Abstract: A plate cylinder includes a plate cylinder body having a longitudinally-extending first hole and a longitudinally extending plate-receiving gap connected to the first hole, the plate cylinder body having a longitudinally-extending second hole parallel to the first hole; and a lock-up mechanism including: a torsion bar extending in the longitudinally extending hole and having a surface for contacting an end of a plate located in the gap; a swing bar extending longitudinally in the second hole and being movable perpendicular to a longitudinal direction due to the second hole being oversized compared to dimensions of the swing bar within the second hole; a lever connecting the swing bar and the torsion bar, the torsion bar being rotatable as the swing bar moves within the second hole; and an activator for rotating the torsion bar. A printing press and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A plate cylinder includes a plate cylinder body having a longitudinally-extending first hole and a longitudinally extending plate-receiving gap connected to the first hole, the plate cylinder body having a longitudinally-extending second hole parallel to the first hole; and a lock-up mechanism including: a torsion bar extending in the longitudinally extending hole and having a surface for contacting an end of a plate located in the gap; a swing bar extending longitudinally in the second hole and being movable perpendicular to a longitudinal direction due to the second hole being oversized compared to dimensions of the swing bar within the second hole; a lever connecting the swing bar and the torsion bar, the torsion bar being rotatable as the swing bar moves within the second hole; and an activator for rotating the torsion bar. A printing press and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A variable cutoff cylinder alignment apparatus is provided. The variable cutoff cylinder alignment apparatus includes a plate cylinder support box for supporting an exchangeable variable cutoff plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder support box for supporting an exchangeable variable cutoff blanket cylinder and an alignment stop adapted to align the blanket cylinder support box and the plate cylinder support box. The plate cylinder support box supports an exchangeable plate cam and the blanket cylinder support box includes a blanket cam. The exchangeable plate cam is capable of contacting the stop and the exchangeable blanket cam is capable of contacting the plate support box to align the blanket cylinder support box and the plate cylinder support box. The plate cylinder support box and the blanket cylinder support box are capable of aligning cylinders of different sized cutoffs. A variable cutoff offset printing press and a method of aligning printing cylinders during a cutoff change are also provided.

Abstract: A variable cutoff printing unit is provided that includes a plate cylinder, a plate cylinder support removably supporting the plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder, a blanket cylinder support removably supporting the blanket cylinder, a frame, the plate cylinder support and the blanket cylinder support being coupled to the frame, a sliding element coupled to the blanket cylinder support for moving the blanket cylinder support toward and away from the plate cylinder support, and a stopping device for stopping movement of the sliding element to limit the movement of the blanket cylinder toward and away from the plate cylinder to a defined range. A method of operating a variable cutoff printing unit is also provided.

Abstract: A variable-diameter printing press cylinder is provided. The variable-diameter printing press cylinder includes a cylinder body, a first shell segment having a first circumferential end portion and a second shell segment having a second circumferential end portion. The first and second shell segments are mounted on the cylinder body via the first and second circumferential end portions. A method of varying a circumference of a cylinder in a printing press and a printing press are also provided.

Abstract: An adjustable dampening apparatus and an adjustable inking apparatus is provided. The adjustable dampening apparatus includes a rotatable base for supporting a dampening roller, a rotatable socket connected to the rotatable base for adjusting a position of the dampening roller, a first actuating device connected to the rotatable base for positioning the rotatable base in a predetermined position for a given cutoff and a second actuating device connected to the rotatable socket for positioning the rotatable socket between a first position and a second position. Adjustable inking apparatus and variable cutoff printing presses are also provided. A method for adjusting dampening apparatus and inking apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: A variable cutoff printing unit is provided that includes a plate cylinder, a plate cylinder support removably supporting the plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder, a blanket cylinder support removably supporting the blanket cylinder, a frame, the plate cylinder support and the blanket cylinder support being coupled to the frame, a sliding element coupled to the blanket cylinder support for moving the blanket cylinder support toward and away from the plate cylinder support, and a stopping device for stopping movement of the sliding element to limit the movement of the blanket cylinder toward and away from the plate cylinder to a defined range. A method of operating a variable cutoff printing unit is also provided.

Abstract: A variable cutoff cylinder alignment apparatus is provided. The variable cutoff cylinder alignment apparatus includes a plate cylinder support box for supporting an exchangeable variable cutoff plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder support box for supporting an exchangeable variable cutoff blanket cylinder and an alignment stop adapted to align the blanket cylinder support box and the plate cylinder support box. The plate cylinder support box supports an exchangeable plate cam and the blanket cylinder support box includes a blanket cam. The exchangeable plate cam is capable of contacting the stop and the exchangeable blanket cam is capable of contacting the plate support box to align the blanket cylinder support box and the plate cylinder support box. The plate cylinder support box and the blanket cylinder support box are capable of aligning cylinders of different sized cutoffs. A variable cutoff offset printing press and a method of aligning printing cylinders during a cutoff change are also provided.

Abstract: A variable-diameter printing press cylinder is provided. The variable-diameter printing press cylinder includes a cylinder body, a first shell segment having a first circumferential end portion and a second shell segment having a second circumferential end portion. The first and second shell segments are mounted on the cylinder body via the first and second circumferential end portions. A method of varying a circumference of a cylinder in a printing press and a printing press are also provided.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a printing press comprises a printing plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder and a support arrangement for mounting the printing plate cylinder in an opposed, movable relation to the blanket cylinder. A biasing arrangement is arranged and configured to bias the printing plate cylinder and the blanket cylinder toward one another to form a nip. According to a feature of the present invention, a stop member is arranged and configured to maintain a minimum spacing between the printing plate cylinder and the blanket cylinder.

Abstract: A tucking device for tucking a printing plate into a gap of a plate cylinder includes a tucker bar having a tucking surface and at least one magnet for creating a repulsive magnetic force at the tucking surface. An actuator connected to the tucker bar is used for moving the tucker bar to tuck the printing plate into the gap.

Abstract: A web infeed device for rotary printing presses includes a pointed nose piece having concave side portions. The flexible infeed element is received in a guide, and driving elements are provided for driving the infeed element along the guide.

Abstract: A counterpoise device for cantilevering at least one cylinder of a printing press has a movable counterpoise element for selectively contacting the cylinder and a stationary mount. A guide link rotatably attaches to the stationary mount plate and rotatably attaches to movable counterpoise element. An actuating device is connected to the movable counterpoise device at a different location than the guide link for moving the counterpoise device with respect to the cylinder.

Abstract: A register device for insertion into a channel of a printing unit cylinder. The device includes a rod defining an axial direction and a pin support movable in the axial direction by the rod, the rod being movable with respect to the pin support in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. A register pin is attached to the pin support. Also provided is a register device with a pin support, a register pin and shims for altering the position of the register pin on the pin support.

Abstract: A plate cylinder has a cylinder body having a cylinder body outer surface for a first image to be printed and a first end, and a shell having an inner surface circumferentially disposed about the first end and having a gap for holding a printing plate, the shell being axially and circumferentially moveable with respect to the first end and having a shell outer surface for a second image to be printed, the inner surface having at least one projection directed inwardly, the gap extending into the projection.

Abstract: A tucking device for tucking a printing plate into a gap of a plate cylinder includes a tucker bar having a tucking surface and at least one magnet for creating a repulsive magnetic force at the tucking surface. An actuator connected to the tucker bar is used for moving the tucker bar to tuck the printing plate into the gap.

Abstract: A plate cylinder has a cylinder body having a cylinder body outer surface for a first image to be printed and a first end, and a shell having an inner surface circumferentially disposed about the first end and having a gap for holding a printing plate, the shell being axially and circumferentially moveable with respect to the first end and having a shell outer surface for a second image to be printed, the inner surface having at least one projection directed inwardly, the gap extending into the projection.

Abstract: A web infeed device for rotary printing presses includes a pointed nose piece having concave side portions. The flexible infeed element is received in a guide, and driving elements are provided for driving the infeed element along the guide.

Abstract: A tucking device for tucking a printing plate into a gap of a plate cylinder includes a tucker bar having a tucking surface and at least one magnet for creating a repulsive magnetic force at the tucking surface. An actuator connected to the tucker bar is used for moving the tucker bar to tuck the printing plate into the gap.

Abstract: A printing press comprising a multi-plate plate cylinder for carrying at least a first printing plate and a second printing plate, the plate cylinder having a cylinder body with an outer surface and a lock-up bar having a retracted position and an extended position, the lock-up bar for fastening both of the first and second plates about the outer surface in the retracted position. A tucker bar is located adjacent the lock-up bar, the tucker bar including at least a first segment for tucking and holding the first printing plate on the plate cylinder and a second segment for tucking and holding the second printing plate on the plate cylinder, the first segment being independently movable with respect to the second segment.