Abstract: A cylinder, such as a forme or transfer cylinder of a printing machine has at least one clamping conduit in an outer cylinder body. This clamping conduit extends axially in the cylinder body and has a radial depth. A tempering medium can flow through the cylinder. The cylinder outer body has an inner surface which is generally circular and which cooperates with the tempering medium.

Abstract: A sheet-fed rotary printing press has at least one unit which includes an impression cylinder and an additional cylinder assigned to the impression cylinder. The impression cylinder and the additional cylinder are relatively adjustable a spaced distance from one another. A sheet guiding device is disposed on the additional cylinder for keeping sheets of printing material, which have been transported by the impression cylinder past the additional cylinder, away from the additional cylinder, once the spaced distance between the impression cylinder and the additional cylinder has been set.

Abstract: Provided, in combination, is a device for turning sheet-like material, with an impression cylinder for guiding the sheet-like material, the impression cylinder being preceded by a first transfer cylinder and followed by a second transfer cylinder, the sheet-like material being receivable on an outer jacket surface of the impression cylinder so as to be printable by a third transfer cylinder, and further included are a storage device, and a device for imparting a deformation in the sheet-like material during entry thereof into the storage device and while the sheet-like material is gripped at an edge thereof; and a printing unit and a multicolor rotary printing machine, respectively, provided with the combination.

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 device includes a cylinder having a gripper system for holding a sheet of printable material, the gripper system having at least one gripper mounted so as to be pivotable relative to at least one gripper support and being capable of performing a dipping movement into a channel formed in the cylinder below an outer jacket contour thereof, and having a control cam for controlling the pivoting of the gripper relative to the gripper support, the control cam also serving to control the dipping movement of the gripper system into the channel.

Abstract: Provided in a sheet-fed printing machine is a sheet transport drum, including a first comb segment and a second comb segment, the second comb segment being mounted so as to be rotatable relative to the first comb segment for providing an adjustment to a format length corresponding with that of a printing-material sheet, the comb segments being formed of prongs having interspaces therebetween, and at least one covering provided for covering the interspaces between the prongs.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a paper conducting cylinder (8) of a folder assembly (1). A cylinder surface (18) has a plurality of counterparts (23) for cooperation with cutting elements of a cutting cylinder (3). Product seizing element (24) being assigned to said paper conducting cylinder circumference (18) are located adjacent to said counterpart (23) and said cylinders (8) surface (18). Said product seizing element (24) perform an extending movement about a first pivot point (25) and a seizing movement about a further pivot point (26).

Abstract: A multicolor printing method and system including a master making device having plurality of removable ink drums replaceable with each other and a printing device. The plurality of removable ink drums are fed with respective masters to be used for printing, by fixed master feeding devices smaller in number than the removable ink drums. The removable ink drums fed with respective masters are then used by the printing device for printing onto paper. The method and system provides multicolor printing with lower cost, reduced size and accurate registration between the respective masters, as compared to conventional methods and systems.

Abstract: An assembly including a device for holding a sheet on a cylinder participating in a reversal of the sheet, includes a region wherein the holding device is effective for holding a sheet, the effective region for the holding device being located downline, as viewed in a sheet transport direction, from an upline effective region wherein the sheet is gripped by a lifting device.

Abstract: A paper discharging apparatus, which is provided in a printing machine, for transferring sheets of paper having different thickness. The paper discharging apparatus has a first gripper unit fixed in a groove, which extends along the cylindrical surface of a printing cylinder, and a second gripper unit, which moves along a discharging rail. The second gripper unit has a gripper and a base to hold the sheet. The position of the base is adjusted in accordance with the thickness of the sheet. A relatively thin sheet of paper is held by the first gripper unit and a relatively thick sheet of paper is held by the second gripper unit.

Abstract: A folding cylinder includes a plurality of gripping devices supported on a first rotatable support with a first gripping device for holding a signature on the cylinder. A plurality of tucking devices are supported on a second rotatable support, the tucking devices including a first tucking device and a second tucking device. The first gripping device is located circumferentially between the first tucking device and second tucking device and a cover fixed to the second rotatable support extends circumferentially over the first gripping device between the first tucking device and the second tucking device. The cover has at least one aperture, with the first gripping device capable of extending through the at least one aperture. With the folding cylinder of the invention gaps between the tucking and gripping spiders can be eliminated.

Abstract: A recto and verso printing press, comprising an upper gripper and a lower gripper, respectively, centrally pivotable with respect to an introduction of force, said upper gripper, in recto printing position thereof, being cooperable with a gripper pad fixed to a cylinder of the printing press, said upper gripper and said lower gripper being arranged centrally in relation to one another and to said gripper pad, and having a common center line.

Abstract: A sheet-fed rotary printing press with a convertible mechanism includes a convertible cylinder, a plurality of gripper units, a plurality of holding members, a convey mechanism, and a pair of paper guide members. The convertible cylinder conveys a sheet. The gripper units are arranged on an outer surface of the convertible cylinder and lined up in an axial direction of the convertible cylinder, and grip the sheet. The holding members are arranged on the outer surface of the convertible cylinder to be adjacent to the gripper units, and lined up in the axial direction of the convertible cylinder to be phase-shifted from the gripper units. In single-sided printing, the convey mechanism conveys the sheet fed from an upstream convey cylinder by gripping its leading edge upon opening/closing operation of the gripper units.

Abstract: In a printing machine, a tip end of a print sheet 22, which is transferred from a paper feed section 5 synchronously with rotation of a printing drum 16 and a pressure drum 17, is clamped by a sheet clamp section 21 at a rotation clamp position upstream of a press portion on which the printing drum 16 and the pressure drum press each other. The print sheet 22 thus clamped is transferred along an outer peripheral surface of the pressure drum 17 and pressed against a stencil sheet on the press portion. Then, printing is done. The printing machine is provided with a sheet clamp guide member 30 guiding the tip end of the print sheet 22, which is transferred from the sheet feed section 5, to a position on which the print sheet 22 is abutted on a sheet abutment face 21a of the sheet clamp section 21 located at the rotation clamp position.

Abstract: An improved delivery section of a folder of a printing press in which the bucket assemblies and side guides are adjustable to accommodate varying widths of signatures.

Abstract: A device includes a cylinder having a gripper system for holding a sheet of printable material, the gripper system having at least one gripper mounted so as to be pivotable relative to at least one gripper support and being capable of performing a dipping movement into a channel formed in the cylinder below an outer jacket contour thereof, and having a control cam for controlling the pivoting of the gripper relative to the gripper support, the control cam also serving to control the dipping movement of the gripper system into the channel.

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: When a sheet body such as a printing plate or the like is wound onto a rotation drum, the sheet body is securely fixed to the rotation drum and after being fixed, the coming up of the sheet off the drum is kept at a minimum. In the clamp having two support points, the position of the support points are determined such that the amount of deformation caused when a centrifugal force generated when the rotation drum rotates at a high speed, acts against an urging force of the clamp, in the dimension between the support points and the dimension between the support points and one end portion, is substantially uniform along the entire length of the clamp portion. Thus, the nipping force is uniform along the entire clamp and the printing plate, and the disadvantage of the printing plate inclining on the rotation drum is eliminated.

Abstract: A media handling system is provided for an imaging system, such as an external drum platesetter. An edge clamp used to secure a printing plate onto a cylindrical media support surface of the external drum is movable about the drum surface to accommodate the use of different size plates. The edge clamp includes a clamping bar which is radially movable with respect to the media support surface to attach to the media support surface and capture an edge of the printing plate by employing vacuum hold down force.

Abstract: A method for taking over a sheet by a trailing edge thereof from an upline cylinder of a sheet-fed rotary printing press and transferring the sheet by the trailing edge thereof to a gripper system, by placing a suction gripper on the sheet in a marginal region of the trailing edge and, during the sheet takeover, having the suction gripper follow the periphery of the upline cylinder, having the suction gripper guided at a constant tangent into the periphery of a downline inverting drum and, along this course, having the suction gripper execute a relative motion in the direction of the tangent so as to tauten the sheet, which comprises, upon reaching a transfer position at the gripper system, having the suction gripper execute a relative motion in the sheet transport direction and, when the grippers close, having the suction gripper and the gripper system disposed at rest relative to one another; and a transmission system for performing the method.

Abstract: A gripper drum device comprising a drum body rotatable about a central axis, an actuating shaft rotatable within the drum body, a box cam follower connected to the actuating shaft for moving the actuating shaft, a gripper seat connected to the actuating shaft, a gripper connected to the actuating shaft, and a box cam, the box cam follower being located within the box cam for following the box cam. Also provided is a method for gripping printed products including the steps of rotating a drum about a central axis, moving a cam follower within a box cam, and gripping a printed product with a gripper attached to the cam follower.

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 feeder unit for a sheet-processing machine having a plurality of processing units is provided. The feeder unit includes a feeder, a feed table, and a feed drum. The feed drum is double-sized or larger in that it has a diameter at least twice that of the diameter of the plate or blanket cylinder of at least one of the processing units of the sheet-processing machine. The feed drum includes at least two gripper systems distributed symmetrically on a periphery of the feed drum. The feed drum is arranged with its rotational axis on or offset vertically above a horizontal plane formed by the rotational axes of the printing cylinders in the processing units. Each gripper system is pivotally supported on the feed drum and includes a gripper shaft, at least one gripper arranged on the gripper shaft, a gripper stop bar associated with the gripper, and a front guide arranged on the gripper stop bar.

Abstract: In a printing machine, a tip end of a print sheet 22, which is transferred from a paper feed section 5 synchronously with rotation of a printing drum 16 and a pressure drum 17, is clamped by a sheet clamp section 21 at a rotation clamp position upstream of a press portion on which the printing drum 16 and the pressure drum press each other. The print sheet 22 thus clamped is transferred along an outer peripheral surface of the pressure drum 17 and pressed against a stencil sheet on the press portion. Then, printing is done. The printing machine is provided with a sheet clamp guide member 30 guiding the tip end of the print sheet 22, which is transferred from the sheet feed section 5, to a position on which the print sheet 22 is abutted on a sheet abutment face 21a of the sheet clamp section 21 located at the rotation clamp position.

Abstract: A support structure for a plate cylinder is composed of a pair of support frames; a pair of eccentric slide bearings rotatably supported on the support frames; a pair of eccentric roller bearings rotatably supported by the eccentric slide bearings and rotatably supporting end portions of a shaft of the plate cylinder; dogs and pinions for rotating the eccentric slide bearings relative to the support frames in the same amount; an annular plate, a casing, a drive shaft, a worm wheel, a worm gear, a threaded shaft, a support member, a connecting rod, and a connecting pin for rotating one of the eccentric roller bearings relative to one of the support frames; and an annular plate, a connecting rod, and connecting pins for restraining rotation of the other eccentric roller bearing relative to the other support frame.

Abstract: A sheet-fed printing press is provided to shorten the operation time thereof for feeding the printing plate on the plate cylinder in a printing operation without the tail edge of the printing plate clamped. For this purpose, the sheet-fed printing press is operable in the standard-sized printing plate feeding mode and the shorter-sized printing plate feeding mode. When the shorter-sized printing plate feeding mode is selected, the plate cylinder is rotated in the forward direction with the leading edge of the printing plate clamped by the first clamp device, so that the printing plate is wound around the plate cylinder. In this operation, the second clamp device is not actuated.

Abstract: A gripper drum device comprising a drum body rotatable about a central axis, an actuating shaft rotatable within the drum body, a box cam follower connected to the actuating shaft for moving the actuating shaft, a gripper seat connected to the actuating shaft, a gripper connected to the actuating shaft, and a box cam, the box cam follower being located within the box cam for following the box cam. Also provided is a method for gripping printed products including the steps of rotating a drum about a central axis, moving a cam follower within a box cam, and gripping a printed product with a gripper attached to the cam follower.

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: In a sheet-like object convey apparatus for a sheet-fed rotary printing press a cylinder shaft is rotatably supported between a pair of frames and rotatably driven during conveyance of a sheet-like object. Gripper pads and grippers grip an end of a sheet-like object conveyed from an upstream side of a sheet convey direction. A gripper pad bar and gripper shaft are supported by the cylinder shaft, to support the gripper pads and grippers in an axial direction of the cylinder shaft. A rod is rotatably supported parallel to the cylinder shaft and has an eccentric large-diameter portion. A lever, cam follower, and cam rotate the rod through a predetermined angle by rotation of the cylinder shaft. Press members are rotatably fitted on the large-diameter portion of the rod, to be displaced in a radial direction along with rotation of the rod.

Abstract: A stencil sheet retaining device includes a clamping plate (44) for retaining an end portion of the stencil sheet (M), and a flapper member (49) for drawing out the end portion of the stencil sheet (M) from the clamping plate (44) side. A first contact piece (48) attached to the clamping plate (44) and a second contact piece (51) attached to the flapper member (49) are pressed due to the profiles of the cam grooves (56a, 56b) of a movable cam member (56) according to the rotary position of the rotary cylindrical drum (6), so that the clamping plate (44) and the flapper member (49) can be opened and the open angle of the clamping plate (44) and the flapper member (49) can be adjusted.

Abstract: A support structure for a plate cylinder is composed of a pair of support frames; a pair of eccentric slide bearings rotatably supported on the support frames; a pair of eccentric roller bearings rotatably supported by the eccentric slide bearings and rotatably supporting end portions of a shaft of the plate cylinder; dogs and pinions for rotating the eccentric slide bearings relative to the support frames in the same amount; an annular plate, a casing, a drive shaft, a worm wheel, a worm gear, a threaded shaft, a support member, a connecting rod, and a connecting pin for rotating one of the eccentric roller bearings relative to one of the support frames; and an annular plate, a connecting rod, and connecting pins for restraining rotation of the other eccentric roller bearing relative to the other support frame.

Abstract: A gripper for a cylinder or a drum of a sheet-fed rotary printing press, includes a gripper element adjustable relative to a gripper shaft carrying the gripper, the gripper element being disposed so as to be swivellable about a swivel point thereon for effecting an adjustment, the gripper element being formed with a concavely curved seating surface having a radius adapted to and smaller than the radius of the gripper shaft.

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: The present invention provides an extruded external drum for an imaging system. The external drum is extruded from a light-weight and strong material such as an aluminum alloy. The external drum includes a thin outer wall, a hollow cylindrical hub, and a plurality of thin radial spokes extending between the cylindrical hub and the outer wall. The present invention provides a stiff external drum having low rotational inertia.

Abstract: A method for eliminating rhythmic register errors in sheet-fed rotary printing machines, the sheets therein being transported by an impression cylinder of double size having two gripper arrangements, includes bringing front lays, which have been provided for orienting the sheets at a feed table, out of an end position outside a conveying plane of the sheets and into a first orientation position on the feed table, then bringing the front lays back into the end position, and thereafter bringing the front lays into a second orientation position on the feed table; and a device for performing the method.

Abstract: An improved delivery section of a folder of a printing press in which the bucket assemblies and side guides are adjustable to accommodate varying widths of signatures.

Abstract: A sheet unloading apparatus is used for rotary drum rotatable in one direction along with a paper sheet which is wound around a peripheral surface of the rotary drum and at rear end mechanically engaged in an engagement groove formed in the peripheral surface. The sheet unloading apparatus includes a separation paws for separating a front end of the paper sheet from the rotary drum by contacting the peripheral surface of the rotary drum while the rotary drum rotates in the one direction, and a pair of pinch rollers for rotating to pinch and feed out the paper sheet supplied according to the rotation of the rotary drum in a state where the front end of the paper sheet is separated from the rotary drum by the separation pawl and the rear end of the paper sheet is engaged in the engagement groove.

Abstract: A sheet gripper in a sheet-fed rotary printing press, having a pivotally supported gripper shaft, whereon a gripper element cooperatable with a gripper pad is pivotally disposed and a clamping element is fixedly disposed, includes a spring element for placing the gripper element and the clamping element into operative contact, the spring element being formed as a leaf spring.

Abstract: A recording drum has a clamp groove extending in its circumferential direction formed on its outer peripheral surface. A plurality of front end clamps are attached to the outer peripheral surface of the recording drum. Rear end clamps are attached so as to be movable and so as to be fixable along the clamp groove on the outer peripheral surface of the recording drum. A recording head is disposed ahead of the recording drum, and a clamp driving device is disposed behind the recording drum. The clamp driving device comprises a first driving device for fixing the front end clamps and fixing and releasing the rear end clamps and a second driving device for releasing the front end clamps. The front end clamps and the rear end clamps reliably fix a front end and a rear end of a plate to the outer peripheral surface of the recording drum by a reaction force produced by a spring and a centrifugal force produced by the rotation of the recording drum.

Abstract: Document-printing arrangement (8) having a cutting arrangement (16) and a document collection station (22), which is designed as a drum (40) equipped with clamping elements (44). Starting from a rest position (-x.degree.), the drum (40) is accelerated in such a way that when the leading edge of a document arrives underneath the clamping elements (44), said drum has a circumferential speed which corresponds to the transport speed of a paper transport arrangement (12).

Abstract: In a reversing device of a sheet-fed rotary printing machine, there is provided a suction gripper for taking over a trailing edge of a sheet conveyed on an upline sheet-conveying cylinder, the suction gripper being movable out of a periphery of a downline sheet-conveying cylinder, gripping the sheet to be reversed in a region of the trailing edge thereof, and being movable back in a substantially radial direction towards the downline sheet-conveying cylinder for transferring thereat the trailing edge of the sheet to a further gripper device, including a device for converting the substantially radial return movement of the suction gripper into an axial movement of the suction gripper so as to tauten the sheet.

Abstract: In a stencil printer, in order to definitely prevent an ink leakage even when the perforated portion 20c of the printing drum laps over the clamp 25 of the back press roller 14, the portions of a part of the outer circumferential surface of the back press roller positioned adjacent to the rear and opposite side edges of the clamp 25 is provided by a movable circumferential member 66 adapted to bias rearward relative to the clamp in synchronization with the opening operation of the clamp, so as thereby to cancel the clearance formed along the periphery of the clamp without obstructing the opening operation of the clamp.

Abstract: A turning device for a printing press, wherein a sheet printed on one side thereof is acceptable from an impression cylinder of an upline printing unit and is transferable to an impression cylinder of a downline printing unit, includes a first gripper device for accepting the sheet by a leading edge thereof from the upline impression cylinder, a register cylinder formed with a multiplicity of suction openings distributed over a circumferential surface thereof and being communicable with a negative pressure source for holding the sheet by suction and for guiding the sheet in-register with a leading edge thereof in the lead, the sheet, while being guided in-register, being held solely by the suction openings, and a second gripper device for accepting the sheet from the register cylinder at a trailing edge of the sheet.

Abstract: A method for transferring, by a trailing edge thereof, a sheet conveyed on an upline sheet-conveying cylinder to a gripper device of a downline sheet-conveying cylinder in a reversing device of a sheet-fed rotary printing press, the gripper device having sheet-holding surfaces for accepting the sheet trailing edge, which comprises lifting the sheet by the trailing edge thereof from the upline sheet-conveying cylinder; moving the sheet-holding surfaces of the gripper device out of the periphery of the downline sheet-conveying cylinder; with the sheet-holding surfaces of the gripper device, accepting the sheet trailing edge outside the periphery of the downline sheet-conveying device; and moving the sheet-holding surfaces back into the periphery of the downline sheet-conveying cylinder; and a transferring device for performing the method.

Abstract: A transfer drum in a sheet-fed printing press having a support surface formed at least segmentally of individual punctiform support elements disposed on the circumference of the transfer drum includes another support surface disposed at least segmentally on the circumference of the transfer drum, the other support surface being continuous, both of the support surfaces being mutually interchangeable.

Abstract: A clamp for gripping an edge of a plate that is mounted on the surface of a rotatable drum. The clamp includes a hinge, attached to the drum and including a pivot axis, and a gripper, formed to have a tip, operative to press the edge of the plate against the drum. The gripper is attached to the hinge so that the center of mass of the gripper is in a direction from the pivot axis that is generally opposite the direction of the tip from the pivot axis.

Abstract: A device for applying a liquid to a print carrier sheet in a sheet-fed rotary printing machine. The device has an applicator cylinder, an impression cylinder assigned to the latter and at least one gripper. The applicator cylinder carries a cylinder sleeve which applies the liquid to the print carrier and which has at least one recess, into which the gripper penetrates when the applicator cylinder and the impression cylinder roll one on the other.

Abstract: A drive system for an oscillating gripper of a sheet-fed printing machine has a main drive train and a controlled drive. The pregripper is mechanically coupled to the main drive train. The controlled drive supplies energy required to drive the pregripper in accordance with a position of the pregripper. The controlled drive at least approximately meets the discontinuous energy requirement of the pregripper.

Abstract: A sheet inspection apparatus for a sheet-fed offset printing press includes an endless conveying unit, a plurality of gripper units, and an inspection unit. The conveying unit has a conveying path and a return path and conveys a sheet delivered from a printing unit. The gripper units are supported by the conveying unit at a predetermined interval along a sheet conveying direction to grip one end of the sheet. The inspection unit is arranged on an opposite side of the conveying path with respect to the return path to optically inspect a printed state of the sheet conveyed on the conveying path. The inspection unit is arranged at a position where an optical inspection operation for the sheet at an inspection position on the conveying path is not impeded by the gripper units traveling on the return path.

Abstract: The invention relates to an impression cylinder (1) intended for a sheet-fed machine and having at least one cylinder gap (3) in which sheet grippers (4) are arranged in such a manner that, when closed, they do not project over the envelope of the peripheral area of the impression cylinder (1). The cylinder gap (3) is provided with a cover (7) which can be adjusted by a controlling unit (9, 10, 11, 12) and is subsequently always in its closed position in which it completely covers the cylinder gap (3), when said gap (3) passes through the nip. Consequently, the impression cylinder rolls with a continuous, closed peripheral area on the cylinder printing the image. In the zones where the sheet is transferred to and from the impression cylinder (1), the cover (7) (preferably controlled by a fixed cam (11) while the cylinder is rotating) is opened to such an extent that the sheet grippers (4) can move into the open position thereof to pick up or release a sheet.