Printing – Rolling contact machines – Rotary
Reexamination Certificate
2001-11-30
2003-09-02
Funk, Stephen R. (Department: 2854)
Printing
Rolling contact machines
Rotary
C101S144000, C101S218000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06612237
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method of operating a sheet-fed rotary printing machine and to a sheet-fed rotary printing machine having a framework by which at least one cylinder is mounted in a rotatable manner. It is possible for the cylinder to be coupled to a drive or fixed relative to the framework.
Such a method and such a sheet-fed rotary printing machine are disclosed in European Patent Application EP 0 878 301, corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,620 B1 to Wadlinger et al. The cylinder is, for example, a varnishing cylinder of a varnishing unit. During operation of the sheet-fed rotary printing machine, the cylinder interacts with an impression cylinder to print a printing-material sheet that is guided through between the cylinder and impression cylinder.
During printing operation of multi-color sheet-fed printing machines, which may have a varnishing unit disposed downstream of them, the transported sheets are only printed with ink in the first printing units. Subsequent printing units or varnishing units idle along therewith. The corresponding impression cylinders are spaced apart from the associated varnishing cylinder. The configuration produces, between the cylinder and impression cylinder, a small gap through which the previously printed sheets are transported. The high machine speed causes the sheets to lift off from an impression cylinder and strike against the associated cylinder.
In order to make possible smear-free sheet travel with printing, varnishing or finishing units switched off, Wadlinger proposes the formation, on or in the cylinder, of a sheet-directing configuration by which a sheet that is transported past the associated cylinder by the respective impression cylinder is kept away from the cylinder. The sheet-directing configuration is accommodated, for example, in a channel that runs axially in the lateral surface of the cylinder. A blowing tube that is connected to a blowing-air connection on the cylinder end side forms, for example, the sheet-directing configuration. The blowing air passing out of the blowing tube serves for forcing away from the cylinder, in the direction of the associated impression cylinder, a sheet that is transported through between the cylinder and the impression cylinder.
To ensure satisfactory functioning of the sheet-directing configuration, it is necessary for the cylinder to be uncoupled from the associated drive and fixed in a specific angular position relative to the framework. According to Wadlinger, the cylinder is uncoupled from the drive by a coupling and fixed relative to the machine framework by a catch.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a method of operating a sheet-fed rotary printing machine having a framework by which at least one cylinder is rotatably mounted and sheet-fed rotary printing machine for implementing the method that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and that make it possible for the cylinder to be straightforwardly uncoupled from the drive and/or fixed relative to the framework. Another objective is for the method to be cost-effective to implement and for the sheet-fed rotary printing machine according to the invention to be cost-effective to produce.
With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a method of operating a sheet-fed rotary printing machine, including the steps of mounting at least one rotating cylinder to be selectively coupled to a drive and fixed relative to a framework and moving an actuator to both uncouple the cylinder from the drive and fix the cylinder relative to the framework.
Simply by movement of an actuating element or actuating member, the cylinder is both uncoupled from the drive and fixed relative to the framework and vice-versa. The method and configuration give the advantage that, following the uncoupling operation, the cylinder is automatically and reliably fixed relative to the framework. Instead of a coupling and a catch, all that is required is for a single actuating element to be moved.
In accordance with another mode of the invention, the cylinder is made to rotate in the circumferential direction by the movement of the actuating element, in particular, displacement of the actuating element parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. The specific rotation of the cylinder through a few degrees serves for adjusting the circumferential register. It is particularly practical if the movement of a single actuating element is used for coupling and fixing purposes and for adjusting the circumferential register. Preferably, the actuator is an actuating element or an actuating member.
With the objects of the invention in view, there is also provided a sheet-fed rotary printing machine, including a framework, a drive, at least one cylinder rotatably mounted to the framework, the cylinder to be coupled to the drive or fixed relative to the framework, and a fixing and coupling configuration connected to the cylinder to both uncouple the cylinder from the drive and fix the cylinder relative to the framework. The fixing and coupling configuration both uncoupled the cylinder from the drive and fixes it relative to the framework and vice-versa. Prior to uncoupling from the drive, the cylinder is stopped in a defined angle position by the drive itself. The combined fixing and coupling configuration allows reliable uncoupling and fixing of the cylinder in a straightforward manner.
In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the fixing and coupling configuration includes an actuating element that can be displaced parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. The axial displacement of the actuating element serves for uncoupling and fixing the cylinder and for adjusting the circumferential register.
In accordance with an added feature of the invention, there is provided an actuating gearwheel that is fixed axially, and mounted rotatably, on the actuating element, coaxially with the cylinder, and engages with a driving gearwheel. Through the actuating gearwheel, the driving torque of the driving gearwheel is transmitted to the cylinder either directly or through the actuating element. The rotatable mounting ensures that the actuating gearwheel runs along with the driving gearwheel when the cylinder is fixed relative to the framework and that the driving gearwheel rotates.
In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, the actuating element or an actuating member that can be moved relative thereto can be displaced axially between a coupling position, in which the cylinder is coupled to the drive, and a fixing position, in which the cylinder is fixed relative to the framework. The axial displacement of the actuating element or of the actuating member takes place directly or indirectly by an actuating motor.
In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, in the coupling position of the actuating element or of the actuating member, the actuating gearwheel is connected to the cylinder in a form-fitting manner, through a first form-fitting element, directly or indirectly through the actuating element. The form-fitting connection between the actuating gearwheel and the cylinder ensures that the cylinder is driven during printing operation. The form fit prevents the actuating gearwheel and the cylinder from rotating relative to one another, which could have an adverse effect on the circumferential register during operation.
A further preferred exemplary embodiment of the sheet-fed rotary printing machine is characterized in that the first form-fitting element includes a bolt that is fitted on the actuating gearwheel and, in the coupling position of the actuating element, is at least partially accommodated in a bore that is provided at the end of a flange or of an arm that is provided on the cylinder. The bolt may be formed integrally with the actuating gearwheel. As a result of the above-described axial fixing of t
Derhardt Steffen
Helmstädter Karl-Heinz
Culler Jill E
Funk Stephen R.
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
LandOfFree
Method of operating a sheet-fed rotary printing machine, and... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method of operating a sheet-fed rotary printing machine, and..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method of operating a sheet-fed rotary printing machine, and... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3054149