US3892178A

US3892178A - Rotary printing machine

Info

Publication number: US3892178A
Application number: US373039A
Authority: US
Inventors: Otto Staamann
Original assignee: HINNIGER AUTOMATIC DRUCKMASCH
Current assignee: HINNIGER AUTOMATIC DRUCKMASCH; AUTOMATIC DRUCKMASCHINENFABRIK Firma
Priority date: 1972-07-08
Filing date: 1973-06-25
Publication date: 1975-07-01
Anticipated expiration: 1992-07-01
Also published as: IT989214B; FR2191999B3; JPS5219481B2; DE2234089B2; JPS5025309A; GB1389624A; DE2234089A1; DE2234089C3; FR2191999A1

Abstract

A plurality of printing units are arranged one above the other, each including the plate cylinder, inking mechanism, and the blanket or transfer cylinder. The units are mounted in a stand structurally separated from the main frame of the machine while the associated impression cylinders are mounted in the main frame. The stand is shiftable on a bed frame with respect to the main frame so that, in printing position, the stand is assembled with the main frame and the blanket cylinder of each printing unit can cooperate with the associated impression cylinder. The stand can be shifted on the bed frame away from the main frame to provide an interspace for an operator to have direct access to the impression cylinders, especially for introducing the web. The synchronized drive of the printing units during this operation is provided by long driving shafts preferably provided with singletooth clutches and following the shifting movement of the stand as well as of the printing units which, in addition, are partly withdrawable from the stand. The construction permits a very rapid adjustment of the press and an easy checking of all of the mechanisms while at the same time assuring continuous running of the cylinders in an accurate positional synchronism.

Description

" United States Patent Staamann [45] J l 1, 1975 ROTARY PRINTING MACHINE Primary E.raminerJ. Reed Fisher [75] Inventor: Ono smamann Berlin Germany Attorney, Agent, or Firm-McGlew and Tuttle [73] Assignee: Firma Automatic Druckmaschinenfabrik, Germany ABSTRACT [22] Fi1 d; J 25, 1973 A plurality of printing units are arranged one above the other, each including the plate cylinder, inking mechanism, and the blanket or transfer cylinder. The units are mounted in a stand structurally separated from the main frame of the machine while the associ- [30] Foreign Application Priority Data i J I 8. 1972 G 2234089 ated impression cylmders are mounted in the main u y ermdny frame. The stand is shiftable on a bed frame with re- H 1 I l 1; I0] 182 spect to the main frame so that, in printing position, 3 2, 13/26 the stand IS assembled with the main frame and the [58] Field of Search U 101/178 179482 blanket cylinder of each printing unit can cooperate the associated impression cylinder. The stand can be shifted on the bed frame away from the main frame [56] Rderences Cied to provide an interspace for an operator to have direct access to the impression cylinders. especially for intro- UNITED STATES PATENTS ducing the web. The synchronized drive of the printl.732,2l /1929 Barber 101/178 i units during i Operation i provided by kmg 8 833 g g driving shafts preferably provided with single-tooth 5 211948 il i; 101/180 clutches and following the shifting movement of the 5; ["949 Crafts Oi/] stand as well as of the printing units which. in addi- Z I919 1 H1957 gji X tion, are partly withdrawable from the stand. The con- 2366.408 12/1958 Sevenson" 101/132 )4 struction permits a very rapid adjustment of the press 2,893,310 7/1959 Johnson .4 101/182 and an easy checking of all of the mechanisms while at 2965,0221 12/1960 Boule et alum 101/352 the same time assuring continuous running of the cyl- 298 9 6/196 a rd a. 8 X inders in an accurate positional synchronism. 3.095.810 7/1963 Harris 101/351 6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 5 if 8 6 4a 7 l .E .1 8 8 l I Z2 24 9 f H l 2/ L 1 a 1 J! ii 37- if I l 30 o .l

a r' I U I *1 3i) 20 3 I9 79/ 19b WTEP'TFF JUL 1 SHEET ROTARY PRINTING MACHINE FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to rotary printing presses and, more particularly, to a rotary printing press in which the printing units are mounted in a stand for movement toward and away from the impression cylinders to provide a man-size space for access to the impression cylinders.

In the known rotary printing machines, the printing units and the impression cylinders are kept in a constant axis-to-axis distance which can be a little enlarged only while introducing the web of paper and must then again be adjusted to the narrow gap necessary for driving the web. For introducing the web into the machine, the web must be passed consecutively through all of the narrow gaps provided between the blanket and the impression cylinders. To this end, the forward edge of the web is introduced into the first printing unit and the press is then repeatedly started, for a moment, until the web is passed through all units and appears at the upper end of the row. This setting process is difficult and time-consuming. To set up the machine, it is, in addition, necessary to mount the printing plate on the plate cylinder and the blanket on the transfer cylinder. Up to now, this is possible only while the web is not yet introduced between the cylinders of the printing unit.

In consequence, there is a need to facilitate and accelerate the adjusting of the rotary press without affecting the accuracy of the positional synchronism between the printing units and the impression cylinders.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an improved construction of a rotary press in which the supporting structure of the printing units is designed as a separate assembly or stand mounted on slideways which are provided on a bed frame of the machine so that the supporting structure or stand may be shifted, along with the printing units, away from the main frame of the machine, and thereby from the impression cylinders mounted thereon, to produce a mansized interspace between the stand and the main frame. Moreover, the printing units can be individually withdrawn from the stand and driven both in their withdrawn position and in the shifted-away position of the stand. To assure continuous synchronized driving of the several cylinders of each printing unit, splined driving shafts are provided for each printing unit and have a length such as to maintain each printing unit in driving connection with its associated impression cylinder during shifting of the stand away from the impression cylinders and also during withdrawing or partial withdrawing of a printing unit from the stand.

In case the stand of the printing units is shifted away from the main frame of the machine, the blanket cylinder and the associated impression cylinder of each printing unit are separated from each other. The intro duction of the web is thereby extremely facilitated. It is necessary only to pass the web over all of the impression cylinders. The hitherto narrow gap is enlarged to a wide man-size interspace providing access for the operator who can now easily position the web and at the same time check and perhaps adjust the printing units. Another advantage is that all of the printing units may be kept running in their accurate positional synchronism as before, the motion being derived from the main driving mechanism of the rotary press. In maintaining this synchronous running of the printing units, the mutual position of the plate and the blanket cylinder, as well as the position of these cylinders relative to the impression cylinders which, as it is well known, are coupled with the other operative units of the rotary press, remains unchanged.

Another advantage of the invention is the possibility of partly withdrawing each printing unit from the stand without interfering with the synchronism of the cylinders. Consequently, even in the assembled state of the stand with the main frame of the machine, while the respective printing unit is withdrawn, the blanket cylinder of the withdrawn printing unit is separated from the associated impression cylinder and this printing unit does not participate in the printing process. The work may then be continued, for example, with only three printing units instead of four, and the withdrawn unit may at any time be reintroduced into its working position. Many printing variations are thereby possible without requiring any setting up.

The considerably adjusting time once necessary for the introduction of a web into a press comprising several printing units is reduced to some minutes. In addition, troubles caused, for example, by a rupture of the web can be remedied far more easily and rapidly.

The advantages obtained by the new construction are highly appreciated by the printers in practical operation.

According to another development of the invention, each printing unit is connected to the main drive by a driving shaft provided with a single-tooth clutch which, for example, is actuated electromagnetically. Such electromagnetic single-tooth clutch clutches are well known. The provision of these clutches has the advantage that, in the shifted away position of the stand, the printing cylinders may be left running or stopped, just as required. In the latter case, one may proceed to the cleaning of the units without having to remove the same off the stand. The synchronism and accurate positioning of the printing cylinders and the impression cylinders is maintained and insured by the single-tooth clutches. The engagement and disengagement of the clutches is controlled by electrical switching circuits. After each disengagement, thus stopping a printing unit, the reengagement is effected in the accurate synchronous position. This also is an extraordinary simplification of the adjustment of the press.

It is useful to mount the stand for the printing units on anti-friction elements, such as balls, movable along prismatic cross section longitudinal races on the bed frame and on the stand, and to provide a hydraulic actuator, of the cylinder-piston type, to move the stand toward and away from the main frame of the machine. The stand, which has a considerable weight of several tons, is thereby made easily movable. Moreover, its guidance is exact, so that even a relatively large provided displacement, amounting to 600 mm and more, does not effect the precision work of the printing units.

The same advantage is attained when the individual printing units are also mounted on balls movable along prismatic cross section longitudinal races in the stand openings and on the frame of the individual printing unit.

The movement of the stand along with the printing units is controlled by means of pushbutton or the like. By actuating a pushbutton provided on the main frame of the machine, the stand is shifted-away. However, its return into the assembled position cannot be achieved by actuating a single button. Such a provision could be dangerous for the operator which has entered into the interspace. For this reason, two pushbuttons are provided for moving the stand back into its initial position and are located at a distance from each other, preferably one on the main frame and one on the stand, and both must be actuated simultaneously.

The high mobility both of the stand relative to the main frame and of the printing units within the stand requires particular measures for securing their opera tive, i.e. printing positions. To this purpose, hydraulic locking devices are provided for holding the stand and the main frame tightly assembled, and may be actuated by pushbuttons located on the main frame. Analogous hydraulic locking means are provided between the printing units and the stand, separately for each unit and separately actuated by pushbuttons. Both locking systems operate preferably on the pull-in principle so that, in the locked positions, the stand is pressed tightly against the main frame and the printing units are pressed tightly against the back of the stand openings.

It is useful to provide stops on the end portion of the stand openings which receive the printing units, preventing the units from being completely withdrawn.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved rotary printing press wherein printing units, each including a plate cylinder, an inking mechanism and a blanket of transfer cylinder are mounted one above the other in a separate supporting structure or stand which can be shifted horizontally toward and away from the main frame of the machine mounting the respective impression cylinders for the printing units, so that there is provided, when the stand is retracted from the main frame, a man-size interspace providing access for an operator to the impression cylinders and to the printing units.

Another object of the invention is to provide elongated splined driving shafts continuously connecting each printing unit to the main drive and to its associated impression cylinder even when the stand is retracted from the main frame and also when a printing unit is partially withdrawn from the stand.

A further object of the invention is to provide respective single-tooth clutches coupling each printing unit to its drive shaft and providing, when engaged, an accurate positional synchronism between the printing unit and its associated impression cylinder.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a rotary printing press in which the stand is supported on ball bearings movable along longitudinally extending races.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a rotary printing press in which each printing unit is mounted, in the stand, on ball bearings movable along longitudinally extending races.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a rotary printing press including hydraulic actuators for shifting the stand relative to the main frame of the press.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a rotary printing press in which the hydraulic actuators are controlled by push bottons and in which simultaneous actuation of two push buttons, one of the main frame and one on the stand. is necessary to move the stand into engagement with the main frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a rotary printing press including hydraulic locking devices for locking the stand to the main frame and for locking each printing unit in operative position in the stand.

For an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference is made to the following description of a typical embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the Drawings:

FIG. I is a partial elevational view of a rotary printing press embodying the invention, the stand with the printing units being in printing position;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view, as in FIG. I, with the stand being in a shifted-away position;

FIG. 3 is a plan view, partly in section, taken along the line IIIIII of FIG. 2',

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. 1-,

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a detail showing the locking device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. I and 2 of the drawings, an im proved rotary offset printing press or machine, embodying the invention, comprises a main frame I supported by a bed frame 2 which is extended in the direction of a supporting structure or stand 3 for the printing units 7. The bed frame 2 as well as the stand 3 are provided with longitudinal rails 4 having prismatic race grooves or tracks in which balls 5, supporting stand 3, are retained and permit an easy shifting of the stand 3. Instead of balls, there may be provided rollers retained in corresponding tracks.

The printing units 7 are received in openings 6 of stand 3 and each unit comprises a frame I0 (FIG. 3), a plate cylinder 8, an offset or blanket cylinder 9, and a non represented inking mechanism. The frame I0 of the printing unit 7 supports bearings 11 for the cylinder journals I2 and is guided in the opening 6 of the stand 3 in a manner analogous to the guiding of stand 3 on the bed frame 2, that is, by means of longitudinal rails 4a having prismatic grooves for balls 5.

The respective impression cylinders 13 associated with each of the printing units 7, or particularly the respective blanket cylinders 9, are mounted on main frame 1 of the machine and operatively interconnected with each other by gears I4. Gears I4 form a train which is driven by a main driving motor 16 through an intermediate gear 15. Impression cylinders 13 are located one above the other at levels corresponding to those of the associated blanket cylinders 9. The web of paper I7 advances, in the direction indicated by the arrows in FIG. 1, between the blanket cylinders and the associated impression cylinders. The impression takes place successively in different colors transferred by the printing units.

Stand 3 with printing units 7 can be shifted on the ball tracks 4 away from main frame I of the machine so as to produce a man-size interspace l8 therebetween (FIG. 2). The motion is effected by means of a hydraulic actuator I9 having a cylinder 190 secured to the bed frame 2 and a piston rod 19b secured to a cross-beam 20 of stand 3.

Printing units 7 are driven by means of respective splined shafts 21 commonly driven by main driving motor 16 and axially fixed in respective bearings 22 provided in transmission housings 23 of the associated printing units 7. The shafts are driven by motor 16 through intermediate gear 15 and respective meshing bevel gear sets 26. The shafts drive the respective blanket cylinders 8 and plate cylinders 9 through respective meshing bevel gear sets 25 to which the shafts are coupled by respective single-tooth clutches 24 which may be actuated electromagnetically. Each splined shaft 21 is longitudinally displaceable through an internally splined axial recess in the associated bevel gear 26, and the shafts have a length such that they are not disengaged from the associated bevel gears 26 even in the maximum retracted position in which stand 3 is retracted from main frame 1 and a printing unit 7 is at least partially withdrawn from stand 3. Thus, printing units 7 are operatively connected to the main drive under all circumstances, as may be seen clearly in com paring FIGS. 1 and 2, with FIG. 1 showing stand 3 in its printing position and FIG. 2 showing stand 3 in its retracted position with one printing unit 7 partly withdrawn from its opening 6 in stand 7. Such withdrawal is effective manually. Furthermore, by comparing FIGS. l and 2, it will be noted that the shafts 21 are at their maximum left hand position in FIG. I and, in FIG. 2, the uppermost shaft 2i is at its maximum right hand position with the other three shafts 21 being near their maximum right hand position.

The locking between printing units 7 and stand 3 is represented, as an example, in FIG. 6. A hydraulic locking device 27 comprises a hooked catch 28 pivotable about a pin 29 and having the form of a two-arm lever. The two catches of a printing unit facing each other are moved in opposite directions by means of

piston rods

32, 33 and pistons 31 which are enclosed in a common cylinder 30. In the represented locking position, hooked catches 28 mounted on stand 3 embrace bolts 34 provided on printing units 7 and urge the units 7 against the bottom or left end of the stand opening 6. In the unlocked position, catches 28 are disengaged from bolts 34. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the locking devices 27 are represented schematically.

An analogous locking is provided between stand 3 and main frame I of the machine, and also is represented schematically in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the same reference number.

The locking devices, both between stand 3 and main frame I and between printing units 7 and stand 3, are actuated by magnetic control valves which are not represented. To this end, pushbuttons 35 are provided, associated to each printing unit 7. The locking between stand 3 and main frame 1 is actuated by means of pushbuttons 36 provided on the main frame.

To control the shifting of stand 3 which is effected by the hydraulic cylinder mechanism l9, three

further pushbuttons

37, 38, 39 are provided, the first two being located on the main frame 1 and button 39 on the stand 3. The shifting away of stand 3 is controlled by means of button 37. For the reverse movement of the stand into its printing position, two pushbuttons, that is

buttons

38 and 39. must be actuated simultaneously, the one being provided on the main frame and the other on the stand.

In order to prevent a complete withdrawal of the printing units from the stand 3, stops 40 are provided on the right hand end portions of the openings 6. (FIG. 2).

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. In an offset rotary printing machine, for printing a continuous web, including a bed frame and a main frame, and having printing units, each including a plate cylinder, a blanket cylinder and an inking mechanism, with the printing units being arranged one above the other in a printing unit support stand and respective impression cylinders associated with the blanket cylinders and mounted one above the other in the main frame of the machine, each at the level of the associated blanket cylinder, and with the printing units and the impression cylinders all driven from a main drive: the improvement comprising, in combination, guide rails mounting said stand on said bed frame for shifting, with said printing units, away from said impression cylinders to provide a man-size space between said printing units and said impression cylinders for ready access of an operator thereto; means operable to shift said stand along said guides; a respective drive shaft connecting each printing unit to the associated impression cylinder, each drive shaft being splined and mounted on the associated printing unit against axial displacement relative thereto; a respective single tooth clutch drivingly connecting each drive shaft to the associated printing unit; each splined drive shaft being slidably engaged through a respective splined gear member mounted on said main frame and driven by said main drive; each printing unit being displaceable, on said support stand, to an inoperative position; and respective back stops limiting displacement of each printing unit on said support stand; each drive shaft, when said support stand is shifted to provide such man-size space and the associated printing unit is further displaced into engagement with the respective back stop, remaining drivingly connected to the associated splined gear member on said main frame.

2. In a rotary printing machine, the improvement claimed in claim 1, in which said shifting means comprises a hydraulic actuator connected between said bed frame and said stand; said guides comprising elongated races of prismatic cross section on said bed frame and on said stand, and anti-friction bearings engaged in said races.

3. In a rotary printing machine, the improvement claimed in claim I, in which said stand has respective openings mounting said printing units; and respective sets of elongated races on said stand and said printing units at each opening and having anti-friction bearings engaged therein, constituting guides for displacement of each printing unit relative to said stand.

4. In a rotary printing machine, the improvement claimed in claim 1, including controls for said shifting means; said controls including a first pushbotton on said main frame operable to activate said shifting means to shift said stand away from said main frame; said controls further including a pair of second pushbuttons, one on said main frame and the other on said stand; said second pushbuttons, when operated simul- 6. In a rotary printing machine, the improvement claimed in claim 1, including respective hydraulic locking devices operable to lock each printing unit to said frame; and respective control pushbuttons on said stand in operative association with each printing unit and operable to actuate said hydraulic locking devices. F l Il

Claims

3. In a rotary printing machine, the improvement claimed in claim 1, in which said stand has respective openings mounting said printing units; and respective sets of elongated races on said stand and said printing units at each opening and having anti-friction bearings engaged therein, constituting guides for displacement of each printing unit relative to said stand.

4. In a rotary printing machine, the improvement claimed in claim 1, including controls for said shifting means; said controls including a first pushbotton on said main frame operable to activate said shifting means to shift said stand away from said main frame; said controls further including a pair of second pushbuttons, one on said main frame and the other on said stand; said second pushbuttons, when operated simultaneously, activating said shifting means to shift said stand into engagement with said main frame.

5. In a rotary printing machine, the improvement claimed in claim 1, including hydraulically actuated locking devices operable to lock said stand to said main frame; and a control pushbutton on said main frame operable to activate said locking devices.

6. In a rotary printing machine, the improvement claimed in claim 1, including respective hydraulic locking devices operable to lock each printing unit to said frame; and respective control pushbuttons on said stand in operative association with each printing unit and operable to actuate said hydraulic locking devices.