EP0453981A2 - Device with prestressing jack for controlling the working pressure between two rotating cylinders in a processing machine for web-, ink-like material or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for controlling the working pressure between two rotating cylinders (PP, PB) in a machine for processing material in the form of a web, an ink layer or the like, for example in a printing machine offset. The device comprises a pneumatic cylinder (2), the output rod (20) of the piston (21) acting on the positioning of each bearing (12) supporting the end of the central shaft (14) of a cylinder (PP ). When a chamber (22) of the cylinder (2) is pressurized (b₁), the rod (20) opposes a movement of the bearing (12) which would cause an increase in the distance between the two cylinders (PP, PB). A stop (4) fixed, but adjustable in position, opposes a movement of the bearing (12) which would cause a reduction in the distance between the cylinders (PP, PB).

Description

The present invention relates to a device for controlling the working pressure between two rotary cylinders in a machine for treating material in the form of a strip, ink or the like.

An offset, flexography, or rotogravure printing machine comprises at least one pair of rotary or coactive cylinders (or rollers), the force of which tends to push them against each other must be exactly controlled in the course of working or processing a material located at their line (or surface) of contact. The material to be worked can be, for example, in the case of an offset machine, either a strip of paper (or cardboard) located between the transfer cylinder (or blanket) and the pressure cylinder (or counter-cylinder), or a thin layer of ink located between the plate cylinder (or plate holder) and the transfer cylinder (or blanket). Such pairs of cylinders all have the common characteristic that during work, the two cylinders must be pressed one towards the other in order to achieve not only a working pressure, but in addition a prestress, such so that even a disturbing force higher than the working pressure does not result in the slightest change of center distance. This prestressing has been obtained to date by using, for example, running beads produced on the radial periphery of each axial end of the two cylinders.

• danger inhérent de grippage dû à une lubrification difficile (propreté);
• cylindre onéreux;
• la pression de travail ne peut être changée que par échange de l'habillage, à moins de mettre les cordons sur excentrique, ce qui est compliqué et cher; de toute façon, et c'est là le désavantage crucial, il faut un arrêt machine pour altérer la pression de travail.

However, such running cords have the following drawbacks:

• inherent danger of seizing up due to difficult lubrication (cleanliness);
• expensive cylinder;
• the working pressure can only be changed by exchanging the covering, unless you put the cords on eccentric, which is complicated and expensive; Anyway, and this is the crucial disadvantage, it takes a machine stop to alter the working pressure.

Consequently, the present invention therefore aims to eliminate the need to have recourse to such rolling cords.

Another negative aspect of most of the known arrangements is that the center distance PP-PB or PB-CC is fixed, that is to say that in case of accidental excess thickness, the blankets are undoubtedly damaged as well as possibly the plate and, in extreme cases, the bearings.

The object of the present invention is also to provide a possible opening of the PP-PB or PB-CC slots from a threshold value corresponding to the preload.

The present invention also has the function of providing a "protection" for the machine.

This object is achieved thanks to a device according to claim 1 and to a printing machine according to claim 8.

• la figure 1 est une vue en coupe d'un dispositif selon l'invention;
• la figure 2 est un schéma simplifié montrant l'utilisation de deux dispositifs de contrôle selon la figure dans une machine d'impression offset.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will also emerge from the embodiment described below with reference to the appended drawing in which:

• Figure 1 is a sectional view of a device according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a simplified diagram showing the use of two control devices according to the figure in an offset printing machine.

p

= cylindre porteur

P

= plaque

PP

= ensemble cylindre-porteur et plaque

B

= blanchet

PB

= ensemble cylindre-porteur et blanchet

CC

= contre-cylindre

In the following, the following abbreviations are used:

p

= carrier cylinder

P

= plate

PP

= cylinder-carrier and plate assembly

B

= blanket

PB

= cylinder-carrier and blanket assembly

CC

= counter cylinder

In the case of FIG. 1, the control device is applied to the adjustment of the working pressure between the plate P mounted on the plate cylinder pP (assembly = PP) and the blanket B mounted on its corresponding cylinder pB (assembly = PB).

At each of its two ends (only one is shown in Figure 1), the central axis 10a of the cylinder PB is rotatably mounted on fixed bearings 10 provided on the frame 11 of the machine. In Figure 1, only one half of the rollers PP and PB is shown, it being understood that the other half is symmetrical. Likewise, the representation of the cylinders is simply shown diagrammatically since they are only represented to display a mode of use of said device. It is simply recalled here that the plate P is a metal plate carrying an engraving of the pattern to be printed, the engraving being covered with ink which will be transferred to the blanket B, itself formed from a plate of resilient materials , fixed or glued on the PB cylinder for the transfer of ink on a printing tape 100. Consequently, it is easy to understand that the pressure with which the metal plate P is pressed or pushed towards the resilient blanket B will have a great influence on the behavior of the ink layer compressed between the two opposite faces of the cylinders PP and PB. The aim of the control device in question is to make it easier and safer, for printing, to set up and maintain the working pressure through strict control of the distance between the two cylinders PP and PB .

For this purpose, each end of the central shaft 14 of the cylinder PP is rotatably mounted in a bearing 12 which can be displaced in principle vertically and which is supported on the upper end of the outlet rod 20 of a pneumatic cylinder 2. (For for practical reasons, the node 12 can be undone and bridged by a lever 8 (FIG. 2) or other mechanical part which we will of course take care to make very rigid, like the rest of the assembly described). The lower end of the rod 20, the end situated inside the cylindrical enclosure 2a of the jack, is provided with a piston 21 separating the interior volume of the enclosure 2a into two upper 22 and lower 23 sealed chambers. A conduit 24, connected to a pressure source (not shown) makes it possible to establish in the upper chamber 22 a pressure b₁, while the lower chamber 23 is brought into the open air by means of a conduit 25 with adjustable exhaust (not shown). The displacement of the piston 21 downwards, under the effect of the pressure b₁ acting on its upper face 21a, is controlled by means of an adjustable stop in the form of a plate or disc 4 located in the lower chamber 23 and capable of be pressed against the underside 21c of the piston 21. The disc 4 is engaged, along its central axis, with a threaded rod 5 so that, by rotation of the latter in one direction or the other, one obtains an upward or downward movement of the disc 4. The threaded rod 5, located in the extension of the output rod 20 of the jack 2, is mounted in rotation, by means of a rolling bearing 26, on the lower wall, that is to say opposite to that traversed by the output rod 20 of the jack 2.

To have a compact assembly, the upper end of the threaded rod 5 penetrates inside a hollow lower part of the outlet rod 20, a guide sleeve 27 being interposed between the two rods 20 and 5. The rod threaded 5 is rotated at its lower end by means of a servo motor M whose output axis is provided with a toothed wheel 9a engaged with another wheel 9c provided on the threaded rod 5. The motor M is mounted, by means of a bracket 28, directly on the cylinder 2a. To prevent, inside the cylinder 2a, the rotation of the piston 21 and of the disc 4, the latter are traversed in free sliding by a vertical guide rod 29, that is to say parallel to the outlet rod 20 , connected at each of its ends to the respectively upper and lower walls of the cylinder 2a. Each cylinder has a pivot not shown but symbolized by the cross 30, 30 ', by which it is attached to the frame 11. A vertical tube 7 is fixed, by its lower end, to the piston 21, while its upper end emerges, in free sliding and sealingly, out of the upper wall of the cylinder 2a. At the lower end of the tube 7 is mounted a proximity detector or "switch" SW of the position of the piston 21 relative to the support disc 4. Another arrangement provides a rod fixed in the disc 4 and penetrating through the tube 7, which has the effect of being able to arrange the switch SW outside of the jack 2, at the end of the tube 7 (better access, same function). The information of the detector SW is transmitted by means of an electrical connection 7a. The cylinder 2 is provided with adequate seals 2e at each place where it is necessary.

FIG. 2 shows how, in an offset printing machine, two devices according to the invention can be used simultaneously for controlling the pressure and the distance-between the blanket cylinder PB and the plate cylinder PP and, respectively, the CC counter-cylinder. It is recalled here that the cylinder CC is used to press, during printing, a printing band 100 which runs, against the cylinder PB. Consequently, it is also necessary, for the safety of the quality of the printing, to control at all times the working pressure and the distance between the two cylinders PB and CC. In FIG. 2, the elements identical to those of FIG. 1 have been designated by the same corresponding reference sign, with the difference that those relating to the device for controlling the cylinder CC have been supplemented by the index '. In addition, each control device according to FIG. 2 is provided with an incremental encoder Ci, respectively C'i, whose output axis 200, 200 'is linked in rotation (by means of two toothed wheels 9i and 9d in the case of the encoder Ci) to the toothed wheel 9c, 9c 'of the threaded rod 5, 5'. Similarly, each end of the central shaft 14 of the PP cylinder is rotatably mounted in a bearing 82 located on the end of a horizontal lever 8 which can freely tilt around an axis 81 situated at the other end and mounted on the frame 11 of the machine. The outlet rod 20 of the cylinder 2 is connected to a joint 83 located in the middle of the lever 8, so that, when the cylinder 2 is put to pressure b₁, the rod 20 is opposed to an upward movement of the lever 8 and therefore at a distance from the cylinder PP relative to the cylinder PB.

• pour un nouveau travail par exemple, l'opérateur choisit une pression b, b', selon son expérience, en fonction de la laize, du travail et d'autres critères.

The operation of the control device can be carried out according to several modes, of which here are the two main ones, always starting from an "open" position of the levers 8, 8 ′ (FIG. 2):

• for a new job for example, the operator chooses a pressure b, b ', according to his experience, according to the width, the job and other criteria.

The levers 8, 8 'will then rest and create compression between PP and PB, and PB and CC, respectively. The discs 4, 4 'are then brought into abutment and the corresponding rotation of the motors M, M' is cut by the switches SW, SW 'at the time of the impact of the discs 4, 4' with their piston 21, 21 '. Consequently, the pressures b, b ′ pass to a fixed value, clearly higher (for example 6 bar), thus achieving a prestressing of the system.

The group is ready to start. The operator can intervene at any time from a console and change the working pressure between PP and PB or PB and CC, which will be described later. At each machine stop, each incremental encoder Ci, C'i will record the exact position of the axis 14 relative to the axis 10a. These values will be loaded onto a diskette assigned to the job in progress.

• A partir des axes 82, 82' écartés, les disques d'appui 4, 4' sont envoyés à leurs positions de travail enregistrées, comme décrit ci-dessus, grâce à des moyens électroniques de positionnement utilisant les codeurs incrémentals Ci, C'i. Les pressions b₁, b'₁ sont enclenchées à leur valeur maximale, ayant pour effet d'établir les pressions de travail avec précontrainte entre PP et PB, et PB et CC.

This allows a second mode:

• From the axes 82, 82 'apart, the support discs 4, 4' are sent to their recorded working positions, as described above, by means of electronic positioning means using the incremental encoders Ci, C'i . The pressures b₁, b'₁ are engaged at their maximum value, having the effect of establishing the working pressures with prestress between PP and PB, and PB and CC.

The group is ready to start. Note that the second mode will in principle be used because, even for new work, the position of each coder Ci, C'i can be calculated, depending on the format and geometry.

It should be noted that if the parts 5, 20, the axle suspensions 82 and, above all, the levers 8 are very rigid, the system described replaces the effect of the cords. Thus, the cord function of the carrier p was "exported" to the infrastructure part, thus simplifying the carrier itself.

• des deux côtés simultanément;
• des deux côtés séparément, ce qui provoquera un biaisage - surface de pression conique, - qui sera limité à une valeur seuil. En cas de nouvelle commande asymétrique, l'angle de biaisage est alors maintenu.

It should also be noted that the operator can at any time intervene from the console, when the machine is stopped or running, and increment or decrement the PP-PB or PB-CC axis, this:

• on both sides simultaneously;
• on both sides separately, which will cause a bias - conical pressure surface, - which will be limited to a threshold value. In the event of a new asymmetric control, the bias angle is then maintained.

In all cases, the rigidity of the system is high.

• la fermeture de l'entr'axe provoquera une diminution de la précontrainte entre le disque 4, 4' et le piston 21, 21' et finalement un décollement du disque 4, 4', ce qui sera intercepté par les switchs SW, SW'. L'entr'axe sera alors rouvert automatiquement d'une valeur assurant de nouveau la précontrainte, donc stabilité du système.
• l'ouverture de l'entr'axe provoquera finalement un contact limite et une déterioration, puis, une disparition de l'impression.

The corrections described above have limitations:

• the closing of the center distance will cause a reduction in the preload between the disc 4, 4 'and the piston 21, 21' and finally a detachment of the disc 4, 4 ', which will be intercepted by the switches SW, SW' . The center distance will then be automatically reopened with a value again ensuring the preload, therefore system stability.
• the opening of the center distance will eventually cause limited contact and deterioration, then, disappearance of the impression.

Note that the usual pressure zone is centered between these two extremes, thus ensuring the possibility of large variations in working pressure in more or less.

Given the relatively large weight of the cylinder PP, it appeared useful to also connect the articulation point 83 to the outlet rod 400 of an auxiliary cylinder Va, the connection being such that, when a chamber of this cylinder is put under pressure a₁, the rod 400 takes up at least part of the weight of the cylinder PP to avoid excessive crushing of the blanket B; on the other hand, when another chamber of the cylinder Va is put to a pressure a₂, the rod 400 pushes the cylinder PP in the direction of the cylinder PB. The pressure a₂ increases the prestressing effect.

The position of the second cylinder 2 'is reversed relative to that of the cylinder 2, that is to say that the outlet rod 20' is directed downwards. Each end of the central shaft 14 'of the cylinder CC is rotatably mounted in a bearing 82' located around the middle of a horizontal lever 8 'which can freely pivot around an axis 81' located at a first end, l other end being connected by a hinge 83 'at the end of the outlet rod 20' of the jack 2 '. Consequently, when the jack 2 'is put under pressure b'₁, its rod 20' tends to pull the cylinder CC upwards so as to press the strip 100 against the cylinder PB.

To meet the precision conditions desired for the positioning of the PP cylinder, an incremental angular encoder Ci of 512 steps / revolution is used. The construction is chosen so that, for example, 1 step from the encoder Ci (3.76 ° motor angle) corresponds to 0.00195 mm of displacement of the PP cylinder and only 1 step from the encoder C'i (4, Motor angle 34 °) corresponds to 0.0006 mm of displacement of the CC cylinder, in both cases, for an assured positioning accuracy of the PP cylinders, respectively CC, of 0.01 mm.

When the machine is running, it is possible to vary the compression of the blanket B by correcting the position of the cylinder PP. During this correction, the motor M must act against the prestressing pressure. For this purpose, the control panel can be equipped with a push button, a short pulse of which corresponds to 1 encoder step, that is to say approximately 0.001 mm at the "nip" of the PP and PB cylinders and of which another pulse greater than 0.2 sec. corresponds to 9 encoder steps, that is to say approximately 0.01 mm at "nip".

Correction can also be performed only at one end of the PP cylinder. In this case, however, excessive biasing of the PP cylinder must be avoided. It is possible to limit, for example, this biasing to a maximum of 0.20 mm, ie 179 no difference between the two coders Ci relating to each end of the cylinder PP. This limitation is electrical. After maximum bias, a new asymmetric control is carried out by the two M motors, which maintains the maximum bias without increasing it. The bias can of course be displayed on the machine control panel.

It is obvious that all the groups relating to the different colors of a printing machine can have their PP and CC cylinders provided with such control devices with preload cylinders. In this case, a single setpoint value, relating either to the PP cylinder or to the CC cylinder, can be used for all the groups simultaneously for their pressurization and simultaneous correction.

It is also possible to equip the touch rollers with such a device; its size would then be reduced accordingly.

Claims (11)

Device for controlling the working pressure between two coactive rotary cylinders (PP, PB; CC, PB) in a machine for treating material in the form of an ink layer, a strip or the like, intended to act on the positioning of a movable bearing (12) supporting one end of the central shaft (14) of at least one of the two cylinders (PP; CC), characterized in that it comprises: - A pneumatic cylinder (2) provided with a sealed enclosure (2a) and with a movable piston (21) extended by an outlet rod (20) acting on said positioning of the bearing (12; 82; 82 '), l 'enclosure (2a) comprising a first sealed chamber (22) which can be pressurized (b₁) and acting on a first face (21a) of the piston so as to oppose a variation in positioning of the bearing (12; 82; 82 ') which would increase the distance and decrease the contact pressure between the coactive cylinders (PP, PB; CC, PB); and - A fixed stop (4), but adjustable in position, which can be pressed against the piston (21) so as to oppose a movement of the bearing (12) which would cause a reduction in the distance and an increase in the contact pressure between the coactive cylinders (PP, PB; CC, PB). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the jack (2) comprises a second sealed chamber (23) in contact with a second face (21c) of the piston (21) opposite the first face (21a), the adjustable stop ( 4) is mounted, inside said second chamber (23), on a threaded rod (5) located in the extension of said outlet rod (20), so as to position the stop (4) by rotation of the threaded rod (5). Device according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a motor (M) and an incremental angular encoder (Ci) for driving and controlling the rotation of the threaded rod (5) for the positioning of the adjustable stop (4) with very fine resolution. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that a proximity detector (SW) is interposed between the piston (21) and the adjustable stop (4) intended to emit a signal when the latter comes into contact with said second face (21c ) of the piston (21). Device according to claim 4, characterized in that a first end of the threaded rod (5) is mounted in rotation, by means of a bearing (26), on a wall of the enclosure (2a) of the jack (2 ) and is provided with a toothed wheel (9c) connected to the motor (M) for its rotational drive, the second end being mounted in rotation and in free sliding inside a guide (27) provided on the piston (21), and the motor (M) and the incremental encoder (Ci) being mounted on the walls of said enclosure (2a). Device according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that said second chamber (23) is provided with means (25) for venting through an adjustable exhaust. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the stop (4) is in the form of a disc, the axis of which coincides with those of the cylindrical enclosure (2a) and the piston (21), means (29) are provided, inside the enclosure (2a), to oppose the rotation of the disc (4) and the piston (21), and the detector (SW) is mounted inside from the first end of a tube (7) fixed to the piston (21), the tube (7) extending, parallel to the outlet rod (20), through said first chamber (22) and emerging, from tightly and freely sliding, outside the cylindrical enclosure (2a), a wire (7a) for transmitting the signal from the detector (SW) being provided inside the tube (7). Printing machine comprising a control device according to one of the preceding claims, and in which said bearings (82; 82 ') are mounted on tilting levers (8; 8'). Offset printing machine according to claim 8, comprising: - A first control device with preloaded cylinder (2) whose outlet rod (20) is oriented upwards, so that said first chamber (22) under pressure (b₁) controls the working pressure between a blanket cylinder (PB) and an upper plate cylinder (PP), and - a second control device with preloaded cylinder (2 ') whose outlet rod (20') is oriented downwards, so that said first chamber (22 ') under pressure (b'₁) controls the working pressure between said blanket cylinder (PB) and a lower counter-cylinder (CC). Machine according to claim 9, characterized in that an auxiliary cylinder (Va) comes to increase the effect of the first chamber (22) and therefore of the prestressing, or of the second chamber (23). Device according to claim 7, characterized in that, as a variant, the detector (SW) is fixed to the free external end of the tube (7), and a rod fixed to the disc (4) and extending through the tube (7), is likely, when the disc (4) touches the piston (21), to switch the detector (SW).

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