Abstract: In an example, a method of controlling voltage applied to a print blanket within a printing device includes printing a print job. During the printing, a null cycle trigger is received. In response to the trigger, contact between a print blanket and an impression drum is reduced.

Abstract: A variable cutoff printing press includes a plate cylinder, a plate cylinder support removably supporting the plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder, a blanket cylinder support removably supporting the blanket, an impression cylinder and an impression cylinder support. An actuator for moving the blanket cylinder support accommodates different blanket cylinder sizes, the actuator further moving the impression cylinder support so that regardless of blanket cylinder size a gap exists between the blanket cylinder support and the impression cylinder support. An on impression actuator moves the impression cylinder support against the blanket cylinder support to set a desired print load. A method is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a printing press. The printing press includes a frame, a plate cylinder, a plate cylinder support supporting the plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder for receiving an image from the plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder support supporting the blanket cylinder, an impression cylinder for supporting a printing substrate between the blanket cylinder and the impression cylinder, an actuator connected to and controlling a position of the plate cylinder support or the blanket cylinder support and a controller providing the actuator with a position setpoint, the actuator receiving position feedback signals to maintain the position setpoint during a printing operation. The present invention also provides a method for operating a printing press.

Abstract: In a cylinder throw-on/off apparatus for a printing press, a cylinder throw-on/off motor is driven while the notch of a blanket cylinder opposes the notch of a plate cylinder to throw on/off the blanket cylinder with respect to the plate cylinder, and driven while the notch of the blanket cylinder opposes the notch of an impression cylinder to throw on/off the blanket cylinder with respect to the impression cylinder. A throw-on operation control unit drives the cylinder throw-on/off motor, to control throw-on operation of the blanket cylinder for the plate cylinder and the impression cylinder. A motor drive amount calculation unit obtains a drive amount of the cylinder throw-on/off motor, while controlling the throw-on operation of the blanket cylinder, in accordance with the rotation phase of the printing press.

Abstract: An offset print unit includes a plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder having an end and a blanket gear coaxial with the blanket cylinder, a drive axle or pinion supporting a gear driving the blanket gear and a blanket lift arm for selectively supporting the end to cantilever the blanket cylinder, the blanket lift arm being rotatable about the drive axle or pinion. A method is also provided.

Abstract: An offset print unit includes a plate cylinder having an end, a rotatable plate cylinder support supporting the end and having a first bearing surface, a blanket cylinder having a blanket cylinder end, a rotatable blanket cylinder support supporting the end and having a second bearing surface and an actuating device for rotating the plate cylinder support and the blanket cylinder support, the first and second bearing surfaces contacting during a part of the rotation of the supports. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A printing group of a printing machine is comprised of a pair of cylinders each having a circumference that corresponds essentially to a length of a section of a side to be printed. The effective generated surface of at least one of the cylinders comprises, at the most, one break in the circumferential direction. The surface forms, in the longitudinal direction, a plurality of adjacently arranged breaks which, when viewed in the circumferential direction, are arranged in a staggered manner with respect to each other.

Abstract: A printing group of a printing machine is comprised of a pair of cylinders each having a circumference that corresponds essentially to a length of a section of a side to be printed. The effective generated surface of at least one of the cylinders comprises, at the most, one break in the circumferential direction. The surface forms, in the longitudinal direction, a plurality of adjacently arranged breaks which, when viewed in the circumferential direction, are arranged in a staggered manner with respect to each other.

Abstract: A printing group of a printing press has two forme cylinders, and two transfer cylinders which are assigned to the two forme cylinders and which, in a print-on position, cooperate to form a printing position. The forme cylinders and the transfer cylinders each have at least one groove or slit on their shell face which groove or slit is adapted to secure ends of a blanket or a dressing. The forme cylinders have circumferences which correspond to a section length of a printed page. Rotating shafts of the forme and transfer cylinders, when in the print-on position, are located in a common plane. The circumferential width of each of the grooves or slits, in the shell faces of the cylinder does not exceed 3 mm.

Abstract: A printing group of a printing machine is comprised of a pair of cylinders each having a circumference that corresponds essentially to a length of a section of a side to be printed. The effective generated surface of at least one of the cylinders comprises, at the most, one break in the circumferential direction. The surface forms, in the longitudinal direction, a plurality of adjacently arranged breaks which, when viewed in the circumferential direction, are arranged in a staggered manner with respect to each other.

Abstract: There is disclosed a printing unit (1) for use in an offset machine. The printing unit allows a broader use of offset machines (1). This is achieved in that the lacquer application means and the water application means comprise a unit (28) consisting of a doctor blade chamber device (30) and at least one roller (29, 32) for transferring lacquer or water from the doctor blade chamber device (30) to the plate cylinder (15) of the printing unit.

Abstract: At printing time, a blanket cylinder gear is meshed with a plate cylinder gear, whereby a first plate cylinder is rotatable by a drive motor. At image-recording time, the blanket cylinder gear is separated from the plate cylinder gear. In this state, a different motor drives the plate cylinder gear to rotate the first plate cylinder at low speed.

Abstract: At printing time, a blanket cylinder gear is meshed with a plate cylinder gear, whereby a first plate cylinder is rotatable by a drive motor. At image-recording time, the blanket cylinder gear is separated from the plate cylinder gear. In this state, a different motor drives the plate cylinder gear to rotate the first plate cylinder at low speed.

Abstract: A printing unit has a frame and a plurality of printing cylinders, including a first plate cylinder, a first blanket cylinder, a second blanket cylinder mounted in the frame and forming a nip with the first blanket cylinder for receiving a web of material to be printed, and a second plate cylinder. A plurality of eccentric boxes are mounted on the cylinders and supported in the frame. A plurality of actuation assemblies are provided that are connected to the eccentric boxes. One of the actuation assemblies is connected to each of the eccentric boxes for moving the eccentric boxes such that the printing cylinders can be selectively positioned between a thrown-off position and an engagement position in regards to adjacent printing cylinders. Because of the use of eccentric boxes, lower rated and less complicated actuation assemblies can be used.

Abstract: A method of operating a sheet-fed rotary printing machine includes mounting at least one rotating cylinder to be coupled to a drive or fixed relative to a framework, and moving an actuator to both uncouple the cylinder from the drive and fix the cylinder relative to the framework. A sheet-fed rotary printing machine includes a framework, a drive, at least one cylinder rotatably mounted to the framework, the cylinder is to be coupled to the drive or fixed relative to the framework, and a fixing and coupling configuration connected to the cylinder to both uncouple the cylinder from the drive and fix the cylinder relative to the framework.

Abstract: A link mechanism is provided for setting and maintaining a minimum spacial distance between a blanket cylinder and a plate cylinder of a rotary printing press. The link mechanism includes a first link arm that is rotatably mounted on an axle of the blanket cylinder at one of the blanket cylinder. A second link arm rotatably is mounted on an axle of the plate cylinder. The first link arm and the second link arm are pivotably connected to each other for single axis pivoting about a point offset to one side of an imaginary line drawn through centers of the plate cylinder axle and the blanket cylinder axle. An adjustment mechanism is positioned between the first and second link arms on projections offset to the other side of the imaginary line so that the set minimum spacial distance between the plate cylinder axles and the blanket cylinder axle can be adjustably set and maintained throughout impression rotation of the rotary printing press.

Abstract: A driving mechanism for a cylinder of a rotary printing machine utilizes a drive pinion that engages a drive gear of a cylinder which is supported in an eccentric bushing. The cylinder can be moved between print and non-print positions. The rotational axis of the drive pinion lies on a straight line defined by the axis of rotation of the cylinder and the axis of rotation of the eccentric bushing.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for starting-up/restarting continuous printing in a sheet-processing printing machine where the sheets to be printed are fed from a feeder stack connected to the printing machine via a switchable clutch, the feeder assembly is cut-in at a basic speed, and the printing machine is run-up to a continuous printing speed. According to the invention, the time for starting the running up of the printing machine from the basic speed to the continuous production speed is a function of the number of machine revolutions necessary to convey a first sheet from the feeder stack to a predetermined position inside the printing machine such that the first sheet reaches the predetermined position inside the printing machine at the same time or after the production speed is reached. The object of the invention is to reduce the number of rejects that occur during the starting-up/restarting of the printing machine to the largest extent possible.

Abstract: A method for starting/restarting the production run on a sheet-processing printing machine in which the sheets to be printed are fed from a stack to the printing machine by a feeder assembly couplable to the printing machine and including separately actuable members causing removal of sheets from the stack, the method comprising the steps of: rotating the printing machine at a basic rotational speed; cutting in the feeder assembly; running-up the coupled printing machine and feeder assembly to a higher rotational speed, and cutting in the members causing removal of sheets from the stack to cause sheets to be conveyed into the printing machine.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for displacing shaft-mounting bearing stands, which are secured to carriages, in carriage guides, preferably for displacing the bearing stands of plate cylinders and inking rollers of a printing unit in carriage tracks of the inking unit supports of a multicolor rotary press, comprising screw drives, which are driven by electric motors. To solve the object to provide such an apparatus in which shafts and particularly plate cylinders and associated inking rollers can mutually independently be displaced relative to each other and, e.g., relative to an impression cylinder, the invention resides in that a screw that extends parallel to a single carriage track is rotatably mounted in the machine frame or on the inking unit support and is provided with a drive. A nut which is non-rotatably and axially immovably connected to a bearing stand or to a carriage is mounted on the screw.

Abstract: A double-sided printing machine in which two sides of fed sheets are printed by two adjacent impression cylinders, each with their own plate and blanket cylinders. Thereby, the first impression cylinder acts as a sheet feed cylinder for the second impression cylinder.

Abstract: Mechanism for the control of printing pressures in a printing machine, particularly the printing pressures exerted by accessory devices such as a unit for the numbering of the printing articles. A single mechanism controls the single functions of the printing mechanism, such as the bringing into pressure engagement and the disengagement of the printing cylinders, the control of the inking unit, the control of the numbering device, and also possibly of other mechanisms. Around the circumference of a double-cam, there are arranged a plurality of two-arm levers. A first two-arm lever, which is pivotally arranged on a fixed, pivot pin is connected by means of a first pull rod with the mechanism of the inker unit. A second two-arm lever is journalled on a second fixed pivot, the second two-arm lever being connected by means of a second pull rod with a mechanism for imposing printing pressure and releasing such printing pressure.

Abstract: A printing apparatus of the type capable of printing on both sides of a paper supplied thereto is improved by enabling simple operation through the use of a single operating lever. Adjustment devices allow simple vertical and transversely adjustment of the plate cylinders with respect to the paper position. After printing is effected, the operating lever is shifted stepwise from the printing position to a starting position through intermediate positions wherein blanket cleaning and plate ejection functions are effected. Changeover between single and two-sided printing is easily effected by a simple switch operation.

Abstract: An offset printing machine including an operating lever mechanism in which, before the printing process is started, all required preliminary processes can be carried out while the operator can visually confirm them to thereby prevent unsatisfactory printing operations due to erroneous plate insertion. The operating lever is rigidly coupled to an operating shaft upon which are mounted cams and arms for controlling each of a plate loading device, a plate unloading device, a blanket cylinder cleaning device, a form roller control mechanism, a plate cylinder control mechanism, a sheet feed control mechanism, a water duct roller control mechanism and an ink duct roller control mechanism in accordance with the angular position of the operating shaft.

Abstract: An automatic printing machine including an automatic plate loading device wherein a water duct mechanism is first activated after which a form roller mechanism is operated to cause form rollers to contact a plate cylinder. After this, the plate loading device forms a plate loading operation in which an original plate is satisfactorily fitted onto the plate cylinder wherein the plate surface is prevented from being contaminated by ink. Satisfactory printing results are obtained as soon as the plate is loaded onto the plate cylinder so that the first printing sheet is satisfactory and there is no waste of printing sheets.

Abstract: A printing plate holding device for an offset duplicator. The device includes a base slidably positioned on one side of a grooved portion of a plate cylinder of the duplicator. A clamp plate is secured to the base and a clamp lever is attached to the clamp plate. A latch is loosely secured to a pin attached to the clamp lever and connected to a spring to provide a plate clamping force upon the clamp plate. A guide plate and a plate release preventing plate are attached to an outer longitudinal side of the base. An axial displacement control device is positioned at one longitudinal end of the cylinder while a circumferential displacement control device is positioned at the other longitudinal end thereof.

Abstract: A cam mechanism is described for automatically skewing a second cylinder in a printing press, such a form roller (24), in response to skewing of a first cylinder thereof, such as a plate cylinder (12), and for throw-on/throw-off of the second cylinder. The mounting (80, 82) for each end of the second cylinder is biased against a corresponding cam (74, 76), both cams being carried on a common cam shaft (78). A linkage (90) couples the cam shaft (78) to an eccentric (52) used for skewing the first cylinder (12). Upon skewing of the first cylinder (12), the linkage (90) rotates the cam shaft (78). The profiles of the cams (74, 76) are selected to be different so that this rotation of the cam shaft (78) causes one end of the second cylinder (24) to move to a greater extent than the other end, thereby skewing it by an amount matching the skewing of the first cylinder.

Abstract: An automatic control system for an offset printing machine includes a process execution instructions generating circuit having latched therein instructions for executing various operation processes and adapted to shift from one operation phase to another for successively generating process execution instructions, so that an ink forming and master plate feeding process, an inking process, a transfer-printing process, a printing process, and a master plate ejecting and cleaning process can be automatically executed in correct order. The number of times for executing each of the etching, inking, transfer-printing and cleaning processes can be adjusted in a process setting structure. When a master plate feeding error detecting signal is generated, the process execution instructions generating circuit is reset to an initial condition of stop instructions which prevailed prior to actuation of a start switch.

Abstract: A number printing machine for use with an offset printing press in which, with only a single numbering device, both a present and a successive number printing operation in which a desired number is printed a desired number of times can be carried out. Either of the two printing modes of operation can be selected by one action. A counter is provided which counts the number of times of printing of a number up to a value set on a dial unit. Once the preset value has been reached, a solenoid is actuated in response to which the number to be printed is changed to the next succeeding number.

Abstract: A tandem dual-head lithographic duplicator is equipped for operation in alternative modes, i.e., either for duplexing by printing on opposite faces of the copy sheets in sequence, or for simplexing. In the simplexing mode the printing of the copy sheets is carried out on one head simultaneously with the cleanup and preparation operations on the other head, with a sequence of printing jobs being performed alternately on one printing head and then on the other while, in each case, the non-printing head is being prepared. Accordingly, substantially continuous simplexing operation can be achieved except in the case of very short printing runs.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved methods and apparatus for printing, including equipment for adapting an offset press so that it may be operated flexographically, either to coat stock or print on it, without impairing the function of the press as an offset press. In addition, the equipment improves the application of two-part inks or catalyst set inks and permits simultaneous printing and coating of stock. The equipment includes a pair of rollers and an ink pan, as well as drive means for the rollers, and mounting means for bringing one of the rollers into ink transfer contact with the blanket roll of an offset press. The mounting means includes quick-release collars for easy removal of the rollers from the press when they are not needed, and for maintenance.

Abstract: An auxiliary printing unit assembly including an auxiliary press unit dimensioned to fit between the frame members of a press main frame. Stops on the main frame define a working position adjacent the press impression cylinder. A coupling assembly is journaled in the press main frame for interconnecting the press drive and the shaft of the press unit. The coupling assembly has an internally splined hollow drive shaft and an externally splined mandrel slidable in the drive shaft between inwardly extended and retracted positions. The mandrel has an expandible hub at its inner end dimensioned to mate with a recess in the press unit shaft when the mandrel is inwardly extended. The mandrel and press unit shaft have respective off-center registering elements which are also axially engaged when the mandrel is inwardly extended. Register indicia on the mandrel and the press unit shaft are so positioned that upon alignment thereof the registering elements are aligned with one another in readiness for axial engagement.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for a cylinder in a printing press including an anti-friction bushing interposed between the spindle of the cylinder and a bore in the press frame. In contact with the outside surface of the bushing is a cylindrical layer of durable anti-friction plastic material formed of a flat ribbon which is of uniform thickness dimensioned to fit snugly to prevent any radial play between the bushing and the frame. In the preferred form of the invention two bushings are used, one inside the other, with the layer of plastic material interposed between them. At least one of the bushings may have inner and outer cylindrical surfaces which are eccentric with respect to one another and may be provided with means for rocking adjustment to provide limited throw of the spindle. The preferred form of plastic material is polytetrafluoroethylene, commonly known as Teflon.

Abstract: An extruder or the like, continuously issues a heated plastics material in the form of an elongated web, which is moved sequentially to molding and article severing stations. The products cut out are moved to lip rolling printing and drying stations. Articles such as containers are formed by the mechanism which includes a turntable assembly for varying the length of the web travel path between an extruder and forming station to thereby control the residual heat in the web at the time of forming, and a molding drum with improved plug assist devices which are air powered and also include air emitting ports to move the web into intimate engagement with the mold cavities as a final forming step under controlled conditions which assure that the pressure is applied at exactly the proper time. The system includes a lip curling system which feeds containers severed from the web in stepwise fashion through forming roll sections and releases them in timed relation to indexible mandrels.

Abstract: A two-color offset printing press having two plate cylinders simultaneously engageable with a single blanket cylinder is disclosed. The plate cylinders and the blanket cylinder are rotatably mounted on a printer head fixed to the mainframe of the press. A first set of dampening and inking rollers is mounted on the printer head and engageable with one of the plate cylinders. A second set of dampening and inking rollers, engageable with the other plate cylinder, is mounted on a ball bushing supported carriage linearly movable to and from the printer head along a pair of parallel rails fixed to the mainframe. Image registry between the two plate cylinders is established by an operator-accessible adjustment mechanism for shifting one of the plate cylinders back and forth along its axis of rotation. An electrical safety interlock system precludes operator access to the carriage-associated plate cylinder during predetermined operating modes of the press.

Abstract: The squeeze of two opposed paper-receiving rolls of an offset printing press may be infinitely adjusted within a relatively small range by virtue of the fact that each end plate supporting the rolls has a slit therein between the axes of rotation of the rolls which will permit slight deformation of the plate in a direction transversely of the slit upon manipulation of an adjusting mechanism to shift the rolls toward and away from each other. Adjustment mechanism is provided on each plate and includes a cam that, when rotated by the longitudinal displacement of an operating link, has the effect of opening or closing a corresponding slit to thereby effect minute adjustment of the spatial relationship of the roll axes. The operating link has a specially threaded section from which the longitudinal displacement of the link is derived, the arrangement being such that the ratio of link rotation to link displacement is relatively high so that very fine adjustment of the critical roll relationship can be achieved.

Abstract: A mechanism actuates a sheet feed means after a predetermined length of time after a control lever is moved to a print position, thereby allowing sufficient ink to be transferred to a transfer roller such that the first sheet printed has the same density as subsequent sheets. The mechanism comprises a ratchet and a pawl, the pawl being reciprocatingly driven in synchronism with the transfer roller and advancing the ratchet from a reset position to a position in which it engages with a sheet feed control linkage to activate the sheet feed means in a predetermined number of reciprocations corresponding to the predetermined length of time.

Abstract: An apparatus for tripping into pressure contact and release an offset cylinder utilizing a worm-shaped body firmly mounted on the cylinder shaft and provided with a worm in engagement with a worm wheel rotatably mounted on the shaft and provided with an integrally formed lever connected by a carrier pivot with a pull rod for tripping the pressure cylinder. The worm-shaped body is divided by an adjustable clamping recess, while the carrier pivot is shiftably arranged on one end of a pull spring, the other end being attached to a wall of the printing machine.

Abstract: In an offset printing apparatus the tripping into pressure contact as well as the tripping out of pressure contact of the printing cylinders and the operation of the paper feed apparatus are controlled by a multi-arm lever that is operated by a double disk cam. The multi-arm lever operates the various printing cylinders and the paper feed mechanism through a number of control rods.

Abstract: A control mechanism for an offset printing machine in which total printing operation is efficiently and easily carried out through a single control shaft with a knob.The control mechanism is operative in a combination of an automatic mode and a manual mode to utilize advantages of both modes. The control shaft is rotatively constructed in such a way that its neutral position, its position for supply of ink and dampening solution to rollers, its position for transfer of ink and dampening solution to a master cylinder, its position for paper feeding and printing, its position for blanket cleaning, and its position for stopping the machine make one complete cyclic loop. The control shaft is manually rotated stepwise from its neutral position to its position for paper feeding and printing. After a pre-set number of sheets are printed, the control shaft is automatically rotated to its position for blanket cleaning and then to its position for stopping the machine.

Abstract: A system for facilitating throw-off and re-engagement of a blanket cylinder with respect to cooperating plate and impression cylinders and which minimizes wastage of copies incident to reestablishing equilibrium in the inking and dampening systems following an interruption of the normal printing process. Two separate control means are provided for controlling the rate of water flow, the first being an automatic control at the water fountain and the second being in the form of means for controllably disengaging the water form roller from the printing plate. Means are provided for switching from the first control means to the second when the blanket is disengaged for promptly cutting off the flow and thereafter maintaining a water film of predetermined thickness on the plate.

Abstract: A mechanism which has a first cam plate pivotally mounted on an operating shaft having an operating lever joined thereto and a second cam plate pivotally mounted on an eccentric shaft of a master cylinder and moved with an arm fixed to the operating shaft. The first cam plate is formed with a pump switch cam, a set cam for operating the operating lever stepwise and a paper feed control cam. The second cam plate is formed with a form roller-separating cam and a master cylinder-separating cam. The form roller-separating cam causes press contact between a form roller and the master cylinder when the operating lever is set at the I position. When the operating lever is set at II, the master cylinder-separating cam forces the master cylinder to maintain its contact with a blanket cylinder, and when the operating lever is set at IV, the paper feed control cam allows a suction foot to move down to start paper feed through an auxiliary operating lever.