DE102017201921B4 - Device for printing hollow bodies - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for printing on hollow bodies, with a segmented wheel (03) having a plurality of segments (32) on its circumference, with a printing blanket (33) for printing on the hollow bodies (01) being arranged on at least one segment (32) of the segmented wheel (03). , wherein the segmented wheel (03) is mounted with its shaft (53) in a frame (66) of this device and is driven in rotation by a drive, characterized in that the drive operates as an electric motor (58) with a stator (61) and a rotor (62) having a hollow shaft (54), the hollow shaft (54) being arranged coaxially to the shaft (53) of the segmented wheel (03), the shaft (53) of the segmented wheel (03) and the rotor (62 ) of the motor (58) are rigidly connected to one another, with the motor (58) being designed as a high-pole, electric direct drive with a number of poles greater than twenty, with the shaft (53) of the segmented wheel (03) in the frame (66) of this device at both ends each in double rows n roller bearings (63), the segmented wheel (03) having an outside diameter of more than 1,400 mm and a mass of more than 500 kg, a digital control unit controlling or regulating the motor (58) being provided, whereby a position at the Circumference of this segmented wheel (03) by positioning the shaft (53) of the segmented wheel (03) in the stator (61) of the motor (58) relative to a position on the lateral surface of a hollow body (01) to be printed with a positioning accuracy of less than 0, 1 mm is adjustable.

Description

The invention relates to a device for printing hollow bodies according to the preamble of claim 1.

such as B. from the WO 2012/148576 A1 is known, in the packaging industry in a device for decorating hollow bodies each having a cylindrical lateral surface, mostly several printing units are used. Each of these printing units transfers one printing ink to a printing blanket that is used jointly by these printing units. The lateral surface of the hollow body in question is then pressed by a relative movement between the lateral surface of the hollow body in question and the printing blanket, which was previously in particular multicolored inked, in particular by rolling the lateral surface of the hollow body in question on this printing blanket, with a z. B. decorated multicolored print motif.

Such a device for printing or for decorating hollow bodies, in particular each having a preferably cylindrical lateral surface, is used, for. B. in connection with an i. i.e. R. several workstations having system used for the production of such hollow body, wherein the printing or the decoration of the hollow body is done by a printing process, which is why these hollow bodies can also be generally referred to as printed products. In such a system, the hollow bodies to be printed are mass-produced with z. B. several hundred or even a few thousand pieces per minute, z. B. produced between 1,500 and 3,000 pieces per minute. Such hollow bodies are z. B. made of metal, in particular steel or aluminum, or made of a plastic. Such hollow bodies made of metal z. B. used as beverage cans or as aerosol cans. Such hollow bodies made of plastic are z. B. in the form of thermoplastic moldings and z. B. as a cup for packaging z. B. of liquid or pasty food, especially dairy products or beverages. However, the respective hollow body can also be a round tube body made either from plastic or from aluminum, a tube being understood as an elongate, solid but malleable container which is provided for filling with a particularly paste-like substance. Aluminum tubes are z. B. produced in a reverse extrusion process. Plastic tubes are z. B. each made as seamless tubes by extrusion. Another type of hollow bodies to be printed in an aforementioned device can be made of glass, preferably cylindrical containers or vessels, e.g. B. bottles or flasks.

Beverage cans are preferably made of aluminum and are i. i.e. R. so-called two-piece cans, in which a circular bottom together with a preferably straight cylinder jacket each from a single workpiece, d. H. from a so-called slug or from a round, d. H. a circular disk, in a forming process, e.g. B. in a cold extrusion process or in a compression molding process, preferably by deep drawing, in particular by ironing, to a hollow body open on one side, d. H. are manufactured into a so-called raw can and in a final manufacturing step a circular lid is placed on the cylinder jacket and connected airtight to the cylinder jacket by flanging.

Another type of can are tin cans. Tinplate is a tinned sheet of steel. For the production of tinplate cans, the thickness of the steel sheet is e.g. B. 0.15 mm to 0.49 mm, the thickness of the tin layer z. B. 0.2 microns to 0.8 microns, the tin coating is used to protect against corrosion. Tin cans are so-called three-part cans. In order to produce the shell of a tinplate can, a rectangular strip of sheet steel is bent into a preferably straight cylindrical shell, the ends of this strip bent into a cylindrical shell being butt-welded. A circular base and a circular cover are then placed on the cylinder jacket and the edges are flanged. In order to obtain a higher resistance to indentation for the tinplate can in question, z. B. all three parts, i. H. the cylinder jacket, the base and the cover preferably have a corrugated profile.

An aerosol can, also known as a spray can or spray can, is a metal can for spraying liquids. In an aerosol can, the filled liquid is under pressure, with z. B. propane, butane, dimethyl ether or mixtures thereof or compressed air or nitrogen is used.

The aforementioned WO 2012/148576 A1 describes a device for decorating cans, wherein an arrangement of several printing units, each with one inking unit, is provided for the multicolored decoration of a large number of cans, each of the inking units belonging to one of the printing units having an ink fountain for providing printing ink, with each ink fountain in each case an ink fountain roller is provided for receiving the ink from the ink fountain in question, in each inking unit in each case an ink ductor are provided, the ink ductor each ink of the relevant ink fountain roller, with several oscillating ink distributor rollers and several ink transfer rollers each cooperating with at least one of the ink distributor rollers being provided in a roller train following the respective inking unit in the relevant inking unit, whereby with the respective plate cylinder there is a plate cylinder with at least one printing plate only a single inking roller cooperates to apply the printing ink.

through the WO 2004/109581 A2 is a device for performing a contactless digital printing process, e.g. B. an inkjet printing process is known to print round objects, especially two-piece cans, as required, individually without using a printing blanket, preferably with a plurality of print heads being provided, each printing a single ink.

through the DE 10 2006 004 568 A1 a short inking unit for a printing press is known, containing a printing forme cylinder, an ink forme roller interacting with the forme cylinder and an anilox roller contacting the inking forme roller, to which an ink supply device is assigned, with at least one leveling roller between the location of the ink supply and the contact gap between the anilox roller and the Ink forme roller, based on the direction of rotation of the anilox roller, is arranged, wherein the device for ink supply is designed as a chamber doctor blade.

through the DE 101 60 734 A1 a printing press is known which comprises at least one printing forme, a dampening unit for dampening the printing forme with a dampening solution, an inking unit for inking the printing forme with a printing ink and a dehumidifying device with a heating roller (tempering roller) for reducing a proportion of the dampening solution conveyed together with the printing ink , wherein the inking unit is designed as a short inking unit without a lifter, wherein an inking unit roller of the inking unit has a first rolling contact point at which the inking unit roller is in rolling contact with the heating roller, wherein the inking unit roller has a second rolling contact point and wherein the shortest conveying path for the printing ink is from the inking unit roller to the Printing form is specified by at most one intermediate roller.

through the DE 32 32 780 A1 an inking unit for offset printing machines for printing sheets or webs with a plate cylinder is known, which receives the required color from a maximum of two inking rollers with an elastic surface, which interact with an inking cylinder, to which the color is fed via an inking system that produces a continuous ink film, where the ink cylinder is followed by an ink forme roller with almost the same diameter as the plate cylinder, where the ink cylinder is assigned a dampening unit with at least one roller that transfers the dampening solution, and where the dampening solution is transferred to the ink cylinder in the direction of rotation of the same after the ink application and before its contact point with the inking roller takes place.

through the DE 10 2006 048 286 A1 discloses a method for driving a printing unit with a short inking unit in a processing machine with an anilox roller and an associated squeegee device and an inking roller arranged downstream of the anilox roller, which in the direction of ink flow is arranged downstream of a plate/forme cylinder, the plate/forme cylinder having a rubber blanket cylinder and the Blanket cylinder is in operative connection with a printing cylinder guiding the printing material, the anilox roller being driven by a single drive, wherein in the printing/coating operation the main drive provides an input to a drive wheel of the printing cylinder and a drive wheel of the rubber blanket cylinder and a second and first drive wheel of the plate/ Forme cylinder and a drive wheel of the inking roller and a drive wheel of the anilox roller is fed, wherein the individual drive of the anilox roller is inactive, and wherein the drive connection to the main drive between the first drive wheel and second Antri in the set-up mode ebsrad of the plate / forme cylinder is separated, the individual drive of the anilox roller is activated and a drive torque is applied to the drive wheel of the anilox roller and the drive wheel of the inking roller and the first drive wheel of the plate / forme cylinder by means of an individual drive.

through the DE 196 24 440 A1 a device for filling depressions in a cylinder of a printing press with a liquid is known, with at least two doctor devices for filling depressions in the cylinder with the liquid being arranged on the cylinder, with an application device connected to a conveyor system for the liquid and one of these in the direction of rotation working doctor blades are provided downstream of the cylinder, the doctor blades being fastened to a beam, the liquid scraped off being discharged to a collecting pan.

through the DE 89 12 194 U1 discloses an inking unit for use in a printing press with a working doctor blade that can be set against an anilox roller and an ink trough with ink conveying means, the working doctor blade, the ink trough and the means for conveying the ink to the anilox roller being combined into one structural unit and the structural unit can be detachably fastened to a carrier mounted on the printing press.

through the DE 10 2007 052 761 A1 an anilox printing unit is known which has an inking roller and an anilox roller as the inking unit rollers, the anilox roller being mounted on pivoting levers, the anilox roller and the inking roller each having bearer rings, with one arranged to press the bearer rings of one against the bearer rings of the other inking unit roller Device has springs to compensate for diameter differences caused by manufacturing tolerances.

through the DE 28 51 426 A1 discloses a device for printing one lateral surface of hollow bodies, wherein a transport device is provided that transports the hollow bodies to be printed about an axis of rotation, wherein several printing units are provided, wherein each hollow body to be printed can be transported with the transport device into a printing area of at least one of the printing units , wherein at least one of the printing units has a printing forme cylinder and an inking unit with a single inking roller.

through the U.S. 2010/0282402 A1 it is known to use a torque motor in a marking or labeling machine.

through the US 2015/0010257 A1 a roller bearing with three rings is known for storing a cylinder of an offset or digital printing machine.

through the US 2010/0313771 A1 a rotary printing machine for printing containers is known, with a carousel carrying a chuck being provided, with the carousel being driven in rotation by an electric motor with an integrated rotary encoder.

The invention is based on the object of creating a device for printing hollow bodies, in which case a segmented wheel belonging to this device can be positioned quickly and with high accuracy with regard to a circumferential position.

The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1. The dependent claims relate to advantageous developments and refinements of the solution found.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and is described in more detail below. Advantages attainable with the invention are mentioned in connection with the exemplary embodiment.

• 1 eine Vorrichtung zum Bedrucken bzw. zur Dekoration von jeweils eine Mantelfläche aufweisenden Hohlkörpern;
• 2 ein Farbwerk insbesondere für die in 1 dargestellte Vorrichtung in einer ersten Betriebsstellung;
• 3 das Farbwerk insbesondere für die in 1 dargestellte Vorrichtung in einer zweiten Betriebsstellung;
• 4 ein Kammerrakelsystem insbesondere für das in den 2 und 3 dargestellte Farbwerk;
• 5 einen Plattenwechsler in einer ersten Betriebsstellung;
• 6 den Plattenwechsler der 5 in einer zweiten Betriebsstellung;
• 7 eine Speichereinrichtung für Drucktücher;
• 8 eine Einrichtung für einen senkrechten Transport der Speichereinrichtung gemäß der 7;
• 9 eine Einrichtung für einen waagerechten Transport von jeweils einem der Drucktücher zwischen der Speichereinrichtung gemäß der 7 und einem Montageort an einem Segmentrad in der Vorrichtung gemäß der 1;
• 10 die Speichereinrichtung der 7 in ihrem an der für ihren senkrechten Transport vorgesehenen Einrichtung angeordneten Betriebszustand;
• 11 die Einrichtung für einen waagerechten Transport von jeweils einem der Drucktücher gemäß 9 im Querschnitt mit einem aufgestellten Spachtel zum Abnehmen eines gebrauchten Drucktuchs vom Segmentrad;
• 12 eine perspektivische Darstellung der Einrichtung für einen waagerechten Transport von jeweils einem der Drucktücher gemäß 9 mit dem aufgestellten Spachtel;
• 13 die Vorrichtung zum Bedrucken bzw. zur Dekoration von jeweils eine Mantelfläche aufweisenden Hohlkörpern gemäß der 1 mit einer schematischen Darstellung der Segmente des Segmentrades;
• 14 eine perspektivische Einzeldarstellung des Segmentrades mit seiner Welle;
• 15 eine perspektivische Einzeldarstellung des das Segmentrad rotativ antreibenden Antriebs;
• 16 eine Schnittdarstellung des Segmentrades mit seinem Antrieb im in der Vorrichtung zum Bedrucken von Hohlkörpern angeordneten Zustand.

Show it:

• 1 a device for printing or for decorating hollow bodies each having a lateral surface;
• 2 an inking unit especially for the in 1 device shown in a first operating position;
• 3 the inking unit especially for the in 1 device shown in a second operating position;
• 4 a chamber doctor blade system in particular for the 2 and 3 illustrated inking unit;
• 5 a disc changer in a first operating position;
• 6 the record changer 5 in a second operating position;
• 7 blanket storage means;
• 8th a device for a vertical transport of the storage device according to 7 ;
• 9 a device for a horizontal transport of one of the printing blankets between the storage device according to FIG 7 and a mounting location on a segmented wheel in the device according to 1 ;
• 10 the storage device 7 in their operating condition arranged on the device intended for their vertical transport;
• 11 the device for a horizontal transport of one of the blankets according to 9 in cross section with a put up spatula for removing a used printing blanket from the segmented wheel;
• 12 a perspective view of the device for horizontal transport of one of the printing blankets according to FIG 9 with the put up spatula;
• 13 the device for printing or for decorating hollow bodies each having a lateral surface according to FIG 1 with a schematic representation of the segments of the segment wheel;
• 14 a perspective detail view of the segment wheel with its shaft;
• 15 a perspective detail view of the segmented wheel rotating drive;
• 16 a sectional view of the segmented wheel with its drive in the device State arranged for printing hollow bodies.

Printing in particular the lateral surface of a hollow body with a z. B. multicolored print motif, d. H. at least one printed image, takes place in a preferred embodiment in a letterpress process. Alternative printing methods are e.g. B. a screen printing process or an offset printing process or a formless digital printing process. In the following, the invention is described by way of example in connection with a high-pressure process. To carry out the letterpress process, a printing plate is arranged on the lateral surface of a plate cylinder as the printing form. The printing block ready for use in the printing process is a printing form with a printing relief, with this printing relief mirroring the print image intended for the printing process, with only the printing relief being involved in the transfer of the printing ink supplied to the plate cylinder by the inking unit onto the printing blanket in trouble-free printing operation. The printing form or the printing block has a plate-shaped, preferably flexible, support of finite length, e.g. B. from a sheet steel, wherein a particularly flexible pressure body is arranged on this carrier. At least the opposite ends of the carrier in the circumferential direction of the plate cylinder can e.g. B. according to the curvature of the lateral surface of the plate cylinder may be pre-bent or angled to facilitate assembly of the printing forme, d. H. to allow here in particular the printing plate on the plate cylinder. The carrier of the printing form or the printing plate has a thickness in the range of z. 0.2mm to 0.3mm. The pressure plate has, including its carrier, a total thickness in the range of z. B. 0.7 mm to 1.0 mm, preferably about 0.8 mm. The pressure body is z. B. formed from a plastic. The printing body is used to produce the printing block that can be used for the printing process, e.g. B. exposed with a negative film depicting the print image, with unexposed areas then being removed from the print body, e.g. B. be removed by washing or by means of a laser.

A device for printing or for decorating hollow bodies, in particular each having a preferably cylindrical lateral surface, preferably has a plurality of, e.g. B. eight or ten or even more printing units - also called printing stations -, wherein at least one of these printing units, in the preferred embodiment all of these printing units each have a rotatable printing forme cylinder, in particular a printing forme cylinder designed as a plate cylinder. The printing units or printing stations and possibly also the printing forme cylinders in this device are each mounted in a frame and can be used in the same printing process in order to form a multicolored print motif on the same hollow body according to the number of printing units or printing forme cylinders involved. The storage of the printing form cylinder or plate cylinder is preferably designed as a cantilever mounting, the printing form cylinder or plate cylinder in question on one of its end faces z. B. is mounted on a preferably conical pin. On the lateral surface of each plate cylinder is i. i.e. R. arranged only a single printing plate, the carrier of the printing plate completely or at least largely, in particular more than 80% spans the circumference of the relevant plate cylinder. A length of the printing body of the printing plate directed in the circumferential direction of the relevant plate cylinder is preferably shorter than the circumference of the relevant plate cylinder. The printing form or the printing plate is or at least can be arranged, in particular magnetically, by means of its carrier on the lateral surface of each plate cylinder. H. the printing form or the printing plate is preferably magnetic there, d. H. held by a magnetic holding force. In an alternative or supplementary embodiment variant of the device for printing or for decorating hollow bodies, each having a preferably cylindrical lateral surface, at least one of the printing units or several of these printing units are each designed as a printing unit that prints without a printing form in a digital printing process, with such a printing unit in particular has at least one inkjet print head or a laser.

The particular simultaneous transfer of a plurality of printing inks, in particular to the lateral surface of the hollow body in question, requires this ink transfer to take place in register in order to achieve good print quality in the printing process. For a register-accurate arrangement of the printing forme or the printing block on the outer surface of the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder in question, in the preferred embodiment several z. B. in their respective position adjustable dowel pins are provided, which engage in corresponding recesses formed on the printing forme or on the printing plate and the printing forme or the printing plate as a result when it is arranged on the lateral surface of the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder in question there give a defined position. In a preferred embodiment, each printing form cylinder or plate cylinder has a diameter in the range between 100 mm and 150 mm, in particular between 120 mm and 130 mm, with an axial length of the printing form cylinder or Plate cylinder each z. B. between 200 mm and 250 mm, in particular between 200 mm and 220 mm. The printing plate to be arranged on the lateral surface of the relevant plate cylinder has a width in the range of 150 mm to 200 mm, preferably about 175 mm, directed in the axial direction of the relevant plate cylinder.

Each of the z. B. designed as a plate cylinder printing forme cylinder transfers with its printing forme or with its printing block in each case a specific ink on a blanket. The printing inks used are i. i.e. R. to pre-mixed, especially customer-specific special colors that are matched in terms of their respective printability in a special way on the material of the hollow body to be printed, depending on whether a surface z. B. aluminum, a tinplate or a plastic is printed. In a preferred embodiment of a device for printing or for decorating each z. B. a cylindrical lateral surface having hollow bodies, a printing ink from the printing forme or the printing block to the lateral surface of the hollow body in question is provided transferring device. This ink-transferring device is preferably designed as a segmented wheel rotating about an axis, in particular a horizontal one. H. along its circumference in a row preferably several, z. B. eight, ten, twelve or even more blankets are arranged or at least can be arranged. As an alternative to the segmented wheel, depending on the printing process used, the ink-transferring device can also be designed as a decoration drum or as a printing blanket cylinder or as a transfer cylinder, which can be rotated about a rotational axis at least during printing. The arrangement of the blankets on the circumference of the segmented wheel has so far been characterized in that the blankets on the circumference of the segmented wheel each z. B. are attached by a material connection, preferably by gluing. The preferably several printing forme cylinders or plate cylinders are or at least can be placed radially on the printing blankets arranged on the circumference of the relevant segmented wheel. In a particularly preferred embodiment of a device for printing or for decorating a z. B. cylindrical outer surface having hollow bodies is arranged along the circumference of the segmented wheel one behind the other a larger number of printing blankets than radially employed or at least adjustable printing forme cylinders or plate cylinders are provided on the segmented wheel. The preferably carousel-like ink-transferring device, in particular the segmented wheel has a diameter of z. B. 1400 mm to 1600 mm, preferably about 1520 mm to 1525 mm, and has at z. B. eight associated printing form cylinders or plate cylinders on its circumference in a row z. B. twelve printing blankets. The surface of each printing block is preferably designed with a greater hardness than the hardness of the respective surface of the printing blankets. The surface of the blankets is preferably flat, i. H. formed without a profile. In an operating state in which the printing forme cylinders or plate cylinders involved in the printing process are each set radially against the printing blankets of the rotatively driven segmented wheel, the respective printing formes of these printing forme cylinders or the respective printing plates of these plate cylinders roll on the printing blankets moved with the segmented wheel, with the printing plates at least their pressure relief each z. B. 0.2 mm to 0.25 mm deep in the respective printing blanket and thereby in the relevant Drucktuck extending in the axial direction of the segmented wheel flattening, d. H. produce a roller strip. An intensity of the flattening is z. B. before or at the beginning of a printing process z. B. by means of a remote control by adjusting a pressure force exerted by the relevant printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder on the relevant printing blanket of the segmented wheel or is set in this way.

The hollow body to be printed here as an example, e.g. B. the two-part cans to be printed, z. B. by means of a hollow body to be printed preferably along at least part of a circular path, d. H. a circular arc about an axis of rotation, preferably by means of a feed wheel, in particular by means of a mandrel wheel, continuously or in a set cycle to at least one of the printing units belonging to the device for printing a lateral surface of hollow bodies and thus to a printing area of at least one of these printing units transported. For example, the hollow body to be printed by means of z. B. designed as a feed transport device to at least one of the z. B. on the segmented wheel arranged printing blankets, or the hollow bodies to be printed are each directly and immediately by means of this transport device, d. H. without the help of a z. B. designed as a segment wheel ink-transferring device transported in the respective printing area of at least one of these printing units, which is the case when the printing unit in question in a direct printing process, z. B. prints in an inkjet printing process.

That like e.g. B. the segmented wheel also rotates around a preferably horizontal axis feed wheel or mandrel wheel points concentrically its circumference in preferably equidistant distribution several, z. B. 24 or 36 holder z. B. each in the form of a mandrel projecting from a front side of the mandrel wheel or a spindle, wherein one of the hollow bodies to be printed is held or at least can be held by each holder. A transport device designed as a mandrel wheel is sometimes also referred to as a turntable with spindles. A mandrel wheel is z. B. in the EP 1 165 318 A1 described. A description of suitable holders, spindles or mandrels can be found e.g. B. in the WO 2011/156052 A1 . In the following, each mandrel is referred to as a mandrel for short. A longitudinal axis of each mandrel is directed parallel to the axis of the mandrel wheel. In the case of each z. B. designed as a two-piece can to be printed hollow bodies, each of these hollow bodies z. B. by means of a conveyor, z. B. a belt conveyor to which z. B. trained as a mandrel wheel transport device and there at a transfer station z. B. pulled up sucking by means of vacuum on one of the mandrels of the mandrel wheel and then held by the mandrel in question, while designed as a mandrel wheel transport means the respective hollow body to be printed z. B. to the occupied with at least one blanket segment wheel and thus transported in the direction of at least one of the printing units or in an alternative embodiment z. B. transported directly to at least one of the printing units without segment wheel. i.d. R. are fed to the mandrel wheel with the conveyor in rapid succession in rapid succession to a larger amount of hollow bodies to be printed. Such a conveyor is z. B. in the EP 1 132 207 A1 described.

A gap with a width of less than 1 mm, z. B. formed of 0.2 mm, so that the hollow body to be printed is not held by a pressure on the mandrel in question. Each spike is z. B. can be rotated about its respective longitudinal axis by means of a motor and in particular can be adjusted to a specific peripheral speed, so that each hollow body to be printed on held by a mandrel can be rotated in addition to the rotation of the mandrel wheel by a rotation performed or at least executable independently by the mandrel. The hollow body to be printed is placed on one of the mandrels of the mandrel wheel preferably during a standstill phase of the relevant mandrel, with the relevant mandrel not rotating about its own longitudinal axis during its standstill phase. The occupancy of each mandrel with a hollow body to be printed is preferably checked, e.g. B. contactless with a sensor. If there is no occupancy of a mandrel with a hollow body to be printed, the mandrel wheel z. B. moves in such a way that contact of the relevant free mandrel is reliably avoided with a printing blanket of the segmented wheel.

Two-piece cans to be printed are z. B. to the mandrel wheel in a processing station upstream of the mandrel wheel, e.g. B. deep-drawn from a blank. In a further processing station, the edge of each two-part can is trimmed at its open end. Each two-part can is processed in further processing stations, e.g. B. washed, especially its interior washed out, if necessary, the inner wall and the bottom of the two-piece can in question are also painted. At least the outer surface of each two-piece can is z. B. primed, especially with a white primer. After printing its lateral surface, each two-piece can is removed from its respective holder, e.g. B. on the mandrel z. B. removed by compressed air or by a preferably switchable magnet and fed to at least one processing station downstream of the mandrel wheel, e.g. B. a painting station for painting the outer surface of each printed two-piece can and / or an edge processing station. The printed two-part cans pass through a dryer, e.g. B. a hot air dryer to cure the at least one applied to their respective lateral surface printing ink.

The printing process for printing in particular the respective lateral surface of z. B. held on the mandrel wheel hollow bodies, especially two-part cans, begins with the fact that all the inks required for the print image to be printed on the respective lateral surface of the hollow body z. B. from the respective printing block z. B. applied to the segmented wheel employed plate cylinder on the same of one of the arranged on the periphery of the segmented wheel printing blankets. The printing blanket in question, which has been inked with all the necessary printing inks in this way, then transfers these printing inks simultaneously during a single rotation of the hollow body to be printed, which is held on one of the mandrels of the mandrel wheel about its longitudinal axis, to the lateral surface of this hollow body in a physical contact between the printing blanket and the lateral surface of the hollow body to be printed. The z. B. held by one of the mandrels of the mandrel wheel to be printed hollow body with an equal peripheral speed as the relevant z. B. at the periphery of the segmented wheel arranged printing blanket. The respective peripheral speeds of the hollow body and printing blanket or segmented wheel are accordingly synchronized with each other, the z. B. held on one of the mandrels of the mandrel wheel to be printed hollow body z. B. starting from its first point of contact with the blanket in question during the rolling of its lateral surface over a distance from the first z. B. 50 mm from the circumferential length of the blanket from its standstill in particular until the peripheral speed is reached z. B. the segment wheel is accelerated accordingly. The segment wheel carrying the blanket in question are therefore the z. B. on the respective mandrel of the mandrel wheel to be set peripheral speed. The peripheral speed of the printing forme-carrying printing forme cylinder or of the plate cylinder carrying the printing plate is or is preferably a function of the peripheral speed z. B. the segment wheel. The mandrel wheel and the segment wheel can, for. B. driven by the same central machine drive and optionally mechanically z. B. coupled to each other via a gear. In the embodiment according to the invention, however, the mandrel wheel and the segmented wheel are each driven individually by their own drive and their respective rotational behavior is controlled or regulated by a control unit.

In particular, with reference to the device described so far for printing or for decorating in particular one z. B. cylindrical lateral surface having hollow bodies are explained below by way of example, various details. 1 shows a simplified schematic representation and example of a generic device for printing on or decorating hollow bodies 01, e.g. B. two-part cans 01, these hollow body 01 with a conveyor z. B. sequentially z. g. as a rotating or at least rotatable feed wheel, in particular as a mandrel wheel 02, and held there individually on a holder on this transport device. Based on the exemplary embodiment selected for the printing press or the device for printing on hollow bodies, it is assumed below that this transport device is preferably designed as a mandrel wheel 02. An ink-transferring device, e.g. B. a rotating or at least rotatable segmented wheel 03, along whose circumference several printing blankets are arranged one behind the other. In association with the segmented wheel 03 mentioned by way of example, a plurality of printing forme cylinders, in particular plate cylinders 04, which are or at least can be thrown radially onto this segmented wheel 03 are provided along its circumferential line, with a printing forme, in particular a printing block, being arranged on the respective lateral surface of this printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04, with this printing cliché is particularly suitable for carrying out a relief printing process. Each of the printing forme cylinders or plate cylinders 04 is supplied with a specific printing ink by means of an inking unit 06 for inking its printing forme or printing plate. In the following, it is assumed, for example, that the printing forme cylinders are each configured as a plate cylinder 04 carrying at least one printing block.

2 and 3 show a simplified schematic representation of a few details of the inking unit 06 that interacts with a plate cylinder 04. B. for use in the in 1 device shown is provided for printing or decorating, in particular, hollow bodies 01, each of which preferably has a cylindrical lateral surface. The inking unit 06 proposed here advantageously has a very short roller train for transporting ink from an ink reservoir to the relevant plate cylinder 04, ie consisting of only a few rollers, preferably a maximum of five rollers, in particular two rollers. In the case of the two-roller roller train, this roller train consists of only a single inking roller 07 and an anilox roller 08. An inking unit 06 with a roller train consisting of a maximum of five rollers belongs to the type of short inking units. 2 shows an example of a (short) inking unit 06 with a two-drum roller train in a first operating position, in which the inking roller 07 and the anilox roller 08 are placed against each other, the inking roller 07 is placed on the plate cylinder 04 and the plate cylinder 04 is also placed radially on the printing ink from the plate cylinder 04 are applied to the lateral surface of the respective hollow body 01, in particular to the segmented wheel 03. 3 shows for the in the 2 the inking unit 06 shown has a second operating position, in which the inking roller 07 and the anilox roller 08 are separated from each other, the inking roller 07 is separated from the plate cylinder 04 and the plate cylinder 04 is also separated from the device that transfers the printing ink, in particular from the segmented wheel 03. The on and off mechanism will be discussed later.

The plate cylinder 04 and the anilox roller 08 are z. B. each independently of a motor 11; 12 driven in rotation, especially in the preferred used in the 2 and 3 illustrated inking unit 06, the motor in question 11; 12 e.g. B. in its respective speed of a z. B. electronic control unit is particularly regulated or at least adjustable. the z. B. designed as a segmented wheel 03 printing ink In the preferred embodiment, the supporting device is driven in rotation by its own drive or, in an embodiment not according to the invention, by a central machine drive. The inking roller 07 is or is driven in rotation by the anilox roller 08 by friction. In the preferred embodiment, an outer diameter d07 of the inking roller 07 and an outer diameter d04 of the plate cylinder 04 carrying at least one printing forme, in particular at least one printing block, are equal in terms of amount. At least one printing plate is arranged or at least can be arranged on the lateral surface of the plate cylinder 04, so that in the embodiment with the same outer diameters d04; d07 the plate cylinder 04 carrying the printing block and the inking roller 07 each have an identical circumferential length. In the preferred embodiment, in the first operating position of the inking unit 06 interacting with the plate cylinder 04, in which the inking roller 07 and the anilox roller 08 are placed against one another, the inking roller 07 is placed on the plate cylinder 04 and the plate cylinder 04 is also placed on the segmented wheel 03. at least the respective centers of the plate cylinder 04, the inking roller 07 and the anilox roller 08 are arranged along the same straight line G. A detection device, e.g. B. provided in the form of a rotary encoder, this rotary encoder is in particular rigidly connected to a shaft of the ink forme roller 07. The signal generated by the rotary encoder when inking forme roller 07 rotates is used by the control unit to set the speed of inking forme roller 07 by rotating anilox roller 08 or, if necessary, to adjust it in such a way that plate cylinder 04 and inking forme roller 07 are synchronized or is set so that the peripheral speed of the inking roller 07 matches the peripheral speed of the plate cylinder 04 within previously specified permissible tolerance limits. To achieve this goal, it can be provided that the control unit sets the peripheral speed of the anilox roller 08, preferably during the setting phase it is executing, in such a way that it leads or lags the peripheral speed of the plate cylinder 04, particularly for a short period of time - and therefore not permanently. The design of the plate cylinder 04 and the inking roller 07 with the same circumferential length in each case and the setting of the synchronism between the plate cylinder 04 and the inking roller 07 largely prevent the effect of stenciling, which is detrimental to the print quality. The drive concept described here with a friction-driven inking roller 07 also has the advantage that a separate drive is not required for the inking roller 07, which saves costs and also because of the simpler mechanical design, e.g. B. facilitates replacement of the inking roller 07 during maintenance or repair work.

In its preferred embodiment, inking roller 07 has a closed, preferably rubberized, outer surface. The anilox roller 08 has a z. B. coated with a ceramic lateral surface, wherein in the ceramic layer has a hatch of z. B. 80 lines per centimeter of axial length of the anilox roller 08 or a cell structure. In order to enable the greatest possible quantity of printing ink to be fed into the roller train of inking unit 06 with each revolution of anilox roller 08, the outer diameter d08 of anilox roller 08 is preferably larger than the outer diameter d07 of inking forme roller 07. Anilox roller 08 should therefore have as large a delivery volume as possible. In the 2 the respective direction of rotation of the segmented wheel 03, the plate cylinder 04, the inking roller 07 and the anilox roller 08 is indicated by an arrow indicating the direction of rotation.

In the preferred embodiment, at least anilox roller 08 has a temperature control device that is used to control the temperature of the lateral surface of anilox roller 08. The temperature control device of the anilox roller 08 works e.g. B. with a tempering fluid introduced into the interior of the anilox roller 08, wherein the tempering fluid z. B. is water or another liquid coolant. The delivery volume of the anilox roller 08 can be influenced with the temperature control device of the anilox roller 08, since this influences the viscosity of the printing ink to be transported by the inking unit 06. The delivery volume of the anilox roller 08 and the viscosity of the printing ink to be transported by the inking unit 06 ultimately influence the color density of the printing ink to be applied to the cylindrical lateral surface of the hollow body 01 to be printed. The thickness of an ink film formed by the printing ink and to be applied to the cylindrical lateral surface of the hollow body 01 to be printed is e.g. B. at less than 10 microns, especially at about 3 microns.

The ink reservoir of the inking unit 06 is z. B. as a chamber doctor blade system 09 acting in conjunction with the anilox roller 08. In this chamber doctor blade system 09, at least one ink tray, a doctor blade that is or at least can be placed on anilox roller 08 with an axis parallel to it, and preferably also a pump for conveying the printing ink, advantageously form a single structural unit. This chamber doctor blade system 09 is in the inking unit 06, ie on a frame of the inking unit 06, preferably only on one side, e.g. B. through held or mounted on a suspension so that this structural unit can be easily removed laterally after it has been detached from the frame of the inking unit 06, ie by a movement directed axially parallel to the anilox roller 08, e.g. B. can be removed from the inking unit 06 and thus replaced by pulling on a handle arranged on this structural unit. This structural unit of chamber doctor blade system 09 preferably forms a cantilever arm on a side frame of inking unit 06. 4 shows a perspective view of the chamber doctor blade system 09, which is designed as a single structural unit, in interaction with the anilox roller 08 of the inking unit 06.

After the anilox roller 08 ink from the ink reservoir, i. H. particularly picked up by the chamber doctor blade system 09, the anilox roller 08 transports this printing ink directly or via other rollers of the roller train belonging to the inking unit 06 to the preferably only one ink forme roller 07 In the following area between the chamber doctor blade system 09 and the inking roller 07, a rider roller 13 is preferably placed or at least can be placed on the anilox roller 08 in order to improve the ink transport of the anilox roller 08. The rider roller 13 is arranged with its axis parallel to the anilox roller 08. The rider roller 13 is not considered to be part of the roller train of the inking unit 06, since it does not transfer any printing ink from the anilox roller 08 to another roller. The anilox roller 08 z. B. by friction rotationally driven rider roller 13 has z. B. on a rubberized surface. As it rolls on the lateral surface of anilox roller 08, rider roller 13, which is set against anilox roller 08, sucks some of the printing ink picked up by anilox roller 08 by chamber doctor blade system 09 from the hatch or the cells of anilox roller 08 and places this printing ink at least partially on the lateral surface of the Anilox roller 08 formed webs. As a result, the rider roller 13 rolling on the anilox roller 08 causes the anilox roller 08 to deliver a larger quantity of printing ink to the inking roller 07. In another episode, at a z. g. anilox roller 08 having a temperature control device, also improves the effectiveness of controlling the ink density in that the rider roller 13 rolling on the anilox roller 08 contributes to the provision of a larger quantity of printing ink. The rider roller 13 rolling on the anilox roller 08 thus reduces the actual design of the anilox roller 08, i. H. with or without a temperature control device, both density differences that can arise due to manufacturing tolerances of anilox roller 08 and the risk of the hatch or cells of anilox roller 08 being visible on the printing substrate, i. H. here on the lateral surface of the hollow body 01 to be printed as a result of insufficient ink application, at least in places.

In a very advantageous embodiment of the device for printing on hollow bodies is preferably in a fixed assignment z. B. for each printing forme cylinder, in particular plate cylinder 04, a plate changer 14 is provided, with which the printing forme intended for the printing forme cylinder in question or the printing block intended for the plate cylinder 04 in question within z. B. the device in question for printing or decorating hollow bodies 01, each of which has a particularly cylindrical lateral surface, can be exchanged, preferably in an automated manner. the 5 and 6 show a perspective representation of a preferred embodiment of a very advantageously designed plate changer 14 in two different operating positions for carrying out a plate change or printing forme change that can be carried out in a very short set-up time, preferably automatically, reliably and preferably also in register. 5 shows a first operating position in which axially laterally next to the printing unit on the printing forme cylinder or plate changer 14 z. B. presented a printing plate or can be removed from the plate changer 14. 6 shows a second operating position in which directly in front of the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 along this from the plate changer 14 z. B. a printing block can be placed directly on the associated plate cylinder 04 or a printing block can be removed from the plate cylinder 04 and removed with the plate changer 14 in its first operating position. The disk changer 14 has a particular plan, z. B. table-shaped support surface 16 on which z. B. a printing plate that is or is to be arranged on plate cylinder 04 can preferably be placed completely. The support surface 16 is preferably linearly movable along a transport path, in particular along the axis of rotation of the associated printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04, so that it can move bidirectionally between at least two defined positions, ie it can be moved back and forth. The plate changer 14 assumes its first operating position in a first position of the bearing surface 16 located laterally next to the printing unit, and assumes its second operating position in a second position of the bearing surface 16 located directly in front of the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 along the latter. In the first operating position, the bearing surface 16 of the plate changer 14 is located at least partially in front of an end face of the relevant printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04. In the second operating position, the bearing surface 16 of the plate changer 14 is preferably located at least partially below the lateral surface of the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder cylinder 04. The movement of the bearing surface 16 of the record changer 14 takes place e.g. B. along a traverse 17 arranged longitudinally to the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04. The bearing surface 16 of the plate changer 14 thus has an axial travel path with respect to the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 in question. At the first or the second operating position of the disc changer 14 defining positions, the movement of the support surface 16 z. B. each limited by a stop. At least the carrier of the printing block in question is z. B. by a trimming executed in particular using fiducial marks in such a way that the printing block in question can be arranged in register on the bearing surface 16 of the plate changer 14 . For this purpose, at least two edges of the carrier of the relevant printing cliché, which are arranged at right angles to one another, are brought into physical contact with stops arranged on the support surface 16 of plate changer 14 and formed in particular by register pins, with a first edge of the carrier of the relevant printing cliché being pressed against a first register pin and a second edge, orthogonal to the first edge, of the carrier of the relevant printing block strikes a second register pin, one of these two register pins being changeable and preferably adjustable in its position. By setting the variable in its position register pin z. B. the printing block in question can be aligned in register. The register pin, which can be changed in its position, can be adjusted manually or automatically. Since the printing block is fed to the relevant plate cylinder 04 in register, z. B. no centering pin and no other register means provided.

The record changer 14 has in its preferred embodiment, in addition to the support surface 16 for receiving a z. B. the plate cylinder 04, in particular printing blocks to be fed in register, e.g. B. a subject in which z. B. a printing block removed from the plate cylinder 04 can be stored. a z. B. by means of its carrier, in particular magnetically held on the lateral surface of the relevant plate cylinder 04, z. B. by means of a tangentially guided to the printing form tool, z. B. by means of a spatula guided between the carrier of the printing plate and the lateral surface of the plate cylinder 04 in question is lifted off the lateral surface of the plate cylinder 04 in question, or can at least be lifted from there. One end of the printing block in question, which is lifted off the lateral surface of the plate cylinder 04 in question, is inserted into the compartment in question of the plate cylinder 04 by rotating the plate cylinder 04 in question. By continuing this rotation of the plate cylinder 04 in question, the entire printing plate that has been detached from the lateral surface of the plate cylinder 04 in question is then pushed into the compartment in question of the plate changer 14.

A printing plate that is to be fed to the plate cylinder 04 in question, preferably in register, is held on the bearing surface 16 of the plate changer 14 by a magnetic holding force, in particular after it has been aligned in register. There is at least one stamp, preferably two stamps arranged spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the plate cylinder 04 in question, each with a stamp that is directed counter to the magnetic holding force, towards the bearing surface 16 of the plate changer 14, e.g. g. in an essentially orthogonal direction of action, with which at least one stamp can be used to detach at least one end of the printing block held on the bearing surface 16 of the plate changer 14 that faces the relevant plate cylinder 04 from this bearing surface 16 and to transfer it to the relevant plate cylinder 04 as a result of a lifting movement of the at least one stamp is. The at least one stamp is z. B. pneumatically operated or is at least so operable. Magnets are used to hold the printing forme or the printing plate on the support surface 16 of the plate changer 14 or on the lateral surface of the plate cylinder 04, with these magnets preferably being designed as permanent magnets. The configuration of plate cylinder 04 described above has the advantage that a conveyor device for transferring the printing plate to the relevant plate cylinder 04 or for removing the printing plate from the relevant plate cylinder 04 is not required and the plate changer 14 can therefore be implemented very cost-effectively. In particular, a plate change can be carried out automatically with the plate changer 14 described above.

The respective engagement and/or disengagement of printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04, ink forme roller 07 and/or anilox roller 08 and/or an adjustment of the contact pressure exerted by each of them is carried out with a 2 and 3 shown on and off mechanism, which will now be described in more detail. In the preferred embodiment, the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 is mounted, in particular at both ends, on a load arm of a first lever assembly 18, which is preferably one-sided and consists of a power arm and the load arm, with the power arm and the load arm of this first lever assembly 18, which is arranged at a fixed angle to the power arm, rotating around an axis parallel to the Plate cylinder 04 directed first axis of rotation 19 are pivotable. In an operative connection to the power arm of the first lever Regulation 18 is a preferably controllable by a control unit first drive 21 z. g. in the form of a hydraulic or pneumatic working cylinder, wherein when this first drive 21 is actuated, depending on its direction of action, the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 arranged on the load arm of this first lever arrangement 18 is either moved by a printing blanket, e.g. B. the segment wheel 03 is turned off or employed on the same. To limit the pressure from the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 against the printing blanket in question, e.g. B. the segmented wheel 03, a first stop 22 is provided, for example for the power arm of the first lever assembly 18, by means of which a path covered by the pivoting movement of the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 against the segmented wheel 03 is limited. With the first drive 21, the contact pressure exerted by the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 against the segmented wheel 03 can be adjusted.

In the preferred embodiment, the inking roller 07 is also mounted, in particular at both ends, on a load arm of a preferably one-sided second lever arrangement 23 consisting of a power arm and the load arm, with the power arm and the load arm of this second lever arrangement 23 together about the first axis of rotation 19 are pivotable. In the preferred embodiment, anilox roller 08 is also mounted, in particular at both ends, on a load arm of a preferably one-sided third lever arrangement 24 consisting of a force arm and the load arm, with the force arm and the load arm of this third lever arrangement 24 jointly rotating about a second axis of rotation directed axially parallel to anilox roller 08 26 are pivotable, wherein the second axis of rotation 26 of the third lever assembly 24 is arranged on the second lever assembly 23, wherein the second axis of rotation 26 is formed on the second lever assembly 23 stationary. On the load arm of the first lever arrangement 18, there is a preferably controllable second drive 27, which acts on the force arm of the second lever arrangement 23 when it is actuated, and by means of which the inking roller 07 can be moved towards or away from the plate cylinder 04, depending on the direction of action of the second drive 27. A preferably controllable third drive 28, which acts on the force arm of the third lever arrangement 24 when it is actuated, is arranged on the load arm of the second lever arrangement 23, by means of which the anilox roller 08, preferably together with the chamber doctor blade system 09, can be set against the ink forme roller 07 or from it, depending on the direction of action of the third drive 28 this one can be turned off. The second drive 27 and / or the third drive 28 are each z. B. also in the form of a hydraulic or pneumatic working cylinder. It can be provided that the second drive 27 and the third drive 28 z. B. are operated together and preferably simultaneously or at least are operable. The pivoting movement of the load arm of the second lever assembly 23 is z. B. limited by a preferably adjustable, in particular adjustable by an eccentric first stop system 29, whereby the contact pressure exerted by the inking roller 07 against the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 is limited or at least can be limited. The pivotal movement of the load arm of the third lever assembly 24 is z. B. limited by a preferably adjustable, in particular adjustable by an eccentric second stop system 31, whereby the contact pressure exerted by the anilox roller 08 against the inking roller 07 is limited or at least can be limited. 2 shows an example of a first operating state in which the first drive 21 and the second drive 27 and the third drive 28 are each not actuated or in their idle state, as a result of which anilox roller 08 is attached to ink forme roller 07 and ink forme roller 07 to printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 and the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 are each set against the segmented wheel 03. 3 shows an example of a second operating state in which the first drive 21 and the second drive 27 and the third drive 28 are each actuated or in their working state, whereby the anilox roller 08 from the ink forme roller 07 and the ink forme roller 07 from the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 and the Printing forme cylinders or plate cylinders 04 are each turned off by segmented wheel 03. The respective power arm and / or load arm of the three aforementioned lever assemblies 18; 23; 24 is or are each z. B. as a pair of opposing lever rods or side frame walls, between which either the printing forme cylinder or plate cylinder 04 or the ink forme roller 07 or the anilox roller 08 is arranged in the respective previously described assignment. The three aforementioned lever assemblies 18; 23; 24 are each arranged in different vertical planes spaced apart from one another, so that they do not impede one another in their respective pivotability.

As already described and in 13 shown, are usually several, e.g. B. eight to twelve printing blankets 33 are arranged, wherein during the printing process, during the rotation of this segmented wheel 03 about an axis of rotation 34, printing formes of the printing forme cylinder or printing plates of the plate cylinder 04 roll on the printing blankets 33 moved with this segmented wheel 03. During the rolling, the printing blocks press at least their pressure relief each z. B. 0.2 mm to 0.25 mm deep into the respective pressure cloth 33, whereby the printing blankets are subject to wear and, depending on their nature and in particular mechanical stress, after a certain number of prints, e.g. B. must be renewed after 50,000 printed hollow bodies 01. If in a device for printing or decorating hollow bodies 01 that has this segmented wheel 03, ie in a so-called decorator, in mass production, e.g. B. several hundred or even a few thousand of these hollow bodies 01 per minute, z. If, for example, between 1,500 and 3,000 pieces are produced per minute, the printing blankets 33 arranged on the circumference of the segmented wheel 03 have to be replaced quite frequently, possibly every half hour or approximately every three quarters of an hour. In order to keep the productivity of such a device for printing or decorating hollow bodies 01 high, a solution is being sought to carry out the necessary renewal of the printing blankets 33 arranged on the circumference of the segmented wheel 03 with the shortest possible set-up time.

It is therefore proposed to provide a device for automatically changing the printing blankets 33 in association with the segmented wheel 03. In the preferred embodiment, each of these printing blankets 33 to be arranged on segmented wheel 03 is mounted on a preferably flat, tabular metal support with a material thickness of e.g. B. 0.2 mm cohesively, in particular applied by gluing. The respective, preferably magnetizable, metal carrier, together with the printing blanket 33 arranged on it, is then mounted on one of the segments 32 on the circumference of the segmented wheel 03, e.g. B. by at least one holding magnet provided there on the circumference for each printing blanket 33 or its carrier, in particular arranged in the correct position. In order to support the correct positioning of the respective metal carrier on the relevant segment 32 on the circumference of the segmented wheel 03, e.g. B. on the leading edge 37 of the respective metal carrier in the direction of rotation of the segmented wheel 03, an acute-angled suspension leg 38 is provided, with this suspension leg 38 being arranged on one of the segments 32 on the circumference of the segmented wheel 03 in one on the circumference of this segmented wheel 03 parallel to its axis of rotation 34 directed z. B. designed as a groove engages recess 36 and comes into contact with a leading edge 39 of the relevant recess 36 in the direction of rotation of the segmented wheel 03, in particular in a form-fitting manner. The printing blankets 33 are each preferably designed as a rubber blanket. The direction of rotation of the segmented wheel 03 during the printing process is in the 13 indicated by an arrow indicating the direction of rotation. During the printing process, the hollow bodies 01, which are guided by the mandrel wheel 02 rotating about the axis of rotation 41 on a mandrel to the segmented wheel 03, are individually and successively briefly attached to the relevant currently printing blanket 33 is pressed.

The device for automatically changing the blankets 33 is preferably modular and has - as in the 7 until 12 shown as an example - as modules z. B. a memory device 42 for several, z. B. up to twelve printing blankets 33 on ( 7 ) and a device 43 for vertical transport of the aforementioned storage device 42 ( 8th ) and a device 44 for transporting one of the printing blankets 33 horizontally between the storage device 42 and a mounting location on the segmented wheel 03 ( 9 ). the 10 shows the storage device 42 in its operating state arranged on the device 43 provided for its vertical transport. The storage device 42 has, in a preferably cuboid housing, a plurality of compartments arranged vertically one above the other, in each of which a single printing blanket 33 is stored backwards, ie lying on its carrier, preferably in a horizontal orientation, or at least can be stored. B. at least as many compartments are provided as the associated segmented wheel 03 has segments 32 for printing blankets 33 on its circumference. The subjects are each z. B. open at least on one of its long sides, in order to allow a supply or removal of the respective printing blanket 33 on the open side of the respective compartment. This storage device 42 is preferably on or on a carrier of the device 43 for the vertical transport of this storage device 42 as a light, z. B. tool-free interchangeable module attached or at least attachable. The device 43 for the vertical transport of the storage device 42 is z. B. executed a lifting movement, wherein the vertical travel z. B. is about 200 mm. The lifting movement of the device 43 for the vertical transport of the storage device 42 is z. B. by means of a preferably driven by an electric motor trapezoidal thread spindle. In order to transport the individual printing blankets 33 between the storage device 42 and an assembly location on a segment 32 of the segmented wheel 03, a device 44 for the horizontal transport of these printing blankets 33 is provided. This device 44 for the horizontal transport of the blankets 33 has z. B. a between two end points bidirectional, in particular linearly movable carriage 46, with the carriage 46 in each case a single printing blanket 33 is transported Or at least transportable. A from the storage device 42 automatically removed printing blanket 33 is on the carriage 46 preferably lying on its back against a z. B. below the segmented wheel 03 and transported to the installation site and picked up there by a segment 32 of the segmented wheel 03. A printing blanket 33 that is to be removed from a segment 32 of segmented wheel 03 is preferably peeled off the segment 32 in question using a spatula 47 that is or can at least be placed on the segment 32 in question and removed from its dismantling location on the circumference of segmented wheel 03, e.g. B. lying on carriage 46 to the storage device 42, wherein the spatula 47, which is applied at an acute angle or tangentially to the segment 32 of the segmented wheel 03 in question, in conjunction with a rotational movement of the segmented wheel 03 directed against the spatula 47, in the preferred embodiment, respectively lifts off the metal carrier of the printing blanket 33 in question, which is held magnetically on the circumference of the segmented wheel 03, in particular, from the segment 32 in question and thus from the circumference of this segmented wheel 03. In the 11 the spatula 47 is shown both in an operating position placed on the relevant segment 32 of the segmented wheel 03 and in a parked operating position, with these operating positions being assumed alternatively.

The renewal or replacement of at least one of the printing blankets 33 arranged on the circumference of segmented wheel 03 is then preferably carried out as follows:

As a result of its rotation, the segmented wheel 03 conveys a printing blanket 33 that is arranged on its periphery and is to be removed into a position at which this printing blanket 33 can be removed using the device for automatically changing the printing blankets 33. The carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33 travels along its travel path to that end point which is closest to the dismantling location of the printing blanket 33 to be removed. This position of the carriage 46 is preferably monitored by sensors and/or by a first switching element 48, e.g. B. by an inductive or capacitive proximity switch. The spatula 47 is then preferably positioned on the trailing edge 37 of the metal support of the relevant printing blanket 33 to be removed in the direction of rotation of segmented wheel 03. An at least brief rotary movement of segmented wheel 03 in the opposite direction to its direction of rotation during the printing process causes the printing blanket 33 to be removed, which is preferably held magnetically on the circumference of segmented wheel 03, to be peeled off the circumference of this segmented wheel 03, i. H. the metal carrier of the printing blanket 33 is lifted from its support on the segmented wheel 03. The spatula 47 is then placed back off the circumference of the segmented wheel 03. The printing blanket 33 released from the relevant segment 32 of segmented wheel 03 either falls directly into a storage device for worn printing blankets 33 due to gravity or is transported to this storage device for worn printing blankets by means of carriage 46 of device 44 for the horizontal transport of printing blankets 33.

A new printing blanket 33 glued to a metal carrier is inserted in at least one compartment, preferably in all compartments, of the storage device 42 provided for several new printing blankets 33, with this storage device 42 preferably being arranged in a raised, upper position by the device 43 for its vertical transport . The carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport of one of the printing blankets 33 between the storage device 42 and the assembly location on the segmented wheel 03 is arranged below the compartment with the new printing blanket 33. By lowering this storage device 42 by the device 43 for the vertical transport, the new printing blanket 33 is deposited on the carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport. It is preferably sensory and / or by a second switching element 49, z. B. by an inductive or capacitive proximity switch, whether the new blanket 33 has actually been placed on the carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport. If this is not the case, an error message appears. Otherwise, i.e. in an error-free state, the carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33 moves along its adjustment path to the end point that is closest to the installation location of the new printing blanket 33, with this position of the carriage 46 again preferably being detected by sensors and / or is monitored by a third switching element 51, z. B. by an inductive or capacitive proximity switch. The segmented wheel 03 is also already in an angular position suitable for receiving the new printing blanket 33, with this angular position z. B. at the base of the segment wheel 03 or in its vicinity. In the preferred embodiment, the position of new printing blanket 33 is at least aligned in register by striking at least stop 52 before it is mounted on the circumference of segmented wheel 03. To move the carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33, a drive is provided. B. is designed as a compressed air cylinder. In order to mount the new printing blanket 33 on the circumference of the segmented wheel 03, this segmented wheel 03 rotates to its position during the printing process Direction of rotation and takes on the new blanket 33 at its periphery. Thereafter, the carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33 is moved back to the storage device 42 for the several new printing blankets 33 in order to fetch another new printing blanket 33 if necessary.

In order to reduce set-up times, it is advantageous to design a device for printing on hollow bodies 01 in such a way that this device has a segmented wheel 03 that can be rotated about an axis of rotation 34, with segmented wheel 03 having a plurality of segments 32 one behind the other on its circumference, each for receiving a printing blanket 33 at least one of the printing blankets 33 arranged on one of the segments 32 is arranged to roll or at least be able to roll on the hollow body 01 to be printed, with several printing units being provided, with at least one of the printing units being attached to at least one of the printing blankets 33 arranged on the circumference of the segmented wheel 03 is or at least can be thrown on, with at least one of the printing units having a printing forme cylinder 04, with a plate changer 14 for automatically changing a printing forme being arranged on this printing forme cylinder 04 in association with the printing forme cylinder 04 in question, and in association with the segmented wheel 03 a device for automatically changing at least one of the printing blankets 33 arranged on the circumference of this segmented wheel 03. Plate changer 14 preferably has a support surface 16 on which the printing forme to be or is to be arranged on printing forme cylinder 04 can be placed, with this support surface 16 being movable bidirectionally along a transport path between at least two defined positions. The printing forme to be fed to the printing forme cylinder 04 in question is e.g. B. held by a magnetic holding force on the support surface 16 of the record changer 14. The device for automatically changing the printing blankets 33 is, in particular, of modular design, with the modules having a storage device 42 for a plurality of printing blankets 33 and a device 43 for vertically transporting this storage device 42 and a device 44 for horizontally transporting one of the printing blankets 33 between of storage device 42 and one of segments 32 of segmented wheel 03. The storage device 42 has a plurality of compartments arranged vertically one above the other in a housing, in each of which a single printing blanket 33 is stored or at least can be stored. The printing blankets 33 are each stored in the storage device 42 preferably lying on their backs and/or in a horizontal orientation. The device 43 for the vertical transport of the storage device 42 is z. B. executing a lifting movement and/or the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33 has a carriage 46 that can be moved bidirectionally between two end points, with a single printing blanket 33 being transported or at least being transportable with the carriage 46. The plate changer 14 and the device for automatically changing the blankets 33 are z. B. each controlled by a control unit, with the plate changer 14 and the device for automatically changing the printing blankets 33 each being active at the same time and carrying out their respective changing of a printing forme or a printing blanket 33 during the same production interruption of this device for printing on hollow bodies 01. The printing forme to be arranged on the printing forme cylinder 04 is preferably arranged in register on the support surface 16 of the plate changer 14 with regard to its mounting position on the printing forme cylinder 04 and/or the printing blanket 33 to be arranged on the circumference of the segmented wheel 03 is on the carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the Printing blankets 33 are arranged in the correct position with regard to their assembly position on a segment 32 of the segmented wheel 03. An inking unit 06 that transports printing ink to the printing forme cylinder 04 is preferably embodied as a short inking unit that has an anilox roller 08.

With regard to a device for printing hollow bodies 01, which has a segmented wheel 03 that can be rotated about an axis of rotation 34, the segmented wheel 03 having a plurality of segments 32 in succession on its circumference, each for receiving a printing blanket 33, with at least one of the segments being arranged on one of the segments 32 If printing blankets 33 are arranged to roll or at least be able to roll on the hollow body 01 to be printed, with adjacent segments 32 being separated from one another by a recess 36 oriented parallel to the axis of rotation 34 of segmented wheel 03, it is also advantageous for each of the printing blankets 33 to be on a plate-shaped metal carrier is arranged, with the carrier, together with the printing blanket 33 arranged on it, being arranged or at least arrangable as a whole on one of the segments 32 of the segmented wheel 03 such that it can be changed, with the carrier arranged on one of the segments 32 of the segmented wheel 03 being mounted on this segment 32 in a m form fit and / or held in a force fit. Each carrier of a printing blanket 33 is beveled, preferably at an acute angle, on its leading edge 37 in the direction of rotation of segmented wheel 03, with this bevel 38 being attached to an edge 39 of the relevant am extent of Segment wheel 03 formed recess 36 is applied, wherein the fold 38 of the carrier is arranged or at least can be arranged in a positive fit on this edge 39 of the recess 36. The plate-shaped metallic carrier is in particular designed to be flexible and, together with the printing blanket 33 arranged on it, forms, e.g. B. a metal printing blanket. The carrier arranged on one of the segments 32 of the segmented wheel 03 is held on this segment 32 by a magnetic force. At the periphery of the segmented wheel 03 are in a row z. B. eight to twelve segments 32 are each arranged to accommodate a printing blanket 33 . In association with the segmented wheel 03 z. B. a device for automatically changing the printing blankets 33 is provided, the device for automatically changing the printing blankets 33 preferably having a modular structure and as modules a storage device 42 for a plurality of printing blankets 33 and a device 43 for vertical transport of the aforementioned storage device 42 and a device 44 for horizontal transport of one of the printing blankets 33 between the storage device 42 and one of the segments 32 of the segmented wheel 03. The storage device 42 has in a housing, in particular, a plurality of compartments arranged vertically one above the other, in each of which a single printing blanket 33 is stored or at least can be stored. In the housing of the memory device 42 z. B. at least as many compartments are provided as the associated segmented wheel 03 has segments 32 for printing blankets 33 on its circumference. In the preferred embodiment, the device 43 for the vertical transport of the storage device 42 is designed to perform a lifting movement and/or the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33 has a carriage 46 that can be moved bidirectionally between two end points, with the carriage 46 each having a individual printing blanket 33 is transported or at least can be transported.

There is also a method for operating a device for printing hollow bodies 01 that has a segmented wheel 03, in which case a printing blanket 33 is arranged on at least one segment 32 of segmented wheel 03, which has a plurality of segments 32 in succession around its circumference, with at least one being positioned on one of the When segmented wheel 03 rotates, the printing blanket 33 arranged in segments 32 rolls on the hollow body 01 to be printed, with a device for automatically changing printing blankets 33 assigned to segmented wheel 03, following a command sent to its control unit, changing that on the relevant segment 32 of the segmented wheel 03 automatically removes the printing blanket 33 to be arranged from a storage device 42 and transports it to the relevant segment 32 of segmented wheel 03. The device for automatically changing printing blankets 33 has a device 44 for horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33 with a movable carriage 46, the printing blankets 33 to be transported being transported lying on the carriage 46 in each case. A printing blanket 33 lying on carriage 46 is preferably arranged in the correct position with regard to an assembly position on one of the segments 32 of segmented wheel 03. In particular, a plurality of printing blankets 33 are stored in storage device 42, with printing blankets 33 each being deposited individually one after the other on carriage 46 of device 44 for the horizontal transport of printing blankets 33 and being transported one after the other to one of the segments 32 of segmented wheel 03. A printing blanket 33 to be arranged on one of the segments 32 of segmented wheel 03 is arranged on the segment 32 in question, in particular by a form fit created between the relevant segment 32 and the printing blanket 33 when this segmented wheel 03 rotates. A printing blanket 33 arranged on one of the segments 32 of the segmented wheel 03 is preferably moved by a z. B. magnetic friction on the relevant segment 32 is held. A printing blanket 33 that has been removed from one of the segments 32 of segmented wheel 03 is also preferably transported away from the relevant segmented wheel 03 by means of device 44 for the horizontal transport of printing blankets 33. It is preferably provided that the device 44 for the horizontal transport of the printing blankets 33 alternately transports a printing blanket 33 removed from one of the segments 32 of the segmented wheel 03 and a new one, i. H. unused printing blanket 33 is transported from storage device 42 to a free segment 32 of segmented wheel 03, i. H. to a segment 32 on which no printing blanket 33 is currently arranged. By means of a switching element 49 z. B. monitors whether a printing blanket 33 to be removed or removed from the storage device 42 has actually and/or been placed in the correct position on the carriage 46 of the device 44 for the horizontal transport.

14 shows a perspective view of the segmented wheel 03 of the device for printing on hollow bodies 01, with several, e.g. B. twelve segments 32 for receiving a printing blanket 33 are arranged. This segmented wheel 03 is preferably made of a cast material, e.g. B. cast iron, and has a mass z. B. of more than 500 kg, in particular of about 1,000 kg or more. The segmented wheel 03 has an outer diameter in the range of z. B. 1,400 mm to 1,600 mm. The segmented wheel 03 is with its shaft 53 in a frame 66 of this Device for printing hollow bodies 01, preferably at both ends, e.g. B. each mounted in particular in double-row roller bearings 63 and driven by a rotary drive. This drive, which drives segmented wheel 03 in rotation, is embodied as an electric motor 58 with a stator 61 and a rotor 62 having a hollow shaft 54, with hollow shaft 54 being arranged or at least capable of being arranged coaxially with shaft 53 of segmented wheel 03. In the arranged in the device for printing on hollow bodies 01 state - as the sectional view of 16 shown - protrudes the shaft 53 of the segment wheel 03 in the space of the motor 58 and the shaft 53 of the segment wheel 03 and the rotor 62 of the motor 58 are rigidly connected. The segmented wheel 03 is preferably z. B. rigidly connected to its shaft 53 by means of clamping elements 67 and thereby fixed on the shaft 53. The motor 58 provided for the rotary drive of the segmented wheel 03 is preferably designed as a high-pole, electric direct drive with a number of poles greater than twenty and/or as a permanent-magnet, brushless DC motor and is shown, for example, in FIG 15 shown in perspective. This motor 58 has z. B. a cooling device or is at least connected to such, wherein the cooling device is designed as a liquid cooling system. 15 shows two connections formed on the housing 59 of the motor 58 for this liquid cooling, namely a connection for the coolant inflow 56 and another connection for the coolant outflow 57. In an advantageous embodiment, this motor 58 is designed as a torque motor. A preferably digital control unit that controls or regulates this motor 58 is provided, with the control unit determining a position on the circumference of this segmented wheel 03 relative to a position on the lateral surface of a to be printed by positioning the shaft 53 of segmented wheel 03 in the stator of motor 58 Hollow body 01 is preferably set or at least adjustable with a positioning accuracy of less than 0.1 mm. Likewise, z. B. at the opposite end of the motor 58 of the shaft 53, a rotary encoder 64 is provided, wherein the rotary encoder 64 has a high angular resolution of z. B. has 27 bits and detects a rotational angle position of the shaft 53 of the segmented wheel 03 and makes a measured value corresponding to the rotational angle position of the shaft 53 of the segmented wheel 03 available to the control unit that controls or regulates the motor 58. The motor 58 and/or the rotary encoder are preferably each connected to the control unit that controls or regulates the motor 58 via a control bus.

The aforementioned embodiment of the rotary drive of the segmented wheel 03 has the advantage that this drive is decentralized and gearless and clutchless. This drive of the segmented wheel 03 is play-free and compact. In conjunction with the control unit of this drive, a position on the circumference of this segmented wheel 03 relative to a position on the lateral surface of a hollow body 01 to be printed on can easily be set with a positioning accuracy of less than 0.1 mm, which has a very advantageous effect on the print quality that can be achieved . Likewise, i. In conjunction with the double-row bearing of the segmented wheel 03, this segmented wheel 03 runs very smoothly, which ensures uniform ink transfer from the respective inking units 06 to the relevant printing blankets 33 arranged on the circumference of the segmented wheel 03. With the solution described here, high acceleration and thus short run-up times of 10 s or less can also be achieved for the segmented wheel 03. The proposed drive for the segmented wheel 03 also has the advantage of being low-noise and low-maintenance. All in all, this results in a very efficient drive for the segmented wheel 03.

Reference List

01

hollow body; two-piece can

02

mandrel wheel

03

segment wheel

04

plate cylinder

05

-

06

inking

07

inking roller

08

anilox roller

09

chamber doctor blade system

10

-

11

engine

12

engine

13

rider roller

14

record changer

15

-

16

bearing surface

17

traverse

18

Lever assembly, first

19

axis of rotation, first

20

-

21

drive, first

22

attack, first

23

Lever assembly, second

24

Lever assembly, third

25

-

26

axis of rotation, second

27

drive, second

28

drive, third

29

stop system, first

30

-

31

stop system, second

32

section (03)

33

blanket

34

axis of rotation (03)

35

-

36

recess

37

Edge (33)

38

suspension leg (33)

39

Edge (36)

40

-

41

axis of rotation (02)

42

storage device

43

Facility

44

Facility

45

-

46

sleds

47

spatula

48

switching element, first

49

switching element, second

50

-

51

switching element, third

52

attack

53

wave

54

hollow shaft

55

-

56

Connection for the coolant flow

57

Connection for the coolant drain

58

engine

59

housing

60

-

61

stator

62

rotor

63

roller bearing

64

encoder

65

-

66

frame

67

clamping element

d04

outer diameter

d07

outer diameter

d08

outer diameter

G

Just

Claims (6)

Device for printing on hollow bodies, with a segmented wheel (03) having a plurality of segments (32) on its circumference, with a printing blanket (33) for printing on the hollow bodies (01) being arranged on at least one segment (32) of the segmented wheel (03). , wherein the segmented wheel (03) is mounted with its shaft (53) in a frame (66) of this device and is driven in rotation by a drive, characterized in that the drive operates as an electric motor (58) with a stator (61) and a rotor (62) having a hollow shaft (54), the hollow shaft (54) being arranged coaxially to the shaft (53) of the segmented wheel (03), the shaft (53) of the segmented wheel (03) and the rotor (62 ) of the motor (58) are rigidly connected to one another, with the motor (58) being designed as a high-pole, electric direct drive with a number of poles greater than twenty, with the shaft (53) of the segmented wheel (03) in the frame (66) of this device at both ends each in double rows en roller bearings (63), the segmented wheel (03) having an outside diameter of more than 1,400 mm and a mass of more than 500 kg, a digital control unit controlling or regulating the motor (58) being provided, whereby a position on the Circumference of this segmented wheel (03) by positioning the shaft (53) of the segmented wheel (03) in the stator (61) of the motor (58) relative to a position on the lateral surface of a hollow body (01) to be printed with a positioning accuracy of less than 0, 1 mm is adjustable. device after claim 1 , characterized in that the motor (58) is designed as a permanent magnet brushless DC motor. device after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the motor (58) is designed as a torque motor. device after claim 1 or 2 or 3 , characterized in that the motor (58) has a cooling device, wherein the cooling device is designed as a liquid cooling system. device after claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 , characterized in that the segmented wheel (03) is fixed by means of at least one clamping element (67) on its shaft (53). device after claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 , characterized in that a rotary encoder (64) is provided, the rotary encoder (64) detecting an angular position of the shaft (53) of the segmented wheel (03) and a measured value corresponding to the angular position of the shaft (53) of the segmented wheel (03). provides the motor (58) controlling or regulating control unit.

Images