Abstract: A radio frequency shield which reversibly transects an electromagnetic frequency enclosure is provided. The shield includes first a number of panels attached to a first surface of the enclosure. The panels are adapted to move through a first arc relative to the first surface. Shield also includes a first panel from the number of panels having a first leading edge capable of transecting the first arc. The shield further includes a second number of panels attached to a second surface of the enclosure. The second set of panels is adapted to move through an arc relative to the second surface of the enclosure. Also a second panel from said second set of panels has a second leading edge capable of transecting the second arc so as to oppose the first leading edge. Finally, the shield includes a means for reversibly attaching the first leading edge to the second leading edge while simultaneously establishing electrical communication between the first and second plurality of panels.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an ink rail assembly having a key sharing provision. The ink rail assembly includes a page pack having an ink inlet for receiving ink from an ink source and an ink outlet; and an ink rail fluidly coupled to the page pack ink outlet. The ink rail includes at least two ink keys for delivering ink to a drum of a printing press, and a diverter assembly in fluid communication with the at least two ink keys and to the page pack to control the flow of ink from the page pack and selective divert the flow of ink between the at least two ink keys.

Abstract: The invention provides a door system which has a door leaf with a first horizontally disposed edge and a second horizontally disposed edge inferior to the first horizontally disposed edge. The door system also includes a rod-less cylinder in communication with the first horizontally disposed edge and a cam surface formed with the second horizontally disposed edge. The cam surface limits the door to a single plane of movement relative to an opening of an enclosure defining a door jamb.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an ink rail assembly having a key sharing provision. The ink rail assembly includes a page pack having an ink inlet for receiving ink from an ink source and an ink outlet; and an ink rail fluidly coupled to the page pack ink outlet. The ink rail includes at least two ink keys for delivering ink to a drum of a printing press, and a diverter assembly in fluid communication with the at least two ink keys and to the page pack to control the flow of ink from the page pack and selective divert the flow of ink between the at least two ink keys.

Abstract: A printing press having inboard cantilevered cylinder supports is disclosed. The press includes a frame with a drive side spaced from a non-drive side, and the press includes a cylinder defining an having an axis and having a drive end and a non-drive end. The drive end includes a drive aperture extending axially into the cylinder and a splined insert mounted within the drive aperture, while the non-drive end includes a non-drive aperture extending axially into the cylinder. A drive shaft is rotatably mounted to the drive side of the frame and is arranged for connection to a power source. The drive shaft includes a spline sized to engage the splined insert and is arranged to a portion of the cylinder, while a mandrel carried by the non-drive side of the frame extends into the non-drive aperture and is arranged to support another portion of the cylinder.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for use on a printing press is disclosed. A printing press includes a support frame. A shaft having a first end and a second end fixedly attached to the support frame, the shaft arranged to define a longitudinal axis relative to the support frame. A cylinder, the cylinder having a cylinder bore formed therethrough; and a bearing assembly having an outer circumferemce and an inner bore, the outer circumference sized insertion within the cylinder bore and the inner bore sized to rotatably engage the shaft. The bearing assembling includes an adjustment assembly including a first tapered portion and a second tapered portion, the first and second tapered portions cooperate to permit angular adjustment of the cylinder relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the angular adjustment of the cylinder being about an axis perpendicular to the support shaft longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for use on a printing press is disclosed. The printing press includes a frame. A support shaft is mounted to the frame and includes a pair of ends, with the support shaft defining a longitudinal axis. A cylinder is provided, and the bearing assembly rotatably supports the cylinder on the support shaft. The bearing assembly is adapted to permit angular adjustment of the cylinder relative to the longitudinal axis of the support shaft. The angular adjustment of the cylinder is effected about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support shaft.

Abstract: A control system for regulating the composition of an emulsion ink made from an oil-based ink and a water-based fountain solution using a mixing and dispersing apparatus includes a liquid level sensor, means responsive to the liquid level sensor for maintaining a proper liquid level in the mixing and dispersing apparatus, and means for producing an emulsion ink with a water content value which is within a predetermined range from a desired water content value. The producing means includes a feedforward controller and a feedback controller for regulating water-based fountain solution input rate to the mixing and dispersing apparatus.

Abstract: A control system for regulating the composition of an emulsion ink made from an oil-based ink and a water-based fountain solution using a mixing and dispersing apparatus includes a liquid level sensor, means responsive to the liquid level sensor for maintaining a proper liquid level in the mixing and dispersing apparatus, and means for producing an emulsion ink with a water content value which is within a predetermined range from a desired water content value. The producing means includes a feedforward controller and a feedback controller for regulating water-based fountain solution input rate to the mixing and dispersing apparatus.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for use on a printing press is disclosed. The printing press includes a frame. A support shaft is mounted to the frame and includes a pair of ends, with the support shaft defining a longitudinal axis. A cylinder is provided, and the bearing assembly rotatably supports the cylinder on the support shaft. The bearing assembly is adapted to permit angular adjustment of the cylinder relative to the longitudinal axis of the support shaft. The angular adjustment of the cylinder is effected about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supplying emulsion ink to a printing plate on a printing press is disclosed. The apparatus includes an ink feed and recirculation system and associated control system to quickly and reliably form a high quality emulsion ink. The control system utilizes both feedback and feedforward control strategies. The recirculation of the emulsion ink ensures that the emulsion ink remains stable and makes it possible to reformulate the emulsion ink, if necessary, without waiting for the exhaustion of all of the emulsion ink that is in need of reformulation.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for rotatably supporting the cylinder on a printing press is disclosed. The printing press comprises a frame, a support shaft, a cylinder, and the bearing assembly. The support shaft includes an inner fixed end attached to the frame, a free end disposed outwardly away from the frame, and an interconnecting central portion. The bearing assembly rotatably supports the cylinder on the support shaft The bearing assembly includes an inboard bearing set secured to the support shaft adjacent the central portion, and further includes an outboard bearing set secured to the support shaft adjacent the free end. A portion of the bearing assembly is adapted to permit angular adjustment of the cylinder about an axis perpendicular to the support shaft longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A water metering apparatus for measuring water concentrations in a water-ink emulsion used in a printing press is provided. The apparatus develops a substantially linear output for water concentrations ranging from 0% to approximately 50% without employing a logarithmic amplifier. In addition, an improved sensor for use in the water metering apparatus is provided.

Abstract: In order to control the delivery of a liquid to a vessel, a liquid level control system includes a regulated supply of low pressure air delivered to an air supply tube which extends to a liquid vessel for discharging the low pressure air at a preselected level within the liquid vessel. The control system also includes a sensor sensing fluctuations in air pressure at an intermediate point along the air supply tube. In particular, the sensor senses a first air pressure when the liquid is below the preselected level and sensing a second, higher air pressure when the liquid is at or above the preselected level. The sensor is in communication with the liquid supply source to produce a signal upon sensing the second, higher air pressure in the air supply tube. When the higher pressure is sensed, the sensor sends the signal it produced and the liquid supply source is responsive to the signal to stop supplying liquid to the liquid vessel.

Abstract: In order to facilitate removal and replacement of blanket and impression sleeves in a rotary offset printing press, the blanket and plate cylinders are supported in cantilever fashion. The cantilevered cylinders allow axial removal and replacement of the blanket and impression sleeves without temporary support of the cylinder and without removal of any bearings. Each cylinder is rotatably supported on a cantilevered support shaft having a bore therethrough. A drive shaft operatively connected to a drive motor extends through the support shaft bore and engages the inner surface of the generally hollow cylinder. A blanket or impression sleeve mounted on the cylinder is removable using compressed air, which is routed through a bore in the drive shaft and through a plurality of radially oriented passage in a flange on the end of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A dampening assembly (10) for a printing press (12) having a spray bar (16) and source (18) of a liquid (L). The system (10) has a pressure regulator (22) being connected to the source (18) through a first conduit (20), and being connected to the spray bar (16) through a second conduit (24). The system (10) has an accumulator (26) having a chamber (28) being separated into first and second compartments (32 and 34), with the first compartment (32) being closed and being charged with an inert gas (G), and the second compartment (34) being connected to the second conduit (24). The system 10 has a third conduit (38) being connected between the second conduit (24) and the supply (18), and having a flow restriction orifice (40) restricting the flow of liquid (L) between the second conduit (24) and the source (18).

Abstract: A rotary offset printing press having a pair of carriage mounted interchangeable plate cylinders is disclosed. The carriage is slidably mounted to the press and reciprocates along a generally linear path. The pair of plate cylinders are rotatably mounted to the carriage, and each of the plate cylinders is selectively moveable into an operative position in contact with the blanket cylinder. Accordingly, while the press is operating using one of the plate cylinders, the other plate cylinder is idle, which permits the impression sleeve thereon to be removed and replaced without stopping the press. The plate cylinders, when in their respective operative positions, contact the blanket cylinder at the same point of tangency, thus simplifying registration.

Abstract: An improved throw off device for disengaging adjacent blanket cylinders (12) and (14) from each other and corresponding adjacent plate cylinders (16) and (18) is provided. The device includes pairs of bearing assemblies (28A), (28B), (30A) and (30B) that are mounted on the opposite ends of the journal (26) of each of the blanket cylinders (12) and (14). Each bearing assembly is defined by an inner race (36) and an outer race (38) having an eccentric bore in which the inner race is disposed. The device eliminates the need for a bearing sleeve. Each bearing assembly has a lever (74) arm that is mounted to the outer race (38). The lever arm (74) is defined by two wing-shaped portions (76) and (78). Each bearing assembly further includes a hydraulic cylinder (86). Each hydraulic cylinder (86) is coupled at one end to one of the two wing-shaped portions of the lever arm (74) and at the other end to one of the side frames of the printing press.

Abstract: A printing press (10) with a dampener roller (16) and a spray bar assembly (12) for spraying dampening liquid (20) onto the dampener roller is provided with a dampening liquid spray control apparatus (15) including a control member (18) with a diagonal blocking section (40) for blocking dampening liquid (20) from impinging upon selected locations on the dampener roller (16) when there is a relatively narrow web running in the press and a transverse deflecting section (42) for deflecting dampening liquid (20) onto the dispenser roller at preselected locations adjacent the end of the dampener roller (16A) when a relatively wider web is running in the press to reduce scumming and an adjustable mounting apparatus (24, 26, 28, 30, 31, 34 and 37) to mount the control member (18) in different positions to achieve different dampening results.

Abstract: A spray bar assembly (10) for a printing press (12) having a source of liquid, at least one nozzle (42) communicating with the source, a pair of opposed elongated side walls housing the nozzle (42), a support member extending along the side walls, and an end baffle extending between the side walls near an end of the side walls, with the baffle being movably mounted on the support member to longitudinally adjust the position of the baffle relative to the side walls.