic handling and transport device for printing sleeves that includes a holding support (10) for printing sleeves (60) and a clamping carriage (20) connected to a motorized carriage (30) for a guided movement of the clamping carriage (20) between a gripping position for gripping sleeves (60) and a transport position, and a mobile handling unit (90) carrying the holding support (10). The holding support (10) has an inner core (12) attached to the mobile handling unit (90), and the holding support (10) is coupled to the core (12) or to the mobile handling unit (90) through adaptable support means (40), which provide a relative movement with respect to the core (12) to at least one of the two ends of the holding support (10). The connection of the clamping carriage (20) to the motorized carriage (30) comprises adaptable means (49) that allow a relative movement between the clamping carriage (20) and the motorized carriage (30).

Abstract: Variable format offset printing machine having a central impression cylinder The printing machine comprises a central impression cylinder (1) on which a web printable substrate (B) is supported and a plurality of printing stations arranged around the central impression cylinder (1). Each printing station comprises a blanket cylinder (2) of variable diameter, a plate cylinder (3) of variable diameter, and an offset inking unit (4). Said blanket cylinder (2), plate cylinder (3) and offset inking unit (4) are individually movable between respective withdraw positions and respective multiple working positions for different diameters of the blanket and plate cylinders (2, 3). At least one of said printing stations has the axis of the blanket cylinder (2) and the axis of the plate cylinder (3) comprised in an inclined first plane (P1) which does not comprise the axis of the central impression cylinder (1) at any of said multiple working positions for different diameters of the blanket and plate cylinders (2, 3).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling the operation of a printing press and a flexographic printing press for implementing said method, wherein the method comprises performing the following steps: a) capturing information from at least one image printed by said printing press; and b) comparing said information captured from said printed image with at least some digital-format information predetermined in prepress, or digital prepress information, including at least one part of the image to be printed. The method comprises adjusting the pressure and/or register setting of one or more printing units of the printing press, using at least the result of the comparison in said step b). The press is designed in order to implement the method.

Abstract: An automatic handling and transport device for printing sleeves that includes a holding support (10) for printing sleeves (60) and a clamping carriage (20) connected to a motorized carriage (30) for a guided movement of the clamping carriage (20) between a gripping position for gripping sleeves (60) and a transport position, and a mobile handling unit (90) carrying the holding support (10). The holding support (10) has an inner core (12) attached to the mobile handling unit (90), and the holding support (10) is coupled to the core (12) or to the mobile handling unit (90) through adaptable support means (40), which provide a relative movement with respect to the core (12) to at least one of the two ends of the holding support (10). The connection of the clamping carriage (20) to the motorized carriage (30) comprises adaptable means (49) that allow a relative movement between the clamping carriage (20) and the motorized carriage (30).

Abstract: Variable format offset printing machine having a central impression cylinder The printing machine comprises a central impression cylinder (1) on which a web printable substrate (B) is supported and a plurality of printing stations arranged around the central impression cylinder (1). Each printing station comprises a blanket cylinder (2) of variable diameter, a plate cylinder (3) of variable diameter, and an offset inking unit (4). Said blanket cylinder (2), plate cylinder (3) and offset inking unit (4) are individually movable between respective withdraw positions and respective multiple working positions for different diameters of the blanket and plate cylinders (2, 3). At least one of said printing stations has the axis of the blanket cylinder (2) and the axis of the plate cylinder (3) comprised in an inclined first plane (P1) which does not comprise the axis of the central impression cylinder (1) at any of said multiple working positions for different diameters of the blanket and plate cylinders (2, 3).

Abstract: The printing machine (50) comprises a central impression drum (35) supporting a web substrate (S), several printing groups (51-55) arranged around an entry side (35a) and several printing groups (56-60) arranged around an exit side (35b) of the central impression drum for applying water-based inks or solvent-based inks on the web substrate (S), and at least one drying unit (61-69) arranged between each pair of adjacent printing groups. The first drying unit located in a larger space between the first printing group (51) and the subsequent printing group (53) and/or the last drying unit located in a larger space between the last printing group (60) and the preceding printing group (58) is an extensive drying unit (61, 69) providing an exposure time to a drying agent longer than the remaining drying units.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling the operation of a printing press and a flexographic printing press for implementing said method, wherein the method comprises performing the following steps: a) capturing information from at least one image printed by said printing press; and b) comparing said information captured from said printed image with at least some digital-format information predetermined in prepress, or digital prepress information, including at least one part of the image to be printed. The method comprises adjusting the pressure and/or register setting of one or more printing units of the printing press, using at least the result of the comparison in said step b). The press is designed in order to implement the method.

Abstract: The printing machine has a central impression cylinder (1) on which a web printable substrate (B) is supported and a plurality of printing stations arranged around the central impression cylinder (1). Each printing station includes a blanket cylinder (2) of variable diameter, a plate cylinder (3) of variable diameter, and an offset inking unit (4). The blanket cylinder (2), plate cylinder (3) and offset inking unit (4) are individually movable between respective withdrawn positions and respective multiple working positions for different diameters of the blanket and plate cylinders (2, 3). At least one of the printing stations has the axis of the blanket cylinder (2) and the axis of the plate cylinder (3) in an inclined first plane (P1), which does not include the axis of the central impression cylinder (1) at any of the multiple working positions for different diameters of the blanket and plate cylinders (2, 3).

Abstract: The printing machine (50) comprises a central impression drum (35) supporting a web substrate (S), several printing groups (51-55) arranged around an entry side (35a) and several printing groups (56-60) arranged around an exit side (35b) of the central impression drum for applying water-based inks or solvent-based inks on the web substrate (S), and at least one drying unit (61-69) arranged between each pair of adjacent printing groups. The first drying unit located in a larger space between the first printing group (51) and the subsequent printing group (53) and/or the last drying unit located in a larger space between the last printing group (60) and the preceding printing group (58) is an extensive drying unit (61, 69) providing an exposure time to a drying agent longer than the remaining drying units.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a scraper device for a printing machine which comprises a scraper body (20) having longitudinal blades (2) and lateral sealing elements, and having ink inlet and outlet passages (24). The scraper body (20) is supported by a scraper support (10) adjacent to an inking roller of a printing machine, and having ink supply and discharge passages (11) connected to respective ink supply and discharge conduits of an ink circulation device. Positioning and fixing means allow fixing the scraper body (20) to the scraper support (10) in an operating position in which openings (24a) of said ink inlet and outlet passages (24) of the scraper body (20) are in fluid communication with openings (11a) of said ink supply and discharge passages (11) of the scraper support (10).

Abstract: The printing machine for variable format offset includes a printing roller or drum, and at least one printing group including a guide system fixed in relation with the printing roller or drum, a first carriage displaceable along the guide system and configured for supporting a rubber-wrapped blanket roller or sleeve of variable size, a second carriage displaceable along the guide system and configured for supporting a plate roller or sleeve of variable size, and a third carriage displaceable along the guide system carrying an offset inking head. The head has devices for approximating the third carriage to the plate roller, identifying and fixing its working position in relation with the plate sleeve and fitting ink-supplying roller or rollers to the plate roller.

Abstract: The printing machine comprises a central impression cylinder (1) on which a web printable substrate (B) is supported and a plurality of printing stations arranged around the central impression cylinder (1). Each printing station comprises a blanket cylinder (2) of variable diameter, a plate cylinder (3) of variable diameter, and an offset inking unit (4). Said blanket cylinder (2), plate cylinder (3) and offset inking unit (4) are individually movable between respective withdraw positions and respective multiple working positions for different diameters of the blanket and plate cylinders (2, 3). At least one of said printing stations has the axis of the blanket cylinder (2) and the axis of the plate cylinder (3) comprised in an inclined first plane (P1) which does not comprise the axis of the central impression cylinder (1) at any of said multiple working positions for different diameters of the blanket and plate cylinders (2, 3).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a scraper device for a printing machine which comprises a scraper body (20) having longitudinal blades (2) and lateral sealing elements, and having ink inlet and outlet passages (24). The scraper body (20) is supported by a scraper support (10) adjacent to an inking roller of a printing machine, and having ink supply and discharge passages (11) connected to respective ink supply and discharge conduits of an ink circulation device. Positioning and fixing means allow fixing the scraper body (20) to the scraper support (10) in an operating position in which openings (24a) of said ink inlet and outlet passages (24) of the scraper body (20) are in fluid communication with openings (11a) of said ink supply and discharge passages (11) of the scraper support (10).

Abstract: The printing machine for variable format offset includes a printing roller or drum, and at least one printing group including a guide system fixed in relation with the printing roller or drum, a first carriage displaceable along the guide system and configured for supporting a rubber-wrapped blanket roller or sleeve of variable size, a second carriage displaceable along the guide system and configured for supporting a plate roller or sleeve of variable size, and a third carriage displaceable along the guide system carrying an offset inking head. The head has devices for approximating the third carriage to the plate roller, identifying and fixing its working position in relation with the plate sleeve and fitting ink-supplying roller or rollers to the plate roller.

Abstract: A flexographic printing machine including at least one printing unit with an ink roller mounted at one end to a first sliding support and a plate-holding roller mounted at one end to a second sliding support, and at least one guide member for guiding the movements of the supports in directions parallel to an imaginary line which perpendicularly intersects the axes of the ink and plate-holding rollers. In addition, first upper and lower screws are provided parallel to said line above and below the axes of the ink and plate-holding rollers in order to move the first support, and second upper and lower screws are provided parallel to the line above and below the axes of the ink and plate-holding rollers in order to move the second support.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic handling and transportation device for a printer housing. The device comprises a basic mobile unit movable on a first route and at least one handling unit mounted on the basic mobile unit. The handling unit includes a support for guiding and supporting housings born on a second route parallel to a housing-bearing assembly on a printing machine, able to be aligned with the same and an grasping/holding device, adapted to hold a housing and move it on the second route between a transferral position in which the grasping/holding device interacts with the housing installed on the housing-bearing assembly, and a transportation position in which the housing, held by the grasping/holding device is on the support, and vice-versa.

Abstract: A method of automatically adjusting the printing pressure in flexographic printing machines is disclosed. The method is applied to flexographic machines with a rotating support drum around which a series of printing units with a series of printing rollers associated to respective ink rollers are arranged, and includes carrying out for each printing unit: detecting the start and the end of one mark (M1) printed with a printing roller and the angular positions of one or more rollers of the printing unit to which the printing roller belongs, and based on the detections establishing the size (Td) of the mark; comparing the detected size (Td) with a predetermined size (Tr) of the mark (M1) which is representative of a good print quality, and if the sizes are not equal adjusting the pressure of the printing roller which has printed the mark (M1) and of the associated ink roller.

Abstract: A flexographic printing machine including at least one printing unit with an ink roller mounted at one end to a first sliding support and a plate-holding roller mounted at one end to a second sliding support, and at least one guide member for guiding the movements of the supports in directions parallel to an imaginary line which perpendicularly intersects the axes of the ink and plate-holding rollers. In addition, first upper and lower screws are provided parallel to said line above and below the axes of the ink and plate-holding rollers in order to move the first support, and second upper and lower screws are provided parallel to the line above and below the axes of the ink and plate-holding rollers in order to move the second support.