EP0906825B1 - Method for operating a rotary press - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to methods for operating a rotary printing press with at least two printing forms that can be imaged in the printing press, with which, after a single Imaging multiple prints can be performed, according to the preamble of claims 1 and 2.

DE 195 12 420 A1 describes a multi-color printing press with one Printing form cylinders described sequentially assignable imaging unit. To this Ways are compared to an assignment of one each Imaging device per printing form cylinder reduced. An illustration of printing forms during the operation of the printing press is not provided here, so that for everyone Order change an interruption of operations is necessary. The resulting one Incidence of waste in the event of business continuation and the overall long downtimes cause a comparatively poor economy.

In DE-PS 28 44 418 is a web-fed rotary printing press with flying Print image change described in an impression unit, that is, when reaching a certain edition with a first impression of the printing unit currently printing turned off and another printing unit of the impression unit without machine downtime in Is put into operation. While the other printing unit is working, the one that is turned off can be switched off Printing unit to be prepared for the next impression. An illustration of printing forms in the printing press is not provided here, so that for small print runs per Print image the cost of prepress, e.g. B. the photochemical plate copy, a represent a comparatively large proportion of the total costs. Automation of the Printing plate changes can only be achieved with considerable technical effort.

EP 0 368 179 A2 describes a pixel transmission device which first with means of electrography, electrophotography or magnetography Charge image generated on a transfer belt on which a subsequently applied toner-like substance adheres more or less depending on the charge. The transfer belt is then heated by means of a heatable unit which functions as an image delivery unit The roller is pressed against a printing form cylinder so that it melts again Substance is transferred from the transfer belt to the printing form cylinder. If the Printing form cylinder is already illustrated, the transfer belt from the printing form cylinder switched off. While production continues on the printing cylinder just illustrated, may the transfer belt to be placed on another printing form cylinder and another in Form of substance parts temporarily stored print image can be transferred to the latter. Likewise, the time of production can be used by means of the pixel transmission device to transfer a new print image onto the transfer belt.

The invention has for its object methods for operating a Rotary printing press to create, through which procedures also print jobs and Partial runs of short runs with low waste and cheaper Machine utilization can be produced economically.

The object is achieved according to the invention by methods having the features of claim 1 and 2 solved.

According to the present invention, the methods for operating a Rotary printing press with at least two images that can be imaged in the printing press Printing forms with which several prints can be carried out after a single illustration are, among other things, characterized in that during the printing with the first printing form second printing form is illustrated. The second printing form is illustrated in particular for printing with the first printing form after the printing second printing form.

The methods can be carried out by means of a device in which the first Printing form a first imaging device and the second printing form a second Imaging device is assigned.

The methods can also be carried out by means of a device in which the first Printing form and the second printing form a single common imaging device is assigned, which can be used for imaging the first and the second printing form.

The procedures can be used in the operation of rotary and Use sheet-fed rotary printing machines. The devices are in these machines used.

In contrast to the dynamic or erasable forms in as output devices for Personal computer used, e.g. B. printers working according to the electrographic principle and plotter, the invention relates to uniquely imageable - that is, the master system assignable - printing forms with a storable, non-erasable print image. This Printing forms can be in the form of a printing plate, a sleeve or a curable Fluid layer or preferably a print film that can be unwound and wound up Printing form cylinders to be applied. The printing forms can be used as offset printing forms, e.g. B. as conventional wet offset printing forms or as damp-proof working Dry offset printing forms, and also as printing forms for direct planographic printing (Dilitho) be trained.

The direct imaging of the printing forms can be according to one Computer-to-press imaging process is carried out, which is a local or pixel by pixel, preferably high energy, radiation and a subsequent manual or automatic cleaning of the printing form from imaging residues, e.g. B. thermal decomposed material of a non-printing layer of the printing form, so that a printing layer is exposed at the image points and activated. The non-printing Layer of the printing form can be a silicone layer and the printing layer a Infrared absorption layer.

The printing form can be cleaned by means of a cleaning device or by the Substrate. For cleaning, the one to be printed on or off can be used an existing printing material used especially for cleaning become. Imaging residues can be removed from the substrate directly during the Start of printing z. B. by few sheets becoming waste, or in one Print preceding cleaning run to be included. With non-ablative The imaging process is one that follows the actual imaging process Cleaning process not necessary. Instead, other processes can Make the printing form ready for printing and attach the images.

The complete illustration of the printing form requires depending on the respective Imaging process a certain amount of time, z. B. a total of 12 minutes, the Irradiation of the printing form 6 minutes and cleaning can take 6 minutes.

A total edition of a printed product can be made up of the first partial edition, which with a Print image or impression should be provided, and the second partial edition, which with to be provided with another printed image or impression image. During the Production of the first partial edition using the first printed or printed image printing the first printing form, the second printing form is imaged in the printing press, z. B. irradiated and cleaned. As a rule, printing of the first partial edition is required far more time than the entire imaging process, so that this can be carried out completely during the printing of the first partial edition.

In this case, there is between printing with the first printing form and printing with the second printing form the flying change. For this purpose, the second printing form comprehensive, second printing device accelerated to continuous printing speed by a drive, the second printing device synchronized with the printing press speed and to the Main drive of the printing machine coupled and the second printing form in the printing position brought. Meanwhile, the first printing form can be brought out of the printing position and the the first printing form comprising the first printing device from the main drive be uncoupled so that the first printing device to a standstill or can be decelerated to reach a lower speed (creep speed). The flying change described above can be done continuously Operation of a third or more others included in the printing press Printing devices or printing units take place. With the latter others Printing units can be the actual print image of the total print run of the order are printed, the first and second printing device additional impressions in this actual print image can be printed. The other printing units can be conventional Include printing forms, the z. B. by means of plate copying outside the printing press and cannot be imaged within the printing press.

In the case of orders with more than two partial runs, alternate images can be used and an alternate use of the first printing form and the second printing form respectively. Of course, the method can also be done using more are carried out as two printing forms that can be imaged in the printing press, where z. B. a first printing form is in use, while a second printing form and a third printing form can be illustrated. After completion of the first Printing form printed partial edition there is a change of the printing unit, so that the following prints or impressions carried out using the second printing form during which the imaging of the first printing form begins and the Illustration of the third printing form is completed. The first and the second Imaging device of the device for performing the method can by a separately assigned one or by a single selectable one common electronic control device can be controlled. The Control device can e.g. B. contain a microprocessor and bitmap files from electronic publishing systems, e.g. B. from a raster image processor, take over, these digital data to the z. B. a line of 11 Including laser diodes or electroerosive spark generating electrodes Print heads of the imaging devices are forwarded. A common imaging device of the device according to the invention can by optional attachment, e.g. B. a change of a first, the first Printing form associated holder in a second, the second printing form assigned bracket to be assigned to the respective printing form. Preferably can the common imaging device in a first position Imaging of the first printing form and in a second position for imaging the second printing form adjustable, e.g. B. displaceable, rotatable or pivotable his. Further assignments or adjustments of the common Imaging device in positions, e.g. B. in an imaging position Illustration of a third or further printing forms or in a cleaning of the second printing form during the use of the first printing form Neutral position are possible.

A device can be used to carry out a special embodiment of the inventive method, which includes that in an already printed Print image can be printed in-line impressions, be trained. For this, a Rotary printing machine can be designed such that in the substrate conveying direction seen the one or two-sided four or multi-color printing necessary printing units are subordinated to two impression devices. Each of the Impression devices can e.g. B. on and on an impression cylinder adjustable printing form cylinder or one on the impression cylinder on and adjustable printing form and blanket cylinder combination.

The method according to the invention further comprises a method variant, in which is a printing machine with four printing units for two-color printing is used, each printing unit being imageable in the printing press Printing form includes. This is done while printing a first two-color Order with a first and a second printing unit an illustration of the third and fourth printing units for a subsequent second two-tone Assignment. In this way, printing presses with a large number of Printing units for orders with a smaller number of colors to be printed - z. B. Four-color printing machines for two-color jobs or Perfector printing machines with eight printing units and turning device for two-sided printing in one print run for one-sided four-color jobs - very much be used economically.

The invention is more preferred below with reference to the drawings Embodiments described.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer Rotationsdruckmaschine in Reihenbauweise mit einer Vorrichtung zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens;

Fig. 2

ein Flußdiagramm, welches schematisch den Ablauf der Steuerungsvorgänge der Steuerung einzelner Maschinenkomponenten der in Fig. 1 dargestellten Druckmaschine bei der Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens veranschaulicht und

Fig. 3

eine schematische Darstellung einer Rotationsdruckmaschine in Satellitenbauweise mit einer weiteren Vorrichtung zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren.

The drawings show:

Fig. 1

is a schematic representation of a rotary printing press in series construction with a device for performing the method according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a flowchart which schematically illustrates the sequence of the control processes of the control of individual machine components of the printing press shown in FIG. 1 when carrying out the method according to the invention and

Fig. 3

a schematic representation of a rotary printing press in satellite design with a further device for performing the method according to the invention.

The rotary printing machine shown in Fig. 1 in a row with A device for carrying out the method according to the invention comprises a first one Printing unit 82, a second printing unit 84, a sheet feeder 86, one Sheet transfer and / or sheet turning device 88, a sheet delivery 90 and a central control device 118 for controlling the said Components of the printing press including those not shown in FIG. 1 Drives of the components and of the printing units 82, 84, not shown assigned ink or ink and dampening units. Each of the printing units 82, 84 includes an impression cylinder 96, 102, a blanket cylinder 94, 100 and a printing form cylinder 92, 98 with a printing form 104, 110. The printing form 104, 110 are a cleaning device 108, 114 and one each Imaging device 106, 112 assigned. The imaging devices 106, 112 can be a laser, a modulator downstream of this and a die include modulated radiation to a focusing optics transmitting fiber optics. The Focusing optics can spiral over the surface of the printing form 104, 110 on the rotating printing form cylinders 92, 98 are guided, where the laser beam to the Positions of the grid drills the desired cells. The Imaging devices 106, 112 are by a Imaging control device 116 controlled, which is in a first operating mode the first imaging device 106 and in a second operating mode controls second imaging device 112 and that with the central Control device 118 is connected. The central control device 118 is connected to a control panel 138, via which in a known manner Operating parameters and commands for controlling the printing press can be entered. One separate from the central control device 118 Imaging control device 116 or an imaging control by the central control device 118 are also possible.

For the purpose of imaging, the printing form cylinders 92, 98 are in an imaging position movable, in which they do not contact the blanket cylinders 94, 100. A Positioning 120, 124 of the imaging devices 106, 112 can additionally be provided so that in this way a suitable distance for imaging between the effective elements of the imaging devices 106, 112, e.g. B. Laser diodes or focusing optics, and the printing form surface of the Printing forms 104, 110 can be set and kept constant, so that a exactly defined diameter of the grid points or cells is guaranteed. The Cleaning devices 108, 114 are also positionable and can be in shape of a winding and unwinding cleaning cloth in combination with one the pressing element pressing the printing plate surface may be formed, wherein a cleaning fluid indirectly via the cleaning device or directly can be applied to the printing form surface.

The implementation of the method according to the invention is exemplified below explained in the event that two print jobs are processed. The first Print job is already using the second printing unit 84 illustrated second printing form 110 printed. Sheets 128 are from Sheet feeder 86 to the first printing unit 82, from this via the Sheet transfer device 88 to the second printing unit 84 and via this to Supported sheet delivery 90. While the sheets 128 in the second printing unit 84 are printed, the first printing form 104 is imaged in the first Printing unit 82 for the second print job, which is the first print job to be processed below. When imaging the first printing form 104 the printing form cylinder 92 is switched off from the blanket cylinder 94, the Blanket cylinder 94 placed on the impression cylinder 96 or by this can be turned off. Processing the complete edition of the first Print job can be a sufficient for imaging the first printing form 104 Require a period of time so that complete imaging, including one Burning all pixels into the first printing form 104 and one subsequent cleaning of the first printing form 104 from the ablative Imaging of thermally decomposed printing plate material using the Cleaning device 108 can be carried out in this period. To Processing the first print job becomes processing the second Print job started by the printing form cylinder 92 in a working position is brought, in which an interaction with the blanket cylinder 94th is given and by simultaneously the printing form cylinder 98 from such Working position is brought into an imaging position. Such a flying one Changing the printing form minimizes the amount of waste, with a possibly briefly washing the blanket cylinder 100 and / or picking it up whose contact to the impression cylinder 102 can take place. The preferably as Printing film webs 104, 110 formed by printing foils can be formed by a Printing film feed 132 can be renewed by illustrated and used Areas of a printing film web wound onto a first roll 134 and fresh ones imageable printing film sections unwound from a second roll 136 become. After that, while printing the second print job The second printing form 110 is imaged in the first printing unit 82.

The imaging controller 116 can be operated manually or, as shown, by the central control device 118 optionally in a first operating mode - for Activation of the first imaging device 106 for imaging the first Printing form 104 - and in a second operating mode - for controlling the second Imaging device 112 for imaging the second printing form 110 - switchable his. The print image data and other data for imaging the printing forms 104, 110 can be from the imaging control device 116 in the data flow upstream electronic publishing systems on-line or, as shown, by portable data storage media 130, e.g. B. floppy disks. The Connection of the imaging control device 116 to the central one Control device 118 and also an integration in the latter enable a further one Use of the image data for the control of further machine components, e.g. B. for printing unit-specific inking unit setting, as well as a current operating status the printing press 80, in particular the printing units 82, 84 Signal flow to the imaging control device 116. Furthermore, one is also optional Connection of the imaging control device 116 to the Imaging devices 106, 112 and their activation and deactivation possible by manual operation. Of course, the printing press 80 in other functions also as a multi-color printing machine and as a Schönund Back printing machine operated, z. B. one after the other imaging of the printing forms 104, 110 can take place before the start of printing. The printing press 80 can comprise further printing units, which are the printing units 82, 84 can be upstream, intermediate and downstream.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the invention Procedure using appropriate control software in one Microprocessor circuit comprising central control device 118 realized. An example of a program flow chart for such control software is shown in Fig. 2 and is referred to below as an example to Fig. 1 described.

After starting the program in stage 140, which, for. B. with turning on Printing machine can take place, in step 142, the printing positions in second printing unit 84 set, z. B. the one already fully illustrated first Printing form cylinder 98 carrying printing form 110 from an imaging position in a working position is brought relative to the blanket cylinder 100. In the The next program stage 144 is the printing in the second printing unit 84 Printing machine 80 started. After the start of printing with the second printing unit 84, the imaging of the first takes place in a subsequent program stage 146 Printing form 104, which is complete in a further program stage 148 is completed, so that the first printing form 104 is now ready for printing. Now an adjustment of the printing positions in the first printing unit 82, e.g. B. in above in the manner described, according to a program level 150. After a first print job with the one contained in the second printing unit 84 second printing form 110 was completed and after the complete edition of the program step 152, in which a flying change from printing with the second printing unit 84 to printing with the first printing unit 82, i.e. H. one with the printing end of the printing with the second printing form 110 simultaneous printing start of a second print job with the first printing form 104. This flying change can take place by z. B. the Blanket cylinder 94 first on the inked printing plate cylinder 92 and is subsequently turned on the impression cylinder 96, meanwhile simultaneously the blanket cylinder 100 from the impression cylinder 102 and the Printing form cylinder 98 is turned off. The printing form cylinders 92, 98 can over Couplings can be coupled to and from the drive of the printing press 80 Be uncoupled so that the respective non-printing form cylinder 92; 98 through another drive with a machine speed independent Imaging speed can be driven.

In a subsequent program stage 154, the second printing form 110 is renewed, z. B. by manually replacing a printing form sleeve or a printing plate is automatically changed or a print film web that can be wound up and unwound is clocked further, so that the printing form cylinder 98 with a new imageable Printing form 110 is provided. In a further program stage 156 there is a Return query, that is, whether the second print job has other print jobs follow or whether the number n of successive orders to be processed is greater than that Number z orders completed. If there is no further print job, after the complete edition of the second print job has been printed, in one following program stage 158, the printing with the first printing form 104 ends by the blanket cylinder 92 is turned off by the blanket cylinder 96. Are there other print jobs, e.g. B. a third print job before, then the run through previous program stages again, as with loop 160 indicated. The program is ended in the last program stage 161.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, one in FIG. 3 comprises Rotary printing machine shown a satellite printing unit 2 with four or more grouped around a multi-size common impression cylinder 14 Printing devices 6, 8, 10, 12 and an impression unit 4 with a first Impression device 16 and a second impression device 18 and if necessary, further impression facilities. The satellite printing unit 2 and the impression unit 4 can be coupled and uncoupled from one another, the Interface 48 of the coupling between the single-sized, second Transfer drum 26 and the double-sized - d. H. two sheets at the same time leading - transfer drum 24, which is a single-sized, first transfer drum 22 is upstream, runs. The satellite printing unit 2 and the Imprinting unit 4 can be coupled to one another with the connecting element 78, wherein further couplings are not shown in the figure. The driving Coupling can e.g. B. via an electronic coupling of separate drives both Units 2, 4 by means of the central control device 71 or via one into a of units 2; 4 integrated central drive and one of its drive power for other unit 2; 4 transmitting gear, z. B. realized a gear train his.

At least one of the units 2; 4 is displaceable in a direction 46, while the other unit 2; 4 can be anchored stationary in the foundation 33. The Displaceability of the units 2, 4 can be guided in rails 35 Rollers 36 or other guides facilitating displacements can be made possible, the displaceable units 2, 4 in the foundation 33 with locking elements 37 can be locked.

Due to the separability and connectivity created, the units 2, 4 and operation with additional modules, e.g. B. bow-laying and -interpreting and print processing modules, - d. H. an operational one optional combination and also separate operation of units 2, 4 - possible. For example, the satellite printing unit 2 can essentially with a similar or mirror image trained additional satellite printing unit be combined so that a two-sided four or multi-color printing or a single-sided eight or multi-color printing is possible. The method according to the invention can be within only one of the satellite printing units or impression units or be carried out across modules.

The transfer drums 22, 26 and the transfer drum 24 have printed sheets holding facilities, e.g. B. gripper bars and suction pads, so that the Print sheets 30 secure on the circumferential surfaces of the drum 22, 24, 26th guided and by a drum 22; 24 to the other drum 24; 26 handed over can be. The print sheet transfer device 22, 24, 26 can be switched and thereby be designed to be operable in two operating modes. The of the Sheet transfer device 22, 24, 26 from the satellite printing unit 2, z. B. directly from the quadruple-sized impression cylinder 14, a print image of the front side 40 carrying printing sheets 30 can in a first Operating mode - the straight printing mode - such to the impression unit 4, z. B. passed directly to the multi-size impression cylinder 20 that with the impression unit 4 impression images in the printed image of the front 42 are impressive. In a second operating mode - the beauty and Reprint mode - the sheet transfer device 22, 24, 26 operates as one Turning device, wherein the transfer drum 24 as a storage drum with the second transfer drum 26 in which acts here as a turning drum cooperates in a known manner, acts so that the printing sheets 30 applied the impression unit 4 are transferred, the printing sheets 30 with their previous front 40 rest on the impression cylinder 20 and a Printing the back 44 is feasible. The arrowheads in Fig. 3 symbolize the colors printed on the printed sheet on the respective page.

The method according to the invention can be performed with the device shown in FIG. 3 can be done in different ways. A first variant includes that an illustration of one or more impression devices 16, 18 of the unit 4 during printing with the printing devices 5, 7, 9, 11 of the unit 2 or that during printing with one or more of the Impression devices 16, 18 of unit 4 illustrate one or more Printing devices 5, 7, 9, 11 of the unit 2 takes place. This first variant is too applicable to two coupled satellite printing units.

According to a second variant, one or more of the printing forms 5, 7, 9, 11 during printing with one or more of the printing forms 5, 7, 9, 11 imaged. This variant can be used in separate operation of the Satellite printing unit 2 as well as with other modules, eg. B. the Impression unit 4, coupled operation can be realized.

A combination of these variants with each other and with one below described preferred third variants and with in the description of the 1 and 2 or shown in these features is possible.

The preferred third variant includes the implementation of the invention Method by means of the devices 62 integrated in the impression unit 4, 70, 72, 73. The z. B. trained as a write head with laser diodes Imaging device 72 is in a first position a for imaging the first Printing form 49 and in a second position b for imaging the second Printing form 51 and optionally in a neutral position c. This can preferably done by pivoting the imaging device 72. In addition to the pivoting movement 74, a further one - if appropriate with this forcibly synchronized movement 76 of the imaging device 72 respectively.

In the embodiment variant shown in FIG. 3, everyone is Imaging device 66, 72 a separate imaging control device 73 assigned. It can also be provided that the imaging devices 66, 72 a common, optionally switchable imaging control device 73 is assigned, which the imaging of the printing plates 5, 7, 9, 11 and Illustration of the printing forms 49, 51 controls.

Furthermore, a single imaging device 66 with an associated one Imaging control device 73 for sequential imaging of the Printing devices 6, 8, 10, 12 or printing forms 5, 7, 9, 11 are used.

in Fig. 3 it is shown that the impression device 16 except for imaging Operation has taken place, for which the printing form cylinder 58 and the inking unit 60 Printing form cylinder 58 and the blanket cylinder 56 and the blanket cylinder 56 and impression cylinder 20 are separated and parked. While four-color printed images of a first printed in the satellite printing unit 2 Partial order on the front side 42 of the printing sheet with the second printing form 51 18 impression images are printed in the second impression device, one takes place Illustration of the first printing form 49 of the first impression device 16 for the Imprinting another imprint image into four-color print images of a second one Part order. While printing this second partial job with the first one Printing form 49 can illustrate the second printing form 51 for a third Partial order take place, the printing form 51 brought first by a new one imageable printing form is replaced, then irradiation with the Imaging device 62 and this one may be required Cleaning the printing form 51 can be done with the cleaning device 62.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

Satellite printing unit

4

Imprinter unit

5, 7, 9, 11

printing forms

6, 8, 10, 12

print Setup

14, 20

Impression cylinder

16

first impression device

18

second impression device

22

first transfer drum

24

transfer drum

26

second transfer drum

28

sheet feeder

30

sheet

31

system stack

32

sheet delivery

33

foundation

34

delivery pile

36

roll

37

Fixing element

38

runner

40, 42

Bow front

44

Bow back

46

direction

48

separation point

49

first printing form

50, 56

Blanket cylinder

51

second printing form

52, 58

Plate cylinder

54, 60

inking

62

cleaning device

64

infeed

68

axis

70

swivel arm

71

Central control facility

72

imaging

73

imaging control

74

pivotal movement

76

Move

78

connecting element

80

Sheet-fed rotary printing press

82

first printing unit

84

second printing unit

86

sheet feeder

88

Arc transfer device

90

sheet delivery

92, 98

Plate cylinder

94, 100

Blanket cylinder

96, 102

Impression cylinder

104

first printing form

106

first imaging device

108

first cleaning device

110

second printing form

112

second imaging device

114

second cleaning device

116

imaging control

118

central control device

120, 124

Positioning of the imaging device

122, 126

Positioning of the cleaning device

128

sheet

130

Data storage medium

132

Pressure foil feed

134

first wrap

136

second wrap

138

control panel

140, 142, 144, 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 161

program levels

a, b, c

positions

Claims (8)

1. Method of operating a rotary printing machine having at least two printing formes on which an image can be set in the printing machine and with which a number of prints can be made after an image has been set once, characterized in that, using the printing formes (49, 51; 104, 110), a first print job and a second print job are printed, the second printing forme (51, 110) having an image set for printing the second print job while the first print job is being printed with the first printing forme (49, 104), this image being set on the second printing forme (51, 110) in the printing machine, a flying change of the printing formes (49, 51; 104, 110) being carried out between the usage of the first printing forme (49, 104) to print the first print job and the usage of the second printing forme (51, 110) to print the second print job, and the image being set on the printing formes (49, 51; 104, 110) by means of local irradiation.
2. Method of operating a rotary printing machine having at least two printing formes on which an image can be set in the printing machine and with which a number of prints can be made after an image has been set once, characterized in that, using the printing formes (49, 51; 104, 110), a total edition composed of a first part edition and a second part edition is printed, an image being set on the second printing forme (51, 110) to print the second part edition while the first part edition is being printed with the first printing forme (49, 104), this image being set on the second printing forme (51, 110) in the printing machine, a flying change of the printing formes (49, 51; 104 110) being carried out between the usage of the first printing forme (49, 104) to print the first part edition and the usage of the second printing forme (51, 110) to print the second part edition, and the image being set on the printing formes (49, 51; 104, 110) by means of local irradiation.
3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that following the irradiation, the printing formes (49, 51; 104, 110) are cleaned of image-setting residues by means of a cleaning operation.
4. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the image is set on the first printing forme (104) by means of a first image-setting device (106) associated with the first printing forme (104), and the image is set on the second printing forme (110) by means of a second image-setting device (112) associated with the second printing forme (110).
5. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the images are set on the printing formes (49, 51) by means of a single image-setting device (72) associated jointly with the printing formes (49, 51).
6. Method according to Claim 5, characterized in that the common image-setting device (72) is adjusted into a first position a to set an image on the first printing forme (49) and into a second position b to set an image on the second printing forme (51).
7. Method according to Claim 6, characterized in that the common image-setting device (72) is pivoted into the first position a and the second position b.
8. Method according to Claim 4, characterized in that the image-setting devices (106, 112) are controlled by means of a common image-setting control device (116).

Images