Abstract: Disclosed is a moistening water supply apparatus for a printing press. The apparatus includes, between a moistening water tank and the printing cylinder of the press, a rubber roller and a moistening roller. Each of the rubber roller and the moistening roller is formed of a certain rubber material whereby the angle .alpha. at which the rubber roller contacts water is made smaller than the angle .beta. at which the moistening roller contacts water. The rubber material contains a prescribed surface active agent added thereto in accordance with necessity.

Abstract: An offset rotary machine including a printing unit with two plate cylinders which are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other. The two plate cylinders are mounted so as to be engageable and disengageable alternatingly against a rubber blanket cylinder and an inking mechanism. A single inking roller is pressed against the engaged plate cylinder. Only a single dampening roller of the dampening mechanism is pressed against the inking roller. The alternating engagement of the two plate cylinders makes it possible to carry out a flying plate exchange while maintaining the ink/water balance and, consequently, preventing a misprint until the ink/water balance has been reached. Moreover, an additional printing unit, inking mechanism and dampening mechanism is not necessary for the flying plate exchange.

Abstract: A pneumatic axially oscillated, frictionally rotated roller is disclosed and may be used in the ink or damping systems of a printing press. The roller features an internal air piston-cylinder construction that causes the axial motion but permits the roller to freely rotate. Further, several air cylinders can be stacked on each side of the roller to permit even a small diameter roller to be pneumatically oscillated. The roller, when used as an ink form roller, may be operated to oscillate in synchronization with an adjacent oscillating, vibrating roller to continually diagonally redistribute the ink so as to eliminate or minimize "ghosting". The foregoing is accomplished by controlling the oscillation of the form roller to move axially in a direction opposite of that of the vibrating roller. The lengths of the strokes of the two rollers may differ or be the same.

Abstract: A printing mechanism and a distributing roller unit thereof has an inking roller, a dampening roller, a distributing roller located between the inking roller and dampening roller and movable between at least two positions in which it becomes alternately associated with the inking roller and the dampening roller and axially displaceable relative to the inking roller and the dampening roller, respectively, and elements for moving the distributing roller between the two positions and axially displacing the same.

Abstract: Printing unit for rotary printing presses having at least one printing unit and at least one ink-conduction cylinder comprising an engageable and disengageable ink-reducing unit assigned to one of the ink-conducting cylinders and having at least one roller, a doctor blade engageable with the one roller and an ink-collection trough, the one roller, while printing is stopped but while ink is being supplied, being in engagement with the ink-conducting cylinder for removing from the ink-conducting cylinder substantially a like portion of ink film which would otherwise be removed by paper being printed in the printing unit.

Abstract: The dampening apparatus and method provides automatic ink/water control for a lithographic printing press by means of a hydrophylic metering roll in a pan for fountain solution which contacts an oleophylic transfer roll. The transfer and metering rolls are free wheeling friction driven rolls which are driven in substantially a one-to-one surface speed ratio by friction between the transfer roll and a dampener form roll to cause the metering roll to provide an unmetered excess of dampening fluid from the pan to a nip with the transfer roll. The dampener form roll is positively driven from the drive system for the press plate cylinder at a one-to-one surface speed ratio with the plate cylinder and is a resilient oleophylic roll having a durometer within the range of 20 to 30 durometer. The transfer roll is harder and of different diameter than the dampener form roll with a durometer in the range of from 30 to 60 durometer.

Abstract: A tray contains frothed or bubbly solution for applying to a printing cylinder plate and a cylindrical pan roller having a microporous outer layer is continuously rotated in the frothed solution to continuously absorb or pick up small amounts of the solution. Solution is transferred from the pan roller to a metering roller, having a surface of highly polished chrome, by rolling contact between the two rollers. In turn, the metering roller transfers liquid to a form roller which has a microporous outer surface in rolling contact with a printing plate mounted on the printing press printing cylinder for depositing the liquid solution onto the printing plate as the printing cylinder rotates. The pan roller and the form roller have hollow cores and pressurized air at a very low pressure is applied to the cores to uniformly spread the liquid throughout the microporous surface for uniform distribution.

Abstract: To prevent escape of ink from a gap (A) between the edge surface (11) of a side wall portion (10) facing a printing machine roller (9) and the surface of the roller, the side wall (3), or at least the side wall portion, is upwardly, outwardly inclined, so that internal flow of printing ink within the chamber, upon rotation of the roller, will result in a resultant flow speed vector (V.sub.res) which is inclined at an angle (.beta.) which is less than the angle of inclination (.alpha.) of the side wall, and thereby push liquid away from the side wall and hence from said gap (A).

Abstract: A device for removing excess water from an aqueous emulsion of lithographic printing ink comprises a pair of rollers co-operating together to form a nip. Emulsified ink is fed to the nip and is broken down into an ink phase and an aqueous phase by the pressure exerted by the nip. The aqueous phase is displaced away from the ink phase by gas jets. The ink phase remains on the surface of one of the rollers and is removed and returned to the printing press.

Abstract: An automatic dampening system for a lithographic printing press applies a fountain solution to the printing plate on a plate cylinder through the inking rollers. The dampening system has a first roller partially immersed in the fountain solution and a second roller contacting the first roller. The outer surface of the second roller is rotatively coupled to the outer surface of one of the inking rollers such that the rotation of the inking roller will rotate the second roller and the first roller. A bridge roller may be used to bridge any gap between the second roller and the inking roller to maintain the rotative coupling between the rollers. The first and second rollers have outer layers made of elastomeric materials which have a hardness such that a pressure indent is formed in at least one of the outer layers of the rollers at the nip between the first and second rollers and such that the second roller can be rotatably driven by the inking roller.

Abstract: A pulsed spray dampener system wherein, during low press speeds, nozzles are controlled to release pulses of dampening fluid having a fixed pulse width and fluid output is adjusted by varying the interval between dampener pulses. During high speed operation, the interval between pulses is fixed and pulse width is varied. Furthermore, the outermost nozzles of a spray bar are operated by dedicated control channels to permit better spray patterns.

Abstract: A dampening fluid mist application system for lithographic printing comprises a container for the dampening fluid and a rotatable first roller having a rough surface for picking up and entrapping fluid from the container. A rotatable second roller having a brush surface contacts the first roller to transfer fluid from the surface of the first roller to bristles on the brush surface. A deflector bends and releases the bristles to eject fluid thereon and create a mist stream of the liquid. The rough surface on the second roller is employed to provide the desired amount of dampening fluid to the bristles and may be made of wire mesh or a series of spaced projections or knobs, for example. The deflector is made up of a plurality of separate blade segments whose edges contact different brush segments along the full width of the second roller.

Abstract: An apparatus is set forth wherein a pressurized cylinder is operative to direct fluid flow from a series of compartmentalized sections within the cylinder operative through separate valving to direct the flow through metered orifices formed in a coextensive matrix pattern throughout the cylindrical wall of the cylinder, and to direct fluid from the cylinder to a plurality of water form rollers to direct the water from the cylinder onto a plate cylinder for use in printing machines.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying offset printing presses with a cooled damping solution uses a damping tray. The damping tray is subdivided into two distinct portions. A reserve portion contains concentrated solution supplied from a source of damping solution. The distribution solution communicates with a ductor roller. Restrictive holes formed in the partition dividing the two portions of the tray have a flow rate that is directly related to the amount of damping solution being used by the ductor roller in the printing press. This flow rate being very small, allows flow only from the reserve portion into the distribution portion of the tank.

Abstract: Printing apparatus including a novel fluid dampener system for delivering an even, uniform film of dampener fluid onto a printing cylinder and the printing plate mounted thereon to eliminate the problem of edge scumming on the printed web.

Abstract: A moisture distribution roller assembly for use in a moisture feeding system of a printing, duplicating or like machine includes a shaft with a plurality of roller sections slidably mounted thereon. The roller sections are selectively positionable on the shaft at varying axial positions thereon to vary the effective surface area of the distribution roller assembly and, therefore, the amount of moisture carried by the composite roller assembly. As illustrated, the assembly has a central roller portion with stub shafts projecting axially outwardly from opposite ends therof, with the roller sections positionable on the stub shafts. Therefore, the central roller portion can be dimensioned axially to be substantially equal to the narrowest paper intended to be used in the machine.

Abstract: An inking system having continuously operating individual positive displacement ink pumps for each column of print and means for applying ink to the ink roll in discrete, timed quantities which are determined by a microprocessor-based control system.

Abstract: To provide a drive mechanism for axially reciprocating the first roller or the first and second roller of an intermediate roller pair adapted to be selectively associated with the first ink spreader roller of an inking unit or with the final applicator roller of a damping unit of a combined damping and inking unit of an offset printing press, a stroke coupling for the spindle of the first intermediate roller with the first ink spreader roller is provided. This stroke coupling is transmitted to the spindle of the second intermediate roller only when both intermediate rollers are in engagement with the damping roller, whereas in the position in which the second intermediate roller interconnects the damping unit and the inking unit, the spindle of the latter roller is secured axially and separated from the stroke coupling.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for controlling fluid flow at a flow control location between first and second rollers. Each roller is rotatable about its longitudinal central axis. The two rollers are disposed adjacent to each other so as to form a flow control location or nip between the rollers. The nip has an entrance side and an exit side. As the rollers rotate, fluid from a fluid pan is carried on the outer surface of the first roller to the entrance side of the nip. Some of the fluid at the nip is transferred onto the outer surface of the second roller. As the rollers continue to rotate, the fluid flows out of the nip at the exit side of the nip. An excess fluid condition occurs at the nip when the amount of fluid flow to the entrance side of the nip exceeds the amount of fluid flow from the exit side of the nip. A brass collar is connected at one end of the first roller. Another brass collar is connected at the outer end of the first roller.

Abstract: A drive for rotating and reciprocating a distributing roller in inking or damping units of offset printing presses includes two gears rotating at different speeds from one another, only the first rotation-transmitting gear of the two gears is driven by a gear connected to the plate cylinder and the second lateral reciprocation-transmitting gear is driven by the first gear by way of an intermediate gear meshing with both gears.

Abstract: To enable two intermediate rollers to be selectively associated with a combined damping and inking unit as connecting rollers, or with the applicator roller of the damping unit as a first rider roller and a tandem second rider roller, the spindle of the second intermediate roller is removably received at both ends, a bearing lever pivotable around the axis of the first ink spreader roller. Also, swing levers are pivotally connected, one at each end, to the spindle of the first intermediate roller and each swing lever has guides for guiding the second intermediate roller between its first position as a connecting roller and its second position as a tandem roller laterally below the first intermediate roller and in engagement with the applicator roller of the damping unit.

Abstract: In apparatus for supplying ink and or water to a plate cylinder through fountain roller, swinging roller and a transfer roller, the transfer roller is supported by a swinging lever and the motion thereof is allowed or prevented by a spring biased control member. Such allowance and prevention is selected by an operating handle.

Abstract: A drive system between a master cylinder, a form roller and a distributor roller in a moisture system of a printing, duplicating or like machine. The surface of the master cylinder has a longitudinal gap within which master clamping hardware are disposed. The drive system includes a first gear train, including a lost motion mechanism, between the master cylinder and the form roller for rotating the form roller only during an interval of a revolution of the master cylinder when the surface of the form roller is juxtaposed in the gap of the master cylinder. A second gear train independent of the first gear train is disposed between the form roller and the distributor roller for rotating the distributor roller continuously at the same surface speed as the form roller.

Abstract: A metering roller engages a liquid pickup roller to meter liquid through the nip therebetween. A stationary shaft through the middle of the metering roller carries spaced bearings at adjustable locations engaging the inside of the roller. A fulcrum is provided to support the stationary shaft near each end thereof. A forcing cam spaced inwardly from each fulcrum has an adjustable pivot point, and is forced into engagement with the stationary shaft to produce bending moments in the shaft transmitted to the roller through the bearings to bias the metering roller toward the metering nip. The position of each fulcrum may be adjusted in two directions, and the magnitude of the bending moments adjusted by moving the forcing cam pivot point.

Abstract: An ink distributor roll is made of base rubber and two soft rubber helixes. When the ink distributor roll is used adjacent another roll, the soft rubber helixes deform to form pockets between the ink distributor roll and the other roll. The pockets move ink from the end portions of the ink distributor roll toward the center portion of the roll to prevent a buildup of ink at the end portions of the roll.

Abstract: A known ink feeder in a printing press, including an ink recovery and circulation system for scraping surplus ink from a roller in a printing unit to return it to an ink reservoir, is improved so as to avoid variations in a moisture content in circulating printing ink caused by an accumulation of wetting water in the ink. The improvements reside in that moisture in the surplus ink is positively separated and removed in the ink circulation system by providing a moisture removing device having a rotary roll containing a heater therein and small diameter rolls held in contact with the outer circumference of the rotary roll.

Abstract: Data entry and display apparatus for a printing machine having a plurality of control elements having actual and desired position values for controlling machine variables which include ink and dampening fluid density and register positions, the control apparatus includes a control panel having a plurality of optical first elements for displaying and controlling at least one of the machine variables; a light pen having a contact point which includes a second optical element for operatively, optically engaging the first optical elements; timing means operatively engaging the first and second optical element for timingly coordinating the position of the contact point in spaced relationship with the first optical elements for entering nominal position values for at least one of the control elements into the control apparatus.

Abstract: A keyless printing press includes a delivery nozzle disposed in opposition to an ink source roller and provided with a plurality of delivery ports aligned in parallel along the axial direction of the ink source roller. Printing ink circulating through an ink circulation system is delivered and fed through the respective delivery ports of the delivery nozzle to the ink source roller. The arrangement is improved to obviate the shortcoming that isolated water may repeatedly circulate through the ink circulation system and accumulate, resulting in lowering of printing depth. At least one ink outflow port, for ensuring that printing ink having a high moisture content proportion will flow out of the delivery nozzle, is provided in the delivery nozzle at a position at a level higher than any of the delivery ports.

Abstract: An attachment which can be fitted subsequently to the damping roller of an existing damping unit in order to obviate mottling includes a mounting frame in which tandem distributing rollers are mounted radially of a common damping roller for resilient movement and are driven thereby in the peripheral direction by friction. A coupling member on the frame is adapted to be coupled with or released from an existing bearing lever of the damping unit and a drive mechanism produces axial reciprocation of the frame.

Abstract: An offset inking unit includes a distributor roll having a first roll train that communicates via a first branch roll with an ink transport roll engaged, as viewed in the direction of rotation of the plate cylinder, by two front inking rolls and having a second roll train connected in parallel to the first roll train that communicates via a second branch roll with a spreader roll which, as viewed in the direction of rotation of the plate cylinder, is engaged at least by the first inking roll of the two front inking rolls. Also as viewed in the direction of rotation of the plate cylinder, the second inking roll of the two front inking rolls communicates at least with another rear inking roll via another ink transport roll. Damping is optionally effected directly on the printing plate or on a front inking roll.

Abstract: In a method for producing an inking roller in the form of a screen roller for an offset inking mechanism or similar ink applicator, during a scraping process a doctor blade slides over the surface of webs which define a screen system. A metal and/or hard ceramic layer, is applied to the roller cylinder, and a laser beam is used to burn a pattern into the abrasion-resistant, hydrophilic surface of the metal and/or ceramic layer. Hydrophobic lining material at least partly covers the walls of the depressions. A plurality of cells for receiving ink or the like are formed in the lining material of the fillable depressions and the arrangement and structure of the cells are independent of the arrangement and structure of the depressions.

Abstract: In the damping system for an offset press according to the present invention, the rotational speed of a motor, which drives a water-applicator roller, is controlled such that the difference or slip between the peripheral speed of the water-applicator roller and the peripheral speed of the plate cylinder can be set to a desired value. To this end the damping system comprises a water-applicator roller which applies water, supplied from another roller, to a plate cylinder of the offset press. The water-applicator roller is in contact with the plate cylinder. A motor drives the water-applicator roller. A detecting device detects the rotational speed of the motor. A device detects the peripheral speed of the plate cylinder. A slip input device sets a desired difference between the peripheral speed of the plate cylinder and the peripheral speed of the water-applicator roller.

Abstract: A dampening water feed roller, characterized by a process of manufacturing which comprises forming a flame sprayed layer of a ceramic material composed of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, TiO.sub.2, or a mixture of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and TiO.sub.2 on the peripheral surface of a metallic roller, subjecting the flame sprayed ceramic layer to a pore-occluding treatment with a hydrophilic SiO.sub.2 type inorganic pore-occluding agent, and grinding the treated layer to surface roughness of not more than 1.6 S. The roller permits supply of the dampening water without using the additives such as isopropyl alcohol in the dampening water.

Abstract: A device for connecting and disconnecting a dampening system B and an inking system A in an offset printing machine. The offset printing machine includes a plate cylinder 7, and the inking system includes an ink applicator roller 10 movable toward and away from the plate cylinder. The ink applicator roller is in rotational contact with an ink delivery roller 19. The ink delivery roller is in rotational contact with an intermediate roller 15 which is movable toward and away from a roller 16 of the dampening system. The ink delivery roller and the intermediate roller are both rotatably supported by a pair of brackets 27,27 pivotally supported to an inking frame 25,25. The ink delivery roller and the intermediate roller are also slidable with respect to the brackets. In accordance with the movement of the ink applicator roller, the ink delivery roller is slidably moved, yet connection and disconnection between the inking and dampening systems is attainable.

Abstract: A dampener for a lithographic press comprises a form roller, a metering roller, a reservoir of dampening solution lying above and between the form and metering rollers, and means for supplying solution to the reservoir. The amount of solution applied to the form roller is controlled by adjusting the pressure between the form and metering rollers, without appreciably affecting the pressure between the form roller and the plate cylinder. Excess moisture retained on the form roller and excess solution which collects between the plate cylinder and the form roller is continuously returned directly to the reservoir. The metering roller and the plate cylinder are driven by the press gear drive system, and the form roller is driven from frictional contact with the plate cylinder and the metering roller, to aid in retrofitting the dampener to existing presses. The dampener mechanism can also be used alternatively to supply water-based coating liquids to allow use of the press for a coating operation.

Abstract: This invention concerns a film dampener unit for offset printing presses, with a dampening medium container in which a constant level of dampening medium is maintained, and with a dampener ductor of pan roller dipping into the dampening medium and transferring the dampening medium as a film onto at least one form roller which contacts the printing plate on the plate cylinder, whereby the thickness of the dampening medium film is determined by a metering roller which engages the dampener ductor roller surface in its rotary motion before the same engages the form roller. In order to reduce the number of rollers required for a flexibly operating dampener unit, the dampener ductor of this invention also functions as a dampener vibrator or oscillating ductor, having in addition to a rotation drive, another drive mehcanism which effects an axial back and forth or reciprocating movement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for automatically controlling the water feedrate on a lithographic press which includes a blanket cylinder, a plate cylinder, inking rollers and dampening rollers. The temperature of the fountain solution is regulated so as to be constant. The alcohol concentration is regulated so as to be constant. The ink film thickness on one of the inking rollers is sensed to provide a signal proportional to that variable. The sensing of the ink film thickness on the inking roller is used to determine the water feedrate to the plate cylinder and the rate of water feed is dependent upon the ink film thickness.

Abstract: An improved dampener roll is used to transfer dampening fluid from a reservoir to a printing plate in a lithographic printing press. The dampener roll includes an array of bristles which extends between opposite ends of the dampener fountain roll. The array of bristles includes a central portion and first and second end portions which are disposed at opposite ends of the roll. The bristles at the first and second end portions of the array of bristles are longer than the bristles at the central portion of the array of bristles.

Abstract: A water and ink dispenser for a rotary printing press includes a metering roll that is driven by a gear train directly from the printing cylinder, the gears of the gear train each being rotatable on an axis fixed relatively to the axis of rotation of each other gear, in order to avoid chatter and noise in the gear train, a form roll of the device being adjustable relative to the printing cylinder and metering roll entirely independently of said gear train, whereby scuffing and gear marking in the finished print is eliminated.

Abstract: A dampening unit for an offset printing machine, includes a roller pair consisting of a metering roller, and a dampening form roller for applying dampening medium to a plate cylinder of the printing machine, the metering roller and the form roller being in mutually pressing engagement at a first contact zone along respective axially parallel lines on respective casings of the roller pair, a gear drive for driving the roller pair with circumferential speeds of the metering roller and the form roller substantially in a downward direction in vicinity of the contact zone, and means defining a storage space for dampening medium located above the contact zone and including surfaces of the casings of the roller pair and sealing elements located at respective ends of the roller pair, only the metering roller of the roller pair being driven by a gear meshing with a drive gear of the gear drive, the form roller being in driven engagement via friction contact at the first contact zone in a first position of the form rol

Abstract: A dampening system for a lithographic press in which a train of rollers delivers dampening fluid from a dampening fluid pan to the plate cylinder of the lithographic press is provided. The train of rollers comprises a hard rubber pan roller, a rubber transfer roller of medium hardness, and a relatively soft rubber water form roller. The transfer roller is mounted in parallel relation to the pan roller and can be moved towards or away from the pan roller in order to vary the pressure therebetween and to thus meter the dampening fluid delivered to the plate cylinder. Dampening fluid is conveyed from the pan roller, to the transfer roller, to the water form roller, and finally to the plate cylinder. The pan roller and water form roller are driven at the surface speed of the plate cylinder through a gear train.

Abstract: Application to areas of the successive rollers and cylinders in a printing press, of liquid from the water duct which will not eventually be transferred to the material being printed, is avoided by using a vibrator roller and at least one damper roller of the same width as the sheet of material being printed, while the oscillator roller, the plate cylinder, the blanket cylinder and the impression cylinder are wider than the sheet.

Abstract: A mechanism for continuously supplying a dampening medium in an offset printing machine is disclosed. The mechanism includes a dampening medium applicator roller in rotational contact with a master plate on a master cylinder, a dampening medium transfer roller in rotational contact with the applicator roller, a dampening medium distributor roller in rotational contact with the transfer roller, a dipping roller in rotational contact with the distributor roller, and a metering roller in contact with the dipping roller. The applicator roller and the transfer roller have their outer peripheral surfaces provided with elastic material layers.

Abstract: To provide for fine-adjustment of the relative angular position of a driven body of rotation, such as a plate cylinder (1) of a printing machine, and having a driven shaft (21, 41) with respect to a driving shaft (9, 40), an axially shiftable intermediate shaft portion (14, 53) is positioned between the driving shaft (9, 40) and the driven shaft (21, 41) and the body of rotation, respectively. An elastic coupling structure (16, 24; 55, 57), for example a composite stacked leaf spring, and having the characteristic of being circumferentially stiff but axially flexible, couples the intermediate shaft, for axially shifting movement, between the respective shafts. Preferably, two such elastic coupling structures are provided.

Abstract: In general, the invention features a mechanism for applying a wetting agent or ink in a printing press, the printing press including a plate cylinder, an ink reservoir and an ink transfer apparatus for transferring the ink from the ink reservoir to the plate cylinder, the ink transfer apparatus including at least a first applicator roller which receives ink from the ink reservoir, the first applicator roller being in contact with the plate cylinder, and a distributor roller, the mechanism including a second applicator roller, a wetting agent reservoir, a wetting agent transfer apparatus for transferring the wetting agent from the wetting agent reservoir to the second applicator roller, and a selective shifting apparatus for selectively shifting the second applicator roller between a first position wherein it contacts both the plate cylinder and the distributor roller and a second position wherein it contacts the plate cylinder but is not in contact with the distributor roller.

Abstract: A wet laid watermark of uncoated paper is simulated by the use of a resin or resin-plasticizer mixture dissolved in a slow evaporating, high boiling solvent. A sufficient quantity of the low viscosity solution is printed onto an uncoated paper sheet of stationery grade by a standard flexographic press to penetrate the paper fiber and deposit a non-tacky solid having a refractive index which closely approximates that of cellulose. The resulting image of the print is visible to both faces of the paper sheet.

Abstract: A cylindrical sleeve of non-woven web material comprised of partially hydrolyzed acrylic fibers useful as a dampener roll cover in lithographic printing is provided. The sleeve has excellent strength as well as improved water absorption. Methods of preparing the sleeve and of using the sleeve in lithographic printing are also provided.

Abstract: An offset printing press having an operating lever mechanism which is capable of controlling sequential printing operations by manipulating a single operating lever. The offset printing press includes an inking roller system and a dampening roller system. The inking roller system is supported to a first pair of frames, while the dampening roller system is supported to a second pair of frames pivotable relative to the first pair of frames. The operation lever provides pivotal motion of the second pair of frames for selectively applying water to a plate cylinder from the dampening roller system. Further, rollers in the dampening roller system are movable toward and away from each other.

Abstract: A display system for a rotary printing press for displaying the inking profile on an LED matrix. The profile indication is provided by means of a time shared display with control circuit which scans the positions of all the ink control members, all having position sensors, and sequentially accesses an analog-to-digital converter with decoded outputs which are converted to a number of LED columns, each represented by a continuously lighted LED the coarse position of the ink control member. A fine position indication may be provided by simultaneously showing a fine indication by means of a flash LED in the corresponding column. A still finer indication may be provided by means of a second flashing LED in the corresponding column.

Abstract: An improved structure for supplying dampening fluid to a lithographic printing press which structure includes a form roller for passing fluid to the plate cylinder and means mounting the form roller for simultaneous contact with the water drum and the plate cylinder and also means for oscillating the form roller slowly axially with respect to the plate cylinder and the water drum.