DE10232864A9 - Satellite printing machine for printing sheets - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a digital printing machine for sheet printing with a format-free digital printing unit in the circumferential direction, an intermediate cylinder downstream of the digital printing unit, which is at least partially covered with an elastic material, and a counter-pressure cylinder downstream of the intermediate cylinder, the counter-pressure cylinder having sheet-holding grippers and the cylinder on it Scope the gripper-receiving recesses.

Description

The invention relates to a satellite printing machine for printing sheets according to the generic term of claim 1.

In known satellite printing machines with gripper transport devices ( DE 43 03 796 A1 ) the number of rubber and plate cylinder pairs around a printing cylinder is limited to four for reasons of accessibility to the printing units, so that two printing units or twin stations must be arranged in series for perfect and reverse printing (duplex printing), via a turning unit are to be connected, as is also the case with the US Patent No. 5,660,108 and the DE-PS-435902 is provided.

In known so-called digital Printing machines, without gripper transport systems, according to the electrophotography process for indirect Pressure over rubber tapes and / or cylinders are tapes and / or imaging and blanket-related Cylinders inserted without gripper openings, or gripper channels, d. H. these are advantageously not format-bound in scope.

Are known in digital printing presses of different concepts for duplex printing (front and back printing, or front and back printing), z. B. via reversible bag ( US 5,552,875 ) (associated with the risk of warping, paper jam, damage, half productivity, with limited grammage and not so precise), twin installation (combined with inflexibility, large investment and many gripper transfers) or systems with half the width or half the circumference.

In the case of sheet-fed printing machines, turning systems are known (see DE 298 07 663 U1 ) for printing the sheets on the face and reverse side (recto verso). These systems are complex, make the machine inflexible due to its fixed position, lengthen the machine and require a white edge (gripper edge) on both sides of the sheets. In addition, register-accurate sheet guidance (register) is extremely difficult, which leads to inaccuracies.

The invention is concerned with Problem, an inexpensive To create satellite printing machine for printing sheets that without an additional Turning or intermediate drying in just one printing process multiple beauties and enables at least a simple reprint using digital Printing systems such as B. the electrophotography process, but with Grab transport systems for exact bow guidance and maximum substrate flexibility and not the least with format-independent in scope Imaging cylinders, d. H. Imaging cylinders without gripper openings, or without gripper channels. Stand the back of the gripper known to be above the cylinder surface and would cause damage the imaging cylinders, if there are no gripper openings, or gripper channels are provided.

In known satellite printing machines (WO 01 39 976 A1) were not the above. Digital printing requirements considered regarding the non-format-specific imaging cylinders.

The invention solves this problem with a satellite printing machine with the characterizing features of claim 1. Regarding essential further design features will become apparent from claims 2 to 29 referenced.

The satellite printing machine according to the invention is equipped with a 1 or two 2 central, designed as a blanket cylinder intermediate cylinder, which can be assigned a number of at least 1 to ten satellite printing units for face printing in the direction of rotation between the feed system having a feed cylinder or feed rollers and the delivery system and which interacts at least with a further satellite printing unit for the reverse printing, which in, direction of rotation is provided behind the delivery cylinder and in front of the feed cylinder. Such a machine structure enables single-color or multi-color face printing and at least one single-color reverse printing on sheet-like printing material, which can be printed in one pass without additional transfer or turning technology.

In advantageous versions the printing press can be adjusted radially by adjusting the feed, printing, Intermediate and delivery cylinders to variable thicknesses of the substrates can be adjusted (arrow Y).

The compact design of the satellite printing machine allows a printing process under uniform throughput conditions for the Printing material which, after precisely fitting, the intermediate cylinder happened in register. Therefore, the satellite printing machine according to the invention can Realize sheet printing with high cycle rates and full printing speed, taking also high print quality and low set-up time can be achieved. With this system is full-format printing of both the perfect and the perfect width of the printed sheet possible only one for the necessary edge strip is necessary for the gripper closure from the printing area of the plate cylinder circumference cannot be detected. So that will the paper loss is significantly reduced. The satellite printing machine is therefore also for difficult to handle printing materials such as cardboard boxes, plastics, Multi-layer packaging or the like can be used. This process will without turning the arches executed which also enables more precise registers (registers) to be achieved.

The object of the invention is to develop a hybrid system which uses a combination of flexographic printing (for flat or partial application, for example for conditioning, painting, primer application, effect colors, special colors, etc.) with multi-color digital printing and Dryer systems possibly with humidification systems. The conditioning systems must have the maximum flexibility for processing e.g. B. plastics with corona treatment. What is new is the concept with two intermediate cylinders of different sizes, which can be arranged in this compact concept.

Form in an advantageous embodiment the imaging cylinders with or without their toner delivery systems the machine's satellite printing units each have cassette-shaped units (so-called cassette slots), who move from their working position into a service position for or drive side are displaceable. This is easy despite dense succession of satellite printing units and conditioning systems a quick adjustment to changed Printing conditions, for example new toner containers, disability cylinders or Cleaning systems possible, being easy to access the ones to be executed Work made easier. Adjustments to the cassette systems or printing units can in the service position also during of the ongoing production process.

Problematic with digital printing is z. B. after the electrophotography process, the gloss formation of finished printing material.

The object of the invention is a single one Coating system of silicone oil and protective varnish with integrated drying.

Satellite printing machines are known whereby the feeder and the display are not arranged in one level which makes inline finishing stations difficult to combine. Drive systems using a vertical shaft for driving inline finishing are known, or further processing systems. These systems are complex and user-friendly, during disassembly and assembly. Separate servo drives bring with them the risk of misalignment, which z. B. the gripper systems seriously damaged can.

The object of the invention is the satellite printing machine in its conception to be interpreted in such a way that it is for the simple Combination of a mobile inline processing station suitable. A new development is the servo motors based on inventive Way combined with conventional gear drive, which makes the Movability of the finishing units is solved in an innovative way. Advantageous in process bundling is that the accuracy of the end products is increased and additional Processing facilities can be saved. This affects particularly advantageous in digital printing machines that are very suitable for print on demand applications are suitable.

Digital printing machines are known, their flexible use by expanding the machine configuration optimize with several paper feeders and delivery trays (sheet trays), which, however, take up a lot of space (large footprint) due to their horizontal Take the order and charge multiple investors and expenses.

New and much easier and a machine design with a vertical arrangement is more compact the so-called sheet trays for just a single investor and for only one display with the smallest possible floor space (footprint) the machine.

More details and advantageous Effects of the invention will be apparent from the description below and the drawings showing an embodiment of the satellite printing machine according to the invention illustrate. Show in the drawing.

According to another inventive embodiment 8th the gripper transport device in the cylinder can be mechanically lowered to below the cylinder surface at the moment when it is not used for sheet transport, so that the imaging cylinders can unwind regardless of format without gripper openings or clamping channels or without up / down movement.

New in sheet processing as offset rotary printing is the innovative arrangement of the gripper shaft, which is not just a lowering 10 + 11 allowed, but also swiveling for easy change of tensioned printing blankets ( 12 ).

Pneumatic gripper systems are also conceivable or can be lowered electromagnetically. The lowering mechanism of the The gripper can also be used to adapt to the variable thickness of the substrates serve.

1 Side view of the satellite printing machine according to the invention with a single intermediate cylinder and with satellite printing units arranged for distribution around the circumference for fine printing with a feeder and a delivery provided for the so-called sheet trays,

2 a side view of the satellite printing machine according to the invention with upper and lower intermediate cylinders with satellite printing units arranged distributed over the circumference, for perfecting with a feeder and a delivery system, provided for so-called sheet trays;

3 Side view with enlarged impression cylinder with assigned pre-press and finishing cassette and inline processing system;

4 an enlarged sectional view of one of the cassette systems for conditioning;

5 a representation of one of the cassette systems for imaging in different working positions;

6 and 7 is a schematic diagram of the satellite printing machine according to the invention with a drive concept in the area of the sheet delivery;

8th Side view with intermediate cylinder with gripper system;

9 . 10 . 11 . 12 and 13 Detail representations of one of the two intermediate cylinders in the area of the gripper transport system, illustrated in several working positions;

1

Satellite printing machine

2

between the cylinder

3

supply cylinder

4

Impression cylinder

5

discharge cylinder

6

sheet feeder

7

alignment table

8th

swing gripper

9

Feeder unit for pre-

Print

10

coating system

11

dryer

12

Blanket clamping system

13

pressure point

14

gripper system

15

Cassette unit, e.g. for

finishing

16

fixation system

17

gripper system sunk

18

Stacker

19

Bedruckstooffkassette

20

Lateral surface for fixation

21

Feeder unit Silicon

and paint application

22

Gripper opening or

chip channel

23

24

25

26

servo drive press

27

servo drive finishing

station

28

delivery chain

29

Sprocket display

30

contactless

two-wheel connection

31

Without gear train

32

With play free

gear train

33

Matrizzylinder

34

Patrizzylinder

35

punching and creasing device

36

Embossing and film device

37

Kickstand cassette

38

Anilxwalze

39

chambered doctor blade

40

Lacquer application roller

41

kickstand

machine frame

42

open Linear ball bearings

43

rail with traverse

44

supporting strut

45

rail

46

follower

47

gripper opening

48

chip channel

49

reserve

50

reserve

51

Feeder unit to

imaging

52

imaging cylinder

53

Toner Supply Unit

54

cassette inArbeitsposition

55

cassette in service

position to the operating side

56

cassette in service

position to the drive side

57

substrate

58

blanket curious; excited

59

cylinder body

60

clamping bar

61

looper back

62

clamping slot

63

tensioning direction

64

Gripper pad

65

blanket glued

66

Inline processing

67

display blanks

68

display die-cut sheet

69

disposal up

70

disposal ins.

cylinder interior

71

disposal downward

C

arrow Paper transport direction

D

direction of rotation

G

arrow Finishing station experience

K

arrow lateral adjustment

R

cleaning systems in cassette,

S

Satellite printing units for straight printing in cassette

W

Satellite printing units for back pressure in cassette

Y

arrow radial pressure supply

In 1 is one with 1 designated satellite printing machine shown that an intermediate cylinder equipped with rubber blankets ( 2 ) and impression cylinder 4 has, in the direction of rotation D a cleaning system (R) and seven satellite printing units (S) for multicolour straight printing.

A cassette unit is also shown ( 21 ) for the combined application of silicone oil and protective lacquer.

2 ditto how 1 but with a second intermediate 2 B and impression cylinder 4b arranged and with cleaning system R and counter pressure unit W, as well 2 Cassette units e.g. B. for finishing ( 15 ) arranged.

3 ditto how 1 , but with an enlarged impression cylinder 4c , so cassette unit for pre-press systems 9 and cassette unit for Fi nishing systems 15 can be arranged.

The inline processing unit is also shown 66 which is indicated by arrow G.

4 illustrates the support of one of the cassette units for finishing ( 15 ) in the area of the machine frame. The cassette unit is on rails ( 43 + 45 ) respective side stand of the machine frame ( 41 ) supported. The cassette unit ( 15 ) are moved in parallel. It is also conceivable that the satellite printing units S are moved together with these rails. In the embodiment shown, a linear ball bearing ( 41 ) or cam rollers ( 46 ) intended for the respective rails ( 2 ), and the rail ( 43 ) has a traverse below. For a precise displacement of the cylinders, the two rails are connected via a support strut ( 44 ) connected so that they can be moved next to the machine frame and returned in the opposite position to the working position without any distortion.

The cassette units for imaging ( 51 ) point in figure 5 one imaging cylinder each ( 52 ) and a toner supply unit ( 53 ). The cylinders in the cassette units ( 15 ) after lifting Y of their respective in the printing position ( 4 + 5 ) on the intermediate cylinder ( 2 ) can be moved to a service position without tipping the cassette unit. This increases the positional stability of the cassette units, so that a low-vibration pressure curve is possible during printing, which excludes pressure distortions.

The individual representation ( 5 ) one of the imaging cassette units ( 12 ) also clarifies their position in a general with ( 41 ) designated machine frame, the cassette unit ( 51 ) in the middle area, ie working position ( 54 ) is illustrated and the right-hand side of the picture shows that the cassette unit is parallel to the axis of rotation of the intermediate cylinder ( 2 ) in a side service position to the operating side ( 55 ) can be moved next to the machine frame (arrow K, 3 ).

It is also shown in a service position on the drive side ( 56 ).

With this concept of the satellite printing machine according to the invention 1 can be reached that up to ten satellite printing units for face printing ( 3 ) and up to ten satellite printing units for the backprint (W) can be assigned, which can be directly adjacent in a compact design. The satellite printing machine is particularly intended for full-size and double-sided printing of sheets, the gripper systems requiring a minimal stripe on the sheet for one-time access and thus advantageously reducing paper losses.

The intermediate cylinder ( 2 ) can be of the same ( 2 + 3 ) and different scope. ( 8th )

In a preferred embodiment, the intermediate cylinders 2a + 2 B a circumference of 300 to 3000 mm.

In the above arrangement loudly 8th the back pressure or fixation takes place in the area between the feed cylinder 3 and contact point or pressure point of both intermediate cylinders ( 17 ). It is also conceivable that the face printing and the back printing take place simultaneously and the fixing after the contact point 17 he follows.

It is conceivable that the machine 1 with gear train, and one or more servomotors as a drive (not shown) or a combination of both is provided.

The basic representation of the satellite printing machine 1 according to 1 shows their preferred application for sheets as in the area of the feed cylinder ( 3 ) detectable printing material, whereby the impression cylinder ( 4 ) and the delivery system ( 4 ) with gripping systems ( 14 ) are trained. The feed cylinder 3 is also an alignment table ( 7 ) upstream, which is adjustable in the transverse direction, in height, in the feed direction and / or in an oblique direction to the feed direction. It is also conceivable that on the alignment table ( 7 ) adjusting means, not shown, are provided, with which the above-described changes in the feed direction of the printing material can be carried out. These adjustments can also be made during the operation of the satellite printing machine 1 be made. The alignment table is equipped with vacuum conveyor belts, in the area of which respective format-dependent partitions are arranged in such a way that energy losses are avoided. (not shown) The concept of the machine 1 is designed so that the supply ( 3 ), Print- ( 4 ), Intermediate cylinder ( 2 ), Imaging cylinder ( 52 ) (including the toner unit 53 ) and delivery cylinder ( 4 ) can be adjusted radially by means of eccentric bushes (arrow Y) for adaptation to variable thickness substrates during production. Linear adjustments are also conceivable.

In one to operate the machine 1 advantageous are the feed system ( 3 ) and the delivery system ( 5 ) arranged at essentially the same height distance above a support level, so that an approximately horizontal operating level is defined. In the area of the delivery system ( 5 ) can therefore be used for further processing 3 Additional units for inline finishing or further processing are provided, so that the printing material is passed on in a conveyor line for coating, drying, embossing, punching, and the like. With these height distances, the machine can be easily loaded and unloaded 1 possible from the ground.

The concept of the machine 1 is designed so that any printing process can be combined in order to make maximum use of the substrate flexibility.

In 9 . 10 . 11 and 12 . 13 a section with gripper systems is shown. The gripper pad is shown ( 64 ), Substrate ( 57 ), Stretched blanket ( 58 ), Cylinder body ( 59 ), Tensioning bar 48 and rubber blanket glued 65 ,

There will also be a blanket tensioning system with a tension bar 60 , Tension seat ( 62 ) and clamping direction 63 and gripper back ( 61 ).

In 9 is the gripper system in the working position for paper transport with tensioned blankets ( 58 ).

In 11 the gripper system is shown in a lowered position for passing through the imaging cylinders. The back of the gripper 61 are now underneath the unwinding surface, which means that the imaging cylinders can unwind under pressure on the elastic blanket without the need for gripper openings or channels, without the risk of damage.

In 12 the gripper system is shown in the swiveled position so that the tensioned blankets ( 58 ) is made possible.

In 13 is the gripper system in connection with glued printing blankets ( 65 ), which are known to require no jigs.

The gripper openings 1 in the printing blankets allow the gripper systems to work with tensioned printing blankets. (not shown)

Tensioning strips and holding strips, or Tension shaft with tension channels enable good behavior for tensioning or tensioning the printing blanket. (not shown)

In 6 and 7 is a basic concept of a drive concept in the area of the printing press ( 1 ), the delivery system ( 18 ) and the punching device ( 35 ). There are two servo drive motors 26 and 27 to secure a synchronous drive with a non-contact gear connection 30 provided, the teeth with a constant distance even during the drive phase 31 interlock without contact. The teeth only come into contact with the system if a control error, for example in the software area, could lead to an undesired overloading of the system and an immediate shutdown of the drive torque is necessary. With this gear connection ( 30 ) the system can be secured against destruction, especially the gripper systems, with little effort. With the backlash-free gear connection 32 is the synchronous development of the male punch cylinders 34 and die cutting cylinder 33 specified.

In 8th A satellite printing machine, designated as a whole by 1, is shown, which has an upper intermediate cylinder equipped with rubber blankets 2a has, in the direction of rotation D between in the embodiment shown, a cleaning cylinder (R) and seven satellite printing units (S) for multi-color straight printing are assigned.

The satellite printing machine ( 1 ) Execution according to the invention is with the rubber blanket-equipped lower intermediate cylinder ( 2 B ), and these are in the direction of rotation D behind the delivery system ( 5 ) and in front of the feed cylinder ( 3 ) a cleaning cylinder ( 6 ) and seven satellite printing units (W) for multi-color printing. When processing sheets as printing material, feed cylinders ( 3 ), one of the two intermediate cylinders and delivery system ( 5 ) with known gripper systems.

Furthermore, the feed cylinder ( 3 ) an alignment table ( 7 ) upstream, which is adjustable in the transverse direction, in height and / or in the feed direction in the oblique direction during operation and is provided with format-dependent partitioning.

Before the pressure point 13 the two intermediate cylinders is a pre-print cassette ( 9 ), e.g. B. for fixation or conditioning and after the pressure point 13 is a cassette ( 15 ), e.g. B. for finishing (z. B. paint application) arranged.

Fixation becomes fusion understood by toner on the substrate with heat and pressure.

Claims (29)

Satellite printing machine ( 1 ) for printing sheets with a single, covered with elastic material, designed as a rubber blanket, intermediate cylinder ( 2a ) for collecting the color separations and an impression cylinder ( 4a ) and a number of at least 4 this in the direction of rotation (D) between a feed system, for. B. with feed cylinder ( 3 ) and a delivery system ( 5 ) so-called digital satellite printing units (S) and a cleaning system (R), z. B. after the electrophotography process for the straight printing (S), characterized in that the intermediate cylinder ( 2a ) with gripper opening ( 22 ), or clamping channels, or milled recesses, in order to immerse the gripper back ( 61 ) in the intermediate cylinder and thereby prevent damage to the protruding gripper tools and / or printing blankets and / or cylinders, with maximum processing format or minimal white margin, ie waste. Satellite printing machine ( 2 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that a second central intermediate cylinder ( 2 B ) and a second impression cylinder ( 4b ) and a number of at least one satellite printing unit for the at least monochrome reverse printing (W) is arranged over the circumference and a cleaning system. Satellite printing machine according to at least one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the impression cylinder ( 5 ) with a gripper unit that grips an arc ( 14 ) is provided for full-format printing. Satellite printing machines according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the intermediate cylinder ( 2 ) to collect the color separations with segmented elastic printing blankets ( 58 ), which are regularly arranged over the circumference according to format size. Satellite printing machine according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the intermediate cylinder ( 2a + 2 B ) with gripper openings ( 22 ) in which clamping systems ( 12 ) are arranged for tensioning and retensioning the printing blankets. Satellite printing machines according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the intermediate cylinder ( 2 ) and in its direction of rotation D a cleaning system in front of the satellite printing units ( 12 ), or cleaning cylinder is arranged over the circumference. Satellite printing machines according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the feed ( 3 ) Back pressure ( 4 ) and / or further transfer or delivery cylinders ( 5 ) with heatable coats ( 20 ) are equipped to fix the toner. Satellite printing machines according to at least one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the intermediate cylinders ( 2a + 2 B ) are in synchronous drive connection and together relative to the imaging and conditioning cylinder and further processing units ( 60 ) that are adjustable in circumferential alignment. Satellite printing machines according to at least one of the Expectations 1 to 8, characterized in that this is a drive with gear transmission having. Satellite printing machines according to at least one of the Expectations 1 to 9, characterized in that this is a drive with a or more servomotors. Satellite printing machines according to at least one of the Expectations 1 to 10 characterized in that this is a combined drive of gears and one or more servo motors. Satellite printing machines according to at least one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the feed system ( 3 ) and the delivery system ( 5 ) are arranged at substantially the same height distance above a standing level of the machine and define an approximately horizontal operating level. Satellite printing machines according to at least one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the feed system ( 3 ) an alignment table ( 7 ) is arranged upstream, which is adjustable in the transverse direction, in height in the feed direction and / or in an oblique direction to the feed direction during operation. Satellite printing machines according to at least one of claims 13, characterized in that the alignment table ( 7 ) has adjusting means provided for changing the feed direction of the printing material. Satellite printing machines according to at least one of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the alignment table ( 7 ) is provided with format-dependent partitions in the area of its vacuum conveyor belts. Satellite printing machines according to at least one of the Expectations 1 to 15, characterized in that several printing systems of different printing processes can be used with integrated conditioning, coating, fixing, drying and rewetting. Satellite printing machines according to at least one of the Expectations 1 to 16, characterized in that the printing units for perfecting without a surface drying are arranged sequentially. Satellite printing machines according to at least one of the Expectations 1 to 17 characterized in that for each (process) color a complete Printing unit is installed and thus the color separations in the so-called SINGLE PASS SYSTEM in beautiful and backprint can be printed. Satellite printing machines according to at least one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the counter-pressure cylinder ( 5 ) before and / or after digital printing several variants and expansion stages, e.g. B. in cassette units ( 3 ) ( 9 + 15 ) can be integrated, e.g. B. for conditioning, coating, varnish application, special printing, fixing (fusing), drying and rewetting. Satellite printing machines according to at least one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that a uniform system ( 21 ) for the combined application of protective lacquer and silicone oil for fixing (fusing). Satellite printing machines according to at least one of the Expectations 1 to 20, characterized in that one or more cylinders, which are used to fix the color substrate, tempered are (cooled or heated). Satellite printing machines according to at least one of the Expectations 1 to 21 is characterized in that for optimal ease of use the feed, counter, pressure, intermediate and delivery cylinders for adjustment are radially adjustable to the variable thickness of the substrates. (Arrow Y). Satellite printing machines according to at least one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that for precise registration, the printing material is transferred to the inline finishing unit ( 66 ) the last sprocket ( 29 ) is prepared for the so-called non-contact gear drive. Satellite printing machines according to at least one of claims 1 to 23 are characterized in that a single feeder ( 6 ) and a single display ( 18 ) Various substrates can be changed easily and non-stop using paper trays called sheet trays. Satellite printing machines according to at least one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that for optimal ease of use of the printing and conditioning systems are arranged in cassette inserts and thus optimal accessibility in the working position ( 54 ) within the machine frame and when servicing service ( 55 ) and / or drive side ( 56 ) outside of the machine frame. Satellite printing machines according to at least one of claims 1 to 25, characterized in that the impression cylinders ( 4 ) have a color or toner-repellent surface. Satellite printing machines according to at least one of claims 1 to 26, characterized in that a dryer ( 11 ) is provided. Satellite printing machines according to at least one of the Expectations 1 to 27 characterized in that between the two impression cylinders further transfer drums added are. (not shown) Satellite printing machines according to at least one of the Expectations 1 to 28 characterized in that between the two impression cylinders a chain handover added is. (not shown) Note: Fixation is melting of toner on the substrate with heat and pressure.