Abstract: An apparatus and methods of decorating exterior surfaces of metallic containers are provided. More specifically, the present disclosure provides a novel metering roller for an inking assembly of a decorator. An adjustment mechanism is operable to move the metering roller to a first ink transfer position during a decoration run. In the first ink transfer position, the metering roller receives ink from an ink roller without contacting the ink roller. In one embodiment, during the production run, the metering roller is in contact with and transfers ink to a transfer roller. When the decoration run stops, the adjustment mechanism can move the metering roller to a second dwell position such that the metering roller does not receive ink from the ink roller.

Abstract: Rotational bodies of a printing press with at least a first, a second and a third ink-conducting rotational body, which interact with each other in pairs, can be set in a thrown-on position. The second of the at least three rotational bodies can be set both against the first of the three rotational bodies and against the third of the three rotational bodies in order to form a two-sided thrown-on position. Tracking, coupled in a defined way, of the rotational axis of the second rotational body takes place at the same time as a radial positional change of the rotational axis of the first rotational body, by the superimposition of two movements along two non-congruent movement paths which run in a plane which is perpendicular with respect to the rotational axis. A device for setting rotational bodies of a printing press is also provided.

Abstract: A device for gripping and transporting at least one ink-attracting cylinder of a printing machine includes support elements that can enter into contact with pins of the cylinder in order to be able to raise the cylinder, Each support element includes at least two tong-like gripper arms with which a pin of the cylinder can be at least partially gripped.

Abstract: An anilox printing unit includes, as inking unit rolls, an ink applicator roll and an engraved roll mounted in rapid change roll sockets, for removing the engraved roll from the roll sockets and inserting another engraved roll into the roll sockets by an operator. The engraved roll is hollow and a temperature control fluid flows therethrough. The engraved roll and the ink applicator roll each have bearer rings. A device which presses the bearer rings of one inking unit roll against the bearer rings of the other inking unit roll has springs for compensating for diameter differences as a result of manufacturing tolerances between the bearer rings of the engraved roll and the bearer rings of the other engraved roll and for compensating for thermally induced diameter changes of the bearer rings of the engraved roll. A printing press having an anilox printing unit is also provided.

Abstract: In a printer for corrugated cardboard sheets and a box making machine for corrugated cardboard sheets, a control device that controls an operation of an air cylinder is provided such that an ink supply roll is moved toward or away from a printing cylinder relative to an intermediate position of a gap between ends of a printing plate attached on a surface of a printing cylinder. With this configuration, ink of an ink supply roll is appropriately transferred to the printing plate, an ink film on the printing plate is uniformized, and then printing precision is enhanced.

Abstract: A method for operating a printing machine in a print operating mode and another operating mode, for example a maintenance mode. In the print operating mode, bringing a vibrating roller periodically into contact with a first roller of an inking unit, driving the first roller rotationally by a first motor, driving a second roller of the inking unit rotationally by a second motor, transmitting no torque from the first motor to the second roller through a clutch therebetween, and activating the first motor by a control device causing the first roller to rotate at a rotational speed in a constant ratio to a rotational speed of the second roller. In the other operating mode, driving the first and second rollers rotationally by the first motor and transmitting torque from the first motor to the second roller through the clutch. A printing machine for carrying out the method Is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a contact-pressure adjusting method and a contact-pressure adjusting system, each of which automatically adjusts the contact pressure between two rotors, for a liquid application machine including: a first rotor to which liquid is supplied; a second rotor to which the liquid is supplied from the first rotor; and a contact-pressure adjusting unit for adjusting the contact pressure between the first rotor and the second rotor. By using a temperature measuring unit, measured is: the temperature of at least one of the surfaces of the first and second rotors; the temperature of at least one of the liquid on the surface of the first rotor and the liquid on the surface of the second rotor; or the temperature of at least one of the vicinity of the first rotor and the vicinity of the second rotor. The contact-pressure adjusting unit is adjusted in accordance with the measured temperature.

Abstract: An assembly in a printing unit of a rotary printing press includes at least one plate cylinder, three ink form rollers, two vibrator rollers and an ink separator roller. Both of the vibrator rollers are applied directly to the ink separation roller. One of the ink form rollers is applied to both one of the vibrator rollers and the plate cylinder. The secondary two ink form rollers are applied both to the other vibrator roller and to the plate cylinder. The plate cylinder is covered with several printing forms. An upper ink form roller is located such that a horizontal line that is tangent to the circumference of that upper ink form roller is positioned at a vertical decline of at least 50 mm from a horizontal line that is tangent to the circumference of the plate cylinder.

Abstract: An inking device of a printing unit includes an ink reservoir, an ink film pick-up roller which has a shaft, and an inking roller having a shaft. A detector detects the distance between the inking roller and the pick-up roller and/or an angular displacement of the two shafts relative to each other and providing an output signal which represents this distance and/or this angular displacement. A controller angularly the second shaft relative to the first shaft, and the controller is capable of reducing the angular displacement and of positioning the pick-up roller in accordance with the output signal.

Abstract: A cylinder of a printing press is mounted using a bearing block. A radial bearing is movable in spaced linear bearings along an adjustment direction of the cylinder. The bearing is embodied as a modular bearing unit which may be a one piece assembly. The linear bearing is included in the modular assembly which permits movement of the bearing block along with the radial bearings.

Abstract: A distributor unit includes a reservoir (7) containing a liquid substance, an anilox cylinder (8) and a cliché cylinder (9) onto which is movably fitted a cliche jacket (18), the reservoir (7), the anilox cylinder (8) and the cliche cylinder (9) being movable from and to a cylinder (2) on which travels a web-shaped material (3) which has to receive the substance. The distributor unit has an operator side and a transmission side, the anilox cylinder (8) and the cliche cylinder (9) being held by corresponding supports on operator side (14, 15) and on transmission side (16, 17). A device (19) for locking the cliche cylinder in cantilever position when the corresponding cliche jacket (18) has to be substituted is associated to the support on transmission side (17) of the cliche cylinder (9). The support on operator side (15); of the cliche cylinder (9) includes a first and a second element (150, 151) automatically movable from and to the cliche cylinder (9).

Abstract: A roller support apparatus includes a compression coil spring, lever, bias canceling member, roller holder, and support. The compression coil spring biases the distribution roller in a direction to come close to the oscillating roller. The lever transmits a biasing force of the compression coil spring to the distribution roller. The bias canceling member cancels bias of the compression coil spring. The roller holder rotatable supports the distribution roller and pivots in accordance with movement of the lever. The support is provided to the roller holder and engages with a shaft portion of the distribution roller. The support brings the outer surface of the distribution roller into contact with the outer surface of the oscillating roller in accordance with pivot motion of the roller holder.

Abstract: A roller closing device is provided with an inner element and with an outer element. These two elements are arranged at least partially in a coaxial manner. The inner element can be deflected radially with respect to the outer element by the use of at least one elastic body which is arranged between the two elements. This elastic body is configured as a rolling diaphragm. A seal is configured between the inner element and the outer element. The seal closes off a gap between the two elements to prevent impurities from entering the roller closing device when any radial deflection of the inner element takes place.

Abstract: A device is used to set a contact pressure between a displaceable roller and another roller or for moving the displaceable roller with respect to the other roller. At least one actuator is subjectible to the action of a pressure medium and presses the displaceable roller toward the other roller with an adjustable force. The pressure of the pressure medium can be adjusted by a valve. A switchover device is provided for use in connecting the valve to different actuators, as desired.

Abstract: A printing unit of a printing machine has at least one ink transfer roller, and at least one bearing block movable relative to the printing unit frame, in which, in the printing position, one end of the ink transfer roller can be supported, and which releases that end of the ink transfer roller in its released position. The unit has a blade chamber holder which carries at least one blade chamber that can be adjusted on the ink transfer roller and which is connected rotatably and displaceably with the bearing block in the printing position. The blade chamber holder is supported permanently on the bearing block by support elements on the bearing block.

Abstract: An inking system of a flexographic printing press with an anilox roller and a printing plate roller involved in color transport is shown. The positions of these two rollers relative to each other and to the impression cylinder are set using positioning elements that include bearing blocks in which the axles of the two rollers are mounted and which are traversed by motors which turn respective spindles that engage through an inner thread mounted in or on the bearing blocks. The motors are mounted on the machine frame on sides of the two rollers turned toward or facing the impression cylinder.

Abstract: A printing press contains a distributor roller, an oscillating roller which has a roller axle and a roller barrel, and a switching device for optionally releasing, in a first operating mode, and locking, in a second operating mode, an oscillating movement of the roller barrel. The oscillating movement is driven frictionally by the distributor roller. The switching device is disposed separately from the roller axle and the roller axle is mounted so as to be adjustable relative to the switching device.

Abstract: A ink roller unit comprised of multiple ink rollers axially arrange in parallel on a turntable unit; the turntable unit being provided to a dancer; one end of the dancer being pivoted to a lateral shaft and the other end coupled to a drive unit; the dancer as driven swinging at a given angel along the lateral shaft; the turntable in turn changing its location to get near to that of the printing roller or not to facilitate selection of other ink rollers to execute the printing job.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for positioning a roll in an inking or damping unit of a rotary press with respect to at least one adjacent roll. The axle of the first roll is mounted in at least one bearing arrangement that is movable with respect to a side wall of the printing unit, and means are provided for determining the position and the pressing forces of the first roll against the adjacent roll. The position and pressing force information is fed to a control device, by means of which the position and the pressing pressure of the first roll can be controlled by combined travel and force regulation.

Abstract: A pressure force exerted by first and second cylinders upon at least a third cylinder in a printing machine is regulated by a pressure regulating device. The device can also be using for moving a first cylinder and at least one second cylinder into and out of contact with a third cylinder. Actuators, which exert a radial force on a cylinder cooperating with the actuators, are provided. An aperture angle between the radial forces exerted by two actuators on the same cylinder is the same in both cylinders. That aperture angle is independent of an aperture angle formed by the pressure force exerted by the first and second cylinders on the third cylinder.

Abstract: The forces exerted by actuators are detected and devices are provided, which use those detected forces to regulate a pressure force exerted by one cylinder against another cylinder in a printing machine. The several forces can also be used for placing or removing one cylinder with respect to another cylinder. One cylinder may be mounted in a cylinder holder which is, in turn, mounted in a frame holder. At least two actuators are arranged between the cylinder holder and the frame holder. These actuators exert a radially directed force against the cylinder holder when they are actuated by a control signal.

Abstract: In a printing press, ink fountain keys are disposed to be movable toward and away from an ink fountain roller of an ink fountain to allow them to have a predetermined gap therebetween and hence the amount of ink to be fed to a downstream roller to be determined. The ink fountain roller is rotated while ink is prevented from being fed to the downstream roller. At least one of the ink fountain keys is moved so as to allow the at least one of the fountain keys to change a position thereof relative to the ink fountain roller of the ink fountain with time. With this arrangement, it is possible to improve an ink kneading effect produced by the rotation of the ink fountain roller without the necessity to manually knead ink in the ink fountain by the operator and the necessity to provide any ink kneading device or unit independently of the printing press.

Abstract: In an ink supply amount control method for a printing press, the number of ink fountain keys whose gap amount with respect to an ink fountain roller falls within a predetermined range is counted. On the basis of the count value, the swing operation of an ink ductor roller which is arranged in an ink supply path and swings in synchronism with rotation of the printing press is controlled. Ink is supplied from the gap between the plurality of ink fountain keys and the ink fountain roller to the ink supply path in accordance with rotation of the ink fountain roller at the time of printing. The ink is supplied to a printing plate attached to a plate cylinder through the ink supply path by the swing operation of the ink ductor roller. An ink supply amount control apparatus and a printing press are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mechanism for rotary printing presses to increase the number of ink form-rollers without decreasing the space available for changing the printing plates. An additional advantage of this mechanism is the ease of access to the inner form rollers.

Abstract: The invention is a method for retaining an ink profile established during ink infeed, for printing in an inking unit of a printing press containing a drive for the inking unit, an ink dosing device, and a roller group in the inking unit having oscillating rollers and transfer rollers, by delaying printing after ink infeed by interrupting the drive to the inking unit for a time period between the end of ink infeed and delayed printing; and to apparatus for effectuating such drive interruption.

Abstract: In order to achieve a good printed result, it is important that the rollers that interact with each other are arranged at a suitable distance from each other, so that they act on each other with the pressure as stipulated. In order to set the rollers, use is made of a stripe, in particular an ink stripe, which results from contact between the rollers in the rest state. After the transfer, i.e., the formation of the strip, the relevant roller must be rotated into a position wherein the printing machine operator can have access to the ink stripe. As a result of the safety devices provided in printing units, it is generally not possible to detect, however, when the ink stripe on the roller appears in the suitable position. The invention provides a remedy here, in that it is proposed to rotate the roller into the viewable position at a suitable speed, or, by using a special program, taking into account a predefined rotational angle, to move the rollers automatically into the viewable positions.

Abstract: A driving device for printing machines, having a rod for oscillatingly moving a distributor roller in axial direction, includes a joint via which the rod is connected to the distributor roller, the joint permitting relative movement between the rod and the distributor roller so as to compensate for a displacement of the distributor roller perpendicularly to the axial direction of the distributor roller; and a printing machine having the driving device.

Abstract: A method and a corresponding inking unit permit positioning of a roller into at least two different operating positions. The roller is, in particular, a vibrator roller of an inking unit for a rotary printing machine. The roller is positioned by controlling or regulating a magnetic bearing device in which the roller is mounted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for operating a sheet-fed offset press so as to reduce the occurrence of spoilage caused by nonuniform printing. In this method, the timing of start of oscillating motion of oscillating rollers is regulated. Also, the present invention provides an oscillation mechanism for a sheet-fed offset press, in which less failure and wear occur, and a smaller force is required to accomplish a changeover from transmission to stoppage of oscillation and vice versa.

Abstract: A rotary printing press has one or two inking rollers each in rolling engagement with both an ink supply cylinder and a plate cylinder. Each inking roller is identically supported by a first pair of roller support members mounted one adjacent each end of the ink supply cylinder for pivotal motion about the axis of that cylinder, and a second pair of roller support members mounted to the first pair for pivotal motion about an axis parallel to the axis of the ink supply cylinder, the second pair of roller support members rotatably supporting one inking roller therebetween. Adjusting screws act between the two pairs of roller support members for adjustably varying the nip width between the ink supply cylinder and each inking roller.

Abstract: A method of operating a printing machine including a printing form cylinder and an inking unit for inking the cylinder, the inking unit having at least one inking unit roller rotatably driven at a speed different from the peripheral speed of the printing form cylinder, includes rotatably driving the at least one inking unit roller at the differential speed and at a relative speed that is different from the peripheral speed of the printing form cylinder, in time-dependence upon various operating states of the inking unit; and a printing machine for performing the method.

Abstract: A chambered doctor blade assembly which can be placed against a roller of an inking unit of a printing machine, in particular onto an engraved roller, has a chamber connected to the surface of the roller by means of an orifice through which printing ink can flow. The orifice can be closed and re-opened by means of a closing element which is arranged within the chamber and which can be brought into a closing position. When the closing element is in the closing position, printing ink can continue to flow through the chamber.

Abstract: A method for dampening a rotating planographic printing form via an ink applicator roller for indirectly dampening the planographic printing form and via a connecting roller in engagement with the ink applicator roller and engaged by a dampener roller for dampening the planographic printing form, includes, during dampening, rotating the dampener roller at a circumferential speed differing from the circumferential speed of the planographic printing form; a dampening unit for performing the method; and a planographic printing machine including the dampening unit.

Abstract: A retractable in-line inking/coating apparatus selectively applies either spot or overall ink/coating to a blanket or flexographic plate on a blanket cylinder or spot coating or overall ink/coating to a flexographic printing plate on a plate cylinder in a rotary offset printing press. The inking/coating apparatus is pivotally mounted on the tower of a printing unit or dedicated coating unit, and is extended into and retracted out of inking/coating engagement by a carriage assembly which is pivotally coupled to the printing unit tower. Because of the pivotal support provided by a cantilevered support arm, the inking/coating apparatus can be raised and lowered through a Ferris wheel arc movement between adjacent printing units. The aqueous component of the printing ink or coating is evaporated by a high velocity, hot air interstation dryer and a high performance heat and moisture extractor so that the ink on a freshly printed sheet is dry before the sheet is printed on the next printing unit.

Abstract: An inking unit in a printing machine includes a throw-off device for throwing an ink applicator roller group off a printing form cylinder, the throw-off device including a rotatable roller throw-off cam contoured so that, in a first rotational position of the cam, all the ink applicator rollers are in contact with the form cylinder and, in a second rotational position of the cam, the ink applicator roller group is thrown off the form cylinder and at least one ink applicator roller is in contact with the form cylinder; and a printing machine, especially an offset printing machine, having at least one inking unit with the foregoing features.

Abstract: A flexographic preview printer for duplicating conditions of a contemplated press run. The preview printer includes an inking unit and a printing unit. The inking unit has an ink roller and an anilox roller with a doctor blade for precision metering of the ink on the anilox roller. The printing unit includes a plate roller and a drive roller. The nip between the plate roller and the drive roller is adjustable. There are first and second motors and first and second gear trains. The first motor and gear train drives the inking unit at a set slow speed through a throw-out clutch. The second motor and gear train drives the printing unit at a speed that is higher than the speed at which the first motor rotates the inking unit. The second gear train is meshed with the first gear train through a throw-in clutch. The second gear train drives the first gear train through the throw-in clutch when the second motor is activated while the first gear train is disengaged from the first motor by the throw-out clutch.

Abstract: An ink rail for a printing press has an ink rail body, a pedestal, a supporting member and a distance adjusting means. The ink rail body has a concave curved surface and also has an ink supplying surface having plural ink supplying ports opened to the concave curved surface. The pedestal supports the ink rail body in a supporting plane parallel to the joining face of the ink rail body. The supporting member supports the pedestal so as to be angularly displaced. The ink rail body can be reciprocated along the supporting plane of the pedestal. The joining face of the ink rail body approximately conforms to a plane including a rotation central line of the fountain roller, and the concave curved surface of the ink rail body can be approached and separated from the outer circumferential surface of the fountain roller.

Abstract: To effectively cool the inking unit of a rotary printing machine during a machine stop, the inking unit can be driven during the machine stop by at least one motor, with the rubber-covered ink transport rollers having contact with the temperature-modified ink transport rollers.

Abstract: A gap adjusting device for a rotary press comprises a frame and a fountain roller and a metering roller which are both rotatably mounted relative to the frame. A gap is defined between the metering roller and the fountain roller, and an adjustment member is provided which has an actuator for alternatively moving the rollers toward and away from each other, thereby decreasing or increasing, respectively, the size of the gap. Additionally, the gap adjusting device includes a stabilizing member for stabilizing the metering roller.

Abstract: A fluid dampening system for a printing machine has a frame and a printing roll on the frame for holding a circular printing plate. A fluid reservoir is on the frame and a fountain roll is on the frame and is partially immersed in the fluid reservoir. A second roll is on the frame and is normally in surface contact with the fountain roll. A third roll is on the frame and is normally in surface contact with the fountain roll. A plurality of additional rolls are on the frame sequentially in surface contact with each other and with the third roll and the printing roll so that when all of the aforesaid rolls are rotated and in surface contact with each other, fluid will be transferred from the surface of the fountain roll to the surface of the third roll and sequentially on the surface of the additional rolls to the surface of the printing roll.

Abstract: A print unit (1) in a printing press, which includes an inking roller (2) and a plate cylinder (4), a rubber blanket sleeve (14) being allocated to the inking roller (2), is distinguished by the inking roller (2) being supported in a cantilever-type arrangement on one side wall (34) of the printing press, and the rubber blanket sleeve (14) being able to be axially slid onto and pulled off of the inking roller (2).

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting collisions in a printing machine having at least one rotationally driveable rotary body (18; 20) and an actuator (28; 30) for adjusting the rotary body in a direction normal to the axis of rotation, the apparatus including a torque sensor (T) and/or an angle increment sensor (&OHgr;) for detecting the driving torque and/or the rotary speed of the rotary body (18; 20), and a control unit (38) adapted to detect a collision of the rotary body with another component member on the basis of the signal of the torque or angle increment sensor and to stop the actuator (28; 30) thereupon.

Abstract: An ink duct is used with an ink-metering roller of a printing press. The ink duct includes doctor blades and is shiftable for pivoted movement between a working position and an emptying position with at least one of the doctor blades remaining in contact with the ink-metering roller. When the ink duct is in the emptying position, any printing ink in the ink duct is collected in a very low ink collection channel.