CA1135114A - Method and apparatus for reducing the wear of a doctor blade and the surface of a printing-image - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for reducing the wear of a doctor blade and the surface of a printing-imageInfo
- Publication number
- CA1135114A CA1135114A CA000325257A CA325257A CA1135114A CA 1135114 A CA1135114 A CA 1135114A CA 000325257 A CA000325257 A CA 000325257A CA 325257 A CA325257 A CA 325257A CA 1135114 A CA1135114 A CA 1135114A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- lubricant
- printing
- doctor
- cylinder
- ink
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
- B41F9/00—Rotary intaglio printing presses
- B41F9/06—Details
- B41F9/08—Wiping mechanisms
- B41F9/10—Doctors, scrapers, or like devices
Abstract
INVENTOR: MAX D?TWYLER
INVENTION: METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING THE WEAR OF A
DOCTOR BLADE AND THE SURFACE OF A PRINTING-IMAGE
CARRIER FOR GRAVURE PRINTING
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A blade-shaped lubricant body fixedly clamped between two holder plates is pressed against a gravure or intaglio print-ing cylinder or other printing-image carrier. The lubricant body bears by means of its contact surface at the surface of the printing cylinder. The lubricant body can be formed of a suitable solid lubricant, for instance molybdenum disulfide, or of a carrier in which there is imbedded the solid lubricant.
The lubricant is rubbed onto the cylinder surface. However, the lubricant can also be applied in a different manner, for instance rolled-on.
INVENTION: METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING THE WEAR OF A
DOCTOR BLADE AND THE SURFACE OF A PRINTING-IMAGE
CARRIER FOR GRAVURE PRINTING
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A blade-shaped lubricant body fixedly clamped between two holder plates is pressed against a gravure or intaglio print-ing cylinder or other printing-image carrier. The lubricant body bears by means of its contact surface at the surface of the printing cylinder. The lubricant body can be formed of a suitable solid lubricant, for instance molybdenum disulfide, or of a carrier in which there is imbedded the solid lubricant.
The lubricant is rubbed onto the cylinder surface. However, the lubricant can also be applied in a different manner, for instance rolled-on.
Description
~ACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a new and improved method of, and apparatus for, reducing the wear of the doctor blade, also referred to simply as a doctor, and equally, the wear of the surface of a gravure printing-image carrier, es-pecially the printing cylinder, during gravure or intaglio printing.
With gravure or intaglio printing processes the surface of the printing-image carrier is freed of excess printing ink by means of a doctor blade or doctor. For this purpose, such doctor bears with a certain pressure against the surface of the printing~image carrier. As is known, this in turn causes wear of the doctor and wear of the surface of the printing-image carrier.
Many different attempts have been made to overcome this drawback. However, up to the present these drawbacks were predominantly directed to improving the doctor and its mounting. The solutlons which have been strived for and found in this respect are either complicated from the stand-point of fabrication or construction aspects, ox, during operation do not afford the ~esired success.
.
4 ~ I
Furthermore, there has already been proposed to add to the printing ink additives intended to reduce the doctor wear and the damage to the surface of the gravure printing-image carrier. These attempts however were unsuccessful be-cause, through che addition o such additives ther~ automati-cally was negatively affected the chemical and physical pro-perties of the printing ink. Among other things, this mani-fested itself by the poor drying properties of the ink. This in turn resulted in a poor quality of the printed products, SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Hence, with the foregoing in mind, lt is a primary object of the present invention to provide a new and improved method of, and apparatus for, reducing the doctor wear and the wear of the surface of a printing-image carrier for in-taglio or gravure printing p~ocesses, in a manner not asso-ciated with the aforementioned limitations and drawbacks of ¦ the prior art proposals.
¦ Another and more specific object of the invention ¦ aims at the provision of a novel method and apparatus which, ¦ without being afflicted by the previously mentioned drawbacks, ¦ enables effectively reducing the doctor wear and the wear of the surface of the printing-image car~ier, Yet a further significant object of the present in-vention is to influence the friction prevailing between the doctor and printing-image carrier, without impairing the printing process in a manner such that there can be exten-sively avoided the disadvantageous effects of such friction.
Now in order to implement these and still ~urther objects of the invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the method aspects of the present invention contemplate applying, independentl~
of the application of the printing ink, a lubricant to the surface of the printing-image carrier.
As to the apparatus aspects,particularly suitable for the performance of the method of the invention, such are characterized by a device for applying the lubricant to the surface of the printing-image carrier, especially the printing cylinder used in gravure or intaglio printing.
In contrast to heretofore proposed solutions, with the teachings of the invention there is not improved the con-struction of the doctor blade or doctor or its mounting or support arrangement, rather through the application of a lubricant there is reduced the friction between the doctor nd the prlnting-lmage carrier. This affords a corresponding _~_ reduction in ~he wear of the doc~or and the printing-image carrier. The printing proces~ i9 not disad~anta~eously ~eoted, so that there i5 no impalrment in the quality o~ the printed products.
The lubricant or lubricating agent can either be rubbed or rolled onto the surface of the printing-image car~ier.
The most different devices can be suitably employed for the application of the lubricant to the surface of the printing-image carrier, and such various types of applicators will be disclosed more fully during the course of this description.
It is also possible to use a doctor which contains the lub-ricant or conducts the lubricant to the surface of the prlnting-image carrier.
Particularly suitable as the lubricant ls molybdenum disulfide in powder or solid form or embedded in an appropriate carrier, for instance plastic material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent when consideration i9 given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective, schematic fragmentary view showing part of a pr~ nting-image carrier and a doctor blade or doctor;
Figures 2 to 5 respectively schematically show different devices for applying the lubricant to the surface of a printing cylinder used during gravure or intaglio printing; and Figure 6 is a schematic and simplified illustration of a gravure printing machine or printing press.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Describing now the drawings, Figure 1, serving for explaining the problems of wear or the like occurring during gravure or intaglio printing, shows part of a printing-im~ge carrier 1 which may be constituted by a plate! a rotating c~linder or a plate which is clamped or otherwise affixed to a rotating cylinder. This printing-image carrier 1 possesses, in known manner, wells 3 or the like enclosed by the screen webs 2, these wells 3 serving for a reception of printing ink.
To remove the excess printing ink from the surface of the printing-image carrier and formed by the screen webs 2, there is provided a doctor blade or doctor 4 which bears by means of its contact surface 5 (ohampfer or bevel), with a cert~in pressure, at the screen webs 2 or equivalent struct~e. As is known and also previously already mentioned, the~e exists the problem of the wear or abrasion of the doctor 4 and ~he wear of the surface of the printing-image carrier 1. As will be explained more fully hereinafter, this problem is solved by appl1cation of a lubricant or lubricating agent between the doctor 4 and the printing-image carrier 1. Ba-sically there can be used all suitable lubricants, especially solid, pasty, liquid and pulverulent lubricants. During the selection of the lubricant it is important that the employed lubricating agent neither negatively influence the printing process or the printing quality or the drying properties qf the printing ink. The lubricant should not cause any im-pairment in the quality of the printed product. ~he manner of applying the lubricant between the doctor and the printing-image carrier is dependent upon the employed lubricant. Based upon the figures of the drawings there will now be explained a number of possibilities for the appllcation of the lubricant.
More specifically, in Figures 2 to 5 there are shown different applicator devices or means for the application of a lubricant to the surface of a printing cylinder used in gravure printing. In these figures reference character 6 designates the schematically illustrated printing cylinder 4l and lts ~urface has been designated by reference character 7.
This cylinder surface 7, as already explalned previously in conjunct$on with Figure 1, is formed by the screen webs 2 or equivalent structure. The direction of rotation of the prlnting cylinder 6 has been indicated by the arrow A.
Now in Figure 2 the applicator device for the appli-cation of the lubricant to the surface 7 of the printing cylinder 6 comprises a blade-shaped lubricating or lubricant body 8 which is pressed at a constant pressure against the printing cylinder 6, by any suitable means, such as con-ventional springs or other resilient elements not particularly shown. The lubricant or lubricating body 8, bears by means of its contact surface 9, against the cyiinder surface 7.
In order to maintain essentially constant the ~ize of this contact surSace 9, in the presence of progressive wear, both of the boudary surfaces 8a and 8b, in other words the upper and lower surfaces of the lubricant body 8,extend essentially parallel to one another. With the contact surface 9 remaining constant and with essentially constant contact pressure the application of the lubricant to the surface 7 also is essen-tially constant. The lubrlcant body 8 can comprise a suitable solld lubricant, or it can also consist of a carrier, formed for instance of plastic or slntered material, within which there is embedded the solid lubricant or lubricating agent.
_~
Due to the movement of the surface 7 of the ~lnting çylind~r 6 past the lubricant body 8 the lub~ican~ is rubbed onto ~he surface 7, so that a lubricant film is fo~med upon such surface. The lubricant body 8 is clamped between two holder plates 10 and 11 or equivalent ~tructure which fixedly retain the lubricant body 8. In order to prevent irregular wear of the contact surface 9 of the lubricant body 8 the lub~icant 8 and the holder plates 10 and 11 can be moved, approximately perpendicular to the direction of rotation A of the printing cylinder 6, back-and-forth, in the direction of the double-headed arrow B by any suitable drive which has merely been schematically indicated by reference character 50. Particularly suitable as a solid lubricant is molybdenum disulfide.
The lubricant body 8 can also consist of a porous material to which there is infed in suitable manner a liquid lubricant. Owing to the capillary action the lubricant or lubricating agent distributes within the porous lubricant body 8 and ls applied to the surface 7 of the printing cylinder 6 which moves past such lubricant body 8. As explained in conjunction with Figure 2, also in this case the lubricant body 8 can be moved to-and-fro and structured such that the contact surface 9, with progressive wear, remains essentially con~tant.
1135~14 As shown in Figure 3, liquid or pasty lubricants can be applied to the surface 7 of the printing-image carrier 6, by means of an applicator device which can be constructed similarly to an inking mechanism or device employed for ink application. The applicator device comprises a supply con-tainer 12 within which there is located the lubricant or lubricating agent 13. A substantially lip-shaped applicator element 14 is connected with the supply container 12. The appllcator element 14 extends by means of its edge lS at a slight spacing and approximately parallel to the surface 7 of the printing cylinder 6. The lubricant is applied, by means of the applicator element 14, to the cylinder surface 7 and distributed over the width of the printing cylinder 6 such that a lubricant film 16 is formed upon the cylinder surface 7. Depending upon the viscosity and sur~ace tension of the lubricant the edge 15 of the applicator element 14, as shown, can extend at a spacing with respect to the surface 7, or, however, can be in contact with such cylinder surface 7. In the last-mentioned case, at least this edge 15, if not the entire applicator element 14, can be formed of a wear resistant material, for instance a wear resistant plastic, and further, She inherent stress or bias of such edge lS or the applicator element 14 can be beneficially employed for maintaining edge 15 in contact with the cylinder surface 7. The use of steel, especially doctor blade steel, 1135~14 is however also possible. In order to avoid any irregular wear of the edge 15 such edge0 or in fact the entire applicat~r element 14, can be moved back-and-forth in a directlon trans-verse to the directlon of rotation A of the printing cylinder-6, and there again can be us@d for this purpose the drive 50 shown $n Figure 2. A constant flow of lubri~ant can either be brought about by the capillary action, by a constant lub-ricant level in the supply container 12, or bY application of an excess pressure effective upon the surface of the lubricant.
In the last-mentioned case there must be used as the supply container 12 a closed sup~ly Qontainer or vat 12 equipped with a cover or closure member 12a, as such has been shown in broken lines in Figure 3. Opening into this closed supply container 12 is an infeed liné or conduit 17 ~ar a suitable pressurized fluid medium, for instance a gas which is at essentially constant pressure.
With the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5, the lubricant is applied to the surface 7 of the printing cylinder 6 by means of a rotatably mounted appli-cator roll 18. This ap~licator roll 18 is in contact with the printing cylinder 6 and rotates in the direction of th~
arrow C opposite to the direction of rotation A of the printing cylinder 6. With the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 4 the applicator roll 18, during its r~tation, immerses partially into the lubricant or lubri~cating aqent 13 which i~ located in the 6upply conta1ner or vat 12.
Excess lubricant is removed by the doctor or doct~r blade 19 from the applicator roll 18 and returned back into the supply container 12. Due to the contact of the applicator roll 18, carrying the lub~icant, with the cylinder surfa~e 7 there is formed upon the latter a lubricant film 16.
In Figure 5 the applicator roll 18 contacts a~
immersion or immersible roll 20 rotating in the directional sense D which i5 opposite to the direction of rotation C
of the applicator roll 18. This immersion roll 2~, during its rotation, immerses partially into the bath of lubricant 13 in the supply container 12, thereby entrains a certain arnount of lubricant and transfers such to the applicator roll 18 at the zone of contact therewith. The lubricant is then applied by the applicator roll 18, similar to the arrangement of Figure 4, in the form of a lubricant or lubrication film 16 to the cylinder surface 7 of the printing cylinder 6. If necessary, there is prqvided a doctor or doctor blade 19 for the removal of excess lubricant from the immersion roll 20.
Of course, the lubricant can also be applied to the surface 7 of the printing cylinder 6 in a different suitable and therefore not particularly illustrated manner. Liquid i~
lubricant can be, for instance, sprayed onto the cylinder surface 7 by means of a suitable sprayiNg device. In the case of pulverulent lubricant there can be used atomizer devices which dust or atomize the lubricant unto the cylin der surface 7. As a further variant there is proposed the utilization of a vaporizing device, by means of which the lubricant can be vapor deposited onto the cylinder surface 7. This possibility particularly comes under consideration when working with liquid lubricants.
The site of application of the lubxicant at the surface 7 of the printing cylinder 6 basically can be differently selected, and especially ~s dependent upon the nature of the employed lubricant, the nature of the employed application process and the construction of the printing machine. Based upon the showing of Figure 6, illustrating purely schematically and in markedly simplified form a gravure or intaglio printing machine or press, there will now be explained the different possible ways of applying the lubricant. The gravure printing machine comprises a printing cylinder 6, whose surface 7 is freed of printing ink by means of a doctor blade or doctor 4. This doctor 4 is supported in known manner in a doctor holder or mounting arrangement 21. The printing cylinder 6, rotating in the direction of the arrow A, during its rotation partially immerses into the lnking vat 23 of an inking device 24 and 113511~
whicll contains the printing ink. The web-shaped material 25, which is to be printed, is moved between the printing cylinder 6 and an impression or pressure cylinder 24. Along the printing line 26 there occurs transfer of the printing ink from the printing cylinder 6 to the web material 25. As to what has been described above and illustrated such corresponds to a conventional gravure printing machine. According to the invention, there is applied a lubricant to the surface 7 of the printing cylinder 6 in one of the previously described manners. ~he application of the lubricant can be accomplished, for instance between the inking device 22 and the doctor 4 (Sector I), between the doctor 4 and the printing line or nip 26 (Sector II), or between the printing line 26 and the inking device 22 ~Sector III). However, it is also possible to apply the lubricant by means of the doctor 4. For this pur-pose it is for instance conceivable to embed the lubricant in the doctor or doctor blade 4 so that it appears and is available at the base or free end of the doctor 4. It is also possible to conduct the lubricant through the doctor 4 to ~e contact zone between such doctor 4 and the printing-image carrier or pxinting cylinder 6. In particular, liquid lubricant could be applied to the surface of the doctor 4, from which location the lubricant is infed, by meanq of such doctor 4, to such contact zone between the doctor 4 and the printing cylinder 6. This infeed of the lubricant, with the aid of the doctor or doctor blade 4, has been symbolized in Figure 6 by the position IV.
~i351~4 While there are shown and descxibed present preferred embodiments of theinvention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may be other-wise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the wl- 1~ CO~DI~C~Y,
The present invention relates to a new and improved method of, and apparatus for, reducing the wear of the doctor blade, also referred to simply as a doctor, and equally, the wear of the surface of a gravure printing-image carrier, es-pecially the printing cylinder, during gravure or intaglio printing.
With gravure or intaglio printing processes the surface of the printing-image carrier is freed of excess printing ink by means of a doctor blade or doctor. For this purpose, such doctor bears with a certain pressure against the surface of the printing~image carrier. As is known, this in turn causes wear of the doctor and wear of the surface of the printing-image carrier.
Many different attempts have been made to overcome this drawback. However, up to the present these drawbacks were predominantly directed to improving the doctor and its mounting. The solutlons which have been strived for and found in this respect are either complicated from the stand-point of fabrication or construction aspects, ox, during operation do not afford the ~esired success.
.
4 ~ I
Furthermore, there has already been proposed to add to the printing ink additives intended to reduce the doctor wear and the damage to the surface of the gravure printing-image carrier. These attempts however were unsuccessful be-cause, through che addition o such additives ther~ automati-cally was negatively affected the chemical and physical pro-perties of the printing ink. Among other things, this mani-fested itself by the poor drying properties of the ink. This in turn resulted in a poor quality of the printed products, SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Hence, with the foregoing in mind, lt is a primary object of the present invention to provide a new and improved method of, and apparatus for, reducing the doctor wear and the wear of the surface of a printing-image carrier for in-taglio or gravure printing p~ocesses, in a manner not asso-ciated with the aforementioned limitations and drawbacks of ¦ the prior art proposals.
¦ Another and more specific object of the invention ¦ aims at the provision of a novel method and apparatus which, ¦ without being afflicted by the previously mentioned drawbacks, ¦ enables effectively reducing the doctor wear and the wear of the surface of the printing-image car~ier, Yet a further significant object of the present in-vention is to influence the friction prevailing between the doctor and printing-image carrier, without impairing the printing process in a manner such that there can be exten-sively avoided the disadvantageous effects of such friction.
Now in order to implement these and still ~urther objects of the invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the method aspects of the present invention contemplate applying, independentl~
of the application of the printing ink, a lubricant to the surface of the printing-image carrier.
As to the apparatus aspects,particularly suitable for the performance of the method of the invention, such are characterized by a device for applying the lubricant to the surface of the printing-image carrier, especially the printing cylinder used in gravure or intaglio printing.
In contrast to heretofore proposed solutions, with the teachings of the invention there is not improved the con-struction of the doctor blade or doctor or its mounting or support arrangement, rather through the application of a lubricant there is reduced the friction between the doctor nd the prlnting-lmage carrier. This affords a corresponding _~_ reduction in ~he wear of the doc~or and the printing-image carrier. The printing proces~ i9 not disad~anta~eously ~eoted, so that there i5 no impalrment in the quality o~ the printed products.
The lubricant or lubricating agent can either be rubbed or rolled onto the surface of the printing-image car~ier.
The most different devices can be suitably employed for the application of the lubricant to the surface of the printing-image carrier, and such various types of applicators will be disclosed more fully during the course of this description.
It is also possible to use a doctor which contains the lub-ricant or conducts the lubricant to the surface of the prlnting-image carrier.
Particularly suitable as the lubricant ls molybdenum disulfide in powder or solid form or embedded in an appropriate carrier, for instance plastic material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent when consideration i9 given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective, schematic fragmentary view showing part of a pr~ nting-image carrier and a doctor blade or doctor;
Figures 2 to 5 respectively schematically show different devices for applying the lubricant to the surface of a printing cylinder used during gravure or intaglio printing; and Figure 6 is a schematic and simplified illustration of a gravure printing machine or printing press.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Describing now the drawings, Figure 1, serving for explaining the problems of wear or the like occurring during gravure or intaglio printing, shows part of a printing-im~ge carrier 1 which may be constituted by a plate! a rotating c~linder or a plate which is clamped or otherwise affixed to a rotating cylinder. This printing-image carrier 1 possesses, in known manner, wells 3 or the like enclosed by the screen webs 2, these wells 3 serving for a reception of printing ink.
To remove the excess printing ink from the surface of the printing-image carrier and formed by the screen webs 2, there is provided a doctor blade or doctor 4 which bears by means of its contact surface 5 (ohampfer or bevel), with a cert~in pressure, at the screen webs 2 or equivalent struct~e. As is known and also previously already mentioned, the~e exists the problem of the wear or abrasion of the doctor 4 and ~he wear of the surface of the printing-image carrier 1. As will be explained more fully hereinafter, this problem is solved by appl1cation of a lubricant or lubricating agent between the doctor 4 and the printing-image carrier 1. Ba-sically there can be used all suitable lubricants, especially solid, pasty, liquid and pulverulent lubricants. During the selection of the lubricant it is important that the employed lubricating agent neither negatively influence the printing process or the printing quality or the drying properties qf the printing ink. The lubricant should not cause any im-pairment in the quality of the printed product. ~he manner of applying the lubricant between the doctor and the printing-image carrier is dependent upon the employed lubricant. Based upon the figures of the drawings there will now be explained a number of possibilities for the appllcation of the lubricant.
More specifically, in Figures 2 to 5 there are shown different applicator devices or means for the application of a lubricant to the surface of a printing cylinder used in gravure printing. In these figures reference character 6 designates the schematically illustrated printing cylinder 4l and lts ~urface has been designated by reference character 7.
This cylinder surface 7, as already explalned previously in conjunct$on with Figure 1, is formed by the screen webs 2 or equivalent structure. The direction of rotation of the prlnting cylinder 6 has been indicated by the arrow A.
Now in Figure 2 the applicator device for the appli-cation of the lubricant to the surface 7 of the printing cylinder 6 comprises a blade-shaped lubricating or lubricant body 8 which is pressed at a constant pressure against the printing cylinder 6, by any suitable means, such as con-ventional springs or other resilient elements not particularly shown. The lubricant or lubricating body 8, bears by means of its contact surface 9, against the cyiinder surface 7.
In order to maintain essentially constant the ~ize of this contact surSace 9, in the presence of progressive wear, both of the boudary surfaces 8a and 8b, in other words the upper and lower surfaces of the lubricant body 8,extend essentially parallel to one another. With the contact surface 9 remaining constant and with essentially constant contact pressure the application of the lubricant to the surface 7 also is essen-tially constant. The lubrlcant body 8 can comprise a suitable solld lubricant, or it can also consist of a carrier, formed for instance of plastic or slntered material, within which there is embedded the solid lubricant or lubricating agent.
_~
Due to the movement of the surface 7 of the ~lnting çylind~r 6 past the lubricant body 8 the lub~ican~ is rubbed onto ~he surface 7, so that a lubricant film is fo~med upon such surface. The lubricant body 8 is clamped between two holder plates 10 and 11 or equivalent ~tructure which fixedly retain the lubricant body 8. In order to prevent irregular wear of the contact surface 9 of the lubricant body 8 the lub~icant 8 and the holder plates 10 and 11 can be moved, approximately perpendicular to the direction of rotation A of the printing cylinder 6, back-and-forth, in the direction of the double-headed arrow B by any suitable drive which has merely been schematically indicated by reference character 50. Particularly suitable as a solid lubricant is molybdenum disulfide.
The lubricant body 8 can also consist of a porous material to which there is infed in suitable manner a liquid lubricant. Owing to the capillary action the lubricant or lubricating agent distributes within the porous lubricant body 8 and ls applied to the surface 7 of the printing cylinder 6 which moves past such lubricant body 8. As explained in conjunction with Figure 2, also in this case the lubricant body 8 can be moved to-and-fro and structured such that the contact surface 9, with progressive wear, remains essentially con~tant.
1135~14 As shown in Figure 3, liquid or pasty lubricants can be applied to the surface 7 of the printing-image carrier 6, by means of an applicator device which can be constructed similarly to an inking mechanism or device employed for ink application. The applicator device comprises a supply con-tainer 12 within which there is located the lubricant or lubricating agent 13. A substantially lip-shaped applicator element 14 is connected with the supply container 12. The appllcator element 14 extends by means of its edge lS at a slight spacing and approximately parallel to the surface 7 of the printing cylinder 6. The lubricant is applied, by means of the applicator element 14, to the cylinder surface 7 and distributed over the width of the printing cylinder 6 such that a lubricant film 16 is formed upon the cylinder surface 7. Depending upon the viscosity and sur~ace tension of the lubricant the edge 15 of the applicator element 14, as shown, can extend at a spacing with respect to the surface 7, or, however, can be in contact with such cylinder surface 7. In the last-mentioned case, at least this edge 15, if not the entire applicator element 14, can be formed of a wear resistant material, for instance a wear resistant plastic, and further, She inherent stress or bias of such edge lS or the applicator element 14 can be beneficially employed for maintaining edge 15 in contact with the cylinder surface 7. The use of steel, especially doctor blade steel, 1135~14 is however also possible. In order to avoid any irregular wear of the edge 15 such edge0 or in fact the entire applicat~r element 14, can be moved back-and-forth in a directlon trans-verse to the directlon of rotation A of the printing cylinder-6, and there again can be us@d for this purpose the drive 50 shown $n Figure 2. A constant flow of lubri~ant can either be brought about by the capillary action, by a constant lub-ricant level in the supply container 12, or bY application of an excess pressure effective upon the surface of the lubricant.
In the last-mentioned case there must be used as the supply container 12 a closed sup~ly Qontainer or vat 12 equipped with a cover or closure member 12a, as such has been shown in broken lines in Figure 3. Opening into this closed supply container 12 is an infeed liné or conduit 17 ~ar a suitable pressurized fluid medium, for instance a gas which is at essentially constant pressure.
With the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5, the lubricant is applied to the surface 7 of the printing cylinder 6 by means of a rotatably mounted appli-cator roll 18. This ap~licator roll 18 is in contact with the printing cylinder 6 and rotates in the direction of th~
arrow C opposite to the direction of rotation A of the printing cylinder 6. With the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 4 the applicator roll 18, during its r~tation, immerses partially into the lubricant or lubri~cating aqent 13 which i~ located in the 6upply conta1ner or vat 12.
Excess lubricant is removed by the doctor or doct~r blade 19 from the applicator roll 18 and returned back into the supply container 12. Due to the contact of the applicator roll 18, carrying the lub~icant, with the cylinder surfa~e 7 there is formed upon the latter a lubricant film 16.
In Figure 5 the applicator roll 18 contacts a~
immersion or immersible roll 20 rotating in the directional sense D which i5 opposite to the direction of rotation C
of the applicator roll 18. This immersion roll 2~, during its rotation, immerses partially into the bath of lubricant 13 in the supply container 12, thereby entrains a certain arnount of lubricant and transfers such to the applicator roll 18 at the zone of contact therewith. The lubricant is then applied by the applicator roll 18, similar to the arrangement of Figure 4, in the form of a lubricant or lubrication film 16 to the cylinder surface 7 of the printing cylinder 6. If necessary, there is prqvided a doctor or doctor blade 19 for the removal of excess lubricant from the immersion roll 20.
Of course, the lubricant can also be applied to the surface 7 of the printing cylinder 6 in a different suitable and therefore not particularly illustrated manner. Liquid i~
lubricant can be, for instance, sprayed onto the cylinder surface 7 by means of a suitable sprayiNg device. In the case of pulverulent lubricant there can be used atomizer devices which dust or atomize the lubricant unto the cylin der surface 7. As a further variant there is proposed the utilization of a vaporizing device, by means of which the lubricant can be vapor deposited onto the cylinder surface 7. This possibility particularly comes under consideration when working with liquid lubricants.
The site of application of the lubxicant at the surface 7 of the printing cylinder 6 basically can be differently selected, and especially ~s dependent upon the nature of the employed lubricant, the nature of the employed application process and the construction of the printing machine. Based upon the showing of Figure 6, illustrating purely schematically and in markedly simplified form a gravure or intaglio printing machine or press, there will now be explained the different possible ways of applying the lubricant. The gravure printing machine comprises a printing cylinder 6, whose surface 7 is freed of printing ink by means of a doctor blade or doctor 4. This doctor 4 is supported in known manner in a doctor holder or mounting arrangement 21. The printing cylinder 6, rotating in the direction of the arrow A, during its rotation partially immerses into the lnking vat 23 of an inking device 24 and 113511~
whicll contains the printing ink. The web-shaped material 25, which is to be printed, is moved between the printing cylinder 6 and an impression or pressure cylinder 24. Along the printing line 26 there occurs transfer of the printing ink from the printing cylinder 6 to the web material 25. As to what has been described above and illustrated such corresponds to a conventional gravure printing machine. According to the invention, there is applied a lubricant to the surface 7 of the printing cylinder 6 in one of the previously described manners. ~he application of the lubricant can be accomplished, for instance between the inking device 22 and the doctor 4 (Sector I), between the doctor 4 and the printing line or nip 26 (Sector II), or between the printing line 26 and the inking device 22 ~Sector III). However, it is also possible to apply the lubricant by means of the doctor 4. For this pur-pose it is for instance conceivable to embed the lubricant in the doctor or doctor blade 4 so that it appears and is available at the base or free end of the doctor 4. It is also possible to conduct the lubricant through the doctor 4 to ~e contact zone between such doctor 4 and the printing-image carrier or pxinting cylinder 6. In particular, liquid lubricant could be applied to the surface of the doctor 4, from which location the lubricant is infed, by meanq of such doctor 4, to such contact zone between the doctor 4 and the printing cylinder 6. This infeed of the lubricant, with the aid of the doctor or doctor blade 4, has been symbolized in Figure 6 by the position IV.
~i351~4 While there are shown and descxibed present preferred embodiments of theinvention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may be other-wise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the wl- 1~ CO~DI~C~Y,
Claims (15)
EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A method for reducing the wear of a doctor and the wear of the surface of an intaglio printing cylinder, comprising the steps of:
providing an intaglio printing cylinder having a surface;
applying printing ink to the printing cylincer;
providing a doctor for removing excess ink from the print cylinder surface;
rubbing a solid lubricant onto the surface of the printing cylinder after said cylinder has been freed from excessive printing ink by the doctor; and said lubricant being applied independently of the application of the printing ink at a location spaced apart from the doctor.
providing an intaglio printing cylinder having a surface;
applying printing ink to the printing cylincer;
providing a doctor for removing excess ink from the print cylinder surface;
rubbing a solid lubricant onto the surface of the printing cylinder after said cylinder has been freed from excessive printing ink by the doctor; and said lubricant being applied independently of the application of the printing ink at a location spaced apart from the doctor.
2. The method as defined in claim 1, further including the step of transferring the printing ink to a web of material to be printed, wherein said solid lubricant is applied at a location lying between the place of application of the printing ink and the place of transfer of the printing ink to the web of material to be printed.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein said solid lubricant is applied at a location lying between said doctor and said place of transfer of the printing ink to the web of material to be printed.
4. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein:
said lubricant is molybdenum disulfide.
said lubricant is molybdenum disulfide.
5. An apparatus for reducing the wear of a doctor and the surface of an intaglio printing cylinder, comprising means for applying printing ink to the printing cylinder; and applicator means for rubbing a solid lubricant onto the surface of the printing cylinder after said cylinder has been freed from excessive ink by the doctor, said lubricant applicator means being arranged in spaced relationship and separate from the doctor.
6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, further including means for transferring the printing ink to a web to be printed and wherein said lubricant applicator means is arranged between said means for applying printing ink to the printing cylinder and said means for transferring the printing ink to the web of material to be printed.
7. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, further including means for transferring the printed ink to a web to be printed and wherein said lubricant applicatior means is arranged between said dictor and said means for transferring the ink to a web to be printed.
8. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said applicator means comprises a lubricant body which bears against the surface of the printing cylinder.
9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, further including:
means for moving the lubricant body to-and-fro in a direction extending transversely with respect to the direction of rotation of the printing cylinder.
means for moving the lubricant body to-and-fro in a direction extending transversely with respect to the direction of rotation of the printing cylinder.
10. The apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein:
said lubricant body contains a contact surface bearing at the printing cylinder; and said lubricant body is structured such that said contact surface, during progressive wear thereof, remains essentially constant.
said lubricant body contains a contact surface bearing at the printing cylinder; and said lubricant body is structured such that said contact surface, during progressive wear thereof, remains essentially constant.
11. The apparatus as defined in claim 10, further including:
means for moving the lubricant body to-and-fro in a direction extending transversely with respect to the direction of rotation of the printing cylinder.
means for moving the lubricant body to-and-fro in a direction extending transversely with respect to the direction of rotation of the printing cylinder.
12. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein:
said lubricant body contains a solid lubricant.
said lubricant body contains a solid lubricant.
13. The apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein:
said solid lubricant comprises molybdenum disulfide.
said solid lubricant comprises molybdenum disulfide.
14. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein:
said lubricant body consists of a solid lubricant.
said lubricant body consists of a solid lubricant.
15. The apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein:
said solid lubricant comprises molybdenum disulfide.
said solid lubricant comprises molybdenum disulfide.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEP2817964.8 | 1978-04-24 | ||
| DE2817964A DE2817964C2 (en) | 1978-04-24 | 1978-04-24 | Method and device for reducing squeegee wear and tear on the surface of the intaglio printing form |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1135114A true CA1135114A (en) | 1982-11-09 |
Family
ID=6037900
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000325257A Expired CA1135114A (en) | 1978-04-24 | 1979-04-10 | Method and apparatus for reducing the wear of a doctor blade and the surface of a printing-image |
Country Status (10)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS54143309A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1135114A (en) |
| CH (1) | CH638723A5 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2817964C2 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES479838A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2424132A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2026387B (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1112730B (en) |
| NL (1) | NL7903224A (en) |
| SE (1) | SE421513B (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4479432A (en) * | 1980-05-15 | 1984-10-30 | Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. | Thick film printing method |
| EP0911157B1 (en) * | 1997-10-24 | 2002-02-27 | MDC Max Dätwyler Bleienbach AG | Blade for removing superfluous ink from the surface of a printing plate |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE523274C (en) * | 1928-08-02 | 1931-11-17 | Karl Debus | Device for removing any ink residue from the printing plate of the forme cylinder of a rotogravure printing machine |
| US2359770A (en) * | 1942-05-27 | 1944-10-10 | Crowell Collier Publishing Com | Apparatus for removing excess fluid from the printing cylinders of printing presses |
| US2313830A (en) * | 1942-06-02 | 1943-03-16 | Crowell Collier Publishing Com | Doctor blade |
-
1978
- 1978-04-24 DE DE2817964A patent/DE2817964C2/en not_active Expired
-
1979
- 1979-04-02 CH CH303379A patent/CH638723A5/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1979-04-10 CA CA000325257A patent/CA1135114A/en not_active Expired
- 1979-04-17 SE SE7903353A patent/SE421513B/en unknown
- 1979-04-20 JP JP4887479A patent/JPS54143309A/en active Pending
- 1979-04-23 ES ES479838A patent/ES479838A1/en not_active Expired
- 1979-04-24 GB GB7914147A patent/GB2026387B/en not_active Expired
- 1979-04-24 IT IT22147/79A patent/IT1112730B/en active
- 1979-04-24 FR FR7910385A patent/FR2424132A1/en active Granted
- 1979-04-24 NL NL7903224A patent/NL7903224A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| IT7922147A0 (en) | 1979-04-24 |
| FR2424132A1 (en) | 1979-11-23 |
| SE7903353L (en) | 1979-10-25 |
| ES479838A1 (en) | 1980-02-01 |
| DE2817964C2 (en) | 1980-08-07 |
| GB2026387B (en) | 1982-07-28 |
| JPS54143309A (en) | 1979-11-08 |
| SE421513B (en) | 1982-01-04 |
| FR2424132B1 (en) | 1984-04-27 |
| NL7903224A (en) | 1979-10-26 |
| GB2026387A (en) | 1980-02-06 |
| CH638723A5 (en) | 1983-10-14 |
| DE2817964B1 (en) | 1979-12-06 |
| IT1112730B (en) | 1986-01-20 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |