CH615115A5 - Printing press and its method of manufacture - Google Patents

Abstract

This printing press has the particular aim of simplifying storage and handling of sheets and the programming of work, when it involves simultaneously carrying out various pieces of work of different categories on the same sheet. The said press is equipped with various printing and inking and/or moistening modules which may be used individually or together. The large printing cylinder (22) may have a diameter which is two or three times greater than that of the lower cylinder (20), which correspondingly increases the capacity of the press. Application to offset, typographic, etc. printing in one or more colours, on a single side, or double-sided. <IMAGE>

Description

       

  
 

** ATTENTION ** start of the DESC field may contain end of CLMS **. 

 



   CLAIMS
   1.     Sheet-fed offset printing press, characterized in that it comprises a first printing cylinder and a second printing cylinder larger than the first mounted in a support frame to rotate in tangential contact to form a printing couple and having between a clamping and printing zone, a device for introducing sheets into said clamping zone, the large printing cylinder and its shaft being mounted to rotate about an axis of rotation, the actual diameter of the large printing cylinder being integer multiple greater than 1 of that of the first printing cylinder, this first printing cylinder having a single working zone on its periphery, the periphery of the large printing cylinder being divided into several substantially equal working zones,

   the number of the working zones of the large printing cylinder being equal to said whole multiple, and each of the working zones comprising a device for mounting a blanket therein: at least two other printing cylinders comprising plate cylinders, each with a device for mounting a printing plate and a device for inking the surface of each of said printing plates, the plate cylinders having a real diameter equal to that of the first printing cylinder and being mounted to rotate in tangential contact with the large printing cylinder, said plate cylinders having a device enabling them to rotate in contact with at least one of said working zones at each revolution of the large printing cylinder, said device comprising a single group of cams mounted on the axis of the large printing cylinder for turn with this one,

   which cams act successively on mechanisms associated with each of said plate cylinders. 



   2.  Printing press according to claim 1, characterized in that said device for introducing the sheets comprises a device for automatically introducing a sheet at each revolution of the first printing cylinder or else a sheet at each revolution of the large printing cylinder, up to and at through said clamping area. 



   3.  Printing press according to claim 2, characterized in that the device for introducing a sheet at each revolution of the large printing cylinder also comprises a device for passing the sheet thus introduced once or more than once through said clamping zone. 



   4.  Printing press according to claim 2, characterized in that a blanket is mounted in the single working area of the first printing cylinder, which blanket also comprises a device for mounting a printing plate in at least one of the working areas of the large printing cylinder and an inking device for each of the plates thus mounted. 



   5.  Printing press according to claim 1, characterized in that the support frame in which said first and large printing cylinders are mounted is constructed so as to form around the large printing cylinder several stations for mounting modules, each of said stations having analogous devices for mounting modules;

   and characterized in that each of said plate cylinder, combined with each of the inking devices associated therewith, constitutes an independent plate cylinder module, each module comprising an autonomous frame constructed to adapt to the mounting device of each of said stations for mounting the modules, and each of said plate cylinder modules being mounted on one of the stations for mounting modules, said plate cylinder being each time mounted to rotate in tangential contact with the large cylinder printer. 



   6.  Printing press according to claim 4, characterized in that the support frame in which the first and large printing cylinders are mounted is constructed so as to form around the large printing cylinder several stations for mounting modules, each of said stations having analogous devices for mounting the modules:

   characterized in that each of said plate cylinder combined with each of the inking devices associated therewith constitutes an independent plate cylinder module, each module comprising an independent frame constructed to adapt to the mounting device of each of the stations for mounting the modules, and each of said modules of plate cylinders being mounted on one of the stations for mounting modules, said plate cylinder being each time mounted to rotate in tangential contact with the large printing cylinder:

   and characterized in that the printing plate inking device mounted in a working area of the large printing cylinder constitutes an autonomous inking module comprising another autonomous frame in which is mounted an inking system comprising at least one ink roller, said other autonomous frame being constructed to adapt to the mounting device of at least one of the mounting stations for the modules so that said ink roller rotates in tangential contact with one of the working zones of the large cylinder printer so as to ink the surface of a printing plate mounted on said working area, said inking module being mounted as indicated. 



   7.  Printing press according to claim 6, characterized in that said support frame is constructed in such a way, and the stations for mounting the modules arranged so that various combinations of plate cylinder modules and inking modules may be mounted at the various stations for mounting the modules without said modules interfering with each other and so that, if no module is initially mounted at one of said stations for mounting the modules, such module can be mounted afterwards without the modules mounted at the adjacent stations hindering the assembly. 



   8.  A method of manufacturing the printing press according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the following provisions: a) construction of several support frames; b) construction of several pairs comprising a first and a
 second printing cylinder, said first printing cylinders
 die all having the same real diameter and the second cylinder
 printer of each pair having an actual diameter equal to one
 integer multiple greater than 1 of the actual diameter of the first
 printing cylinder; c) construction of several plate cylinder modules,
 each comprising an autonomous frame constructed so as to
 adapt to each station for mounting modules
 said support frames;

   d) construction of several inking modules, comprising
 each an autonomous frame built to adapt to one
 less stations for mounting the modules of said frames
 support; e) assembling a pair of said first and second cylinders
 printers in each of the support frames, and f) selective assembly of plate cylinder modules and
 inking modules at the mounting stations of the sup racks
 Harbor. 



   The invention relates to a sheet-fed offset printing press and a method of manufacturing said press. 



   There are a number of printing machines which include two printing cylinders and a plate cylinder, such as that of French patent NO 400509, and printing machines are also known in which the diameter of the large printing cylinder is a multiple the diameter of the small printing cylinder, as for example in French patents N "" 601713 and 1175398.   



   However, it is necessary with most



  printing known to use tandem presses when it comes to simultaneously perform several jobs of different categories on the sheet to be printed or to subject this sheet to several consecutive passes in the same printing machine. 



  This involves additional costs caused by storing the sheets, handling and scheduling the work and this inevitably results in loss of material and loss of time. 



   The subject of the invention is a printing press which does not have the drawbacks listed above. 



   The sheetfed offset printing press according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a first printing cylinder and a second printing cylinder larger than the first mounted in a support frame to rotate in tangential contact to form a torque d printing and having between them a clamping and printing zone, a device for introducing sheets into said clamping zone, the large printing cylinder and its shaft being mounted to rotate about an axis of rotation, the actual diameter of the large printing cylinder being an integer multiple greater than 1 of that of the first printing cylinder, this first printing cylinder having a single working zone on its periphery, the periphery of the large printing cylinder being divided into several substantially equal working zones,

   the number of the working zones of the large printing cylinder being equal to said whole multiple, and each of the working zones comprising a device for mounting a blanket thereon; at least two other printing cylinders comprising plate cylinders, each with a device for mounting a printing plate and a device for inking the surface of each of said printing plates, the plate cylinders having an actual diameter equal to that of the first printing cylinder and being mounted to rotate in tangential contact with the large printing cylinder, said plate cylinders having a device enabling them to rotate in contact with at least one of said working zones at each revolution of the large printing cylinder, said device comprising a single group of cams mounted on the axis of the large printing cylinder to rotate with it,

   which cams act successively on mechanisms associated with each of said plate cylinders. 



   The printing press of the invention comprises a large central cylinder which has several working areas, on the one hand, and which has, on the other hand, devices which make it possible inter alia to mount a lithographic blanket or a plate of printing on each of these different work areas and devices for inking and wetting the plate which is mounted in a given work area.  In addition, it is possible with the press of the invention to mount 1, 2, 3 or 4 cylindrical cylinder modules around the upper surface of the large printing cylinder and the modules of the cylinder cylinders and the printing modules. Inking and wetting can be mounted around the upper surface of the large printing cylinder in a variety of different combinations. 



   The manufacturing process of this printing press is characterized in that it includes the following provisions: a) construction of several support frames; b) construction of several pairs comprising a first and a
 second printing cylinder, said first printing cylinders
 die all having the same real diameter and the second cylinder
 printer of each pair having an actual diameter equal to one
 integer multiple greater than 1 of the actual diameter of the first
 printing cylinder; c) construction of several plate cylinder modules,
 each comprising an autonomous frame constructed so as to
 adapt to each station for mounting modules
 said support frames;

   d) construction of several inking modules, comprising
 each an autonomous frame built to adapt to one
 less stations for mounting the modules of said frames
 support; e) assembling a pair of said first and large cylinders
 printers in each of the support frames, and f) selective assembly of plate cylinder modules and
 inking modules at the mounting stations of the sup racks
 Harbor. 



   The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings by way of examples and in which:
 fig.  1 schematically represents an embodiment of the 2R type press;
 fig.  2a and 2b show together, schematically, a more complicated embodiment of the press of the type 2R shown in FIG.  1;
 fig.  3 shows a modification of the press in FIGS.  2a and 2b;
 fig.  4a schematically represents an embodiment of the press of the 3R type;
 fig.    5a and 5b together schematically represent a more complicated embodiment of the press of the 3R type shown in FIG.  4a;
 fig.  6 shows a modification of the press in FIGS.    5a and 5b;

  ;
 fig.  7a, 7b, 7c and 7d together constitute FIG.  7, which is a coordinated diagram centered on the particular construction of the basic press frame showing a number of the associated components comprising various printing modules, etc. , as well as a certain number of corresponding control functions, various elements being able to be chosen, in a great variety of combinations, to realize various embodiments of the press;
 fig.  7e is a diagram showing the mounting stations and the particular working areas of a type 3R press;

  ;
 fig.  8 to 1 1 represent particular configurations of the preferred embodiment of the type 2R press showing various combinations of the standard cylinder block modules and standard inking modules assembled with auxiliary inking devices and with wetting devices or in the absence of the latter, and mounted at various stations of the basic frame of the 2R type press, to form various models;
 fig.  12 shows the preferred embodiment of the basic frame and the method of mounting the modules of a press, model 3R, showing the 3 working areas of the large printing cylinder and the positions of the 4 module mounting stations and showing a particular combination printing modules mounted at the 4 stations;

  ;
 fig.  13 is a side elevation of the lower printing cylinder and its clamps, as well as of a chain release mechanism;
 fig.  14 is a plan view of the gripping mechanism of the cylinder and of the output chain:
 fig.  15 is a view along line 15-15 of FIG.  16 showing the mechanism for passing a sheet once or more than once through the printing torque tightening zone, and
 fig.  16 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section along line 16-16 of FIG.  15, also showing the mechanism for passing a sheet once or more than once in the clamping area, between the large printing cylinder and the lower printing cylinder. 



   The various printing functions that this press can perform in a single pass of sheets in the press can be classified into 5 basic categories, each category comprising various different printing functions allowing at least 129 permutations to be carried out by combining the various functions of the 5 basic categories. 



   The 5 basic categories of printing functions mentioned above include:
 1.  The printing of 1, 2, 3 or 4 images, which do not overlap, in offset (either wet or dry), on the same side of a sheet of paper, in 1, 2, 3 or 4 colors ;
 2.  Simultaneous printing on both sides of a sheet in offset (either wet or dry);
 3.  Printing of 2 or 3 overlapping colors;
 4.  Printing or embossing from a relief image (this including typographic printing including the application of the printer's mark and numbering), and
 5.  Simultaneous printing and assembly of 2 or 3 pages, the individual sheets of paper of each notebook being of identical or different strengths and / or colors. 

  When it is said that a printing function, or a combination of functions, is performed by the press of the invention, this means that the printing function, or the combination of functions, is finished when the sheets arrive to the receiving tray and each sheet makes only one pass through the press, from the feeder to the receiving tray. 



   Obviously, the sheets can pass through the press two or more times to perform multiple printing functions which are more complex than those described herein, but the implementation of the printing functions and combinations of the functions described in this specification does not require the use of tandem presses, nor the passage of paper through the press more than once, from the supply device to the receiving plate. 



   The leading edge of each sheet of paper is aligned once and for all against a set of cylinder locating stops, and the sheet is held firmly in this alignment position while it is being printed, on one or both sides, in 1 , 2, 3 or 4 colors in total, before being separated and discharged by the press output device.  This virtually eliminates the need for multiple sheet manipulation and there is no need to repeatedly locate the sheets to perform the printing functions, or combinations of functions, as described herein.  Therefore, any of the printing functions, or combinations of functions, can be performed without the need to store and re-manipulate the sheets or reprogram the scrolling of the sheets of paper, thereby reducing the number lost leaves. 

  The operating time of the press to perform many of the printing functions, or combinations of functions, is also greatly reduced, and the duration of each operation is reduced to an even greater extent.  Smudging, specter formation and tracking error are practically all eliminated because each individual sheet is advanced only once to the tracking stops and the tracking clamps of the press. 



   In general, the press of the invention has at least two basic configurations each comprising the same lower printing cylinder and each having a large cylinder
 printer mounted above the lower printing cylinder to constitute the printing torque.  In a first case, the effective diameter of the large printing cylinder is twice that of the lower printing cylinder and this basic configuration
 tale is called type 2R press; in the other case, the diameter
 size of the large printing cylinder is three times that of
 of the lower printing cylinder and this basic configuration
 tale is called type 3R press. 

  The peripheral surface of the
 lower printing cylinder has only one working area; the
 peripheral surface of the large printing cylinder has two
 working areas, when its diameter is twice that of the lower printing cylinder, and it has three working areas
 vail, when its diameter is three times that of the lower printing cylinder.  The working areas of the cylinders of the printing torque are intended to present various surfaces
 interchangeable printing. 



   The frame of each basic configuration of the press
 comprising, in each case, main frames and associated spacer bars, is intended to support the corresponding large printing cylinder which is located above and in tangential contact with the lower printing cylinder, and is designed so as to comprise several module mounting positions in each of which one of the various autonomous printing modules can be mounted to cooperate with the large printing cylinder. 



   The printing modules are classified into three categories as follows:
 1.  Plate cylinder modules
 A module of a plate cylinder comprises a frame which supports a plate cylinder whose actual diameter is equal to that of the printing cylinder and which has a single working area in which an offset plate (either wet or dry) can be mounted, as well as the associated inking and / or wetting rollers and various control and coordination mechanisms. 



   2.    Anchor / anchor modules
 An inking, or inking and wetting module, comprises a frame supporting inking or inking and wetting rollers, with touching rollers intended to roll in contact with a plate mounted in an area of work of the large printing cylinder, as well as associated control and coordination mechanisms. 



   3.  Mooring modules
 A wetting module comprises a frame supporting wetting rollers, with one or more touchers intended to roll in contact with a plate mounted in a working area of the large printing cylinder, as well as the associated control and coordination mechanisms. 



   Each of these various modules constitutes an autonomous set.  A plate cylinder module can be mounted in any of the mounting positions, either of the 2R type press or the 3R type press, and, when mounted in this position, the door cylinder -clichés of the module rotates in tangential contact with the large printing cylinder.  An inking / wetting module can be mounted in any desired position of the press.  A wetting module can be mounted in the appropriate positions of the press.  Thus, it is obvious that the printing modules can be mounted in the various positions, in many different combinations. 



   For each of the basic configurations of the press, there are various removable and interchangeable segments, to support various printing surfaces, and any of these segments can be mounted in any working area of the large printing cylinder of the basic configuration. press correspondent. 



   In addition, various paper feeding mechanisms are available, which can be used at will, either alone or in combination to advance the sheets of paper towards the torque tightening zone, and devices are also available. feed control by which the feed device or devices can be made to feed a sheet during each revolution of the lower printing cylinder, or at a different rate.  A mechanism is used to remove the sheets and pass them once, or more than once, through the print torque tightening area. 

   Means are provided for mounting any mechanism of a series of output mechanisms to the output position of the press, so that a discharge mechanism suitable for the printing function or the functions to be performed by it can be used. the particular embodiment of the press.  When the sheets leave the printing torque tightening zone, they are separated and discharged into a receiving tray, with the printed side facing up.  The receiving tray is placed on the side of a vertical plane containing the axis of the lower printing cylinder which is opposite to the paper feeding device (s). 



   This multipurpose printing press can have various configurations which are all constructed using a basic group of standardized components including parts, assemblies, modules, cylinders, removable and interchangeable segments and basic press frames, all of which are constructed in such a way can be assembled in many different combinations, ranging from a relatively simple configuration that can effectively perform simple printing functions to much more complex configurations capable, in some cases, of effectively performing simple complex combinations of printing functions printing and, in other cases, many different printing functions and combinations of functions, both simple and complex, and in some cases including simultaneous printing and assembly. 



   The following terminology has been adopted to better understand the description which follows:
Plate Cylinder Module (AA Series) - A plate cylinder module includes a frame that can be attached, either directly, or through mounting brackets, to the frame of the Type 2R press, or of the type 3R press, in any or all of the mounting positions, designated by I, II, III and IV, and which comprises a plate cylinder rotating in tangential contact with the large printing cylinder, when the module is mounted, and which also comprises a device for inking or inking and wetting a plate mounted on the plate cylinder. 



  Inking or anchor inking modules (BB series) An inking module has a frame which can be fixed, either directly or by means of mounting brackets, to the frame of the 2R press and / or to the press 3R frame in one or more selected module mounting positions, and includes a device for inking one or more printing surfaces mounted in one or more working areas of the large printing cylinder.  An inking and wetting module is an inking module which also comprises a device intended to wet the printing surface or surfaces which are inked. 



  Anchoring module (CC series) - An anchoring module comprises a frame which can be fixed, either directly or via mounting brackets, to the frame of the 2R press and / or the 3R press, in positions selected mounting modules, and includes a device for wetting one or more printing surfaces mounted in one or more working areas of the large printing cylinder. 



  Paper feeder (DD series) - A paper feeder is an automatic device for separating and advancing sheets from a source and transporting them successively to the stop fingers of the press . 



  The feeder includes feed control mechanisms which can be selectively set beforehand so that the feeder (s) feed the sheets in correct synchronism and at the correct intervals, in accordance with the particular printing function or to the combination of functions or to the combined printing and assembly functions fulfilled by the press;

   for example, by advancing the sheets of a single feeder in correct synchronism with the press stop fingers, once during each revolution of the lower printing cylinder or, alternatively, once every two revolutions of the lower printing cylinder or by advancing the sheets of a feeding device during one revolution of the lower printing cylinder and another feeding device during the next revolution of said cylinder, etc.  The feeder also has a combined mechanism for removing double sheets and detecting missing sheets. 

  The double sheet removal device detects the thickness of the sheets delivered by one or more feeders and diverts the sheets into one or more rejection receiving trays, whenever there is more than one sheet.  In the case of simultaneous printing and assembly, this mechanism is combined with a detector which detects the absence of a sheet; the two devices operate in association, so that if a sheet is missing or if sheets are deflected because there is more than one, the correct number of additional sheets is then deflected, in each case, so that the total number of sheets not reaching the printing torque tightening zone is equal to the total number of sheets of a complete assembled notebook, which ensures that only complete notebooks reach the receiving tray. 



   Various combinations of different printing surfaces which can be mounted in the working areas of the two cylinders of the printing torque using removable interchangeable segments on the large printing cylinder (FF series). 



  Various combinations of removable and interchangeable segments and / or printing surfaces can be mounted in the working areas of the large printing cylinder, in combination with various printing surfaces which can be supported by the lower printing cylinder to fulfill various functions of printing or various combinations of press functions. 



  Sheet exit mechanism (GG series) - The leaf exit mechanisms detach and evacuate a sheet, starting after the leading edge has passed into the torque area for the last time; they also include a device intended to detach the sheet from the printing surfaces with which it is in contact and to convey it to a receiving plate, by turning a printed surface upwards. 



  Variable speed transmission (HH series) The variable speed transmission transmits a driving force from the press motor to the main drive shaft of the latter and is adjustable to vary the rotational and surface speeds of the torque cylinders printing. 



  Main gear train (JJ series) - The main gear train is the train of gear wheels starting from the main drive shaft of the press and driving the printing cylinders ensuring synchronization of their rotation, and it includes a device by which it is possible to adjust certain printing cylinders around their axes to allow convenient vertical adjustments of the position of the images. 



  Plate cylinder controls (KK series) - The plate cylinders controls include adjustable mechanisms designed to bring the individual plate cylinders of the corresponding individual modules into contact with specific printing surfaces in specific areas selected work of the large printing cylinder, as required, to perform various printing functions and various combinations of press functions; they also include a manually adjustable device, by which it is possible to independently adjust and automatically adjust the pressure between each individual plate supported by each corresponding cylinder and each of the different printing surfaces in the different working areas of the large printing cylinder ;

   they also include a device, by which the printing relationship between each plate cylinder and each working area of the large printing cylinder is adjusted according to the presence, or absence, of a sheet in the area of tightening of the printing torque, at the appropriate time in the execution cycle of various printing functions or combinations of press functions. 



   Cams and cam rollers of the contactor lifting devices (LL series) - The cams and cam rollers of the contactor lifting devices selectively raise the contactors of the inking modules, inking and mooring modules or modules selected wetting areas away from selected printing surfaces from specific working areas of the large printing cylinder, as required to fulfill various printing functions and combinations of press functions.   



  Sheet detection and cylinder locking mechanism (MM series) - The sheet detection mechanism includes a device that detects the presence or absence of a sheet along the stop fingers of the press, at the moment of the operating cycle where a sheet should reach the stop fingers, but only during revolutions of the lower printing cylinder during which a sheet should reach the stop fingers to perform a particular printing function, or a particular combination of printing functions the press. 



  The sheet detector mechanism then emits a signal, which is transmitted to the cylinder locking mechanism which determines the relationship of the cylinders of the printing torque ensuring printing or not, until the next detection of the detector.  The cylinder locking mechanism includes automatic controls determining the pressure exerted by the printing torque which constitute a manually adjustable device, by which independent pressure adjustments can be made between a printing surface of the lower printing cylinder and each different printing surface located in each of the different working areas of the large printing cylinder, said pressures being then adjusted automatically, during each press operating cycle. 



  Control the number of times a sheet passes through the print torque tightening area (PP series) This mechanism controls the number of times a given sheet passes through the print torque tightening area, before it '' it is cleared and evacuated. 



   The main areas of operation of the press are generally designated in the drawings by the aforementioned double letters, these double letters being used as a prefix to a series of numbers to designate, in general, subdivisions of these main areas. 



   To describe the 2R press, the Roman numerals I, II and III have been used and, in certain configurations, IV, to designate the particular mounting positions of the modules or various printing modules can be fixed to the press frame; the Roman numerals V and VI have been used to designate particular working areas of the large printing cylinder in which there may be removable and interchangeable segments and / or various printing surfaces. 



   To describe the 3R press, the same Roman numerals have been used, that is to say I, II, III and IV to designate comparable particular positions for mounting the modules where the identical or equivalent printing modules can be fixed. to the press building 3R.  Roman numerals VII, VIII and IX were
 used to designate specific working areas of the large printing cylinder of the 3R press in which can be
 find removable and interchangeable and / or various segments
 printing surfaces. 



   Referring more particularly to the drawings, FIG.  1 schematically represents one of the fundamental embodiments of the 2R press.  This embodiment of the 2R press generally comprises two lateral frames, designated as a whole by 11, suitably supported by a base frame generally designated by 12, and rigidly held by spreader bars. 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17. 



   A pair of prints is supported between the side frames 11
 sion, generally designated by FF, comprising a
 lower printing cylinder, generally designated by 20,
 which presents a single work area which, in this case, presents
 a platinum surface, generally designated by F
 44, and a large printing cylinder, generally designated
 par 22, with an effective diameter twice that
 of the lower printing cylinder and having on its periphery
 two substantially equal work areas V and VI in which
 are mounted in this case removable segments, designated with a
 generally by F-41, supporting blankets on their surface
 generally designated as F-42. 

  The lateral frames 11, together with the spacer bars 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17, which are equidistant from the center of the large printing cylinder 22, determine four mounting positions of the modules, designated by I, II, III and IV, where print modules can be mounted; the spacer bars 13 and 14 constitute the supports for modules mounted in position I, the spacer bars 14 and 15 constitute the supports for the modules mounted in position II, the spacer bars 15 and 16 constitute the supports modules mounted in position III and the spacer bars 16 and 17 constitute the supports for the modules mounted in position IV.  The spacer bars of each pair are spaced the same distance apart. 



   A plate cylinder module, generally designated by AA-I, comprising a plate cylinder, generally designated by Al 1, with an effective diameter equal to that of the lower printing cylinder 20 and supporting a lithographic plate (or dry offset), generally designated by A12, and also comprising associated ink rollers and (if necessary) wetting rollers, all being generally designated by A-13, is shown as being mounted in position II by means of consoles generally designated by A-20. 



   The lower printing cylinder 20 and the plate cylinder A-11 both rotate in tangential contact with the large printing cylinder 22. 



   At the front and at a distance from the press is also mounted on the base frame 12 a conveyor with paper feed belts, generally designated by DD-I, which separates a sheet of paper from the supported stack Dl l of the supply device, which is generally designated by D-14, by means of a suction cup, generally designated by D-12, during each revolution of the lower cylinder 20, and transports it to the press by means of the belt conveyor generally designated by D-21.  There is also a device for removing two sheets and a tray for receiving refusals, both of which are generally designated by D-18.    



   The transmission of the press and the feed device, generally designated by HH-I, comprises an H motor
 11 which transmits the driving force via V-belts, generally designated by H-12, from a variable speed driving pulley H-13, mounted on the motor shaft, to a pulley driven H-14 which is mounted on the main drive shaft 23.  A pinion 24, also mounted on the main drive shaft 23, drives a gear train and chains, not shown.  The large printing cylinder 22 is driven dextrorsum by observing FIG.  1. 



   For each revolution of the lower printing cylinder 20, a sheet of paper is transported to a place located at a distance from the area of tightening of the printing torque FF, where each sheet is stopped by stop fingers, generally designated by 25, and identified individually.  Simultaneously, a detection device, generally designated by M-il, detects the presence or absence of a sheet of paper and constrains the cylinders of the printing torque to occupy or maintain either the position of printing, that is to say the non-printing position, by means of its control of the action of the locking mechanism and spacing of the cylinders, which is not shown in FIG.  1. 



   The sheet is then advanced towards the torque tightening zone
 printing by the drive roller mechanism, designated
 generally by 26, until its front edge
 well against locating stops supported by the cylinder
 lower 20, and it is then gripped by pliers, designated with a
 generally by 30, supported by the lower cylinder 20, which
 lead the front edge of the sheet into the clamping area of the
 printing torque cylinders. 

  During the passage of the sheet
 in the print torque tightening area, an offset image
 is printed on its upper surface by one of the blankets, F 42, supported by the large cylinder 22, and said sheet is then separated from the peripheral surface of the cylinders by the cooperation of the clamps 30, of ejector fingers (not shown) and of a release device, generally designated by G-11, and it is evacuated, the printed side facing upward, in an output tray, generally designated by G-12, of an output device, generally designated by GG-I, mounted at the rear or output end of the press. 



   By examining the module AA-I of the plate cylinder, an image on the surface on the plate A-12, supported by the cylinder A-ll, is inked and (if necessary) wet during each revolution of the Al I. plate cylinder     This upright image is then transferred successively to the surface of each of the blankets F-42, mounted in positions V and VI of the large cylinder 22 during two revolutions of the cylinder A-II.     The image as it appears on the surface of each of the F-42 blankets is a specular or upside down representation of the image,

   as it appears on the photograph A-12, and each of these images upside down is then transferred again (transferred) to the upper surface of the successive sheets passing in the area of tightening of the printing torque where the image appears as an image at the place. 



   Since the plate cylinder A-ll and the lower cylinder 20 both make two revolutions during each revolution of the large cylinder 22 and since a sheet of paper is advanced during each revolution of the lower cylinder 20 , it is obvious that, during each revolution of the large cylinder 22, two successive identical images are transferred from the photograph A-12 to the two blankets F42 subject to the large cylinder 22 and transferred again (transferred) to the upper surfaces of two successive sheets which are advanced during the two corresponding revolutions of the lower cylinder 20. 



   Figs.  2a and 2b together constitute a single design.  To complete this configuration of the press, figs.  2a and 2b must be placed next to each other along the axis shown on the right in fig.  2a and on the left in fig.  2b. 



   Figs.  2a and 2b together represent another of the fundamental embodiments of the 2R press.  The side frames 11, the base frame 12, the spreader bars 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 and the fundamental elements of the printing torque FF are identical to the analogous elements represented and described with reference to afig.  1. 



   As seen in Figs.  2a and 2b, the lower printing cylinder 20 supports a blanket, generally designated by F-45, and the large printing cylinder 22 has both a removable segment, generally designated by 41, which supports a lithographic plate (or dry offset), generally designated by F-43, mounted in position V and another removable segment F-41, which supports a blanket, generally designated by F-42, mounted in position VI. 



   Two plate cylinder modules, generally designated by AA-4, are mounted in positions II and IV.  Each of these modules comprises a plate cylinder, generally designated by A-ll, and associated ink rollers, generally designated by A-14 and (if necessary) separate wetting rollers, designated by 'generally by A15.  Each plate cylinder, A-ll, has a single working area, has an effective diameter equal to that of the lower cylinder 20 and supports a lithographic plate (or dry offset), generally designated by A-12 .    



   An inking or inking and wetting module, generally designated by BB-2 and comprising ink rollers and (if necessary) wetting rollers, all being generally designated by B-il, to ink and (if necessary) wet a plate F-43 (mounted in position V on the large cylinder 22), is fixed in position III. 

  The touch rollers, generally designated by B-12, of this inking / wetting module BB-2, have at their ends discs forming a cam follower, generally designated by Ll i, in alignment with cams for lifting the touchers, generally designated by L-12, and intended to cooperate with the latter which are mounted at each end of the removable segment F-41 which is in position VI of the large cylinder 22 and supports an F-42 blanket.  These cams and counter-cams are intended to raise the contactor B-12 during the passage of the blanket F-42 so that it does not touch the surface of the latter. 



   A plate cylinder control cam, designated by K-il, mounted on the shaft 32 of the large cylinder 22, is part of a plate cylinder control mechanism generally designated by KK-2 , which can be adjusted to force each of the two plates A-12 mounted on the surfaces of the two plate cylinders A-ll to roll successively in contact with the surface of the blanket F-42, while also causing the lifting of each of these two photos A-12, successively away from the surface of photo F-43. 



   At the front of the press are two paper feeders and a belt conveyor, all of which are generally referred to as DD-3.  The upper feeder, generally designated by D-14, is in practice called a bottom feeder, since it separates the individual sheets from the base of the supported stack D11, by means a suction cup generally designated by
D-12. 

  The lower feeder, generally referred to as D-15, is known in practice as the top feeder, since it separates individual sheets from the top of a stack of D-20 sheets , by means of a suction cup generally designated by D-16.     The individual sheets coming either from one of these feed devices or alternately from the two feed devices, pass through a device for eliminating two sheets cooperating with a tray for receiving refusals, which are designated d 'generally by D-18, on a conveyor belt, generally designated by D-21, which transports them individually to the tightening area of the printing torque FF. 

  There is also a sheet-lack detector, generally designated as D-19, which can be used in combination with the D-18 device for removing two sheets, when the sheets are simultaneously printed and assembled. 



   A control device (not shown) can be selectively adjusted to cause the sheets to be entrained during each revolution or during one revolution in two of the lower cylinder 20, from the device D-14 for feeding by the bottom only.  Alternatively, this control device can be adjusted so that the sheets are only fed from the top feed device D-15, either during each revolution, or during one revolution in two of the lower cylinder 20. 

  In addition, this control device can be adjusted to cause a sheet to be drawn from the bottom feeder D-14 during a revolution of the lower cylinder 20 and a sheet from the device D-15 for feeding from the top during the next revolution of the lower cylinder 20, or else for causing the sheets to be drawn from the alternating feeding devices only during one revolution in two of the lower cylinder 20. 



   The transmission of the press and the feeding device, generally designated by HH-2, comprises an H11 motor which transmits the driving force by means of an V-belt H-15, a variable speed driving pulley H-13 from the motor shaft to a driven pulley H-16 mounted on an intermediate shaft H-20, then, by means of another V-belt H-21, of a second variable speed pulley H-22, also mounted on the intermediate shaft H-20, to a driven pulley H-14, secured to the main drive shaft 23.  A pinion 24 mounted on the main drive shaft 23 in turn drives a gear train and chains not shown.  The large cylinder 22 is driven dextrorsum by observing FIG.  2a. 



   Each sheet transported to the print torque from either the D-14 or D-15 feeder is routed to a location away from the torque tightening area. printing, FF, where each sheet is stopped by fingers, generally designated by 25, and identified individually, and a detection device, generally designated by Ml 1, simultaneously detects the presence or the absence of a sheet of paper and forces the cylinders of the printing torque to occupy or maintain a position, either printing or non-printing, by controlling the action of the locking and spacing mechanism of the cylinders not shown . 



   The stop fingers 25 rise in the operating position to stop a sheet during each revolution of the lower cylinder 20, regardless of whether the control mechanism of the feed devices is adjusted for the advance of a sheet during each revolution or during one revolution in two of the lower cylinder 20.  However, the detector mechanism M-ll detects the presence or absence of a sheet of paper during each revolution of the lower cylinder 20 only when the control device for the feed devices is adjusted for the advance of one sheet during each revolution of the lower cylinder 20. 

  When the control mechanism of the feed devices is adjusted for the advance of one sheet during a revolution of two of the lower cylinder 20, the detector mechanism Ml I does not detect the presence or absence of a sheet of paper than during the revolution of the lower cylinder 20 for which the control device for the feed devices has been adjusted for the advance of a sheet. 



   When the control mechanism of the feed device has been adjusted for the advancement of a sheet during each revolution of the lower cylinder 20, then, as soon as the mechanism Ml I detects the presence or absence of a sheet of paper and the cylinders of the printing torque are forced to occupy or maintain either the printing position or the non-printing position, they are maintained in this position until the next revolution of the lower cylinder 20 , the detector Ml I then again determining whether the cylinders of the printing torque must occupy or maintain the printing or non-printing position. 



   When the control mechanism of the feeding devices is adjusted to cause the advancement of one sheet during one revolution in two of the lower cylinder 20 (which corresponds to the advancement of one sheet during each revolution of the large cylinder 22), then, when the detector M-ll detects the presence or absence of a sheet of paper and forces the cylinders of the printing torque to occupy or maintain either the printing position or the position non-printing, this position is maintained thereafter during two revolutions of the lower cylinder 20 (or during one revolution of the large cylinder 22),

   the M-Il detector then again detecting the presence or absence of a sheet of paper and again constraining the cylinders of the printing torque to be occupied or keeping either the printing position or the non-printing position, in controlling the action of the locking mechanism and the spacing of the cylinders. 



   A sheet is then advanced from its rest position, in which its front edge is in contact with the stop fingers 25, towards the area for tightening the printing torque by a drive roller mechanism, designated in a way general by 26, until its front edge is identified against the stops supported by the lower cylinder 20 and it is then clamped by pliers, also supported by the lower cylinder 20, which drive it towards the clamping zone of the printing torque (the locating stops and the cylinder clamps being designated together generally by 30). 

  When the sheet is drawn towards the tightening area of the printing torque by the clamps of the cylinder, its front edge is also clamped by the clamps of a gripping bar supported by a chain generally designated by G-13 .     When the leading edge of the sheet reaches the print torque clamping area, it is released by the clamps of the cylinder and driven into the printing torque clamping area by the clamps of the gripping bar G-13.    



   This grip bar G-13 constitutes one of four grip bars supported by two chains, generally designated by G-14, which pass around the shaft of the lower cylinder 20.  These chains with the outlet plate, generally designated by G-12, constitute the exit and release mechanism, generally designated by GG-3, which is mounted at the outlet end of the press, generally referred to as GG. 



   The chains G-14 which surround the shaft of the lower cylinder 20 have a length equal to four times the circumference of the lower cylinder 20 and the four grip bars G-13 are spaced by a distance equal to the circumference of the lower cylinder 20 . 



   The grippers of a G-13 grip bar hold their grip on the front edge of the sheet, release it from the peripheral surfaces of the print torque cylinders and continue to drive the sheet outwards and around the shaft , generally designated by D-17, supporting the external sprockets, generally designated by G-15, which constitute the external supports of the chains.  This causes the sheet to turn over, which is then released by the clips on the G-13 bar as it passes over the G-12 output tray, so that it falls into the output tray with the initial bottom surface facing toward the top. 



   Alternatively, the output tray G-12 can be placed in the position shown in FIG.  3, and the sheets can be released by the clamps of the bar G-13 as they pass around the pinions G-15, the sheets then being discharged into the output tray G-12, without being turned over, their initial upper surface being turned up. 



   In this embodiment of the press, the clamps supported by the lower cylinder 20 can be adjusted to close on the front edge of a sheet driven towards the locating stops of the cylinder and to open again in order to release the front edge of this sheet when they reach the printing torque tightening zone (to allow the sheet to be released and removed by the clamps of the G-13 bars supported by the chains) during each revolution of the cylinder lower 20, independently of the fact that the controls of the feeding devices have been adjusted for the advancement of one sheet during each revolution or during one revolution in two of the lower cylinder 20. 

  Similarly, the gripping fingers of each of the G-13 bars can be adjusted to close on the leading edge of a sheet as they approach the print torque tightening area and to remain closed for their passage in the tightening area of the printing torque and until they open to release a sheet (either in the position shown in fig.  2a, either in the position shown in FIG.  3), independently of the fact that the controls of the feed device are adjusted for the discharge of a sheet during each revolution or during one revolution in two of the lower cylinder 20. 



   In another application of this embodiment of the press, the control mechanism of the feeding devices is adjusted so that the sheets are only advanced during one revolution in two of the lower cylinder 20 and only after the advance of a sheet against the locating stops of the cylinder and the clamping of its front edge by the clamps of the latter, said sheet is driven by said clamps of the cylinder in the area of tightening of the printing torque and around the lower cylinder 20 and a second time in the printing torque tightening zone. 

  In this case, when the front edge of the sheet approaches the print torque tightening area for the second time, the grippers of the grip bar G-13 close on the front edge of the sheet and, when said front edge of the sheet reaches the print torque tightening area for the second time, the clamps of the cylinder open to release the sheet and the clamps of the bar G-13 drive the front edge of the sheet a second time in the printing torque tightening zone, separate the sheet from the peripheral surfaces of the printing torque cylinders and evacuate it as described above. 

  In this case, the two gripping bars G-13, which coincide with the clamps of the cylinder when a sheet approaches the printing torque tightening area for the first time, are inhibited so that they remain open and do not squeeze the front edge of the sheets, while the other two alternate G-13 grab bars continue to operate and, as described above, squeeze (in cooperation with the cylinder clamps) the front edge of a sheet when it approaches for the second time the tightening zone of the printing torque and then entrain it in said tightening zone, disengage the sheet and evacuate it towards the chosen exit position. 



   A comparison of the AA-4 plate cylinder modules in fig.  2a with the module AA-I of the plate cylinder of fig.  I reveals that the module AA-I of FIG.  I comprises a combined inking and wetting device and that a single touch device applies the combined inking and wetting solution to the surface of the photograph A-12; the AA-4 modules of fig.  2a on the other hand comprise a separate wetting device A-15 and the wetting solution is applied to the surface of the photograph A-12 by a separate wetting toucher.  The AA-4 modules of fig.  2a have three inking anchors and two of these are part of the basic inking device, while the third, the furthest to the left, is part of a train of auxiliary inking rollers. 

  The plate cylinder A-ll rotates sinistrorsum, observing fig.  2a, and therefore, this third inking toucher, which is part of the train of auxiliary inking rollers, is the last of the three inking touchers to come into contact with the plate, before said plate A-12 enters in contact with the blanket F-42 during each revolution of the plate cylinder A-ll.     It can also be seen that when going from the inkwell to the plate, the ink must pass through a certain number of clamping zones between the ink rollers in order to reach the plate via the train of the auxiliary ink rollers and the third contactor d anchor which is part of this train larger than when it has to pass, to reach the picture,

   via the basic inking device and one or other of the first two touchers which are part of this basic device. 



   We will now describe certain printing functions which can be fulfilled by this embodiment of the press. 



   An important function which can be fulfilled by the embodiment of the 2R press shown in FIGS.  2a, 2b and 3 concerns the printing of one side of a sheet of two images in different colors, which do not overlap, in offset, either wet or dry, while simultaneously printing another image of the other side of the sheet in one of the same two colors or in a third color, either in wet offset or in dry offset. 



   For this purpose, two plates A-12, carrying the two non-overlapping images to be printed on the same side of the sheet, are placed on the plate cylinders Al I in positions II and IV, and an ink of one of the desired colors are applied to the ink rollers of the plate cylinder module mounted in position II and an ink of the other desired color is applied to the ink rollers of the plate cylinder module mounted in position IV.  If the plates to be used are wet offset plates, the wet rollers A-15 are used, but, if they are dry offset plates, said wet rollers A-15 are not used. 

  A plate F-43 carrying the image to be printed simultaneously on the other side of the sheets is placed on the surface of the removable segment F-41 which is mounted in position V on the large cylinder 22; The ink of the color of this image to be printed is applied to the inking rollers of the inking and wetting module mounted in position III.  The images of the three slides are images of the place.  A blanket F-42 is mounted on the surface of the removable segment F-41 which is mounted in position VI of the large cylinder 22.  Another F-45 blanket is mounted on the surface of the lower cylinder 20. 



   In operation, the plate F-43, occupying position V on the large cylinder 22, is inked (and possibly wet) by the touchers B 12 of the inking and wetting module mounted in position III.  The two plates A-12 are kept away from the surface of plate F-43 by the action of the control mechanism KK-2 of the plate cylinder which has been previously described. 

  The paper is placed in either of the two feeders, for example the D-15 top feeder, and the feeder control mechanism is set to cause the feed sheets during every other revolution of the lower cylinder 20, the movement of the sheets towards the lower cylinder 20 being synchronized so that they pass through the printing torque tightening zone between the surface of the blanket F-45 , mounted on the lower cylinder 20, and the blanket F-42, mounted in position VI of the large cylinder 22. 

  Thus, when the photograph F-43 which occupies the position V on the large cylinder 22, rolls in contact with the blanket F-45, mounted on the lower cylinder 20, there is no sheet and the image in the inked place on the surface of the plate F-43 is transferred to the surface of the blanket F-45 of the lower cylinder 20 where it appears in the form of an upside-down image. 



   The plate A-12 supported by the cylinder A-ll in the position It is inked (and possibly wet) by the ink and dampening rollers A-14 and A-15 and it then rolls in contact with the blanket F-42, which is mounted in position VI of the large cylinder 22, causing the transfer of the inked image at the location of the plate on the surface of the blanket F-42, in the form of an image upside down. 



   The blanket F-42 then passes to position III when the large cylinder rotates dextrorsum, observing fig.  2a and the touchers B-12 of the inking and wetting module BB-2 are lifted away from the surface of the blanket F-42, in the manner previously described. 



   As the large cylinder 22 continues to rotate dextrorsum, the blanket F-42 rolls in contact with plate A-12 of the plate cylinder module mounted in position IV, which has in turn been inked (and possibly wet) by the ink and dampening rollers A-14 and A-15 of this module.  Thus, the image inked on the spot on this plate, which does not overlap the image previously applied to the blanket F-42, is in turn transferred to the surface of the blanket F-42, where it appears in the form of 'an upside down image in a second color. 



   When the front edge of the blanket F-42, mounted in position VI of the large cylinder 22, and when the front edge of the blanket F-45, mounted on the lower cylinder 20, approach the torque tightening zone printing, a sheet of paper, previously driven in synchronism by the suction cup D-16 from the stack D-20,

   advances the abutment fingers 25 into the clamps 30 of the cylinder which draw it towards the area for tightening the printing torque and transfer it to the clamps of one of the gripping bars G-13.     When the leading edge of the sheet is then pulled into the printing torque tightening zone by the pliers of the gripping bar G-13, the sheet passes and is clamped between the blanket F-42 supported by the large cylinder 22 in position VI and the blanket F-45 supported by the lower cylinder 20.   



   This causes the two non-overlapping images to be printed in two different colors on the upper surface of the sheet by the blanket F-42, while the other image is printed simultaneously on the lower surface of the sheet by the blanket F-45. supported by the lower cylinder 20. 



   By pulling the front edge of the sheet away from the print torque clamping area, the clamps on bar G-13 separate the sheet from the peripheries of the two cylinders of the print torque and the sheet is thus moved away , turned over and placed on the output tray G-12, as seen in fig.  2a, if it is desirable to evacuate the sheets so that the image of the plate F-43 and the blanket F-45 is turned upwards. 



   On the other hand, if one wishes to evacuate the sheets so that the two-color image of the blanket F-42 is turned upwards, the sheets are then released and evacuated in the output tray G-12, without that they are turned over, as seen in fig.  3. 



   Another function which can be fulfilled by this embodiment of the 2R press relates to the printing on one side of the sheet of two separate images, which do not overlap, in two colors (in offset, either wet or dry), then printing a third color by typography on the same side of the sheet, either in one of the same two colors or in a third color.  The typographic image may possibly overlap one or the other of the images printed in offset or both.  To fulfill this function, a typographic plate is mounted on the removable segment F-41 in the position V of the large cylinder 22, or else a device for maintaining a typographic image is substituted for the removable segment F-41 in the position V.  The wetting part of the BB-2 inking and wetting module, mounted in position III, is inhibited. 

  The B-12 touchers in this module then apply ink to the surface of the letterpress. 



  A two-color offset image is applied to the surface of the blanket F-42, mounted in position VI of the large cylinder 22, as described above.  The blanket F-45 of the lower cylinder 20 either constitutes a surface similar to a plate or is replaced by a cover more suitable for use as a plate.  The controls of the feeding device are adjusted to cause the entrainment of one sheet during a revolution of two of the lower cylinder 20, in synchronism, so that it reaches the area of tightening of the printing torque in coincidence with the front edges of the segment supporting the blanket F-42 and of the lower cylinder 20. 



  Sheets can be fed from either of the two feeders, for example from the D-15 roller feeder, as described above.  The clamps 30 of the cylinder and the gripping bars G-13 supported by the chains G-14 are adjusted, as described above, to drive each sheet twice in the area of clamping of the cylinders of the printing torque.  During the first passage of a sheet in the tightening area of the printing torque,
The image in two colors of the blanket F-42 is printed on the upper surface of the sheet, the lower cylinder 20 constituting a plate. 

  Then, when the sheet passes for the second time in the area for tightening the printing torque, it passes between the surface of the lower cylinder 20 which constitutes a platen, and the inked typographic image occupying the position V of the large cylinder 22 which then print this image by typography.  This typographic image is also printed on the upper side of the sheet.  The sheet is then released and evacuated by the clamps of the bar G-13 in the output tray G-12 which is mounted in the position shown in FIG.  3, so that the sheets are evacuated by turning their printed side upwards with two non-overlapping offset images and a third typographic image. 



   It is understood that many other printing functions and combinations of functions can be performed by simply inhibiting any of the unnecessary printing modules and using the controls of the feeder as well as the various press and output mechanism controls, as described herein, in various combinations. 



   Finally, as an additional advantage, it is possible that a different color ink is contained in each of the printing modules mounted in positions II, III and IV and to use one of these three modules alone ( the other two being inhibited) to produce an offset printing in one color, that is to say in one of these three colors, without the need to wash the ink rollers. 



   Thus, this embodiment of the 2R press can be used to fulfill a very wide range of different simultaneous printing and printing and assembly functions. 



   Fig.  4a schematically represents one of the many embodiments of the press of the 3R type.  The 3R press is substantially similar to the 2R press and is produced to a very large extent with the same parts and elements.  The main difference is that, unlike the 2R press, in which the effective diameter of the large printing cylinder is twice the diameter of the common lower printing cylinder, in the 3R press the effective diameter of the large printing cylinder is three times higher than that of the common lower printing cylinder.  Also, although the surface of the large printing cylinder of the press 2R is divided into two substantially equal working zones, that of the large printing cylinder of the press 3R is divided into three substantially equal working zones. 



   The same lower printing cylinder is used in both the 2R and 3R presses.  It should be noted that, like the 2R press, the 3R press has four module mounting positions and that the various printing modules available to be mounted in these four positions are essentially the same as those for the 2R press. 



   With more specific reference to FIG.  4a, the 3R type press generally comprises two lateral frames, designated as a whole by 3.011, suitably supported by a base frame, generally designated by 3.012, and rigidly held by the same bars spacers 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 than those used in the 2R press for the same purpose. 



   Between the side frames 3.011 is mounted a printing torque, generally designated by FF, comprising the common lower printing cylinder 20 having, in this case, a blanket F-45 on its surface and, above it , a large printing cylinder, generally designated by 3.022, having a diameter three times greater than that of the lower cylinder 20 and the surface of which is divided into three substantially equal working zones, designated by VII, VIII and IX.  In this case, a removable segment, generally designated by F-3,041, is mounted in each of these three work areas. 

  In the embodiment shown in FIG.  4a, the removable segment F-3,041, located at position VIII, supports an F-42 blanket on its surface, while the removable segments located at positions VII and IX both support an F-43 offset plate on their surface. 



   The side frames 3.011 and the spacer bars 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 determine four module mounting positions, designated by I, II, III and IV, where various printing modules can be mounted to cooperate with the large printing cylinder 3,022, as described with reference to the embodiment of the 2R press shown in FIG.  1.  Two plate cylinder modules, each designated generally by AA-2, are mounted in positions I and II by means of mounting brackets A-3,020. 

   Each of the ten modules comprises a plate cylinder A-II with an effective diameter equal to that of the lower printing cylinder 20, and supporting a lithographic plate (or dry offset) A-12; and associated ink rollers as well as (optionally) wetting rollers, all of which are generally designated by A-16.      



   The two plate cylinders A-11 and the lower printing cylinder 20 all rotate in tangential contact with the large printing cylinder 3.022. 



   Although the module AA-I of the plate cylinder (shown as being mounted in position II in fig.  1) has a relatively simple basic inking device with a combined wetting device and that the modules AA-4 of the plate cylinders (shown as being mounted in positions II and IV in FIG.  2a) include a more complete inking device with a separate wetting device and that the modules AA-2 of the plate cylinders (shown as being mounted in positions I and II in FIG. 

   4a) have a more complete inking device in combination with a combined wetting device, it should be noted that they can all be used interchangeably both on the 2R press and on the 3R press, by simply fixing the correct mounting brackets to the frames of any of the plate cylinder modules.  The mounting brackets A-20 are used when the modules of the plate cylinders are to be mounted on the 2R press and the mounting brackets A-3,020 are used when the modules of the plate cylinders are to be mounted on the 3R press. 



   Fig.  4a represents two inking and wetting modules, each of them being generally designated by BB-6, one being mounted in position III and the other in position IV. 



  Each of said modules comprises a combined inking and wetting device, generally designated by B-11, for applying ink and (optionally) a wetting solution by means of touchers B-12 to the surface d 'a plate supported by one or more of the removable segments F3,041 or otherwise mounted in one or more of the working areas of the large cylinder 3,022. 



   The side frames, generally designated by B-3,013, of the BB-6 anchor and anchor modules, as seen in fig.  4a, and the side frames, generally designated by B-13, of the inking and wetting module BB-2, shown in FIG.  2a, are identical, except that the side frames B-13 of FIG.  2a are of a correct size at their base to cross the distance separating the spreader bars from the press 2R, while the lateral frames B-3,013 of FIG.  4a are of a correct size at their base to cross the distance separating the spreader bars from the press 3R.  Furthermore, these two sets of side frames are identical and the other components which constitute these inking and wetting modules are in fact the same, whether they are used on the 2R press or on the 3R press. 



   Referring again to FIG.  4a, a mechanism for lifting the touchers, generally designated by LL-5, lifts the touchers B-12 from the inking and wetting module mounted in position IV to move them away from both the photograph F-43 located in position VII and the blanket F-42 located in position VIII on the large printing cylinder 3.022, but allows these touchers to roll in contact with the plate F-43 located in position IX on the large printing cylinder 3.022.  This operation is carried out by lifting cams, generally designated by L-3.012, mounted at the two ends of each of the two removable segments F-3.041, in positions VII and VIII of the large printing cylinder 3.022. 

  The cams of these two segments are aligned laterally with each other and with counter-cam discs, generally designated by L-3.011, which are mounted at the two ends of each of the touchers B-12 of the module d anchoring and wetting located in position IV. 



   In an analogous manner, another mechanism for lifting touchers, generally designated by LL-6, and offset laterally with respect to that just described, lifts the touchers B-12 from the inking module. and wetting located in position III, to separate them from both the blanket F-42 located in position VIII and the plate F-43 located in position IX on the large printing cylinder 3.022, but allows these touchers B- 12 of the inking and wetting module located in position III to roll in contact with the plate F-43 located in position 7 on the large printing cylinder 3.022.  This maneuver is carried out by other lifting cams, generally designated by L3.013, which are mounted at the two ends of each of the two removable segments F-3.041 in positions VIII and IX of the large printing cylinder 3.022. 

  Counter cam discs, generally designated by La3,014, mounted at the two ends of each of the touchers D-12 of the inking and wetting module located in position III, are aligned laterally with the cams L-3,013, but are not not aligned laterally with cams L-3,012. 



   Thus, there is a lifting cam at each end of each of the two segments located in positions VII and IX on the large printing cylinder 3.022, but these two sets of lifting cams are not in lateral alignment; also, there are two lifting cams at each end of the segment located in position VIII of the large printing cylinder 3.022, a cam L-3.012 at each end being in lateral alignment with a lifting cam L3.012 of the segment located in the position VII and the other lifting cam L-3.013 of each end being in lateral alignment with a lifting cam L-3.013 of the segment located in position IX. 

  Thus, the touchers B-12 of the two inking and wetting modules, located in positions III and IV, are lifted away from the blanket F-42 in position VIII; but the touchers B-12 of the inking and wetting module located in position III come into contact with the image located in position VII, but not with the image located in position IX; on the other hand, the touchers B-12 of the inking and anchoring module located in position IV come into contact with the image located in position IX, but not with the image located in position VII. 



   Also, the embodiment of the 3R press shown in FIG.  4a comprises a mechanism for controlling the plate cylinders, generally designated by KK-7, which comprises a control cam, generally designated by K-3.011, mounted on the shaft 3.032 of the large cylinder printer 3,022.  The KK-7 control mechanism can be adjusted to lift each of the plate cylinders A-ll in positions I and II in order to separate them from each of the plates F-43 located in positions VII and IX of the large printing cylinder 3,022 , while letting each of the printing cylinders A11 roll successively in contact with the blanket F-42 located in position VIII of the large printing cylinder 3.022. 



   This embodiment of the press shown in FIG.  4a has a top feeder by means of a suction cup and a conveyor belt, all of which are generally designated by DD-2, with a device for removing two sheets and a tray for receiving refusals, all of which are generally designated by D-18.     The feeder removes the individual sheets from the top of a D-20 stack by means of a D-16 suction cup and transports them to the printing torque on the D-21 conveyor as previously described.  This mechanism as well as the other feeding mechanisms shown and described with reference to FIGS.  I and 2b are interchangeable on the embodiments of the presses 2R and 3R. 



   The control mechanism of the press 3R can be adjusted so that the feed device (s) distribute one sheet during each revolution of the lower printing cylinder 20 or during one revolution in three of said cylinder 20, or else , alternatively, during the 1 ", 3 ', 4', 6 ', 7', 9 ', etc. , revolutions of the lower cylinder 20, no sheet being driven during the 2 ', 5th, 8' revolutions, etc. , of the lower printing cylinder 20. 



   The driving force of the press is transmitted from the H-3.011 motor via a variable speed transmission mechanism, generally designated by HH-2, as previously described with reference press 2R of fig.  2a.  The large 3.022 printing cylinder rotates dextrorsum, observing fig.  4a. 



   I. an embodiment of the 3R press shown in FIG.  4a can be used to print two non-overlapping images in two colors on one side of a sheet, while simultaneously printing two other non-overlapping images in two other colors on the other side of the sheet.  To fulfill this function, the control of the feed device is adjusted to ensure the advancement of one sheet during one revolution in three of the lower cylinder 20, so that the sheet reaches the abutment fingers 25 when the edge front of the lower cylinder 20 supporting the blanket F-45 and the front edge of the segment F-3.041 which supports the blanket F-42 in position VIII of the large printing cylinder 3.022, both approach the torque tightening zone printing. 

  While the sheet is touching the stop fingers 25, a detector, generally designated by M-3.011, detects the presence or absence of a sheet and forces the cylinders of the printing torque to occupy or keep a printing or non-printing position by controlling the action of the cylinder locking and spacing mechanism (not shown).  The cylinders of the printing torque thus maintain this position during three revolutions of the lower cylinder 20 and until the following operation of the detector M-3.011 which occurs when the leading edge of the segment occupying position VIII on the large printing cylinder 3.022 s' again approaching the printing torque tightening zone, at the moment when a sheet should again be positioned against the stop fingers 25. 



   The sheet is then driven towards the printing torque tightening zone by the drive roller mechanism, generally designated 26, until its front edge comes into contact with the locating stops of the cylinder and is gripped by the cylinder clamps, generally designated 30, which drives it into the area of tightening the printing torque. 



   When the sheet passes through the printing torque tightening zone, it presents two non-overlapping offset images, which are printed in two colors on its upper surface by the blanket F-42 occupying position VIII of the large printing cylinder 3.022, while that two other non-overlapping images are printed simultaneously on its lower surface in two other colors by the blanket F-45 fixed to the lower printing cylinder 20. 



   The clamps 30 of the cylinder continue to tighten the front edge of the sheet until they reach the transfer point (3- 16 where said sheet is transferred to one of the gripping bars, generally designated by G-20, supported by the output chains, generally designated by G-3.021, of the output mechanism generally designated by GG-6.  When the clamps G-20 grip the sheet, it is released by the clamps 30 of the cylinder and the front edge of the sheet is driven towards the rear of the press until the sheet is correctly positioned to fall on the stack G-27 outlet where it is released. 

  The combined action of the clamps 30 of the cylinder and the clamps G-20 separates the sheet from the peripheral surfaces of the cylinders of the printing torque and the sheet is evacuated, its printed surface facing upwards, up to the exit position press, generally designated by GG, which is located at the end of the press opposite the feed device. 



   As the large 3.022 printing cylinder rotates dextrorsum, an F-43 plate with an image in place, mounted in position IX on the large 3.022 printing cylinder, is inked and (possibly) wetted by the touchers B -12 of the inking and wetting module mounted in position IV, and another photograph showing an image at location F43, located in position VII on the large printing cylinder 3.022, is inked and (possibly) wetted by the B-12 touchers of the anchor and anchor module mounted in position III.  Plate A-12 presenting an image in the place subject to the plate cylinder Al l of the corresponding module mounted in position I, rolls on the blanket F-42 located in position VIII of the large printing cylinder 3.022 and transfers onto it an image inked upside down. 

  Then, another plate A-12 presenting an image at the place, subject to the cylinder cylinders Al l l of the corresponding module mounted in position II, rolls against the blanket F-42 and transfers on this latter a second image inked with reverse, not overlapping in another color. 



   The lower cylinder 20 makes two complete turns without a sheet being presented to it and, during the first of these two turns, the blanket F-45, subject to the lower cylinder 20, rolls in contact with the inked image. place of plate F-43 located in position IX on the large printing cylinder 3.022, and this image is transferred to blanket F-45 where it becomes an image inked upside down.     During the second turn of the lower cylinder 20, the blanket F-45 rolls in contact with the inked image at the non-overlapping location of the plate F-43 located in position VII on the large printing cylinder 3.022, and this image is also transferred to blanket F-45 where it also becomes an image inked upside down in another color, but not overlapping the first image. 



   A sheet of paper then passes through the printing torque tightening zone, between the blanket F-42 located in position VII on the large cylinder 3.022 and the blanket F-45 located on the lower cylinder 20 and it is printed, released and evacuated in the manner previously described. 



   On the 3R press, as in the case of the 2R press previously described, a sheet may pass only once in the area for tightening the printing torque, as has just been described, or else it may pass more once in the printing torque tightening area and, in the case of the 3R press, it can pass once, twice or three times in the tightening area of said printing torque. 



   It should be noted that there are three G20 gripping bars, supported by the output chains (3-3,021 of the GG-6 output mechanism of the 3R press.  The length of the output chains G3,021 is equal to the circumference of the large cylinder 3,022 and the distance between the grip bars G-20 is equal to the circumference of the lower cylinder 20. 

  Whenever the sheets pass only once through the printing torque tightening area, the clamps of each of the G20 gripping bars close at the transfer point G-16 and the clamps 30 of the cylinder open at this last point, during each revolution of the lower cylinder 20, regardless of whether the controls of the feed device have been adjusted or not to ensure the presentation of a sheet in the clamping area of the clamps 30 during each revolution of the lower cylinder 20. 



   However, when it is a question of passing a sheet twice in the area of tightening of the printing torque, the clamps 30 of the cylinder do not open when they pass opposite the transfer point G-16 for the first time and the grippers of the gripping bars G20, which meet the grippers 30 of the cylinder at this transfer point G-16 during this revolution of the lower cylinder 20, are inhibited and locked in the open position, so that they do not close on the sheet when passing next to the G-16 transfer point.     When the clamps 30 of the cylinder reach the transfer point G-16 for the second time after having driven the front edge of the sheet a second time in the area of tightening of the printing torque,

   they open to release the sheet and the grippers of the grip bar G-20, which coincide with the clips of the cylinder during this revolution of the lower cylinder 20, close to tighten the front edge of the sheet so that the latter is cleared and evacuated.   



   Similarly, if a sheet has to be passed three times through the printing torque tightening zone, the clamps 30 of the cylinder pass twice opposite the transfer point G-16 without opening and the grippers of the gripping bars G-20, which coincide with the grippers 30 of the cylinder during these two revolutions of the lower cylinder 20, are inhibited and locked in the open position. 

  During the third revolution of the lower cylinder 20, after the pliers 30 of the cylinder have driven the front edge of the sheet for the third time in the area of tightening of the printing torque, the transfer of the pliers 30 from the cylinder to the pliers of the gripping bar G-20, which coincide with the clamps 30 of the cylinder during this revolution of the lower cylinder 20 is carried out, and the sheet is released and evacuated. 



   As in the case of the 2R press, the stop fingers 25 and the drive rollers 26 act during each revolution of the lower cylinder 20, regardless of whether the control of the feed device has been adjusted to ensure or not advancing a sheet during each revolution of the lower cylinder 20.  However, as is also the case on the 2R press, the sheet detector mechanism M-3.011 is constrained to detect the presence or absence of a sheet against the stop fingers 25 only when , depending on the setting of the controls of the feed device, a sheet must lie against the stop fingers 25. 

  It is obvious that, by the judicious use and adjustment of the controls of the feeder and of the output mechanism and of the controls determining the number of times that a sheet must pass through the zone of tightening of the printing torque, by using the appropriate removable and replaceable segments in the three work areas VII,
VIII, IX of the large printing cylinder 3.022 and by the use and judicious adjustment of the modules of the plate cylinders located in positions I and II as well as the mechanisms for controlling the plate cylinders and the inking and wetting located in positions III and IV, as well as the mechanisms for lifting the touchers, it is possible to perform any of the functions described with reference to the embodiments of the 2R press described with reference to FIGS. 

   1, 2a, 2b and 3 as well as to the embodiment of the 3R press shown in FIG.  4a. 



   It is also obvious that by having the three working areas on the large printing cylinder 3.022 of the 3R press, as well as the corresponding greater possibilities of the controls of the feeding devices, controls of the output mechanism and controls determining the number of times a sheet passes through the print torque tightening area
 it is possible to fill a much larger range
 other printing functions and combinations of functions. 



   In view of the above, it is obvious that this form
 of the 3R press can be used to print in
 offset two non-overlapping images in two colors and, by
 typography, two additional images in two other necks
 their, all on one side of a leaf, the two typogra images
 phiques possibly overlapping one of the offset images or
 two or overlapping each other.  This could, for example,
 involve offset printing of two images in two colors which
 do not overlap, the addition of a letterpress print
 in a third color by means of a rubber plate
 as well as the numbering of the sheets in a fourth color by
 typography. 



   This embodiment of the 3R press can also be
 used to print a sheet in three overlapping colors
 chent, of which two colors are printed in offset and one by
 typography. 



   It is also possible to use it to print and assem
 bling three different pages of a newsletter, a
 letter, office form, etc. , of which two of the pages are
 printed in offset and one by typography or one of the pages is printed in offset in two non-overlapping colors and the other two pages are printed by typography, or alternatively, for printing and assembling two pages simultaneously,
One being printed in offset in two non-overlapping colors and the other being printed in two colors by typography, the colors overlapping or not, as desired. 



   The aforementioned printing functions and / or combinations of functions are only a few of the very many functions and combinations of printing and printing and assembly functions which can be fulfilled by using the many permutations of the components and settings for this embodiment of the 3R press. 



   Figs.    5a and 5b together schematically represent another embodiment of the 3R press.  Since this embodiment of the 3R press is too large to be shown on a single sheet, Figs.    5a and 5b are drawn on separate sheets, but they should be examined together and, for this purpose, they should be brought together along the axis to the right of FIG.    5a and to the left of fig.  5b. 



   The basic structure of the 3R press, including 3.011 racks, 3.012 racks and FF printing torque, etc. , is identical to that described with reference to FIG.  4a.  However, in this regard, the lower printing cylinder 20 has a platinum surface, generally designated by F-44, and the removable segments F-3,041, located in the three working zones VII, VIII and IX, of the large printing cylinder 3,022, each has an F-42 blanket on their surface.  Four modules of plate cylinders are provided, each of which is generally designated by AA-4, one of them being mounted in each of the positions I, II, III and IV. 

  Each of these AA4 modules comprises a plate cylinder A-1 l supporting a plate A-12 (wet or dry offset) on its surface; The image of plate A-12 is inked by ink rollers, generally designated by A-14, and separate dampening rollers, generally designated by A-15, are provided, which may be optionally used to wet plate A-12.     The four AA-4 modules are mounted on spreader bars 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 via mounting brackets, generally designated by A-3,020, as described above , so that each of the plate cylinders A-ll revolve in tangential contact with the large printing cylinder 3.022. 



   As described above, the effective diameter of the large printing cylinder 3.022 is three times that of the lower printing cylinder 20 and the diameter of each of the four plate cylinders A-11 is identical to that of the lower cylinder 20. 



   A plate cylinder control mechanism, generally designated by KK-6, has three cams, each of which is generally designated by K-3.011, which are mounted on the 3.032 shaft of the large cylinder printer 3,022 and turn with it.  The control mechanism KK-6 is adjusted so that the plate A-12 located in position I rolls in contact with the blanket F-42, in position IX of the large printing cylinder 3.022, but is kept away from the two F-42 blankets located in positions VII and VIII of the large cylinder 3.022.  Each of the two plates A-12 located in positions II and III rolls successively in contact with the blanket F42 located in position VIII of the large printing cylinder 3.022, but both are kept away from the two blankets F-42 in the positions VII and IX of the large printing cylinder 3.022. 



   Plate A-12 located in position IV rolls in contact with the blanket F-42 in position VII of the large printing cylinder 3.022, but is kept away from the two blankets F-42 located in positions VIII and IX of the large printing cylinder 3,022. 



   A supply, assembly and transport assembly, generally designated by DD-4 mounted on the frame 3.012 is placed at the front of the press and at a distance from the press and includes two feed devices from the bottom, each of which is designated by the reference D-14, a feed device from the top, generally designated by D-15, two belt conveyors each of which is designated by D-21, two devices from elimination of two sheets and trays to receive refusals, both of which are generally designated by D-18, in each case, and two missing sheet detection devices, each of which is generally designated by D -3019.    



  The controls of the feeding devices can be adjusted to force the feeding device to distribute the sheets during each revolution of the lower cylinder 20, during one revolution in three or during the lyre, 3rd, 4th, 6th , 7th, 9th, etc. , revolutions of said lower cylinder 20, no sheet being advanced during the 2nd, 5th, 8th, etc. , revolutions of said lower cylinder 20.  Sheets can only be fed from the top feeder, from one of the bottom feeders, from the top feeder, and from a bottom feeder in combination or the three combination feeders. 

  The two-sheet disposers D-18 can be set so that each time any of the feeders distributes more than one sheet, the multiple sheets are deflected into a tray for receiving the refusal.  D-3019 Missing Sheet Detection Mechanisms can be used when sheets are printed and collated simultaneously and, in this case, are set for the number of sheets in the booklet to be collated and any of the feeders used does not distribute a sheet or if two sheets are deflected, as described above,

   the missing sheet detector causes a sufficient number of additional sheets to be deflected into one of the reject receiving trays so that the total number of sheets that cannot reach the print torque tightening area is exactly the same as that a complete notebook of sheets to be printed and assembled simultaneously, thereby preventing any interruption in the number and correct succession of each notebook of sheets printed and assembled simultaneously leaving the press.  The drive mechanism, generally designated by HH-2, is similar to that previously described with reference to FIG.  2.  The large cylinder 3,022 is driven dextrorsum, observing fig.  5a. 



   The stop fingers 25, the drive rollers 26 and the sensor mechanism M-3.011 operate as described above. 



   The sheets which have to pass only once in the area of tightening of the printing torque are advanced towards the clamps of the cylinder and the abutment fingers 30 of the latter by the drive rollers 26 and are gripped and driven by the grippers 30 in the printing torque tightening zone, the front edge of each sheet then being also gripped by the grippers of one of the gripping bars G-13 supported by the output chains G-3,014.  The cylinder clamps 30 open and release the sheet when they reach the printing torque clamping area and the sheet continues to be clamped by the clamps of a G-13 bar which detach it from the peripheral surfaces of the cylinder of the print torque and drive it out. 



   Alternatively, the mechanism for determining the number of times a sheet must pass through the clamping area of the print torque can be adjusted so that a sheet passes two or three times through said clamping area, as desired; this function is fulfilled in the same way as described with reference to FIG.  2a.  However, it should be noted that, in the 3R press, the length of the chains G-3,014 is equal to the circumference of the large printing cylinder 3,022 and that the chains G-3,014 support three gripping bars G-13 which are spaced apart a distance equal to the circumference of the lower cylinder 20. 



   On the 3R press, the mechanism that determines the number of times a sheet passes through the print torque clamping area can also be set to pass a sheet twice through the clamping area and the next sheet a only once in said clamping zone, this succession being repeated during each revolution of the large printing cylinder 3.022. 



   If a sheet is to pass twice through the printing torque clamping area, the grippers of the gripping bar G-13 which coincide with the grippers 30 of the cylinder during the first passage of the sheet in the clamping area of the print torque is locked in the open position and therefore cannot squeeze the leading edge of the sheet as it approaches and passes through the print torque clamping area for the first time ; on the other hand, the clamps 30 of the cylinder maintain their grip on the front edge of the sheet during the first passage in the area for tightening the printing torque and entrain the sheet around the lower cylinder 20 and bring it a second time in said area for tightening the printing torque. 

  When the clamps 30 of the cylinder approach the print torque tightening area for the second time, the clamps of the gripping bar G-13, which then coincide with the clamps 30 of the cylinder, close and grip the leading edge of the sheet and pull it to separate it from the peripheral surfaces of the print torque cylinders, as described above, while the cylinder clamps 30 release the sheet when they reach the print torque clamping area for the second time. 



   If a sheet must pass three times in the area of tightening of the printing torque, the action is similar, except that the clamps 30 of the cylinder maintain their grip on the front edge of the sheet during the first and second passages in the area tightening and that the grippers of the gripping bars G-13 which coincide with the grippers 30 of the cylinder during these two revolutions of the lower cylinder 20 are locked in the open position;

   transfer of the grippers 30 from the cylinder to the grippers of the third gripping bar G-13 occurs when the grippers 30 of the cylinder approach and reach the print torque tightening zone for the third time, the grippers of the bar G13 gripper, which then coincide with the clamps 30 of the cylinder performing the release and evacuation of the sheet and the clamps 30 of the cylinder releasing the sheet when they reach the tightening area of the printing torque for the third time. 



   To fulfill one of the many functions or combinations of functions which the embodiment of the 3R press shown in FIGS.  5a, 5b and 6, offset plates at the location (either wet or dry) are placed on each of the four plate cylinders A-ll in positions I, II, III and IV.  The image of each of these photos is inked and (possibly) the surface of each of them is wet and the image inked at the place of the photo A-12 located in the ballast position transferred to the blanket F-42 located in position IX of the large cylinder 3.022. 



  The two images in place, inked and not overlapping, of the two photos A-12 in positions II and III are both transferred to the blanket F-42 located in position VIII of the large cylinder 3.022.  The image inked at the location of plate A-12 located in position IV is transferred to the blanket F-42 in position VII of the large cylinder 3.022.  All these images then appear as images inked upside down on the surfaces of the respective blankets. 



   By using only one of the feeding devices and by causing the sheets to be distributed during one revolution only in three of the lower cylinder 20, and by making the necessary adjustments so that each sheet passes three times through the clamping zone of the printing torque, each sheet can be printed (wet offset or dry offset) in three overlapping colors and in a fourth color which can overlap two of the other colors, but not the third.   



   This embodiment of the 3R press can also be used to print four non-overlapping images in four colors on one side of a sheet of offset (either wet or dry).  To this end, the mechanism KK-6 for controlling the plate cylinders is adjusted so that each of the four plate cylinders A-ll located in positions I, II, III and IV, rolls successively in contact with each of the three F-42 blankets located in the three work zones VII, VIII and IX of the large 3.022 printing cylinder.  This results in the transfer of identical upside down inked images overlapping in four colors on each of the three blankets.  The surface F-44 forming platinum is used on the lower cylinder 20. 

  The control mechanism of the feed device is adjusted so as to cause the distribution of the sheets during each revolution of the lower cylinder 20 from one of the feed devices.  Each sheet then presents an image identical to the non-overlapping place in four colors which is printed on its upper face when it passes through the printing torque.  The sheets are discharged on the output stack G-31 in fig.  5a, their printed side facing upwards.  Three sheets are printed and removed during each revolution of the large 3.022 printing cylinder. 



   From the description of fig.  1, 2a, 2b, 3 and 4a, and that of the structure and operation of the embodiment of the 3R press shown in FIGS.  5a, 5b and 6, it is obvious that it is possible to perform a large number of additional functions of simultaneous printing and printing and assembly and combinations of functions by using and correctly adjusting the various elements of this form. of the 3R press. 



   The embodiments of presses of types 2R and 3R shown in FIGS.    I to 6 illustrate the many embodiments which can be assembled using the various standardized components of the invention to produce so-called standardized models. 



   These figures and the corresponding descriptions have generally illustrated the basic structure and operation of the press, as well as the flexibility offered to the user of any of these particular embodiments with respect to the implementation work of a great variety of different functions of printing and / or simultaneous printing and assembly or combinations of functions. 



   Figs.  7a to 7e represent, moreover, schematically, the range of associated components that a manufacturer could machine and which could be produced in large series and assembled to mount various models (standardized), analogous to the embodiments shown in FIGS.    I to 6, on a normal basis; said elements could also be assembled to mount a much greater variety of specialized models intended to fulfill an equally large variety of special printing functions, on demand. 



   Figs.  7a to 7e schematically represent the most important associated operating zones of the press and the different possibilities offered by each operating zone, in order to be able to fulfill the necessary mechanical support functions when the various printing modules, etc. , are mounted in a variety of configurations to perform an even greater number of different printing functions and combinations of functions. 



   In fig.  7a, in the extension of the mounting position I is shown a diagram of the AA series illustrating the module of a plate cylinder which can be mounted in the position I. 



   The diagrams in the MM-6 to MM-9b series illustrate a mechanism with two press pressure settings that allows the distance between the fixed center of the large printing cylinder and the moving center of the lower printing cylinder to be adjusted, independently of two different values, so that an adjustment applies when the lower cylinder rotates in coincidence with one of the working areas of the large printing cylinder and that another adjustment applies when the lower cylinder rotates next in coincidence with the other working area of the large cylinder. 



   Diagrams MM-6 and MM-7 together represent the operation of the mechanism when sheets of a single thickness are distributed during each revolution of the lower printing cylinder, the two settings being equal in this case or varying only in a proportion infinitesimal to compensate for the small differences in thickness of the coatings of the two working areas of the large printing cylinder. 



   Diagram MM-6 illustrates the mechanism at the moment when the first of two of these sheets is about to pass in the area of tightening of the printing torque and diagram MM-7 illustrates the mechanism at the moment the second of the two sheets is about to pass into the print torque tightening area. 



   Diagrams MM-8, MM-9a and MM-9b together illustrate the way in which the mechanism performs compensation when sheets of different thicknesses are distributed during successive alternating revolutions of the lower cylinder and when a sheet is distributed during the first revolution of the lower cylinder, but not during its second revolution. 



   Diagram MM-8 represents the mechanism at the moment when the first and thinner of the two sheets is about to pass in the area of tightening of the printing torque during the first revolution of the lower printing cylinder.  (If no sheet were to be distributed during the second revolution of the lower cylinder, the longest adjustment arm of the MM8 scheme would be in the position indicated by dotted lines. )
 Diagram MM-9a illustrates the mechanism at the moment when the second and thickest of the two sheets is about to pass in the area of tightening of the printing torque. 



   Diagram MM-9b represents the mechanism as it would be if no sheet were distributed during the second revolution of the lower cylinder and at the moment when said lower cylinder begins its second revolution to roll in contact with a mounted printer surface in a working area of the large printing cylinder. 



   The diagrams of the MM-I and MM-2 series represent a sheet detection mechanism.  This mechanism controls the action of the cylinder locking and spacing mechanism (not shown) which forces the lower cylinder to occupy or maintain a printing or non-printing position relative to the large printing cylinder, depending on the control signal that it receives from this detector mechanism, then keep this position until it again receives a control signal from this detector mechanism. 



   The diagram MM-I represents the case where the control of the feeding device is adjusted to cause the distribution of a sheet during one revolution in two of the lower printing cylinder.  The cam which activates the sheet detector mechanism is mounted on the shaft of the large printing cylinder and, in this case, has a single lobe, placed so that the sheet detector is actuated to detect the presence or absence of 'a sheet at the time of the operating cycle when a sheet should reach the stop fingers, during the first revolution of the lower cylinder.  Since the cam has no other lobe, the leaf detector is not actuated during the next rotation of the lower cylinder during which no leaf is distributed by the feed device. 



   Diagram MM-2 illustrates the case where the control of the feed device is adjusted to cause the distribution of a sheet during each revolution of the lower cylinder.  Two lobes located 180 from one another are formed on the control cam mounted on the shaft of the large cylinder, so that the leaf detector is actuated before each rotation of the lower cylinder at the time of the cycle of operation where a sheet should reach the stop fingers.   



   As an extension of the mounting position II, there are four diagrams illustrating four printing modules, one of which can be mounted in the position II.    



   The diagrams in the KK series illustrate various mechanisms to be used to keep selected plate cylinders away from the printing surfaces of selected work areas of the large printing cylinder. 



   The KK-I diagram represents a simple handle mounted on an eccentric stud at the end of the shaft of a cylinder.  This handle is turned sinistrorsum to lift the plate cylinder away from the printing surfaces of the large printing cylinder and is locked in this position.  It is then possible to rotate it dextrorsum to bring the plate cylinder into contact with the printing surfaces of the large printing cylinder and it is then locked in this position. 

  If no other mechanism is used in combination with this manual control, the printing cylinder in question rolls in contact with the printing surface of each working area of the large cylinder, each time the handle is locked in the position in which it keeps the cylinder holder plates in contact with the printing surfaces of the large cylinder. 



   Diagram KK-2 illustrates an automatic mechanism which comprises a control cam mounted on the shaft of the large printing cylinder and a control arm with a cam roller aligned with the cam, fixed to the eccentric stud at the end of the shaft of a plate cylinder, and which causes said plate cylinder to be lifted automatically away from the printing surface of a working area of the large printing cylinder and brought back automatically to roll in contact with the printer surface of the other working area of the large printing cylinder.  This mechanism can be used or not at will and, when in action, it works as we have just described. 



  When at rest, the plate cylinder rolls in contact with the printing surfaces of each working area of the large cylinder. 



   This mechanism can be used in combination with the mechanism represented by the diagram KK-I and, in this case, the plate cylinder can be locked manually in a position in which it is distant from all the printing surfaces of the large printing cylinder, or it can be reset under the control of the automatic mechanism represented by the KK-2 diagram. 



   One, two, three or four plate cylinder modules can be fixed in the mounting positions of the press frames, and the control arm of each plate cylinder shaft can be made active or not with respect to a single control cam mounted on the shaft of the large printing cylinder.  All the plate cylinders, on which the control arm is active, are then lifted away from the printing surface of the same working area of the large printing cylinder and rotate in contact with the printing surface of the other area. working the large cylinder; those of the plate cylinders on which the control arm is at rest, rotate in contact with the printing surfaces of the two working zones of the large cylinder. 



   Diagram KK-3 represents a similar automatic mechanism in which two control cams are mounted on the shaft of the large printing cylinder and are offset laterally so that a control cam raises the plate cylinder (s) whose arms control are in the same lateral plane as it, away from the printing surface of the working area VI of the large printing cylinder and bring them back so that they roll in contact with the printing surface of the working area V; on the other hand, the plate cylinder (s) whose control arms are in the same lateral plane as the other control cam are lifted away from the printing surface of the working area V of the large printing cylinder and are brought back to roll in contact with the printer surface of work area VI. 

  Any plate cylinder whose control arm is rendered inactive, as described above, rolls in contact with the printing surfaces of the two working areas of the large printing cylinder. 



   With reference to fig.  7b, the series of diagrams JJ represents variants with regard to the gear train which drives the printing cylinders of the press. 



   As an extension of the mounting position III are diagrams of two printing modules, either of which can be mounted in the position III. 



   The diagrams of the LL series represent devices intended to selectively determine the printing surfaces, located in working areas of the large printing cylinder, which come into contact with the touchers of the inking and dampening modules or of the dampening modules, which can be fixed in any of the four mounting positions. 



   As an extension of the module mounting position IV, there is a diagram of a printing module which can be mounted in position IV.  This is a diagram of the AA series representing the module of a plate cylinder, previously described, which can be mounted in position IV. 



   The diagrams of the series DD-6 to DD-1 I illustrate various settings of the control mechanism of the feed device (s) comprising a device by which the camshaft of the feed device is driven and a device by which the speed at which it is driven can be adjusted relative to the rotations of the cylinders of the printing torque. 



   The separating mechanisms of the two feed devices used with the 2R press are each actuated once during each rotation of the camshaft of the feed device.  When the two supply devices are installed together, they operate alternately, both being actuated once during each rotation of the camshaft. 



   With reference to diagram DD-8 in fig.  7b, the device by which one or two sheets are distributed during each revolution of the large printing cylinder is as follows:
 A toothed wheel 18 fixed to the shaft of the large printing cylinder drives a toothed wheel 181 and a pinion 268 fixed to the latter.  The toothed wheel 181 has a pitch diameter equal to that of the gear wheel 18 and the pinion 268 has a pitch diameter twice as large as that of the gear wheel 181.  The sprocket 268 drives a chain 259 which drives sprockets D-95 and D-96 and a idler sprocket D-94.  Each of the pinions D-95 and D-96 have a pitch diameter corresponding to half that of the driving pinion 268 and therefore each of them performs two turns for each revolution of the large printing cylinder. 



   To the pinion D-96 is fixed a toothed wheel D-104 of the same pitch diameter as the pinion D-96.  To the pinion D-95 is subjected a toothed wheel D-109 whose pitch diameter is twice that of the pinion D-95.  The toothed wheel D-104 and the pinion D-96 are mounted on one end of a console S-102 which pivots around the shaft of the idler pinion D-94.  The gear D-109 and the pinion D-95 are mounted at the other end of the console D-102. 



  The latter can pivot to put the toothed wheel D-104 in engagement with the toothed wheel D- 111, as seen on the diagram DD-8 or to put the toothed wheel D- 109 in engagement with the toothed wheel D- 111 , as seen in diagrams DD-6 and DD-7. 



   The toothed wheel Dl ll is fixed to the shaft which supports the suction cup of each of the feeding devices and thus a sheet is distributed during each rotation of the toothed wheel D-111 from each feeding device which has been loaded with sheets of paper. 



   The toothed wheel D-11 11 has the same pitch diameter as the gear D-109, but its pitch diameter is twice that of the gear D-104.  Thus, when the toothed wheel D-109 meshes with the toothed wheel Dl 11, as can be seen in the diagrams DD-6 and DD-7, the toothed wheel D-lll performs two turns during each rotation of the large printing cylinder and two sheets are dispensed during each rotation of the latter cylinder or, in other words, one sheet is dispensed during each rotation of the lower cylinder from a single feed device into which the sheets have been loaded of paper. 



   When the toothed wheel D-104 meshes with the toothed wheel D111, as we see on the diagrams DD-8 and DD-9, the toothed wheel Dl it makes a revolution during each rotation of the large printing cylinder and a sheet is distributed during each rotation of this large cylinder or, in other words, one sheet is distributed during one revolution in two of the lower cylinder, if the sheets of paper have been loaded only in one of the devices power supply, as seen in the DD-8 and DD-9 diagrams.  If sheets of paper have been loaded in the two feeders, as seen in the DD-10 diagram, two sheets are then distributed during each rotation of the large cylinder, alternately from the two feeders. 'food. 



   Diagram DD-6 represents the case where a sheet from the bottom feeder is dispensed during each rotation of the lower cylinder.  There is only one bottom feeder (or the paper is only placed in the bottom feeder) and the feeder control mechanism is set so that the the camshaft of the feeders makes a revolution during each rotation of the lower cylinder so as to cause the separation of a sheet from the bottom of the stack and its transport to the stop fingers in the vicinity of the clamping zone of the printing torque, once during each rotation of the lower cylinder, and in synchronism with the action of the stop fingers. 



  Since no sheet of paper is placed in the top feeder (if there is one), no sheet is dispensed from the feeder, even if it is also working ( it is present) to distribute a sheet during each rotation of the camshaft of the supply device. 



   Diagram DD-7 represents the case where a sheet from the top feeder is dispensed during each rotation of the lower cylinder.  There is only one top feeder (or the paper is only placed in the top feeder) and the control mechanism is set so that the camshaft performs one revolution during each rotation of the lower cylinder, so as to cause the separation of a sheet from the top of the stack and its transport to the stop fingers in the vicinity of the area for tightening the printing torque, in correct synchronism with the stop fingers, once during each rotation of the lower printing cylinder. 

  Since no sheet is loaded in the bottom feeder (if there is one), no sheet is dispensed by the latter, even if the separator mechanism of the bottom feeder the bottom (if there is one) also works during each rotation of the camshaft of the feeder. 



   Diagram DD-8 represents the case where a sheet from the bottom feeder is dispensed during a rotation of two of the lower cylinder.  There is only one bottom feeder (or the paper is only placed in the bottom feeder) and the control mechanism is adjusted so that the camshaft performs a full turn while the lower cylinder makes two turns, and it is synchronized so that the sheets from the bottom feeder reach the stop fingers at the correct time during ire, 3e, 5e, etc. , rotations of the lower cylinder.  Since there is no paper in the top feeder (if there is one), no sheets are dispensed during the 2 ', 4', 6 ', etc. , rotations of the lower cylinder. 



   Diagram DD-9 represents the case where a sheet coming from the top feeder is distributed during a rotation on two of the lower printing cylinder.  There is only one top feeder (or the sheets of paper are only placed in the top feeder) and the control mechanism is adjusted so that the shaft to be cams make a full turn while the lower cylinder makes two turns, and it is synchronized so that the sheets from the top feeder reach the stop fingers at the correct time during Ire, 2e, 5 ', etc. , rotations of the lower printing cylinder. 

  Since there is no paper in the bottom feeder (if there is one), no sheets are dispensed during the 2 ', 4', 6th, etc. , rotations of the lower cylinder. 



   Diagram DD-10 represents the case where sheets from the two feeding devices are distributed alternately, one sheet being distributed during each rotation of the lower cylinder.  In this case, sheets of a certain color and a certain force are placed in the feeder from above and sheets of a different color and / or another force (represented in this case as being thicker) are placed in the feeder from below. 

  The control mechanism is adjusted as described with reference to scheme DD-9, but now, since the two feeders contain sheets of paper, one sheet coming from the top feeder is dispensed during the rotation of the lower cylinder, a sheet from the bottom feeder is dispensed during the 2nd rotation of the lower cylinder, a sheet from the top feeder is dispensed during the 3rd rotation , a sheet from the bottom feeder is dispensed during the 4 'rotation, etc. , each sheet reaching the stop fingers at the correct instant during each rotation of the lower cylinder. 



   Alternatively, the control mechanism can be adjusted as described with reference to the DD-8 scheme and, in this case, the sheets from the bottom feeder are distributed during the odd rotations of the cylinder lower and the sheets from the top feeder are distributed in the even rotations of the lower cylinder. 



   Referring now to FIG.  7c, the diagrams of the HH series represent variants of the press transmission. 



   The diagrams of the GG series represent various variants for the release and evacuation of the sheets after they have completed their passage (or their passages) in the area of tightening of the printing torque. 



   The diagrams in the PP series represent the actions and functions of the cylinder clamps.  An adjustable mechanism (not shown) causes the clamps of the cylinder to open and close so that they receive a sheet and their opening to release the sheet at the appropriate times, so that the clamps of the cylinder transport once, or more 'once, a sheet through the printing torque tightening area, as required and as shown in the diagrams of the PP series. 



   The actions of the cylinder clamps are shown for cases where sheets are dispensed during each rotation of the lower cylinder and for cases where sheets are dispensed at a different rate.  By way of illustration, the sheets are shown as being discharged into a tray and the clamps of the cylinder are shown as being open to release a sheet at the instant of rotation of the lower cylinder, which is suitable for this output device.  If one of the other exit mechanisms of the GG series is used, the cylinder clamps open and release the sheet at the instant of rotation of the lower cylinder which is suitable for the exit mechanism used. 



   Since the various diagrams of the PP series represent the cylinders of the printing torque during different phases of a rotation of the large printing cylinder, one of the segments mounted in one of the working areas of the large cylinder is marked with a circular line on each diagram to distinguish it from the other segment mounted in the other work area and allow easy monitoring of the succession of actions represented in each group of diagrams. 



   Referring now to FIG.  7d, the DD series diagrams show various paper sheet feeders which can be used with the press. 



   The diagram DD-I represents the press fitted with a bottom feeder, so called that the sheet located at the bottom of the stack is separated from the others each time the separator mechanism is activated. 



   The diagram DD-2 represents the press equipped with a device for feeding from above equipped with suction cups, in which a reserve of sheets is placed on a support which is controlled by a lifting mechanism so that as and as the sheets are removed from the top of the stack, the support rises to keep the top sheet of the stack always substantially at the same level.  The advance of the sheets is determined by the control mechanism of the feed devices, described above, to selectively cause the distribution of the sheets during each rotation of the lower cylinder or during one rotation in two of this lower cylinder. 



   The DD-3 diagram represents the top feeder of the DD-2 diagram and the bottom feeder of the DD-I diagram mounted in combination in positions in which they can be used, either together or separately, under the control of the appropriate mechanism, previously described, for selectively distributing the sheets of a single feeding device or, alternatively, of the two feeding devices successively during each rotation of the lower cylinder or every other rotation of the last. 



   A device for cutting a reel into sheets, which supports a reel of paper and cutting it into sheets of the correct length as the said sheets are advanced on the roll train, may be substituted for one or more other of the feeders shown or both, because the individual sheets are thus transported to the stop fingers of the press and the various printing functions of the latter are then fulfilled on these sheets, as described in this brief.  The operation of one or more devices for cutting a reel into sheets of paper would then be controlled by the control mechanism of the feed devices in place of the feed device (s) which have been described. 



   Diagram DD-12 represents a combined mechanism for eliminating two leaves and detecting missing leaves. 



   The diagrams in the FF series represent the printing torque and illustrate various combinations of the printing surfaces supported by segments mounted in the working areas of the large printing cylinder and the printing surfaces supported by the lower printing cylinder. 



   These diagrams also illustrate various combinations of lifting cams that can be used with these combinations of printing surfaces to lift the touch rollers of the selected inking and wetting modules or wetting modules, away from the selected printing surfaces, while allowing them to come into contact with other selected printing surfaces supported by other segments of the large printing cylinder.  These diagrams also illustrate various combinations of plate cylinder control cams in order to lift selected plate cylinders in modules corresponding to the separation of selected printing surfaces from the large printing cylinder, while allowing them to roll in contact with each other. other printing surfaces
 selected from the large cylinder. 



   The FF-I diagram represents the printing torque with a
 printing surface on the lower cylinder and with two segments on the large printing cylinder, each of them supporting a blanket.  No cam is provided to lift either the touch rollers or the plate cylinders away from either blanket of the large cylinder segments. 



   Diagram FF-2 represents a similar arrangement, but with a single segment supporting a blanket on the large cylinder. 



   Diagram FF-3 represents the printing torque with a blanket on the lower cylinder and two segments, each supporting a blanket, in the two working areas of the large printing cylinder.  No lifting cam is used. 



   Diagram FF-4 represents the printing torque with a blanket on the lower cylinder, an offset plate, either wet or dry, on one segment of the large printing cylinder and a printing surface on the other segment of this big cylinder.  The printing segment is equipped with lifting cams to lift the contact rollers of a wetting module and / or an inking and wetting module, away from the printing surface, while allowing to come into contact with the surface of the offset plate. 



   Diagram FF-5 represents the printing torque with a blanket on the lower cylinder, an offset plate, either wet or dry, on one segment, and an embossing plate on the other segment of the large cylinder.  The embossing segment includes lifting cams intended to lift the contact rollers of a wetting and / or wetting and inking module away from the embossing plate, while allowing them to roll in contact with the offset plate. . 



   Diagram FF-6 represents the printing torque with a blanket on the lower cylinder, another blanket on one segment and an embossing plate on the other segment of the large cylinder.  A plate cylinder control cam is attached to the shaft of the large printing cylinder, so as to lift selected plate cylinders from the corresponding modules away from the embossing plate, while allowing them to roll in contact blanket attached to the other segment of the large cylinder. 



   Diagram FF-7 represents the printing torque with a blanket on the lower cylinder, another blanket on one segment and an offset plate (either wet or dry) on the other segment of the large printing cylinder. plate cylinder control is subject to the large cylinder shaft, so as to lift selected plate cylinders from the modules corresponding to the offset plate offset, while allowing them to roll in contact with the blanket of the another segment of the large cylinder.  Lifting cams are provided on the blanket segment to lift selected touch rollers, mounted to cooperate with the large printing cylinder, away from this blanket, while allowing them to roll in contact with the offset printing plate. 



   Diagram FF-8 represents the printing torque with a blanket on the lower cylinder, another blanket on a first segment and another blanket on a second segment of the large printing cylinder.  Two control cams for the plate cylinders are attached to the shaft of the large printing cylinder in different lateral planes.  A cam is positioned so as to lift selected plate cylinders from modules corresponding to the gap of the blanket of the first segment, while allowing these plate cylinders to roll in contact with the other blanket of the second segment. 



   The other cam is positioned to lift other selected plate cylinders mounted in other corresponding modules, away from the blanket of the second segment, while allowing these plate cylinders to roll in contact with the blanket of the first segment. 



   Diagram FF-9 represents the printing torque with a printing surface on the lower cylinder and a letterpress, a lithographic plate or a typographic device for forming images or drawings in a single work area of the large cylinder printer.  No lifting cam is provided. 



   Diagram FF-10 represents the printing torque with a printing surface on the lower cylinder and first and second segments on the large cylinder, on each of which is either a letterpress or an image-forming device or drawings, a lithographic photograph.  Each segment has lifting cams for the touch rollers.  The lifting cams of the first segment are in different planes from those of the lifting cams of the second segment. 

  Thus, the touchers of an inking and wetting module (or of an inking and wetting module and of a wetting module) come into contact with the printing surface of the first segment, but are moved away from the printer surface of the second segment, while the touchers of the other inking and wetting module come into contact with the surface of the second segment, but are moved away from the surface of the first segment. 



   The diagram FF-I I illustrates the printing torque with a printing surface mounted on the lower cylinder, a blanket on one segment and a typographic plate or a device for forming images or drawings on a second segment of the large cylinder.  The blanket segment includes lifting cams for the touch rollers.  A control cam for the plate cylinders is attached to the large cylinder shaft.  The touchers of the inking and wetting module (equipped with inking rollers only) roll in contact with the printing plate or drawing forming device of the first segment and are lifted away from the blanket of the other segment.  The plate cylinders of the corresponding modules used are moved away from the typographic plate or drawing-forming device, but roll in contact with the blanket. 



   Diagram FF-12 represents the printing torque with a printing surface on the lower cylinder, a blanket on a first segment and another blanket on a second segment of the large cylinder.  Two cams for controlling the cylinder cylinders are secured to the shaft of the large cylinder in different lateral planes.  Selected plate cylinders of corresponding modules are moved away from the blanket of the first segment, but roll in contact with the blanket of the second segment. 



  Other plate cylinders selected from the other corresponding modules are separated from the blanket of the second segment, but roll in contact with the blanket of the first segment.  One or more other plate cylinders of one or more other corresponding modules can roll in contact with the surfaces of the two blankets of the two segments of the large cylinder. 



   Although fig.  7a, 7b, 7c and 7d represent some of the main areas of operation of the press, under various conditions, the description of the various settings and various combinations of elements suggests other combinations.  A summary of the illustrated choices of the printing modules which can be mounted in the four positions as well as the range of the represented choices of the different combinations of the printing surfaces in the various working areas of the cylinders of the printing torque (as seen on the FF series diagrams),

   in combination with the flexibility offered by the control mechanism of the feeding devices (as represented by the diagrams of the DD series) and by the clamp control mechanism (as represented by the diagrams of the PP series) underlines the fact that the press can be used to perform an extremely wide range of printing and printing and assembly operations.  These four figures also show how appropriate mechanical support operations and the devices for performing mechanical support operations, from the simplest type to the most complex type, were provided in the main operating areas of the press to complete the wide variety of combinations of the fundamental components of the press. 



   It is obvious that it is possible to assemble configurations of the press with standardized components to perform simple or special printing functions and that it is possible to assemble other configurations, also with standardized components, which can be set by users to perform a very wide range of different printing operations. 



   The manufacturer can thus assemble, from a group of standardized press components, a very wide range of configurations which can be used, in certain cases, to execute very special printing operations and, in other cases, to execute printing operations over a wide range, so as to meet the diverse needs of users in various fields of graphic arts. 



   The range of configurations that can be achieved is so great that, even in this field, thanks to the great diversity of operating conditions, it is possible to assemble with the standardized components a configuration that is practically ideally suited to the most special needs of individual users. 



   Figs.  8 to 11 represent a certain number of configuration examples of the 2R model of the press.  They represent a preferred embodiment of the press and show the main frame with three module mounting stations I, II and III and show how the modules of the plate cylinders and / or the inking modules and / or the inking and wetting modules can be mounted in various combinations in these three positions. 



   First of all with reference to FIG.  8, the main frames 31 and 33 are mounted on a box-shaped base (not shown in these figures) and are held at a distance and in a fixed parallel position by four spacers 221, 222, 223 and 224 which are fixed to the exterior of each main frame by bolts 225, 226, 227 and 228 respectively. 



   A large printing cylinder 22 has two working zones or mounting positions for segments and the shaft 32 of the large cylinder 22 rotates with the latter and pivots in bearings mounted in the lateral frames 31 and 33.  The lower printing cylinder 20 rotates around a shaft 21. 



   The upper part of each of the frames 31 and 33 has a flange 231 which is concentric with the center of the shaft 32 of the large cylinder.  Around the upper part of the flange 231 are grouped three sets of three mounting holes.  The distance between the mounting holes in each set of three holes is the same as the spacing between the holes in each of the other two sets.  All the mounting holes are equidistant from the center of the shaft 32 of the large cylinder 22.  Each group of three mounting holes defines a module mounting station and the center of the center hole of each group determines the location of this mounting position. 



   As seen in fig.    8, the location of each mounting position is indicated by a line passing through the center of the shaft 32 of the large cylinder and the center of the central hole of the three mounting holes.  As this figure shows, the module mounting station I is defined by three holes 232 made in the flange 231.  The line 233 connecting the center of the shaft 32 to the center of the central hole of these holes 232 of the station I is 140 'sinistrorsum with a horizontal line 241 passing through the center of the tree 32.  The module mounting station II is determined by three mounting holes 234 formed in the flange 231 and a line 235 between the center of the central hole of these holes 234 and the center of the shaft 32 is located at 75 "sinistrorsum the horizontal line 241 passing through the shaft 32. 

   The station III for mounting a module is defined by three holes 236 formed in the flange 231 and a line 237 connecting the center of the central hole 236 to the center of the shaft 32 is ioa sinistrorsum of the horizontal line 241 passing through the center from tree 32.  All the mounting holes 232, 234 and 236 are equidistant from the center of the shaft 32 and the spacing of the three holes 232 is identical to that of the three holes 234 and the three holes 236.  Identical sets of three mounting holes are arranged in alignment in each of the frames 31 and 33 at each of the module mounting stations. 



   A single module of a plate cylinder generally designated by AA-5 is shown as being mounted at station II.     A console A-331 for mounting a plate cylinder module is fixed to each of the frames 31 and 33 on either side of the press. 



   Each of these mounting brackets A-331 has three holes which are aligned with the three mounting holes 234 and is fixed to the frames 31 and 33 by three bolts 242 which pass through the holes in the console A-331 and are screwed into the mounting holes 234 of flange 231.  The two mounting brackets A-331 located on either side of the press are held in a fixed spaced position by two spacers A-332.  Each of the frames A-333 of the modules of the plate cylinders are fixed to their respective mounting console by four bolts 243 which pass through the consoles A-331 and are screwed into corresponding tapped holes of the frames A-333.  The latter are also kept in a fixed position and spaced on either side of the press by two additional spacers A-334. 

  The box-like structure of the frames of the plate cylinder modules, which consists of the two A-333 frames on opposite sides of the press, as well as the two A-331 mounting brackets bolted to them, all of which are held in a spaced and fixed position by the four spacers A-332 and A-334, thus conferring a certain rigidity on the two frames 31 and 33 on either side of the fundamental structure of the press when the two mounting brackets A -331 are bolted to frames 31 and 33 by bolts 242. 



   Since, in the configuration shown, a single plate cylinder module is mounted at station II, additional rigidity is imparted to the fundamental structure consisting of the two frames 31 and 33 on the respective opposite sides of the press by adding a mounting console A-335 on either side of the press, said consoles being held in a fixed position and spaced apart by spacers A-336 fixed to the frames 31 and 33 at station I by bolts 244, and the same structure is mounted at station III by bolts 245. 



   The module of the plate cylinder mounted in position II comprises the frames A-333 between which is supported a shaft A44 around which revolves a plate cylinder A-ll which supports on its surface a lithographic plate (or dry offset)
A-12 fixed by devices A-337 and A-341 of the front edge and the
 rear edge, respectively.  The image formed on the surface of plate A-12 is inked by what can be called a device
 basic ink which includes an A-60 inkwell, a barbo
 printer A-56, an ink roller A-342, a dispenser roller A
 343, an oscillating distributor roller A-344, a distributor roller
 A-345 and an A-346 oscillating distributor roller, a roller
 distributor A-347 and two touchers A-351 and A-352. 



   The large printing cylinder 22 has a segment F-41
 in one of its two working areas in position V, a
 blanket F-42 being fixed to its surface by devices F-46 and F
 50 for fixing the front edge and the rear edge respectively. 



   The other working area of the large cylinder 22 also has
 another F-41 segment in position VI to which is attached another
 blanket F-42 by F-46 and F-50 edge fixing devices
 front and rear edge respectively. 



   The lower printing cylinder 20 has an F-45 blanket
 which is fixed to its surface by F-47 and F-48 fixing devices
 front and rear edges respectively.  This F-45 blanket can
 constitute either a transfer surface or an application plate
 press to print an image on the underside
 of a sheet when it passes through the clamping area between the
 large cylinder 22 and the lower cylinder 20 or it may constitute
 only a stage for applying pressure when a sheet passes through the clamping zone between the large cylinder 22 and the lower cylinder 20 and when an image is transferred to the upper face of the sheet of blanket F-42 of the first segment or the other blanket F-42 of the second segment. 



   Fig.  9 shows a fairly similar configuration of the 2R model of the press with a single module of a cylinder, shown generally in AA-4, mounted in position II.     In this module, a wetting device, generally designated by A-353, has been added and comprises a tank A-354 containing a wetting solution and whose upper and lower surfaces are horizontal, a bubbler A355, a wetting roller A-356, a dispensing roller A-357 and a touch roller A-361.     A wetting fluid from tank A 354 is distributed via these rollers and is applied to the surface of the lithographic plate A-12 mounted on the cylinder A-ll by the toucher A-361 before the plate comes into contact with the ink sensors. 



   In addition to the basic anchoring device described above, an auxiliary anchoring device generally designated by A-362 is also added.  The auxiliary inking device A-362 comprises two oscillating distributing rollers A-363 and A-364, three non-oscillating distributing rollers A-365, A-366 and A-367 and an inking toucher A-371.     It can be seen that the distributor roller A-365 touches the distributor roller A-345 of the basic inking device and the oscillating distributor roller A-363 of the auxiliary inking device, thereby distributing the ink of the basic inking device by through the auxiliary inking device to the third inking toucher A-371 and thus to the surface of the photograph A-12.    



   Fig.  10 shows another configuration of the press 2R, in which three modules of plate cylinders, each designated by AA-4 are mounted in the three positions I, II and III. 



  Each of these modules is equipped with a wetting device and an auxiliary inking device as described above. 



   Two segments F-41 are mounted in the two working zones V and VI of the large cylinder 22 of this configuration, each of them supporting a blanket F-42.  The rest of the structure is similar to that previously described. 



   Fig.    11 shows a configuration of the 2R press in which an inking and wetting module, generally designated by BB-2, is mounted at station I, an AA-4 module of a plate cylinder is mounted at post II and a second module
 of an AA-4 plate cylinder is mounted at station III.  The
 anchoring and anchoring module located at post I includes the
 basic inking device B-107, the inking device
 auxiliary B-i il and the wetting device B-117.     Each of the
 modules of the plate cylinders located at stations II and III includes, in addition to the basic anchoring devices, the
 auxiliary anchoring device A-362 and the anchoring device
 lage A-353. 

  An F-41 segment supporting an F-42 blanket is
 mounted in the work area VI of the large cylinder 22 and the
 plate A-12 of cylinder A-ll, located at station II and plate A-12 of
 the other cylinder A it located at station III can roll on contact
 blanket F-42.  The F-41 segment includes cams
 lifting L-13, so that the anchor A-361 and the
 ink module A-352, A-351 and A-371 touch switches
 and anchorage located at post I are removed from the surface of the
 blanket F-42. 

   In the working area V of the large cylinder 22 is
 finds a segment F-51 supporting a lithographic plate F-52
 which is brought into contact with the anchor A-361 and the
 ink module A-352, A-351 and A-371 touch switches
 and mooring located at post I.  The two A-12 shots supported
 by cylinders A-ll of the respective modules of the door cylinders
 plates are kept away from the surface of plate F-52 of the
 segment F-51, but either or both can roll at
 contact of blanket F-42 of segment F-41. 

  By distributing a
 sheet of paper during a rotation of two of the lower cylinder 20, the blanket F-45 of the lower cylinder 20 can roll in contact with the surface of the lithographic plate F-52 of the segment F-51 so that the image of the plate F-52 is transferred to the blanket F-45.  In the meantime, the two images from shots A-12 are each transferred successively to the surface of the blanket F-42.  A sheet distributed during the rotation of the lower cylinder 20, when the latter coincides with the segment F-41 is therefore printed simultaneously on both sides of the sheet, the image of the photograph F-52, which was previously transferred to the blanket F -45 of the lower cylinder 20, being printed on the lower face of the sheet, and the combined image of the photographs A-12 being printed by the blanket F-42 on the upper face of the sheet. 



   As described above, it is possible to perform a wide variety of other combinations of printing operations with this configuration of the 2R model of the press.  It should be noted that each of the printing modules is positioned, as described above, in one of the three fixed mounting positions. 



   Other embodiments of FIGS.  8 to 11 falling within the scope of the invention would comprise a monobloc lateral frame for the module of a plate cylinder comprising in said monobloc frame the elements of the frame A-333 and the mounting console A-331, and a frame monobloc side for the inking module comprising the elements of the frame B-158 and the mounting console B-104, either of which can be mounted, either on the 2R model or on the 3R model. 



   Another embodiment would include a frame of a printing module, for example the frame A-333 of a module of a plate cylinder, the mounting console A-331 and the main frame 31 (or 33 ), all forming part of a single frame, while still comprising the additional module mounting stations and the additional printing modules described for mounting them to the additional stations and making various configurations. 



   Figs.  8 to 11 represent and the description above relates to the devices and a preferred fundamental structure, as well as the associated printing modules by means of which it is possible to assemble various configurations of the 2R model of the press with elements standardized by mounting the modules of the plate cylinders, the wetting and inking and / or inking modules standardized according to combinations chosen at the various positions of the basic frame, thereby creating various different models of the 2R press, each of them being capable of performing a different combination of printing operations and, therefore, each of them capable of meeting the needs of a different part of the global market for small sheetfed offset presses. 



   Fig.  12 shows a configuration of the 3R model of the press which can be produced using the various standardized components.  The lower printing cylinder (not shown in fig.  12) is identical to that of the 2R press.  The large printing cylinder, generally designated by 3022, has an effective diameter which is three times greater than that of the smaller diameter 20. 



  The circumference of the large cylinder 3022 is divided into three working zones VII, VIII and IX which are separated by three intervals. 



  In the configuration shown in fig.  12, a blanket segment F-3042 is mounted in work area VII, a plate holder F-3041 is mounted in work area VIII and another plate holder F-3041 is mounted in work area IX.  Also, in the configuration shown, the lower cylinder 20 supports a blanket on its surface as described above. 



   Four module mounting stations are distributed around the upper part of the frames 3031 and 3033, and they are designated by I, II, III and IV.  In the configuration of the 3R model of the press shown in fig.  12, a BB-2 inking and wetting module is mounted at station I.  A module of a cylinder AA-4 plates is mounted at station II.     A BB-2 inking and wetting module is mounted at station III and an AA-4 module of a plate cylinder is mounted at station IV. 



   The mechanism generally designated by PP-I in Figs.  13, 14, 15 and 16 illustrates the way in which a sheet is retained by the clamps 30 of the cylinder to make a single pass in the clamping zone of the cylinders of the printing torque, the lower cylinder 20 and the large cylinder 22, or is retained by these same pliers to make two passages in the clamping zone between the lower cylinder 20 and the large cylinder 22.  The lower cylinder 20 rotates around a fixed shaft 21 which is supported in the lateral frames 31 and 33 by ends of shafts 43 and 44 which rotate in the main frames to perform an oscillating movement, under the control of the locking mechanism cylinders. 



   Thus, the center of the shaft 21 and of the lower cylinder 20 rises and falls slightly when the cylinder is placed in the locked or unlocked position, pivoting around the center of the ends of the shafts 43 and 44 but, with the exception with this slight oscillating movement, the shaft 21 is fixed and the lower cylinder 20 pivots to rotate around it, the shaft 21 itself being always concentric with the lower cylinder 20. 



   As seen in Figs.  14, 15 and 16, a flanged collar 324 is fixed to the shaft 21 between the left end of the lower cylinder 20 and the left frame 31, by a threaded stud 325.  The outer surface of the collar 324 has a rib 326.  Another collar or sleeve, generally designated by 327, having a complementary groove on its internal periphery, is mounted on the collar 324 to effect a longitudinal sliding movement.  A cam 271 is integral with the sleeve 327.  Three wedge-shaped notches 331 are formed 120 from one another around the external face of the sleeve 327.  Another sleeve 332 placed around the sleeve 324 pivots in a bearing 333 to effect an oscillating movement around said sleeve. 

  The sleeve 332 is prevented from sliding on the sleeve 324 by a flange 334 located on one side of the latter and by a retaining ring 335 located on the other side. 



   Three cam rollers 336 are arranged at intervals of 120 around the outer face of the sleeve 332 and are placed so that, by an oscillating movement of the sleeve 332 on a certain arc around the sleeve 324, the rollers 336 can be brought into coinciding with the planar outer face 337 of the sleeve 327 or coinciding with the three angular cuts 331.  A helical spring 331 surrounds the sleeve 324 and bears against its flange at one end and against the face of the sleeve 327 at the other end, thereby urging the sleeve 327 to the left, observing FIG.  16. 

  When the sleeve 332 oscillates so that the cam rollers 336 face the flat outer face 337 of the sleeve 327, the latter is held in the internal position shown in FIGS.  14, 15 and 16, and, when it is in this position, the cam 271 is kept in alignment with the cam follower G-40 of the arm 267 of the shaft 252 of the clamps. 



   When the sleeve 332 oscillates to bring the cam rollers 336 into coincidence with the bottom of the inclined cutouts 331 of the sleeve 327, the spring 341 pushes the grooved sleeve 327 to move it to the left, observing FIG.  16 on the fluted sleeve 324.  The cam 271 is thus moved to the right, observing FIG.  14, in a position in which it is misaligned with respect to the cam follower G-44 so that, when the lower cylinder 20 rotates to put the counter-cam G-40 beyond the position of the lobe G-41 or G -42, while the cam 271 is in this position, the cam follower G40 does not touch the lobe G-41 or G-42 and the gripping fingers 30 of the cylinder therefore remain closed. 



   A stud 342 is fixed to the internal face of the main frame 31 and an arm 343 is mounted around it to perform an oscillating movement.  An arm 344 also pivots around the stud 342.  The arm 343 has a fan-shaped part in which is formed a curvilinear slot 345 and the arm 344 is fixed to the arm 343 by a bolt 346 which passes through the slot 345 and is screwed into the arm 343.  The other end of the arm 344 supports a cam roller 34.  A spring 351 is fixed to a stud 352 of the frame 31 and to a stud 353 of the arm 343 so that it biases the arm 343 dextrorsum around the stud 342, observing FIG.  15.  The outer end of the arm 343 supports a stud 354 which engages in a slot 355 of an extension 356 secured to the sleeve 332. 

  A cam 357 is fixed to the hub 361 of the large printing cylinder 22 by three studs and three bolts 362.  The cam 357 is aligned with the cam roller 347, as seen in fig.  16. 



   When the arm 344 is fixed to the arm 343 in the manner shown in FIG.  15, when the large cylinder 22 rotates, the cam roller 347 is positioned so that the cam 357 comes to touch it and forces the arms 344 and 343 to move together sinistrorsum, and this by means of the stud 354 moving in the slot 355, causes the oscillation of the sleeve 332 dextrorsum, observing FIG.  15.  As a result, the cam rollers 336 are aligned with the cutouts 331 of the sleeve 327, thereby allowing the spring 341 to move the sleeve 327 and, with it, the integral cam 271 to the left, observing fig.  16 or to the right observing fig.  14, so as to misalign this cam relative to the cam follower G-40 of the clamps 30 of the cylinder. 



   We will now describe how it works. 



   When it is desirable for a sheet to pass twice in the clamping zone between the lower cylinder 20 and the large cylinder 22, the arms 344 and 343 are locked in the position shown in FIG.  15 by bolt 346.  When the clamps 30 of the cylinder approach the position of the lobe G-41, observing FIG.  13, they open to receive a sheet and close when the front edge of the sheet is located against the stops 29 of the cylinder. 

  When the cam follower (3-40 passes between lobe G-41 and lobe G-42, cam 357 comes into contact with cam roller 347, which causes displacement of cam 271 to the right, in observing fig.  14, away from the path followed by the cam follower G-40 of the cylinder clamps, and the cam 271 is held in this position when the cam follower G-40 passes for the first time opposite the position of the lobe G-42, then from the position of lobe G-41, and thus the clamps 30 remain closed and entrain the sheet around the lower cylinder 20 and twice in the clamping zone between the cylinders of the printing torque. 

  Then, when the cam follower G-40 passes for the second time between the lobes G-41 and G-42, the cam roller 347 moves away from the cam 357 and the cam 271 is brought back to the position in which it is aligned with the cam follower G-40, observing fig.  14, so that the clamps 30 of the cylinder open to release the sheet when the cam follower G-40 reaches the lobe G-42 for the second time, and the sheet is released and evacuated as seen in the figs .  13 and 14. 

  The cam roller 347 has not yet reached the position of the cam 357 when the counter-grip G-40 of the cylinder clamps reaches the lobe G-41 so that the cylinder clamps 30 open again to receive a sheet. and close on the front edge of this sheet, then likewise, when the cam follower G-40 passes between the lobe G-41 and the lobe G-42, the cam roller 347 is touched by the cam 357 and the cam 271 is again misaligned with respect to the G-40 counter and the process is repeated. 



   If one wishes to adjust the mechanism so that the sheets pass only once in the clamping zone between the lower cylinder 20 and the large cylinder 22, then loosen the bolt 346 and oscillate the arm 344 sinistrorsum, observing fig.  15, until it reaches the other end of the slot 345, then tighten the bolt 346 again.  In this position, the cam roller 347 is kept away from the cam 357 and, therefore, the spring 351 maintains the arm 343 and the stud 354 in the position of FIG.  15, in which the cam 271 is always kept in alignment with the cam follower G-40 and the clamps 30 of the cylinder open and close to receive a sheet and open and close to release the sheet during each rotation of the lower cylinder 20. 



   It should be noted that the number of gripping and output bars supported by the extension chains of the GG-2 output mechanism is equal to the number of working zones of the large cylinder 22 and that the length of the chains 288 is equal to the circumference of large cylinder 22.  Thus, each individual grip bar always coincides with the same rotation of the lower cylinder 20 with respect to its coincidence with the working zones of the large cylinder 22.  This makes it possible to simply block an exit clamp in the open position when sheets are entrained twice in the clamping zone between the lower cylinder 20 and the large cylinder 22. 



   In this way, on the 3R model which has three working areas on the large printing cylinder, the length of the output chains is again equal to the circumference of the large printing cylinder which, in this case, is three times the circumference of the lower cylinder 20 and the extension mechanism comprises three grip and outlet bars.  This makes it possible to block two gripping bars in the open position, as described above, if a sheet has to pass three times in the clamping zone between the large cylinder and the lower cylinder or to block a gripping bar in the open position. if a sheet must pass twice in said clamping zone. 



   Also, on the 3R model, the cam which corresponds to cam 357 in FIG.  15 is of a length corresponding to a working zone if the sheet must pass twice in the clamping zone and is of a length equal to that of two working zones if the sheet must pass three times in the clamping zone between the large cylinder and the lower cylinder.  In other words, the mechanism of the 3R model is the same as that described in this memo.  


    

Claims (8)

CLAIMS 1. Sheet-fed offset printing press, characterized in that it comprises a first printing cylinder and a second printing cylinder larger than the first mounted in a support frame to rotate in tangential contact to form a printing torque and having between them a clamping and printing zone, a device for introducing sheets into said clamping zone, the large printing cylinder and its shaft being mounted to rotate about an axis of rotation, the actual diameter of the large printing cylinder being an integer multiple greater than 1 of that of the first printing cylinder, this first printing cylinder having a single working zone on its periphery, the periphery of the large printing cylinder being divided into several substantially equal working zones, the number of the working zones of the large printing cylinder being equal to said whole multiple, and each of the working zones comprising a device for mounting a blanket therein: at least two other printing cylinders comprising plate cylinders, each with a device for mounting a printing plate and a device for inking the surface of each of said printing plates, the plate cylinders having a real diameter equal to that of the first printing cylinder and being mounted to rotate in tangential contact with the large printing cylinder, said plate cylinders having a device enabling them to rotate in contact with at least one of said working zones at each revolution of the large printing cylinder, said device comprising a single group of cams mounted on the axis of the large printing cylinder for turn with this one, which cams act successively on mechanisms associated with each of said plate cylinders. 2. Printing press according to claim 1, characterized in that said device for introducing the sheets comprises a device for automatically introducing a sheet at each revolution of the first printing cylinder or else a sheet at each revolution of the large printing cylinder, up to and through said clamping area. 3. Printing press according to claim 2, characterized in that the device for introducing a sheet at each revolution of the large printing cylinder also comprises a device for passing the sheet thus introduced once or more than once through said zone of Tightening. 4. Printing press according to claim 2, characterized in that a blanket is mounted in the single working area of the first printing cylinder, which blanket also comprises a device for mounting a printing plate in at least one of the areas of the large printing cylinder and an inking device for each of the plates thus mounted. 5. Printing press according to claim 1, characterized in that the support frame in which are mounted said first and large printing cylinders is constructed so as to form around the large printing cylinder several stations for mounting modules, each of said stations having similar devices for mounting the modules; and characterized in that each of said plate cylinder, combined with each of the inking devices associated therewith, constitutes an independent plate cylinder module, each module comprising an autonomous frame constructed to adapt to the mounting device of each of said stations for mounting the modules, and each of said plate cylinder modules being mounted on one of the stations for mounting modules, said plate cylinder being each time mounted to rotate in tangential contact with the large cylinder printer. 6. Printing press according to claim 4, characterized in that the support frame in which the first and large printing cylinders are mounted is constructed so as to form around the large printing cylinder several stations for mounting modules, each of said stations with similar devices for mounting the modules: characterized in that each of said plate cylinder combined with each of the inking devices associated therewith constitutes an independent plate cylinder module, each module comprising an independent frame constructed to adapt to the mounting device of each of the stations for mounting the modules, and each of said modules of plate cylinders being mounted on one of the stations for mounting modules, said plate cylinder being each time mounted to rotate in tangential contact with the large printing cylinder: and characterized in that the printing plate inking device mounted in a working area of the large printing cylinder constitutes an autonomous inking module comprising another autonomous frame in which is mounted an inking system comprising at least one ink roller, said other autonomous frame being constructed to adapt to the mounting device of at least one of the mounting stations for the modules so that said ink roller rotates in tangential contact with one of the working zones of the large cylinder printer so as to ink the surface of a printing plate mounted on said working area, said inking module being mounted as indicated. 7. Printing press according to claim 6, characterized in that said support frame is constructed in such a way, and the stations for mounting the modules arranged so that various combinations of modules of plate cylinders and modules d inking can be mounted at the various stations for mounting the modules without said modules interfering with one another and so that, if no module is initially mounted at one of said stations for mounting the modules, such a module can be mounted afterwards without the modules mounted at the adjacent stations interfering with the mounting. 8. A method of manufacturing the printing press according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the following provisions: a) construction of several support frames; b) construction of several pairs comprising a first and a second printing cylinder, said first printing cylinders die all having the same real diameter and the second cylinder printer of each pair having an actual diameter equal to one integer multiple greater than 1 of the actual diameter of the first printing cylinder; c) construction of several plate cylinder modules, each comprising an autonomous frame constructed so as to adapt to each station for mounting modules said support frames; d) construction of several inking modules, comprising each an autonomous frame built to adapt to one less stations for mounting the modules of said frames support; e) assembling a pair of said first and second cylinders printers in each of the support frames, and f) selective assembly of plate cylinder modules and inking modules at the mounting stations of the sup racks Harbor. The invention relates to a sheet-fed offset printing press and a method of manufacturing said press. There are a number of printing machines which include two printing cylinders and a plate cylinder, such as that of French patent NO 400509, and printing machines are also known in which the diameter of the large printing cylinder is a multiple the diameter of the small printing cylinder, as for example in French patents N "" 601713 and 1175398. ** ATTENTION ** end of the CLMS field may contain start of DESC **.