 |
Claims  |
|
|
We claim:
1. A roll-fed rotary offset printing machine, comprising:
a printing unit having an impression cylinder and at least one cylinder
pair including a form cylinder and a transfer cylinder operatively
arranged so that ink is applicable from the transfer cylinder to a
printing material web guidable along a vertical path between the transfer
cylinder and the impression cylinder;
the form cylinder having an outer surface with a circumferential length and
a longitudinal length configured such that a first print page array is
independently fittable within the outer surface of the form cylinder, the
first print page array being in a broadsheet format and comprising only
one broadsheet page fittable in the circumferential length of the form
cylinder and at least four broadsheet pages fittable in the longitudinal
length of the form cylinder, wherein the circumferential length of said
form cylinder is sized for receiving only one height of said broadsheet
page; and
said form cylinder further comprising means for receiving at least one
flexible printing plate having a height and a length, wherein the
circumferential length of said form cylinder is sized for receiving only
one height of said at least one flexible printing plate and the
longitudinal length of said form cylinder is sized for receiving at least
one width of said at least one flexible printing plate, wherein said first
print page array is arrangeable on said at least one flexible printing
plate; and
wherein a circumferential length of said transfer cylinder is larger than
the circumferential length of said form cylinder by an integral multiple
and a longitudinal length of said transfer cylinder spans at least the
longitudinal length of said at least one flexible printing plate.
2. The offset printing machine of claim 1, wherein said at least one
cylinder pair comprises first and second cylinder pairs respectively
including first and second transfer cylinders and first and second form
cylinders, said impression cylinder comprises said second transfer
cylinder, and said first and second cylinder pairs are arranged on
opposing sides of a printing material web path of the printing material
web so that one ink is applicable simultaneously to the opposing sides of
the printing material web guidable between said first and second transfer
cylinders.
3. The offset printing machine of claim 1, wherein said printing unit
comprises a double printing unit having two cylinder pairs, each said two
cylinder pairs comprising a transfer cylinder and a form cylinder, said
offset printing machine further comprising a drive motor operatively
drivably connected to said transfer cylinder of one of said two cylinder
pairs via a gearwheel wherein said transfer cylinders and said form
cylinders of said two cylinder pairs are drivably connected to said
gearwheel of said transfer cylinder.
4. The offset printing machine of claim 1, wherein said printing unit
comprises a double printing unit operatively arranged for producing in one
stage two printed pages in a portrait arrangement on said form cylinder of
variable products in the broadsheet format.
5. The offset printing machine of claim 2, wherein said at least one
flexible printing plate is interchangeable with at least another flexible
printing plate for producing in one stage a product in broadsheet format
having a set of one of eight, six, four, and two broadsheet pages using a
printing material web having a web width respectively corresponding to one
of four, three, two, or one broadsheet pages.
6. The offset printing machine of claim 2, wherein said at least one
flexible printing plate is interchangeable with at least another flexible
printing plate for producing in one stage a first and second product in
broadsheet format, each said first and second products comprising one set
of broadsheet pages;
said first product comprising a set of one of two broadsheet pages and four
broadsheet pages and said second product comprising respectively a set of
one of four broadsheet pages and six broadsheet pages when the printing
material web comprises a web width corresponding to four broadsheet pages;
and
said first product comprising a set of two broadsheet pages and said second
product comprising a set of four broadsheet pages when the printing
material web comprises a web width corresponding to three broadsheet
pages.
7. The offset printing machine of claim 2, wherein said at least one
flexible printing plate is interchangeable with at least another flexible
printing plate for producing in one stage a product in broadsheet format
having first and second sets;
said first set comprising one of two broadsheet pages and four broadsheet
pages and said second set respectively comprising one of six broadsheet
pages and four broadsheet pages when the printing material web comprises a
web width corresponding to four broadsheet pages; and
said first set comprising four broadsheet pages and said second set
comprising two broadsheet pages when said printing materal web comprises a
web width corresponding to three broadsheet pages.
8. The offset printing machine of claim 1, wherein the circumferential
length and the longitudinal length of the outer surface of the form
cylinder is configured such that said first print page array arranged on
said at least one flexible printing plate is interchangeable with a second
print page array arranged on at least another flexible printing plate,
wherein each of said first print array and said second print array is
independently fittable within the outer surface of the form cylinder, the
second print page array being in a tabloid format and comprising two
tabloid pages in the circumferential length and at least four tabloid
pages in the longitudinal length.
9. The offset printing machine of claim 2, wherein the circumferential
length and the longitudinal length of the outer surface of the form
cylinder is configured such that said first print page array arranged on
said at least one flexible printing plate is interchangeable with a second
print page array arranged on at least another flexible printing plate,
wherein each of said first print array and said second print array is
independently fittable within the outer surface of the form cylinder, the
second print page array being in a tabloid format and comprising two
tabloid pages in the circumferential length and at least four tabloid
pages in the longitudinal length.
10. The offset printing machine of claim 1, wherein a ratio of said
circumferential length of said transfer cylinder to said circumferential
length of said form cylinder is 2:1.
11. The offset printing machine of claim 1, wherein said means for
receiving at least one flexible printing plate comprises means for
receiving four flexible printing plates, wherein each of said four
printing plates comprises a height and a width, the circumferential length
of said form cylinder being sized for receiving only one height of said
four flexible printing plates and the longitudinal length of said form
cylinder being sized for receiving four widths of said four flexible
printing plates, wherein one broadsheet page is fittable on each one of
said four flexible printing plates.
12. The offset printing machine of claim 8, wherein said means for
receiving at least one flexible printing plate comprises means for
receiving four flexible printing plates, wherein each of said four
printing plates comprises a height and a width, the circumferential length
of said form cylinder being sized for receiving only one height of said
four flexible printing plates and the longitudinal length of said form
cylinder being sized for receiving four widths of said four flexible
printing plates, wherein two tabloid pages are fittable on each one of
said four flexible printing plates.
13. The offset printing machine of claim 8, wherein said at least one
flexible printing plate is interchangeable with at least another flexible
printing plate for producing in one stage four tabloid pages in a
landscape arrangement on said form cylinder of variable products in
tabloid format.
14. The offset printing unit of claim 9, wherein said at least one flexible
printing plate is interchangeable with at least another flexible printing
plate for producing in one stage a product in tabloid format having a set
of one of sixteen, twelve, eight and four tabloid pages using a printing
material web having a web width respectively corresponding to one of four,
three, two, and one tabloid pages.
15. The offset printing machine of claim 9, wherein said at least one
flexible printing plate is interchangeable with at least another flexible
printing plate for producing in one stage a first and second product in
tabloid format, each said first and second products comprising one set of
tabloid pages;
said first product comprising a set of one of four tabloid pages and eight
tabloid pages and said second product comprising, respectively, a set of
one of eight tabloid pages and twelve tabloid pages when the printing
material web comprises a web width corresponding to four tabloid pages;
and
said first product comprising a set of four tabloid pages and said second
product comprising a set of eight tabloid pages when the printing material
web comprises a web width corresponding to three tabloid pages. |
|
 |
|
 |
Claims |
|
|
|
Description |
|
|
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an offset printing unit having an impression
cylinder and a cylinder pair including a form cylinder and a transfer
cylinder for applying ink to a printing material web guided between the
transfer cylinder and the impression cylinder.
2. Description of the Related Art
Offset printing units having a cylinder pair including a form cylinder and
a transfer cylinder and whose transfer cylinder cooperates with an
impression cylinder for applying ink to a printing material web guided
between the transfer cylinder and the impression cylinder are generally
known. In offset printing units used for newspaper printing, the form
cylinder may be configured with one printed page in the circumferential
direction and two printed pages in the longitudinal direction, or two
printed pages in the circumferential direction and two printed pages in
the longitudinal direction, or two printed pages in the circumferential
direction and four printed pages in the longitudinal direction, depending
on the configuration of the printing unit. In each of these
configurations, the printed pages are arranged in portrait fashion in a
broadsheet format.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the invention to create an offset printing unit which
permits the economic production of multifarious products with a relatively
low technical outlay.
The following definitions apply to terms used throughout the specification
and claims: "Broadsheet" refers to the size of one printed page of a
newspaper format and "tabloid" refers to a printed page in a magazine
format which is half as large as the "broadsheet" printed page.
Furthermore, "broadsheet" pages are printed so that the pin holes
(puncture holes) of the paper are arranged on the bottom of the page and
"tabloid" printed pages have the pin holes arranged along a side of the
page.
This object is achieved by an offset printing machine including a printing
unit having an impression cylinder and at least one cylinder pair
including a form cylinder and a transfer cylinder operatively arranged so
that ink is applicable from the transfer cylinder to a printing material
web guidable between the transfer cylinder and the impression cylinder.
The form cylinder has an outer surface with a circumferential length and a
longitudinal length configured such that each of a first, second, third
and fourth print page array is independently fittable within the outer
surface of the form cylinder. The first print page array is in a
broadsheet format and includes one portrait printed page in the
circumferential length and at least four portrait printed pages in the
longitudinal length, the second print page array is in a book format and
includes two landscape printed pages in the circumferential length and at
least four landscape printed pages in the longitudinal length, the third
print page array is in a book format and includes two portrait printed
pages in the circumferential length and at least eight portrait printed
pages in the longitudinal length, and the fourth printed page array is in
the book format and comprises four landscape printed pages in the
circumferential length and at least four landscape printed pages in the
longitudinal length. The form cylinder further includes means for
receiving a flexible printing plate in the circumferential direction and
at least one flexible printing plate in the longitudinal direction. In
addition, a circumference of the transfer cylinder is substantially equal
to a circumference of the impression cylinder and an integral multiple of
a circumference of the form cylinder.
The fact that the circumference of the transfer cylinder is larger than the
form cylinder by an integral multiple permits the transfer cylinder to
have a high degree of stiffness which also permits the form cylinder
cooperating therewith to be effectively supported. The adjusting movement
of the transfer cylinder to an impression throw-off position for an on the
fly change of a printing plate is designed to be relatively large. It is
possible for the bearing of the transfer cylinder, including its journals,
to be of a large dimension which is particularly stable. On the other
hand, the small diameter of the form cylinder creates a larger operating
space between two double printing units, which can be encapsulated against
noise more effectively with respect to the printing units. The larger
operating space also increases the accessibility for mounting a device for
automatically changing the printing forms and/or a device for washing the
blanket.
In one embodiment, a plurality of blankets are arranged on the transfer
cylinder in the longitudinal direction of the transfer cylinder. Slots or
channels for fastening the ends of the blankets may be arranged offset
with respect to one another in the circumferential direction of the
transfer cylinder--preferably by 180.degree. in the case of two blankets.
Given the use of the known possibilities of folding and cutting a printing
material web in the longitudinal and transverse directions and of turning
the printing material web or its partial webs after the printing material
web has been printed, a double printing unit equipped according to the
invention may be used to produce in an advantageously staged fashion in
broadsheet format two printed pages, of variable products, arranged in
portrait fashion on the form cylinder. This double printing unit has twice
the capacity of printed pages with respect to a double printing unit
having form cylinders which can be fitted in the circumferential direction
with one printed page (once round), and in the longitudinal direction with
two printed pages (single width). In the case, for example, of a product
having eight printed pages in broadsheet format in a set, there is a need,
depending on the desired coloring of the printed pages, for double the
number of double printing units equipped with once-round and single-width
form cylinders, and for an additional reel changer by comparison with the
double printing unit according to the invention.
In a double printing unit equipped with doubly round (two printed pages in
the circumferential direction) and single-width form cylinders, when full
use is made of the page capacity production can be varied only in a stage
of four printed pages, and the maximum printed page capacity can be used
only in two sets. In contrast, production in the double printing unit
according to the invention can be varied in one set in a stage of two
printed pages in conjunction with maximum printed page capacity. On the
other hand, the double printing unit according to the invention is also
capable of implementing the other production possibilities of a double
printing unit fitted with double-round and single-width form cylinders,
that is to say double production (two products) with delivery via two
folders and/or one product from two sets by one folder. On the basis of
the capacity of eight printed pages in broadsheet format, a printing unit
with double-round and single-width form cylinders is laid down with
respect to the number of printed pages for the two forms of production, it
being the case that for double production the same number of printed pages
is always present in the two products, and for collect-run production the
product comprises two sets with the same number of printed pages in the
individual sets. In contrast, in the printing unit according to the
invention variations are possible both in the number of printed pages in
the two products for double production, and in the number of printed pages
in the two sets of one product. Depending on the desired coloring, in the
case, for example, of a product having eight printed pages in broadsheet
format in one set, there is a need, by comparison with the double printing
unit according to the invention, for twice the number of double printing
units fitted with double-round and single-width form cylinders.
In the case of a double printing unit equipped with double-round and
double-width (four printed pages in the longitudinal direction) form
cylinders, the products can also be varied in a stage of two printed pages
in a fashion similar to the printing unit according to the invention in
the case of non-collect-run production, but only in a stage of four
printed pages in the case of collect-run production. The full capacity of
the possible printed pages of this printing unit can be implemented only
in a product having two sets. In the case of a target product of eight
printed pages in one set, the number of printing units according to the
invention, which are technically less complicated, is equal to the number
of printing units equipped with double-round and double-width form
cylinders.
For further typical forms of production, it is also possible to arrange on
the form cylinders of the printing unit according to the invention, which
cylinders can be fitted in each case with four portrait printed pages in
broadsheet format, eight landscape printed pages in tabloid format (two
printed pages in the circumferential direction and four printed pages in
the longitudinal direction) or sixteen portrait printed pages in book
format (two printed pages in the circumferential direction and eight
printed pages in the longitudinal direction) or eight landscape printed
pages in book format (four printed pages in the circumferential direction
and in the longitudinal direction).
Because of the fact that the form cylinder can be designed with a high
degree of stiffness in a lightweight fashion, is supported against the
transfer cylinder, which is several times larger, preferably twice as
large, in circumference, and can therefore be operated at a high number of
revolutions of, for example, 80,000 per hour, the double printing unit
according to the invention can be used to achieve a level of production
corresponding to the double printing unit conventionally equipped with
form cylinders which can respectively be fitted in broadsheet format with
two portrait printed pages in the circumferential direction and four
portrait printed pages in the longitudinal direction.
In addition to the described preferred embodiment, which is designed for
eight printed pages, of a double printing unit according to the invention,
it is also possible to implement printing units which have in the
longitudinal direction form cylinders which can be fitted with more than
four portrait printed pages in broadsheet format.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are
pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part
of the disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its
operating advantages, and specific objects attained by its use, reference
should be had to the drawing and descriptive matter in which there are
illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary
embodiments. In the associated drawings:
FIG. 1 shows a double printing unit according to an embodiment of the
invention;
FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a drive for the double printing unit FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of a drive for a three-cylinder printing
unit according to the invention;
FIG. 4 shows a drive for an embodiment of a printing unit according to the
invention having a satellite cylinder;
FIG. 5 shows a drive for an embodiment of a printing unit according to the
invention having two satellite cylinders;
FIG. 6 shows a drive for a Y printing unit according to an embodiment of
the invention;
FIG. 7 shows a print unit assembled from two double printing units
according to an embodiment of the invention having vertical web guidance,
FIG. 8 shows the course of the web in the print unit according to FIG. 7
when the lower double printing unit is in printing operation and the upper
double printing unit is in a thrown out position allowing an on the fly
change of a printing plate;
FIG. 9 shows the course of the web in the print unit according to FIG. 7
when the upper double printing unit is in printing operation and the lower
double printing unit is in a thrown out position allowing an on the fly
change of a printing plate;
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a form cylinder
according to the present invention;
FIG. 11 shows a form cylinder of the double printing unit of FIG. 1 fitted
with four portrait printed pages in broadsheet format for producing a
single-set product subsequent to the printing operation,
FIG. 12 shows the product of FIG. 11, which comprises a set of eight
printed pages;
FIG. 13 shows the form cylinder of FIG. 11 for producing two products of
respectively one set subsequent to the printing operation;
FIG. 14 shows the product of FIG. 13, which comprises a set of four printed
pages,
FIG. 15 shows the form cylinder of FIG. 11, for producing a two-set product
subsequent to the printing operation,
FIG. 16 shows the product of FIG. 15, which comprises two set of four
printed pages;
FIG. 17 shows a form cylinder of the double printing unit according to FIG.
1 fitted with eight landscape printed pages in tabloid format for
producing a single-set product subsequent to the printing operation;
FIG. 18 shows the product of FIG. 17, which comprises a set of sixteen
printed pages;
FIG. 19 shows the form cylinder of FIG. 17 for providing two products of
respectively one set subsequent to the printing operation;
FIG. 20 shows the product of FIG. 19, which comprises a set of eight
printed pages;
FIG. 21 shows a form cylinder of the double printing unit according to FIG.
1 fitted with sixteen portrait printed pages in book format for producing
a single-set product subsequent to the printing operation;
FIG. 22 shows the product of FIG. 21, which comprises a set of thirty-two
printed pages,
FIG. 23 shows the form cylinder of FIG. 21 for producing two products of
respectively one set subsequent to the printing operation;
FIG. 24 shows the product of FIG. 23, which comprises a set of sixteen
printed pages;
FIG. 25 shows a form cylinder of the double printing unit according to FIG.
1 fitted with sixteen landscape printed pages in book format for producing
a single-set product subsequent to the printing operation;
FIG. 26 shows the product of FIG. 25, which comprises a set of thirty-two
printed pages;
FIG. 27 shows the form cylinder of FIG. 25 for producing two products of
respectively one set subsequent to the printing operation; and
FIG. 28 shows the product of FIG. 27, which comprises a set of sixteen
printed pages.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A double printing unit 7 according to an embodiment of the present
invention is shown in FIG. 1. The double printing unit 7 includes two
cylinder pairs 5, 6. Each of the two cylinder pairs 5, 6 includes a form
cylinder 1, 2 and a transfer cylinder 3, 4. The transfer cylinder 3
functions as an impression cylinder (9) for the transfer cylinder 4 and
the transfer cylinder 4 functions as an impression cylinder (8) for the
transfer cylinder 3 for applying ink to both sides of a printing material
web 10 which is guided between the two transfer cylinders 3, 4.
Referring also to FIGS. 11, 13, and 15, the circumference of the form
cylinders 1, 2 has a length U for receiving flexible printing plates 12.1
to 12.4, each capable of holding a portrait printed page 11 in broad sheet
format. Each of the flexible printing plates 12.1 to 12.4 has bent edges
(not shown) that are insertable into a longitudinal slot 13 on the form
cylinder 1, 2 for holding the flexible printing plates 12.1 to 12.4 on the
form cylinders 1, 2. The bent edges of the flexible printing plates 12.1
to 12.4 may be additionally secured in the slot 13 using a securing device
13a comprising a spring activated pressure means or a centrifugal force
acting means that is active during operation of the printing unit 7. The
securing of the bent edges may be further effected by inclining the slot
13 such that the opening of the slot 13 on the circumference of the form
cylinder 1, 2 is inclined in the direction of rotation of the form
cylinder 1, 2.
As shown in the FIGS. 11, 13, and 15, the length of the form cylinders 1, 2
is dimensioned for holding four portrait printed pages in broad sheet
format. One printed page or a plurality of printed pages 11 may be
arranged on a printing plate, depending on the particular product being
produced. Each of the printing plates 12.1 to 12.4 is easily
circumferentially mounted on the form cylinder 1, 2 and may be
individually exchanged according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
The transfer cylinder 3, 4 in each cylinder pair 5, 6 has double the
circumferential length of the respective form cylinder 1, 2. Each transfer
cylinder 3, 4 is covered with two blankets 14.1, 14.2 positioned
longitudinally alongside each other. The two circumferential ends of each
blanket 14.1, 14.2 may be stretched and secured in an axially parallel
channel on the circumference of the transfer cylinder 3, 4. As an
alternative, the blankets 14.1 and 14.2 may be fastened on a carrier plate
(not shown in FIG. 1) having ends with bent edges which are inserted in a
slot 15 on the circumference of the transfer cylinder 3, 4. If
appropriate, the bent edges may be additionally fixed against slipping out
of the slot by a securing device 15a comprising a spring activated
pressure means or a centrifugal force acting means that is active during
operation. Because of the larger diameter of the transfer cylinders 3, 4,
the slots 15 for securing each of the blankets 14.1, 14.2 may be mutually
offset by 180 degrees to improve the vibratory behavior of the double
printing unit 7 (in FIG. 1, only the slot 15 for the front blanket 14.1 is
visible).
As shown on the left-hand cylinder pair 5 in FIG. 1, the printing plates of
the form cylinder 1 are first damped by a damping unit 16 and subsequently
inked by an inking unit 17. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the damping unit
16 and the inking unit 17 are present in each of the cylinder pairs 5 and
6. As an alternative, the printing unit 7 may be operated as a dry offset
printing unit or the ink of the inking unit 17 may contain a damping
mixture as an admixture, thereby eliminating the requirement for a damping
unit 16.
Instead of finite blankets 14.1, 14.2, the transfer cylinders 3, 4 may also
be designed without a slot for receiving blanket sleeves which can be
pushed in the axial direction onto the circumference by means of an air
cushion. However, for this embodiment, the transfer cylinder 3, 4 must be
releasable for changing the blanket sleeve on one side of its bearing in
the machine frame.
FIG. 2 shows an individual drive for the double printing unit 7 including a
coaxial drive pinion 18 and a motor 19. The respective drive connection is
marked by a connecting stroke. The coaxial drive pinion 18 engages a
cylinder drive wheel 20 of the transfer cylinder 4, which is rotatably
mounted in a stationary location in the machine frame. The cylinder drive
wheel 20 is drivably connected to both a cylinder drive wheel 21 of the
form cylinder 2 and to a cylinder drive wheel 22 of the other transfer
cylinder 3. The cylinder drive wheel 22, in turn, engages a cylinder drive
wheel 23 of the form cylinder 1.
FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a three-cylinder printing unit 24 having a
cylinder pair 27 including a transfer cylinder 25 and a form cylinder 26.
The transfer cylinder 25 cooperates with a counterpressure cylinder 29 of
equal circumference for applying ink to one side of a printing material
web 30 guided between the transfer cylinder 25 and the counterpressure
cylinder 29. The counterpressure cylinder 29 functions as an impression
cylinder 28. The drive for the printing unit 24, similar to the printing
unit 7 of FIG. 2, includes a motor 31 for driving a cylinder drive wheel
33 of the transfer cylinder 25 via a drive pinion 32. The cylinder drive
wheel 33, in turn, drives a cylinder drive wheel 34 of the form cylinder
26 and a cylinder drive wheel 35 of the counterpressure cylinder 29.
FIG. 4 shows a printing unit having a satellite cylinder 37 that functions
as an impression cylinder 36 for transfer cylinders 38 to 41 of cylinder
pairs 46 to 49. Each of the cylinder pairs 46 to 49 comprises a form
cylinder 42 to 45 for each respective one of the transfer cylinders 38 to
41. A printing material web 50 wraps around the satellite cylinder 37 for
receiving an application of ink on one side of the printing material web
50 in sequence from each of the four transfer cylinders 38 to 41.
Each of the transfer cylinders 38 to 41 is directly driven by a respective
coaxially mounted motor 51 to 54. Cylinder drive wheels 55 to 58 of the
transfer cylinders 38 to 41 engage cylinder drive wheels 59 to 62 of
associated form cylinders 42 to 45. The cylinder drive wheel 58 of the
transfer cylinder 41 additionally drives a cylinder drive wheel 59 of the
satellite cylinder 37.
FIG. 5 shows a printing unit having two satellite cylinders 65, 66. The
satellite cylinder 65 functions as an impression cylinder 63 for two
transfer cylinders 67, 68 of respective cylinder pairs 75, 76 and the
satellite cylinder 66 functions as an impression cylinder 64 for two
transfer cylinders 69, 70 of respective cylinder pairs 77, 78. Each of the
cylinder pairs 75 to 78 comprises a form cylinder 71 to 74 in operative
arrangement with the respective one of transfer cylinders 67 to 70. A
printing material web 79 wraps around the two satellite cylinders 65, 66
sequentially respectively having ink applied to it on the same side in
sequence at two printing positions on each of the satellite cylinders 65,
66.
Each transfer cylinder 67 to 70 is driven directly by a coaxially mounted
motor 80 to 83. Cylinder drive wheels 84 to 87 of the respective transfer
cylinders 67 to 70 engage cylinder drive wheels 88 to 91 of the associated
form cylinders 71 to 74. A cylinder drive wheel 92 of the satellite
cylinder 65 is driven by the cylinder drive wheel 84 of the transfer
cylinder 67 and a cylinder wheel 93 of the satellite cylinder 66 is driven
by the cylinder drive wheel 87 of the transfer cylinder 70.
FIG. 6 shows a double printing unit 7a which is similar in configuration to
the printing units shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 but is expanded to form a Y
printing unit by the addition of a cylinder pair 96 comprising a transfer
cylinder 94 and a form cylinder 95. The transfer cylinder 94 cooperates
with the transfer cylinder 4, which is mounted in a stationary fashion in
the machine frame, so that an additional application of ink is applied to
one side of a printing material web 97. That is, one side of the printing
material web receives two applications of ink from transfer cylinders 3
and 94 and the other side of the printing material web receives one
application of ink from the transfer cylinder 4.
To drive the cylinder pair 96, a cylinder drive wheel 98 of the transfer
cylinder 94 is in driving engagement with the cylinder drive wheel 20 of
the transfer cylinder 4. The cylinder drive wheel 98 also engages a
cylinder drive wheel 99 of the associated form cylinder 95.
FIG. 7 shows a print unit 100 having two double printing units 7, 7'
arranged one above the other which apply up to two inks to each side of a
vertically guided printing material web 101. The representation
illustrates that the small diameter of the form cylinders 1, 1', 2, 2'
leads to a gain in space between the double printing units 7, 7' which is
useful for an improved operation and the additional installation of
devices for washing the blankets and/or automatically changing the
printing plates.
On the other hand, the transfer cylinder 3, 3', 4, 4', which is twice as
large in diameter, provides a stable support for the smaller form
cylinders 1, 1', 2, 2'. The large size of the transfer cylinders ensures
functionally reliable bearing of the transfer cylinder 3, 3' and permits a
correspondingly large eccentric for allowing the cylinder to be swivelled
away for an on the fly change of a printing plate. FIGS. 8 and 9 show the
appropriate cylinder positions for this purpose. In FIG. 8, the transfer
cylinders 3, 4 of the lower double printing unit 7 are located in the
printing position (impression throw-on position) with the left-hand
transfer cylinder 3 pivoted on. The transfer cylinders 3', 4' of the upper
double printing unit 7' are located in the impression throw-off position,
which permits an on the fly change of the printing plate, with the
left-hand transfer cylinder 3' pivoted away. FIG. 9 shows the lower
transfer cylinders 3, 4 located in the impression throw-off position and
the upper transfer cylinders 3', 4' located in the printing position. In
both FIG. 8 and in FIG. 9, the printing material web 101' and 101",
respectively, has only one ink applied to both sides. A roller 102 is
arranged on the upstream of the lower double printing unit 7 and another
roller 102' is arranged downstream of the upper double printing unit 7' in
the web travel direction. The printing material web 101' and 101" is
guided by these rollers 102 and 102' so that the printing material web
101' of FIG. 8 passes through the gap 103' between transfer cylinders 3',
4' without contacting either of the transfer cylinders 3', 4' and so that
the printing material web 101" of FIG. 9 passes through the gap 103
between the transfer cylinders 3, 4 without contacting either of the
transfer cylinders 3, 4.
Referring again to FIG. 7, the large space existing between the double
printing units 7 and 7' allows an operating space 104, 105 to be favorably
encapsulated for reducing the sound emissions of the printing units 7, 7'.
Two embodiments for effecting the reduction in sound emission are shown in
FIG. 7. In the first embodiment shown on the left-hand side of FIG. 7, two
guards 106 and 107 are vertically situated one above the other. The upper
end of the upper guard 106 and the lower end of the lower guard 107
horizontally adjoin guards 108 and 109, respectively. A cross bar 110 or a
damping unit cladding 111 form a coherent surface from the ends of guards
108 and 109 to the outside of the print unit 100.
The guards 106 to 109 extend in each case over the full width between the
walls of the print unit 100 and are in each case mounted such that they
swivel on a transverse support 112, located between guards 106 and 109 and
a transverse support 113, located between guards 107 and 108. The
transverse supports 112 and 113 are fixed to the frame into 15 the
operating space 104 in an axially parallel fashion relative to the
transfer cylinders 3, 3'.
In the other embodiment shown between the two right-hand cylinder pairs 6,
6', two guards 114, 115 are arranged at an angle .alpha. relative to one
another between the two right-hand cylinder pairs 6, 6'. These guards 114
and 115 likewise form with a crossbar 110' and a damping unit cladding
111' a coherent surface up to the outside of the print unit 100. The
guards 114; 115 are mounted in the region of the apex of the angle .alpha.
on a transverse support fixed to the frame of the print unit 100 such that
they can swivel into the operating space 105, and likewise extend over the
full width between the walls of the print unit 100.
By appropriately swivelling the guards 106 to 109 or 114, 115 into the
respective operating space 104 or 105, access to the respective cylinder
or cylinder pair of the double printing units 7, 7' is ensured for
facilitating an on the fly change of the printing plate on one double
printing unit. In addition, access to the cylinders of the other double
printing unit, which is in the operating state, is blocked in each case.
The guards 106 to 109 and 114, 115 may also be designed in a multipartite,
multiple foldable fashion with pivotably connected surface elements.
To provide effective soundproofing on the print unit 100 of FIG. 7,
openings arranged on its outside for operating and servicing are closed by
removable guards 116, 116', 117, 117'. The decoupled operating space 104,
105 between the double printing units 7, 7' and the removable guards 116,
116', 117, 117' together produce a closed soundproof cladding of the print
unit 100.
FIG. 10 shows a diagram of a form cylinder 1 which may be used as any of
the form cylinders 1, 1', 2, 2', 26, 42 to 45, 71 to 74, or 95. The form
cylinder 1 has a stable bearing whose diameter D.sub.1 at a bearing point
118 is at least 2/3 of the diameter D.sub.2 of its cylinder body 119. The
slot 13 for receiving the edges of the printing plates 12.1 to 12.4 (FIG.
1) ends in each case in a collar 120 on the side of the cylinder body 119.
To ensure a lightweight design in conjunction with a high degree of
stiffness, the cylinder body 119 may comprise a composite design instead
of a solid design in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 10. A
steel tube 122 is filled with a foamed metal 121 and into which laterally
separated bearing journals 123 are inserted to the open ends of the steel
tube 122. In addition to reducing weight in conjunction with the high
degree of stiffness owing to the composite design, the foamed metal 121
additionally acts to damp vibrations on the form cylinder. It is also
conceivable to design the cylinder body 119 from a carbon fiber material
or to incorporate carbon fiber material into the cylinder body 119 in
conjunction with another material.
FIGS. 11 to 16 show the use of the double printing unit 7 in accordance
with FIG. 1 for producing different types of products in broadsheet
format. The form cylinder 1, 2 is circumferentially fitted with four
portrait printed pages 11 in broadsheet format. FIGS. 11, 13, 15
respectively show the developed circumference U for this purpose. By using
the full web width B of the printing material web 10, four printed pages
on each side of the printing material web 10 or eight total printed pages,
are printed at a printing point in the double printing unit 7 of FIG. 1.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 11 and 12, after the printing operation the
printing material web 10 is cut longitudinally in the middle into an upper
partial web 124 and a lower partial web 127. After the cutting operation,
turner bars 125, 126 turn the upper partial web 124 over the lower partial
web 127. A former 128 then folds the upper and lower partial webs 124, 127
along a lon | | |
