Abstract: According to a feature of the present invention, an imaging drum assembly is provided for use in an imaging apparatus for forming images on sheet material. The imaging drum assembly comprises a rotatable imaging drum having an outer surface adapted to attract sheet material to the imaging drum. A material clamp is mounted to the drum and has a retainer positioning a retaining surface radially outward of the outer surface and forming a space therebetween. A slide is movable positioned within the space between an outer radial position where outward radial movement of the slide is blocked by the retaining surface and an inner radial position distant from the retaining surface. A biasing member urges the slide toward the outer radial position.

Abstract: A device for clamping the trailing edge of a printing plate in a plate cylinder of a rotary printing machine includes a torsion bar disposed in a cylinder gap formed in the plate cylinder and extending in axial direction thereof, clamping elements affixed to the torsion bar and cooperating with holding elements for clamping the printing plate, and actuators provided on both sides of the plate cylinder for stretching the printing plate in axial direction. The torsion bar is of bipartite construction, and the actuators, respectively, are mounted so as to be displaceable axially independently of one another.

Abstract: A groove for receiving opposite end edges of an object, like a printing plate that extends around a printing cylinder, is formed in a printing cylinder adjacent the outer circumferential surface thereof to extend from an axially extending anchor-shaft hole to the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder body. One wall surface of the groove intersects, at an acute angle, a tangent plane passing through a line of intersection between the wall surface and the outer circumferential surface of the printing cylinder, thereby forming an edge together with the circumferential surface of the printing cylinder. When an anchor shaft inserted into the anchor-shaft hole is rotated by means of elastic force, pins studded into a cutaway surface of the anchor-shaft enter anchor holes formed in an end edge portion of the object and secure the end edge portion within the groove. Thus, the object is attached to the printing cylinder.

Abstract: A printing unit having a tucker bar capable of tucking a tail edge of a printing plate into an axially-extending gap of a plate cylinder and a tucker bar control device for automatically moving the tucker bar from an operating position to a non-operating position so as to permit access to the axially-extending gap. In addition, a method of plating a plate cylinder using such a tucker bar control device to automatically move the tucker bar so as to permit access to the axially-extending gap of the plate cylinder.

Abstract: A method for locking a cylinder dressing on a printing machine cylinder, including adjusting a first clamping bar for holding the cylinder dressing, and a second clamping bar for likewise holding the cylinder dressing, towards one another in respective tautening directions thereof, further includes adjusting the two clamping bars by actuating the same adjusting member, so that, when locking the cylinder dressing, in a first method step, only the first clamping bar is adjusted and, in a second method step, the two clamping bars are adjusted simultaneously, a device for performing the method, and a printing machine including the device.

Abstract: A sheet member holding apparatus which holds a winding direction end portion of a sheet member that is wound around a rotary body. Centrifugal force generated by rotation of the rotary body is efficiently utilized to hold the end portion securely and prevent looseness or the like of the sheet member, because the holding apparatus is designed such that the expression {(&mgr;1+&mgr;2)×(L2/L1)×m}>c×r×t is satisfied. L1 is distance from a fulcrum to a clamp section, L2 is distance from the fulcrum to a center of gravity, m is mass of a plate of the apparatus per unit length in the rotary body's axial direction, t is thickness and c is density of the sheet member, and &mgr;1 and &mgr;2 are coefficients of friction between the sheet member and, respectively, the clamp section and the rotary body.

Abstract: A tensioning device for a printing form on a jacket surface of a printing unit cylinder in a printing unit of a rotary printing machine, the printing unit cylinder being formed with a tensioning gap for receiving ends of the printing form therein, a tensioning shaft being received in a bore formed in the printing unit cylinder, the tensioning shaft being held under pretensioning by tensioning elements, includes fluid-loaded cylinders disposed on the tensioning shaft for respectively locking and unlocking a tensioning element on the tensioning shaft, and a separate actuating cylinder for setting an operating pressure of the fluid-loaded cylinders; a printing unit cylinder with the tensioning device; a printing unit with a printing unit cylinder; and a printing unit cylinder cooperating with a transfer cylinder.

Abstract: A clamping device for locking-up printing forms on a printing-form cylinder of a printing machine, having a plurality of clamping elements disposed so as to be adjustable in axial direction, with an adjusting device for respectively expanding and buckling a clamped printing-form edge, comprising a shaft whereon the clamping elements, with spring elements interposed, are axially displaceably mounted, and adjusting elements disposed on respective outer ends of the shaft for subjecting the clamping elements to forces acting in the axial direction.

Abstract: A method for automatically providing a printing plate to a plate cylinder includes the steps of aligning a first edge of a printing plate against a cylinder adjacent to a plate cylinder, moving the first edge of the printing plate into a gap in the plate cylinder, and wrapping the printing plate about the plate cylinder. The present invention also includes a device for attaching a printing plate to a plate cylinder comprising a first set of grippers for gripping a printing plate and aligning the printing plate against a cylinder adjacent to the plate cylinder, and a second set of grippers for moving the printing plate toward a gap in the plate cylinder. An offset printing press having the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A blanket cylinder used in offset lithography includes a cylinder body, a retainer spindle and a resilient member. The cylinder body has an undercut groove with a first undercut longitudinal edge for engaging a first flange of a carrier sheet and a second undercut longitudinal edge for temporarily engaging a rim of the carrier sheet. The retainer spindle is received in the undercut groove for bi-directional rotation. The retainer spindle includes a pull-in hook that engages the rim of the carrier sheet to pull a second end portion thereof into the undercut groove with rotation of the retainer spindle in a first direction and a push-out ledge abuts against the rim of the carrier sheet in order to push a second end portion thereof out of the undercut groove with rotation of the retainer spindle in a second direction. The resilient member energizes the retainer spindle in the first direction.

Abstract: A printing plate is clamped to a plate support by providing the plate support with a magnetic surface and laying a printing plate having opposite edges on that surface. Then, a first strip-like ferromagnetic blade clamp is deposited on the plate so that the first blade clamp is adjacent and parallel to one edge of the plate and a second strip-like ferromagnetic blade clamp is deposited on the plate so that the second blade clamp is adjacent and parallel to the opposite edge of the plate. The magnetic attraction of the blade clamp to the support surface enables the blade clamps to releasably clamp the printing plate to the support surface. Dispensing mechanisms for depositing the blade clamps on, and removing them from, the support surface are disclosed. The invention has particular application to releasably clamping superimposed donor and receptor sheets to the plate cylinder of proofing apparatus.

Abstract: A device for fastening flexible printing plates to a plate cylinder of rotary printing machines is provided. The plate cylinder has a channel, a channel gap, and a bore. The channel accommodates bent ends of the printing plate. The bore in the channel is axially parallel to the plate cylinder. Two segmented shafts are arranged pivotally in the bore and have leaf springs which are fastened to the segmented shafts. The leaf springs can be brought into contact with the ends inserted into the channel. The channel has at least one lateral recess or cut out in an area which connects the bore radially to a channel gap on the periphery of the plate cylinder, and is at a distance form the channel gap. The end of the printing plate which is bent approximately at a right angle, is provided with a shaped element projecting in the direction of recesses in the channel. The shaped element of the end inserted into the channel can be moved into the recess by bringing the leaf springs into pressure contact with the bent end.

Abstract: A method for applying a gravure printing plate to a gravure printing drum including applying a release liner on the gravure printing drum, wherein a release layer of the release liner faces away from the drum, applying a double-sided adhesive foil to the gravure printing drum, wherein the two edges of the adhesive foil overlap, cutting through the overlapping edges of the adhesive foil and through the release liner, removing the release liner and attaching the two cut edges of the adhesive foil to the drum, applying a release liner on the gravure printing drum, wherein a release layer of the release liner faces towards the adhesive foil, applying the gravure printing plate onto the double-sided adhesive foil, wherein the two edges of the plate overlap in the area of the release liner, cutting through the overlapping edges of the gravure printing plate and through the release liner; and removing the release liner and attaching the two cut edges of the gravure printing plate to the adhesive foil.

Abstract: A plate cylinder comprising a cylinder body having at least one external slot extending axially with respect to the cylinder body, and at least one register pin slidable by an external registration device within the slot. Also provided is an external registration device comprising a base for attaching to a periphery of a plate cylinder, and a pin pusher interacting with a register pin in a slot of the plate cylinder, the pin pusher being axially movable relative to the base. A method is provided for registering plates on a plate cylinder comprising the steps of placing an external registration device on a plate cylinder having at least one register pin, and moving the register pin axially with the external registration device.

Abstract: A device for correcting a skew of a skewed printing plate on a plate cylinder of a rotary printing machine, comprising a front clamping bar for holding a leading edge of the printing plate; and a rear clamping device including at least one rear clamping bar for holding a trailing edge of the printing plate, an axially guided lower bar and a pivoting strip mounted so as to be pivotable about a first pivot point on said lower bar; the front clamping bar being pivotable about a second pivot point disposed approximately centrally in an axial extent of a cylinder channel formed in the plate cylinder, and the at least one rear clamping bar being mounted on the pivoting strip so that the at least one rear clamping bar is pivotable in circumferential direction about a third pivot point.

Abstract: A system for loading and clamping one or more plates onto the cylindrical surface of a rotatable drum, such as used in a platesetter for printing, and for unloading the plates from the drum. The system is characterized by clamps that are movable over the surface, preferably along circumferential tracks, enabling the attachment of multiple plates, end-to-end and/or side-by-side, each plate having any of a wide range of sizes. The clamps are preferably of the dynamic type, whereby the clamping force increases with rotational speed. Also disclosed is a method for mounting and unmounting plates, using the movable clamps, such that allows flexible and convenient arrangement of loading- and unloading stations.

Abstract: A clamping device having clamping surfaces disposed on both sides of a gap and being movable relative to one another, at least one of the clamping surfaces being formed by lateral surfaces of a plurality of plate-type spring elements, includes, at the lateral surface of each spring element, local projections facing the gap and separated by returns, the spring elements being arranged in a stack so that a projection of a spring element is adjoined by respective returns of adjacent spring elements, each of the projections being disposed over a recess formed in the respective spring element; and a printing cylinder for a printing machine, including the clamping device.

Abstract: A printing cylinder for accepting an axially-removable printing sleeve includes a cylinder body having an outer surface, the outer surface having at least one hole and a supply line in the cylinder body for supplying fluid to the at least one hole. The supply line has at least one flow restrictor designed to alter fluid flow as a function of the at least one hole being covered by an axially-removable printing sleeve. Also provided is a printing press having two such cylinders and a common pressure source.

Abstract: A printing plate lockup mechanism for use in a cylinder groove of a plate cylinder. The lockup mechanism has a base plate which is held in the cylinder groove and has cutouts which permit grippers to be held by the base plate. Thrust bars take the place of conventional thrust cylinders and each thrust bar is held above a base plate by a pair of springs. Plate locating clips are also held on the base plate. The lockup mechanism of the present invention permits the conversion from a mechanical lockup system to a snap-in tooless system. It also permits the securement of downsized printing plates so that plates of a lesser width can be accommodated on printing cylinders originally designed for plates of a wider width. The printing plate lockup of the present invention can be used to replace a mechanical lockup system. The mechanical lockup system is removed from the plate cylinder and the new tooless system installed in its place.

Abstract: A magnetic cylinder for printing plates and the like has a core of low-cost magnetically permeable material with an outer shell of higher cost low magnetic permeability material with magnetic elements resting in cavities or channels formed in the shell.

Abstract: A lateral registration device for printing plates in a plate cylinder uses axially shiftable insertion strips. These insertion strips have register pins which engage recesses in the beveled ends of flexible printing plates inserted into an insertion slit. The insertion or guide strips are arranged adjacent each other in the circumferential direction of the plate cylinder.

Abstract: A flexible plate is gripped and secured to a plate cylinder in a rotary printing press by spaced-apart tines extending from an operating shaft rotatably mounted within a bore in the cylinder. The leading and trailing legs of the flexible plate are inserted in a channel in the cylinder, and then rotation of the shaft to a plate-securing position causes the tines to penetrate the trailing leg and hold the plate.

Abstract: The object of the invention is an integrated guiding device for positioning and cutting with the help of a cutting tool, a printing plate (16) on a sleeve (10) or on a printing cylinder, particularly for flexography, said sleeve or cylinder comprising an external coating (24) adapted to be deeply machined, characterized in that it comprises at least one longitudinal guide (30) along a generatrix, and/or a peripheral guide, along a circumference, provided within a matrix of material of high hardness, embedded in the thickness of said external coating. The invention also comprises the sleeve or cylinder provided with this device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fitting a printing plate to a plate cylinder where the printing plate is bent into a circular shape and fixed in this form by leading and trailing legs of the plate being firmly connected to each other. The printing plate shaped in this way is subsequently axially pushed onto the plate cylinder from the free side of the plate cylinder.

Abstract: A clamping device for firmly clamping a cylinder packing or covering on a printing machine cylinder, the clamping device having a clamping seat, a clamping jaw cooperating therewith, and an eccentric shaft, includes a support wherein the eccentric shaft and the clamping jaw are jointly mounted, the support being adjustable alternatively into a first support position and into a second support position relative to the clamping seat; and a printing machine having at least one clamping device with the foregoing construction.

Abstract: A blanket-mounting mechanism includes a dragging shaft, a rotating device, a correction device, and a deflection suppression device. A dragging-shaft accommodation bore extends axially through a blanket cylinder. A blanket insertion groove extends axially on the outer circumferential surface of the blanket cylinder and extends radially to the dragging-shaft accommodation bore. The dragging shaft has a blanket-end reception groove formed on the outer circumferential surface and adapted to receive one end of a blanket. The dragging shaft is inserted into the dragging-shaft accommodation bore with an appropriate gap maintained therebetween and is supported rotatably. The rotating device is disposed at the side of one end face of the blanket cylinder and is connected to the dragging shaft. The correction device is disposed at the side of the other end face of the blanket cylinder and is able to grip/release the dragging shaft so as to adjust the angular position of the dragging shaft.

Abstract: In the present invention, a blanket cylinder for a printing press is made up of a shaft roller and a cylindrical blanket capable of being attached and detached freely to and from the shaft roller. The cylindrical blanket comprises an elastic layer formed integrally with a cylindrical sleeve by winding and bonding a sheet-form elastic member on and to the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve, the elastic layer having a gap extending in the axial direction formed between both ends in the circumferential direction of the sheet-form elastic member; and a separation preventive member for preventing both ends in the circumferential direction of the sheet-form elastic member from being separated from the sleeve, the separation preventive member being embedded in the gap so as to be thinner than the thickness of the sheet-form elastic member to form a groove in the outer peripheral surface of the elastic layer.

Abstract: A blanket cylinder for use in offset lithography in combination with a blanket assembly having a rubber blanket bonded to a major portion of a metal-made carrier sheet. The carrier sheet has a first end portion bent at an angle to the major portion to provide a first flange, and a second end portion bent twofold to provide a second flange at an angle to the major portion, and a rim at an angle to the second flange. The blanket cylinder has formed therein an undercut groove in which the flanges of the blanket carrier sheet are to be received, with the first flange in positive engagement with one longitudinal edge of the groove.

Abstract: A groove for receiving opposite end edges of an object such as a printing plate is formed in a printing cylinder in the vicinity of the outer circumferential surface thereof such that the groove extends from an axially extending anchor-shaft hole toward the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder body, thereby opening at the outer circumferential surface. One wall surface of the groove intersects, at an acute angle, with a tangent plane passing through a line of intersection between the wall surface and the outer circumferential surface of the printing cylinder, thereby forming an edge together with the outer circumferential surface of the printing cylinder. The first end edge portion of the object is bent at an acute angle, and the second end edge portion of the object is bent at an obtuse angel which is substantially the supplementary angle of the acute angle.

Abstract: A device for correcting a skew of a skewed printing plate on a plate cylinder of a rotary printing machine, comprising a front clamping bar for holding a leading edge of the printing plate; and a rear clamping device including at least one rear clamping bar for holding a trailing edge of the printing plate, an axially guided lower bar and a pivoting strip mounted so as to be pivotable about a first pivot point on said lower bar; the front clamping bar being pivotable about a second pivot point disposed approximately centrally in an axial extent of a cylinder channel formed in the plate cylinder, and the at least one rear clamping bar being mounted on the pivoting strip so that the at least one rear clamping bar is pivotable in circumferential direction about a third pivot point.

Abstract: A printing press comprises a pair of left- and right-frames, a first printing plate guiding device provided at a location near a lower plate cylinder, swingably supported so as to be moved between a guiding position for guiding a new printing plate supplied to a lower plate cylinder or a discharged printing plate discharged from the lower plate cylinder and a shelter position released from the lower plate cylinder, a second printing plate guiding device provided at a location near the lower plate cylinder, swingably supported so as to be moved between a guiding position for guiding the new printing plate or the discharged printing plate and a shelter position released from the lower plate cylinder and a safety cover swingably supported so as to be moved between a closing position for closing at least one part of a space formed between the left- and right-frames and a releasing position for releasing the space.

Abstract: A universal edge strip is secured to both leading and trailing edges of a flexographic carrier sheet. A universal edge strip assembly includes the universal edge strip and a retaining clip. The universal edge strip includes a first pair of parallel walls connected to a center web which define a first deep slot or channel. The universal edge strip also includes a second pair of walls connected to the same center web which defines a second J-shaped shallow slot or channel. The first slot receives the carrier sheet which is secured to the universal edge strip by conventional means. One of the walls adjacent the second shallow slot includes a projection or J-shape which defines a throat adjacent the opposite wall. A U-shaped retaining clip is received within the second shallow slot in the universal edge strip at one end of the carrier sheet and is hooked to an undercut lip on the flexographic printing cylinder. As noted, both leading and trailing edges of the carrier sheet include a universal edge strip.

Abstract: A method for applying a gravure printing plate to a gravure printing drum including: applying a release liner on the gravure printing drum, wherein a release layer of the release liner faces away, from the drum, applying a double-sided adhesive foil to the gravure printing drum, wherein the two edges of the adhesive foil overlap, cutting through the overlapping edges of the adhesive foil and through the release liner, removing the release liner and attaching the two cut edges of the adhesive foil to the drum, applying a release liner on the gravure printing drum, wherein a release layer of the release liner faces towards the adhesive foil, applying the gravure printing plate onto the double-sided adhesive foil, wherein the two edges of the plate overlap in the area of the release liner, cutting through the overlapping edges of the gravure printing plate and through the release liner; and removing the release liner and attaching the two cut edges of the gravure printing plate to the adhesive foil.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for correctly registering mounting of a printing plate. Task of the invention is to provide an apparatus to control the correctly registered position of a printing plate, which can be realized with simple means and can withstand abrupt load changes of the printing plate. The task is solved according the invention by inserts allocated to registering elements, which are contacting the printing plate electrically isolated from the registering elements and are connected to a control unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a media handling system for an imaging system, such as an external drum platesetter. Separate input and output trays are provided, thereby allowing pre-staging of a second printing plate while a first printing plate is being imaged. The input tray is positioned over the output tray to reduce the floor space (i.e., footprint) of the imaging system.

Abstract: A plate-mounting member to be attached to a plate front end of a flexible plate in order to mount said flexible plate having a plurality of fixing holes onto a plate cylinder including a plate front end clamp mechanism having upper and lower teeth and at least two positioning pins disposed between upper and lower teeth, said plate-mounting member comprising a base and a plurality of fixing pins disposed on said base to be respectively inserted into said plurality of fixing holes formed in said plate front end, wherein said base is to be attached to said positioning pins disposed in said plate front end clamp mechanism to thereby position said plate front end. Also disclosed are method and apparatus for mounting a flexible printing plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic closing device for air passage holes in a support cylinder, or compression sleeves used in printing applications. The automatic closing devices of the invention are inserted into the thickness of the wall of the cylinder and comprises a support, a seat with an interior passage and a valve mobile in translation in the support. The support is capable of assuming two positions, the first in which the valve comes into tight contact with the aforementioned seat and the other in which it is retracted so as to allow for a passage.

Abstract: A device for fastening flexible printing plates to a plate cylinder of rotary printing machines is provided. The plate cylinder has a channel, a channel gap, and a bore. The channel accommodates bent ends of the printing plate. The bore in the channel is axially parallel to the plate cylinder. Two segmented shafts are arranged pivotally in the bore and have leaf springs which are fastened to the segmented shafts. The leaf springs can be brought into contact with the ends inserted into the channel. The channel has at least one lateral recess or cut out in an area which connects the bore radially to a channel gap on the periphery of the plate cylinder, and is at a distance form the channel gap. The end of the printing plate which is bent approximately at a right angle, is provided with a shaped element projecting in the direction of recesses in the channel. The shaped element of the end inserted into the channel can be moved into the recess by bringing the leaf springs into pressure contact with the bent end.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for continuously embossing a moving web of material. More particularly, the present invention is a unitary saddle used to mount multiple embossing slugs to an emboss roll. The unitary saddle of the present invention improves slug alignment and thereby reduces the time the converting operation must be shut down for roll maintenance or the pattern changes.

Abstract: A device for clamping the trailing edge of a printing plate in a plate cylinder of a rotary printing machine includes a torsion bar disposed in a cylinder gap formed in the plate cylinder and extending in axial direction thereof, clamping elements affixed to the torsion bar and cooperating with holding elements for clamping the printing plate, and actuators provided on both sides of the plate cylinder for stretching the printing plate in axial direction. The torsion bar is of bipartite construction, and the actuators, respectively, are mounted so as to be displaceable axially independently of one another.

Abstract: A device for fastening flexible printing plates to a plate cylinder of rotary printing machines having a channel in the plate cylinder which accommodates bent ends of the printing plate. A bore in the channel is axially parallel to the plate cylinder and has two segmented shafts arranged pivotably therein. Leaf springs are each fastened to the segmented shafts and can be brought into contact with the ends of the printing plate inserted into the channel. A region radially connects the bore to a channel gap on the periphery of the plate cylinder. The channel has lateral recesses at a distance from the channel gap and, the approximately rectangularly bent ends of the printing plate are equipped with shaped elements which project into the channel in the direction of the recesses. The shaped elements of one or both ends inserted into the channel can be moved into the recesses by bringing the respective leaf springs into contact while bending the ends.

Abstract: A device in an axially extending tension channel on the circumferential surface of a cylinder for fastening a flexible plate on the cylinder periphery. The leading edge of the plate is held by a leading edge fastening device in the channel, and the trailing edge is held by a trailing edge fastening device in the channel. The leading edge fastening device is a start hook-in bar which the leading edge of the plate engages. The trailing edge fastening device is formed by an end hook-in bar which is engaged by the trailing edge of the plate. The end hook-in bar projects tangentially from a tensioning shaft which is rotatable to set the tension of the plate without means to apply a clamping load. Various devices for fastening and adjusting the leading and trailing edges of the plate are disclosed.

Abstract: Improved method of forming a patterned self-assembled monolayer on a surface and derivative articles are provided. According to one method, an elastomeric stamp is deformed during and/or prior to using the stamp to print a self-assembled molecular monolayer on a surface. According to another method, during monolayer printing the surface is contacted with a liquid that is immiscible with the molecular monolayer-forming species to effect controlled reactive spreading of the monolayer on the surface. Methods of printing self-assembled molecular monolayers on nonplanar surfaces and derivative articles are provided, as are methods of etching surfaces patterned with self-assembled monolayers, including methods of etching silicon. Optical elements including flexible diffraction gratings, mirrors, and lenses are provided, as are methods for forming optical devices and other articles using lithographic molding.

Abstract: A device for actuating a tensioning device for fastening flexible packings to printing-unit cylinders of rotary printing machines, the actuating device having a tensioning shaft for accommodating respective ends of flexible packings, for clamping at least one end of the flexible packings, and an actuating mechanism arranged outside the printing-unit cylinder for activating the tensioning shaft, includes an actuating element passing through a cylinder journal of the printing-unit cylinder and being displaceable axially relative to the cylinder journal, and a transmission element via which the displacement of the actuating element is convertible into a rotational movement of an attachment to the tensioning shaft; and a printing unit and a printing-unit cylinder having the actuating device, as well as a method of operating a tensioning device for fastening flexible packings.

Abstract: A printing press comprising a plate cylinder having an outer circumferential surface having an axially-extending slot therein, the slot having a first side and a second side, the plate cylinder having an axially-extending hole at least partially opening along the first side and having a hole axis. A printing plate has a lead edge and a tail edge, the lead edge and tail edge being located in the slot, and the plate cylinder has an eccentric shaft situated in the hole. The eccentric shaft is for eccentric rotation with respect to the hole axis so as to selectively provide a force against the lead edge and tail edge.

Abstract: A printer drum includes a leading edge assembly for holding a first end of a substrate, and a trailing edge assembly for holding a second end of the substrate. The leading edge assembly includes a first plurality of interconnected disks, and the trailing edge assembly includes a second plurality of interconnected disks. The disks of the two assemblies are interleaved such that the disks of the trailing edge assembly are rotatable relative to the disks of the leading edge assembly about the axis of rotation of the drum. A balancing disk is interleaved with the disks. A leading edge clamp interconnects the first plurality of disks, and a trailing edge clamp interconnects the second plurality of disks. A plurality of registration pins of the leading edge clamp selectively engage a substrate held by the clamp.

Abstract: A cylinder of a rotary printing press has a plate end insertion slit which receives the angled ends of plates. A rotatable spindle is supported in a bore in the cylinder and carries a plurality of projections. These projections can function as plate end clamps. They also have hooks or protrusions which will engage edge positions of the plate ends to push the plate ends out of the cylinder slit.

Abstract: In a rotary printing press, a printing unit cylinder having a printing form with bent ends fastened thereon so as to form a printing form cylinder with a printing form mounted thereon, the bent ends of the printing form being provided with fastening tabs extendable into the interior of lock-up gap sections formed in the printing form cylinder, and webs respectively alternatingly disposed opposite one another being formed on a leading edge and on a trailing edge of the printing form, between the fastening tabs of the printing form, includes a plurality of pockets formed on a circumferential surface of the printing form cylinder, wherein the fastening tabs of the printing form engage, the webs provided between the fastening tabs and formed on the printing-form leading edge and the printing-form trailing edge terminating on generating lines of the printing form cylinder which differ from one another.

Abstract: A plate cylinder including a plate cylinder body; a first partially cylindrical image carrying shell and a second partially cylindrical image carrying shell, the shells being removably fastened to the plate cylinder body. Printing plates can be prefastened to the shells. The present invention also provides a method for attachment to a printing cylinder including the steps of mounting a first partially cylindrical shell and a second partially cylindrical shell to a printing cylinder body.

Abstract: A retainer for firmly holding a printing plate on a plate-carrying cylinder by a hook that engages in an elongated gap formed in the cylinder and is fixedly connected to a tension rod guidable rotatably by drive mechanisms so that it is alignable relatively to two limiting directions in accordance with two limit positions. The drive mechanisms include a piston rod that is supported in a longitudinal bore formed in the cylinder, the piston rod carrying a plurality of pistons distributed over the entire length thereof and including a longitudinal conduit selectively suited for supplying pressure medium for positioning the pistons selectively in two extreme positions.