Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a printing sleeve on a press cylinder includes an inherently stiff annular holding element having an inner shape which is matched to the outer shape of the sleeve, and mutually facing ends defining a slit having a width. At least one clamp urges the ends toward each other to form a butt joint, so that the holding element can clamp the sleeve with a clamping force which is limited by the width of the slit. A device is provided for expanding the holding element so that the clamping force on the sleeve can be released.

Abstract: An aligning apparatus for heavy loads, in particular a printing unit, includes at least one support plate, which is rotatably mounted on a base plate screwed to an erection surface and can be positioned on the base plate with regard to its horizontal position by means of adjusting screws. Each support plate interacts with a vertical adjusting screw which is provided for adjusting the vertical position of the printing unit and can be fixed to the printing unit, each vertical adjusting screw being designed with a spherical end which is supported on the plate in a spherical recess designed with little play or as a locating fit.

Abstract: A rotary offset printing machine has a counter-pressure cylinder at which at least one printing group is disposed, as seen in the direction of rotation of the counter-pressure cylinders, between a feed system and a delivery system. The plate and/or rubber blanket cylinders of the front side printing group and/or back side printing group are constructed as cassette-shaped modular units which can be axially shifted from a use position into a servicing position to provide space for extra printing and/or imaging components.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which combines an interchangeable ink cassette assembly and a printing press drawer. The ink cassette which includes an ink pan, an anilox roll, and a meter roll may be removably attached to a printing press drawer such that the ink pan and the rolls can be removed as an integral unit from the printing press. Removal of the ink pan and rolls facilitates cleaning of the rolls and the pan. Further, a second assembly may quickly replace the removed assembly to reduce significantly the downtime of the press.

Abstract: A sleeve (10) for flexographic printing includes a sleeve body (2) made of an at least partially non-electroconductive material, which within its inside (4) is mountable on an electroconductive king roll on the outer wall of the roll, of a printing press, the king roll being designed as an air cylinder, and exhibiting at least one contact zone with the king roll. The sleeve exhibits an electroconductive surface (6), which is connected to the contact zone via at least one electroconductive element (20) provided in the sleeve body (2) for diverting electrostatic charges into the outer wall of the roll of the king roll. The sleeve is therefore given an electroconductive structure, through which the unavoidable electrostatic charges in printing presses with a plurality of printing couples are diverted via the king roll before it reaches a scale that would suffice for a discharge, ignition, or deflagration of the solvents used in the printing.

Abstract: A positioning device for functional devices of printing presses, having at least one guide unit and one drive for moving and positioning the functional device for throwing-on/throwing-off movements with regard to impression cylinders. Weight compensation means are provided for the vertical displacement, so that the drive can be at least partially relieved of the weight of the functional device.

Abstract: A cladding of a printing machine in a region of a side wall of a printing unit of the printing machine includes a housing fastened to the side wall, the housing having an upper housing wall, two lateral housing walls and a housing cover connected to the lateral housing walls so as to be displaceable between a lower position covering the side wall and a position raised to a defined height.

Abstract: A conveyor system (10) for a sheet of printing material (12) in a printing material processing machine (14), including a running member (16) which can be moved through the machine (14) along a transport path (18) using a drive (22), and including a number of encoders (24) which are arranged along the transport path (18) and used to sense the position of the running member (16), the conveyor system having the feature that the encoders (24) are connected to an evaluation unit (26) for progressive sampling of the encoder signals; it being possible for an active encoder (28) and a passive encoder (30) of the number of encoders (24) to be specified in the evaluation unit (26) so that a drive signal can be generated in a signal processor unit (32) on the basis of a change in amplitude of the signal of the active encoder (28) and a change in amplitude of the signal of the passive encoder (30).

Abstract: Printing-cylinder support unit, comprising a support frame and supporting means which are mounted on the support frame and are designed to rotatably support one of a plurality of printing cylinders in a retaining position, and the supporting means comprising at least three support elements for each axial end of a printing cylinder, which support elements are each designed, to interact with a running surface of a bearing ring which is connected to the printing cylinder.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus in a roller printing unit for locking the rollers in associated bearing housings in connection with the movement of the rollers from the open position to the working position. The movement of the rollers (2, 3) in relation to the frame of the printing unit is utilised in order, during the movement operation, to mechanically manoeuvre locking devices (14) at the bearing housings (5) of the rollers between open and closed position.

Abstract: The invention relates an automated adjusting arm assembly for conveniently and quickly loading printing press cylinders into a printing press such that proper initial ink and impression settings result without operator adjustment. The assembly includes two stationary plates and movable plates connected to the stationary plates by a plurality of wheels. The movable plates in conjunction with a catch or a capture knob assembly thereon are adapted to lower a printing press roll onto an anilox and/or an impression roll in the printing press.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which combines an interchangeable ink cassette assembly and a printing press drawer. The ink cassette which includes an ink pan, an anilox roll, and a meter roll may be removably attached to a printing press drawer such that the ink pan and the rolls can be removed as an integral unit from the printing press. Removal of the ink pan and rolls facilitates cleaning of the rolls and the pan. Further, a second assembly may quickly replace the removed assembly to reduce significantly the downtime of the press.

Abstract: A portable stamp is composed of a housing, a handle, a character unit, a control unit, and a cover. The handle is movably received in the housing, and the character unit is pivotally mounted at a distal end of the handle. The control unit extends through the housing and the handle. The cover is mounted on an open end of the housing. A user can press down the control unit to push the handle and the character unit out from the housing for stamping by using only one hand, which is convenient to operate and will not dirty the hand.

Abstract: A tucking device for tucking a printing plate into a gap of a plate cylinder includes a tucker bar having a tucking surface and at least one magnet for creating a repulsive magnetic force at the tucking surface. An actuator connected to the tucker bar is used for moving the tucker bar to tuck the printing plate into the gap.

Abstract: In order to provide a rotary printing machine for direct printing, in which the printing-assembly cylinders are arranged in a space-saving way, there is arranged in side walls at least one double printing assembly containing two form cylinders which are located one above the other, each having its own drive motor and between which at least one impression cylinder is arranged, a web being printable between a form cylinder and an impression cylinder. Each form cylinder and the impression cylinder cooperating with the latter are mounted, adjustably in terms of their mutual spacing, in side walls of the printing unit. For this purpose, the adjustable cylinders are mounted on both sides in slides which are moveable on guide elements fastened to the side walls.

Abstract: There is provided a removable ink cassette for a flexographic printing press containing an ink pan and a meter roll. The ink pan and the meter roll are removed from the printing press together by removing the ink cassette from the printing press. The ink pan may be removed from the printing press without first removing the anilox roll and the meter roll.

Abstract: An anilox roll 15 is disposed such that an outer peripheral surface thereof contacts an outer peripheral surface of a fountain roll 13 positioned in an ink pan 11. Ink I transferred to the outer peripheral surface of the anilox roll 15 is transferred to a plate cylinder 16, and predetermined printing is performed on printing paper P passing between the plate cylinder 16 and a platen 17. One end side of a support shaft 20 of the fountain roll 13 and the anilox roll 15 is removably coupled to a rotating shaft 32 via coupling means 29, and the other end side of the support shaft 21 is supported by urging means 59. The urging means 59 includes a moving shaft 45 that is movable in the axial direction. Moving the moving shaft 45 permits removal of the fountain roll 13 and/or the anilox roll 15.

Abstract: A sleeve is provided with a clamp for removably clamping the sleeve on a mandrel. A rigid ring is mounted inside of the sleeve at each end of the sleeve. Each ring has a generally cylindrical inside surface which includes a curved contact portion which extends for less than 180 degrees and which is engageable with the outside surface of the mandrel. A curved clamp arm is pivotally secured at one end thereof to each ring. An eccentric shaft extends through an opening in the other end of the clamp arm. Rotation of the eccentric shaft moves the clamp arm toward the contact portion of the ring so that the mandrel can be clamped between the clamp arm and the contact portion.

Abstract: A roller lock for releasably fastening a roller in a printing machine includes a pressure piece for retaining the roller, the pressure piece serving for exerting a retention force on a shaft journal of the roller, and the roller having two stops between which a central axis of the roller extends, both a force action line of the retention force of the pressure piece exerted on the axle journal of the roller, and a force action line of a contact force exerted on a bale of the roller being directable through the central axis; and a printing machine having the roller lock.

Abstract: A method of exchanging a printing cylinder sleeve in a printing machine, which printing machine comprises a central cylinder and a plurality of ink units adapted to be adjusted against the central cylinder, each ink unit comprising a plate cylinder having a printing cylinder sleeve mounted on a mandrel, and a detachable bearing for supporting the mandrel, the method comprising the following steps, which are performed while the printing machine is running: moving the plate cylinder away from the central cylinder to such an extent that a space formed between the plate cylinder and the central cylinder becomes large enough for gripping the printing cylinder sleeve, detaching the bearing, and withdrawing the printing cylinder sleeve axially from the mandrel.

Abstract: A bridge mandrel includes an inner sleeve assembly comprising the inner laminate and an outer laminate secured on each side of an intermediate hardened foam layer. The inner laminate is of multi-ply form with inner plies of base and adhesive layers separated from outer plies of base and adhesive layers by a compressible foam layer. The adhesive layers are made from high viscosity thermoplastic adhesive material. The intermediate layer is of segmented form with a radial gap between adjacent segments. A header is mounted to each end of the inner sleeve assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing on sheet material is set-up in a modular fashion having physically added modules, particularly having modules stackable one on top of another, each module including a printing mechanism. The apparatus also includes a modular distributor unit that is distributed amongst the modules for distributing the blank sheet material to the available modules and, if required, for bringing together printed sheet material and for sorting the printed sheet material. The modules are designed such that they can be easily stacked one on top of another, so that no cabling or wiring has to be carried out. The connection of the individual modules with each other is made through a bus system having corresponding connection and expansion interfaces, for example in the form of plug-in connections. A central control unit is provided in a base module, which central control unit recognizes the connected expansion modules through the bus system and configures itself.

Abstract: A flexographic rotary printing machine has a supporting structure provided with two lateral shoulders, an impression roller over which a material in sheet form to be printed passes, at least one printing element or assembly arranged adjacent to the impression roller and having an inking unit, a printing plate cylinder and an anilox roller, which are sleeve cylinders, and a drive for transmitting motion between the impression roller and each printing assembly. At each shoulder there is at least one lateral support device for the advancement-retraction of the sleeve cylinders, adapted to move them between a retracted or resting position, in which a respective sleeve can be inserted or removed, and an advanced or active position, in which the cylinders are kept in contact with, and operatively connected to, the impression roller.

Abstract: A cylinder with a functional layer (23) and with a supporting body (1), which passes through the cylinder. On the supporting body (1), a sleeve that accommodates the functional layer (23) is supported at ends (2, 5). The supporting body (1) is for its part accommodated on supporting elements (10, 11, 13) provided on the frame side. The cylinder sleeve (3) that accommodates the functional layer (23) can be centered in relation to the axis of rotation (8) by centering faces (6, 7) formed at the ends (2, 5). One end of the cylinder can be exposed at the supporting element (13).

Abstract: A lightweight portable compact flexographic universal printer coater adaptable to printing units on the same press or other presses of the same nominal printing width. The printer coater has a frame which comprises an anilox roller, a means to rotate the anilox roller at or near the surface speed of the rotating printing surface, a liquid film supply for replenishing the liquid film on the surface of the anilox roller, and a positioner device to place the printer coater between the on and off-impression positions. The printer coater apparatus is placed onto at least one pair of fixed supports mounted on the printing press frame so that the positioner apparatus can place the printer coater between an on and off-impression position. Spacers of selected widths may be mounted between the fixed supports and the interior surfaces of the press frame to compensate for slightly varying press frame widths associated with different press manufacturers.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for assembly of tubular cylindrical carriers (8) on the circumference (22) of carrier cylinders (1) of drums or cylinders, wherein for the assembly of the tubular carrier (8) on the lateral surface (22) a pressure medium acts upon the latter. By attaching an assembly aid (4), on which a tubular carrier (8) can be held, on the carrier cylinder (1), a pressure medium acts upon the latter, so that positioning of the tubular carrier (8) is made possible.

Abstract: A double sided tape for detachably mounting a flexible printing plate to a flexographic printing press cylinder includes pressure-sensitive adhesive layers on opposed sides of a coextruded multilayer carrier having a core formed of a thermoplastic elastomer containing a uniform distribution of voids and one or more skin layers formed of film-forming thermoplastic polymer. The cellular thermoplastic elastomer is constructed to accommodate compressibility loads imposed during printing and to resist shear and tensile loads imposed during tape removal.

Abstract: A method for in-register pre-positioning a printing plate in a plate feeding device, wherein the printing plate is pre-positioned by a positioning device of the plate feeding device, and then fed to a plate cylinder and clamped into a leading edge clamping device of the plate cylinder, includes detecting the in-register pre-positioning by sensors and, if appropriate, correcting the pre-positioning, and then transferring the printing plate in-register to the leading edge clamping device of the plate cylinder; and a device for performing the method.

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: A mounting system is disclosed for removably mounting rollers and cylinders in a machine for quick and easy removal and replacement by other rollers and cylinders. The mounting system provides for rapid separation of the journal from the roller or cylinder so that only the roller or cylinder is removed, and the mounting system has particular applicability with respect to ink rolls in printing machines.

Abstract: A printing unit is provided for a web fed printing machine having at least two cylinders where at least one of the cylinders is adjustable with respect to another of the cylinders; a machine frame having at least one load bearing wall arranged laterally beside an end of the cylinders; a drive motor corresponding to each cylinder; at least one guide element operably attached to the load bearing wall at a surface of the load bearing wall that runs perpendicular to a plane through the end faces of the cylinders; and a plurality of carriages attached to the guide element. At least one of the cylinders is connected to the carriages so that a distance from another of the cylinders can be adjusted.

Abstract: A device for locking a carrier carrying a cylinder in a printing machine, the cylinder being rotatably mounted in the carrier, and a pivoting lever by which the carrier is lockable to a frame, includes a pivot bearing about which the locked pivoting lever is pivotable while the locking action is maintained; and a printing machine including the locking device.

Abstract: A device for delivering a printing plate having at least one edge to a plate cylinder of a printing press in a position for exchange is provided. The device includes at least one selectable exchangeable format slide-in unit insertable into the printing press. The format slide-in unit is selected to accommodate the plate cylinder. The device also includes a delivery mechanism with a number of settings corresponding to the selected format slide-in unit. The delivery mechanism determines the position of exchange that corresponds to the selected format slide-in unit.

Abstract: A method of making-ready and feeding printing forms to a form cylinder of a printing machine, wherein at least one printing form is provided in a rolled-up state in a container and is unrolled so as to be fed to the form cylinder, which comprises replaceably positioning the container on the frame of a printing unit; gripping the printing form, that is formed as a printing plate, at a leading edge thereof by a clamping device of a form cylinder, that is formed as a plate cylinder; and rotating the cylinder so as to apply the printing plate to the plate cylinder; and a device for performing the method.

Abstract: A method of exchanging a printing cylinder sleeve in a printing machine,

Abstract: Detachable inking device for a flexographic printing machine, its embodiment, cleaning and use in such a machine. This device comprises a chambered doctor blade (9) mounted on two lever-supports (13, 14) crossed by duct joining pieces (15, 16) respectively. The lever-supports are rigidly attached to a shaft (11) about which they are pivotable and which is held between the frames (34) of said flexographic printing machine. Said chambered doctor blade (9) consists of a body (25) made of light metal material, crossed at one of its ends by a tube (26) emgerging from the bottom (28) of said body (25), and at the other end by a tube (40) having its opening part (29) at level with the bottom (28) of the body (25). The latter rests on seals (38, 39) secured to the lever-supports (13, 14) to which are attached centering and fixing means (17, 18) allowing a quick loosening of the chambered doctor blade (9) without the help of any tool.

Abstract: A device for printing board or cut sections of board comprising a number of print stations through which the board is arranged to pass successively to receive print images from one or more of the print stations and at least one print station. The print station comprising a print cylinder mounted in a laterally displaceable carriage which can be moved laterally away from the board travel line, leaving in place substantially all the remaining parts of the at least one print station, to allow changing of printing plate or plates on the print cylinder while the printing apparatus can continue to operate with one or more of the other print stations.

Abstract: Detachable inking device for a flexographic printing machine, its embodiment, cleaning and use in such a machine. This device comprises a chambered doctor blade (9) mounted on two lever-supports (13, 14) crossed by duct joining pieces (15, 16) respectively. The lever-supports are rigidly attached to a shaft (11) about which they are pivotable and which is held between the frames (34) of said flexographic printing machine. Said chambered doctor blade (9) consists of a body (25) made of light metal material, crossed at one of its ends by a tube (26) emerging from the bottom (28) of said body (25), and at the other end by a tube (40) having its opening part (29) at level with the bottom (28) of the body (25). The latter rests on seals (38, 39) secured to the lever-supports (13, 14) to which are attached centering and fixing means (17, 18) allowing a quick loosening of the chambered doctor blade (9) without the help of any tool.

Abstract: A printing plate cylinder has a linear bearing press-fitted into its axial bore with the linear bearing having a ball-bearing surface for engaging a cylindrical rotatable drive shaft to permit axial and circumferential adjustments as needed.

Abstract: A printing unit with removable printing cylinder, comprising two outer shoulders which are adapted to constitute a supporting frame for a printing cylinder, a first pair of arms and a second pair of arms which are pivoted at an upper end of each one of the shoulders and form a seat for accommodating the printing cylinder, elements for locking the printing cylinder being provided in order to retain the printing cylinder so that it rests on the first and second pairs of arms.

Abstract: A printing cylinder sleeve assembly comprises an inner sleeve made of tubular form from a material which is capable of expanding upon the application of air pressure to the inner surface of the inner sleeve. An outer sleeve is mounted over the inner sleeve in a slip fit manner so that the outer sleeve could be mounted over the inner sleeve assembly comprising the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve and the assembly as a unit can then be mounted over the printing cylinder.

Abstract: A press roller exhibits an external interchangeable sleeve and an internal sleeve, which holds the external sleeve and which is provided with boreholes, which can be loaded with pressurized air, in order to facilitate the pulling on and off of the external sleeve. To feed the compressed air directly to the boreholes while avoiding buffer spaces that impede the pressure buildup, the boreholes are connected to compressed air lines, which are led through the interior of the internal sleeve.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention two concentric cylinders, that are mutually rotatable about their common axis, employ two evacuated slots to lift a thin deformable sheet away from either surface of a flat sheet to which it is adhering. The thin deformable sheet is then drawn into the joint evacuated orifice presented by the two aligned slots. These two concentric cylinders are then rotated such that the thin deformable sheet is gripped between opposing edges of the two slots. Having gained purchase of the thin deformable sheet, the method is completed by the removal of the thin deformable sheet over a distance.

Abstract: A printing unit for a web-fed rotary printing machine is provided having at least one carrying wall, a plurality of cylinders mounted on the carrying wall, a drive motor corresponding to each cylinder and a slide corresponding to each cylinder. Each slide carries its corresponding cylinder and receives the corresponding drive motor. A drive means is provided for driving the slides and a plurality of guide elements are mounted on the carrying wall and arranged laterally next to the adjacent end faces of the cylinders for guiding the slides along the wall. The guide elements are arranged opposite and parallel to one another on the carrying wall. Optionally, the carrying wall includes panels defining an orifice to allow cylinders, journals and sleeves of the printing machine of varying sizes to be changed readily.

Abstract: There is disclosed a lightweight portable printer having a frame or housing with a print head and a cooperable platen roll mounted in the housing. The housing pivotally mounts a subassembly. The subassembly mounts an electric motor and gearing driven by the motor for driving the platen roll. The subassembly is resiliently urged to press the print head against the platen roll. The printer has a front door which provides access to the inside of the housing. The front door mounts the platen roll, a label delaminator, a pressure roll, a holder for mounting a supply roll of labels or tags, and a latch for latching the door to the housing and for camming the pressure roll into and out of cooperation with the platen roll.

Abstract: A coating apparatus has compact coating assembly modules which require less storage space and are easier to handle and which through the common use of parts and accessory tools provide a reduced manufacturing cost of the apparatus as a whole. A coating assembly which rotates during coating and a coating assembly which does not rotate during coating can be interchangeably installed to a support frame. Two bearing cases are mounted on the support frame, and the coating assemblies each have two shaft parts which can be removably set in the bearing cases. The shaft parts of the rotating coating assembly can be rotatably set in the bearing cases, and a shaft part of the non-rotating coating assembly can, when set in its corresponding bearing case, be anchored to a fixed part so that it cannot rotate. Another coating assembly which does not rotate during coating has left and right mounting parts which can be removably fixed to bearing cradle parts of the bearing cases.

Abstract: A printing sleeve removal device includes a first jaw arm and a second jaw arm movable with respect to the second jaw arm, the first and second jaw arms having ends forming a jaw to engage a printing sleeve. Also disclosed is a method for removing a printing sleeve comprising engaging a printing sleeve on a printing cylinder with a first jaw arm and a second jaw arm and moving the printing sleeve via the first and second jaw arms so as to slide the printing sleeve axially with respect to the printing cylinder.

Abstract: A device for selectively positioning at least one cylinder in a printing machine, the cylinder being rotatably mounted in a carrier and, together with the carrier, forming a unit that is adjustable into different positions, includes a pull mechanism drive for adjusting one of the cylinder and the unit into the different positions, the pull mechanism drive including a pull mechanism, the unit being held on and suspended from the pull mechanism.

Abstract: A device for delivering a printing plate having at least one edge to a plate cylinder of a printing press in a position for exchange is provided. The device includes at least one selectable exchangeable format slide-in unit insertable into the printing press. The format slide-in unit is selected to accommodate the plate cylinder. The device also includes a delivery mechanism with a number of settings corresponding to the selected format slide-in unit. The delivery mechanism determines the position of exchange that corresponds to the selected format slide-in unit.

Abstract: A counterpoise device having a first actuating device, a first counterpoise arm connected to the first actuating device for interacting with a cantilevered cylinder, a second actuating device, and a second counterpoise arm connected to the second actuating device for interacting with an other cantilevered cylinder. The first and the second counterpoise arms have a common pivot axis. A vertical web press with a counterpoise device is also disclosed. Moreover, a method for removing gapless print sleeves includes rotating a first counterpoise arm about an axis so as to counterpoise a first end of a first cylinder, sliding a first print sleeve off of the first cylinder, rotating a second counterpoise arm about the axis so as to counterpoise a second end of a second cylinder, and sliding a second print sleeve off the second cylinder.